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Physical vs Fiscal: A Battle Royale
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Too much belt-tightening isn't always good
These are trying times, reader. Nearly everyone is doing serious belt-tightening, whether the belt being adjusted is Gucci or Gap. Choices are being made between need and want, making us all examine the difference and label all the expenditures in our lives. There is such disparity in what each of us considers necessity; one woman's frivolity is another's essential.
My perception is that too much neglect of one's physical being, whether that means using cheap moisturizer or skipping the Starbuck's, really wears on the soul pretty quickly. Caring for yourself in small ways falls solidly in the "need" column. I'm not suggesting you whip out the AMEX and party like it's 1999; however, I always find that severe cutbacks in the little amenities one allows oneself result in feeling neglected and unworthy. When you deem yourself unworthy of your favorie latte or the face cream that took forever to find that is perfect for you, you may therefore project an image of one who doesn't deserve good things. Make no mistake; when a woman moves through the world feeling as if she isn't worth it, the world responds to her in kind.
That said, there's nothing wrong with a few little tricks and home remedies to lighten the financial burden. For example, getting rid of blemishes is a singularly unglamorous process, so why spend tons on a spot treatment, when you could be spending on the aforementioned luxurious face cream?
Don't worry. I'm not going to launch into some "use old carpet scraps as a thrifty exfoliant" routine. Here, a few ridiculously inexpensive ways to keep those lattes coming:
1. Aspirin to Destroy Zits
Aspirin contains salicylic acid, the same zit-blasting, cell-renewing stuff in acne treatments. Pulverize a couple of aspirin with the back of a spoon, mix in a few drops of warm water, and make a paste. Apply the stuff to clean skin, only on the zits you wish to eradicate, and sleep with it on. It takes practice to make the consistency just right, but it really works on most skin types.
2. Shampoo for Hand Washables
I loathe drycleaning. It's expensive, the chemicals used are horrifying, and sometimes I forget about the clothes I dropped off. Then, when I remember, the cleaner's shop is invariably closed and I have to peer through the window longingly, promising my clothes that we will someday be reunited. "Mommy will take you home soon", I tell my neglected pants.
Look, hand washing is a pain in the tush, and you obviously can't wash a suit in the sink, but for cashmere, silk, and loads of other items with "Dry Clean Only"tags, the same shampoo you use on your mane is great. Read the label on a bottle of Woolite, and you'll find many similar ingredients; shampoo is way gentler and cleans fabrics just as well. An added bonus is that your sweaters and blouses smell really nice, and you never have to remember to pick them up at the cleaner's. For stinky underarms on garments, rub a little baking soda into the offending area and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3.Get a Ped Egg
Yes, I am talking about the same Ped Egg you see on late-night tv commercials. It is fantastic. If you really think about it, the most important part of a professional pedicure is the rough skin removal. This little gadget works incredibly well, with no mess (and no blood-I tend to be a bit overenthusiastic) like I always had with my traditional callous razor thingy. It costs $10 for two Ped Eggs right now on their Web site, so you can go in with a friend, since you only need one. I don't mean to suggest giving up pedicures entirely, but with this baby and some practice you may find that this is all you need to keep your piggies pretty.
As your devoted Beauty Examiner, naturally I will continue my tireless research to bring you the best solutions for a shaky economy, so that you can still revel in little indulgences. Because you are worth it.
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