An Instagram mum has released her top money-saving beauty hacks to help mums look and feel beautiful amid the rise in living costs. Many of us love to spend a little time and money on making ourselves feel pampered and beautiful, but with the cost-of-living crisis, splashing out on beauty treatments are now becoming less of a need and more of a want.
Thankfully, there are ways to save on all things ‘beauty’ so that you can feel good without breaking the bank. ‘Instagram Mum’, Emma Stretton, who has partnered with Little-Loans.com, has shared her tried and tested DIY beauty hacks that could help save you over £600 a year.
Emma, who shares her life on Instagram at @emma_stretton_, said: “After I had my eldest son, I had to be a bit savvier about what I spent on beauty products. I started to do more things myself at home, rather than paying to go to salons or buying expensive products."
The mum-of-two, from Manchester, has shared her top tips for enjoying self care while also saving you around £50 a month:
1. Gel nail lamp
“I bought a gel nail lamp about eight years ago and it was so worth it. I’ve only had to replace the bulbs once in that time," Emma said. "Occasionally, I get my nails done in a salon for special occasions, like holidays, and it costs around £30.
"I can’t justify that every few weeks, which is why I learnt to do my own nails. I bought all the bits and pieces, like polishes, and watched YouTube videos on how to do it. Once you get the hang of it, it’s really easy and lasts around two or three weeks.”
Estimated savings: £260 per year
2. Eyebrow tint
Emma explained: “It’s so easy to tint your own eyebrows. Put a bit of Vaseline around the edges first so you don’t dye your skin and then just apply the tint into the hairs. The first few times might be a bit hit-and-miss but when you figure out how much to use, it’s so quick and easy. I save about £10 a month by dyeing my eyebrows at home. The kit costs about £6 and lasts for at least six months.”
Estimated savings: £108 per year
3. Lip waxing
“Let’s not be shy about it, most of us get rid of the hair on our upper lip one way or another," Emma said. "This is something else I used to get done in a salon but then I tried at-home wax strips. I can get a box of wax strips for £1.50, which lasts around six months.
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"Roll the strips in your hands first to warm them up and then apply. To get the wax off afterwards use some coconut oil. It takes less than two minutes.
“I did try at-home bikini waxing but that was a step too far for me. I now get that done by looking on apps like Treatwell or Fresha and going to a salon with a deal on. Often, you get treatments cheaper if you can go during the day, Monday to Friday.”
Estimated savings: £42 per year
4. Make-up brushes
Emma said: “This is probably not the advice you’d get off a beauty expert, but I wash all my make-up brushes in washing-up liquid. The Aldi one gets the grease right out of them. I used to use an expensive brand cleanser to clean them, but it was nowhere near as good as washing-up liquid.
"I make sure to rinse them thoroughly so there’s no residue, but they come out as good as new. I wash them every couple of weeks.”
Estimated savings: £11 per year
5. Bikini trimmer
“Aside from its obvious use, I have, on occasion, asked my husband to trim my hair with a bikini trimmer between trips to the hairdresser. I have a blunt-ish bob, and it can grow out quickly, so this just tides me over for a bit.
"Obviously not recommended if you don’t know someone with a steady hand but I’ve never had a problem. You can also buy feathering brushes on sites like eBay, which I used to use when my hair was a bit longer.
"Maybe not for the faint-hearted but worth a go if you’re ok with the less-than-perfect look!”
Estimated savings: £44 per year
6. Menstrual cup
Emma said she bought a menstrual cup for environmental reasons - but not having to buy tampons every month is a bonus. She said: "The cup costs me about £20 and I bought it four years ago. It takes a bit of getting used to at first, but I much prefer it now. They can last for up to 10 years, which is a huge saving over the lifetime of the cup, compared to buying tampons.”
Estimated savings: £19 per year
7. Weleda Skin Food
Emma said it is an “absolute hero product that everyone should use". She said: "It’s about £7 a tube and can be used for so many things. It’s especially good for skin in winter. I use it as a moisturiser over my SPF in the morning and as a primer under makeup.
"It has a glossy sheen so when my makeup is done, I use it as a highlighter on my cheekbones too. It will easily last around four or five months, so the long-term cost is minimal and a lot cheaper than buying expensive moisturisers and primers separately.”
Estimated savings: £28 per year
8. Soaps and shave gel
Emma swapped her shower gels for soap bars. She said: “I went back to humble soap bars because I didn’t like the plastic waste from buying shower gel. I buy four bars of soap with my food shop for £1.35 and they last for ages. We probably get through one a month, give or take.
"We definitely got through more shower gel than that, maybe one every two to three weeks. Even though it only cost about £1 a bottle, if you look for deals, the soap works out cheaper and better for the environment.
“I also don’t buy shave gel anymore and use hair conditioner instead. It works just the same and leaves your skin soft too.”
Estimated savings: £21.95 per year
9. Dermaplaning
“I generally only do this for special occasions, but I was paying around £25 a time and decided to try it myself," Emma said. "You can buy six blades for about £6; each blade can only be used once. I have friends who do it roughly every six weeks so a packet will last quite a while. I use coconut oil as the base for it.
"Watch a few videos and be gentle. As with everything, it takes practise but it’s straightforward once you know how. It’s one of those treatments that brightens up your face, but I don’t think is worth forking out for.”
Estimated savings: £88 per year
Total estimated annual savings: £621.95
Commenting on the tips, Little-Loans.com’s personal finance expert, Dan Whittaker, said: “The cost of living crisis is definitely still affecting our everyday spending habits, especially for busy families. But that doesn’t mean we have to completely stop our simple, everyday luxuries and, as everyone already knows, mums deserve their pamper time more than anyone.”
“With Emma’s help, mums across the country can use these tips to still look and feel beautiful, without over-spending on products and treatments that may not always have the desired results. Emma’s crafty tips can save you over £50 per month so will hopefully encourage mums to treat themselves to some well-deserved ‘me’ time.”
