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Article written by Athenkosi Ngembe
We all know that girl maintenance can be costly, especially in "Cyril's economy". From nails, to eyelashes, hair and eyebrows, you can easily spend well over R1000 monthly to ensure that you are looking your best. With the current state of the economy, it is wise to save money where you can and this can be achieved without letting go of the things that you love.
When it comes to girl maintenance, there are some budget-friendly DIY hacks that can help you look your best without breaking the bank. Here are some of my top three favourite DIY girl maintenance hacks to help you save your coins.
1. Cluster Lashes at Home:
Individual lashes done by a certified lash tech can cost you from R400 to R800 with refills every two weeks that can range from R200 to R350. Having this as a monthly expense can be unsustainable for many. Cluster lashes are a cost effective way to achieve the individual lash look for under R100 and here's how you can achieve this at home in under 30 minutes:
1. Purchase a good quality cluster kit. These are usually available at beauty stores or online.
2. Carefully remove the cluster lashes from the packaging using tweezers.
3. Apply a thin layer of lash glue on the cluster lash band and wait about 10 seconds for the glue to become tacky.
4. Gently place the cluster lashes on your natural lashes, starting from the outer corner and working your way to the inner corner. Be careful to not place the cluster lash on your waterline.
5. Press the lashes gently to secure them in place and allow the glue to dry completely.
2. Tinting Eyebrows with Henna Dye at Home:
Perfectly shaped and tinted eyebrows make a huge difference in the overall appearance of your face, especially those who are not blessed with naturally full eyebrows. To save yourself the trouble of redrawing your eyebrows daily, it is recommended that you shape and tint them using henna dye at home. Here's how can you achieve this in under 30 minutes:
1. Purchase the henna tint kit that is suitable for home use.
2. Prepare henna dye according to the instructions on the kit. It usually involves mixing the henna powder with water to create a paste.
3. Use a small brush to carefully apply the henna to your eyebrows, shaping them as desired.
4. Allow the dye to develop for the recommended time as per the kit instructions.
5. Gently remove the dried henna with a damp cotton pad, revealing beautifully tinted eyebrows.
3. Press-On Nails
Acrylic or gel overlays and extension done by a professional nail tech can cost you anything between R250 and R600 monthly. Press-on nails are a great alternative for those who are looking to achieve the perfectly manicured nails look on a budget. Here's how you can achieve this for less than R150 in under 30 minutes:
1. Select a set of press-on nails that fit your natural nail size.
2. Clean your nails thoroughly, push back your cuticles, and buff nail bed.
3. Apply a thin layer of nail glue to the back of the press-on nail and on your natural nail.
4. Carefully place the press-on nail on top of your natural nail and press down firmly to secure it in place .
5. Repeat the process for all the nails, making sure they are applied evenly and securely.
By following the DIY maintenance hacks, you can save money and still achieve a polished look. Remember to always follow the instructions carefully and prioritise safety when working with products at home.