Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – For years, MiMi Bomba has suspected that the beauty industry has been very good at convincing people that they need a different bottle, label and price tag for every part of their daily routine. Then someone in the cosmetics business offered three words that confirmed what she had long suspected: “Soap is soap.”
I have believed (or suspected) for many years that the exorbitant prices that cosmetic companies charged for shampoo with fancy names, had huge profit margins. It was pretty much verified for me when an employee of one of the Big Cosmos (I made that up. Like Big Pharmas, Lol) told my niece, “Soap is soap.”
I knew it! Soap is soap. If I ever write a book, that will be the title. Actually, what we call soap is mostly detergent, which has a different chemical make-up. I would post the article, but I don’t want to put you to sleep. Regardless, I will refer to all things bubbly as soap for the purposes of this column.
I have paid a lot of money over the years for the fancy names and pretty bottles, but not anymore. I wash my hair, take a shower, and do the dishes with the same soap; the cheapest one I can find, Salvo Dish Detergent. After shampooing, I use conditioner, but I didn’t buy it; it was in the shower when I moved in. My hair is the same as it was when I used the fancy, expensive stuff. So there’s that.
Another beauty tip tol save you money; ditch the expensive face creams and lotions. I have used Vaseline on my face for decades instead of L’Oreal, etc. I rinse my face so it’s moist, and then I apply Vaseline. The science (allegedly) is that the Vaseline holds in moisture, and it seems to work for me.
Then I run my greasy hands through my hair to make it shiny. I used to use Alberto VO5, but it isn’t always easy to find in Puerto Vallarta, so I started using Vaseline. Which, by the way, I have long suspected is what Alberto VO5 is made of, but I haven’t been able to verify it. Anyway, Vaseline seems to have the same shiny results!
I share these little factoids with you in case you want to save a little money. Whether they actually work or not may be arguable. However, it’s my column, so do with it what you will.
Ahorra tu dinero! Jabón es jabón!
MiMi Bomba
Writing with warmth, wit, and a deep affection for Puerto Vallarta, MiMi Bomba draws inspiration from classic humorists while creating a style all her own. Her stories celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make life in Puerto Vallarta both unpredictable and rewarding. Click HERE to read more essays by MiMi Bomba.
