Making the most of your money

One of the hardest things to get over when beginning to buy organic is the cost. Artificial ingredients are cheaper than their natural counterparts and it shows in the prices. You'll find yourself going from spending 5-6 dollars on a facial cleanser to 9-11 dollars. For some it can be difficult to feel that they are getting their money's worth, but there is hope!

• I first started with LUSH cosmetics. Lush is really great because it can be described as a "transparent" company. You know who made the exact product you have in your hands (they have the name and picture on it) and when it was made. Best of all, you can test every product on their floor and get a sizable sample of many for no cost. I once used a Coalface sample twice a day for two weeks before I ran out. They believe that you need to use a product for a while before you can know if it will be good for your needs.
• Stockpile. I enjoy shopping, which gets me into trouble sometimes. I also have very finicky skin which I am always trying to appease! So at the vegan/vegetarian store, I always check out the clearance shelf in the cosmetics section. Sometimes I can find really great deals. When that happens I end up with a half full bottle of whatever I was using before. Or sometimes you find a product just isn't what you need. I'll put those products aside and use the new one. Recently I couldn't afford to replace my cosmetics when I ran out, but because I still had some of my older shampoos/conditioners/cleansers, I just used those until I could. I've even been known to change up my routine based on what my skin seems to need at that moment.
• Be creative. You may find that one product can have multiple uses. Sometimes I'll use my creme cleanser or topical cream when my piercings are irritated, rather than buy a product just for that. This is complete trial and error.
• Invest in essential oils. Essential oils are more expensive than ready made products but are more versatile. I make my own toner using distilled water and a personalized mix of oils and swear by Rose Hip Seed Oil as a hand moisturizer. You'll be surprised how much you can do with a decent selection of these.
• Don't be afraid to try new things. There's no need to stick with one product line or company. Mix and match! If you like Company A but can't afford their 40 dollar moisturizer, you can certainly find less expensive moisturizers that are still natural. Don't limit yourself.