TomorrowMakers

We clue you in on somebeauty secrets that will keep your budget happy.

5 Tips to look beautiful on a budget

Who needs MAC, Huda and L’Oréal when you can look like a million bucks with our home-grown cost-effective products. With a little thriftiness, bargain shopping and using local brands, you can create magic of your own without going broke. And the best part? No one will know the difference!

Here are some money-saving tips that will not compromise on your look.

1. Makeup

Yes, we all love our Sephora, MAC, and Bobbi Brown when it comes to makeup. But there is a treasure trove of Indian brands you can check out that give the same stunning outcome. Lakmé, Colorbar, Coloressence, Lotus Herbal, Himalaya, and Nykaa have makeup products that provide quality at par with global brands but at very affordable prices. In fact, Nykaa is revolutionising the beauty game in India with a range of affordable makeup products, makeup brushes, skin-care products, and more. They often have online cosmetic sales where you can stock up on affordable makeup and other products.

2. Hair and skin care

India’s rich Ayurveda heritage has many secrets for hair and skin care. You don’t necessarily have to pay thousands of rupees for shampoos and conditioners. Brands such as Biotique, Vedix, Mamaearth, and WOW have taken formulations from Ayurveda and turned them into effective products. They cost only a few hundred rupees and are just as good as (or even better than) international brands when it comes to hair care. Biotique, WOW, Cetaphil, Plum, and SkinKraft are economical brands that will keep your skin looking young, supple, and fresh.

Related: The 3 Beauty products you need to buy & The 3 you need to "bye"

3. Mani-pedi

Who doesn’t like a relaxing manicure and pedicure? There are multiple ways to get them on a budget. You can visit local salons run by old-school aunties. They may not have the latest equipment, but the service they provide is usually excellent. Or you can visit a cosmetology school. Always on the lookout for customers on whom their students can practice, they are likely to give you the service for free or at a heavily discounted price. They also provide other services such as waxing and threading. Another option is to visit a salon such as Jawed Habib, which provides inexpensive services for hair, body, and beauty essentials. Their junior stylists are quite affordable for the same reason – they need the practice. If you are unsure of their expertise, request a senior stylist to supervise and they will oblige.

4. Massage

While nothing can beat the feeling of bliss when you go for a massage at a high-end spa, you can recreate the same experience at home. Online platforms such as Urban Company have trained therapists who come home (with a massage table and everything) and give you a relaxing massage at a fraction of the cost. All you need is some soothing music, scented candles, and aromatherapy oils – and voila, you have your very own home spa. One of the best money-saving tips, we must say.

Related: Do you spend as much as these actresses on beauty products?

5. Fitness regime

Beauty is as much about how you feel as it is about how you look. You don’t need a fancy gym membership to get fit. There are many ways to get healthy that can be aligned with your savings plan. You can go for walks, run, swim, or take up a sport. You can also check out the thousands of free YouTube tutorials on Zumba, Pilates, yoga, weight training, etc. Pick whatever works for you. Ideally choose something that you truly enjoy doing, as it will help you stick with it for a longer time.

Now that we have let you in on these beauty secrets, you can create your own red carpet looks while staying on track with your savings goals. Have we inspired you yet? 

Also read: Understanding sustainable fashion and how can it save you money?

Who needs MAC, Huda and L’Oréal when you can look like a million bucks with our home-grown cost-effective products. With a little thriftiness, bargain shopping and using local brands, you can create magic of your own without going broke. And the best part? No one will know the difference!

Here are some money-saving tips that will not compromise on your look.

1. Makeup

Yes, we all love our Sephora, MAC, and Bobbi Brown when it comes to makeup. But there is a treasure trove of Indian brands you can check out that give the same stunning outcome. Lakmé, Colorbar, Coloressence, Lotus Herbal, Himalaya, and Nykaa have makeup products that provide quality at par with global brands but at very affordable prices. In fact, Nykaa is revolutionising the beauty game in India with a range of affordable makeup products, makeup brushes, skin-care products, and more. They often have online cosmetic sales where you can stock up on affordable makeup and other products.

2. Hair and skin care

India’s rich Ayurveda heritage has many secrets for hair and skin care. You don’t necessarily have to pay thousands of rupees for shampoos and conditioners. Brands such as Biotique, Vedix, Mamaearth, and WOW have taken formulations from Ayurveda and turned them into effective products. They cost only a few hundred rupees and are just as good as (or even better than) international brands when it comes to hair care. Biotique, WOW, Cetaphil, Plum, and SkinKraft are economical brands that will keep your skin looking young, supple, and fresh.

Related: The 3 Beauty products you need to buy & The 3 you need to "bye"

3. Mani-pedi

Who doesn’t like a relaxing manicure and pedicure? There are multiple ways to get them on a budget. You can visit local salons run by old-school aunties. They may not have the latest equipment, but the service they provide is usually excellent. Or you can visit a cosmetology school. Always on the lookout for customers on whom their students can practice, they are likely to give you the service for free or at a heavily discounted price. They also provide other services such as waxing and threading. Another option is to visit a salon such as Jawed Habib, which provides inexpensive services for hair, body, and beauty essentials. Their junior stylists are quite affordable for the same reason – they need the practice. If you are unsure of their expertise, request a senior stylist to supervise and they will oblige.

4. Massage

While nothing can beat the feeling of bliss when you go for a massage at a high-end spa, you can recreate the same experience at home. Online platforms such as Urban Company have trained therapists who come home (with a massage table and everything) and give you a relaxing massage at a fraction of the cost. All you need is some soothing music, scented candles, and aromatherapy oils – and voila, you have your very own home spa. One of the best money-saving tips, we must say.

Related: Do you spend as much as these actresses on beauty products?

5. Fitness regime

Beauty is as much about how you feel as it is about how you look. You don’t need a fancy gym membership to get fit. There are many ways to get healthy that can be aligned with your savings plan. You can go for walks, run, swim, or take up a sport. You can also check out the thousands of free YouTube tutorials on Zumba, Pilates, yoga, weight training, etc. Pick whatever works for you. Ideally choose something that you truly enjoy doing, as it will help you stick with it for a longer time.

Now that we have let you in on these beauty secrets, you can create your own red carpet looks while staying on track with your savings goals. Have we inspired you yet? 

Also read: Understanding sustainable fashion and how can it save you money?