Cost of Living: Boujee on a Budget – staying chic on the cheap
Budget-friendly ways to keep up with the latest fashion and beauty know-how. Plus, there’s another competition – this time with FIVE prizes!
Date:
26 August, 2022
Strike a pose
When we practise self-care by doing something that makes us feel good, it positively affects our life. It can build confidence, reduce stress levels, raise our endorphin and oxytocin levels – in essence, it brings on the fuzzy-feels.
Is there anything better than sensing we are in a good place in ourselves and feeling we look physically good? That’s the winning combination – together, they help to strengthen our quality of life. After all, when we know we’re hot stuff, we’re more ready to take on the world!
Confidence is one of the most beautiful accessories. What a lovely feeling when we catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror and relish what we see.
There are so many ways to indulge in self-care, and yes, yes, we all agree that looking after our mental health plays an incredibly important role in this, (yoga, anyone?), but spending a little bit of dosh on ourselves never goes amiss when we can.
We’re not thinking of a five-star spa in Beverly Hills – one day maybe! – but something within reach, like our favourite high street shops, where we can treat ourselves to a new something-or-other like buying a new outfit, skin treatment products or make-up, or even a pamper session.
Fashion hints and tips
We don’t need to be an A-lister with millions in the bank - our style can still be fashionable regardless of budget…
Simple outfits: want to evoke elegance? Opt for neutral shades like beige, grey, brown and white. Wearing the same colour from head-to-toe makes for a timeless and chic monochromatic look. If you need inspo, head over to a site like Pinterest – it's filled with fashionable looks.
Make use of accessories: we’re not talking about channelling Mr T, but a few accessories bring a stylish edge to even the most basic of outfits. A necklace and maybe a ring or two, or as a standalone jewellery piece, summer 2022 statement ear rings can add flare to an otherwise minimal look. New Look has an amazing selection of affordable, seasonal jewellery, ranging from understated pieces to bolder ones
Invest in a capsule wardrobe: Coco Chanel once said: "Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." And the repeat refrain of our very own Gok Wan was, “Less is more” and we couldn’t agree more – that’s why having a capsule wardrobe is a great shout for a minimalist approach to styling (and our purses), but what is that, again? It’s rocking a wardrobe that contains items that can be interchangeably worn together. Invest in the basics, they’ll never fail you. Check out Peacocks’ latest collection.
Make a DIY ‘look-book’: it can be tempting to buy something new for a special occasion, but consider the clothes you already have. A great way to use your entire wardrobe is to create a collection of looks. Have trusty staples that you can pull together last minute without a major meltdown. Making an album on your phone is a great way to make a DIY look book, or use a free app like WEAR.
Stay away from trends: trends come and go, leaving you with piles of clothes you’ll probably never wear again. Don’t be swayed by the hottest fashion craze, it’s almost inevitably going to fizzle out very soon.
Watch out for designer dupes: a lot of high street stores will create collections that have their roots in designer brands. River Island is best known for this, as they take inspiration from labels like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada.
"For a dress that offers a hint of glamour for day or night, try a slip dress. Perfectly paired with heels or kept casual with trainers and a tee, style it up or down to suit the mood or occasion." - New Look
Beauty hacks
Strike a pose with these beauty hacks that make us feel a million bucks, just without the pricey cost:
Never skip SPF: always wear sunscreen. It’s clinically proven to prevent aging and reduces the risk of skin cancers. Check out Boots’ suncare.
Designer doesn’t always mean best: a lot of high street stores offer affordable options that work just as well as their labelled counterparts. Primark is a fab example of this. Just look, the Primark Flawless Glow primer foundation hybrid, which costs a rather unbelievable £5 compared to Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter costing £36.
Check that you’ve used every bit of product: the product might look empty, but don’t be fooled; there could potentially be some left.
Budget alternatives: there’s no harm in trusting old wives’ tales from time-to-time, such as washing your face in cold water to reduce the wrinkles, or so ‘they’ say!
Revive old makeup: if it doesn’t smell funky, it’s usually fine to keep on using it – just check for nastiness like mould. Resurrect old mascara by dropping a few drops of warm water into it. Fix a broken compact by pouring alcohol onto it. There are lots of ‘how-to’ guides online that’ll explain cool hacks in more detail.
Learn what your skin type is: if you have oily skin, buying products designed to solve dry skin problems won’t support your own skin, for example. No matter the hype that surrounds certain brands, you need to find out what suits your skin best – it's a waste of money otherwise. Beauty Expert has all your favourite skincare brands.
Competition: FIVE prizes up for grabs!
You won’t want to miss this week’s competitions because there’s a veritable treasure trove of prizes to be won – and there are going to be FIVE stylish winners.
BIG thanks to our quartet of amazing retailers helping us to offer up some goodies during these cost of living months, so drum roll please for – New Look (£100 Gift Card), River Island (£100 Gift Card) and TK Maxx (£50 Gift Card)! And over on Instagram, you can even scoop an incredible fragrance from The Perfume Shop, which is offering one fragrance set for men and one set for women – smells sweet as a lemon drop!
As one of the UK’s biggest names in high street fashion, New Look, is the number one destination for clothes that suit all body types. Founded in 1969, the retailer giant has been there for every new trend – offering a great selection of style choices for a reasonable price.
The UK’s leading fragrance chain, The Perfume Shop, sells scents from some of the world’s biggest luxury names. Sharing their passion for perfume and people, The Perfume Shop offers customers a luxurious shopping experience without breaking the bank.
As well as having 300 branches across the UK, you can easily shop online with River Island where you can create all sorts of styles and outfits whatever the occasion.
TK Maxx (and HomeSense) delivers big names on a small budget as Europe’s only off-price retailer of apparel and homeware goods.
To enter for a chance to win one of the Gift Cards, send us an email at [email protected] and tell us a fashion and beauty hack that you live by.
Head over to our Instagram to enter our competition for two sets of fragrances, there's double the chance to win!
T&Cs apply - here
Instagram competition T&Cs apply - here
PLEASE NOTE, THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
Resource bank
Below is a list of useful websites and apps that’ll help you with all your fashion and beauty needs:
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