Are you looking for ways to save money? Let me share my fashion hacks with you.
I have spent most of my life crafting ways to cut corners. I am your normal girl. I like fashion and beauty products just as much as the next person, but it’s not always possible to look like the beauties on TV.
First of all, let’s be real here. I’m not tall enough to pull off some of those ridiculous runway trends.
I have come to terms with my “short girl” status and actually embrace it. Sure, I want to look good. Who doesn’t? But my teaching salary doesn’t necessarily leave me with an abundance of cash floating around to spend on the “funsies”.
Here are a few savvy hacks that I use on the regular to balance my love for all things girly AND save myself from overspending.
Hair
I have always been told that I have great hair. No, I’m not bragging. I just hear this a lot.
So here’s my first confession. I am a bit of a hair product snob. Yes, really. It has been years since I’ve used a supermarket brand shampoo or conditioner. Salon quality products really are much healthier for your luscious locks. And if you use them consistently, you really do see a difference in the overall health and appearance of your hair.
In case you’re confused as to what this has to do with saving money, keep reading. If you love salon products as much as I do, you have to be stealthy. BOGO deals are your friend.
Yassss! Keep a watchful eye on the sale ads for your favorite products. The upcoming holidays are an excellent time to stock up!
And buy the liter sizes, not the teeny tiny bottles! I generally swoop in a couple times a year when I see advertisements for “buy one get one” products that I love.
Buy two or three of each! I don’t know about you, but 2 or 3 liters of my very favorites will last most of the year.
See Also: 7 Hair and Makeup Looks to Try This Week
Make-up
This one is important! Are you paying attention?
My love for topnotch hair products sometimes overflows into the make-up aspect of my life as well. As a former make-up consultant in my college days, I can tell you that the concept of quality applies here, too. Sort of.
When it comes to skin care and foundations – use the good stuff. I love a good skin care system. However, you can some really good products at the local drug stores as well.
My point is, you are your best asset! Especially those of you out here in the cyber realm trying to make a name for yourself. The entrepreneurial world is on fire right now! Appearances DO matter. Don’t feel guilty about purchasing a product that is going to boost your confidence and potentially make your skin look better!
Now, hold the phone. Here’s the money saver: when it comes to color –eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, lips, liners – it’s just color. Any old brand will do. You don’t need to worry about your skin if you’re treating it well and using a good quality foundation. The colors you add to your face are like paint on a primed wall. You can go cheap!
See Also: 7 Easy Steps To Aging Skin Repair
Clothes
Take inventory of your closet with every season change. We all tend to forget about certain pieces that we have hanging up. Or maybe something has fallen behind the dresser or off the hanger.
Comb through your items. Sometimes this alone is enough to keep me from going out and spending exorbitant amounts of money on new things, because “oh yeah” I’ve already got something similar.
Here’s a ninja trick I have put into use just this week. Don’t put your cute skinny jean capris away for the winter. It’s the start of tall boot season, people! No one is going to know that the jeans you have on are actually capris if you’re wearing boots up to your knees.
Ta-da! I just saved you from going out to buy a few pairs of pants.
Lastly, when it comes to clothes, if you just HAVE to have a new something – do not be ashamed to look somewhere other than an overpriced boutique. Honest Abe, there are some really cute lines of clothing now at the local mainline stores.
As adults, our “cool girl” clothes don’t have brand names proudly displayed across the chest anyway. Who cares where it came from if it’s cute? If it saves some major dough, I’d be doing a happy dance. And seriously, if someone is going to critique you on where you purchased your super cute outfit, you probably don’t want to be friends with them anyway.