Soak. Soak your feet with a foot soak for about 5-10 minutes.

Scrub. Apply a scrub to your feet then use a foot file to remove dead skin and calluses. This Ms. Pedicure kit includes most of the tools needed with the exception of a cuticle trimmer.

Push and clean. Push cuticles forward gently with a cuticle stick, trim dead/raised cuticles with cuticle scissors carefully, and scrub above and below the nail with a nail brush.

Buff. Lightly buff toenail ridges, rinse and towel dry.

Staying power. Put on toe separators then apply a basecoat to prolong the life of your polish. Finish with 1-2 coats of your favorite nail polish and enjoy your Pretty Pedi for several weeks!

Pressed for time? Divide the steps above over a few days. Clear or light pink polishes are best for pedis on the go!

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Texturize.  Start with wet hair and apply a root booster like Catwalk Root Lifter at the roots. Follow with a volumizing mousse such as Wella Color Preserve Volume Mousse and comb through.

Set. Take random one inch sections of hair and spiral around your finger. Hold on scalp for a few seconds, and then let each curl unravel naturally. Repeat until you have completed the whole head. Depending on the hold level of your mousse, you may be able to stop here. I go a step further and set it with a frizz control hairspray like Matrix Sleek Look.

Go! You’re done! Let your hair air dry and then smooth any stiff spots on the go by scrunching lightly with hair serum. Check out Samy Fat Hair “O” Calorie Serum.

Money may not grow on trees, but it may be piling up in your cabinet! I’m willing to bet I’m not the only one with mounds of unused products under the sink…After I settled on a dedicated beauty routine, I started to incorporate some of those unused products into the process. Sweet - more money in my pocket!

Another savings tip is to save packaging from new products being tested. Many stores provide money back guarantees. Don’t hesitate to take something back if it isn’t the right color, creates breakouts, dry skin, etc.!  You paid too much for the product to let it not live up to the hype on the package. Don’t let those dollars dwindle away under the sink or worse yet – throw them in the garbage! At about $10 a pop, taking products back that don’t work can add up to real savings in your pocket!

I’ve noticed beauty is a continuous process that often requires some tweaking. While generally I defer to oil free combination skin products, this can deviate depending on several factors. Boy do I get irritated when I’ve committed to a routine that suddenly isn’t moisturizing adequately! However, skin is in a constant state of flux according to the season or that time of the month…Not to mention aging! Make adjustments as necessary, but don’t allow beauty companies to get richer while you get poorer!

Additional resources/related articles:
Earn cash back toward purchases at CVS and drugstore.com, or get coupons at Walgreens.  
Track drugstore deals at CouponMom.com.
Check out my most viewed post Fine curly hair got you down? for fine hair and savings tips!

After attending a friend’s funeral, I was reminded of Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. One of the habits emphasizes the importance of “beginning with the end in mind.” For me, the most memorable application of this principle was contemplating four people speaking at my funeral: a family member, a close friend, a coworker and a spiritual leader. The goal is to make what you hope they would say about you part of your mission statement. What do you think this collection of people would say about you now? Does this help you to focus on what is truly important? It does for me, but external situations frequently test my ability to keep the end in mind…The only sure thing is change, so we all need to find a way to separate ourselves from circumstances by keeping our core values firmly in mind.

So, I’m announcing how I hope to be remembered, because I know declaring it will keep me on track:

When I die, I want to be remembered like my friend Libby. As I witnessed each family member paying tribute to such an extraordinary woman, I realized I wanted to be remembered like her. While each person has their own individual legacy, much of Libby’s life honored essential universal principles, such as selfless service of others and love above all else. She led with her heart, but never neglected the importance of being a “spiritual warrior.” According to Elizabeth Lesser, “instead of trying to feel safe, a spiritual warrior approaches life as an adventure. And a strange thing happens when we can let go of the compulsion to control: our minds clear up, our hearts accept life on its own terms, and we find ways of working intelligently, hopefully, and swiftly with little and big problems.”

I drove home from the funeral below a surreal sky filled with beautiful pink and red clouds. As day became night, my eyes saw darkness, but my heart could only see the light of her boundless unconditional love. I had a vision of her running and laughing as she was warmly greeted by those who welcomed her in her next life. Suddenly, I knew she was smiling as all of her friends and family here spoke about her exactly as she hoped.

Does your makeup fade off before your day does? Do you have an important event to attend that might bring you to tears? You don’t have to cry about your makeup smearing or your credit card bill…Forget paying for high end waterproof makeup. These products work just as well for about half the price!   

Rock some base. Use Lumene Eye Primer ($9.99)or Almay Eye Base & Concealer ($8.99) before eye makeup. I can’t emphasize enough how important this step is! Without primer, your eye makeup will fade and smear before day’s end.  Up the ante for your wedding day to Make Up Forever Eye Seal ($20). A little goes a long way and this lasts a long time…

Lasting minerals. Look natural with more coverage. Check out Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation  ($13.99) for 16 hours of wear. 

All day glow. Try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends  (12.99) or Milani Glimmer Stripes ($7.49). Both are also great as overall highlighters and/or to complement your desired natural look.  

Unforgettable eyes. Revlon Colorstay 12 hour eyeshadow ($6.99) is the best affordable stay on eye color! Don’t neglect the importance of colors that complement your features. I learned colors by studying Almay All About Eyes. Get free recommendations at Almay. Or, check out the Almay display at most drugstores. I prefer Revlon Colorstay eye shadow over Almay for its staying power. 

Define. Get a precise line with Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner ($6.49) by gently pulling your eyelid toward your ear. Don’t be scared to straighten with an eyeliner smudger tool if necessary. You can also fake it by carefully applying a straight line of eye shadow just above it. Read – jagged eyeliner lines don’t complement your eyes!

Nix fake lashes. Achieve the same look with mascara. Try Maybelline Full & Soft ($7.29) or CG Exact Eyelights ($7.79). “Look Mom, no clumps” - apply with a wiggling motion of your hand, or rock your wrist up and down. If this is difficult, use a brow comb ($13.99 for kit) or mascara brush ($1.39).

Accentuate your brows. Fill in bare spots with Revlon Brow Fantasy ($7.39). Use the gel only to achieve a softer look. Another option is CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara ($4.99) in clear (also a great mascara to complement that natural look).

Polish. Finishing/loose powder isn’t absolutely necessary, but it sets your makeup for hours.  My faves are Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil ($7.49) or Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation  ($8.29).   

Get glossy. My friend Jen (thanks Jen!) got me and several of my friends hooked on Neutrogena Moistureshine Lip Soother ($7.99) in Gleam. Some stay on options are Loreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss ($9.99) or Maybelline Superstay Gloss ($9.99).

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