Grooming
Simplify your grooming routine. Do you really need 3 or 4 different types of shampoo? Or 12 difference bottles of cologne? Ladies how about the drawer of makeup? All you really need is one signature fragrance…pick one and stick to it…it will be your signature.
If you are a woman and wear makeup, keep in mind that it really doesn’t last very long once you open the package and use it…you only need one foundation, blush, mascara, an eye shadow or two and a lip color or two. If you are having trouble choosing what to use, visit a professional makeup artist for help. If you go to the makeup counter at a department store, make sure you like the way the makeup artist does her makeup. Also, do not feel compelled to buy everything they show you (however, you should purchase something if they have invested time in helping you with your look).
I would recommend sticking to classic colors in makeup…this avoids the drawer of makeup syndrome that some women face. You should update your makeup each season to keep the product fresh and to keep your appearance up to date. Another note on makeup…my preference is to use natural preferably organic products. Keep in mind that an expensive product is not always the best product. Find products that work for you and use them…do not buy them based upon their price tag. You may find that the $6 sunscreen lotion from the drugstore works better than the $50 version from the department store. Always use sunscreen…it will help protect your skin from damage. Healthy skin is a good thing.
Take a look at your medicine cabinet, hair & beauty products. Throw away the items that are more than a few months old. Vow to only buy one of each type of product. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are not sure what to use, you can ask your hairstylist what hair products you should use and you can enlist the help of an esthecian for help choosing skin care products.
This brings me to having your hair done and getting facials, manicures, massages, etc. You don’t have to go to the most expensive salon in town to get good results. There are many places to get beauty treatments for less. One thought is to consider a beauty training center or massage school. Massage and beauty school students must have a certain number of practice hours in before they can graduate, so the schools generally offer services by senior students the public. A massage school near my house offers 90 minute massages for $40. This is a about a third what it would cost at a trendy salon. An esthetician training clinic offers facials for $40 about half the cost of the local spa. The local beauty school offers nail and hair services for a song.
Other considerations when it comes to beauty services are are you willing to make the investment in both time and money to keep up your look. You should think about this before you commit to coloring your hair or painting your nails. Nothing looks worse that chipped nail polish (besides ragged nails) and exposed roots when your color grows outs. I would strongly recommend that you work with your stylist and choose a simple, classic, easy to care for hair style that suits your lifestyle. You should make sure that your nails are well groomed and clean. You can do this yourself (with the aid of a nail file) or enlist the services of a nail care technician.
Facials are worth investing in whether you perform your own at home or visit an esthetician. Clean healthy skin is probably the best thing you can do for your appearance and self esteem. If your skin is not healthy, all the makeup in the world won’t help.