Beauty on a Budget: Ways to Maintain Your Beauty Routines During Economic Uncertainty
Let’s be real, times are getting tough. Plenty of us either want to grow our hair longer or let our color and grays grow out. We’re cutting back on expenses and extending the time between salon appointments, when we’re even able to keep up with them. Then with all of the tariff uncertainty… what are we going to do if we can’t afford, or find, our favorite hair and skincare? Do we have to settle for whatever we can find that we can afford?
No, you won’t have to settle for just anything; you just need to know what your alternative options are. And maybe get a little resourceful. I usually can find what I need just by going into my fridge or pantry! And no, I’m not about to explain how or why you should do a mayonnaise hair mask or any other gross DIY ideas. I can’t emphasize enough that there are effective natural and at-home solutions for both hair and skin that you can easily pick up with your next grocery order.
If you’re anything like me, you currently have a full haircare routine - different shampoos for different needs (clarifying, medicated, hydrating, etc.), daily conditioner and deep conditioning mask, a scalp scrub, different scalp serums, oils, leave-in conditioner… My poor hair has been to hell and back, and my routine has been the only thing keeping it healthy and strong. Going without kind of isn’t an option for me. So, if I ran out of everything tomorrow and couldn’t afford to replenish some things, here is what I would do.
DIY Clarifying Shampoo
If you like to use a lot of styling products, hairspray, dry shampoo, etc., you probably have build-up to some degree. Even if you think your scalp is squeaky clean after your wash, it probably isn’t. This is my most shared “hair hack” I give out to my clients, and all it requires is baking soda and any shampoo.
Clarifying shampoos are very drying, and that is because they strip everything from the hair and scalp. If you feel like your hair is weighed down more than usual, it’s falling flat, getting oily faster, you need a deep cleanse. Especially if you have curly hair, removing all of the product build-up will instantly bring your curls back to life.
Since we’re focusing on stripping the hair and scalp of all the extra debris, we’re not too worried about the quality of the shampoo. We can worry about replenishing hydration and moisture with either a second shampoo (if that’s in budget) or a good conditioner and oils.
Prepare the shampoo: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with ½ tablespoon of shampoo.
Wet your hair: thoroughly rinse your hair with water, ensuring it’s completely wet.
Apply the shampoo: massage shampoo into a lather at the scalp, then work your way down to the ends. Can leave on for 1-3 minutes (depending on severity of build-up)
Rinse thoroughly: Rinse your hair completely with warm water
Optional: Apple cider vinegar rinse: mix 1 part ACV to 1 part water and pour over hair. This will restore the pH balance of your hair. (Yes, it stinks, but it works SO well!)
This tip isn’t suited for just anyone. Avoid if you want to maintain your salon or box color, as it will strip artificial color out. You should also avoid it if your hair is already overly dry or damaged, as it can cause further damage. Because baking soda (and clarifying shampoos) are so drying, limited use is highly recommended. Once a month is suitable for most people, but some need a little more often. I do not recommend more than once a week.
DIY Oil Treatment
Does anyone else remember those Vo5 hot oil treatments? My mom often bought them for me and my sisters, they were my favorite. We didn’t have much money growing up, so we often had dollar store shampoo and conditioner, and they made my hair AWFUL. Out of everyone in my family, my dad and I were the only ones with textured hair. He was lucky to be able to hide his frizzy, dry hair under baseball and cowboy hats. But whenever I got to use a hot oil treatment, I was in love with my soft, silky hair.
These days, my oil treatments are a little different, but they’re still an integral part of my haircare routine. Plus, it’s incredibly easy. This blend makes 2 applications, or 1 if you have especially long or thick hair.
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and optional, 10 drops of basil, rosemary, or clary sage essential oil.
Apply the blend to clean, dry hair from root to tip. Ensure everything is completely coated, then comb through.
Wrap the hair in a hot wet towel* and leave on for 30 minutes.
Rinse your hair, then shampoo and condition as usual.
*To make a hot towel at home, soak the towel completely in water. Wring out most of the water and place the towel in a microwaveable bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute. DO NOT go over 1 minute, or else you are at risk of possible burns.
The heat is what helps the oil treatment to deeply penetrate the ingredients to improve hair texture. The avocado oil is used as a great moisturizer because of its high content of fatty acids. It helps to replenish and maintain lost moisture by sealing the hair cuticles. The coconut oil is used as another moisturizing ingredient that also can help protect hair from protein loss, which can lead to breakage and split ends. The optional essential oils are to encourage relaxation during your treatment processes.
DIY Rosemary and Mint Scalp Stimulating Spray
All of the hype is true (at least in my experience!), Rosemary is fantastic at helping hair grow. If you look at a lot of haircare products marketed for regrowing hair, you’ll notice rosemary listed somewhere in their ingredients. Rosemary is used to reduce inflammation, and inflammation is a big contributing factor to hair loss. Mint is typically used to stimulate blood flow, which is also helpful when restoring the health of your hair and scalp.
Boil dried rosemary and mint leaves in water for about 15-20 minutes.
Let the mixture cool completely.
Strain the mixture into a spray bottle.
Spritz this onto your scalp and massage it in. No need to rinse.
This spray is something that can be used every day or whenever you feel like your hair needs a refreshing, invigorating boost.
Even if you have to buckle down on your budget and forego the salon and your favorite products for awhile, you don’t have to have crappy hair. Plant-based beauty is something I have incorporated into my life since I was a kid, long before I ever became a cosmetologist. When you don’t have the means, you’ll always find a way when you want something enough. I know it’s hard right now, but before you know it, you’ll once again be adding all of your bougie products into your shopping cart and hitting order without wanting to have a nervous breakdown over the cost!