Staying Pretty in an Ugly Economy

Posted by Molly Hutchins

Posted: November 15, 2008 - 12:33 pm

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Much like many Americans these days I have been doing my best to tighten my belt with unnecessary spending, although sometimes it's difficult to have a big picture perspective. Part of me says, "Don't ignore the state of the economy! Be frugal!" and the other side says, "Your paycheck is steady and the same as it was last year, quit worrying!" Beauty spending always seems to be the first on the chopping block when it comes to cutting corners. This naturally saddens me, as cosmetics are like cupcakes for my soul - a fantastic beauty buy can brighten up even my worst mood. I feel it's important to not cut spending so deeply that you compromise your happiness. Think about what makes you smile- going to dinner and a movie with your honey? A new pair of shoes? A CD from your favorite musician? Try to budget appropriately, allowing yourself a little splurge to keep your spirits up during hard times. Get creative- head to a matinee instead of seeing a movie on Friday night. Check out some of the amazing local consignment and second hand shops for fashion buys. Find music on the cheap through online vendors such as Amazon.com or iTunes.

As I mentioned, cosmetics are my ray of sunshine, so I've found a few ways to enjoy makeup and beauty without breaking the bank.

1) eBay.com- It surprises me that some people still don't use eBay! It's become more of an online flea market than an auction house, and beauty items can be found at deep discounts. New regulations prevent opened or used cosmetics from being sold, so rest assured your makeup will be hygienic. Used perfumes can be sold, and this is a great way to try some of the more expensive fragrances without the hefty price tag. My most recent conquest was an unused 3.4oz tester bottle of BVLGARI Rose Essentiale for $25! This high end floral eau de parfum retails for $135, and the discount was due to the bottle not having it's decorative cap. Be sure to check the seller's feedback and authenticity guarantees. eBay has regulations against misrepresenting products, so if you receive a fraud, you can seek a refund and leave cautionary feedback for all users to see. Paying with PayPal.com offers further buyer protection.

Also keep eBay in mind for gently used shoes and clothing. Knowing your size in a particular designer brand will help you find bargains that are sure to fit properly. In the case of a garment not fitting, consider alterations. I purchased a gorgeous vintage houndstooth peacoat for $15, which didn't fit well when I received it. I was able to take it to my favorite tailor (Swans Alterations in the Northway Mall!) and have it fitted to me for only $35. $50 for a vintage peacoat is a steal in my book. If all else fails, you can turn around and list the item back on eBay for a small fee.

2) MakeupAlley.com- makeup "swapping" is it's own online subculture that I broke into about a year ago. It operates based on trust, feedback and a sense of community. Users make what is called a 'swap list' which is items they have but are willing to part with. They also create a 'wish list' which is items they are wanting to receive. You can search the swap lists to see who has things you want, or search wish lists to see who wants what you have. You connect with that person with a mail message through the website, and work out the swap on your own terms. As the cornerstone of the swap culture is feedback, new users with little or no feedback are asked to mail the item first, and the more experienced user will send upon receipt of that item. A faulty transaction is punished with a negative mark on that user's feedback rating, and serves as a warning to other users. Since no money changes hands, there is no real recourse for what is called 'Swap Lifting" so enter in with caution. There are surely a few bad apples, but for the most part people are eager to have pleasant transactions. I personally haven't had any bad experiences, aside from a few delayed shipments.

If buying used makeup makes you cringe, look for swappers who are passing along unused items- it's actually very common. Personally, I just refrain from swapping for items that can't be properly sanitized like mascara and lipgloss. Before using any swap item, I sanitize it with rubbing alcohol, and extend the same courtesy to items I am sending out.

MakeupAlley.com also offers an extensive review section, where some products boast thousands of user reviews and ratings. Just about every product under the sun is written about, so if you're on the fence about a beauty buy, this is a great way to check out what other people have said about it's quality and usability. These candid and non-compensated reviews have saved me from some high priced flops! This is also a great way to see what inexpensive drugstore items stand out in quality

3) Coupon codes- Sign up for the email lists of your favorite e-tailers. Sephora.com, folica.com, beauty.com all send out coupons and 'insider' sales. Whenever shopping online, use google to find discounts. Sites like RetailMeNot.com not only give a list of discount codes available, but also allow users to say whether those codes still work or not- letting you not waste your time with defunct or expired promotions. In Alaska, we are often plagued with high shipping costs, and discount codes are a great way to balance that out. Free shipping is a common discount you'll find among online retailers, as well as "Spend $X and get $X off" or a blanket 10%, 15% or 20% off your entire purchase. It is rare to not find some sort of discount if you look hard enough. Generally, most sites only allow one coupon per transaction, so try some on to see where the biggest discount lies. You can almost always add and remove codes to see which one gives you the most substantial savings.

Using your financial sensibilities will allow you to keep looking your best without excessive spending. If you have any frugal beauty tips, share them in the comments!

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