10 Frugal Beauty Tips – Fun Ideas For the Fashionista a Budget

27 August 2009 3 Comments

A lot of people don’t associate being frugal with fashion friendliness. Most fashionistas will argue that the more expensive, the better. That doesn’t always have to be true, use some of these tips to stay “à la mode”, not “à la broke”.

1. Buy To Last

When you are buying clothes, try to purchase durable products, even if they are more expensive. Well-made clothes have heavy seams and added reinforcement at stress points to ensure the product survives daily use. Avoid items with flimsy seams or fabric that won’t wash well.

2. Get Student Haircuts

Student hairdressers will often give you a free or discounted haircut. Find your local beauty school and see what their policies are for giving walk-in or appointment based haircuts. Some will even do colors, manicures/pedicures, and waxing.

3. Buy Vintage or Hand-Made Jewelery

Most specialist vintage boutiques usually have the reputation of being pretty pricey. A lot of flea markets have sellers who have a passion for vintage items and usually offer them at lower prices. It’s a good way to find items that might not be collector quality, but they will still capture the character and beauty of a bygone age. Also, when it comes to hand-made items websites like etsy.com or ebay are another great resource for jewelry that would normally cost three times as much (if not more) in a store.

4. Lotions Have Many Uses

A cheap generic product, such as an unbranded baby lotion, is a great fallback item that can be used as an everyday moisturizer and skin lotion. Some other uses include: cleanser, massage oil, shaving balm, and frizzy hair control.

5. Classic Shoes or Trendy Shoes?

Every season there is a way to buy shoes that are classics, but still fit the current trend. The best bet is to usually go middle of the road – try to find something that will go with many different outfits – without appearing too in fashion. A classic mid-heel in the latest color can mean you’ve bought to last, but it’s a good way to look up to the minute.

6. When washing – Turn It Out

Before you wash your knitwear or brushed cotton, make sure you turn the item inside out. This helps prevent piling and bobbling of the material, which can makes clothes look over worn.

7. DIY: Make Your Own Stuff, Save Money

Clothing – Plenty of women’s magazines have free patterns so you will only end up spending money on material. Buy materials from markets and discount material stores. Find a pattern that suits you and use it several times.
Jewelry – You can make your own jewelry at a fraction of the price with wire, elastic, beads and jewelry fasteners. Save broken necklaces, bracelets or earrings for spare parts you can use to make something completely new.

8. Have A Rummage

Once or twice a year, make a point of visiting a garage, church or rummage sale to stock up on essentials like scarves and other key pieces. Choose colors that will compliment your existing clothing.

9. Lovely Lashes

Turn ordinary (cheaper) mascara into the lash-lengthening variety by dusting your lashes with loose translucent powder before you apply the mascara. This will help the mascara stick to the whole lash and is a great way to get the effect of an expensive product at a fraction of the price.

10. Splurge on Shampoo

Good quality shampoo does not contain detergent ingredients that strip hair, so if you’re budgeting, it’s better to buy a good shampoo than conditioner. Conditioners are pretty much universal in their hair-smoothing offerings, so don’t worry about trying cheaper versions.