I am not a naturally frugal person. One thing I have been very proud of my success is cheaper and better alternatives with regard to skin care and makeup.

Prior to learning DIY skincare, I was purchasing off the shelf drugstore brands. It was a difficult adjustment for me. I was still trying out if a certain cream work or did not work. DIY was amazing. I was using skin care products that was comparatively inexpensive and my skin no longer clogged. I manage to eliminate all spending on facials because I didn’t need it. I also decided during my learning, to stick to ingredients that were proven to be effective or possibly shown to be effective in some studies.  I’m not great at expanding my DIY repertoire. I stick to a couple of things I always use because experimenting is about buying another hope in jar.

There is an advantage to clear skin. I have lesser interest in the pursuit of perfection of my skin. I am no longer interested in whitening and ensure optimal hydration. If something is not quite right, it is obvious if it is diet, or poor health. It made my life simpler.

Another thing that made my life simpler was going back to my skin tone. When I was 16 I was analysed as a winter. Recently, I came across this colour analysis and ever since then, I no longer needed a myriad of eye and lip colour. I used the same colours daily. It was lovely being boring. It simplified my options. I no longer have to try out looks or eye colours for an occasion. I used the same colours – slightly darker and more dramatic – than my work make up.