Food, Home and Style
Budget Beauty: Home Economics and More
The fact that we’re in a recession is no excuse for looking poorly groomed and shabby these days. After all, when else are you ever going to have this much time to obsess about your looks? Certainly not once you’re back to being employed and locked inside a cubicle 10 hours a day.
From beauty store discounts to “recessionista specials” at some of New York’s poshest salons, the opportunities to look good for less are endless during this economic downturn, so long as you know what you’re doing, when to splurge, and where to find the best deals.
A roundup of some of our favorite tips and tricks:
Become a Mad Scientist
Who needs $100 bottles of facial scrubs when you can make one at home from ingredients in the refrigerator? Sure, your own creation probably won’t smell as good as the special stuff from Bergdorf—and the odds are your packaging won’t be quite as pretty either—but it’ll probably work just as well. And as an added bonus, you won’t need to worry about all the time you’re wasting researching and mixing up the special potion, since it’s not like you’ve got a job to get back to anyway.
Make a Deal
As you’ve no doubt heard before, virtually nothing has a set price these days. Aficionados who do research ahead of time and know how to haggle can save hundreds at the salon. Top salons across the country are beginning to offer “recessionista” discounts on certain days of the week, and anyone who can talk their favorite hairstylist into coming to their home is likely to save a bundle as well. (See How I Learned to Spend on one new frugalista’s attempt to do so.)
Toe the Line at Home
Can’t afford highlights or your precious mani/pedis anymore? Gather up a group of girlfriends and try having a spa day at your apartment. You’re likely to save a ton and have some fun in the process—just don’t hold it against your sister if your highlights from a box don’t turn out on the first try.
Go Discount
Big box discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls don’t just stock clothing and home furnishings. They offer 20 to 60 percent off beauty products, cosmetics, and hairstyling tools from big name brands, too. Elsewhere, be careful what you get from the dollar stores, since you’re likely to get what you pay for when it comes to brands you’ve never heard of before.
Hydrate—It’s Free!
Forget that super expensive bottle of Crème de la Mer. Dermatologists say the best way to keep skin hydrated is by lots of drinking water. Really. And what do you know, it’s the one product that happens to be free (mostly). Talk about a bargain.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out Groupon, one of our faves for discounted beauty treatments, and swing by eBay before you pay retail.
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3 comments for “Budget Beauty: Home Economics and More”
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While I have seen several local spas offer “recession deals”, I also know of several salons that are doing just fine and don’t need to resort to such tactics. The really successful salons have a loyal clientel that sticks with them in both good times and bad.
I am interesred in your reporter
Jessica Sirkin. She presents information in concise manner and in in very interesting way. Tell her to keep up the good work
Another great option for less expensive beauty treatments are beauty schools where senior level students perform everything from highlights to pedicures at a great rate. I go a few times a year for highlights and they’re only $25.