Solving the beauty conundrum: Thrifty tips for looking lovely

Ladies, imagine a world without  makeup  and   hair dye. Now, imagine how much money would be left in your wallet. Realistically, a world without beauty products is almost laughable. And even though it sometimes requires super-human strength to resist the latest Chanel and Dior products, there are ways to achieve a beautiful exterior without skimping on your heating and electric bills, or most of your food for the month.

Starting at the roots, you can change your whole look at home, in an hour, for under $10 – with no need to make an appointment, to tip the snotty colorist at the overpriced salon, or sit awkwardly under the alien-esque heat dome surrounded by strangers doused in nauseating chemicals.

For the best home hair dye, Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy student Sharaya Mendez recommends the L'Oreal brand.

"But really, if you want to color your hair, you should just get it done professionally, because it is healthier for your hair," Mendez suggests.

Though this may be true, most store brands offer healthy endeavors for much less money. Glazes and conditioning  treatments  attempt to minimize chemical damage.

For example, L'Oreal offers a Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color that doesn't use ammonia and – prepare yourself – is only $9.99.

On this economic note, Cosmopolitan magazine offers some interesting homemade dye recipes in the March issue.

One recipe recommends a steeped combo of unshelled walnuts, hot water and rubbing alcohol in the hopes of boosting brunette hues.     

Another remedy suggests combing organic blueberry yogurt from roots to ends to brighten blonde locks.

Now you, too, can be part of the color craze without having to empty your wallet.

For the rest of the body, a few kitchen products can go a long way.

On the Cosmopolitan website, makeup experts recommend recipes like a body scrub made from honey, brown sugar and apple-cider vinegar as a clarifying and shine-boosting shampoo, and olive oil to soften skin.

If you're skeptical about the product substitutes mentioned above, look for Rimmel Blush in Pink Sorbet, Revlon Shadow in Electric Pop, and Sally Hansen PM Lip Plumper, all for under $10.

With tips like these, it won't take your entire paycheck to stock your makeup bag, so you'll have more cash (and time) left over for other things.