Double Duty Beauty Products

We all want to save to money, even when it comes to our beauty routine. By using some great beauty products that can do double duty, you can save money and still get the look you want. Keep reading for my favorite tips, tricks, and products that do double duty.

Lipstick is a beauty product that really makes an impact. Changing your lip color can completely change your look. You can go from neutral and monochromatic to dramatic and show stopping in just one swipe by changing your lip color. Lipstick also does double duty as a gentle cream blush. Use your fingers to swirl a little on the apples of your cheeks and blend in well. Soft pinks, corals, and mauves work best, but take time to experiment to find the one that works best for you. And yes, you can wear your favorite lipstick as blush and lipcolor at the same time as long as your eyes are neutral and your skin is fresh.

Clear nail polish is a great friend for all women. Painting a clear coat on your nails makes them look shiny and healthy, and helps prevent nail color from fading and chipping. It also helps prevent your nails from staining (just ask any hairstylist about preventing hair color from staining their nails!). But did you know that it also stops runs in hosiery? Just dab a little bit on a run, a pull, or a hole in your hose and it will stop that run in its tracks. It might stick to your leg a bit, but you can loosen it once it's completely dry. Also, if the metal in your earrings irritates your ears, try painting them with your clear coat of nail polish. It just might help!

All winter long, we need to keep our lips extra moisturized to prevent chapping and chaffing from the winter wind and cold. But the same elements also wreak havoc on our hands, and we end up with dry, cracking fingers, hangnails, and split cuticles, especially if you wash your hands a lot. It's not only unsightly - it's downright painful. Anytime you whip out your lip balm, rub a little bit into the corners of your fingers and anywhere that your skin splits or cracks. The gentleness- and lack of alcohol - will help heal and moisturize your sore fingers. Look for brands containing shea butter or cocoa butter.

If you're like me, you've got hand lotion stashed in all kinds of places in the winter: in my purse, my nightstand, bathroom, and in my drawer at work. But it does more than just soothe dry skin. It's a great double duty beauty product. If you've got static hair, and flyaways going in all directions, just leave your hands a little tacky when you put your lotion on and gently run your palms over your hair. It will smooth down any flyaway hairs. Just don't use too much or your hair will look greasy instead.

Bronzer is another one of my favorite double duty beauty products. Of course, we already know that bronzer is great to warm up your skin tone or add a little color at any time of year. But you can also sweep it on your cheeks like blush for a soft neutral shade. But better yet, you can use it to enhance your decolletage. Just sweep a little bronzer - it should be just a little darker than your skin tone - between the 'girls' to create a look of depth and shadow, making your cup size look a little bit fuller. Practice makes perfect - and remember, less is more. Too much will look like you are trying too hard!

My favorite double duty beauty product is eyeshadow. Use a tiny, stiff, synthetic brush to apply eyeshadow along your lash line instead of eyeliner. This is a great option for people who's hands are less than steady or for someone who is nervous about trying liner for the first time. Just gently dab the brush in the color, and apply right at the base of your lashes for a great look. try deep colors - such as charcoal, black, or warm brown. Some brands of eyeshadow can be applied wet and this will make your 'liner' last all day!