Save cash on hair care, makeup and more – via Shutterstock
We all have a beauty routine. For some, it’s rolling out of bed and slapping on lip gloss while for others, it’s a well orchestrated hour of what could be described as an art installment. No matter the drill, taking care of yourself takes money. With a few tips, tricks and shortcuts, Bargain Babe will help you spend less on products and services and more on an automatic toilet flusher for cats. If you’re into that sorta thing.
How to save money on your beauty routine.
1. Haircuts: Most stylists will recommend you come back for a cut in 8-12 week. Unless you have super short or styled hair, you can add 3-4 weeks to that. This saves at least two trips to the salon a year. Also, most stylists will offer a free bang trim between cuts – don’t be afraid to ask if they don’t mention it.
2. Eye remover: Ever since I can remember, my mom has removed her eye makeup with baby oil and she has amazing skin. Skip the expensive lotions and purchase a 20 oz. bottle from your local drug store for under $4. That bottle will go a long way – check out these 45 uses for baby oil.
3. Shampoo: Shampoo your hair every other day to save on cash. Your wallet isn’t the only thing that will benefit: washing your hair every day strips oil from your scalp and actually encourages hair follicles to produce more oil, leaving hair greasy. Sprinkle baby powder or dry shampoo on your roots in between washes to get rid of any excess oils.
4. Lather up: Use bar soap over body wash – bars last what seems like forever, cost a fraction of the price and produce less waste, which is better for Momma Earth. Plus, body gels and washes tend to contain a lot more chemicals that can dry out and damage skin.
5. Make your own: You’ve heard the DIY beauty tips – clarifying shampoo from apple cider vinegar, sea salt and olive oil body scrub, toothpaste as a zit zapper. These, plus 18 beauty products already in your kitchen are great ways to save money. And more times than not, they are gentler on your body than anything you will find in the store.
6. Brands aren’t better: More expensive does not always mean better – and do you really need to rub crushed pearls on your face? Most generic and designer beauty products are made with the same products and sometimes even by the same manufacturers – did you know that L’Oreal owns and manufactures the drug store brand Maybelline and the department store brand Lancome? What really matters is not the price of the product but how it works for you, so next time skip fancy stuff and save.
7. Beauty schools: Local cosmetology schools are a great place for cheap manicures, pedicures, massages, haircuts, facials and waxing. The student’s benefit from the practice and you benefit from lower prices and student-required satisfaction guarantee.
8. Good ‘til the last drop: Don’t waste product again! Put a tube of mascara in warm water to get the last bit, apply the end of lipstick with a cheap brush or scoop into a small jar and mix with other colors for a custom hue and combine that last inch of shampoo with other leftover bottles for a “super” shampoo mix.
9. Save on Stink: Do last year’s Uggs have a musty smell? Sneaker balls can cost as much as $5 and tend to carry a really strong odor. Next time, sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda (about $.19) in your shoes and let them sit overnight. Vacuum or shake out excess before you wear them.
10. Full steam ahead: One of the best purchases I ever made was my garment steamer. At around $100, my +200* steamer sanitizes, kills odors and bacteria, and leaves my clothes wrinkle free. This saves me hundreds a year on professional dry cleaning bills. And most of your clothes that say “Dry clean only” could really be hand or gentle-cycle washed, hung dry and steamed – just do a little research on the fabric first.
11. Free samples: A great way to try new products, or simply save a few bucks is by taking advantage of samples. There are several ways to score free makeup samples, or you can subscribe to Birchbox, a service that helps you find products you love.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
To get the last drops out of bottles after using 2 – 3 ounces of the product, add a little water to the bottle and shake to combine. Body washes, dish soaps and shampoos work best with water so you will be using less and you won’t notice the difference in feel. When the bottle is empty, add some water and shake again, then let it settle. You would be amazed how much product is left on the sides. It may be watery but works just as well. I’ve gotten over a week out of my shampoo and dish detergent.
Love it, @Myke! I always wonder why we haven’t invented a bottle yet that makes those last few oz easy to get at! I mean, we’re sending celebrities to the moon, you’d think we could master the shampoo bottle!!
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