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Gisele Intensity

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Being gazelle intense is something we are working on.  I’m finding that the harder I try to spend less money,  the more I creative I have to be.  I am so very excited about something I’ve come up with, ya’ll!

I love makeup and beauty products.  I don’t really know why, because I don’t really wear a lot of makeup.  Be that as it may, I’m a sucker for new products and shiny packaging.  I’ve completely cut back on buying things that I don’t need and I currently only use foundation, powder, a little blush and mascara.  I actually  tried, for a short time, to not wear makeup at all and there were a few comments made at work.  Not mean comments but things like ” Are you ok?  You look like you don’t feel well.” Sooooo, I decided that maybe I should just use at least enough to look presentable.  For the most part the only things I have to purchase are foundation and mascara.  I have enough powder and blush to last me for a while.   That leads us to the point of this post.  The foundation I use is drugstore stuff that runs between $10-$13.  Ya’ll, I have been pounding on the bottom of these bottles trying to use the very last drop so that I can put off buying more.

photo (1)

The first bottle has a pump so, I was able to kind of scrape the sides with it but with the second bottle I used the tried and true ketchup bottle method. I got to wondering what I could do to get more product out.  I know that you can buy a spatula thingy but all the ones I looked up were around $5 and I didn’t want to spend money to save money.  Then, I got an idea.

photo (2)

Slurpee straw!!!!  I stopped at a convenience store and I was going to buy a 99 cent slurpee but the machine wasn’t working.  I told the cashier that all I wanted was a straw.  She looked at me like I was crazy but, she told me to take one.  Score!  It worked exactly like I hoped it would and

photo (3)

I filled almost half of this jar!!  It’s a sample jar of hair mask and it holds 1 fluid oz. That seems crazy to me because the foundation bottles were 1 fluid oz. too.  I’m pretty proud of myself!  Do ya’ll have any tips that help you use the very last drop of a product?

 

 


48 Comments

  • Reply Kili |

    I just cut the tooth paste in half once it’s nearing the end… it usually lasts me for another week or two to use the stuff that you can get out of the cut in half tube. (i just stick the top half on top of the bottom half so it doesn’t dry out that quick) it’s really crazy how much tooth paste is still inside it that would otherwise go to waste.

    with shampoo, shower gel etc. once those are nearing the end i fill the bottles up with a splash of water & still get plenty shampoo / shower gel out of them

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I need to cut the toothpaste tube. I’ve never done that because I worried about it drying out. I’ll try it your way. Thanks, Kili!

      • Reply Kili |

        Reading the other comments, another thing to add: I also cut in half the hand lotion tube once I can’t get a lot out of it anymore. There is also usually still plenty inside (and also sticking the halfs together prevents it from drying out).

      • Reply Lynn |

        Stephanie, I keep a zip lock bag under the sink and just pop the leftover tube in there. I generally get 7-9 days out of a tube I would have otherwise thrown away. BTW, love the make up tip!

  • Reply Mysti |

    Sorry Stephannie….I will comment in a second…

    Jeffrey – the survey popped up again…and this time it said because I answered it (for the 4th time this week) I have “earned” 2 days without a survey….which to me says that the survey is designed to keep popping up. It is really intrusive. I was particularly disgruntled about the one about home pregnancy tests….really???

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I’m sorry about the survey, Mysti! I’ll email Jeffrey about it just in case he misses your comment.

      • Reply Mysti |

        Thanks. And I just logged on from another computer…and here we have another survey. And I have logged on from this computer earlier in the week….several times. This survey is on what type of internet connection I have. The one earlier today was about if I was a cable “cord cutter.”

        *sigh*

        • Reply adam |

          I’m guessing this site uses cookies to determine if you’ve already taken surveys. If you have disabled cookies or otherwise ratcheted up your security settings, it may not be able to tell you’ve already taken one.

        • Reply jeffrey |

          If you are logging on from different computers, it will assume that each is a different person. Nothing we can really do about that. You can read all the articles on the front page without having to answer any surveys.

    • Reply jeffrey |

      Apologies on this. We are aware that they are showing up too often and we have requested that they show up less often. Unfortunately, this is still a new form of ads and we can’t do it ourselves — we have to go through Google to get it done so it can take a few days. I will be writing a post this weekend on why we are doing it and you can lash out at me personally if you don’t like the reasoning. Again, thank you for the patience.

  • Reply Mysti |

    A Q-tip works pretty well for scraping foundation out of a bottle as well. I have never tried this, but I read somewhere if you have a powdered makeup that cracks, you can mix it with something (rubbing alcohol???) and put it back together in another little container. I am sure if you Google it, you can find it. But it may save a blush or eyeshadow that gets dropped and most likely tossed.

    I have been wearing E.L.F. make-up (sold at Target), and it is a less expensive version of professional make-up. Some of this stuff is $1!!! Try it!

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I’ll definitely try the elf stuff! I’ve tried the alcohol thing but it seemed to change the feel of the powder. It did bond it all back together though.

  • Reply Zebbie |

    I have tried that process of adding rubbing alcohol to the last bits of powered make-up and wasn’t thrilled with my results. I think next time I’ll just crush the remaining make-up and use it as a loose powder. Now I have an excuse to buy a much-loved Slurpee – never thought of using the straw, but seems like it would be great for other bottled items besides make-up.

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I have tried the alcohol trick too and I also didn’t care for it. It seemed to change the texture or something.

  • Reply Diana |

    The word is spelled gazelle. And it is a big Dave Ramsey thing. Maybe you should have explained it when using the phrase, or given credit. For example:
    “I follow Dave Ramsey and he preaches being gazelle intense, as a gazelle runs away from a lion, we need to run away from debt.”
    I follow several different financial experts and always quoting them to friends: Dave Ramsey, Mary Hunt, Ellie Kay, etc.

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I know, I was making a play on words. I was referencing Gisele Bundchen since it was about makeup. Thank you, though!

      • Reply Mary from SC |

        I caught the reference. Funny!!! Thanks for sharing a great idea….keep on being Gazelle (and Gisele)intense.

      • Reply Mary |

        I caught it too and thought it was funny. I thought of Gisele B. right away, lol.

        • Reply Lynn |

          I hate auto correct. This is supposed to read “I get it too” along with my own little pun. Upon reading it just looks like I am illiterate! Keep up the great work Stephanie.

    • Reply Jessica |

      I thought it was clever 🙂 if only all the ‘scraped out’ foundation in world could make me look like Gisele!

  • Reply Joe |

    Hahahahhahaha. Love the use of the slurpee straw. (Incredibly helpful for actual slurpees too, not that I would know anything about that).

    “Gisele intense” is also very funny for a completely different reason (at least for those in the Northeast). 🙂

    • Reply Stephannie |

      Thank you, and I watched the video. You would think she would know by now that cameras are EVERYWHERE!

  • Reply CanadianKate |

    Great idea!

    Don’t really do makeup. And my facial moisturizer is actually Lubriderm with sunscreen. It comes in a pump bottle but once I bought a smaller one. Saved the cap from that and now when the pump doesn’t work, I change to the cap lid and store the bottle upside down. I get another few months when I do that. Same thing with hand lotion. I’ve tried store brands of my favourite hand lotion but they were at best ‘OK’ and at worst donated to the washroom at church! I did save the cap off one of the cheaper bottles and now do the same thing with my pump hand lotion. Buying from Costco means my per unit cost is the same as buying store brand and now that I’m not wasting a lot at the bottom of the bigger pump bottles, I’m getting to use everything I pay for.

    Stephannie, if you are tempted by shiny bottles and jars, make sure you stay away from those areas of the store when you go shopping.

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I stayed away from them for a while but then I found that it actually helps more if I go somewhere like Sephora where I can look at stuff and they have samples that I can touch and swatch. I don’t know why but I guess I feel like I’m not missing out on anything if I can touch it? I don’t know, weird.

  • Reply Alexis |

    Your comment about co-workers asking if you’re sick had me cracking up. I’ve also had a few days where I decided to forgo makeup and experienced many of the same comments 🙂

    Btw, great idea with the slurpee straw!

    • Reply Stephannie |

      A couple of years ago I went several months without wearing any makeup at all. One day I had to get dressed up for something and someone I saw every day didn’t even recognize me! It’s crazy what makeup can do!

  • Reply adam |

    Have you seen the show Shark Tank? A southern girl like you had the same issue and invented a product to solve the problem. She’s sold a zillion of them now. But the slurpee straw is ingenious. Great work. I am sending this post to my wife for sure.

    http://www.thespatty.com/

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I’ve never watched Shark Tank but, I have heard of it. I wish I could come up with a simple idea like that it then sell it! Thanks for the kudos, the straw worked better than I had even thought!

  • Reply Shauna |

    I have only gotten a survey option one or two times and I just “X” out of it and can read without problem. I have never filled one out or had one pop up that says I must respond. Perhaps it is the settings on individual computers.

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I think Jeffrey and Nate are trying to get it sorted out. Let us know if you are still having trouble.

  • Reply Angie |

    I wear minimum makeup which I always thought looked fairly natural. I used to have a job where you would have to get there for 5am shifts on a monthly rotating basis. The days I had those shifts everyone always said I looked tired, sick, angry. Just because I didn’t have makeup! So like you now I at bare minimum like to put on mascara.

    One good way I’ve found to stretch foundation is to mix it 50/50 (approximate) with face lotion or tinted moisturizer. The tinted moisturizer is usually slightly cheaper than foundation and comes in a larger bottle. ELF makeup is maybe $5 for 1.25 oz of tinted moisturizer but I’ve also had pretty similar results with regular face lotion also. I think I just switched because of the SPF.

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I’ll have to try that. I like fuller coverage but, a little lotion would stretch it and hopefully not thin it out too much. Thanks!

  • Reply Shoeaholicnomore |

    Mine comes in a squeeze tube rather than a jar and once I can’t squeeze anymore out I cut the end off the tube and use a tiny spatula (cost $1.25 at Sally Beauty) to scrape it all out. After I cut it, I keep it in small ziploc to keep it from drying out so quickly. I keep the ziploc after I’m done with the tube so I can use it again next time. I think the spatula has paid for itself many many times over!

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I didn’t even think about checking Sally Beauty for a spatula. All the ones I saw online were like $5. I’ll check there if my straw wears out after washing it too often. Thanks!

  • Reply Mary |

    Using all of a product is smart because we all know that product equals money! You’ll find that the more you work on saving money, the easier it gets and the more creative you will be. It’s good to constantly ask yourself how you can do things for less or save more money.

    To save money on makeup and beauty products, I do a couple of things:
    -For foundation, I used to use an Estee Lauder foundation all the time; it was around $36-$38. I loved it and it provided full coverage and looked flawless. I decided I could use a less expensive foundation for every day so I tried the Revlon Colorstay foundation you are using and it works fine for every day. Light to sheer coverage so not as flawless but fine for every day. That runs around $10 so a big savings. I still use the other stuff for days I am going out or something special but it saves a lot of money.
    -The Colorstay foundation is HARD to get out of that bottle. I store mine upside down all the time. I keep a little Irish crystal wine goblet to store that and my make up brushes. It looks pretty and is functional (no I don’t drink at all).
    -For tubes, I cut them in half and store in a plastic bag until all of the product is used.
    -Changed some items from department store products. I used to use Lancôme Definicils mascara for around $26 each. I tried drugstore mascaras but didn’t like them. I tried Mally’s Volumizing Mascara from QVC-it runs around $14 each (sold in a 2 pack usually) and wait until they do their specials and have free shipping. It works pretty good-no clumps, lengthens nicely but does have a little flake off at the very end of the day. I give it 4 stars. It’s not perfection like the Defincils but pretty good. Even my 88 year old mother who has dementia noticed how nice my lashes looked with Mally’s mascara!
    -Like you, I like trying new makeup but I don’t want to break the budget. At Christmas, they sell those eye shadow packs for stocking stuffers. I bought one last year-it was inexpensive so I didn’t break the bank but I got to play with some new colors.
    -When I do run out of my pricey EL foundation, I wait until gift time to purchase more. That way I free cosmetics with my purchase.
    -Switched to organic coconut oil as a makeup remover, moisturizer and anti-aging. I keep some in a glass jar with a plastic lid in the bathroom (coconut oil degrades plastic). It’s much cheaper to use that instead of make up remover plus it does a fantastic job and is good for you! I remove my eye make up with it, cleanse my skin and dry it, then use some as a moisturizer. I use it at bedtime and in the morning. If I am applying makeup, I blot the excess and then apply makeup and it goes on easier. The organic coconut oil also has hyaluronic acid in it which improves fine lines in less than a week (organic coconut oil also reduces pore size for flawless skin). A typical anti-aging product can average $40-hundreds of dollars and only contains a fraction of the hyaluronic acid in organic coconut oil. . I get compliments on my skin all the time.

    • Reply Meghan |

      Mary-

      I LOVE using coconut oil!! I buy it in the huge jars and use it for everything, my face, hands, dry ends in my hair, I even use it as a deep conditioner for my hair every month!

      Steph-

      These are some awesome ideas. I agree that sometimes it is hard to downgrade product when you find something you really like, I keep the products I really love but hate to buy on an Amazon wish-list and then my parents, in-laws, husband have gift ideas for me and they are things I really want!

      I also wondered about the Gisele thing at first but at soon as I saw you spell it correctly in the article I knew it was a pun and I love it!

      I hope you mom is feeling better!

      Cheers,

      Meghan

    • Reply Stephannie |

      Thanks for all the tips! I have problems with my face breaking out, I wonder if the coconut oil would make it worse?

  • Reply the spunky banker. |

    I don’t always like wearing make up so I try to get away without wearing it as often as I can. The only bad thing was that when I would wear make up my co-workers would say “oh do you have a date tonight?” or whatever and it always bugged me because I thought “man do yall think I’m terribly unattractive??”

    Anyway, awhile back I bought a tube of some expensive mascara (like $25) at Ulta and after a long time of using it I thought I was going to have to toss it but then I remembered seeing somewhere that you can actually put a few drops of contact solution in your tube and it makes it last longer. After I did that I noticed that I needed a little more to make my lashes as thick as I like them but I’ve gotten an extra couple of months out of a tube I thought was toast.

    • Reply Stephannie |

      I’ve never heard of adding contact lens solution, I’m going to have to try that. Thanks!

  • Reply Dimity |

    The slurpee straw works great!! I would have never thought of using it–but as I was buying a slurpee yesterday, I remembered reading your tip. I went home and actually got out all of the remaining moisturizer out of 3 bottles I was saving in hopes of figuring out how to get the moisturizer out! It’s funny how the littlest things can make a difference… 🙂

    • Reply Stephannie |

      Thanks for letting me know that you tried it, you totally made my day!

So, what do you think ?