It’s the season of glow up, which means a lot of us are looking for new ways to improve our careers, personal lives, and yes, our looks. It’s no secret that giving yourself a full-blown makeover can be pretty costly.
Just a new hairstyle and a few pairs of shoes alone can cost you hundreds—even thousands—of dollars. Fortunately, there are ways to break down prices and tap into some serious savings, all while still serving looks! Here’s how you can give yourself an Instagram-ready makeover without breaking the bank.
Find Hidden Discounts
Waiting for a major sales to happen is truly a thing of the past because when you’re shopping online, there’s always a discount somewhere—you just gotta look. The first thing you should do is sign up for the brand’s newsletters. They’ll typically offer you 10-20% off on your first or second order, or give you free shipping.
Another option is to look toward influencers you like and follow for discount codes. Content creators that focus on style, hair, and makeup tend to offer discounts for the companies they work closely with.
Look through YouTubers’ description boxes, Instagram influencers’ photo captions, and other social media posts for and there’s a good chance you’ll find something you love for cheap. Similarly, websites like RetailMeNot, Honey, and Ibotta offer coupon codes or cashback for purchases at hundreds of retailers.
Keep in mind that stores like Asos, TopShop, Fashion Nova, and BooHoo have “Sale” sections on their websites that offer daily deals. Even if you don’t find anything in the Sales section, you may be able to pay through “buy now, pay later sites” like Klarna or Afterpay, which means you can pay for your order in 3 or 4 installments instead of all at once.
Get The Look, But Not The Products
Part of the appeal of getting a makeover is the fact that some of the best looks feature pieces from high-end brands. While we all can’t indulge in a $1000 worth of makeup or a plethora of designer handbags and shoes, we can still get Instagram-ready looks without splurging.
Makeup looks, for example, are quite easy to replicate without buying the exact products. All you have to do is find makeup dupes—duplicates of other products—that are low priced, high-quality color matches for your makeup needs. Looking for dupes can be a tedious process and you won’t always get the right match the first try, so here’s a good website to find what you’re looking for.
Clothing is a little different because you always want to keep up with what’s trendy or currently in style. If you truly want to indulge in designer looks without spending the extra cash, try websites like Hautelook. HauteLook is a Nordstrom-owned company that offers high-end brands like Moschino, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, and Roberto Cavalii at discounts between 50% and 75%. You could also explore clothing resellers like Poshmark to find unique, hard-to-find pieces.
Edit, Edit, and Edit Some More
Truth be told, being “Instagram-ready” isn’t just about what you look like, but how you capture and edit your photos. Not everyone can afford professional photos and camera equipment, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise a good shot. Boost your selfie game by investing in a good quality ring light and phone tripod.
Also, apps like Facetune and VSCO offer great photo editing free of charge. Even if you decide that you want to utilize all of the features, they still offer advanced editing tools for just a few dollars. Get in some natural or soft lighting, and then touch it up with a solid editing app, and you are good to go.
