It is often said that we shouldn’t judge a book by its covers, but how often does it actually happen in real life? We’re afraid of unkempt men in dark alleys, and we frown upon people whose clothes are stained. If we see a woman in a good suit, we’ll think that she’s successful, and if we see a man in shorts, with messy facial hair, we’ll assume he’s unemployed.
The same goes for the business world, dating, and virtually every aspect of life. Do you go to a job interview in sneakers and an oversized T-shirt? No, you don’t. Do you get out of the bed, just throw on some clothes, and go to see your boyfriend without at least brushing your hair? Well, maybe you do, but probably only after you’ve been dating for quite some time. Do you make yourself presentable when you go to see your children’s teachers in school? Sure you do.
Your appearance matters, and it matters very much – even your job may depend on it. Most of us are painfully aware of that fact, and we do our best. When our best isn’t good enough, we go to salons and spend quite a bit of money on treatments and hairstyles. However, there are many things we usually go to beauty salons for, but we can actually do them at home. Here are some DIY techniques you can use to save money and still look fabulous.
1. Make your own products
There are many benefits to making your own beauty products. First of all, you save money. Depending on how you use those products, it can be quite a bit of money, too. Next, you definitely know what ingredients go into the products you use on your face and hair. You know how fresh they are, and you can choose how often you make them and what amounts you make, depending on your preferences and lifestyle. They are also good for the environment because they tend to be made of more natural materials and fewer chemicals, and you don’t throw away the containers. They’re usually very easy to make and quite effective, and there are many tutorials on the internet, so go ahead and try to make a new lip balm from scratch!
2. Learn some new skills
Learn how to do things you’d normally go to a salon for. Do you spend a lot of money on the manicure? Save money by doing it yourself. It can be fun! You simply adore long lashes and your makeup doesn’t feel complete without them? There are eyelash extension classes you can try out. Practice curling and braiding your hair by yourself. Learn the best ways for treating your skin type, and do your own beauty treatments. Most of these are great fun, and once you’re good at them, you can do them for your friends as well.
3. Take care of your hair
You don’t have to go to a salon to get your hair soft and shiny. Learn how to trim your split ends, so your hair always looks great. Make sure you deep condition your hair regularly, so it’s always healthy and soft, and find a good conditioner that suits your hair type. Find good products to get rid of frizz, and use them only when you need them. Of course, you can always learn how to cut your own hair as well, but until you’re quite secure in your skills, for any drastic changes you may need to see a stylist.
4. Take care of your skin
Your skin is one of the most important things that can accentuate or diminish your beauty, so you need to take good care of it. Make a point of cleansing your face every day, and never go to bed with your makeup still on. If you have a problem with acne, treat your face accordingly and regularly. Give yourself full facials once a week or once in two weeks, but make sure you do it regularly. Don’t forget to use sunscreen to prevent sunspots. If you pay a lot of attention to your skin, you will look fresh and youthful, and you’ll require less makeup to achieve the desired look.
5. Drink plenty of water
It’s extremely important to drink enough water, as it’ll hydrate your body and it will help your skin look beautiful. A lack of water causes redness, dryness, and irritation of the skin, and it can all be prevented by simply making an effort to stay hydrated. Once you feel thirsty, you’ve already dehydrated, so always have a full glass of water on your desk, and sip even if you don’t feel the need to.
Your efforts at being fabulous don’t have to clean out your wallet. Try some of these ideas, have fun, and you’ll quickly see the results.
