Four essential tips for controlling the beauty budget in 2016
The beauty industry is big business in the UK, especially when you consider that the average woman spends over £2,000 a year on cosmetics, shampoos, lotions and treatments.
It is so easy to be tempted into buying a new shade of lipstick or the latest beauty creams when you are out shopping, but there are ways to look good without breaking the bank or going over your budget.
Keep an eye out for bargain beauty products
Take advantage of any offers, money-off coupons or sales that you see; for example, you may find that it pays to bulk buy cosmetics during the January or summer sales, while many stores will have ‘two for the price of one’ offers from time to time. It is also a good idea to see whether buying online will save money and to stock up on free samples in stores. If you go to beauty fairs, you will often be given small samples or products to try.
Sometimes it pays to be disloyal
Some beauty treatments and products are worth splurging on and others are worth scrimping on. Once you have found a great hairdresser or beautician, you are unlikely to change; however, you can switch to cheaper options in other areas. You could buy a cheaper mascara, for example, as you are supposed to discard this product every three months or when it dries out. Look out for supermarket brands of shampoo or shower gel, as these can be great for everyday use while saving top brands for special occasions.
Look into semi-permanent makeup
If you would not dream of leaving the house without makeup, you might want to consider semi-permanent makeup. This can save you time and money in addition to enhancing your looks; for example. you can have thicker lashes, fuller lips, perfectly-shaped eyebrows and permanent eyeliner. For semi-permanent makeup in London, consult a professional such as http://www.jemma-upton.co.uk/treatments/.
Make your own products
You can often raid your fridge to make your own face masks, hair conditioner or skin creams. Slices of cucumber will soothe your eyes, mashed up bananas make a great face mask, and a mix of honey and olive oil is a lovely hair conditioner. You could also buy aloe vera plants and use the juice to soothe irritated skin or mix it with brown sugar for a homemade exfoliator.
