Frugal wedding beauty prep

joanneinwonderland

This may be more appropriate on the wedding board however it is purely about beautifying myself for my wedding rather than the wedding really.

It is still 2 years away however got to start early

I would love to visit a spa every month and get the full works however let's face it that just is not realistic when paying off debts/saving etc.

So I'm trying to replicate it at home for myself.

So far:

Face/skin - I pluck my own eyebrows so that's ok just trying to keep them a bit tidier. I may let them grow a bit and go for a shaping and then simply upkeep myself. Happy with these at the moment though.

As an office outing I had my first facial recently so I'm trying to replicate that at home. Firstly I do a scrub mask, then a moisturising mask then a nice thick cream and eye cream etc. I do this once a fortnight. The masks are 89p sachets from Superdrug and although it's only been a couple of times there is a real improvement in my skin.

In general I have made an effort to cleanse/tone/moisturise properly. I would LOVE to justify some lovely expensive products but don't want to. I've settled in the middle for lovely Garnier products which seem to be doing the trick. Don't always have the motivation for this so do occassionally use wipes but make the effort to do it properly and again I think this has helped.

Eye cream is something I've only started using and again went for a cheaper brand being Simple. This seems to be doing ok my eyes do feel a bit tighter but unfortunately I still have bags...

Body - I treated myself at Christmas to all Boot's weekly deals...all for me. As a result I'm still using up all the luxurious scrubs moisturisers etc. Also my MIL is lovely and simply asks me to pick a few items from the Boots catalogue so this also adds to my annual stock!

Hair - I take boots 3 for 2 skin/hair/nails vitamins...not sure if this helps..anyone have any thoughts on this? I also try to only wash it every 2 days (uses half the shampoo and conditioner!) using loreal products which I try to pick up when on offer. Once a week I also do a deep condition to give it some extra shine. Growing it which is very moneysaving so get it trimmed every 10-12 weeks!

Nails - I'm a biter...so got gel nails put on (£30 :eek:) with a view to getting extensions. In the end as the gels were on I didn't bite so they've grown. Cancelled my last appointment soaked them off myself and spent my cash on some Sally Hansen products. Some cuticle cream which gets rubbed in each night and strengthening nail growth miracle buy one get one half price. Over the last fortnight my nails are definately stronger. I also bought a wee french manicure kit for £6! All a lot cheaper than £30. A bit tricky but just takes time and effort! When they look nicer I'm less likely to bite.

Ok think that's everything I'm doing at the moment to get myself looking lovely :T

Does anyone have any suggestions or comments about frugal pampering?! I'm actually really enjoying the challenge and cannot believe how much I'm saving!

xx

Jacks_xxx

I am unfortunately the last person to advise you on frugal pampering cos I spend far too much money in that area -but I agree that regular facials are a great idea whether at home or in the salon.

Part of the reason that salon facials give our skin such a glow is because somebody works on our face for an hour, so the best frugal tip I can come up with is do a double cleanse. (Cleanse twice, preferably with two different products), exfoliate if you like to, and then massage your face for as long as you can stand to with an oil. (Superdrug so some cheapies but goodie ones.)

I would also recommend letting your eyebrows grow out a bit and then going for eyebrow threading. In my opinion threading creates a much more natural and flattering shape than waxing, and you can keep it up with regular plucking.

Other than that, drinking lots of water and eating well is always a good tip.

Bronnie

You sound very well organised!

You can save money by buying your face masks by the tube, as opposed to individual sachets. Also, the sachets often contain more than you need so you can use the tubes more economically.

http://www.superdrug.com/face/face-masks/icat/sk_face_facemasks/

As Jacks says, it's the time, attention and continuity that really gives results, not necessarily how much you spend.

ivylinn

Often colleges offer beauty treatments for a small fee as they are done by supervised trainees.
Here they have set up a hair and beauty salon for the students, It looks very nice.

sweetcheeks33

vitimin E oil on your face, is amazing, i have only just started using this and a little goes a lng way and i am noticing the difference already! I am taking Silica capsules which certainly have made difference to nails, skin n hair and are fabulous but a wee bit pricier you'll get them from hollnad and barrett. Your being fruggle else where so you deserve something,
Get massages to keep you relaxes at your local college its great and very cheap!

Good Luck

seafarers_wife

Im not one to be frugal when it comes to my skin care either, i love elemis and buy it mainly from qvc when its on offer. however my concession to using it is that it will help avoid a face lift and plastic surgery later on as im paranoid about premature aging and dont want to grow old gracefully so if i spend a bit more now on good quality skincare then i can hopefully put off the facelift cause i *fingers crossed* wont need it.

My routine at the moment is

1. leave my eyebrows alone - i have overplucked for years and need them to grow back before i get married in march so that i can get them threaded.

2. wash, cleanse, tone, face treatment, moisturizer both morning and night
i use elemis sensitive face wash, then elemis pro radiance cream cleanser, then
i tone with the balancing lavender toner, then i use visable brilliance, then pro collagen marine cream in the morning and daily redness relief at night.
sometimes as an intensive treatment i replace the visible brilliance with skin bliss nourishing capsules and my skin is in the best condition its ever been in.

if i wear make up i remove it with the lavender clenser and then miss out the pro radiance cream cleanser in my routine.

3, once a week i exfoliate with the papayaa enzemye peel and then use the lavender herbal repair mask.

4. my hair i am not going to bottle dye it, i wash condition and leave to air dry and will let the hairdresser do their magic when i get chance to go and see them.

5. make sure i drink 2 litres minimum of water - usally aim for 3/4

6. avoid alcohol

7. working on improving my diet so i can a) have my dress taken in, and b) have my skin look even more amazing.

i know elemis is expensive but honestly its worth it and i would give up any other luxury before giving this up.

joanneinwonderland

Thanks everyone for the useful replies.

Interested in the oil! My skin can be a little greasy but does that matter? Can it be used on all skin types?

Thanks for the links to the masks. I think you're right once the stock of sachets runs out I will buy tubes instead as often in the sachets there enough for 2 uses but I don't know if they would keep for a couple of weeks once open?

Totally agree with the comment it's about spending time taking care of things rather than the ££s spent. Up til now I've not really spent much time on my skin etc. and so far the difference is noticeable.

I am also trying to lose weight so I think the healthy eating, less alcohol, more fruit, more water is also making a difference.

One are I'm a bit bad with are my feet. Might go give them a wee soak etc. this afternoon..keeps me from spending at the shops and will be a nice pamper.

That's 2 days into french manicure and it's still looking good. Had a few chips at the tips but have just touched it up so you don't notice. It's this one:

http://www.superdrug.com/elegant-touch-french-manicure-natural-pink-6628/invt/773960/&bklist=

Mine looks slightly different but same brand. And it's cheaper in Superdrug d'oh. Just wonder if you can buy more guide stickers as there's plenty of the actual polish but not an awful lot of guide stickers.

I like the idea of visiting the college for some treatments might give them a call and see as when I was a student I did get my hair done there so they do have a salon.

Thanks all

xx

sweetcheeks33

I wasnt sure how my skin would be with oil so i got vit e oil out of boots, may well buy purer stuff next time round. It was only £2 sumthing and i only put a little amount on and massage before brushing teeth etc then put a wee bit moisturiser on too before bed and has plumped up my skin very well. drinking water makes huge difference too.
you have reminede me to do more facials and masks to look after skin too, good luck. Althou superdrug are cheaper i tend to use boots as you can collect points and sometime get good vouchers such a £5 off skincare or £5 off number 7 so you can get nail polishs and face tings for much cheaper than you would normally, also can save points up for treats without feeling bad. I save mine all year and spurge in the sale of santa stock on boxing day

joanneinwonderland

Haha sweetcheeks SNAP! I am loving the Superdrug masks but unless things are much cheaper do tend to stick to Boots really. The vouchers are great although last time I ended up giving 3 to my chum as I just had LOADS of them...only so much I can justify! Think I might try the vit e oil thouhg see how it goes.

LOVE the Santa stock boxing day sale though...I always go to boots first...does me all year and starts the stock of pressies for the next year!

My french manicure lasted all weekend...then I started picking! ARgh so had to take it off...next time MUST NOT PICK AT VARNISH!

This week is facepack week. Can't remember if I said but only do them once a fortnight as think once a week would be too harsh. Need it this week late nights at the weekend are really showing!!

Trying to drink plenty water....trying trying trying!!

xx

Kira000

Hiya,

I got married on March, and tried to get into a good pre wedding routine as well. You shound like you are doing all the right things already, but the one thing i would really recommend you do, is dont forget the skin on your body- arms, shoulders, back, legs etc.

The best thing to do is invest about £10-£15 in a good body brush, with proper natural bristles (manmade ones are useless!), preferably one with a removable long handle (for doing your back). Once or twice a week, before you shower or bathe, give your skin a brush, starting upwards from your toes and working outwards..
I.e. Left toes, left foot, left shin, left calf, left knee, left thigh, left buttock, right toes, right foot, right shin, right calf etc, Then stomach midrif, bust (be more gentle here), shoulders,lower back, back, then left fingers, left hand, left forearm, left upper arm, then the right.

If you do that once a week first thing, or last thing at night, followed by a steamy shower/bath then moisturise, or moisturise straight after brushing, it will really stimulate and improve your skin, getting rid of impurities.

Overall the £10 or so investment, will be much cheaper than repeated body treatments!

K

melancholly

was just looking at local beauty colleges (want a facial but don't want to spend much!) and then saw this thread! it looks like you're in aberdeen - these prices look very very reasonable:

http://www.abcol.ac.uk/facilities/hair-beauty/prices.cfm#facials