Physical beauty may only be skin deep, but we sure as hell shell out a lot of money making sure that skin is as gorgeous as possible. Economic times are tough, and let’s face it: trips to the salon/drugstore tend to get expensive. If your manicure looks gorgeous but you live on ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s time to reevaluate your financial priorities.
So how to look fly, fierce, and on your ish without blowing a gigantic hole in your wallet? Here are six tips on how to still look like a Bauce without breaking bank:
Learn how to do your own nails. Mani/pedis are an American woman’s pastime, and it’s just so easy to walk into the nail salon with chipped atrocities and walk out totally relaxed with gorgeous tips on your hands and feet. However, it may be worth it to only go when there’s an important event coming up or you need some serious comfort that mac and cheese can’t fix. Invest in a bottle or two of quality nail polish (2 of these would cost you just as much as mani/pedi anyway, and last you a lot longer), learn how to cut your nails, and YouTube/Google tips on how to do your own nails. It’s actually not that difficult to set aside time every week (usually Sunday night is a good bet) to plop down on the couch, turn on the TV, and watch your favorite show as you do your nails. You’ll save tons of money and still look polished.
Look for dicounts on Groupon/LivingSocial. In desperate need of a haircut? Scour either of these thrifty websites to score a great deal on salon services. I know it’s hard to break allegiance with your trusty/beloved salon, but if you’re short on cash you may just have to kiss it goodbye until you’re more financially comfortable to splurge. Groupon always has great discounts for different salons.
Switch to drugstore brand cosmetics, and have a membership card for said drugstore. Who doesn’t love awesome make-up from places like Sephora, M.A.C., Nordstrom, or Lush? However, if you’re facing some serious financial problems, it’s time to reassess your priorities: the pricey cosmetics have to go bye-bye, for now at least. Don’t turn up your nose though; drugstore brands like Revlon and L’Oreal have great products that deliver results that can adequately replace your $25 Dior mascara. At pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens you can get great deals with a membership card. But if you feel like you really can’t live without your Chanel lipsticks, make sure that you
Invest wisely. If an expensive moisturizer or lotion is simply nonnegotiable, think of what you’re willing to forego in order to keep purchasing it. If you’d rather have luminous skin, buy the expensive BB cream but get $6 eyeliner at the drugstore. Make sure what you’re investing in is quality, is a truly irreplaceable product, and will last you a very long time.
Find a good friend of a friend of a friend. I have plenty of friends who moan about their weaves, and I feel compassion for your pain. From what I gather, most of them save money by simply having friends do their hair. If you don’t have a friend who knows how to attach extensions or braids, ask around. Find one. There will be someone who does.
Cut out what you honestly don’t need. It could be as simple as that. Do you really need two different kinds of hairspray/gel? Do you need both Vaseline and that yummy hibiscus body butter form Victoria’s Secret? Can you cut down to wearing false lashes only once a month? It cold be as simple that.
