One of the services I could quit paying for is facial waxing. I actually cut back chin and lip wax awhile ago, but brows I felt I couldn't shape really well.

Does anybody have tips for shaping brows on your own? I have a drugstore wax kit which I use on chin and lip, plus I have tweezers.

How about what do I do about highlights that are growing out? Can I color over with drugstore product? Do you recommend one?

In a budget crisis, is it really that important that your eyebrows be perfectly shaped and that your hair be highlighted/colored? No, its really not. But if you want to do this stuff it can be done easily at home. Check out the links below:

For tips on shaping them, check this out:
http://beauty.iloveindia.com/skin-care/bea...l-eyebrows.html

Forget the highlights, let the natural color grow in, or just completely cover with a bottle of hair color from Wal-Mart.
http://hair-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/...e_hair_coloring

For me, when I needed to cut back on my $1000.00+ habit of hair, nails, makeup, etc on a bi-monthly basis this is what I did...

Eyebrows: Got them done 1 final time by a professional, stayed on top of what they did with tweezing EVERY sunday. Its been over 5 years and I still have the lovely shape she did back then.

Hair: Stopped getting hair service from celeb stylist. This was HARD cause this was a 12+ yr relationship with my hair & stylist! I picked out a hairstyle that fit my face, but is sort of low maintenance (I dont mind curling it everynite/morn). Instead of perming everytime I saw new growth, I purchased a hot comb and hit those roots inbetween permings, so now I only need to go every 3 months to an affordable stylist. I purchased a great leave-in conditioner AND deep conditioner in which I apply myself every 2 weeks...takes nothing to walk around the house on sunday under a condition bag for minimum 20mins, this keeps your hair shiney, strong & fabu no matter what style u pick! As for color, I dyed my hair back to my natural color and let it grow out, no need for color anymore period!

Nails: Keep hands & toes natural, no more tips/french pedis...filed them down neat, paint them a neutral color (hint of color for special occasions) and touch up as needed myself! Another sunday ritual I have adopted while watching TV.

Facial: I purchase a natural beauty bar (found at any specialty store or walmart im seeing carrying more exotic brands) and buff puff like scrubbies which exfoilate. Over time I have an absolutely clear complexion (genes help too), but less is more if you dont want to cause your skin to break out! I keep one toner & pimple fighter for random breakouts--thats it. For hair removal, I use Nair with Vit E, lil dab from the tube as needed and face is MORE than clear as a baby's bottom of hair 3mins later.

Your values are not everyone's values, nor are yours automatically more important and hers shallow. Would you recommend not bathing to save on water and electricity?

Taco,
Do you do top, bottom, and between? I only need to do underneath on mine, so I can just follow the existing line, if I don't wait for them to grow in fully. I've not had much luck with anything designed to shape them, as none of them seem right for my face and existing brows, so I use liquid wax in a warmer. Do you have a Sally's nearby? They've got everything you need (hair color, too). I have the card, but you may not spend enough to make up for it.

In my experience, the electric warmers with pots of wax work better than pre-waxed strips, applicators, microwave, or no heat methods. There other ways to heat the wax, such as a pan of hot water. Here's what I use - GiGi wax.

You can get rolls of muslim strips and cut to whatever size you want. It's cheaper and more versatile. Here's what I use - Muslim Rolls

I buy applicator sticks there, but you can definitely get cheaper ones, say at a craft store. I use the big popsickle stick ones and break off a smaller piece for my eyebrows. (I wax everything, no shaving for me!)

You can also get hair coloring supplies for cheaper than drugstore prices. It can be harder to pick out colors, but on the upside, you can mix colors for a totally custom look, too. Initial investment may be a bit more, but over time, it'll save money. Highlights might be a bit more tricky than all over color. All I needed was the developer, permanent color, squeeze bottle applicator, and gloves (which you can also get at the drugstore). Put vaseline or lotion around your hairline to keep the color from staining skin. Oh, and you can buy the same conditioners that they put in the home kits, if you want.

I also get some of the ancillary stuff they sell, but you can get by with just those items and save a ton over someone else doing it.

I wasn't saying that her values were skewed or that mine were more important. Recommend not bathing? No, but shorten the showers, yes.

I was trying to put into perspective that in the grand scheme of things, given the information she has posted over the last few days, that eyebrow waxing and salon highlighting may not be the best things to be worrying about. Yes, they are nice to have, but when you can't afford to eat or pay your bills they shouldn't even be a concern.

Does it really matter if your eyebrows are shaped just right if you run out of gas on your way to work?
Is highlighting, even at home, worth it if that takes food out of your kids mouths?

No, it's not worth it.

OP, my intent is not/was not to judge or offend. Please don't take it that way.

For eyebrows I highly recommend electrolysis. I've gotten it for lip and chin hair but it always seems to take several treatments (or more). Eyebrow hair seems to be gone forever after one or 2 treatments.

I'm very low maintenance when it comes to this stuff (I don't use makeup or perfume, have never had manicures or pedicures) but I'd starve before I gave up monthly electrolysis. Dark hair on my face (other than my eyebrows) drives me crazy. And my electrologist just changed her equipment and the new machine stings significantly less.

HI Taco:

To get the right shape when i wax my own, I draw the shape on first with either a dark pencil or a liquid liner. Then you can check and make sure they are balanced and the right shape before applying the wax.

Getting wax done at a shop is nice, but really ...it's just as painful either way! Might as well do it yourself.

And I disagree. If I were embarrassed to go out in public because of my appearance, the rest of it wouldn't be important to me. Plus, we're telling her to find new employment - how hard will that be with an unprofessional appearance and poor confidence?

That may seem frivolous to some, but not maintaining oneself can be demoralizing, and you start to think what's the point with the rest.

(And I apologize for taking the thread off course. I'm a little bitter about having to give up things myself, right now, and being told it's worth it. It may be worth it to YOU, but you're also not giving it up...)

I too have been reading & participating in the taco_truck threads...I just feel compelled to add I dont want to kick anyone or make anyone feel bad about things suggested for cutting back.

BUT LAURA C'MON, really the suggestion(s) made arent asking taco to walk around like a troll, but RATHER in a desparate time implement PREVENTATIVE measures on spending...how TEMPORARY are up to the individual. Putting in ONE LAST TRIP to a professional for certain services then maintaining ONESELF isnt bad/mean advice..it would be reckless to recommend otherwise in this case!

Quite frankly, I AM PROOF that cutting services OFF and still looking & feeling beautiful is possible!!!! [Would post b4 & after pics if requested ] If you feel having your hair blonde (or whatever color) instead of god-given brown (or whatever color) stops you from plugging forward for your hubby & kids then you [not specifically you but anyone] have separate issues from money management AND for that I would then suggest perhaps budgeting $35 for a therapy session to discuss self-esteem issues would be prudent!

Maybe this is a touchy issue, cause as you stated you are a "little bitter" about giving up things yourself, but I HAVE BEEN THERE & DONE THAT...im much better for the sacrafices and changes!

In addition, just wanted to share this passage, thought it was fitting [not written by me]:

DEATH OF AN ENEMY

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big NOTICE
> on the door which read......
> 'Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this Company
> has passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has
> been
> prepared in the gym'.
>
> In the beginning, they all felt sad for the death of one of their
> Colleagues,
> but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who
>
> hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.
>
> The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to
> control the crowd within the room.
>
> The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.
> Everyone thought: 'Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well,
> At least he died!'.
>
> One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when
> They looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood nearby
> The coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the
> Deepest part of their soul.
>
> There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it
> Could see himself.
>
> There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: 'There is only one
> person who is capable to set limits to your growth: It is YOU.
> You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the
> Only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your
> Success. You are the only person who can help yourself.
>
> Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends
> Change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your
> Company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond
> Your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one
> Responsible for your life.
>
> 'The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with
> Yourself'
>
> Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties,
> Impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your
> Reality.
>
> The world is like a mirror: it gives back to anyone the reflection of
> The thoughts in which one has strongly believed.
>
> The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin, which
> Show to any individual the death of his divine capability to imagine and
> Create his happiness and his success.
>
> It's the way you face Life that makes the difference

well said operation home ownership

They way I read it was that Taco shouldn't even be concerned about her appearance because they were tight on money. This whole thread was about how to save money on beauty services, not how to justify continuing going to the salon, and whoneedscredit tells her "it shouldn't even be a concern."

Yes, anyone who would consider suicide over hair color probably needs some professional assistance but being depressed makes it that much harder to deal with the challenges. Facial hair can be highly embarrassing and there's no way to hide it. I would NEVER intimate to someone that they were stealing food out their baby's mouth by finding a way to take care of that.

And since it's so contentious, I'm willing to send Taco some waxing supplies to get her started. No money out of her budget; problem solved. (Taco, PM me your address.)

Ummm well it shouldnt be a concern IMO.
I agree with whoneedscredit, I just went about expressing it differently...thats why my suggestions [and some others] were how to get the process STOPPED without becoming what she would feel to be unattractive. Dying ones hair even IF it is a $7.00 box, nails/waxing at a per session fee even cheap, etc in this case would be literally using $$$ that just isnt there! So if the response to that is depression, one has a bigger problem than money management because its taking on a new look OR a look maintained on her own for months if not years at a time.

Anyway, I do get your emotional spin on the matter and it is nice of you to offer her products, but I hope taco utilizes the tips offered on how to stretch that ONE last professional session or take on a new look to stop certain beauty methods altogether so she feels impowered never to feel reliant on $$$ to make her feel/look "beautiful"

Best to all, I enjoyed this thread.

The reality is that looks do count, especially if you're job hunting, etc. Take inventory of the beauty stash you have on hand before shopping so you buy only what's needed.

I've switched to inexpensive shampoos like Suave's new Professional line for about $3. Invest in a bottle of nail oil and do your own mani/pedi's for awhile with light or clear polish. I've heard Ped Egg works well for calluses, etc and use a good heavy cream and socks if your feet are dry. I've spent $150 on my hair and hated it. I now have a stylist at an inexpensive walk in salon and love it.

I've learned that there are things I can no longer do like hair color. I liked the Frost & Tip kits for highlights but I can't see well enough to use them any more. Ask your stylist if she can price a few foils for you to freshen color or what a root touch up only costs. If you're looking for inexpensive cosmetics, try EBay. You can save 50-75% over retail. If you go into high end stores you can ask for samples of lotions & potions which they'll gladly hand over. You can't do that at WalMart.

For summer, I mix up my own tinted moisturizer instead of spending $40. A dab of facial moisturizer with a bit of foundation works well. Some ladies add a touch of facial powder, bronzer or minerals.

Something that I've found works nicely on a related theme is soaking my razor in virgin olive oil immediately after using it. I use those $24.00 8pk Gillette razors and have relatively sensitive skin, so they can add up over a year. I've gone from getting maybe 3 good shaves out of a blade to over 10 so far. This can really add up over a year. Also, put your shampoos and body washes into pump bottles in order to avoid over-using them. If you get into the habit of (for example) using two pumps of body wash and two pumps of shampoo vs. sqeezing a certain estimated percentage, you will save money. This works for both men and women. My wife gets the same results.

You can also get perfume samples this way. They'll give you a whole handful to try at Sephora.

I also had good luck getting samples at Kohl's beauty counter. Their products are mfg by Estee Lauder. Some are quite good, others, I couldn't get past the odor I also like John Frieda hair products for keeping color fresh. Shampoo & conditioner seem to work best. I tried the glue & goo stuff in his line but thought it was too pricey for the results.

One last Beauty on the Cheap Idea: try a local School of Cosmetology. Some offer a full range of services from hair & nails to facials and makeup. One I visited had walk in hours for all services. I tried another school and thought they were a bit pricey for work performed by students & you needed an appointment. YMMV.

I'm going to try that, the olive oil thing.

I will put some witch hazel over the blades to keep the blades clean and bacteria free.

wow, you guys thanks for getting my back and having a great discussion.

While whoneedscredit's answer does need some finesse, my question was really asking on how to do myself what the salon does.

My highlights I've only gotten done once and I don't care if I keep them. I want to cover them.

I also need a haircut, I feel this is a necessary expense since I have very curly hair and I can't do that myself.

I can do my facial hair but I've never been confident with my own brows. they're full and bushy.

I might be poor but I don't have to look like I don't care.


Now to go back to reading the thread.