Beauty on a Budget

The topic du jour is Beauty on a Budget. This subject is very much on my mind as I sip my morning coffee and review my holiday gift list. First of all, I received the unkindest Christmas gift ever : property taxes were due to LA County this week on Dec. 10th. I have to tell you, paying that large sum of money at the same time I’m trying to do Christmas shopping really hurt. I practically had to get a crowbar out to open my wallet and send that money in by the early deadline . If I had not, I would have had to pay an extra couple hundred dollars later. LA County, if you are out there reading this, why do you have to be such a Grinch? Why are the taxes coming due before Christmas? But I digress. Back to beauty. The second reason beauty is on my mind today is its time for me to get spiffed up for a couple of holiday events. This means my brows need to be pruned back from the Frida Kahlo unibrow look they are acquiring. A facial would also be a good thing! So I’ve been looking for a few good beauty bargains, and here is what I’ve found to pass along.

Prive Salons (located in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami and Orlando) have some terrific specials well suited for Recessionistas.

1) $95 Rising Star Mondays! – With the only 12 days to go until Christmas, many of us don’t have the time (or money) for ourselves. Prive has a special designed to help. The Rising Star Mondays package is a post-weekend pampering package. It offers haircut, blowout and eyebrow for $95. This sounds like the perfect stop for a little pampering to rejuvenate your look and spirt!

2) The Gift Certificate That Gives Back – Prive is offering gift certificates that give back…to you! Purchase a gift certificate from $50-$200 and get up to $40 for yourself. This one is appealing because it means I can gift myself at the same time I gift others. I have an annoying habit of buying for myself at the same time I buy for others. I’m working on it 🙂

Burke Williams, a California spa, has a couple holiday specials that are also appealing. They have holiday priced packages offering facials & massages. Some of the specials also offer a pass to their spa. Click here to see the full array of packages offered.

For great holiday hair that will take you right into the New Year, check out David Jensen’s hair art at The Shampoo Lounge in Santa Monica, CA. David is offering a special discount of 20% off hair services to Recessionista Blog readers. Just make your appointment with David Jensen when you call The Shampoo Lounge . The offer is good until Feb. 28, 2009. Bring a copy of this blog post with you when you go it. It will act as your coupon.

If you’re reading from the Raleigh/Durham, NC area, check out the enV salon in the Apex/Cary area. The enV salon has great cuts & a full color bar. Prices are reasonable and all hair products are 20% off until Dec. 31, 2008. Ask for Renee the owner. She is fabby.

Finally, if you’re not into going to a salon to pamper yourself, check out the beauty products at TJ Maxx/Marshalls and Loehmann’s.

Loehmann’s offers some great hair products usually only found in high-end hair salons. These are always found near the register. They also have bath & spa kits starting at $9.99 US. And I also like their candles for great stocking stuffers. I am still loving my Grapefruit candle (Karen Klein Sicilian Grapefruit candle) that I got there for $7.00.

There are also great deals on beauty products at TJ Maxx/Marshalls. The brands featured are high-end luxury retailers for alot less. Last year I treated myself to a bevy of Moulton Brown gift boxes, body washes and cosmetics at my local Marshalls. Other great finds include Elizabeth Arden creams, Cliven Moisturizing Cream and Clinians Suisse cleanser.

If you are looking to find beauty via the Internet, check for beauty items at lower cost at Amazon.com or Sephora on JCP.com. Both offer some good deals.

So shop around a little. … there are some good buys for the beauty on a holiday budget via the web and in your neighborhood!