We’ve all been there, lusting after that great beauty product that costs the same as a month’s rent…or
hearing about a great service that “turned her into a new woman.” Life is sometimes like an infomercial, only in this case, it’s your friends that are the cheesy saleswomen. Working a full 8 hour shift, only to spend it on a product that feels no different than your usual stuff is now a thing in the past. Here are some ways that you can spend your beauty budget wisely and still get the most bang for your buck!
Waxing: Spend it
Whether it’s waxing your eyebrows for the first time or your bikini line, this is best left to the
professionals. Not only is it way easier than trying to do it yourself but since it lasts longer than shaving, you’ll be saving lots of time, money and in some cases… embarrassment! It’s also good to get into a routine with your waxing. There are three stages of hair growth and each hair is in different stages. Once you get waxed about three to five times, they will all end up being in the same growth stage and therefore a lot easier to get rid of all at once. It is also good to wax because this damages the hair follicle if done repeatedly (I know it sounds scary but trust me, you want this). You’ll notice your hair will grow back finer, less thick and a lot more slowly. But leave to it the specialists to do this for you so you can be sure you get exactly what you want, without the mess in your bathroom.
Cosmetics: Save It
I have to admit, I always thought “if it costs more then it must be better, right?”… Wrong! After going
through Cosmetology school, it really opened my eyes to how the beauty industry really works. Of
course there are good/bad products, expensive ones that work/don’t work and inexpensive one’s that
work and don’t work! But you might be surprised to find out that some of the brands you think are different might actually be the same as the discounted ones you find in the drugstores. There are actually only a few major corporations that own many of the companies and brands that we are so loyal to. In actuality, many of the corporations use the same formula for multiple companies and products and they simply market it differently. This saves them money but tricks you into thinking that the new, expensive, celebrity-endorsed product is better, when really it’s the same thing you’ve been using all along. I would suggest doing a little research (it’s all public information you can find online). Figure out which products you love the most and see which corporation owns that brand. If there is an inexpensive company owned by the same corporation, try it out. You’ll be amazed at how saving a few dollars without losing quality really makes a difference in your wallet size!
Facials: Save It/Spend It
This one is debatable. There are a couple different variables that go into making this decision to decide
if getting a high priced facial is really worth it. The most important variable is your skin condition. If you have acne or severely dry or oily skin, then getting a facial would be really beneficial for you. Be sure to choose a facial that is for that purpose. Many facials are more for relaxation but the esthetician will use different products and possibly do an extraction phase in the facial if you have a skin condition you want taken care of. If you have clear and normal skin, then you won’t see a lot of results and therefore you can just save your money. There are a lot of great at-home facial systems you can use as well that will be cheaper than a salon and still make a difference in your skin. If you’ve ever gotten a facial and loved the results, try asking the esthetician which products she used. Most of the time you can buy these products online for a good price and still be able to get the “fresh from the spa” look and feeling!
The best advice I can give you is to really think about what’s worth it to you. If you have great skin but darker hairs, then spend your beauty budget on waxing. If you need help with your skin but happen to be blonde with very thin hair, then getting a facial will be your best choice. If you have both problem skin and dark hair then try switching off, maybe one month get a wax and the other get a facial. This way you can still stay on track and see which gives you the best results in the end. If you have a product that you can’t live without then spend your money on that but try to find a more inexpensive version of another product that you might not care so much about. It’s all about balance, in life and in beauty!
I know it can be hard to resist something that’s super expensive and fancy but just think about all the
extra money you’ll be saving and go spend it on something great like a girls night out!
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Sarah Felix is a senior at the University of Oregon, graduating in June. She is a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Communications. She also has received her Oregon Esthetician’s License and currently in the process of obtaining her Oregon Medical Esthetician’s License. She loves fashion, beauty and anything that makes her laugh. She’s a permanent Duck fan that “Lives GREEN and yells O!”