Saturday, August 18, 2012

Avoiding Salon Product Hard Sell

                                                  
If you’ve ever indulged yourself to a trip to the spa or a makeover at a department store, then you’ve experienced product push. While barefaced, and possibly bare everything else, you are vulnerable. The white coated consultant is happy to share her expertise on what would make your skin more vibrant and youthful. While she works you over both physically and psychologically, you listen to the dream she reveals full of sun-filled days where you and your amazing model beautiful face gather admiring glances. It is a good dream.

You are especially susceptible if crow’s feet have been showing up in your mirror, or you’re single, or both. This product with a mysterious ingredient is the answer. You’re ready to become all you can be until she puts a bottle in your hand. You flip it over, and see the exorbitant price. This is no issue to some women; they buy it anyhow.

Would you buy the same product if you could get it for half the price? Maybe. Salons mark up the product to make money, of course. Does anyone really have to pay ninety dollars for tanning lotion? Same lotion can be purchased on Amazon for only sixteen dollars.

After having a facial, the consultant, showed me amazingly expensive products she used. I could not afford that chunk of my budget dedicated to my face.  Instead, I jumped on Ebay and found the same products at 75% less, which made them more do-able.

Your hairdresser might only use Paul Mitchell products. I will be the first to tell you they are good. He may tell you Paul Mitchell is a salon-only item. Not true, anymore, Ulta, Amazon, and Ebay sell them. Ulta has a huge product sale once a year that you’ll want to watch for. In addition, they put out coupons about every two weeks also. Even without the coupons or sale, the product is usually cheaper than at the salon.

Watch for sales of bulk items of a product you like. Four years later, I am still using the large containers of Redkin hair product I bought on sale. It really was a bargain.

The best thing I did for my hair was to install a water softener. Suddenly, I had amazingly soft hair. Makes me wonder if all hair salons have water softeners? With a water softener, you don’t have to use as much shampoo or soap, another money saver.

Figure out what the active ingredient is in this expensive product your salon is hawking. The consultant will tell you. In my case, it was vitamin C. There are several products on the market with vitamin C at a much lower price.  I can try out the products to see if they work. I did that inadvertently with a night cream. I picked up a cream on the clearance table instead of my usual well know brand, which was ten times more expensive. Surprise, I like the cheaper Mirra brand better.

Another thing about the product push, besides the general expense, if you don’t use it the way they do in the salon you will not get the same results. If they used five products on your face, but you can only afford one, it won’t yield the same results. You must use products on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day. Keep in mind, your salon probably does have a water softener; if you don’t, your hair will never look as nice no matter how expensive the product is.

Item cost sometimes sways us. The belief being that the more expensive item will work better. A scientific study of night creams publicized by NPR revealed the expensive creams actually did less than Oil of Olay and Avon. One $500 cream that actually included gold did more harm than good. Your skin doesn’t need gold on it or in it. (Even products like Oil of Olay Regenerist are cheaper online.) I am a fan of Amazon for toiletries. Online merchants have sales too. When shopping online, always go for the free shipping. You aren’t saving money, if it is made up in shipping and handling costs.

 Salon products are like new cars; the salon employee can’t allow you to walk out without buying. Ever wonder why? You’ll start to think about how expensive the item is, and how little you get. You’ll consider your budget. You might even get online and see if you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

The best and cheapest thing you can use for your skin is sunscreen. That bottle of spf100 isn’t really five times better than the cheaper bottle of spf20, but that’s another blog. Be strong, resist the product push, and do your homework.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Cheap Dates




Sure, you’ve heard about someone being a cheap date, but sometimes it’s okay especially when you’re in a relationship. Everyone knows dating improves the relationship but often breaks the bank too.  Her are ten inexpensive date ideas.

1.       Read your Thursday or Weekend edition of your paper. You’ll be surprised that there are free events including concerts in the park or even art shows.

2.       Street Festivals- you can listen to live music. Check out the booths, even dance for little more than a price of a soda or a bottle of water.

3.       The Park-you can walk in the park, or bring a picnic lunch with you. Federal Parks are usually free too if you have one near you.

4.       Educational or Promotional events-often businesses, museums and libraries will offer free events including the ability to make a craft, listen to a lecture or a musician or participate in a game tournament. Donations are accepted.

5.        Horse Racing- you don’t pay to watch the horses and you can bet for as little as $2. Many racetracks have deeply discounted buffets during the week.

6.       Restaurants-go for the lunch specials, take advantage of happy hour. Try an old-fashioned carhop style restaurant.

7.       Museums-many are free, or ask for a donation

8.       Ghost Walks-not as expensive as you think, and coupons are available online

9.       Matinee Movies—discounted usually before 6pm at most theatres

10.   Cooking/craft classes-it has to be something you both want to do though, and you’ll have something to take home for your efforts and the shared pleasure of working together.

(Class advertisements are on the radio, newspaper, and groupon.)



Bonus Date: The State Fair—you can go online to find out when the discount days are. Park near the fair and walk in to avoid paying for parking. You can bring in food and drink to the fair too. What’s not to like?



If you are senior citizen, in the Military, or a member of AAA, ask about a discount. Sometimes if they don’t even offer one, they’ll make some type of compensation.