Top 5 Diet Secrets For Women

Here are Top Five Diet Secrets For Women : If you consumed a bit too much chocolate over the Easter period, rest assured you weren’t the only one. But if all those sweet treats are now revealing themselves in the form of excess weight, blotchy skin and perhaps the odd mood swing, don’t despair. A few simple tweaks to your diet will soon have you looking and feeling fresh , ready for the imminent Spring!

1. Avoid fad diets
Registered dietitian and nutritionist Priya Tew www.dietitianuk.co.uk) insists fad diets should be avoided if we have any hope of consistent weight loss, as are diets that demand you cut out an entire food group. Hollywood actresses might rely on such extreme measures to lose weight for a role, but just how healthy these actions are is up for debate. “Dieting usually leads to the yo-yo weight effect that affects your metabolism in a negative way,” explains Priya. “It may give short-term weight loss, but a few weeks later you’ll end up heavier than you were before.” Slow and steady wins the race, so aim for a balanced combination of exercise and healthy eating you can stick to.

 2. Consider a co-Q10 supplement
Co-Q10 – or co-enzyme Q10 – is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in every cell in the body. Not only can it help kick-start cell regeneration and protect our heart and immune system, it also works to keep aging at bay. One of its main roles is to boost our energy levels, which means you’re less likely to slump and reach for that chocolate bar, unless you’re running low in co-Q10, that is. Foods such as red meat and soybean oil are good sources of co-Q10; otherwise you could top up your body’s supply with a supplement.

3. Be realistic
“Instead of getting over-excited and setting unreasonable goals, set smaller lifestyle targets that are more likely to be successful,” advises Priya. Little changes, like using smaller plates for portion control and eating a good breakfast in the morning, can make a world of difference. And by ‘a good breakfast’, we mean oats, eggs and fruit, not a greasy fry-up!

4. Don’t skip meals
As tempting as it may be this is not the way to get in shape. “Rather, eating regular meals boosts your metabolism and helps you lose weight,” Priya says. So, instead of skipping breakfast or claiming you’re too busy for lunch, tuck in. Just be sensible about your choices. If you’re going to “super-size” anything, make it your intake of vegetables. They’ll fill you up, make you healthier and, if you cook them right, are delicious!

5. Treat yourself
If you have a sweet tooth, you don’t have to ditch treats completely. Try dark chocolate, oaty flapjacks or fruit and nuts instead of calorie-rich, nutrient-poor sweets, biscuits or cakes. You’ll soon find you lose your taste for refined sugar and won’t crave the ‘naughty’ foods you used to love. Once that happens, you can say goodbye muffin top!

http://www.womanmagazine.co.uk/brand-advice/top-five-diet-secrets-for-women/

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Questions and Answer About Beauty and Health

From popping zits to expiring beauty products, cosmetic scientists answer your most confounding questions, In the course of her life, a woman confronts, oh, maybe a bazillion baffling beauty dilemmas. And most of them never get solved…until now. Perry Romanowski and the other cosmetic scientists behind TheBeautyBrains.com have the answers:

They've pooled their more than 40 years of experience at companies such as Procter & Gamble and Unilever to write a book called Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm? Finally, you can stop scratching your well-coiffed head.

Is baby shampoo good for adult hair?
Most shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which some people find dries out their scalp. Baby shampoo can be a smart alternative because it contains amphoteric surfactants, which are milder than SLS. The downside is that baby shampoo doesn't clean as well as shampoo with SLS. So if you use a ton of styling products, you might have to wash your hair multiple times with baby shampoo to get it as clean as you would with one lather of an SLS-based product. But that's not such a bad trade-off if your scalp is really parched. WH pick: Dr. Sears Family Essentials Baby Wash & Shampoo ($6, drsearsfamilyessentials.com).

Why do some perfumes last so long?
Fragrances are complex mixtures of natural and synthetic chemicals diluted in alcohol (ethanol, specifically). That alcohol is the first thing to evaporate, which is why you should wait a few seconds before smelling a perfume on your skin. (If you don't, you'll get a nose full of booziness.) Once the alcohol is gone, the scent ingredients—known as top, middle, and bottom notes—develop. Top notes are fleeting (think citrus); you smell them first and then they disappear within a few minutes. Middle notes create the body of the scent and are usually floral or a combo of fruity and floral. Bottom notes are the fragrance anchors; they're the heaviest and stick around the longest. These are often woody, smoky, or musky. So if your favorite scent has serious staying power, it probably has more base notes in the mix.

Do eye creams really reduce wrinkles and puffiness?
Well, yes and no. These creams are essentially moisturizers that have been modified for use on the thin skin around the eyes. While they can't work miracles, they do often contain ingredients that may offer some temporary benefits. They can smooth lines and decrease puffiness with the help of polymers that form a skin-tightening film as they dry. Look for ingredients such as ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, butylene glycol, and sodium polyacrylate. But as always, the effects vary from person to person, and the results may not be dramatically noticeable.

Is there an easy way to pop a zit?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you shouldn't pop, pick, scratch, or squeeze pimples, because you can wind up with more inflammation, redness, and possibly scarring. But if you insist on throwing caution to the wind, here are some tips for minimizing the trauma to your delicate facial skin and helping prevent an infection.

1. Take a warm shower or bath to soften your skin.

2. Wash your face and remove all makeup.

3. Wash your hands to prevent spreading germs and infecting the pimple.

4. Sterilize a needle by washing it with a little dishwashing soap and then dunking it into rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for 20 seconds.

5. Use the needle to gently prick the white tip of the pimple.

6. Wrap pieces of clean tissue or toilet paper around your index fingers.

7. Gently apply pressure to the sides of the pimple to ease out the pus. Stop when blood or clear fluid comes out.

Five Signs a Product Is Past Its Prime
1 It smells bad
Fragrance is often the first thing to go off. A little fragrance fading is normal, but if you detect a sour or rancid odor, it may be a sign that something is wrong with the product.

2 Its texture changes
Alterations in the consistency of a product may be subtle but significant. For example, if your body lotion looks exceptionally thick or thin, or if it appears too grainy, this may be an early indication of emulsion instability. This means the oil-and water-soluble chemicals are separating. When that happens, the product may not work the way it's supposed to and you could end up with irritated skin.

3 The color shifts
Product colors are very sensitive to light, so it's not unusual for cosmetics in clear packaging to experience a shift in shade. A slight color change doesn't necessarily mean anything is functionally wrong with the product, but if a red lipstick turns orange, that's not good.

4 It grows fuzz
If your product has black spots or fuzzy growth, it could be contaminated with bacteria or fungus. Toss it immediately to avoid getting an infection from it. And by the way, you should never dilute a product with water just so you can get the last little bit out of the bottle. Adding water can also dilute the preservative system, which can allow the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria.

5 The product separates
If a product has separated into two layers, it has gone bad. And you shouldn't try to fix it by mixing the layers together. This is particularly true of dandruff shampoo, sunscreen, and other products that have active ingredients. Once the active drug ingredient has separated from the rest of the formula, it may not work properly.

What causes dark armpits?
Your pits could be darker than they should be for at least four different reasons:

Cause 1: Shaving
When you shave, you cut hair off at, or just below, the surface of the skin. If the hair is darker than your skin color, your skin can appear to have a dark stain, but it's really just subsurface hair. Instead of shaving, try waxing—it gets rid of the hair from a deeper level.

Cause 2: Buildup of Dead Skin Cells
Dark spots under your arms can be the result of dead skin cells that are trapped in microscopic "hills and valleys" on your skin. Try exfoliating at least once a week with a product that contains lactic acid.

Cause 3: Antiperspirant and Deodorant Usage
In theory, some ingredients in these products (perhaps fragrance) could react with your skin and cause discoloration. Practically speaking, this seems unlikely. But many people claim that the darkness goes away when they stop using antiperspirants and deodorants that contain fragrance.

Cause 4: Acanthosis Nigricans
This medical condition causes light-brown to black markings on the neck, under the arms, or in the groin. It can be related to insulin production or to a glandular disorder, and it typically occurs in people who are overweight. If this applies to you, see a doctor and try to limit sugar and simple carbs to control insulin production. You can lighten your underarms with a cream such as Retin-A or one that contains alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid.

So...can you get hooked on lip balm?
It's not an addiction in the true medical sense, but yes, you can train your body to rely on lip balm. Here's what happens: When your lips start to feel dry or get flaky, they send a signal to a deeper layer of skin (called the basal layer) to produce fresh, plump skin cells. But when you put on lip balm, you slow down the signal because you're creating a barrier layer that prevents the evaporation of more moisture, so the basal layer never gets the signal to produce new cells. When the lip balm wears off, all of a sudden your lips dry out again and your basal layer has to hurry up and start producing new cells. But because your lips feel dry, you add more lip balm, which once again tells the basal layer, "Hey, everything's fine up here on the surface. We don't need any more skin cells." And the cycle repeats.

What is the difference between an anti-perspirant and a deodorant?
Antiperspirant, as the name implies, interferes with sweat production and stops you from perspiring. Deodorant simply masks odor. Ultimately, both products attempt to do the same thing—prevent you from being stinky—and which one you use is simply a matter of personal preference. If you don't sweat a lot, go with deodorant. Most contain an active ingredient (usually triclosan) that prevents smelly bacteria from growing. No bacteria means no body odor. Otherwise, opt for antiperspirant, which contains zinc salts that block your sweat glands. WH pick: Certain Dri Solid Antiperspirant ($6, at drugstores). No sweat equals no home for bacteria, which equals you staying fresh and clean. The best solution is to use a product that's both an antiperspirant and a deodorant so you are solving both issues and getting the best possible protection. WH pick: Secret Natural Mineral Invisible Solid ($4.29, at drugstores).

Any reason you can't use the same moisturizer for face and hands?
You need to use different products to suit your skin's different needs. The skin on your face tends to be thin and prone to breakouts and wrinkles, while the skin on your hands is thicker and tends to get overly dry or cracked (primarily due to washing them with soap several times a day). So your facial moisturizer should be lightweight and noncomedogenic, and perhaps contain film-forming agents that tighten skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Your hand lotion should be a heavier barrier cream that protects your digits from harsh conditions and boosts their moisture.

Can UV nail-polish dryers damage skin?
We looked into UV dryers and found that the light they produce is the same type that causes photo-aging and skin cancer. Fortunately, the danger seems to be pretty slight because drying lamps have a very low power output—only around 10 watts. Compare that with the power of a full-size tanning bed that can put out up to 2,400 watts! Your hands probably aren't in much danger. Still, if you're concerned, put on a little sunblock before using the lamp.

Ref : http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/beauty-iq

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3 Accessories Must-Have for Short Hair Styles

A head-grazing style doesn’t mean you should ditch your hair accessories. Cute clips and bands can even help disguise when you’re overdue for a trim.

A. Bobby pins:
They’re perfect for securing overgrown strands. “Bobby pins in gold or with faux diamonds are particularly beautiful. Stack them next to each other as you would stack rings on your fingers,” says McMillan. Try Ban.do Flash Bobbi Set in Silver Glitter/Mint, $10, shopbando.com.

B. Headbands:
“To pull hair off your face, try a thicker ribbon band at your hairline,” suggests Rodney Cutler, founder of Cutler Salon. Or place the band across the center of your head. Try American Apparel Headbands, $6 each, americanapparel.com.

C. Barrettes:
 “If a barrette is too big or too far in front, it becomes distracting,” says Cutler. Clip it a couple of inches behind your temple and a few Inches above your ear. Try Goody Luxe Desiree Bobby Slides, $6.49 for two, at Target.

http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-style-buzz/hair-accessories/

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Risk Of Obesity

How Your Personality Impacts Your Weight : When you gain weight, you probably blame it on the workouts you skipped or the junk food you’ve been eating. But there’s another surprising factor that might be screwing with the number on the scale. Certain personality traits are associated with obesity, according to new research recently presented at the APA Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Tricky Traits
Across four studies and more than 8,900 people, researchers found that people high in neuroticism (those who are prone to negative emotions like anxiety, sadness, or loneliness) and people low in conscientiousness (those who are disorganized, undisciplined, and easily distracted) are more likely to have a higher BMI. Having either one of these traits appears to increase your risk of obesity, but fortunately, having both of them doesn’t amplify the effect, says study author Angelina Sutin, Ph.D., assistant professor at Florida State University.

What It Means for Your Waistline
Of course, this doesn’t mean that every person with either of these traits will automatically be obese, says Sutin. Instead, it means these personality traits can lead to behaviors that tend to cause weight gain. For instance, someone high in neuroticism might get stressed out more easily, which could lead to emotional eating and stress-fueled cravings. And someone low in conscientiousness might be a little disorganized and flaky, which can make it harder to plan out healthy meals or stick to a diet and fitness routine.

But if this sounds like you, you’re not totally doomed. “We usually think about personality being very stable,” says Sutin. “But the expression of personality can be changed.” So if you recognize these traits in yourself, just make an effort to avoid indulging in the unhealthy behaviors that can go along with them. That might mean hiding the chocolate ice cream when you’re super stressed or setting a reminder to hit the grocery store so you’re not grabbing fast food five nights a week. You may not be able to change your personality, but you can make tweaks to keep your health and weight in check.

Ref : http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/scoop/risk-of-obesity/

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Why You Can't Lose Weight ? These The Reason

Want to lose weight but you still overweight ? Read this complete article below! Even if you’ve kicked off a fitness routine and you’re choosing healthier food, you may not be seeing the weight come off the way you’d hoped.
While there are plenty of other healthy accomplishments to celebrate, you’re probably wondering what’s not working.
One or a few of these 25 weight-loss culprits may be all that’s standing in the way of your weight-loss goals.

1. You Overeat Healthy Foods
   Nuts, avocados, whole wheat pasta, olive oil, and dark chocolate are all natural and healthy, but they aren’t void of calories. You still need to watch how much you eat of the good stuff. For example, avocado offers a ton of health benefits, but an entire fruit is over 200 calories. Find out what the serving sizes of your other favorite healthy foods are here.
   
   
2. You Don’t Eat Breakfast
   Skipping breakfast may seem like a great way to save calories, but your body will actually hold onto fat because it thinks it’s being starved. Keep in mind that people who eat breakfast regularly lose more weight, so make sure to eat breakfast each morning to jump-start your metabolism. Don’t just grab anything; include protein to give yourself sustainable energy and fiber to fill you up for hours.
   
   
3. You Don’t Practice Portion Control
   When it comes to a balanced diet, we know that portion control is one of the keys to success. Keep measuring cups and spoons on hand to make sure your serving sizes are appropriate, and learn how to give your body the “I’m full” signal in order to help you drop the fork when the time is right and move on with your day.
   
   
   
4. You Eat While Standing Up
   Standing at the fridge or the counter to chow down isn’t saving time or energy and can lead to mindless eating. It’s best to designate time for snacking and meals that’s set apart from other activities.
   
   
5. You Don’t Sleep Enough
   Making time for your workouts can mean less time for sleep, but it’s important to get enough Z’s if you’re trying to lose weight. You need extra energy to keep up with your exercise routine, and skimping on sleep can affect your body’s ability to control its appetite: not enough shut-eye increases appetite-stimulating hormones.
   
   
   
6. You Overindulge in Low-Fat Foods
   Going for foods with a lower calorie count can be deceiving, since many times they’re filled with extra sodium, sugar, or chemical additives to make up for the ingredients the company has removed or decreased. Not only are these light versions less nutritious, but they also end up tasting “lighter,” leading you to eat more. You’ll probably end up consuming more calories than you would if you just ate a regular-sized portion of the real thing.
   
   
7. You Don’t Get Enough Veggies
   Eating five to seven servings of fruits and veggies a day is important for everyone, but dieters who go heavy on the produce are more likely to lose and keep the weight off, since a diet full of plant-based foods offers a greater variety of nutrients with fewer calories—and all that fiber keeps the body feeling fuller longer.
   
   
8. You Think Walking Your Dog Is Enough
   A 15-minute stroll is better than nothing, but don't expect to see dramatic weight-loss results. You've got to kick it up a notch — big time — and do at least 30 minutes a day of heart-pumping exercise. Big calorie and fat burners include running, spin class, interval training, hiking, and circuit training.
   
   
9. You Don't Cut Your Food
   Something as simple as slicing up your dinner can be helpful for your overeating woes. Cutting food into tiny pieces may seem slightly childish, but studies show that humans find smaller portions more satisfying and, as a result, are satisfied with less.
   
   
10. You Still Drink Soda
    Soda offers literally no nutritional benefits, and continuing to drink the beverage is sabotaging your weight-loss goals — even if you only drink diet. Studies have shown that individuals who drink two diet sodas a day or more had waistlines that were 500 percent larger than the nondrinkers. Since quitting soda is no joke, check out this 28-day plan for breaking a cola habit.
    
    
11. Your Partner Isn't on the Same Healthy Road
    A partner who's on a similar path can be a huge help to your weight-loss goals, but if your partner is not on board, then your relationship may be making you fat. You can't expect to lose weight if your husband constantly suggests ordering takeout, wants to go out for ice cream, or encourages you to sleep in instead of hitting the gym! Communicating that you need his support in losing weight is a great first step in finding compromises — for both of you. For starters, the next time you have dinner out, offer to split an appetizer or skip dessert.
    
    
12. You're Addicted to Condiments and Toppings
    A salad is one of the healthiest meals you can have, but when you top it with bacon bits, goat cheese, nuts, dried fruits, and ranch dressing, you can double the calorie amount in a flash. Be aware of how many calories your favorite salad extras add on. For instance, 10 croutons is an easy 100 calories.
    
    
13. You Don't Drink Water
    Besides keeping you hydrated, drinking water on the regular, according to recent studies, can aid with weight loss. Filling up on water before a meal helps encourage portion control, and eating foods that contain a lot of water (like fruits and veggies) will fill you up faster, causing you to eat less. A small study even found that drinking cool water can speed up metabolism and discourage cravings for sugary drinks like soda and juice. Now, that's a reason to stay hydrated!
    
    
14. You Don't Leave Time For Fun
    Since stress is shown to cause weight gain by triggering the body to eat more — especially foods high in sugar and fat — make sure you give yourself time to relax and unwind. And it's an added bonus that so many fun activities (like dancing, hiking, and shopping) are already natural calorie-burners!
    
    
15. You're on a Diet. Well, Sort of . . .
    Whether you're on Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, or your own diet-and-exercise plan, you can't do it halfheartedly and expect to see results. Stay committed to your plan, or you'll see the pounds stay on your tush instead of dropping from the scale.
    
    
16. You're Always Dining Out
    Hitting your favorite restaurant is a great way to unwind, but you're more likely to indulge in a huge meal complete with appetizers, drinks, fried foods, and dessert. Calorie counts are also a mystery, since many foods aren't labeled. If you don't want to give up your nights out, then split a meal with a friend, order healthy options like salads and grilled chicken, and sip water instead of wine. Check out more tips for eating healthy at a restaurant here.
    
    
17. You Don't Keep a Food Journal
    Writing down what you eat is an essential way to monitor daily caloric intake. Don't think it's worth the effort? A study from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics surveyed 123 women and found that those who were the most successful at losing weight monitored their food intake by keeping a journal.
    
    
18. You Exercise With an Empty Stomach
    If you regularly exercise without eating first, you should reconsider: when you work out on an empty stomach, research shows that the calories burned come from muscle, not fat. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, the more muscle mass you have, the better it is for weight loss. Not only will fueling your body help you avoid losing muscle, but also, you'll have more energy to push yourself through your workout.
    
    
19. You Only Do Cardio
    If you live on the treadmill but never lift a pound, then you're missing out on one of the most important pieces of the fitness puzzle. Not only does weight training prevent injury by strengthening the joints, but it also builds muscle mass and increases metabolic rate. Bonus: thanks to a revved-up metabolism, you'll keep burning calories long after you've slipped off your sneakers.
    
    
20. You Eat Without Thinking
    Aligning mealtime with a screen like your computer or the TV can be hurt your weight-loss goals. Designating a special time for meals without distractions will help you connect to your food and, as a result, eat less. Sometimes you don't even realize how much you're scarfing when your mind is somewhere else.
    
    
21. You Wear Clothes That Are Too Big
    Loose clothes are comfy, but they cover up the body and allow you to forget what you look like, which can work against your fitness motivation. Instead, opt for clothes that have a more fitted silhouette to help give you a sense of your body image. Or, better yet, start the day in your gym outfit to inspire you to do something active.
    
    
22. You Don't Eat Enough
    Don't starve yourself to save calories for later. It'll not only mess up your metabolism, and by dinnertime, that famished feeling will likely cause you to eat more than you would if you weren't starving. Not only is starving yourself not sustainable for continued weight loss, but also, limiting yourself to too-small portions can lead to excess snacking between mealtimes.
    
    
23. You Leave Out Entire Food Groups
    Giving up entire food groups can lead to a nutritional deficiency — not to mention trigger major cravings for whatever food has been cut. Rather than, say, eliminating all carbohydrates, focus on whole grains and remember to monitor portion control. Usually it's the extra servings that add to your waistline, not the pasta itself.
    
    
24. You Never Indulge
    In an otherwise healthy diet, eating a few french fries or a piece of chocolate cake isn't going to ruin your weight-loss goals. A study found that it isn't necessary to up workout intensity the day after a piece of cake and that a daily variance of as much as 600 calories won't reflect on your waistline, as long as you maintain a healthy diet in the long run.
    
    
25. You Eat the Wrong Post-Workout Snacks
    A post-workout snack is just that — a snack. And unless it's mealtime, what you eat after an average workout should be around 150 calories. Since healthy foods like trail mix can be high in calories, measure out a serving instead of mindlessly chomping straight out of the bag. If you're looking for some ideas, here are 10 post-workout snacks under 150 calories.
    

Ref : http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/whexperts/how-to-lose-weight/

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Best Power Of The Pony

The ponytail really is a girl’s best friend. It’s reliable, steadfast and will do what it takes to go with you anywhere. Whether you’re going to the gym, running errands, going on a first date or are famous enough to make an appearance on the red carpet, the ponytail is ready to be by your side, or rather, on your head.

The ultimate power of the ponytail lies in its versatility. Whether you have medium length, wavy hair or long, straight locks, the ponytail can come to your style rescue. Stylists have fun re-inventing the pony every year to complement the current fashion trends. In 2011, we saw a plethora of textured and messy ponies based at the nape of the neck.
But 2012 runways have exposed the high, polished ponies in a variety of charming hues to pay homage to fashion’s recent celebration of color. Here is a sampling of ponies to inspire you the next time you go to pull your hair back.

LOW PONYTAILS

Low ponies are seen all over the red carpet and are perfect for formal occasions. As you can see, they work with texture and are set to the side or sleek and down the middle -- even with shorter hair.

CLASSIC PONYTAILS

Smooth and polished, pulled straight back and secured in the middle of the back of the head, you can never go wrong with a timeless, classic ponytail.

 HIGH PONYTAILS

High ponytails are all the rage in 2012. Stylists are loving a high, polished pony. Rihanna shows that it can be fun with bangs and curls, whereas Eva loves a slick and sleek high set pony.

COLORFUL KATY

OLIVIA GOES WILD

LC DIP DYE

When it comes to inspired hair, there is no such thing as a tame ‘tail.
LC rocks a pink dipped pony look while Olivia Wilde had some fun with a highly stylized pony.
Katy Perry epitomizes rock 'n' roll with her extra high, extra saturated brightly colored pony.
Summer is the perfect time to experiment with different types of ponies to keep hair off your face and neck and keep you looking (and feeling) polished, powerful and cool!

Ref : http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/969501/the-power-of-the-pony

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Tips to Save Money For Your Beauty

Don't waste your money if you can save for your beauty. Save Cash On Cosmetics Keeping ourselves fresh and beautiful can get mucho expensive when you're a girl on a budget. Luckily, there are easy adjustments you can make to your regimen that will save you precious pennies without sacrificing your style.
Here are 10 easy ways to save on beauty.

Dye your own roots!

Dying your own roots is much cheaper then going to a salon for a touch-up. A box of hair dye costs less than $15, whereas a hair salon usually charges more than $50 for a touch-up -- coloring your own roots also helps stretch your color between visits. For those of you who have not colored your own hair before, ask a friend to help you to avoid missing sections.

Choose a hairstyle that is easy to maintain

The shorter your hair the more often you will have to get your hair cut, which means you can spend up to twice as much a year on haircuts. However, if you have a hairstyle that is medium to long in length, you can usually stretch your haircuts for two to three months with occasional trims in between visits.

Get trims between visits

Some salons will offer to trim your hair for less than a regular cut between visits. If your salon does not offer that service, go to Great Clips or Cost Cutters for a cheap trim. This will keep your hair looking healthy and keep you from heading back to the salon and paying full price for another styled cut.

Beauty schools are another great alternative for cheaper haircuts and manicures

Although we are often skeptical about being guinea pigs, especially when it comes to our hair, beauty schools charge far less than salons and they are required to have you leave satisfied with your hair cut/color. With the money you saved on your hair, you can get an inexpensive manicure as well.

Buy in bulk

Beauty stores like Ulta or Sally Beauty Supply usually have sales on their large bottles of hair products (usually buy one get one sales); this is the time to stock up on your favorite products.

Lay off department store brands

We all have certain products that we swear by and are willing to buy, no matter the cost (well, maybe), but for your other make-up and skin care needs try to find cheaper alternatives at Target or Walgreens. You can find great make-up at drugstores for a fraction of the cost. Mascara at a department store can cost you more than $25 but at a drugstore, you can find mascara for $6.

Buy your nail polish and eye shadow on sale

If your favorite make-up or nail polish goes on sale, buy it! Usually products that are seasonal or trendy are the only ones that go on sale; however, if you receive coupons or see that your favorite staple items are on sale or are in a gift set, you should take advantage of the sale price, even if you stock it away until you need it.

Instead of pedicures, give your feet some extra loving

Pedicures usually cost more than $35 and can be skipped during the winter months if you take better care of your feet. A pumice rock, Sally Hansen Spa Peppermint Foot Crème and your favorite polish color will cost less than $15 and will keep your feet looking great without the expense of hitting the salon.

Buy alcohol free scents

Perfume that contains alcohol usually loses the scent faster than scents containing oil, which causes you to spritz yourself more often and go through your perfume faster. Try to buy scents without alcohol to help extend the use of your perfumes.

Spend thrifty

Thrift stores are great for finding deals; they are great for purchases that you only plan on wearing once or a couple of times. You can also bring in your old clothes and make a bit of money or trade them for something you find.

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