~Double Duty Beauty Buys~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

Insh'Allah you have all had a wonderful weekend full of relaxation, quality time with those close to you, and both loving laughter and quiet concentration.

I am going to take a quick break away from my posts about my adventures in the SouthWest.  I have a few items I purchased that I want to take pictures of so I can share them with you, and I'm waiting for my new camera to arrive. (yay!)  So until then, I wanted to share a few tips that insh'Allah will be helpful for you lovely ladies.

I have always been a girl who has loved budgeting myself.  I spend Sundays cutting coupons and writing my grocery lists, and nothing excites me more than seeing a sale sign in a window.

So, I am especially excited to find products that I can use in multiple ways.  I feel I'm getting more for my money, while still getting results, and that's a great feeling!  It's great when you can get "double duty" out of your every-day cosmetics, and here are a few ideas that can help you do just that:

Lip Balm

That's right! Your $2.00 lip balm can be used for a variety of things, such as smoothing wayward eyebrows, hydrating dry cuticles, or even rub on severely dry elbows or knees.  Lip balm is basically a super concentrated moisturizer, so feel free to use it just about anywhere you have dry skin (just make sure to keep any menthol lip balms away from sensitive skin!)

Hair Conditioner

Hair conditioner can be used a couple of different ways.  In addition to your every day conditioning, you can create your own deep conditioning treatment by adding a couple of drops of Olive or Rosemary Oil, massage it into your hair and scalp, and let it sit for about 15 minutes.  Hair conditioner is also a great alternative if you are out of shaving cream.  I know it sounds kind of strange, but next time you shave your underarms or legs, use your conditioner instead of your normal shaving cream and see what happens! I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised with a smooth, even shave!

Lipstick

You know that lipstick color that you just can't live without? The one that adds just a bit of oomph to your natural color- enough to give your lips a little definition, but still natural-looking enough to wear outside?  Well that lipstick also works perfectly as blush.  Because you know the color is already perfect for your skin tone, it will add a bit of rosiness to your cheeks, but still look very natural.  Simply blot the lipstick with your fingers and rub into the apples of your cheeks as you would with any cream blush and you're good to go out looking sunkissed and refreshed!

Straightening Iron

Not only can you use this handy little gadget to straighten out your locks, but it's also a great way to iron out any wrinkles in your clothes when you're in a hurry.  No need to drag out the ironing board, just heat up your straightening iron, run it over that pantleg that is crinkled, or that collar that needs straightening and you're good to go in half the time it would have taken you to use your clothes iron!

Cotton Balls

I never go anywhere without a few cotton balls packed away in my makeup bag.  Not only are these fluffy friends great for removing nail polish or fixing smudged khol, but if you accidentally forget your powder pad or eyeshadow brush you can use a cotton ball!  They're also handy if you're wearing some new pumps that aren't quite as comfortable as they felt when you were trying them on in Macy's.  By sticking a couple of these multipurpose marvels into the toes of your stilettos you can push your foot back, where it belongs.  This aligns your arch where it should be, and prevents your toes from being smooshed too far forward.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is not just to keep your teeth bright and clean, but also has agents to fight bad breath, so take a couple of seconds to brush your tongue as well as your teeth, and you may be able to pass on that piece of gum you usually pop into your mouth as you leave the house.  Also, if you are traveling light, and have an unwanted acne friend visit, put a dab of toothpaste on it.  By morning the redness will have subsided, and it may have dried out completely.  If there is still some sign of a blemish there, exfoliate, dab a bit of concealor, and you're good to go!

Vaseline

Vaseline is another wonderful product that can be used for a dozen different things.  It's great to use on extra dry skin, such as on the elbows and feet; it's also a good, gentle, eye makeup remover.  But one way you may not have thought of using Vaseline is by applying it to your eyelashes instead of using mascara.  It adds a glossy sheen to your lashes, and clumps them together just enough to add accentuate them, but looks much more natural than your regular mascara.  You can also go one step further, and using your fingertips apply a bit of Vaseline to your eyelids instead of eyeshadow.  It adds a bit of a dewy, shimmery glow and looks totally natural!

Preparation H 

Okay, so we all know what this is for, and I admit it can be a bit embarrassing to carry around with you.  BUT  Preparation H can be used as a wonderful way to calm puffy eyes when you're suffering from allergies or lack of sleep.  Ask anyone-this is the secret of Hollywood stars! How else do you think they can sleep 4-5 hours a night and still look fabulous in all of those movies?

Deodorant

Deodorant doesn't just keep you smelling fresh throughout your hectic day, but it can also be an excellent way to prevent razor burn or wax bumps.  Simply apply deodorant liberally to any area that is freshly shaved or waxed, to prevent those annoying little breakouts.  You have to apply it immediately for it to help, so if you go somewhere to get waxed, be sure you take a travel size deodorant along with you in your purse.

So there you have it.  Some great ways to get the most out of your everyday cosmetic and beauty products.  When you're on a budget, but still want to be a fashionista Muslimah, all you need is a few key items, and some creativity!  Because, as much as we have to multi-task, isn't it only fair that we demand our products do the same?

Ma'Salaama and Happy Multi-tasking!

Fashionably Yours,

The (Budget-Loving) Mujahada in Prada