Recession Proof Beauty

A couple of weeks ago, I headed to Bliss for a much-needed facial. (Seriously, my skin was so oily that I thought Sarah Palin might show up at my doorstep with a "Drill, baby, drill" sign.) After some pore-purging, my esthetician recommended that I use witch hazel as a toner. I hadn't done this since my junior high days, but I figured it was worth a try.

Witch hazel is a flowering plant that is distilled into the astringent you'll find at drugstores. It's cheap — usually just two or three dollars for a huge bottle of generic witch hazel, which is what I've been using. Two weeks into this toning experiment I've made a few observations. For the pros and cons, read more.

The economy might (might) be on its way to recovery, but that doesn't mean I'll stop saving my pennies as much as possible. I'm always in the pursuit of looks for less, and over the weekend, I picked up Milani Blush Compact in Luminous ($3.50) — a pretty decent lookalike of the classic gold-toned peachy pink Nars blush in Orgasm ($25). While Milani's Luminous is not an exact replica of the famous afterglow shade, as it's not quite as pigmented, since it's about $20 less, I'm a happy lady.

Now I need your help. Whether it's a trendy new nail polish shade or an old-school lipstick favorite, share your favorite affordable alternative in the Beauty Dupes group.

Whether you've never been to a beauty school for a service, or you're a frequent patron, this Saturday (Oct. 24) is the day to go. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., head out to one of Empire Beauty School's 88 locations, and not only will you get a service for only $5, but all of the proceeds from each haircut, nail treatment, or skin appointment will go to local women's shelters. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and over the past four years, Empire has raised almost $500,000 to support the cause through its anti-domestic violence program, Empire Gives Back. A light-on-the-pocketbook service, along with supporting a worthwhile cause? What a great way to spend a lazy Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Empire Beauty School

When it's warm outside, my face tends to be more apt to breakout. Do you hear me on that one? I've shared with you dermatologist Dr. Hema Sundaram's recipe for her Sweet Tea Antioxidant Facial Exfoliator, and now she's got something else for us to help beat the early Autumn heat — and the pimples. Better yet? Most ingredients are probably already in your pantry or refrigerator. Her latest recipe both hydrates and exfoliates the skin, while providing antibacterial properties.

"Neem oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help heal breakout-prone Summer skin," said Dr. Sundaram. But that's not all. "The fatty acids in neem oil build collagen and maintain skin’s elasticity while plain yogurt works to soothe, nourish, and tighten skin," she added. Get the easy-to-make recipe after the jump.

You heard me right. Sure they help provide you with a daily dose of caffeine, but did you know that coffee filters can give you more than just a java jolt? I never thought of these everyday household items as more than just a basic way to assist in the preparation of drip coffee, so I was happy to discover other uses, particularly because they involve beauty. Here are a few:

• Blot it out: Oil slicks be damned. Simply use a filter to blot excess shininess on the face.
• Wax on: Cut into small rectangles, filters make a great substitute for waxing strips.
• Nick of time: Got a bleeding nick from shaving? A little dab of the coffee filter will do ya.
• Fogged up: Clean up a vanity or bathroom mirror with lint-free results.
• Freshen up: Create a makeshift deodorizer by placing baking soda in a filter. Secure with a rubber band or twist tie. Simply place anywhere odor control is needed, like a drawer, trash bin, or pile of bathroom towels.

Are you in between haircut appointments? Or maybe you're like me, and you're looking to save money by going to your stylist less often. While we're on the topic, be sure to check out some recession-proof hair color tips for low-cost ideas on keeping color looking fresh. Earlier, I shared with you a few tips on stretching out a haircut, and here are some more:

• Protect yourself: Sunlight and damage from heat can result in unhealthy, fried-looking hair. Keep your hair on track by using heat protection before plugging in that flat iron or curling iron. Also, consider using a spray-in sunscreen on your locks, like Aveda Sun Care Protective Veil ($20).
• Big bang theory: Take up those offers on complimentary bang trims. You'll look instantly more polished. Better yet, give yourself the DIY treatment.
• Fake it: Frustrated? Try fake-it style to experiment with different lengths. Bobby pins are always your friend, especially when they have a little something extra special, like these Gem Bobby Pins ($10) from Free People.
• Time crunch: If you don't have lots of time for regular trips to the stylist, consider a medium to long style with subtle layers. It should grow out nicely and leave you with lots of room for styling options.

Or you could always jump on the latest Summer trend and shave it, right?

About 10 years ago, I used to save up money for a haircut at Orbit in Ann Arbor, MI. (Go see Chuck if you're in town; he's great.) A trim cost $35, which was a princely sum to my working-three-jobs-at-once self. Surprisingly, the salon's prices for a haircut have gone up only $5 to $15 — which isn't too crazy, considering how much time has passed.

Meanwhile, in the last year and a half, my hair-removal esthetician's prices have jumped twice. First it was $40 for a bikini wax, then $45, and on July 1, it just increased to $55 — which means that when I'm not going the DIY route, I'll have to find someone more affordable. Especially considering the rough economy, I'm all for people earning a fair wage for their work, but at what point do you move on because of pricing?

Photo by dborman2