You Can Afford Eyelash Extensions!

Here are 10 ways to extend your beauty budget for lashes:

1. Spend Less on Starbucks

Skip the coffee shop and splurge on a coffee maker and travel mug. Your morning cup of Joe may perk you up, but it drains your bank account. $3-5 per cup x 5 days per week = $60-100 every four weeks and that’s enough for the best fake lashes. From the moment you wake up, your eyes will appear big and bright, and that’s something to buzz about!

2. Cancel Your Gym Membership

Stop going to the gym and move to home workouts. As you know, you can find anything, and everything on the internet and that goes for workouts too! There are almost unlimited options to fit your style. Search Pinterest for workout boards and YouTube for exercise videos. It’s easy to find programs that cover flexibility, cardiovascular/aerobics, balance/core, and strength/resistance. And don’t forget, the world is your playground so get outside and be more active. Outdoor activities, such as running, beats the “dreadmill” any day.

3. Change from Cable to Streaming Subscriptions

Do you really have time to watch ALL the channels that you are paying for? Probably not. Switch your cable stations off and turn to Netflix or Hulu subscriptions instead. You’ll be surprised how much you don’t miss cable TV and how much you love your lash extensions.

4. DIY Mani-Pedis

You need a professional to apply your lash extensions, but you don’t always need one to do your nails. A great at-home compromise between traditional nail polish and gel manicures is CND VINYLUX. You get the best of both worlds with this polish, extended nail color that doesn’t chip all without the need of a UV dryer. You can buy VINYLUX at select salons and DIY. CND’s website has a search tool to locate a salon near you. If you prefer to shop online go to Amazon.com or BeyondPolish.com. By doing your nails yourself, you’ll still be well manicured and have gorgeous lashes!

5. Clothing Swap Parties

Most of us buy clothes out of boredom, not out of necessity. Swap Parties are an awesome way to hang with friends and keep your wardrobe fresh. An outfit saved is a lash appointment earned.

Here’s how to host a swap party:

• Pick a date (end of a season is best)
• Send out invites via Evite or Facebook, which saves trees and tracks your RSVPs. Ask your friends to invite their other stylish friends. More people = more fashion.
• Have a minimum and a maximum number of items for people to bring so everyone gets the best, highest quality outfits through your effective and efficient clothing soiree.
• Remember to include accessories, gently worn shoes, and garments in good condition from all seasons.

6. Limit Drinking Out

If you limit your alcohol consumption at bars, you’ll have enough cash left over for your lashes. Pay it forward and volunteer to be the designated driver from time to time. When you want to partake in a few adult beverages, meet at your place or a friend's to pre-party, and take an Uber wherever the night takes you. Uber-pooling with friends also saves money on gas and parking.

7. Pack Your Own Meals

Packing meals saves you money for your lash fills and has more benefits like actually using all the groceries that you buy, and in most cases, healthier options by way of portion control, lesser calories, and better ingredients. On-the-go breakfast and lunch can add up quick. Grabbing either costs anywhere between $5-10 per day (x 5 days per week) which equals $100-200 every four weeks. Whoa! Keep your appetite, wallet, and lashes full by packing meals when on the go.

Here’s a great, secret-weapon Healthy Muffin recipe to save money and stay satisfied:

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas (Need ripe bananas? No problem! Lay each banana, as is with its peel, flat on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 50 minutes to ripen bananas.)
• 3 eggs
• 3 cups sugar-free Almond milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 3 cups oats
• 3 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1-pint blueberries or 3-5 green apples (peeled and diced)

1. Mix ingredients
2. Spray muffin pan liberally with cooking spray (no papers needed)
3. Bake for 16-18 minutes in preheated oven at 350 degrees
4. Store in refrigerator or freezer and take two to-go (Serving Size is 2). Recommendation: Heat in microwave for 1 minutes for optimal deliciousness.

8. Understand Your True Lash Needs

Did you know that when done correctly, your lashes should only need a fill every 3-4 weeks? Traditionally 0.20+ lash extensions have been used for dramatic looks, but most people’s lashes can’t healthily support their weight for long periods of time. Yes, 0.20+ lashes look great when you leave your lash appointment but they’re more than likely to fall out on or before the 2-week mark, and this is why your eyelids look “bald” enough to need biweekly fills.

There are new and better techniques of creating full, dramatic looks with lighter lashes to support longer lash wear. More extended lash wear means fewer fills and more money in your pocket.  Also, the glue your Lash Artist uses plays a part in your wear time. Do your research and consult with Lash Artists on what lash extension glue and lashes they carry in their lash extension kits. Besides your lashes, education is one of your biggest assets.

9. Substitute Overpriced Beauty Products

In some cases, there are products you can replace rather than paying top dollar for comparable, more expensive brands especially when you’re on a beauty budget. Ask beauty professionals and research online. Always make sure your information comes from a reliable source and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Two great drugstore brands for facial cleansers and moisturizers are Cetaphil and CeraVe.

10. Get Free Lashes

Yes, free lashes are an option every now and again! Here’s how…

Lash Certification Courses need models, and one of them can most definitely be you! By being a lash extension model within your city or specified geographic area, you can opt to have your lashes done for free if the day, time, and place of the lash certification conveniently works for you. All you have to do is show up, relax, and enjoy the lashes! You can search the beauty page on Craigslist or Facebook buying and selling groups in your area for model calls. You can also fill out the Lash Affair Model Form HERE.

…This list doesn’t even mention the money and time you’ll save not buying and applying mascara. By tweaking your budget here and there, it’s easy to have long, beautiful lash extensions without breaking the bank. A little willpower and planning goes a long way and is well worth it when it comes to lash extensions.

www.LashAffair.com