While beauty routines are all about indulgence, taking spa trips every week and always buying the latest products can really make a dent in your bank account. But you don’t have to splurge constantly to stay looking and feeling good. Check out these easy tips on how to make beauty work for your budget.
Take advantage of holiday packages
Many spas offer package deals around major holidays, like Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, where you end up getting a lot of value for a lower price! You can get a massage or a mani-pedi, complete with complimentary champagne or even a free gift. Sure, it might be a little awkward if you’re the only non-mother getting a Mother’s Day massage, but who needs to know?
Ask for samples
One thing that many shoppers don’t realize is that they can ask for samples of products! Many brands send samples to retailers that can be given out to customers, and all you have to do is ask. Sephora takes it one step further and will even make their own samples for you to take products home and test them, by putting a bit of the product into a plastic container for you. This works better when you’re shopping in-store, but sometimes free samples will be available at checkout when you’re shopping online!
Sign up for points cards
Most retailers offer some sort of points or rewards system, and it’s smart to take advantage! It’s usually free to sign up and collect points at department stores, drug stores and even beauty-specific retailers like Ulta or Sephora. You can cash in points for high ticket items, get invites to exclusive sales and get free samples. Sure, you need to spend money to make money, but one or two larger purchases can rack up a lot of points. You can also gain points on everyday products.
Try services at esthetician schools
A popular secret among beauty enthusiasts is taking advantage of low prices from hair institutes or cosmetology schools. Students often offer services for cheaper than you’d find at a salon, and these are done under the watchful eye of instructors so you don’t have to worry about a sub-par service. Find esthetician schools in your area, and check out what services they offer — you can be getting your face done for half the price!
Use deal sites like Groupon
If you’re looking for a pricier service, like hot stone massages or laser hair removal, try looking at sites like Groupon. You can often find great deals, sometimes even knocking hundreds of dollars off a price.
Search for dupes
Many beauty publications and blogs can be a great resource for finding dupes — that is, drug store versions of high-end beauty products. If you’re obsessed with a bold lip color but can’t afford the Chanel price tag, there’s probably a similar shade from Revlon or NYX that costs half the price.
DIY
Now, this won’t work for every product, but you can always skip the spa day and make your own face masks using natural ingredients at home. For example, lemon works with brightening, sugar is a natural exfoliant, and honey moisturizes. This is not only a great option to save money on expensive skincare, but also to ensure you’re only putting natural ingredients and no unnecessary chemicals on your face.
You don’t have to break the bank to stay looking good. These budget-friendly tips can help you maintain your beauty routine no matter what.