What Do You Refuse To Give Up During the Recession?

December 17, 2008

No matter what you call it, the economy is dismal. And whether it's due to necessity or just a little financial prudence, a lot of my friends are trimming the fat from their budgets. Gone are the expensive salon highlights; instead, they're coloring their hair at home. Forget facials — it's all about the at-home face mask. Pedicures are an extravagance that they can't justify anymore.

Then again, there are some things people just don't want to give up. I'm willing to skimp on my sunscreen and nail polish, but you'll get my Schick Quattro when you take it from my cold, dead hands. I've tried to go cheap on razors, which results in razor burn, so I'm willing to spend a few extra bucks for a better shave. So while you're cutting back on some things, what won't you give up?

Recession-proof Beauty

63 Comments

green goddess 4 years 11 weeks

Well, I don't shave so I save lots of money there. Good food is to me is essential.

cheekyredhead 4 years 22 weeks

I have always cut/colored my hair but I do go in twice a year for a baseline. I am fortunate to have red hair and putting highlights and low lights (depending upon the time of year) is relatively easy. I worked for a cosmetic firm and YES they do bottle the same stuff for other makers and slap a pretty label on it for twice the price. Haven't tried Bare Minerals...and plan to. I use drugstore make-up...I know many of you are cringing...but I think being picky about which product I use from each line is best...and the right moisturizer and always use sunscreen is key. I had a roommate that worked the make-up counter in Macy's and was VERY prejudicial about drugstore brands until she started borrowing a few of mine. Now even she admits that it is tossing money in the wind to buy everything at the big-name department stores. What will I be NOT giving up as I am already pretty frugal? Good chocolate and good wine. I go get waxed once a month...have for over 5 years and now I hardly even look at a razor. I am lucky to have great genes.

kohina 4 years 22 weeks

Haha I guess I've always been cheap. I don't get my hair done at a salon, I'm pretty good at grooming the brows myself, and I don't care about manicures and pedicures and the lile. I also use Everyday Minerals, which is cheap and effective, and instead of buying razors all of the time, I just use an epilator. I guess the only thing I couldn't live without is BeneFit's Erase Paste. I have gnarly dark circles. :X

rachelbojangles 4 years 22 weeks

getting my hair done at the salon

sldc 4 years 22 weeks

Spending less money certainly doesn't make the economy any better, but being mindless consumers is not sustainable either. Being frugal has always been a way of life for me. I may splurge on some things, but I have been mindful quality, value, and of economic downturns as long as I can remember.

Cwinche 4 years 22 weeks

I don't normally go that nigh end so I am not really giving up anything. I never get my hair cut (I trim it myself) so not a thing really.

doogirl 4 years 22 weeks

Good quality nail polish. I love to give myself an at home mani pedi, and cheap polish is awful! I hadn't thought about razors, but that's a good one! Also, I spend a little more on my night cream and daily moisturizer with SPF, gotta have good clear skin!

stumbler02 4 years 22 weeks

My eyes are my favorite feature so I will spend on them--for getting my eyebrows threaded at the salon twice a month, and on high-quality liquid eyeliner, which is the only makeup I wear every day.

LoveSarah 4 years 22 weeks

I have cut back on most things, honestly. I do refuse to buy my cat crappy cat food, and that's about it.

alexask 4 years 22 weeks

regular hair cuts, good hair products, special face lotions.

tarall10 4 years 22 weeks

I haven't had to give up a lot yet, but I haven't had my hair highlighted in a few months, and am thinking about doing it at home the next time. I won't give up my schick quattro, designer eye shadow (drug store eye shadow just doesn't last as long), my prescriptives concealer, or my hair cuts (when you find someone you love, you can't let go). I have stopped taking yoga classes regularly, and have purchased some dvds to use in between classes.

starangel82 4 years 22 weeks

My Prescriptives foundation... I tried to use drugstore, but my face looked like I was going through puberty all over again. It is worth spending $32 for good foundation.

witchbaby 4 years 22 weeks

getting my hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks. my Bare minerals make up and my dermatologist. I can't give any of those up!!

Pegona 4 years 22 weeks

Booze.

karisaamy 4 years 22 weeks

Going to get my hair cut at the place I always go to - no supercuts for me

OoOThisIsMeOoO 4 years 22 weeks

highlighting & coloring my hair and drinking!

LaurenSugar 4 years 22 weeks

bare minerals and highlights

alittle amore 4 years 22 weeks

And another vote for a good hair cut and not to mention a good eyebrow and lip wax..that sh*ts crucial :X (especially a good wax). Good nail polish and Bumble&Bumble hair products :]

misskacie 4 years 22 weeks

Another vote for my hair stylist, Bare Escentuals foundation and MAC.

Allytta 4 years 22 weeks

i just started working so my budget got bigger so i'm adding new and more expensive stuff :) i go cheap on body moisturizers... 5 bucks is fine by me. and i always dye my hair at home, cause they ruin it (burn it out, bleach it out till it's dead) in the salons...

bugsbrat 4 years 22 weeks

definitely my elizabeth arden moisturiser, my glossy mags (i don't smoke or drink (that much!) so mags are my indulgence), my hairdresser, m-net, my cacherel noa perfume.

audrina 4 years 22 weeks

I just can't give up on my hair cut and color every 8 weeks or so at a salon. Also I use all Pureology hair products. They are expensive, but is the only stuff I use on my hair. I swear by them and nothing else.

dcfemella 4 years 22 weeks

Going to the salon

righteothen 4 years 22 weeks

Beautywise, I stock up once a year at the holiday sales, so I don't have to give up on anything (and I save for months for it, too). If I did have to give stuff up, I would not give up my Urban Decay 24/7 liners. They're the first ones to last on me, and they will have to be pried out of my hands. Everything else, I can deal with cheaper alternatives.

Ellenora 4 years 22 weeks

A good hair cut. I can't cut a straight line so I require the hair salon trip. for trims, cuts, etc. I love it when my hair is healthy and not all dead-looking.

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63 Comments

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