Life Hacks

You guys! With the economy being what it is, like most of people, I need all the help I can get! I’ve got to find ways to stretch a buck as much as possible.

One sort of necessary indulgence is my makeup. I grew up wearing the common brands like Cover Girl, Maybelline, and Wet ‘n Wild. In my younger days, all that stuff worked fine and I got by really well.

About 5 years ago, I noticed all that stuff was no longer staying on my face, and by the end of the day I looked like hammered hell. Also, I was going through the makeup too quickly and it was starting to cost quite a bit. Like seriously, I was going through a compact of powder a week!

So I went to my local Sephora and told the girls, “Tell me what I need!” They got me set up with everything that worked for my face. I dropped a good chunk of cash that day, but the stuff I got was so worth it! I apply my makeup in the morning and it lasts me all day with minimal touch-ups. One bottle of my Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation lasts me a little longer than 2 months!

Because this makeup is a little on the pricier side ($39), I’ve had to find ways to use ALL of it before throwing out the bottle. For example, my foundation comes in tubes.

After I can no longer squeeze makeup out of it, I cut off the top. Then I use a small eye shadow applicator to take out the makeup.

I usually get about another 2 weeks of applications out of this!

After each application, I store it in a resealable bag so it doesn’t dry up.

Another item I hack to get the most out of is my lipstick. Seriously, I LOVE MY LIPSTICK! And I get so many compliments on it!

At the top and bottom of the bottle, there’s always extra lipstick I can’t reach with the brush. I realized if I pulled out the “plug” thing on the top, I would be able to reach that extra bit of product. I can sometimes get about another week of applications out if this.

This thing is a little a bit difficult to pull out, but usually needle-nose pliers or scissors do the trick. (I also do this with my concealer.)

So there you have it! A couple of tiny hacks to get a little more out of those expensive goodies you can’t live without. What kind of life hacks do you use to stretch a buck or make life easier?