WALKING THE WALK - Lip stick

Hi all!!! Seems like most of us have totally forgotten this blog. Or, like me, you've been too busy with lotz of other things!!! I just wanted to post a silly post to see if anyone was still coming by to read when we did post :o)

I went to throw this tub of lipstick away this morning and was teasing my husband saying, "Do you think I got my money's worth?" Then I decided to post it here so you would know I truly do walk the walk and not just talk the talk!!!

One of the tips I've given is to buy a lip brush and use your lip sticks for months longer by using all the wasted lipstick below the metal band. Here is my proof that I truly do this.

Good to the Last Drop

I'm sure everyone has noticed the way manufacturers are doing their packaging these days. The most noticeable for me is the upside-down squeeze bottles. From mayo, ketchup, and jelly to shampoo, lotion and makeup. And the way some of them are shaped, you can't get the top off...at least by unscrewing it.

Here's where I break out the scissors!

My makeup used to come in a small bottle, now it's in an upside down tube. When I can't shake, squeeze or cajole anymore out, I've been cutting the end off. I have gotten at least five more applications by doing this (I store it in a ziptop baggie so it doesn't dry out). The same goes for toothpaste. Unless you're the type that can flatten it flatter than a crepe', cutting it lengthwise can get you three, maybe four or more uses.

The list of items you can do this with is endless, and it just takes a minute or so.

~Adding a little water to shampoos and conditioners (or cutting into it if it doesn't unscrew).

~I use the same brand of lotion all the time. It's a pump type, so I know I'm definitely not able get all of it out. Rather than using my scissors on the bottle, I'll start on the next one for a several uses then turn the old bottle upside down onto the new one.

~What about the never-ending bar of soap. Always sticking the sliver of soap to the new bar, or saving all the slivers, adding a little water and remolding them.

~In the kitchen I liked the Bottom of the Jar segments I'd seen on the Rachel Ray Show where she'd add other ingredients to what was left in a jar that we'd normally just throw away. Dressings out of the last dollop of mayo. Marinades out of the last couple spoons of jellies.

Any other ideas you've done with squeeze bottles?

Softer feet

I caught a brief promotion by Dr. Oz and he recommended using Castor Oil on your feet to soften callous. I immediately went to the store and bought Castor Oil!!! Who keeps Castor Oil in their home?!

Before going to bed you are to rub some on the bottom of your feet, the callouses, then put on socks and go to bed. Let me tell you.....it works!!!

You can even put some on in the morning if you don socks like these that Jacque gave me for Christmas!!!! (Yes, I'm still in my p.j.'s it's only 7:02 a.m. )

More Than Soft Skin

A little bit ago I made a frustrated post at my blog. The topic: Mosquitoes!! I went out back to hang something on the line and give water to the birds, nice pleasant chores in the day of a housewife. When I came inside from that short trip, however, I had multiple bites on my arms and legs. It was after I was inside that I remembered something that I keep forgetting about: Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil by Avon. I heard the claims that it is an excellent repellent, tried it, and it has worked for me. In summers past I used it religiously and had run out. Then, I started using an insect repellent spray, which I later found is not good for the health. So, a few weeks ago I found an Avon rep, a young lady who I know, and bought some Skin-So-Soft again and I try to remember to use it, and not only if I'm going outside. Well, today I forgot when taking that quick trip outside and I paid for it!

It's not a product that you would necessarily call inexpensive, but if you dilute it, it will last for ages. I got one of those little spray bottles and mix about one part SOS and two to three parts water. Then, you spray it on the arms and legs, and you're good to go. The 24 oz bottle of the oil will then last for ages. Be careful with your clothes, though--it is oil and can stain. I hold the spray over the sink and spray it on my hands, and then rub the exposed parts of the body with it and then wash my hands good. The best thing to do would be to use it right after showering. And you'll smell good in the bargain!

You may think this is funny (though I didn't). After rubbing my already bitten arms, legs and neck with the SOS mixture today, I went into the kitchen to have lunch. Don't you know that a mosquito landed right smack on my face and I killed her right there! There on my cheek was a smashed mosquito with blood. Yuck!

Believe me, folks, it's been my experience that usually they don't come near you. This one was a daredevil. lol

Manicure/pedicure advice

Several of the blogs I read has talked about getting manicures & pedicures recently. That reminded me of a "trick" I've learned to do so wanted to pass it on here.

I always treat myself to a manicure & pedicure at the beginning of summer....in time for sandles!!! It is not something I can afford to do on a regular basis but I do allow myself at least this yearly luxury.

Instead of picking out a color at the salon I always take my own bottle of nail color with me for them to use. This little trick enables me to get several more weeks out of my manicure/pedicure by being able to "touch-up" the polish myself because it is my own polish.

You all may already be doing this.....but I thought it was worth posting here just in case anyone hadn't thought about doing this little.....ssttreacccccccchhh it trick.

Beauty Tips For Less

Hi Everyone!!

Today I just want to share a few tips on one of my favorite topics, Health and Beauty Aids. I LOVE trying new products, and can easily spend more on these than on groceries, if I don't restrain myself!!

1.) Tinted Moisturizer: last spring, I was so tempted to spend $12 on a little bitty tube of tinted moisturizer/ sunscreen at WalMart. But as I was carrying it around in my basket, it dawned on me, I could mix this up at home!! Each morning I put a squirt of my spf 15 moisturizer on the tip of my finger. Then add a little dab of foundation, about 1/3 to 1/2 of the amount of moisturizer, depending on the coverage I want. Mix up with my other finger, and voila!! =)

2.) If you buy a tube of lipstick or nail polish, but you don't like the color once you try it on and you can't return it for whatever reason, try mixing them up to make custom colors!! Right now I have a crimson lipstick that is too dark and a shimmery pale pink that is too light, and I love how they look blended together.

3.) You can double the life of your favorite lipstick just by using an inexpensive lip brush (from the dollar store) to access the 1/2 inch (or more) remaining lipstick in the bottom of the tube.

4.) Go shopping in your bathroom first!!! You can save a ton this way. If you didn't like a product at first, try it again with an open mind and see if it might work.... I cleaned up my bathroom cabinets and I found:
*enough Victoria's Secret/ Bath & Bodyworks perfumes and lotions to last a year ($100+)
*3 Venus cartridges that were pushed into corners and buried ($6-8)
*A couple more disposable razors I thought I didn't like, but they are fine ($4)
*2 half full bags of cotton balls ($2)
*4 half full bottles of conditioner and leave in conditioner ($10)
*3 nice pairs of tweezers ~ I am always losing and replacing these ($20)
*2 bottles of hairspray, hair glaze, a box of hairdye I forgot I had ($20)
*3 tubes of Neosporin (we are always losing and replacing) ($10)
*3 deodorants I didn't like, 2 shampoos I didn't like, 4 different types of toothpaste ($30+)
*All kinds cosmetic products I used once and forgot about. ($100+)
*And lots more.
Just by being A LOT less picky and using what I already have, I should be able to avoid spending a few hundred dollars over the next several months.

5.) Another idea for when you have half-used products you don't like, find a friend who has the same and do some trading!! I have done this in the past, and not only is it fun, you can discover some great new products for free.

6.) I have learned to always save my receipt, though. Sometimes I know the first time Iuse something, it is not going to work. If there's just a tiny bit gone, Walmart and Walgreens have always taken them back when I explained I didn't like it, and I had my receipt.

7.) Don't forget to check the clearance baskets at the ends of the aisles at the grocery store. I never check the regular aisle because it is always too expensive, but the clearance prices, esp. if you have coupons, can be amazing. I bought a Cover Girl Outlast lipcolor for $1, it was on clearance for $3 and I had a $2 coupon.

8.) Last, the dollar store can be a good source, too. I don't ever buy the "off" brands of makeup they sell there, but a lot of times, they'll have name brands like Maybelline and Cover Girl, from drugstores, that were labeled with the wrong color name. I have gotten some good deals there, too.

P.S. I would LOVE to hear what kind of forgotten treasures you all find, if you decide to clean out your bathroom cabinets, too!!!