The Family Groove | DrugStore Beauty | Treat yourself to a day of beauty

DRUGSTORE BEAUTY
TREAT YOURSELF TO A DAY OF BEAUTY—ON THE CHEAP

Who wouldn’t love relaxing with a facial, pedicure or other salon delight? But in these penny-pinching
times, most budget-conscious moms can’t swing a $100 salon fee. Luckily, a trip to your local drugstore
can yield a variety of affordable products for simple, do-it-yourself luxury treatments at home.
Here, we present our seven favorites to try this month.

1. Revlon Pedi-Expert Pedicure Kit
Pamper feet and toenails with this all-in-one pedicure kit from Revlon. Scrub away rough skin with the Pedi-Expert, which is safe and gentle, and also makes for simple cleaning. A nail file and nail clippers come with the kit. Simply supply your favorite polish!
($10, www.revlon.com)

2. Alberto VO5 Hot Oil Weekly Intense Conditioning Treatment
When you can’t afford to stop by the salon for a deep-conditioning service, try this affordable yet luxurious home treatment to keep your hair moisturized and shiny. Simply massage this vitamin E formula into your hair once a week before your shampoo and conditioning routine, and walk out of the shower with stronger, sleeker locks.
($4, www.walgreens.com)

3. Epsom Salt
Calm skin irritations, smooth bruises and even remove splinters with an Epsom salt bath. This gentle but healing ingredient can be mixed with hot water for a rejuvenating, refreshing bath. Don’t have time to relax and soak? Mix a little into your usual body wash to smooth skin and rid the body of toxins.
($6, www.drugstore.com)

4. St. Ives Peel-Off Hydroxy Masque
No time—or cash—for a facial? An alpha and beta hydroxy complex lifts away dead skin cells and other impurities in this easy-to-use mask. Simply spread over face and massage in with an upward motion. When the paste is completely dry, slowly peel away and rinse for cleaner, toned skin.
($4, www.medshopexpress.com)

5. Vaseline and Scented Oil
Paraffin wax spa treatments can set you back $50. Instead, try Vaseline, a beauty drawer essential for busy, working moms. Mix a few drops of your favorite scented oil—try lavender or green tea for a calming effect—into a blob of Vaseline, and smooth over hands and feet for a do-it-yourself spa treat. Slip gloves and socks over hands and feet to seal in moisture.
($2, www.walmart.com)

6. Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Lip Plumping Treatment
Skip the needles and appointments and opt instead for this Neutrogena serum, which can be applied at night, so you wake up to more voluptuous lips. An added bonus of SPF 20 makes daytime application safe, too.
($20, www.target.com)

7. Baking Soda
Long revered as one of the most versatile household products, moms have used baking soda to clean surfaces all around their homes. Now try this powerful cleaning agent on another surface—teeth! Sprinkle a little over toothpaste each morning and night, and wake up with noticeably whiter teeth in just two weeks. Standard teeth whitening and bleaching procedures from your dentist can run you up to $500.
($1, www.cvs.com)

—Feifei Sun

Feifei Sun is a writer living in New York City.

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