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IOL News
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Chic beauty on a budget: Essential tips for affordable glam
Simplicity is key for a chic look. Image: Anastasia Kazakova / Freepik Looking good doesn't have to mean spending half your salary on beauty products. In fact, some of the most effortlessly chic people out there rely on smart habits, not expensive products. It's all about knowing where to spend, where to save, and how to use what you already have in clever ways. If you're trying to upgrade your beauty routine without draining your bank account, here's how to look polished, confident, and put-together using affordable tricks that really work. Healthy skin comes first Great makeup starts with great skin. Instead of chasing the latest skincare trends, stick to the basics that actually matter. Cleanse gently, moisturise daily, and never skip sunscreen. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration and niacinamide for smooth, even skin. You can boost circulation and glow with a quick face massage while applying your moisturiser. It's free, feels good, and gives your skin an instant lift. Budget tip: Instead of buying pricey serums, try natural oils like rosehip or jojoba, which can hydrate, nourish, and even double as a makeup remover. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Great makeup starts with good skin. Image: Angela Roma / Pexels Focus on brows and lips Well-shaped brows and a pop of colour on your lips can make a huge difference. They frame your face and give you that "I made an effort" look, even when the rest of your makeup is minimal. Try a tinted brow gel to shape and fill in your brows quickly, and choose a lip colour that makes you feel confident. Soft pinks, warm browns, or classic berry shades are flattering and timeless. Smart buy: Affordable brow pencils and lipsticks often perform just as well as those luxury brands. Well-shaped brows can make a huge difference. Image: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels Use products that do double duty Streamlining your makeup routine makes everything easier and more budget-friendly. Opt for multi-use products, such as cream blushes that can double as lip tints, or bronzers that also serve as eyeshadow. Using fewer products creates a more cohesive look and cuts down on clutter. Tip: Use your fingers to apply cream products for a natural finish that blends seamlessly into your skin. Find your signature You don't need to master every beauty trend. Choose one feature to highlight and make it your signature, whether it be glowing skin, a bold lip, a flick of eyeliner, or fluttery lashes. Doing one thing consistently well gives you a polished, personal look that feels intentional and stylish. Practice your go-to technique until it's second nature. That way, even on rushed mornings, you'll know exactly how to pull yourself together quickly. Highlight your lips with a pop of colour. Image: Anna Shvets / Pexels Hair makes a difference Don't underestimate the power of neat, shiny hair. Whether you wear it natural, straightened, or in a protective style, keeping it clean and well-moisturised adds to your overall polish. Simple styles like a sleek bun, low ponytail, or braided crown can look effortlessly chic with minimal effort. Budget hack: DIY hair masks using pantry staples like coconut or olive oil can add shine and softness without salon prices. Keep nails neat You don't need a fresh gel mani every week. Short, clean nails with a clear coat or neutral polish can look just as elegant. If you're up for it, try press-on nails. They're affordable, reusable, and come in a variety of stylish options. Short clean nails always look classy. Image: Linda Prebreza / Pexels IOL Lifestyle Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Eye-popping risks: what you should know about cosmetic eye colour surgery
Melanin, the pigment responsible for hair and skin colour, also determines your eye colour. Image: Angela Roma /pexels Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram lately? You might have spotted someone showing off brand-new ocean-blue eyes, except they weren't born that way. The trend of changing your eye colour permanently through cosmetic surgery is gaining clicks, shares, and a hefty dose of controversy. But what's really behind these dreamy peepers? And at what cost? Let's break it down: for decades, people have turned to coloured contact lenses to switch up their look safely. Marilyn Monroe is even rumoured to have worn them back in the 1950s! For most people, the shade you're born with is the one you'll keep though it might get lighter with age. Image: Maksim Goncharenok /pexels Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ But in our age of instant transformations, some are ditching contacts for more drastic, permanent solutions like iris implants, laser depigmentation, or keratopigmentation procedures that claim to give you the eyes you've always dreamed of, for life. Sounds tempting? Here's why experts say: Not so fast. The science of eye colour, can it really change? Naturally, your eye colour is determined by melanin, the same pigment that affects your hair and skin. For most people, the shade you're born with is the one you'll keep, though it might get lighter with age. Sudden changes in just one eye, however, can be a red flag. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), conditions like Fuchs' uveitis syndrome, pigment dispersion syndrome, or even using prostaglandin eye drops for glaucoma can darken or alter your iris. If you're just in it for the look, colored contacts remain the safest bet, approved by health authorities, customizable, and easy to remove. But once you cross into permanent surgery, you're in very different territory. The safe ways to experiment with eye colour If you just want to switch up your look for a night out or a photo shoot, there are safer ways. Colored contact lenses remain the most popular and FDA-approved option. You can go subtle or dramatic and even get prescription lenses if you need vision correction. Beware of eye colour–changing drops sold online; they aren't FDA-approved and can cause inflammation, infection, or even vision loss. But what about permanent eye colour change surgery? That's where things get controversial and risky. Juliana Priscila changed her eye colour permanently from deep brown to water green Image: FLAAK/TikTok Inside the surgeries that promise to change your eye colour forever There are three main surgical methods people use to permanently change eye colour, according to Very Well Mind. None are approved for cosmetic use in the United States, and leading specialists warn against them. Laser keratopigmentation (corneal tattooing) This procedure uses a laser to create tiny tunnels in the cornea, where colored pigments are added to mask the iris below. The eye doesn't become blue or green; it just looks that way. Though it's usually painless under numbing drops, it can cause complications if pigment spreads or if infection occurs. Laser depigmentation Aimed mainly at people with dark eyes, this technique uses gentle laser beams to strip away melanin from the iris, revealing lighter shades beneath. It's done over several sessions. Although the treatment itself isn't invasive, it's still relatively new and poorly researched, raising concerns about long-term effects. Iris implant surgery Originally developed for people missing part or all of their iris (due to congenital defects or trauma), iris implant surgery involves folding a coloured artificial iris, inserting it through the cornea and placing it over your natural iris. It sounds futuristic, but the risks include permanent vision damage, inflammation, increased eye pressure, and, in severe cases, blindness.
