DO IT YOURSELF BEAUTY

Budget may be the buzz word these days, but your beauty routine doesn't have to suffer. You just need to reframe. Instead of plunking down hard-earned cash for pricey salon, spa, nail and skin treatments, invest in do-it-yourself products that replicate the real thing. Do them wherever and whenever you want, and besides the obvious (no tipping, more money in your pocket), think of the extra time you'll pick up since there's no commute or waiting for an appointment. Practice a while to get up to pro status, and pretty soon, you'll forget why you ever outsourced at all.

GLOW TO GO: Let's face it, those facials and spray-on tanning treatment packages you booked back in '08 seem a bit excessive right now. Bringing them into your own bathroom, however, feels right. If you're missing monthly facials, replicate the same mask, exfoliation and cleansing ritual each week at home, to make your skin look as healthy as if you just emerged from a fancy spa. Try Cosmedicine Spa It Yourself At Home Facial Kit for an expert-like experience. Likewise, a spray-on tanning treatment like Mystic Tan can easily be done after you shower and exfoliate, especially with a misting, spray that's mimics the booth experience. Enlist a buddy to help you with your back for an even, streak-free application and gorgeous, natural-looking glow.

FOOT FRESHNER: Sandal season is upon us, so it's only wise to practice now and get your pedicure up to salon standards (trust us, after a few applications, no one will ever know you did yourself) Try a pedicure kit that gives you everything you need for pretty, flip-flop worthy toes. And to make it even more spa-special, indulge in this relaxing ritual from Sundari that helps to restore weary feet (plus, all the products can be used on your body too): Massage the Neem and Manuka Body Cleanser on feet and calves with warm water; then apply the Neem Date Body Seed Exfoliator, leave on for a few minutes, and remove it with warm, damp towels, and pat dry; finally spritz on Neem and Aloe Vera Tonic Water to purify and refresh.

WRINKLE RELAXERS: If you've ever considered Botox to smooth away wrinkles or fillers to plump up sags, but couldn't justify the cost, check out a smoothing cream or plumper that gives almost the same results. You might not have the most dramatic outcome (at this point, nothing can iron out wrinkles like an injectable), but religiously applying a cream can make a significant difference. Many newer skin treatments are backed by dermatologists; they may contain nano-ingredients that can penetrate the skin faster, or use more potent neuro-peptides (the ingredients that relax the expression muscles in the same way Botox does) that give better results than their predecessors. Try Olay's latest line Pro-X, touted for its super-wrinkle smoothing ingredients that really deliver; you should notice younger-looking skin within 28 days.