Since we are still living in a recession many women are continuing to cut back on beauty-related luxuries such as visits to the spa and nail salons and opting to take matters into their own hands – literally.

Equipped with a great manicure kit, it is possible to pamper yourself with a marvelous mani in the comfort of your home without spending much money. Granted, it may not look as polished as a professional job, but it will still look good and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.

So skip a few trips to the salon and grab some pretty polish, a nice kit and do it yourself! You’ll save a bundle and still have beautiful hands.

Have you cut back on any beauty-related luxuries? Do you ever do your own manicures?

Check out these manicure kit!

The “Mani” Happy Return Set available at www.blissworld.com for $100

Say Yes to Carrots Manicure Set available at www.target.com for $19.99

Sephora Manicure Set available at www.sephora.com for $30

Juicy Loves Sephora Manicure Set available at www.sephora.com for $25

Bath & Body Works Manicure Set available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $8 (originally $18)

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Manicure Set for Hands available at www.beauty.com for $28

Tweezerman Petite Manicure Set available at www.amazon.com for $20

**Btw, the winner of the Snapfish $50 gift card is YaHighness! Congrats and please send me your email address. 🙂

Spring is here and now’s the perfect time to start putting your warmer weather makeup routine into full swing. The spring is the best time to sweep on beautiful bronzers to add a sexy, shimmery glow. The golds, pinks and bronzes complement just about all skin tones and enhances cheekbones.

Do you use bronzers? If so, what’s your favorite brand? See below for a chance to win one of these!

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Exotic Bronzing Blush available at www.bloomingdales.com for $35

Bobbi Brown Nectar Shimmerbrick available at www.nordstrom.com for $38

Borghese Milano Multi-Bronzer available at www.beauty.com for $31

Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Story available at www.beauty.com for $32

Revlon Beyond Natural Blush Bronzer in Plumberry available at www.drugstore.com for $11.99

Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer available at www.drugstore.com for $8.l8

YSL Complexion Palette Collector’s Edition available at www.bloomingdales.com for $65

**One lucky reader will win the Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer. Just leave a comment and the winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

If you suffer from oily skin, Carol’s Daughter has concocted a trio of products that will tackle unwanted “glistening” called, Wash Away the Oil. This new 3-piece set includes a face wash, face toner and face lotion. I haven’t been using all three together yet, but I’ve been using the face lotion by itself and it is absolutely wonderful!

Wash Away the Oil Set available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $55

I have super oily skin in my T-zone and this lightweight lotion marvelously absorbs the oil leaving my face hydrated, but not greasy. I’m looking forward to using all three products together, but right now I’m pleasantly pleased with the lotion.

Have you tried this new trio? If you have oily skin, what products do you use to combat it?

**The winner of the Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous is RedBoneGirl97. Congrats, please email me your mailing address.

As a woman who loves playing up my lashes, Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto Voluptuous is my new go-to mascara. This mascara promises to create dramatic length and it delivers. Not only does the curved brush add length, the bristles also make lashes appear thicker, darker and bolder. Plus, the pretty red tube packaging stands out in your makeup bag making it easy to find.

When all of the other countless mascaras claim to plump, curl and volumize – Maybelline is the only brand that consistently provides my lashes with the look that I love!

Have you ever tried Lash Stiletto Voluptuous? One lucky reader will win one! Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

For those BGs who don’t like gooey glosses or color-loaded lipsticks, but still want soft and supple lips, Yes to Carrots has the perfect treat for you. Their new C Me Blush Lip Tints provide moisture and conditioning while enhancing your natural look with sheer shades that work well on all complexions. Plus, the tints are enhanced with shea butter, coconut and jojoba oils, and are 95% organic! I love using these as a base for my glosses because it creates a smooth foundation while providing a hint of tint.

C Me Blush Lip Tints available at www.target.com for $4.49 each.

One lucky reader will win the Ready Red & Sunset Pink shades. Just leave a comment and the winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

Choosing the right nail color for this time of year can be tricky. Luckily, Borghese Cosmetics has created a beautiful array of hues with their Fashionista Collection to help transition nails from winter to spring. The Milan-spring runway inspired lacquers include 6 super saturated shades ranging from a tawny beige (Biscotti Beige) to a deep sparkly violet (Plumaggio Purple). My personal favorite is the barely-there Biscotti Beige because it gives your nails just the right amount of pigment creating a polished look. Plus, this lacquer doesn’t chip easily which is essential to a great manicure.

Shades from L to R include: Biscotti Beige, Bella Berry, Plumaggio Purple, Stellare Notte, Mezzanote Blue and Almondine. Some of the colors are difficult to differentiate w/this photo, but this is the best photo that I have. Lacquers are available at drugstores nationwide for $8 each.

**What nail color shades do you typically use during the transitional season? Are you a fan of brights, darks or neutrals? One lucky reader will win the Plumaggio Purple shade. Just leave a comment sharing your favorite nail polish shades. The winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.