Beauty and the budget
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November 19, 2009 • Erin Cockreham, Reporter
Filed under 2010-2011
Are your parents being a little bit tight with cash these days? Not sure the after school job is going to put enough cash into that ever present shopping fund? The first thing to do is relax; just about everyone is going through the same thing, even if it’s not in the same way.
Secondly, get a little more creative, because chances are pretty high that if you fell in love with that snazzy new dress at your favorite shopping place—especially if it’s a store like American Eagle or Fred Meyers—that someone else did too. Just this year’s Homecoming I found myself relieved that I’d pulled out last year’s dress, because that cute little black dress I had just bought…worn by two other girls. Ouch.
Here’s the solution to getting rid of that potentially embarrassing little problem: buy used. If you’re one of those kids that’s never so much as seen the interior of a Salvation Army thrift store this may not be the initial choice for you, but it’s not all sequins and ‘80s jumpsuits–though, if that’s the look you’re going for, all the more reason to try it!
Thrift stores and used clothing outlets are excellent places to scout-out year round; an assortment of different styles and sizes to chose from show up daily, and for the price you would have paid for that one brand-name dress you could pick up: a unique dress, a pair pumps, the jewelry to accessorize with and still have some money left over.
Another awesome thing about buying used is the guilt free alterations, because don’t we all feel bad when that dress we bought just doesn’t fit your legs quite right but lobbing off a few inches is something you may regret later—like when your mom finds out? Safety pinning the hem up and a couple of stitches later you can get the exact length you originally wanted; you can even get creative and with a little work try a bubble skirt, asymmetrical hemline or even try sewing some tulle underneath for a little bit of lift. This is also an excellent idea for reworking one of last year’s dresses or giving a friend’s dress (with her permission of course) the ability to fit you perfectly.
Which brings us to beauty-budget option number two: second hand clothing. Chances are you aren’t the only girl you know, whether it’s your sister, best friend, your lab partner in biology from freshmen year, or (really pushing it here) your mother. Chances are good they will be pleased to share, and help your wardrobe out.
Beauty-budget tip three: jewelry. It can be picked up cheaply anywhere, or maybe you could even try your hand at making your own–guaranteeing yourself right there that you won’t be wearing anything except what you wanted to.
Beauty-budget R’s: redo and re-purpose. Try looking through some older fashion magazines for cute styles and fancy up-dos to try. Makeup is a pretty simple fix; reuse the same stuff you’ve got sitting around in old storage tins; try on that vivid green shadow you thought was a little too desperate as an eyeliner. Or, if you’re an artsy kid who just can’t figure out how to stop smudging your eye shadow down your cheek with those little sponge-wands that come with the package, use a finer tipped paintbrush. (Trust me on this; I’m one of those kids.)
Beauty-budget closing thought: putting the right foot forward. Shoes can be trickier to borrow from a friend especially if you’re a size six and she’s an eight and a half. Or maybe you can’t wear heels and that’s all your friend wears. Do not worry; chances are you will loose your shoes ten minutes into dancing, plus it’s so dark on the dance floor; who the heck cares what’s on your feet?
