TalkingMakeup.com: Daily makeup and beauty blog and makeup tutorials

I have two beauty tips that will save you money and also will transform your look.

1. Lighten your eyebrows: Lightening your eyebrows whether with a light eyebrow pencil 2 shades lighter than your natural eyebrows or even using a bleach can make a huge difference to your look. When I say huge, I mean an instant makeover. Lighter eyebrows give you a much softer look and accentuate your eyes. 

 Celebrities that I suspect to lighten their eyebrows include: Oprah, Tyra Banks, IMAN, Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Williams, and recently I’ve even noticed Rachel Rey. Yup:)

Blonde highlights and lighter eyebrows transformed Jennifer Lopez into a superstar

Anastasia Beverly Hills is amazing for anything to do with brows, so look out for their tinted brow gels and brow pencils. I love  Anastasia Beverly Hills Duo Brow Wand (a new powder featuring a dual-sided applicator with Brunette and Ash Blonde Brow Powders).

Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel

And for a bleach, Jolen works  great. Leave on eyebrows from 5 to 15 minutes depending how light you want to go, or how dark your natural eyebrows are to begin with. Warning: NEVER EVER put bleach into eyes!!! If you are too nervous ask help from your girlfriend, or even ask a professional.

2. Wax at home with GIGI and don’t be afraid to wax your arms: You can save tons of money by waxing at home with professional quality waxing system such as GIGI which you can purchase at Sally Beauty Supply. I recommend GIGI All Purpose Honee Microwave Kit, which contains: 8oz. Jar Honee Wax, 2 oz. Slow Grow, 2 oz. Wax Off, 2 oz. Benzokal Lotion, 2 oz. Pre-Hon Lotion, 5-Small and 5 large Accu Edge Wax Applicators, 10-Small and 10-Large Muslin Strips.

It costs around $30 but will last you for at least 6 months: you can use it to wax your legs, excess facial hair, bikini, and even your arms! Yes your arms! This is a beauty secret I’ve learned back when I use to go to a salon in Chelsea New York City. The esthetician told me that many of her model clients, get their arms waxed before a photo shoot. Because excess hair on your arms is not as coarse as on your legs the look is very natural. Some women think waxing arms is too much of a commitment. Which do you rather have a commitment or hairy arms? You shave your legs anyways, right?

Tip: to remove excess wax you can use baby oil or Boscia MakeUp – BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil. If you feel sticky, try baby powder.