There are 5 super simple things you can stop doing right now for beauty savings. Wanting to look pretty and put together is normal. Beauty routines enhance your appearance and improve your confidence and self-esteem. When you look your best, you feel like you can conquer the world. But, the price of beauty can spiral out of control quickly.
According to Popsugar, the average American woman will spend over $300,000 on face products in a lifetime. It’s not a secret that the price of beauty can be one of the biggest budget busters for most women. Beauty routines are not necessarily bad, but if you’re paying off debt and living on a zero-based budget, you may need to rethink how much you’re spending. Here are 5 super simple things to stop doing for Beauty Savings.
To learn more about budgeting, click on this post: How to Create a Zero-Based Budget
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Stop buying new Makeup Products for Instant Beauty Savings
Take stock of the makeup you currently own. Stick with your tried-and-true makeup staples. Only replace them when you run out. Ignore all the new products out there. Makeup products are constantly changing. It’s easy to fall prey to their marketing schemes. It’s the nature of the game. New seasonal products, color fads, or improved formulas are launched regularly. Every product claims to solve all of your beauty problems, but ignore them for now. If you need to save money and pay down debt, new make-up is a luxury.
Plus, makeup has expiration dates. You may be wasting money on products that you can’t use before it expires. You may find it difficult to rotate and use up all of your makeup before it expires. According to the Huffington Post, you need to toss out old makeup for health and safety reasons. Read their post by clicking here: The Makeup Expiration Dates You Need to Know.
Solution: Figure out what your favorite products are and which colors work for you all year long. Stick to those items for now, and don’t get lured into seasonal or holiday-themed products. Replace products like foundation, eyeliner, and mascara only when they run out.
To help you stay on track, I’ve created a free makeup printable that you can download and fill out. Fill out the box below to get your free Makeup Loves Printable. Write down all your favorite makeup products and refer to the handy guide which lists makeup expiration dates. Take a picture of it on your phone and you’ll always have your own personal makeup guide when you’re out shopping. It will take the guesswork of what to buy and reduce the temptation to buy new makeup when you’re staring at a plethora of products in the beauty aisle.
Stop going to the Nail Salon
I love it when my nails are painted. I’m not going to lie, getting a salon manicure and pedicure feels so damn good. It’s relaxing, therapeutic, and you feel great after. However, spending $50 each month ($600 a year) or going twice a month ($1,200 a year) is money that can be better spent towards paying down debt or saving for the future. For quick beauty savings, cut out salon manicures and pedicures.
Solution: Learn how to do your own manicure and pedicures at home. Reserve the nail salon splurge for special occasions or during the holidays. Invest in your own manicure/pedicure tools and nail products, and the initial investment will pay itself off in no time.
Here’s a simple manicure kit to try. I’ve used this Sally Hansen cuticle remover for as long as I can remember. You leave it on for 45 seconds and it gently removes cuticles. All you need to do is push back your cuticles, buff, and then shine your nails for a natural look.
Stop buying expensive Facial Products
I love facial products. A weekly facial has been part of my
Solution: Find budget-friendly alternatives instead. I switched back to Freeman facials, a reliable drugstore line. It’s extremely affordable, around $6 if you buy them separately, and lasts me about 6 months. I still enjoy Lush facials, but request them as birthday or holiday gifts instead. Here’s a great deal on Amazon for a variety pack of Freeman facials:
Stop getting your Eyebrows Threaded or Waxed
Sounds drastic, I know! For those of you who get them done regularly, you know how expertly shaped brows enhance your face structure. It pulls your look together. My brows grow out fast, so I normally had them threaded every two weeks.
Solution: Learn how to shape your own eyebrows. Invest in a few good shaping tools and pluck and tweeze them yourself. Here is a great eyebrow kit that has all of the tools you’ll ever need. Check out this YouTube video by Canela Trigueros on how to trim your eyebrows.
Stop getting Eyelash Extensions
I have very short, sparse, super straight eyelashes. After getting eyelash extensions as a Christmas gift, I was obsessed. But this obsession came at a high price, about $60 every two and a half weeks.
Solution: Learn how to apply false eyelashes instead, and reserve the extra glamour for special occasions only. Here’s a great YouTube tutorial by Emily Noel, one of my favorite beauty gurus. It will show you how to apply false eyelashes. Here’s a great eyelash extension kit by KISS that’s even easier to use if you’ve tried to put on eyelash strips before.
Final Thoughts on Beauty Savings for your Beauty Routine
I love beauty products. Who doesn’t want to look their best? Before I started my debt-free lifestyle, I didn’t think twice about how much I was spending on beauty. Buying new products and going to the salon can easily become normal routines that slowly eat up your budget. Looking your best doesn’t have to break the bank. Finding beauty savings is simple. Splurge less, learn how to do it yourself, and save tons of cash.
What beauty routines have you found cheaper alternatives for? Share your comments below.
