33 Money-Saving Beauty Tips

"My mom gets her roots done once a month and recently I convinced her to try the Clairol Root Touch-Up Kit," says Real Beauty senior editor Andrea Lavinthal. "It took me just seconds to mix up the formula and applying it was a breeze. After 10 minutes we rinsed and blow-dried her hair. She was blown away by the results and totally thrilled that she could wait two, even three, more weeks before heading to the salon."

$6.99, drugstore.com

"If you're like me, you have several bottles of half-full conditioner in your shower," says Lavinthal. "There's nothing wrong with these formulas per se, but none of them qualify for the 'good to the last drop' category. Instead of tossing them in the garbage, squeeze all of the conditioners into one big bottle to create a 'superconditioner.'"

"There's nothing I hate more than going away and leaving behind my expensive shampoo in the shower stall," says Real Beauty associate editor Colleen Moody. "This shampoo lathers really well so it can double as a shaving cream whether you're at home or on vacation."

$2.49, drugstore.com

If you're squeamish about having someone push back your cuticles or cutting your nails too short, try giving yourself an at-home manicure with this all-inclusive kit from Kiss. Skip buying your own bottles of expensive nail lacquers and head to the salon for just a polish change — most charge under $10 to swap your color.

Kiss Professional Manicure Kit, $9.99; walgreens.com

Natalie DeStefano, makeup artist at the Rita Hazan Salon in NYC, recommends wetting your makeup sponge slightly before you dip it into your foundation. The dampness will cause the sponge to absorb less product, thus leaving more in the bottle.

Some salons charge $5 or less for a bang trim, but you can try to trim them at home if you're feeling daring. "For a blunt line, use straight shears," says Donna Zawislak, stylist and field education leader for Hair Cuttery.

"I use cotton rounds to apply my toner and take off my nail polish," says Real Beauty associate editor Ariana Finlayson. "Since they provide more surface area than I usually need, I cut them in half to save product and money."

Instead of shelling out $40 or $50 for a salon hair mask to rejuvenate dry hair, try an at-home avocado mask. All you'll need is a fully ripened avocado mixed in with one egg yolk and a teaspoon of olive oil. After stirring well, apply the mixture to your hair in sections and leave on for 30 minutes or so. Afterward, your hair will feel luscious and healthy.

Extend your hair color and keep it looking healthy and vibrant with this great tip from The Office star Angela Kinsey: "To make my hair color last longer, I wash my hair every other day. On the weekends I give it a break from heat styling and just put it in a ponytail. Once a month I use this deep conditioner. I apply it in the morning, slip on a shower cap, then do the laundry."

$3.99, walgreens.com

"If you feel a big blemish coming on, take an aspirin and make a paste of it with water," says Kinsey. "Apply it to the pimple before you go to bed and the next day the swelling will be gone."

Invest in some multitasking makeup. This pencil functions as a lipstick, eye shadow, and blush — all for under $10. Not only will you save space in your makeup bag, but you'll also save time in your routine.

Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Multi-Pencil, $8; avon.com

Vaseline is another one of those mega-multiuse beauty tools. Use it as a lip balm, to soften heels, or as a makeup remover.

Eyes Lips Face (e.l.f.) may be one of our favorite brands for beauty on a budget. This all-in-one palette comes with 14 eye shadows, an eyeliner, a shadow brush, and an eye-makeup lesson to boot, all for a price that is so good, it'll make you blush.

e.l.f. Beauty Encyclopedia — Everyday Eye Edition, $5; eyeslipsface.com

No special hairdressing or sewing skills required for this one! All you need is a pack of wig clips, needle and thread, and packages of wefted human hair. "Many human-hair clip-ins will cost you more than $250," says Daneen Baird, editor in chief of SpoiledPretty.com. "But if you've got some time, you can make them yourself for $50-$75."

"Olive oil is actually my favorite beauty secret," says Real Beauty director Deanne Hess. "It’s great for taking off makeup, calming frizzies in the summer, and moisturizing your skin. I keep a bottle in both my kitchen and bathroom."

"I tend to always have a tissue toilet seat cover in my bag," says Hess. "You can rip off pieces and use them as blotting papers. The brown napkins from Starbucks work well too."

Get a few more uses out of an almost-gone mascara by standing it in a glass of warm water or heating it up with a hair dryer.

Wash it thoroughly and use it to tame unruly eyebrow hairs or to separate and de-clump lashes. Oftentimes, great mascara application comes from the brush. If you aren't too keen on a newly purchased formula, use the wand from your tried-and-true to see if it makes a difference.

Combine 1 cup coarse sea salt with 1/2 cup baby oil. Stir the ingredients together in a bowl and put into a screw-top jar. Leave for 24 hours, then stir the mixture and apply to any areas of the body you wish to smooth out. Massage into the skin for a few minutes, then shower off and pat your skin dry. (Makes multiple applications.)

Stinky soles can ruin a good pair of shoes, not to mention smell up a room whenever you kick them off. To get rid of odors, sprinkle some baking soda in your shoes and vacuum up before you slip your feet into them.

Mix dry grounds with your body lotion and rub into your problem areas. This stimulates circulation, making it easier for trapped fat to surface and be broken down. Plus, the caffeine tightens skin. Leave this coffee-lotion combo on your skin for about 30 minutes, then wash off.

Honey has powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties, making it perfect for curing dry or acne-prone skin. Make sure you start out with clean skin, then spread some honey on and let it sit for up to 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

If you wake up in the morning with under-eye bags, apply two chamomile tea bags, chilled spoons, or cucumber slices to your lids. Expedite the process by sitting up with your head back; this will help drain the fluids around your eyes more quickly.

Believe it or not, post-holiday and seasonal shopping can be a huge boost to your makeup bag. Gift sets (which are discounted deeply at the end of the season) don't just have to be just for gifts! Check out sephora.com, beauty.com, and ulta.com for steals and deals.

In a pinch, you can use any eye shadow as an eyeliner. Pick up an eyeliner brush with short, stiff, angled bristles like this one from e.l.f. (only $3). Your best bet is to mist the tip of the brush rather than soaking it, which can ruin both the brush and the makeup. For a smudgy, nighttime look, try applying with a damp Q-tip.

Try Essence Colour & Shine Eyeshadow, $2.99; ulta.com

Celebrity makeup artist and star of What Not to Wear Carmindy puts her face primer on her arms to make them extra-smooth when she doesn't have time to exfoliate. This formula includes skin-smoothing cork oak and olive leaf, plus has tiny micronized pearl to give your shoulders a sexy shimmer.

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty by Carmindy Luminizing Face Primer, $9.99; cvs.com

Sunburn-relief sprays can contain artificial ingredients like parabens and benzocaine, which can irritate skin even more. First, sooth sunburn by soaking a washcloth in black tea — the antioxidants and tannic acid will calm fiery skin. Be sure to keep skin hydrated so the inevitable peeling process won't be as harsh in the end. We recommend trying Jason Natural Aloe Vera 70% Body Lotion.

Slathering on your lipstick may cause you to overapply, which you'll only blot off onto a napkin. Use a lip brush and you'll save product, plus get a more even, precise color. Check out this one from e.l.f. for only $1.

"My one beauty commandment is to buy an inexpensive, but effective, foundation," says American singer/songwriter MoZella. "This one is under $10 and I always get compliments on my complexion. I love it because it gets into every crease and line to smooth out my entire face, and it never looks too heavy. Then I can splurge on a pricier bronzer later, and not feel so guilty about it!"

Fruit is the best ingredient for your skin. The vitamins and minerals help clear up blemishes and leave you feeling soft and smooth. Each fruit has its own benefits, but for a quickie DIY facial, grab a banana from your fruit basket and try this recipe:

Mash a ripe, medium-sized banana and mix with 2 tablespoons honey. For a thicker consistency, add 2 tablespoons plain yogurt. Apply to your face and neck for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off.

Courtesy of nail technician Fahmida Mumith at Haven Spa in New York City

Soak your feet in a combination of warm water, sea salts, sliced lemon rounds, and a few drops of any essential oil. Use a pumice stone on your heels and balls of your feet to slough away calluses.

In a mixing bowl combine 1/2 cup sugar, the juice of a grapefruit, lemon, and lime, and 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil with a splash of warm water. Exfoliate your feet and calves with the scrub, then rinse it off with warm water. Finish by applying a rich body cream to your feet and calves to keep them soft and hydrated.

Although this last one isn't entirely beauty-related, it can save you a ton on your laundry bill. This hand-held, portable steamer heats up to 212°F, which sanitizes and kills odor-causing bacteria. Plus, its smaller-than-a-book size allows you to store it easily or bring it on your next trip.

Available at haanusa.com