How can I look good on a very tiny budget?

[DogWalkingAddict]

We've taken the hard decision to close our business due to covid affecting it and also DH made a massive VAT error so we need to pay that and then will have virtually nothing left.

DH is going to be doing subcontracting work and I'm going to continue to run my (separate, totally unrelated to our main business) very small home business that doesn't make much money.

So we will be skint!

I don't know if I can bring myself to give up having my hair colour and cut done, but it's recently doubled in cost due to covid so I'm going to have to have it done every 10 weeks or so instead of every 6.

But other than that, how can I look good on a tiny budget? I don't think I'll be able to afford any news clothes, ever, on our new budget.

Has anyone got any tips about looking good on a budget because I'm feeling really down in the dumps?

About the VAT, will the govt allow you pay it back a bit at a time, to take the pressure off you having to make one big payment and then being skint?

Wrt cheap ways of looking good, I'd get eyebrows threaded at superdrug - they have been better for me than expensive salons. Dye brows yourself - it's really easy. Maybe invest in a lower maintenance hair colour that doesn't need frequent top ups?
If you know your sizes in expensive brands, you could find clothes on eBay.
I also bought a home nail kit. BlueSky varnish on Amazon is good quality, although Aldi are selling the sensationail kit on offer right now.

I think making the effort to style your hair has a much bigger impact. I’ve got the babiliss big hair and it adds so much volume it’s great . Gives you that salon feel. Depends on age and style.

Do you have highlights is that why you need to go so frequently ? Moving from 6 to 10 will make minimal difference I would have thought . Maybe try a more balayage style to allow for root growth or try a colour closer matched to your natural shade.

When you step back we keep the hair industry afloat by this belief we neeeeed these appointments. You don’t and can still feel good about yourself.

My mum is so stylish and looks amazing, she buys all clothes off ebay. She just knows the brands she likes and is careful with purchases and gets brand new items.

Be savvy with the sales

Skincare - if you cleanse, moisturise and Spf there's no reason to spend a fortune. Anything else is a plus.

Second hand clothes all the way - charity shops, dress agencies. On ebay, always see sellers' other items, particularly if they operate low starting bids. Have things altered to fit if too big or long.

I have saved loads by colouring my own hair, which means I can still afford to get it cut and styled regularly!

Invest in decent hand care products and make sure your hands and nails are always immaculate.

Skincare too here, there's some amazing brands out now, the ordinary, cetaphile, cerave. Make up wise Rimmel match perfection foundation is a dupe for ysl, concealer wise I've never beaten The Collection from boots (about a fiver), also are coming into a time of gift sets where you might save a bit. As for clothes, h and m, new look, Penny's and all the sales and charity shops.

You tube tutorials are your friend! When I was going through a frugal phase, I picked up loads of tips from online tutorials - can do my own nails, hair colour, eyebrows, volume blow dry etc if I need to. I also recycled clothes I would normally get rid of, eg by dyeing a different colour, changing buttons, etc. Got quite fun actually, normally I wouldn’t bother.

As for skincare, Superdrug is good so look at their ranges. I love the vitamin E range and their naturally radiant stuff too. I never splash out on mascara because that is one thing you should not keep for too long anyway. Wilco does some great ones and I have had a Primark one too. Primark do good foundations as well.

Regarding your hair colour, I have extended the time between visits, and for about the last week I use a root touch up around my hairline and my parting. I'm using a Josh Wood one, but I notice there is a spray one advertised on tv at the moment, in a green can. Loreal? I prioritise my hair above other things, as I don't want to go down the frumpy route that I can see being the alternative. I'm also rubbish at colouring my own hair.
I think less clothes, better quality is a great idea, and one I'm working towards. Charity shops, as mentioned earlier, and also I think Oxfam have a designer online shop. I do tend to wear and get more pleasure from the 'better' makes in my wardrobe, and find myself more careful in my choice of clothes these days. One of the exceptions being the cricket style jumper I bought at the M & S outlet, really cheaply. I didn't try it on, fatal mistake, and it doesn't make me look stylish, it just makes me look fat and wearing my husband's jumper
I am trying to take a far more systematic approach to my wardrobe, which will be good for the planet as well as me.

I use a mobile hairdresser and find that I save about 35% on what a salon charges, I have a great relationship with her and don't have to worry about a saloon booking me in with a random stylist if my preferred one is unavailable.

Could you get your hair coloured but only cut every other time? Every 6 and even 10 weeks is pretty frequent. Also skip any conditioning treatments they do at the salon which bump up the price. And maybe chat to your hairdresser about transitioning to a style that needs less frequent upkeep.

Clothes-wise, I’d pick a few key brands and save searches in your size on Depop, eBay, vinted etc so you can grab a bargain when it comes up. Do you have any clothes you don’t wear which you could sell?

Sorry about your business.

Sorry about your business OP.

Talk to your hair stylist about low maintenance styles that don't need so much upkeep. I get mine cut every 3 months or so. My hairdresser comes to my house and charges a fraction of what she charges in the salon. I dye my hair at home. You can easily do things like nails and eyebrows yourself. I'm far too tight to pay someone else to do things like that for me!

Some brands have good outlet stores on eBay (Hobbs, Joules, Jigsaw, Figleaves) where you can pick up bargains. T K Maxx is brilliant for bargains too.

There is lots you can do on a budget:

Agree about a low maintenance hairstyle, but if that's your one indulgence, carry on with it.

Drink more water for healthy skin.

Use multi purpose Products eg coconut oil can be used for removing make up, as a hair masque,body moisturiser etc. Likewise, a lip and cheek stain for make up.

eBay is great for clothes. I buy lots of brand new items through eBay. Shop out of season for extra savings eg i bought some sandals this time last year and put them away for this summer.

I use The Ordinary skincare. Some of their products start at £5 and will last a few months. There are other brands that are equally good and also a good price.

I buy hair dye online (hairdresser quality) and dye it myself. Its about 1/4 of the salon price. I also dye eyelashes and eyebrows at home. I've been buying my bras from outlet stores on eBay and also name brand clothes I like.

Yes ebay and charity shops. People always say I look 'stylish' and can't believe it when I say most of what I own is second hand. Sunday nights on ebay loads of stuff ends - I just search the brand and the size, sort by ending soonest. Don't be put off by people taking bad pics either. If you know the brand you know it'll be good.
I also sell lots a couple of times a year (Xmas dresses from years gone by etc) although that's harder now people aren't going out so much.

Superdrug skin care
Home brow and lash tint
Home nails
Clothes from charity shops or Ebay
Just iron everything really well. Steam jackets.

You won’t need to do much shopping right now - there is nothing to go to, so at least that is something.

Stick to regular cuts but colour it yourself
It’s possible to dress very well via charity shops and eBay
I even occasionally make a profit
For example bought a Boden dress for £9 in charity shop - wore it a few times - just sold it for £18