How to Beautify Yourself on A Budget
Women must feel beautiful daily to achieve anything in this world. I am a firm believer that a woman cannot put her best foot forward if the foot is not finely pedicured and sat inside of a 6 inch heel. Figuratively of course.
A few things we will cover to beautify yourself on a budget
- Good hair
- Clean nails
- Great apparel
- Perfect skin
- Confident Demeanor
The space occupied above your shoulders is your number one retail space and always needs to be your main focus. A good beauty routine should tend attention to every part from your hair to your ears and should be done at least twice a day. Maintenance should be kept so presentation can be fierce.
As we know there are different hair types and not every one of them require nightly upkeep. However, hair is hair. It all needs moisture and it all needs care. A lightweight moisturizer and a brushing or massaging technique should be done nightly. Always make sure the hair around your face is coifed and frizz- free. Longer hair should always frame the face, and the hair should always match the outfit. Many stores sell very inexpensive bows, clips, and hair ties in many colors and styles to accentuate any outfit.
Pro tip: when you smell good you feel good. A light mist of perfume applied to the hair and behind the ears is a beauty secret as old as canned bread. Don't be afraid to use it. There are some products that do nothing for my hair but make it smell good, and their usually 1.00 to 3.50 at my local dollar stores, and the compliments aren't bad either.
Nails don't have to be expensive. The beauty gurus on every social media platform are now equipped with long, luxurious, showstoppers that complete any setting.
As hard as it may be to upkeep your nails in the modern fast paced world there are many substitutions available to make it easy. Options available depend on the time you have and the setting you plan to be in. For water settings such as spas or beach trips, I would suggest using a press on manicure as polish chips quite easily in the on-site pool. For quick party settings such as a work event or a first date, there are still fantastic quick dry polishes on the market.
Mix and match these fun colors with sticker decals, jewels, and decorative designs.
A cute nail completes any outfit and with so many interchangeable options available it's almost becoming counterproductive to get a full stationary set. Unless of course you still love the infamous French tip. There are less expensive options that allow you to change the length and customize to your liking. It may take a little imagination but, on a budget, it's worth it.
LOW COST MANICURE OPTIONS
- Beetles gel nail polish manicure kit
- Sally's press on nail kits
- Opi nail lacquer kit
- Morovan acrylic nail kit
- Beyond polish
*Sold online or in most major retailers.
Dress like your life depended on it
When it comes to either in store or online preferences, apparel is one of the best ways to increase your value. "Clothes make the man" or in this case the WOman, and dressing yourself confidently and presentable in your everyday will always command respect no matter the setting.
All humans have their lazy day clothes, or their "errand running" clothes. We all have a favorite pair of sweats or fitted cap that completes the look and puts us in a safe space when facing the outside world. I challenge you to find a better look, still on a budget. Never forget how accessories complete an outfit or how a simple bit of makeup can take a look from drab to fab.
Take a matching set for instance. Those are some of the easiest pieces of apparel you can own. They're quick, simple and offer many different options to adjust to your style.
Always stick to the 2 out of 3 rule when heading out. Whether it's to the grocery store, the park or an interview.
2 of your pieces should be well put together, and the third should stand out and add a bit of glamour to the look. For example, a nice sweater and a jean combo never disappoints, but making it shine with a luxurious scarf or a bright set of bangles complimented with a matching nail color will heighten the look and make you feel great in doing so.
Also, take the time to look in the jewelry section of your favorite retailer. They are usually jam packed with trinkets of gold and silver, with classic designs that can dress up or dress down any outfit.
Pro tip: shades always add a nice touch of glamour to any look, and they don't have to be expensive. A round frame screams classy while a square frame gives a more expensive look. Play around with different styles or colors to find your perfect fit.
Next topic on the list --- your skin.
The bodies largest organ and yet often the most neglected, the skin is truly the first thing people notice. Before your teeth, hair, nails or shoes, one must feel confident in one's skin to bring light to the supporting characters. Yes some of us were blessed with rosacea, hyperpigmentation, acne, dark marks and scarring, however the remedies on the market today do more than cover up, they eradicate.
Beginning with what you put into your body, your skin will either positively or negatively reflect that. Things like
- Not getting enough sleep
- Not enough water
- Not enough fruits and vegetables
- Suppressed anger
- Too much sugar
- Too much alcohol
- Not enough clean foods
- Too many additives
These poor habits cause many of the problems on our skin, but there is a fix! Doing your research on your skin type and what it's most reactive to, can give you knowledge and insight on what your body needs to look and feel its best.
Everyday regimens like drinking warm liquids with lemon and sleeping naked can do wonders for the skin.
Of course things like fine lines and crows feet we can't avoid, but the shine beneath the surface layer is what's most important.
Here are a few natural and medicinal supplements to aid in this
- Natural charcaol
- Ice baths
- Baking soda scrubs
- Sugar scrubs
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Increased protein intake
Trying a new routine for 30 days including changing your diet and cleaning your sleeping areas more sufficiently can have significant impact on your skin. Don't forget normal cleaning habits like changing pillows and bedsheets every 2 weeks and using only disposable options to clean and dry your face. No need to rub yesterday's oils on todays palette.
Confidence is the least expensive and yet the sexiest thing you can put on as an individual.
Confidence says I'm here, I like me, you don't have to, but I still do.
Confidence announces your presence before you walk into a room.
Confidence leaves a lasting impression after you leave a room.
Confidence is KEY.
The techniques and rituals you can do to improve your confidence are endless, but they are not one size fits all. What may work for you doesn't work for everyone. Some are more comfortable looking in the mirror naked for a while, whereas others will spend more time on the external before facing the world. Some do scenario work before their day, to practice any unforeseen confrontation, others make promises to themselves to remain fearless no matter what the day throws at them. Some of us do a healthy mix of it all.
Just know however you choose to show up for yourself, the universe will return the investment 10-fold.
Confidence is one of those rare personality traits that you can fake until you become... well.. confident, about your ability to portray it well.
However you choose to improve yourself on the daily will always be a direct result of how you're treated in the future. Showing up in any setting confident is the trick to walking your best walk at all times.
But don't take my word for it. Use this reading to learn how to beautify yourself on a budget, and watch the good luck roll in.
