Budget Beauty by Maria Menounos

Maria Menounos is freakin' hot. She also happens to be cool, humble, and chock-full of broke-girl-esque tips.  After all, this sexy on-air correspondent is no trust fund baby -- she got to where she is by way of hard work and an impressive savviness when it comes to spending.  Since we would like to look like her (who wouldn't?), we asked her to share some of her favorite budget-friendly beauty tips with us today.  For more tips like these (plus advice on everything from health to relationships), check out her new book The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life. She's truly a Broke Girl after our own heart! 

BGG: You have such beautiful skin!  What's your secret?

MM: I don’t have a lot of time to get facials at a spa, so I am a big fan of DIY facials every six weeks or so.  Here’s what I recommend: first, open your pores with warm water and use an exfoliating brush or scrub to remove the dead skin.  Sterilize your face with a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel before gently operating on clogged pores, and then reapply the witch hazel once you’re done.  Next, apply a mask for ten minutes (and don’t forget your neck and chest area).  Once you’ve removed the mask, spray on toner, moisturize, and you’re done!  

BGG: Do you have any DIY face masks that are easy to whip up at home?

MM: I love blending half a cucumber with one tablespoon of yogurt.  Leave this mixture on your face for fifteen to twenty minutes to soothe and cleanse the skin.  If you’re prone to oiliness, I suggest applying milk of magnesia (unflavored) to your face and then washing it off after ten minutes. Also, the acids in lemon juice make for a great, cheap exfoliant -- simply cut a lemon in half and rub it in circular motions over your skin. (Just make sure to do a patch test first to ensure that it doesn’t irritate your skin.) 

BGG: We know you love Dermalogica, but what are the drugstore finds that you’ve noticed are effective at a much lower price point?

MM: Neutrogena wipes are great for removing heavy makeup, Heritage Rosewater is an excellent toner that you can pick up for just a few bucks, and Colonial Dames Vitamin E cream is a wonderful, affordable moisturizer.

BGG: What about makeup suggestions -- are there affordable brands that still do the trick? 

MM: CoverGirl TRUblend foundation is perfect for budget-conscious ladies. Jake Bailey, who has done lots of my fashion magazine shoots and is the makeup artist to all the biggest stars, swears by it.  Another cheap product I love is Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs -- moisturize your legs before applying, rub it in quickly, and you will look golden.

BGG: And now, what about hair? Your hair always looks amazing!  We, sadly, are not so fortunate.  Is it necessary to buy pricy salon products, or do you have recommendations that are just as good at half the price?

MM: Pantene Pro-V is a great buy!  I’ve loved their products since I was a teenager, and I always have their Volumizing Collection in my shower. For glossy locks, I recommend Clairol Jazzing, a long-lasting treatment that makes your hair shiny for a long time, or Pantene Fine Hair Heat Protection & Shine Spray.  If your hair has been looking dull and lifeless, an easy DIY trick that really works is rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar to get rid of buildup. I know we live in an age where designer shampoos can be expensive, but women really do not need to spend that much to get great hair.

BGG: Finally, since most of our readers are LA-based, do you have any local favorites we should know about, such as salons or services?

MM: The Drybar is my favorite for quick cheap blowouts! They have a great menu of hairstyles to pick from and do a great job. Also, the Four Seasons does the best massages ever -- pricey but luxurious!  Otherwise, I go to the cheap $20 places and get pretty good ones there, too.

photo by Steve Shaw