Go with the Dow
In the olden days, women bit their lips to make them redder. They also allegedly slapped themselves to give their cheeks that look of love. The pain rendered in pursuit of the romantic look is quite poetic. As most of us know, love can be quite a slap in the face, and biting one’s lip is sometimes necessary to keep it up.
These days the pain is felt somewhere else. In the pocketbook. Yes, it’s truly a recession. It’s felt everywhere. From empty malls, to closing designer coffee shops and designer duds priced at Walmart rates. Even then one must look happy in such trying times. Gone are the wan and frizzy-haired ladies of the depression. The recessionista puts her money where her mouth (lips, eyes and hair) is.
The single most expensive thing to upkeep is, of course, one’s silky tresses. Cossette in Les Miserables sold hers for food. Shorter hair has become more popular due to its low-maintenance, Chia-pet charm. It takes less shampoo, little conditioner and almost zero product to look human. Costly blowouts are just so 2006, you know! However, sometimes we need to still feel good about our crowning glory in less glorious times. I have always been a fan of coloring hair from the box. My particular favorite is L’Oreal Feria in Crystal Brown. It colors hair with highlights. Yes, I’ve used the product enough to say that the formula creates a multi-layered color that keeps hair from looking flat! The hue itself complements my unnaturally tanned skin.
Speaking of which, tanning can burn many unexpected holes in the pocket. If you do it naturally, watch yourself slather on expensive anti-wrinkle creams to crease out the damage. If the damage has been done there are several drugstore brands out there that will help. Remember, bigger companies have larger budgets for research so you’ll be sure to have a dab of modern medical heaven. If you’re like me and choose to avoid it while looking like you’re on a permanent vacation, try the inexpensive Jergens self-tanning lotion for everyday use (available at PCX). It provides an even toasty color that’s not beta carotene- inspired. It goes on gradually so you can control the hue and not wear unsightly streaks!
For the face, monochrome is the way to go. I like using a juicy-colored lip cream like Revlon or Fanny Serrano, which has enough pigments to coat lips in creamy colors while adding a natural flush to the cheeks and, gently patted on the lids, gives eyes a subtle depth. For darker skin go for wine or cranberry tones; mediums will benefit from peachy or coral tones; and light skin will glow in pink and rose tints. My friend Hindy Tantoco used to make her own eyeshadow by mixing pigments from bronzers, eyeshadows and blush with petroleum jelly. It gave her instant goddess eyes with zero effort.
With less cash, you will be assured of having less extra baggage, too! Don’t look depressed: that’s so Prozac Nation ‘90s.
