Frugal Beauty

When I was younger, I purchased cosmetics and beauty products because I was insecure, and I hoped that they would make me beautiful. The problem is, I never knew which colors would look good on me, so I often purchased the wrong products.

The result is this mess,


I've been cleaning and organizing our bathrooms today, and I decided to sort out my makeup bag. All of this stuff was crammed in there. Some of it is ten years old! I put away the stuff that didn't belong, like combs and nail clippers, and then I sat down with a wastebasket, and started to sort. When I was finished, this was all I kept:


1) Blistex Lip Medex - this is my favorite lip balm. I usually wear it instead of lipstick
2) One lipstick in a flattering color, for special occasions
3) My mineral make-up. I use this because I hate liquid foundation.
4) Blush
5) My favorite eyeshadows
6) My Aveda, soft-brown eye pencil
7) Concealer
8) My favorite make-up brushes
9) Eyelash curler
10) Tweezers with various tips.

I pitched everything else.

As I was dumping it in the trash, I was thinking about why I didn't throw this stuff out sooner? Why do we hang on to things like this, when we never use them, they're obviously deteriorated, and they clutter up our lives? I believe that we keep unwanted items for several reasons,

1) They represent money we spent, and so we feel guilty about throwing them out.
2) They represent mistakes we made, such as choosing wrong makeup colors, and when we throw them out, we have to acknowledge our errors.
3) We worry that we might need or use them "someday."

The truth is, someday usually never comes, and keeping old, expired cosmetics is actually dangerous. Bacteria in foundation can cause red, acne-like bumps on the face, and mascara tubes can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause serious eye infections. I don't wear mascara because it makes my eyes itch, but if you do, please note that experts advise consumers to buy new mascara every three months.

Some experts say that no opened makeup should be kept longer than 6 months, but powder eyeshadow and blush typically have a shelf life of about 2-3 years.

As I've gotten older, and gained confidence, I've stopped wearing makeup, except on special occasions, and to church. I've also learned, with the help of an old book called "Color Me Beautiful," which colors look best on me. I no longer make mistakes when choosing makeup or clothing, which saves a lot of money.

I also don't use expensive skin care products. I use Cetaphil cleanser for sensitive skin, and I wear unscented moisturizer with sunscreen, and lip balm. That's it. I don't buy masks, scrubs or toners. Plain witch hazel is a natural astringent, and a handful of white sugar, mixed with a little water, makes an effective and inexpensive exfoliant. I've learned that I don't need to spend a lot of money to look nice, and feel good about myself.

Today, I challenge you to do the following things:

1) If you've never read it, check out Color Me Beautiful at your local library. It will help you choose colors that work well for you. This book was such an eye-opener for me. It gave me the courage to wear colors that I never would have considered before, like turquoise and hot pink. The first time I wore a turquoise sweater with black pants to a party, 6 people told me what a great color it was for me!

2) When you know what looks best on you, clean out that makeup bag! Keep only products that are fresh, in good condition, and fit with your color palette. THROW OUT THE REST! Really. Just do it. You'll feel awesome afterwards, and you'll actually be able to find the stuff you want, when you want it. (NOTE: Don't give unwanted makeup to someone else. Used cosmetics should not be shared).

3) Treat yourself to something new. If you had to throw out your foundation or eyeliner because they were the wrong color, (or if you bought them when "Flock of Seagulls" were still on the radio), head to the store and buy a replacement. Now that you know which colors will look terrific on you, you'll have fun choosing great new products.

4) Simplify your beauty routine. Choose products carefully, and don't waste money on unnecessary cosmetics, or anti-wrinkle creams that claim to make you look ten years younger. For help in making smart cosmetic choices, read "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," by Paula Begoun.

Most importantly, remember...you're beautiful just the way God made you!