Grooming Essential for The Tough Times Ahead!

For many of us, gone are the days when we can frivolously splurge on cosmetics just for the fun of it. As the economic downturn continues and purse strings have to stretch further just so we can get by it is important to prioritise and see where we can save money and this includes our bathrooms. But there are certain essentials that all women need! We have put together a Financial Crisis survival guide to help you distinguish between the needs and the wants.

Must Have Skin Care Products:
- A good quality cleanser
- Good eye makeup remover
- Exfoliator
- Moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15
- Night cream (you don’t need an SPF at night)
- Body oil or lotion
- Body scrub or brush
- Body wash and sponge
- Mask (optional but necessary for some to keep skin clear)

These items don’t have to cost a lot; in fact most experts tell us that some of the cheaper, less fancy products work just as well if not better than the expensive ones. Case in point: most of the 5 Star reviews in The Beauty Review are for cheaper, more affordable products.
To save time and money, choose multipurpose products: a creamy shower gel can double as a shaving gel and bubble bath, or a moisturizer with antioxidants and SPF can take the place of a separate skin serum, cream and sunscreen.
Don’t waste money on unnecessary products such as a separate eye cream or

Must Have Makeup Essentials:
- Under-eye concealer
- Foundation (Use a good quality mineral foundation and you will eliminate 2 other products)
- Blush/bronzer
- Eye shadow
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Eyelash curler
- Lipstick/lip gloss/lip liner

Once again choose multi purpose products and choose Neutral makeup colours that you can wear in a multitude of situations. Get creative in your use of products. For example after applying your mascara use the same brush to brush your eyebrows. This will add a slight colour as well as tame the brows.

Must Have Hair Care Products:
- A good quality shampoo and conditioner
- A leave-in conditioner for dry hair, and use the same product for a mask
- A multi purpose styling product
- A good quality brush and comb

When it comes to hair care, a clarifying shampoo is indispensable for anyone who uses heavy styling products on a regular basis. A wide-tooth comb is a good choice for getting out knots and tangles after the shower. It’s less damaging than a bristle brush on wet hair, which is particularly susceptible to damage.