Swirls of advertisments and optimized images of beauty like smoke in our head, it's difficult to seperate the lies from the truth. You don't always have to splurge to be beautiful! The following list is a collection of cheap beauty essentials, among them some of my favorite products, that have a place in every womens collection.

When you shell out $100 for a commercialized beauty creme you're not just paying for the product; you're paying for the advertisments, wages of the coropration's huge number of employees, commercial events, promotions, release parties and all the other ridiculous things these huge companies use to increase sales and make women feel as though these things are essential. Sometimes, quality products come from the cheap and honest companies that spend more time on their products than their PRs.

Without further commerical-rebeling I present to you:

Beauty for under $5

Vaseline: Vaseline, or any pertoleum jelly, is a wonderful multitasking tool that can help mosturize and create many glossy make-up looks. Lucky for us bargain hunters, this goopy goodness usually comes in huge tubs that seem to never run out.

• Use on lashes for a lovely natural gloss and definition. Some even say that wearing it overnight can help lengthen and strengthen lashes so go to bed with doll lashes and wake up to mascara-ready eyes.
• Use as a primer all over your face to help improve the look fo your foundation. You can even add a small amount of sheer pigment and blend well for an all over shimmer!
• Mosturize EVERYTHING! Use as a beautiful gloss and mosturizing lip balm, or slather it anywhere you have dryness for a quick boost of moisture.
• Mix with make-up to create soft, easy to apply cremes. Try with pigment powder, eyeshadow, lipstick (use a small amount to make a bronzer or blush creme), or thick foundations to make application sheerer.
• Warm up a bit in your hand and apply to dead ends and frizzies to keep hair looking healthy and shiny.  

Experiment with vaseline! It's a great beauty product that deserves a place in every womans kit. :)

Beauty Fact: A lot of people think mineral oil is bad for the skin but according to beauty experts, there's no documented research to suggest vaseline is comedogenic (pore-clogging). http://www.xcelnutraceuticals.com/facts_myths.html http://www.cosmeticscop.com/skin-care-facts-mineral-oil-safety-nonirritating-moisturizer.aspx

I can also personally attest to the beauty miracle of vaseline. There is suggestion, however, that applying it too thickly to wounds or tattoos may be bad for them so stick to a thin layer, and you'll be safe. :)

Sugar packettes: This beauty essential can easily be attained for free! Just pick some up anywhere that serves coffe and store in your make-up bag for an on-the-go exfoliator!

• Dip a moisturizing lipbalm into sugar and use small circular motions to exfoliate the dead skin on your lips away! You can also mix with vaseline or water for a similar effect. Finish by applying a lip plumper or lip balm for a perfect lipstick-ready smile.  
• Is your face looking a little dull? Mix with lemon juice, mostruizer, or water to make a natural facial exfoliator! Scrub gently in small circular motions and then wash off for beautiful skin. Of course, you can also use this on your body.
• Why not give sugaring a try? It's an ancient egyptian method of hair removal that's less painful than waxing. Find a recipe and instructions at http://www.beauty-fitness-savvy.com/sugaring-hair-removal.html.

Honey: Honey is an incredible mositurizer with healing properties so grab some raw honey from the health store, a bottle of regular honey or some little honey packages from a breakfast restaurant.

• Use honey mixed with a small amount of milk or creme (You can store those little creme cups from coffee shops in your purse) and apply all over you face as a mostruzing mask. Allow 15-20 minutes for it to dry and then wash off for amazingly soft skin!
• Add a fourth of a cup to your bath for smooth skin.
• Apply honey to your lips and let sit for five minutes before washing off to create a delicious pout!
• Use with olive oil to make a great conditioner!
• Honey and egg whites make a great pore-minimizing mask. Let set 15 minutes before washing off and you'll find a beautiful complexion waiting beneath this cheap mask!

Beauty Fact: Honey is anti-bacterial and thus wonderful on wounds and skin but not all honey's are created equal! Raw honey and Active Manuka honey are the best for your skin, so whenever possible look for these types!

Lubriderm moistruizer: You should be able to find this terrific moisturizer at your local drug store for under $5. If possible, opt for the version with SPF protection to keep your skin sun-safe and youthful.

• Moisturize all over while your bodys wet, or any time for a quick moisture boost!

Little bottles, tubs, and cute containers of all kinds: Unfortunately, drug store and grocery store steals don't come in the cute containers that make us feel like princess but there's a quick and cheap way to spruce up your products! Purchase small bottles and containers from dollar stores, grocery stores, depeartment stores, or craft store and you can store your cheap good in them! Or wash out old make-up tins and containers and reuse. :) You can also print out cute labels or make your own at home. Who said you had to sacrifice aesthetic appeal when using cheap products? 

Other great beauty bargains worth mentioning: Q-tips and cotton balls, cetaphil facial cleanser, baking soda, lemon (Get a cute lemon shaped squeeze bottle!), avocado, toothbrushes (for exfoliating lips, or grooming eyebrows), and many many others.

Any other bargain beauty tips? More uses for products listed here? Tips, questions or anything else? Please comment! :)