This week, SHOP TALK welcomes guest blogger Melissa Peters. Melissa is Ottawa Magazine’s sales coordinator and an all-around beauty aficionado.

I feel like I require an arsenal to keep up with the ever-changing trends in beauty. Strewn across my bathroom counter are the nudes, the poppies, the pinks, the bolds, the blues, and the reds that continue to cycle in and out of trend. Staying on trend can be expensive, but there are a few simple ways you can cut down the cost of your beauty routine — and natural products are a natural place to start.

As more research is being done on the chemical additives in cosmetics, it is important to be informed. Check out the Skin Deep Database for detailed information on most drugstore products. Using natural products is a safe choice because food products are held to a higher standard by government agencies.

The benefits extend to your wallet — instead of buying hair masks from the store, opt for something you have around the house (no, not the dish detergent or the cat food). Products with moisturizing properties like honey, olive oil, coconut oil, and even avocado can work wonders.

Some of the most effective ingredients come right from nature. For example, tea tree oil is great at fighting breakouts and coconut oil makes a great base for moisturizer. Sure, products sold in stores still use these ingredients, but they are diluted with water and other additives. So why not save that $40 and spend it on the hottest new lip colour for the season?

BONUS: Going natural is great for the environment too. The chemical additives in products go down the drain and into the water which is harmful for marine environments. Check out this information package to find out more about how professional salons are aiming to improve their environmental impact.

Whether you’re inspired by the bold blue lips and violet lids of the runway, or if you want to try your hand at a creative manicure (leopard spots, rhinestones, pictures of Will and Kate?), just know that looking fresh and fabulous while saving money and helping the environment is always in style.