Frugal Legs
A while back I came across this product on sale in the local Wal-mart:
I tried it on my legs, and I like it. I don't like it on my face, however. But for my legs, it worked great. But it's really just fine sandpaper, so I buy very fine sandpaper (600-b) at the hardware store, tear it in wide strips, wrap a strip around a bar of soap (I've also used a child's wooden block, it doesn't really matter, it just works better wrapped around a hard, flat surface). I use it about twice a week in the summer (in the winter I wear boots all the time and figure a little extra leg hair is added warmth. Sorry, folks), follow up with lotion and I love the way it makes my legs feel.
One package of sandpaper lasts me about three times as long as one package of Smooth Legs. Now, not everybody likes this stuff. Some people find it leaves their skin feeling similar to if they'd been out in the desert in a windstorm- sandblasted and windburned. That is kind of how I felt when I used it on my upper lip. But, as I said, I love it for my legs.
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12 Responses to “Frugal Legs”
February 26th, 2010 at 5:40 am
Never thought of using sandpaper. Very good idea. I use baking soda on my legs and face for a smooth complexion. Better and cheaper than any scrub I have tried!
February 26th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Baking soda is excellent for smooth skin. You decide how ‘rough’ you want your baking soda scrub to be by changing the baking soda to liquid (either liquid soap or plain water) ratio.
February 26th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Hee hee! The “added warmth” line was too funny!
~Vikki
a-firm-foundation.blogspot.com
February 26th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I’ve used a sugar and oil scrub for smooth skin.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:38 am
I like the sandpaper alternative…. I don’t use any products like this or have plans to but will pass this onto my partner.
Thanks,
Forest
http://frugalzeitgeist.com
March 1st, 2010 at 11:52 am
I think some people are missing the purpose of the sand paper…hair removal not exfoliation!
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:04 am
ohhh i tried this and my face wasnt sooo gross a couple days later. Scaly yuck
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:37 am
Well, yeah, I don’t think it’s a great idea for faces. But legs… yes. At least mine.
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:19 pm
On the PBS special “1940s House” one of the ladies did this (in the 40s in England, metal razors were hard to come by). But I think she used an emery board!
March 9th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
What about your nether-region?? I can’t imagine that this is comfy on the bikini area…
And are disposable razors REALLY that expensive? And aren’t they recyclable??
March 13th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi, Stephanie,
You know, different people like different things. Some people prefer depilatories such as Nair. Some prefer razors. Some prefer waxing. Some go Au naturelle. Some prefer sanding. I don’t see the point in criticizing waxing just because I could never do it, nor would I criticize the use of razors just because I prefer sanding. Is it really that big of a deal to you what somebody else uses on their legs? There’s nothing in this post criticizing the use of razors, anyway.
Even when using a razor, I never did a bikini cut- I don’t like them, think they’re kind of gross and very uncomfortable, and I haven’t ever worn a bikini in my life anyway.
I personally prefer sanding for several reasons- it works better for me, it’s more comfortable to me than leaning over in the shower (bad back), and I like being able to sit comfortably on my bed reading a book while casually sanding my legs rather than adding several minutes to my showering time (and using up more hot water). It’s fine if none of these reasons apply to you.
Having made that choice, I found a more frugal way to sand and offer that to others who might also be interested.
As for recyclable products, most so-called recyclables really aren’t that environmentally wonderful a choice after all- they make people feel better, but the cost of recycling those things is much higher than most realize, both in terms of real costs and the environment cost of the whole process from transportation to finish (the exceptions are: glass and some paper products).
However, sandpaper which has only been used on human legs (rather than lead painted tables) can go directly into the compost pile, and there are few things more recyclable or environmentally friendly than that.=)
March 14th, 2010 at 12:24 am
ouch, blush- the exceptions, the items that really are recyclable, is now basically metal. 2/3 of the trash you sort for recycling? It goes right back, stirred up together, into the same landfill. Metals are profitable to recycle. Plastics, not much.
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