TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY

ANTI-AGING

HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Money Savings on Beauty Products from Mary Hunt's Debt Proof Living

The secret of youthful, clear skin: "olive oil.  Just a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil are better than any expensive moisturizer. Once absorbed into the skin, the smell will disappear.

MOISTURIZING ALTERNATIVE. I have an even better and cheaper alternative to face creams. I use good quality extra-virgin olive oil from the grocery store. I put some into a small travel container and keep it in my bathroom (I use the rest for recipes). I apply two or three drops immediately after a shower so that my skin has a chance to absorb the oil by the time I'm ready to apply my makeup. I have fewer wrinkles than my mother and grandmother did at 62. If it was good enough for Cleopatra, it's good enough for me. Joanne, Michigan

MASCARA MAGIC. For years, my mascara has looked natural, thanks to a toothbrush. When my toothbrush has reached the end of its first life, brushing teeth, I put it in the dishwasher to disinfect it. Then, I use it to comb my eyelashes after applying mascara. It gets rid of all the clumps, makes my makeup look better, and, when it gets dirty, back into the dishwasher it goes. Cindy, Iowa

SPOT REMOVER. I color my hair every two months with a permanent color. Inevitably, some of the dye stains my skin. In the past, I've lived with the stains for a day or two until they wore off, but, last time, I kept a bottle of hand sanitizer and a cotton swab nearby. When I spotted a drip on my skin, I dipped the cotton swab in the sanitizer and used it to wipe off the dye. It worked perfectly! It's also a good idea to rub a little conditioner around your hairline before coloring. Cheryl P., Maine