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Money Saver: Stay-At-Home Salon Tips

CBS 2 HD Speaks To An Experts Who Says There Are Ways To Keep Up Your Pampering On A Budget

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Even in a down economy we want to keep our appearances up. CBS 2 HD has some alternatives to pricey salon treatments that can save you a pretty penny. The trick is to say so long to salons, and hello to at-home treatments.

"I'm probably saving $500 a month by shopping at stores and doing at-home salon treatments," New Yorker Janine Morris said.

From hair color to waxing to manicures, there are ways to help you keep up with your pampering, while keeping your budget in check.

Carrie Stern Kleiner is a beauty expert from totalbeauty.com.

"With the economy as it is, people are looking to spend less money on things like beauty products, but the beauty of it, no pun intended, is that you can really get great results at less prices," Kleiner said.

"I would do a manicure at home and have done manicures at home and I would do a pedicure at home, too," resident Courtney White said.

"A weekly manicure is $20 and it can really add up, but there are some great products like the Kiss French everyday nail kit. I have them on myself. They look really natural and they are $7," White said.

"I do my own facial at home. I put mask on my own," resident Penny Justice said.

Kleiner said there are solutions for that as well.

"Everyone is concerned with skin care and microdermabrasion is one of these hot trends, but at $150 a pop it can get really crazy," Kleiner said.

Instead, Kleiner recommends an exfoliating scrub, great for everyday use, for about $20.

"What's nice about this is that it's like a salon treatment because there is a warming sensation, so it's more than a regular scrub. It works really well," Kleiner said.

A lot of women are afraid to try something new at home and hair color is one of those things that has a big fear factor that women are afraid to mess it up.

So Kleiner recommends a semi-permanent hair color that will wash out after a several shampoos.

Self tanners fade after several days, too. Applying them at home will save the $40 salon fee.

"I think there is a margin for error when you do things at home but there are some products that make it easy and take out the mistakes that most people tend to make when they do things themselves," Kleiner said.

One more tip: Don't be afraid to experiment with new products. Just remember to read the instructions if it's something you're trying for the first time. 

 

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