Beauty Quickies, Part 2

As we are all painfully aware, money is tight at the moment. These beauty and personal care products will make you feel pampered without having to spend a lot:

MS. MANICURE
One easy thing to cut out of your budget are all the extras...you know, morning coffees from Starbucks and regular pedicures and manicures. I can't help you with the coffee thing (actually, I can! Pick up a Keurig and brew single-serve coffee at home before heading out for work or school), but for your nails, I whole heartedly recommend Ms. Manicure products.

I've mentioned them before, but I was using a Ms. Manicure nail kit the other day and was impressed with the number of tools you get for next to nothing. Their Handy Dandy Mani solves all of your impromptu nail issues. Featuring Cuticle Nippers, Nail Clippers, Nail Scissors, Wood Cuticle Sticks, a Nail Brush, a Washable Salon Board, 4-Way Nail Buffer, and Slant Tip Tweezers, this beauty booty will keep your nails looking fresh and clean. At just $9.99 for the kit, you can keep on at home and stash one at your desk (or in your locker). Nice! Click here for more info.

ECO-TOOLS BRANCHING OUT
I really like Eco-Tools makeup brushes because they're inexpensive, high quality, and are made from good-for-the-earth materials. Now Eco-Tools is coming out with personal care products like “Clean Skin, Cleaner World” Body Wash ($7.99), “Sustainable Softness” Body Lotion ($7.99), “One Hand Helps the Other” Hand Cream ($7.99), and “Blooming Planet” Body Mist ($7.99). Their new line of products is 98% from nature, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dermatologist-tested and cruelty free. Check their website for retailers.

MOUTH FRESHENING TRIO
So you've spent a ton of time (and money) making sure your skin is perfect, your makeup amazing, and your body perfumed and primed for the day. But don't forget to focus on your breath! If you want to get long-lasting freshness and a very clean feeling mouth, try the new trio of Crest Extra White Plus Scope Outlast ($3.25 for 4 oz. or $4.25 for 7.6 oz.), Oral-B Advantage Floss Picks Plus Scope Outlast Flavor ($3.49 for a bag of 75), and Scope Outlast mouthwash ($4.99 for 750 ml or $5.99 for 1250 ml).

These products is infused with the advanced Outlast technology that binds tightly with select receptors in your mouth, triggering a minty fresh sensation that lasts longer than ordinary products. I've been using the trio for a few weeks now and WOW! They really make you mouth minty and fresh. And fresh breath is a perfect fashion accessory since it's always in season! Look out for them at drugstores and big-box retailers this month.