Spring Makeovers for All!

Spring is here, y’all! And aside from cleaning, nothing says “spring” like a *drum roll* makeover! However, not all of us can afford new contacts, a professional dye job, a mani-pedi, and designer duds a la Jawbreaker‘s Fern Mayo. So let’s chat about a few cheap, quick ways to jazz up our appearances and welcome those coming-up roses. CUE MAKEOVER MONTAGE!

Hair: DIY Extensions

I showed you how to give yourself a hurrcut, but we all know that can be scary and time-consuming. Apparently fur and feather hair extensions are hot right now, but that seems… well, retarded, not to mention expensive. But you don’t have to limit yourself to dead animal parts; you can add your own extensions out of almost anything: cloth strips, yarn, artificial flowers, etc. I love the idea of a few sprays of artificial baby’s breath lying within a mess of tousled hair. Just make sure it can withstand your styling methods: You don’t want to put, say, soft plastic in your hair if you straighten it every day. Decide where you want to put your extension, and cut it to your desired length. Then get an extension kit from Etsy, and go wild!

Nails: Reverse French Manicure

Who has time to do a proper French manicure, amirite? Plus you have to limit yourself to pale colors — BORING. If you like a dark nail but are bored with the standard cuticle-to-tip application, try a reverse French manicure. Get a French manicure kit (they are cheap at the drug store, but use tape if you’re really hurtin’ for funds), but apply the tip guide to the base of your nail instead of the tip. Paint as usual. When it’s all dry, remove the guides, and paint over the entire nail once more with a clear top coat. That’s kind of fun, right? Or maybe it’s dumb. Your call.

Skin: Homemade Products

Folks are all over that “being green” shit these days, but organic skincare still has a long way to go before it’s truly affordable for the masses. Hop on the trend without emptying your wallet by making your own products. I choose a mild soap, like Dr. Bronner’s, as my base for most every cleanser I need. Add baking soda to exfoliate, a drop of coconut or olive oil to moisturize, or some minced garlic (yes, really) to fight acne. To minimize dark circles and fine lines, press used, cooled bags of green tea against your eyes. For a sweet moisturizing cream, blend one part each of olive oil, coconut oil, and vegetable oil with two parts strawberries, and keep in the refrigerator. Oils of decent quality won’t clog your pores, either. Is this tactic messy? Yes. Is it fun and cred-building? Also yes.

Makeup: Bright Eyes

According to the Intertron, a bright pop of color on the eyelids is all the rage right now. You can make your own eyeshadow, but there’s a cheaper, faster, more reliable solution out there: Wet n Wild cosmetics. Yeah, the stuff you used when you were but a wee sixth-grader learning to apply makeup at sleepovers. You’ll be glad to know that the quality and variety of this brand have improved, but the price remains low, and the somewhat strange name has not changed. Stockpile hot pinks, bright oranges, neon yellows, and shimmery lavenders, and cake ’em on when you go to the club.

Images courtesy of Agent Lover, Imoan’s Wardrobe, and Sale Alert Shopping