URBANA, Ill. -- Everyone loves to put their best face forward, and we become very loyal to our hairstylist and our favorite brands of shampoo and cosmetics. However, there are ways to cut costs on personal hygiene expenses, and you can probably do it without anybody noticing, said a University of Illinois Extension consumer and family life educator.

"Making a switch can not only save you money, it may even give you a refreshing new look. Here are ten tips for saving money on personal hygiene expenses," said Linda Crawl Jackson.

1. Use barber and beauty schools for services. Prices are a fraction of what they are at regular salons.

2. Use local technical schools for low-cost massages.

3. Get haircuts, manicures, and pedicures when specials are offered.

4. Buy grooming aids on sale instead of paying full price. Buy extra when offered at half-price or on special at "buy one, get one free."

5. Maintain your own low-cost beauty regimen by purchasing from discount stores or by using generic or store-brand products.

6. Use a lip brush to get the remaining lipstick from down inside the tube.

7. Use common items in the home for beauty maintenance. For example, place cucumber slices on eyes to soothe and reduce puffiness.

8. Have alternate plans for bad hair days. Use hats, hairpieces, and scarves.

9. Use low-cost fragrances, body sprays, oils, and lotions. Consider stores that sell imitation scents (those knockoffs of the expensive perfumes you see everywhere).

10. Use every bit of your products by placing them upside-down when they are nearly empty. The remaining contents will be more accessible.

For more tips on saving money, talking to creditors, coping with stress, and more in these tough economic times, visit http://www.ToughTimes.illinois.edu.

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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4699.html

Contacts:

Linda Crawl Jackson, (618) 397-4973, lcrawl@illinois.edu

Phyllis Picklesimer, (217) 244-2827, p-pickle@uiuc.edu