Frugal / Low cost glow up tips

[Grumpyarchitect]

Hey everyone,

I've had a really sad week due to redundancy. Subsequent stress has made me quite ill (finding a new role is difficult unless I move away! However i have an interview tomorrow)

Anyway, my skin is pale and grey ish. My hair was blonde highlighted and it's dark brown naturally (i look like Snape with my natural colour!). They've grown out and look uneven and brassy.

I use purple shampoo but it's dried out my hair so it's frizzy. My hair is a long bob but wavy.

I look so dull & tired. I'm 35. And I honestly look awful.

Any tips of frugal ways to glow up? Good cheap products? I need inspiration or a kick up the bum.

I think it'll cheer me up...

Also have sore and red eyelids from crying 😳

I did the curly girl method a few months ago and my hair was actually very curly.

I wish I could dye it back to brown for an even colour and easy maintenance but honestly - my skin is so pale I'll look worse.

Maybe see if a local college has a salon? I used to go to one and the tutor did a lot of the work but gave students appropriate parts to do depending on their experience.

With your skin, I find The Ordinary a good, cheap shout. The AHA mask always perks my skin up, alternatively their glycolic acid is nice. Beauty Bay own brand moisturiser is lovely and their oat cleansing balm both reasonable prices.

I'm a massive fan of the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm but maternity leave rinsed me so I tried the Aldi hot cloth cleanser and it was nice and left me with a little glow afterwards.

Great idea about the college! Thank you.

You've just reminded me, I have some of The Ordinary somewhere. I can't remember what it is though. I'll have a hunt but I remember it has a droplet thingy.

I live near Aldi so I'll have a walk there in a minute.

Thank you so so much!!

Seek out a vitamin C serum, that will perk your skin up too

@m0ssch0ps I saw some in Primark last week for £2.50. Is that too good to be true? X

My bad, it's £3 Primark Vitamin C

I think it's worth a shot? 🧡

Does anyone know of any caramel / toffee toner that bring all my hair together for autumn? Tone down the blondie bits so they look nicer against my brunette hair?

Bleach London do the shampoos in grey and purple. I just want dark caramel, coppery / toffee ish colour instead.

Maybe 😊

I'm older than you and I absolutely love boots hydraluminous foundation - saw it recommended on here and it's lovely!
Some mornings that can be all I slap on but it makes my skin look lovely and bright!

@mrstea301 thank you so much for this!! I am running low of my current foundation and I have quite a lot of Boots Points to spend!! X

I've not tried the Primark one. Hear good things about the Revolution one though

Could you carry the dark hair better if you used fake tan on your face?

Agree with the vit c and AHA recs, and the ordinary. Glycolic acid always make me glow too. No7 hydra range is all good. Good luck, sorry you've had such a rough time.

Exfoliating gloves- about 99p.
I’ve used them since my twenties all over my body and my skin is good.

SPF 50 all year round. It’s all discounted now as summer is long gone.

Aldi do a Liz Earle cleanse and polish hot cloth cleanser rip off- I’ve heard it’s pretty good. I like Aldi face serums/the rose oil one.

Drink green tea and plenty of water.

@MiceInTgeHouse I do look much more alive and fresh with even the tiniest fake tan. I have bright blue eyes.

I'm thinking maybe Urban Brown hair dye will be a good midway shade!

I'll deffo go and get Vit C! I have £15 in Boots Points so I could get something from No7 too.

Thanks everyone!

If I could stop crying, that'll also help a lot.

Thank you @Suzi888 , I haven't had a green tea in ages and I have some in the cupboard.

I'll make one right now xx

Definitely a bit of fake tan.
Shrine Toner could work to tone down the highlights www.boots.com/shrine-drop-it-hair-colourant-bronde-20ml-10302989

Revolution does good, affordable serums. Definitely try their Vit C to brighten up your skin.

@MandaLynn you're my hero. This is perfect. I've used Shrine in icey blonde before and its good stuff. Had no idea they did darker shades! X

Oh bless you, maybe a walk in the fresh air with a friend or close family member might help? That usually helps me to get a bit of colour in my cheeks.
See what you’ve got in the back of your cupboard, and give it a go rather than searching for something new.
Pop into the library and see what takes your fancy, and treat yourself to ten minutes reading every day no matter what.
And remember if you’re going through a tough time it’s ok to not look your best, the people that matter won’t care (and those that care shouldn’t matter).
Focus on whatever’s going to make you feel strong and confident in your interview and hopefully you’ll be celebrating your new job really soon!

Just to say I have dark brown hair (when I got it straightened once it really did look like Snape :) I didn't do that again) - and actually people really like the natural colour. It probably suits your colouring also - dark hair and pale skin is lovely.

Have you got any samples or holiday miniatures hidden away ? Trying something new sometimes helps your hair/skin.

Superdrug have a good range of own-brand skincare.

Use a good exfoliater (even just put sugar or salt in your facewash), do facial massage, you can make homemade face masks using all sorts of things like oats, honey, soluble aspirin (contains salycilic acid).

I think simple things such as fresh air, drinking lots of water, eating well, some light exercise and relaxing baths with candles and music are good for inside and out. If you are feeling tearful maybe go back to basics on self care first.

I’m sorry that you are having a rubbish time. Good luck with your interview.

Tanning drops. Isle of paradise from
Boots. Mix in with your moisturiser and apply. Foolproof and you get a subtle even touch of colour on your face. I use them in winter as I get very sallow skin and they perk me up perfectly.

Agreed re colleges being good for beauty treatments.

Also, sometimes local beauty salons if they're training new staff members do discounts and student nights at hair salons but you have to expect you might get something edgy.

Agreed @KangarooKenny - hunt through what you already have re samples/miniatures, I took some away last week and though I'd used them before, it brought back a few old favourites that I thought I might use again.

Aldi/Lidl are great for beauty buys - I got some nice black pepper shower gel which is similar to a Molton Brown one.

If you have time and fancy it, you could also do a few walks - longer ones, to get shopping etc - take a takeaway cup of coffee and a snack with you and build up how long you do them. Maybe to the next town/village and treat yourself when you're there to whatever you need. I found this gave me fitness but also was quite meditative and helped clear my head (the walking). Either put music on or don't.

Good luck with your interview too.