Part of being fabulous is feeling posh and pampered, but there’s nothing beautiful about breaking the bank to do so. I’ve loved the luxury of a weekly blow out since I was a teenager, and if I could, manicures, pedicures, waxing, spray tans and a blow dry would be a weekly occurrence. I guess facials could be monthly.
Like everyone else, I’m on a tight budget with a mortgage and car payment that come before beauty splurges. I’ve heard all the DIY tips before, but at an home spa day is not at all relaxing to me. I don’t need to do yoga to try to paint my toe nails, and by the time I’ve finished my blow out, I’m sweating from the work and my hair is starting to frizz! So what’s a fabulous and frugal girl to do?
Cosmetology Schools
I really miss my weekly gossip sessions with my hair stylist, but now I save trips to the salon for cut and complicated color. For everything else, including my weekly style, I pop into my local beauty school. I save around $100 a month on that alone, and you can save even more by getting your cut and color done there too.
The schools not only offer hair services, but many also offer facial waxing and nails. Some even offer facials! Imagine how much you’d save on skin care products with a monthly facial at around $10.
Massage Clubs
If you’re lucky, there’s also a massage school in your area that offers discounted student massages and you can treat yourself for next to nothing. If not, monthly massage clubs are popping up all over the place with affordable memberships. My local one is Massage Envy, but there are others nationwide. Their offerings aren’t quite as varied and their environment not quite as luxurious as a pricey spa, but they are usually clean, friendly, relaxing, and have far better hours and convenient locations near your other errands.
Weekday Nail Appointments
I’ve found my local nail places offer fantastic prices during off-peak weekdays. You’ll skip the evening and weekend rush, and get a bargain on a manicure/pedicure combo or be able to get a reduced price on extras like nail designs or waxing.
Drug Store Goodies
I know it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest, but lipgloss is the ultimate quick pick me up that you can use any time, any where. Yes, Chanel lip gloss is the best, but since I can’t afford a tube of that a week, I tried several drug store brands to see if any compared. You want baby soft lips with shimmer, shine and a tint of color, minus the tacky, sticky mess that your hair sticks to. I found it, for around $3 bucks at Wal-Mart of all places! Bonne Bell has grown up from the Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers you loved as a kid to the Lip Lites Lip Gloss. My two personal favorites are Cappucino and Metallic Mocha.
I’ve been hard pressed to find an affordable spray tan alternative, and when I tried to spray myself at home it was a disaster for both me and my floor. However, I am in love with the Jergens Daily Glow. It’s under $10, gradually builds and doesn’t turn you into an orange mess. One word of caution – you have to be consistent or you won’t see results. This is one that can be very pampering at home. Get in tune with your body, relax, and turn it into a part of your self care ritual. Bonne Bell also offers a Bronze Gel that gives your face a fantastic instant glow.
If you have a high threshold for self-inflicted pain, you can try the Sally Hansen at home wax warmer. There are versions for both face and body, although I can’t bring myself to do anything other than the briefest facial areas. You do have to remember to warm it up about half an hour before you’re ready to use it. I’ve found that the kit with strips works better than the one without; its easier to use and leaves a cleaner finish.
What frugal pampering tips do you use to get fabulous on a budget?
