Times are tough and maintaining beauty through beauty products, salon visits and the like has not gotten any cheaper, but as women we are still expected to look our best. I recently asked some advice from “beauty experts” I know about how to look good while saving money. Here are a few of their tips:

Chauntal’s advice:

• Vitamin E works well for scars/marks and once in awhile I use it for my lips at night.
• I use Aloe Vera baby oil (Johnson & Johnson) in the shower a few times a week. A cheap way to keep your skin smooth.
• I once had my teeth cleaned at a dental school for half the price and the dentist came around and checked every single tooth to make sure that they were cleaned well by the student.
• Here's a tip for coupons: go to the Proctor & Gamble website and they will mail you your choice of coupons! www.pgeverydaysolutions.com.

Alyssa’s advice:

• Always wear SPF on your face it will save you money in the long run when you don't have to purchase anti-aging creams!!!
• If you're in a hurry and hate doing makeup a quick 2 minute fix is moisturizer, bronzer, mascara, and lip gloss.
• I go a couple of times a year to beauty schools for facials. In Portland at the Aveda Institute the 60 minute facial is $20! I have found that the beauty schools give horrible manicures and pedicures because they're usually least favorite rotation that the students are required to do.

Karen’s advice:

• I like to visit the local beauty school for lower-cost pampering. No way would I let them cut or color my hair, but they do great manicures and pedicures on the cheap and they are trying really hard to impress their teachers so they take their time and do a good job. I bet a lot of people don't know you can get actual appointments at beauty schools. They need to practice on someone!

Tatum’s Advice:

• Mix 2 parts moisturizing lotion with 1 part of your favorite liquid foundation to get nice coverage, but nothing that appears caked on. Perfect for the summer time.

Kari’s Advice:

• Aquaphor Healing Ointment... I don't understand the difference between it and Vaseline,but it works way, way better for dry skin, burns, chapped lips, diaper rash, excema, and a myriad of other skin issues. Put it on your lips before bed and wake up with a soft, supple kisser... put it on before going out in the morning and you have shine to rival the priciest gloss. Excellence in a tube (or tub)!

Elizabeth’s Advice:

• Use shampoo to wash your face! It won't over dry your skin and is better than any face wash out there. I've been doing this since college and am happy with my skin.
• Toilet Seat Covers make great paper to blot your skin when you're out on the town. Rip off a piece and blot it on your skin and it will remove oil (that makes your skin shiny) and make you feel fresh. They sell really expensive blotting papers at Nordstrom that are made from the same material.
• Target Up-and Up brand makes a great makeup remover for much less than name brands.

Connie's Advice:

• A lost cost beauty tip that dermatologists highly recommend is Vaseline as a moisturizer. I can attest to its extraordinary abilities - I used it when I was pregnant on my expanding, flaky, dry and itchy belly. To this day it is a great makeup remover.
• Another cheap fave - mix olive/vegetable oil and granulated sugar for a soothing hands/foot exfoliant.
• Toothpaste (not gel type) is a good zit zapper!

Christina's Advice:

• Walmart Equate version of Cetaphil is AWESOME and half the price.