With a little experimentation, you'll have custom beauty down to a science.

Hypothesis: "Reformulating" our makeup stash will give us more mileage from our products...and yield some very positive reactions.

Materials: Tired, broken and neglected makeup; small airtight containers (like empty baby food jars); Q-tips for mixing.

Procedure:

   • Foundation + face lotion (SPF if possible) = tinted moisturizer

   • Powder blush + clear balm/salve = lip gloss

   • Lipstick + concealer + clear balm/salve = cream blush

   • Powder bronzer + liquid concealer = cream eye shadow

   • White/shimmery eye shadow + moisturizer = highlighter

   • Lipstick + liquid concealer = matte lip color (alter the shade with powder or blush)

   • Too-dark face powder + eye cream = cream bronzer

   • Dark eye shadow + clear balm/salve = cream eyeliner

   • Powder bronzer + face powder = brow powder (use a tissue to pack loose powder back into a container)

   • Mascara + clear balm/salve (clean wand, rub with balm, and use as normal) = glossier mascara

Conclusion: Spending cash on new products doesn't have to be part of the solution.