By Contributing Writer, Ross Whent
It’s common to want to step up your beauty routine during the summer months – the warmer weather will undoubtedly call for a little more attention to those various areas of exposed skin – but as a result, you might find yourself wishing you had a few more pennies to splash out in the skincare aisle.
From suntan lotion to chlorine-proof hair products, it’s easy to get carried away when preparing for a holiday. Although there are usually seasonal offers in the shops – if you’re hoping to beautify yourself on a really tight budget this summer, here are a few hints on how to save some money in the process!
Use multipurpose products
If you’re used to shelling out on multiple items, think multipurpose instead. You can use a shea butter-based product for chapped skin, lips and as a go-to product for a whole heap of skin issues. Similarly, the summer is a time when the au naturale look is best – so skip foundation for the ultimate two-in-one product: a tinted moisturizer.
Mix odds and ends
If your makeup bag is full of broken eyeshadow and loose blush, don’t just throw them away – instead, buy an acrylic makeup holder and mix together those odds and ends. Instead of wasting perfectly good makeup, you’ll be able to use up everything, and you could even get really creative and create a whole new palette of colors and textures. With summer being all about fun and carefree beauty, it feels like the perfect time to experiment.
Get a free trim
One of the biggest beauty expenses of all is the hair salons – but unless you’re looking to make a radical change, it’s worth avoiding those premium prices. A brilliant loophole can be found in salons which offer free bang cuts and discounted haircuts if you volunteer as a model – so before you shell out on a cut, color and blow-dry, search to see what your local salons are offering. If you’re really confident (or have confidence in a loved one), invest in a pair of hairdressing scissors and trim your hair at home instead.
Buy travel sizes
If you’re buying for a holiday abroad, it could turn out to be much more cost effective to buy miniature versions of certain products – otherwise, you’re likely to return with a bag full of half-used sunblocks, after-sun creams and lip balms. And don’t forget, sun tan lotions expire after a while, so you won’t be able to make use of them the following year! It’s a similar story when it comes to perfume; there are usually some good deals about like the current one for 20% off summer fragrances at Boots, but to be even more frugal: pick up sample perfumes to take away with you. That way you can mix and match your scents too!
Use hotel freebies
If you’re traveling to any hotel this summer, don’t forget one of the best perks of the away stay: the freebies! It’s likely your hotel room will be well stocked with shampoos, conditioners, shower gel and the like, so why not travel a little lighter this year and leave yours at home? If you’re too much of a fan of your own creature comforts to take advantage, don’t forget to bring them back with you – some upscale hotel toiletries are so lovely that they’d be perfect for boosting birthday gifts!
However you’re planning on spending the summer, don’t let money worries stop you from looking and feeling your very best. By saving a bit of extra cash along the way, you’re likely to enjoy yourself so much more!
By Contributing Writer, Ross Whent, a twenty-something university graduate. For a male he says he is very into looking after himself and his skin, and keeping fit. He also has a couple of his own blogs as he likes to write and read in his spare time.
Great tips! It’s kind of funny all the free things you can get while traveling that are actually worth keeping. Depending on where you stay, there will be a lot of free things in the room you rent, and if you ask, there’s plenty of more where those came from. Truth is, hotels end up throwing away a lot of stuff that you only slightly use during your stay, and you might as well take it with you!