There will always be someone with an unlimited beauty fund, but honestly, that’s not me. I don’t miss out on self-care though and I don’t want you to either. Budgeting isn’t always easy, so here are my top 10 tried and tested ways to save money on beauty.
As my dad always says, “Never tell yourself you can’t have something, just ask yourself, how you can have it.” If you don’t want to splurge on a mani, don’t go without one. Find a cheaper option. Here are the 10 money-saving beauty hacks I wouldn’t gatekeep as a student save-aholic.
1) Is Your Perfume Worth the Hype? (There are Numerous Dupes if You Want to Smell Expensive)
Designer perfumes are nice, but there are many money-saving alternatives, and honestly, most people won’t know the difference.
One of my favourite places to buy affordable perfume has to be The Body Shop. Look out for their £25 British Rose eau de toilette perfume, which is a dupe for the £118 Jo Malone Red Roses cologne.
2) Do Your Nail Extensions at Home (It’s Much Easier Than You’d Think)
Do you envy the gals who have perfect nails almost year-round? Well, you could be one of them (and without breaking the bank). I never pay for manicures but people always ask where my nails were done. They’re usually pretty shocked when they learn my sister or I did them. If you’re not sure where to begin, watch a YouTube video. That’s what we did!
How Much Do DIY Nail Extensions Cost?
Buying nail products may seem like a splurge, but trust me, it’ll save you a lot in the future! To get started, you’ll need the following:
False nails. I like the By Vixi ones, which cost me £6.49 for 500.
Nail files to buff your nails: I bought a large package at Poundland for (you guessed it) £1.
Nail Glue: I bought liquid glue from Superdrug for £3.50, which lasted almost two weeks. If you’re looking for more permanent nails, use a stronger glue!
Top coat and base coat: I bought No Wipe Top Coat and Base Coat on Amazon, which cost me £5.99 for 2 bottles.
Gel Polish: I bought mine on Amazon and paid £7.99 for six different colours. Top tip, if you buy sparkly polish, it hides any bumps!
A UV Nail Lamp: To set your nail polish, you’ll need a UV light. They sell for about £20, although they often have vouchers, making them much less.
Click here to find even more product recommendations and ideas: Gen Z’s Favorite Money Saving Trend: At-Home Manicures
3) Learn How to Style Your Own Hair (YouTube is the Best Teacher)
You might think hair styling sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. I completely taught myself from YouTube and I know you can too. In recent years, I’ve done my own hair for parties, balls, and even my last graduation ceremony.
If you’re looking for a way to both save and make money, hair styling could be for you. As a tween, I did hair for bridesmaids, competitive gymnasts, and balls. Just think, this could be your newest side hustle!
How to start as a Self-Taught Hair Stylist
If you want a fancy style, buy a curling wand or a heatless curler. This will give you the volume needed for a romantic updo. Once curled, simply twist or pin the front pieces back, and voila, you have a hairstyle! If you want to take it a step further, add braids! For step-by-step guidance, search on YouTube. (That’s how I learned.) See my examples above!
4) Instead of Paying for Lash Extensions, do Your Own (and Buy Them From Discounted Stores)
Many of us have considered lash extensions, but let’s be real: They’re mega-pricey and rather impractical. If you want the looks without the cost, these tips are for you!
As a student, splurging on infills really isn’t something I’m keen on. I don’t go without lashes, though. From graduations to ballet assessments to random days out, I’ve worn false lashes and never looked back!
Where to Buy Affordable False Lashes
My favourite budget Lash brand is Eylure, as they have a nice amount of volume while still looking somewhat natural. You can always buy extra glue separately if you use them every day!
5) Save Money With Natural Skincare Options
If you’ve ever wanted the idyllic skin you see in commercials, you’re not alone. But let’s be honest: social media isn’t real, and those expensive products aren’t all they seem.
People often assume I have a pricey face care routine as I generally have pretty healthy skin. However, I don’t spend a penny more than necessary on cosmetics. If you’re looking for cheap and natural ideas, here are my top tips:
Eat healthily: I’m not saying to live on salad (I definitely don’t), but I’ve really seen a difference in my skin when I maintain a balanced diet.
Use foundation less often: The biggest way I keep my skin healthy is by not using foundation daily. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for wearing makeup, but I’ve also learned to style my natural skin. Plus, think how much you’ll save on foundation!
Keep your face clean: It’s happened to me before: I’ve forgotten to wash my face or have touched it too much. Really, your skin doesn’t appreciate it!
6) Consider DIY Brow Shaping (It Saves a Fortune)
People spend a small fortune on brow threading and shaping, but it’s honestly something you can learn to do yourself. I naturally have chunky brows, but with a little TLC, I’ve felt confident doing my own brows, even for big events.
There are countless tutorials online and even templates. Buy a brow kit and make changes a little at a time. That way, you won’t worry about ending up eyebrow-less!
7) How to Save Money While Visiting a Luxury Salon
If you are looking for that luxury hair salon experience but want to save some cash, there is no need to miss out. Many of the top locations will have a training day. If you request a final-year student, they will be almost fully trained! You’ll never know the difference!
8: Find Beaty Products in Outlets (You’ll be Surprised What’s out There)
Designer outlets could be the way to go if you love everything about high-end other than the prices. They’re one of my favourite places to shop and have some incredible deals. I even found the £25 British Rose eau de toilette perfume mentioned above for only £8! Another great place to find beauty products is TK Max. They have some highly expensive brands there for a fraction of the price.
9) Save Money by Using Natural Hair Remedies
If you spend your life eying people with lush, healthy hair, you’re not alone. The thing is, most of those people likely didn’t rely on expensive products. I have extremely long hair, and over the years, numerous people have asked for my secret. They’re always surprised when they hear I don’t spend much on haircare. In fact, my shampoo is only about £2.
My Top Three Tips for Naturally Growing Your Hair
Braid your hair before bed: It prevents damage and lessens those pesky split ends.
Trim your hair regularly: It seems counterintuitive, but whenever I cut my hair it becomes so much thicker and longer.
Consider your hair-washing schedule: Many people wash their hair almost every day, but it can really dry out the ends. It might feel greasy, but I’ve really noticed a difference when I wash my hair only once per week.
10) Save the Money on Your Massages
It happens to the best of us. We have a tight spot and think to ourselves, a massage would just hit the spot. Being a former pre-professional dancer, I of all people value massages. The difference is that I know a few money-saving hacks. As a student, I refuse to pay £30-100 for a professional service. Never underestimate the benefits of self-massage. All you need is a foam roller, some spikey balls, and a tennis ball. If you want to take it a step further, watch a YouTube tutorial or partner up with a friend.
Pennies add up
Saving a few pounds here and there may seem like a hassle, but trust me, that’s how you’ll start to see a difference. Research by UCAS shows that students spend around £219 per week Excluding rent. As someone who spends less than half of this (even while living in London), I really can say these tips work.
Happy budgeting and do share your favourite money-saving hacks in the comments!
