Look Gorgeous This Summer Without Splurging

From left: Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in  Marquee Moon, MAC Nail Lacquer in Originality, Nars Nail Polish in Space Odyssey, OPI Nail Lacquer in Goldeneye

I love shopping. And new stuff. And (duh!) beauty products. But with a few recent major expenses, I've had to tighten the ol' Hermes belt a bit. (But who hasn't had to, right?) Luckily, looking good this summer, doesn't always have to cost a thing. For this post, I've partnered with State Farm to bring you a few summer savings tips. Read on for five of my favorite little tricks for giving new life to the beauty products you already own, so you can look gorg--without spending a penny.

1. Fix a chipped manicure in seconds. Is there anything worse than spending $10 on a manicure only to chip it an hour later while digging for your keys? My go-to tip for quickly hiding the flaw: I grab a favorite glitter polish (any will do) and paint a quick, sloppy coat right on top of my current color. (No need to be slow and exact--glitter polish by nature has an imperfect finish.) Not only will this look cool and sparkly, but the glitter coat will instantly camouflage any damage you've done.

2. Fake a new fragrance. I'm the kind of person who tends to stick to the same few scents for years, but still, I always get seduced by the siren song of new releases. If that's you, try appeasing that craving by layering two perfumes you already own. Mally Roncal, one of my very favorite makeup artists--and people!--recently Instagrammed about her own beloved mix: Two spritzes of Bobbi Brown Beach plus one of Kai Eau de Parfum. (Sounds sexy, tropical, and pretty darn amazing to me!)

3. DIY a summer foundation. I always hear about these mythical people changing up their foundations with the seasons. But to be honest, I pretty much always use the same stuff year round. I mean, once I find one I like (and one that matches my skin!), I hate to switch. That said, there are some days (like if it's crazy hot out or if miracles happen and I'm having a good skin day) when I want something sheerer and more lightweight. So I make my own. I take my regular foundation and mix it with a few squirts of my daily SPF 50 moisturizer. It's your own foundation--summer-fied, and it couldn't be easier. 

4. Use eyeshadow as liner. I'm an eyeliner addict, but here's a secret: Eyeshadow does the job, too. If you want to try a new liner color (or have worn your pencil down to the nub) and don't want to spring for a new one, try using a small angled brush to trace on a similar shade of shadow that you already have. (I bet you have tons of colors lurking in gift-with-purchase palettes that you never use...) Applied dry it gives a soft, smoky effect; wetting the brush first intensifies the look.

5. Reinvent your jewelry. I love, love, love jewelry. (This Baublebar necklace is next on my shopping list. How amazing and utterly Lulu-Frost-esque is it?!) But for those moments you just can't splurge, transform one of your old rhinestone necklaces (or a cheapie eBay- or junk store find) with nail polish. Here's how.

OK, now it's your turn: What are some of your favorite ways to get more out of the beauty products you already own and to save $$? I'd love to get a list going in the comments below. Please share!

There to help you. That's getting to a better state.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.