Credit crunch beauty tips

By Emma Johnson on Jan 27, 09 08:00 AM

IF YOU'VE started skimping on luxury products thanks to the credit crunch, you're not alone but keeping up your beauty regime this year needn't be a hardship.
Dermatologist Dr Debra Luftman, co-author of The Beauty Prescription offers her 2009 bbeauty tips for thjese dark times.
Give them a try and let us know what you think:

* Women tend to underestimate their beauty by 20%. Give yourself a 'beauty boost' with a dose of self-confidence by looking in the mirror and realising that others see you as more attractive than you see yourself.
* When it comes to skin care, keep it simple. You don't need 10+ products to have beautiful skin, you only need three or four daily skin care products - an exfoliating cleanser, a sunscreen, and a therapeutic night cream/moisturiser.
* Smile and wear bright lipstick. A smile with the shimmer of bright lips is like a welcome sign for people to feel attracted to your beauty.
* Look in your kitchen for free beauty products. Green tea bags soaked and frozen make great eye de-puffers.
* Exercise is free. Just 20-30 minutes of exercise five days a week will hit all aspects of beauty. Endorphins are released - your skin glows, muscle tone improves, and you'll feel much better.
* Instead of spending £3 a day on coffees, deposit it in a 'beauty piggy bank' and save up for a special beauty treatment or product.