Beauty on a budget!

It may look effortless, but it’s hard work and not necessarily easy on the budget either!
Perfectly shaped eyebrows, flawless manicures and hours with skin experts may seem extravagant in these economically challenging times, and this is exactly why even the most high-maintenance women are quietly slashing these costs, but not to the extent that this will compromise their look!
How do we decide what is necessary and what isn’t?  Especially, when we’re talking about beauty products, which are essentially frivolous in the first place.
What makes these “necessities” for us? While these changes involve more effort by yourselves at home, you still maintain the same results, just with a few slight tweaks. We will show you how to put some money saving beauty into action!
To save on:
– Nails: Go nude — You don’t need to have polish to make your nails look sexy, and no risk of chipping.
A manicure will last longer if you keep your nails well buffed at home with a good four sided buffer, a good cuticle oil massaged into your nails before bed, and throughout the day a generous dosing of a good hand and nail cream. Try Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment cream.
– Soften the curve — If you go for a more rounded shape to your nails, this will reduce the risk of chips and cracks. Shorter nails with a gently rounded corners and tips are less vulnerable.
– Add sparkle — When at the manicurist try to stick with pale pinks and beige polishes, these are least likely to show flaws, and add to that a clear coat with sparkle your nail colour will not budge! Also, top up your manicure with a top coat every three days for an even longer lasting finish.
Don’t use your nails as tools — Try to wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and use the pad of your finger tip instead of your nail tip for open canned drinks etc.
To save on:
– Skin: D.I.Y. facial — Women can give themselves a basic facial at home.
 Cleanse and place a warm towel on you face for five minutes, exfoliate, and then apply a mask.
Clarins has products for all skin types so invest in a good skincare regimen to use at home.
– Get glowing — For anti-ageing, we recommend a microdermabrasion appointment, this will help fade age spots, discolouration and has a brightening effect which will last for a few months.
– Make more collagen — Use a night cream with added retinol for combating fine lines and scarring, or even if you skin is sensitive when using prescription strength retinol.
We like Clarins Renew Plus Night lotion.
You don’t need to spend a lot to have great skin, but you do need to have a good skin care regimen.
It’s actually better to have fewer products in your beauty cabinet.
Not only does a long list of products cost more, it leaves you open to a longer list of potential skin irritants, too.
So stick with a simple cleanser like Clarins Gentle Foaming Cle-anser. And if you want a budget-friendly anti-ageing solution, wear sunscreen daily to prevent further damage and look for ingredients that have been proven to be effective — peptides and retinol. Try Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40.
To save on:
– Make-up: Did you know that in a recession lipstick sales go up?  It makes sense, if you think about it. A new pair of shoes seems like such a commitment or a splurge or an extravagance, but a tube of lipstick, even an expensive one, is still so reasonable.  And it’s such an easy way to change your look without really changing your look. 
– Eyelash curler: Buy an eyelash curler, this will let you use less mascara as a coat instead of a means to curl. But keep it clean, old mascara residue will stick to the curler plates and create clumpy eyelashes.
– Cream blush: Use this as multi-purpose make-up for your cheeks, eyes and lips.
– Tinted moisturiser: This will even skin tone, cover slight blemishes and redness. This enables you to cut out on buying both a moisturiser and foundation.
Other tips:
Organise your cabinets/closets/drawers — you probably have much more than you realise. Utilise what you already have before shopping for new purchases. If you like the “new” feeling, have a “beauty trade day” with friends.
To save on:
– Waxing: Just shave —  If you only have light hair growth on your legs, it may be a waste to wax. Razor stubble for you won’t be visible.
– Exercise restraint — Have a regular bikini wax instead of a Brazilian. You will minimise on cost as well as pain.
– Wax off — Your brow shape will last much longer if you wax or thread your eyebrows instead of tweezing.
You will wait much longer between your appointments.
Perhaps the major question is how we justify vanity in an economy that is making it hard for many people to get by.
Really, truth be told, I keep up my nails and my hair and my face because it makes me feel good. Understand-able?  Maybe.  Justi-fiable?  I don’t really know. What about you? How has your beauty spending changed since the economy turned? Are there things you’ve stopped doing or purchasing?  Or are you carefully protecting your beauty routine?
– For all your tips on cost saving beauty or any queries you may have or just to be added onto our database contact us on – missk@zol.co.zw