KEY POINTS:
Small fortunes are spent on beautification. And this time of year can leave you rather desperate. What with sale season on top of Christmas, money for hair removal isn't all that easy to come by.
So it's a relief on the Visa to have some products and treatments that don't have to cost an arm and a leg.
Here's Viva's list of the 10 best things to do in the name of beauty at $20 and under.
1. THREADING
Eyebrow threading
Shagufta'N' Shine, 9 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden, $15, phone: (09) 358 0830
Threading is a common eastern way of hair removal that's so good, I've given up on plucking eyebrows - except for when the light catches one long mother of a hair in the monobrow area in the rearview mirror and an emergency single hair-tweeze is vital.
Threading is done with cotton thread which is held between the hands and the teeth of the threader and can pull a whole row of hairs out by the roots at a time. You obviously want to get someone who's been professionally trained, otherwise you could end up with a dreadful-shaped brow and more pain than is necessary.
Shagufta's Kamal Kaur went to beauty school in India and has had plenty of practice. It's the only method of facial hair removal in India. She follows the natural brow shape so there's no danger of overdoing it; there's no fear you'll end up with the faintest trace of brow only.
What she does is virtually impossible to do by yourself in the bathroom with a pair of tweezers.
She also does plenty of other beauty treatments including herbal and ayurvedic facials, waxing, lash tinting ($15) and brow tinting ($13). Kaur also does mehendi, or henna patterns, on hands. One hand is $10.
Upper lip threading
Mona's Beauty World, 22 Rosier Rd, Glen Eden, $2, phone: (09) 818 9250
Indian-born Mona Takyar has been working from Glen Eden since she arrived here six years ago. She has a reputation for being one of the fastest threaders in the business. An upper lip takes her two minutes and no appointment is needed, although she advises those coming from a distance (she has clients from Remuera and further afield) to phone and make sure she's there before the trip.
One woman who spent years having her chin and upper lip treated with electrolysis and laser hair removal now swears by Takyar, all for $4 for a few minutes every few weeks.
She also does eyebrows for $5, a full face for $10, as well as waxing, facials, hairdressing and lash extensions with human hair for $25.
Okay, that's slightly over the $20 budget we've set ourselves, but incredible value. And she can do a Brazilian in 10 minutes for a mere $30.
2. BIKINI WAX
Ellipse Health & Beauty, 327 Dominion Rd, $15, phone: (09) 630 3044
In a previous life, Mehfuza Millwala was a doctor of homeopathy with her own Bombay clinic. Now living in Auckland she's been a beauty therapist (she trained in her gap year in London) doing acupuncture and homeopathy from her salon, Ellipse, for more than eight years.
She does a mean bikini wax. The best I've ever had, in fact. She's so fast and so thorough and very accommodating, a trip to her is compulsory over summer.
Her brow tints are between $10-$15, brow threading is $10 and a 15-minute electrolysis session is $20. You should be able to get the sides of your upper lip done in that time, although you will need about 5-6 visits for complete moustache eradication. She also does acupuncture, homeopathy, IPL, body treatments, Ayurvedic facials and massage.
3. LASH TINT
Purely Brazilian, Westmere, $14, phone: (09) 376 2500, or text 027 673 0347, 021 265 0144
Mascara may be one of mankind's greatest inventions but sometimes in mid-summer, laziness and eagerness to get to the beach means you can't be bothered with a couple of coats. So lash tinting makes a lot of sense. The great thing about tinting is people will think you've got ridiculously luxurious lashes naturally.
Of course Ellipse Health & Beauty, Shagufta'N' Shine and Mona's Beauty World also do lash and brow tinting well under $20 as well.
4. BRAZILIAN
Purely Brazilian, Westmere, $23 (if you buy an eight-visit concession card for $185), phone: (09) 376 2500, or text 027 673 0347, 021 265 0144
Until last week I'd never had a Brazilian. Call me old-fashioned but having a stranger ripping the hair from somewhere very personal never appealed.
Then I heard Denize Cartwright doesn't make you suffer the knickerless shame of "kneeling on all fours with your bum in the air" as one of her devotees delicately put it to me.
So I relented and tried it - just to see what all the fuss was about, you understand. Oh, and I'm going to Fiji soon.
Cartwright, who works from home in a sweet boudoir-style room is modesty incarnate. You get to keep your pants on. Yay!
And you're in and out in between 7-20 minutes. Pain? Hardly felt it, although she advises first-timers to take two Nurofen beforehand.
She's a mine of information too. For ingrown hairs, she recommends mixing roughed-up coarse sea salt with oil or shower gel and rubbing over the area in the shower, but for those real nasties, the next time you're at the doctor, getting a tube of Bactroban ointment.
Yes, we know $23 is over our $20 self-imposed budget, but these full Monty waxes can hardly be cheaper. And Cartwright is worth it.
Without the concession card Brazilians are $29-$35, but she waxes anywhere from the forehead to the big toes and in between.
5. MANICURE
Viannh Nail Studio, $20, 50/691 Manukau Rd, Royal Oak, ph (09) 625 6661
Viannh's business card features scary, long, squared-off talons with a perfect French manicure. Don't be scared of the nail extension side of it, because the place also does a very decent regular manicure so you won't emerge looking like a bride of Frankenstein.
It can take almost an hour to do the soak, file, hand massage complete with knuckle-cracking and almost obsessive attention to getting the cuticles in order. Then, it's your choice of nail colour from the OPI and Color Club ranges. At this price, weekly manicures aren't just for Fifth Avenue princesses but a reality.
Pedicures are $30.
6. MAKEUP REMOVER
Healtheries Cold Pressed Apricot Oil, $8.99 for 200ml, from supermarkets
A multi-tasker, this oil is derived from crushed apricot kernels. Fabulous as an eye makeup remover even on sensitive skin, applied with a cotton ball. You could even dilute it with a little water to make it go even further - it still does the same job.
When you're done there, rub some into the cuticles to soften and condition. Then, get into the kitchen and whip up a salad dressing with it!
7. PAINTED TOENAILS
L'Oreal Jet-Set Lacquer Black Iris, $13.99 from selected pharmacies and department stores
I sought advice from someone high up in the makeup world about cheap stuff. She simply said: "Black Iris". I was unconvinced. Her description of dark, almost black toenails sounded too gothic for words.
Still, never one to diss a hot trend, I duly painted my toes the very colour - a deep midnight plum. And it's not half bad. Very stylish in fact and one of the quickest and easiest instant lifts going.
8. GOLDEN, GLOWING SKIN
Garnier Summerbody Moisturising Lotion, $8.45 for 250ml, from selected supermarkets and pharmacies
These moisturisers with a hint of self-tan are the way to go this summer. You may not get the instant gratification of self-tanners with a single application leaving you Capri fabulous, but there's also no danger of those dreaded streaks if you commit the fake tan sin and apply haphazardly. Somehow, the cellulite isn't as noticeable anymore.
9. EYE DROPS
Clear Eyes, $12.80 for 15ml from selected pharmacies
Red, bloodshot eyes are deeply unattractive and a fast-track to making you look tired and unhealthy. It may not be as glamorous to use as a big-name lipstick in some fab colour, but a couple of drops of this stuff into the old peepers every morning before moisturising is essential. Then you can squirt more in on demand after a morning in the dreadful air-conditioned office.
If you've got more time, you could always chop up some cucumber and lie down for a few minutes with a couple of pieces over the eyes. Not quite as effective as the Clear Eyes in the event of redness but feels amazing.
10. SHOWER GEL
The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel, $14 for 250ml
I'm woken up too early by children demanding breakfast, then I'm made to find whatever they care to name. When they want Grover the soft toy muppet, there's no peace until he's found.
So a shower is my only means of escape in the morning - until the entire family work out where I am and traipse in with more demands. Someone can pick locks!
It's the smell of the pink grapefruit that I love. Suddenly, waking up isn't so hard to do.
