With the awful economy, and more and more people struggling to make ends meet, beauty gets lost in the shuffle. Why pay money for a gym membership when you can barely pay your bills?
I'm a poor college student - money and I aren't best friends. Yet, I still want to remain looking nice despite this.
Here are my tips on how to stay Lovelyish even when times are tough!
1. Can't Afford A Gym?
Do your research. Some gyms can be very affordable. For example, here in NYC, Lucille Roberts and Planet Fitness are known to be very cheap - only about $10 a month. If you're still in college, the college gym is free for students. If all else fails, invest in a jump rope and a couple of free weights - amazing cardio and weight training from the confort of home.
2. Clothes!
When times are tough, one has to give up being a name-brand snob. Stores such as Kohl's H&M, TopShop, Forever 21 and Sears have a lot of nice things that won't break the bank. If you still want something a bit more high-end, search the clearance racks at stores such as Macy's, Express, Banana Republic, etc.
3, Shoes
There's always Payless. Yet, what about for us ladies who can't wear Payless shoes because they kill our feet? Have a couple of "classic" pieces - sneakers for the gym, everyday sneakers, a pair of boots, a pair of high heels, etc. I don't think skimping on shoes is a good thing because then your feet will hurt.
4. Makeup/Shampoo
There's an amazing store here in NYC called Cosmetics Warehouse. It sells Revlon and Almay makeup at the fraction of the price. For those who don't live in NYC, go to Target or Wal-Mart. I've gotten Maybelline foundation at Target much cheaper that at the drugstore. Also, big discount stores such as BJ's, Costco, and Sam's Club are a great place to stock up on essentials such as soap and shampoo.
5. Homemade Facials
There's a lot of great recipes online for DIY facials. One that I swear by is mixing in egg yolk with honey and lemon and putting it on as a mask.
6. Mani/Pedis
You could always do it yourself. Yet, what if you're awful at doing your nails yourself and like the pampering? Instead of getting a mani/pedi every week, get the manicure weekly but the pedicure every two weeks. Few people will be seeing your feet anyways because it's winter.
How do you ladies stay Lovelyish on a budget?
With the awful economy, and more and more people struggling to make ends meet, beauty gets lost in the shuffle. Why pay money for a gym membership when you can barely pay your bills?
Comments (29)
but... topshop is so expensive. >.< h&m tho. <3
clearance sales, ebay and thrift stores. every Wednesday clothes are 50% off at the salvation army by my house. you can't beat that.
Basic.
@TequilaKisses@xanga - yeah
don't buy new clothes. be creative with the ones you have.
(of course i don't believe a word of that, lol)
Good tips.
Community centers are another cheap option for getting fit. At my community center I can pay $50 a month for unlimited use of the gym and pool as well as yoga, pilates, and aerobics classes. It's not $10 a month, but it includes so much more.
When it comes to buying clothes and makeup it's important to know the difference between frivolous spending and necessities. If you need to buy jeans because your old ones don't fit anymore, then that would be considered necessary, but try not to go shopping just because you're bored.
I think for shoes, it's better to buy quality than payless for certain people. Shoes make a HUGE difference in posture and your spinal chord/other bones in your body, and the shoes aren't really made for walking long distances. I'd buy a really comfortable sneaker from somewhere else that'll last me 3 years than one from payless that'll MAYBE last 3/4 of a year. As for clothes, same thing, except for the screwing up bones part. They're not good quality, and H&M/macys/brepub and some other listed, i definitely do NOT consider those to be cheap. SO EXPENSIVE! Especially with the Jimmy Choo line in! Go to marshalls/thrift stores!
As for the others... I have no idea because I don't use any except the toiletries ><
Big Lots is a retail outlet so if you have one, take advantage of it. I use Aussie shampoo that's about $4-5 a bottle in some places but Big Lots sells the shampoo & conditioners for $2.50. I've seen them stock Nexxus, Dove, SunSilk & other major brands too. They sell name brand foods too but as with ANY retail outlet, check the dates before you buy them. They get their products from other stores & sometimes expired things are sold to them.
@swtaznxtc90@xanga - I actually never had a problem with payless & I'm flat footed like Fred Flintstone (no joke). They have a few name brand shoes there, like Skechers, but sold at cheaper prices.
I'm pretty much like you.
back when i was a kid... girls have it easy because they can wear any shoe and not be made fun of... for guys... guys are stupid and make fun of other guys for wearing payless shoes.
wtf, go to walmart
Use your hygiene products sparingly. Far too often people use more than the required amount to wash their hair, brush their teeth, etc. Adding water to an almost empty bottle of shampoo works wonders.
I agree with the Payless thing. Some shoes fit great, others like athletic shoes I have to go someplace more expensive (I have size 11 in womens, and have huge arches).
Clothes, hit up Goodwill or Savers. And Walmart is your best friend too. =)
@Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga - really?? Haha when I go and get their shoes, they don't last very long ebcuase I walk a lot, a ton actually haha. Yea they have nice shoes, but I still think it's expensive for the quality =\ maybe the payless at my area doesn't have a very good selection
@swtaznxtc90@xanga - well since you walk alot, you need shoes designed for alot of walking, which do cost more but they're worth it. I agree not ALL of the shoes are worth the price but I mostly go there for boots because they sell pretty good boots for the price & Payless used to be the only store that sold shoes that were comfy on me. I wear a size 10.
The more you do your nails yourself, the better you'll get and soon you might not even need to go to the nail places anymore. Since it's winter, I suggest practicing on your feet.
school gym is actually in your tuition. you paid for it, might as well use it...
Gym- I have PE, access to the school weight room and gym, and an at home gym.
Clothes- I go to Kohls and made my own stuff when my sewing machine still worked. Oh and hand me downs from my shopoholic cousin.
Shoes- I mentioned my cousin's a shopoholic, right?
Makeup/shampoo- Free samples from Macy's. Ulta member= discounts. And 3 dollar herbal essences works fine for my hair.
Homemade facials- banana facial!
Mani/ pedi- I do that on my own as suggested :]
Overall good list. Thanks for the tips.
Holy crap. I am a poor student and I can't believe some girls get mani/pedi every week. Even if you do have the money for it, can't you use that $40-$80/week for something better?
I gave up my gym membership months ago to save money. I also do my own nails. When it comes to buying shoes I am not going to go cheap.
yup i don't buy anything full price at department stores and i love shopping at forever 21
@AzNgUrl3510@xanga - same! :D i looveee sales!
Thrift stores! you'll be amazed at what you find! forever 21 and urban behavior... awesomely cheap. For make up... splerge only on the important stuff... but mostly i buy mine at meijer.. lashblast works wonders and is cheap bc its covergirl. for my hair i use head and shoulders, i dont have dandruff, but the shampoo works WONDERS on the overall health of my hair..
and there is really no reason to waste so much money on your freaking nails... seriously, most people dont even notice your nails that much to tell if they are professional or painted at home. DIY. FTW.
awesome entry! would read again! very useful
im not too sure if payless should be on that list. target, on the other hand, is where it's at!