For the budget-conscious among us, spending money on our appearance can be under-prioritised and consequently neglected. As a result, our hair remains unruly, our nails bitten to pieces and our shoulders unmassaged and tense. There are ways, however, of retaining both your money and your looks, as these tips and tricks will prove.
Treatment time
Collect your courage and visit one of Melbourne’s many training salons for a heavily-discounted hair or beauty treatment. The trainee stylists or beauticians will be testing their new skills on you and therefore charge as little as $15. The students are supervised by qualified and industry-experienced trainers while working on clients, so there’s little risk of you leaving unhappily. Not only is this a cheap way of maintaining your locks and looks, but given that the students are being tested, they’re generally more eager to impress.
Online shopping spree
Bless the Internet; since its arrival, laying your perfectly coiffed nails on discounted beauty products has been as easy as the click of a mouse. StrawberryNET.com, for example, has the largest supply of products from top brands such as Anna Sui, Bvlgari, Chanel, Dior and Estee Lauder. They also offer quick and free shipping to anywhere in the world. This service is particularly convenient around Christmas time, when ordering online beats the hassle of overcrowded shopping centres. On our last shopping endeavour, we found Bvlgari Rose Essentielle eau de parfum reduced by 50 per cent, as well as Clarins skincare products down by 25 per cent. Plus their regular email updates will advise you of current specials and sales.
Outlets
Why go retail when an abundance of outlets sell your favourite beauty products for a fraction of the price! Check out our Health, Optical and Beauty chapter for the low-down on all the discount warehouses around town. Top brand names like Australis, The Body Shop and Crabtree & Evelyn are among those offering great deals on delectable discount goods.
Buy in bulk
If there’s a particular product you love and can’t live without, create a stockpile. Watch out for sales on your favourite deodorant, shampoo and moisturiser and buy them in bulk. In order to make them last as long as possible, once you’re nearing the end of the bottle, keep them turned upside down to utilise every last drop.
Market research
If you’ve got spare time up your sleeve, enlist as a volunteer with market research companies. At places like Cosmetic Research Online, your opinions are used to help develop products and contribute to advertising standards. In exchange for your services, you’ll be able to try the latest in cosmetics, toiletries and skincare free of charge!
Au naturel
Take advantage of the beauty products sitting in your fruit bowl. There are some wonderful natural remedies for a range of cosmetic issues. We all know the cucumber on puffy eyes trick but have you ever tried avocado or haemorrhoid cream instead? What about lemon juice for age spots? And a bit of mayonnaise in the hair before shampooing will do wonders for your damaged do.
For those willing to extend their talents beyond smearing fruit on their face, why not make your own cosmetic concoctions. Coffee is a great exfoliant and you can make a coffee body scrub for a fraction of what you’d pay at a retail store. Just mix two cups of coarsely ground coffee with half a cup of raw sugar and three tablespoons of massage oil. Apply after showering and follow with a moisturiser (homemade, if you’re keen).
Ask around
A great way of unearthing a bargain is by word of mouth. Ask your girlfriends or work colleagues where they go for treatments; one might have a neighbour who does cheap manicures from home; another might know a great waxer. And if you co-ordinate your appointment times, this is a convenient opportunity to catch up for a gossip.
Hot sites
www.strawberrynet.com
www.skinstore.com
http://web2.sasa.com
www.discount-beauty.com
www.fountaincosmetics.com.au
