Ride out the recession in style

As much as I might proclaim myself a diva, I've never actually been the kinda girl to spend a lot of money on the accoutrements of beauty.

If something doesn't make a statement, it just seems pointless and by that logic, fancy and expensive makeup, creams and lotions have always struck me as the ultimate waste of money - especially since I can buy the cheap stuff at the drugstore and splurge on something like this.

Anyhoo, with the markets headed south and the chill of recession upon us it seems like my cheap frugal way of thinking is actually in style. Lucky for you, when it comes to advice I've always been the pushy  generous type.

Here are some of my favorite cheap and easy ways to look posh and pinch pennies at the same time:

1. Don't hesitate to get things altered or fixed. I think we live in a bit of throw-away society and that can get expensive. Why not get stuff fixed or altered to your liking instead? I'm still wearing my favorite Parasuco jeans I bought in 2000 because I have had the knees neatly patched twice. The clingy ankle length dress I wore on one of my first dates with my husband more than a decade ago is still a favorite because for $10 I had it altered to above the knee when it started to look dated. And the skinny jean trend? I did it on the cheap too: I took two pairs of my most flattering pairs of flared pants and had a tailor stream line them from the knees down for a new look at a cost of $12 each. Most neighborhood dry cleaners do easy alterations on site, so start looking at ways you can update your current wardrobe.

2. St. Yves Apricot Scrub. Yes, that same stuff you can buy in the grocery store is one of the best exfoliates you can buy. I keep a tube in the shower and use it several times a week. I firmly believe men often age better than women because they shave every day and are therefore always removing dead skin - that's what women need to do as well and it need not be expensive.

3. As, I said before, I swear by drug store makeup. Have you not seen some of the most gorgeous women in the world model Cover Girl cosmetics? And doesn't Kate Moss look pretty good in those Rimmel ads? More expensive makeup does not make you look better, it's just more expensive. If you take care of your skin (see #2) you can look just as stunning in the stuff they sell at Shoppers.

4.Try colouring your own hair. Remember when I did it? I was so pleased with the results I don't know if I'll ever invest the time, and especially the money, getting it professionally done again. Home dye kits have come a long way from the harsh, inexact ones that we used as teenagers. Not only did it save me money, it kinda made me feel like a teenager again too!

5. E-bay. I don't really need to tell you about this, do I? I mean, you wouldn't dream of buying brand name jeans, jackets or handbags anywhere else, would you? If you're not on this bandwagon, climb aboard now! My favorite trick is to try on the perfect pair of jeans in a high end store and then find the exact make and model on-line. Easy-peasy. I get 'em with the tags on for less than half the price. Try it, you'll never buy retail again.

6. The old pillowcase trick. Strictly speaking this tip for washing hand washables in the machine is more of a time-saving, as opposed to a money-saving, trick but it works so well I had to include it. The reason most items are deemed "hand wash only" is because of their potential to get stretched out of shape during a regular cycle in the washer. To solve this problem just pop your hand washable into a pillowcase, secure with a pony tail holder and wash as normal. No stretching, no problem, and you end up with a clean pillowcase to boot.

So those are my best tips, now how about yours? What's your secret for staying drop-dead gorgeous during the downturn? Spill...

Comments

[April]

I swear by Neutrogena products. For skin, hair, make-up, Neutrogena can't be beat.

[Shannon]

I have tried the jeans trick :-) I went to Holt Renfrew, tried on a pair and then bought the exact pair on e-bay, for at least half the price. My only worry was where the HECK did those jeans come from and WHY are they that price????
I also recently started colouring my hair, and it's been good so far . . .
Cetaphil is a great cheap cleanser for your skin, my husband and I both use it (sure he's glad I shared that!). I've also been saving money washing my hair less - I was always a once-a-day-washer and lately I'm only doing it every second or third day. Saving water AND shampoo :-)

[ellyn]

I shop clearance racks in the off season. I am a unique size. Quite tall. So stores usually have some of my size left when I shop. I have gotten some of my favorite clothes 60 to 80 percent off. Love that.

One word to the wise though. Look at the clothes very carefully. Sometimes the reason they are on clearance is a flaw in the fabric or a stain in an obvious place.

[ellyn]

Also meant to say, Great tips. Thanks.
I always buy drug store cosmetics too. I have always wondered if I should step it up. Good to know I don't need to.

[Kat]

REALLY??? Do knee patches on jeans really work that well? I remember having them as a kid and it always looked funny to me.
I have a FAVORITE pair of jeans that have holes in the knees. I would LOVE it if I could fix that.

[Don Mills Diva]

Kat - get the patches on the inside - it looks much neater. Maybe not suitable for a night out but definitely fine for more casual wear...

[Adrian]

Breakfast for dinner! It's easier, more fun and less expensive. We do that at least once a week, sometimes twice.

Also I buy all our books, clothes and movies and CD's on either Amazon or Ebay and we also sell any unwanted stuff on Craigslist or Ebay. I also teach classes in my home on the evening for extra money.

[LoriD]

Borrow from sisters/friends. I needed a cocktail dress for a recent event and instead of buying something new, or wearing the LBD I've worn to everything, I took a tour of my sister's closet and found something perfect... and free!

[foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)]

I've yet to really master the best way to color my hair at home, which I used to do like a religion, now that my hair is long and really thick. I never quite get it to where I want it, so a few weeks ago, I crossed my fingers, said a prayer, and went to a beauty college and had my hair colored for $30. It turned out wonderfully, and already is lasting longer than any at-home coloring I've done in the recent past. I probably won't do it this way every time, but I like the option, especially after picking myself up off the floor when my regular stylist quoted me a price!

[Jamie]

I'm a big fan of ROC skincare products which you can get at the drugstore. I also love Neutrogena eye cream. I need to master highlighting my hair at home, though. That would save me a lot of money!

I've always worn drugstore makeup. So many of the lines are made by more expensive brands any way!

My mom is over 70 and swears by the egg white mask. Her skin still looks great.

I'm big on wearing sunscreen year round.

I buy a lot of my clothes at discount stores like TJ Maxx and have been known to score finds at thrift stores, too.

[kitten pie]

I'm all about Winners and sale racks, myself. I never buy shoes anywhere else anymore.

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

Baking soda is a great exfollient as well.