Beat Janu-worry with these beauty budgeting tips
You don’t have to give up your daily beauty regime just yet – making some smart shopping choices will help you stretch the last of your salary while looking your best.
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We have all been there – it’s halfway through January and your December salary is on its last legs. Getting paid early last month felt great, but suddenly your money has to last five to six weeks instead of the usual four … Say hello to Janu-worry, that dreaded feeling we all get when we realise our month is too long for our money.
So what happens when, halfway through January, you suddenly run out of moisturiser, or realise you only have enough shampoo for two more washes?
You don’t have to give up your daily beauty regime just yet – making some smart shopping choices will help you stretch the last of your salary while looking your best.
Sunpac shares some tips on how to shop the beauty essentials you need on a tight budget.
Choose multi-purpose products
When makeup shopping on a budget, the key is to find good quality multi-purpose products or products that can be used on more than one area of the face. An eyeliner pencil can double up as an eyebrow pencil provided it’s the right shade, but be diligent about disinfecting and sharpening it regularly so that sweat or impurities from your eyebrows do not get into your eyes. wet n wild Color Icon Khol Liner Pencils (R24.95) are hyper-pigmented and glide on smoothly, plus they’re ultra-affordable!
The right shade of bronzer or highlighter can double up as a pretty eyeshadow, eliminating the need to buy both. Try: wet n wild’s Color Icon Bronzer (R99.95) – shade Palm Beach Ready is gorgeous for both the eyelids and face and wet n wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder (R109.95) in Precious Petals or Blossom Glow is the perfect option for a subtle shimmer. Looking for a blush and highlighter in one? wet n wild MegaGlo Blushlighter (R129.95) instantly sculpts, defines, and highlights in one application, plus it’s currently on promotion at Clicks! When you purchase any three wet n wild face products, you received the cheapest one free!
Did you know that lipstick can be used as a blush? Simply draw a thin line or a few dots on the apples of your cheeks and blend, blend, blend. We recommend using matte lipstick as this will mimic the look of a cream blush. Try wet n wild Megalast Matte Lipstick (R99.95) in shades Into The Flesh or Mauve Outta Here.
It’s not just beauty products that offer multiple benefits, some health care products do too! Save on oral care with White Glo 2 In 1 Toothpaste (R45.99). It contains a built-in mouthwash thanks to state-of-the-art technology and an exclusive processing method to provide the ultimate whitening effect in a mouthwash based formula. Say hello to a brighter smile, fresh breath and protection against plaque and tooth decay.
DIY all the way
Professional treatments are great, but when you’re on a tight budget you can maintain your polished look by taking matters into your own hands. Love a golden glow but can’t afford a spray tan? Do it yourself! St Moriz offers salon-quality self-tan products that you can apply at home. Easy to use with no mess or fuss, no streaking, and gentle on the skin, they have a self-tan solution for every need. Try St Moriz Fast Tan Mousse (R150.00) for super-quick results, St Moriz Golden Glow Moisturiser (R150.00) for a natural, buildable glow or St Moriz Medium / Dark Tan Mousse (R150.00) for a truly professional finish.
Get a salon-worthy manicure or pedicure at home without spending hours trying to perfect your nail polish skills. Kiss’s wide variety of press-on nails for hands and feet will leave you looking salon-fresh at a quarter of the salon price. Kiss Gel Fantasy Ready-To-Wear Gel Nails start from as little as R140.00 and have an ultra-smooth finish and gel effect that mimics a salon gel manicure. And let’s not forget about our feet… Kiss Gel Fantasy Toe Nails (R105.00) are not only quick and easy to apply, but they look natural and are available in a variety of colours and designs.
Want to give your hair a home treatment but not too keen on the DIY avocado and mayonnaise recipes flooding the internet? Give the kitchen ingredients a miss and treat your hair to an affordable yet powerful deep conditioning treatment. Doing it at home means you can indulge in a bubble bath (and maybe a glass of bubbly) while it gets to work! Curly hair? Try The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Detangling Deep Conditioner (R34.99) enriched with mango butter and marula, coconut, and castor oil to condition and soften the hair with an intense moisture boost. In need of hydration or damage repair? Try Marc Anthony Argan Oil of Morocco Ultra-Hydrating Conditioning Treatment (R69.99) which contains argan oil, keratin and grape seed oil to combat damage, breakage, split ends, dryness, dullness and frizz.
Less is more
Instead of investing in a complicated skincare regime with a multitude of different steps, we recommend selecting a good quality cleanser and a serum or moisturiser containing active ingredients, that addresses your needs. Thought skincare with active ingredients was only for the wealthy? Think again! It’s possible to care for your skin with high-quality active ingredients without breaking the bank. The Creightons Vitamin C Superfruits collection brings you the power of vitamin C (for a brighter and more even complexion), at a steal. Try the Vitamin C Skin Radiance Moisturiser (R89.95) and Serum (R139.95) for a radiant complexion.
Are spots getting you down? Salicylic acid is the answer! Creightons Salicylic Acid Clay Cleanser (R75.95) combines kaolin clay with salicylic and lactic acids to help absorb excess oil and maintain healthier, clearer looking skin every day. Follow with Creightons Salicylic Acid Soothing Lotion (R69.95) to soothe skin and help heal blemishes faster.