Your Makeup Obsession Can Earn You Cash

How many ways can you earn money from your addiction or enthusiasm for makeup? Well, let me count the ways.

#1: BY KEEPING A GROOMING REGIMEN

Bodies of literature have proven that good-looking individuals have an advantage in the workplace. It was found that “attractive individuals earn roughly 20% more than people of average attractiveness.” Aside from attractiveness, grooming affect the rewards. Women’s earnings, in particular, benefit from good grooming.

#2: BY OFFERING REASONABLY-PRICED MAKEOVERS

If your friends or co-workers have been highlighting how well you apply your own makeup then, you can put your artistic talent into good use! Offer makeovers as a regular side gig. You may either set up a small station at your home or set up a station at your client’s home. Offer a reasonable rate as you are starting a new business.

#3: BY BECOMING A BRAND AMBASSADOR

A brand ambassador directly interacts with the consumers as she or he sells household, beauty, or health products. You may join Avon’s or Mary Kay’s legion of independent ambassadors. Becoming a brand ambassador or a sales representative allows you to have the freedom to design a schedule that works for you without thinking of building a business from ground up.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#4: BY WRITING ABOUT BEAUTY

Turn your cosmetics hobby into a sserious business by establishing a beauty blog. Put time and effort into cultivating your followers and boosting your views. Use your unique interest for makeup to build a fan base. Once all is set, brands will reach out to you for sponsorship deals and other advertisements. You may market your blog too.

#5: BY SELLING YOUR UNOPENED ITEMS

Much like my sister, many makeup obsessed individuals buy certain products that they may never use. She is tempted to visit Sephora every pay day. Moreover, she does not want to let a huge discount pass. She cannot be the only one!

You probably bought a product on a whime and you realized that it does not suit you. Instead of letting it gather dust along with a pile of underused items, you may sell these products online. Post a high-resolution photo along with a convincing caption at Carousell or Gumtree. Interested parties will message you soon.

#6: BY PERSONALLY SHOPPING FOR SOMEONE

Let us face it! Navigating the beauty aisles is second nature to you. With an utter fondness for cosmetics, you may use your skills as a personal shopper. Offer professional services to your relatives, friends, and co-workers. You can either charge per trip or per hour.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Please put the volume of items as well as the shop’s location into consideration.

Sources:1 &2

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6 Life-Changing Tips To Save Money At Beauty Salons

Despite the wrestling butterflies in your stomach, you visit a beauty salon with an anticipation of a wonderful makeover. Who can blame you for splurging in the beauty salon? You are there to improve your physical appearance, anyway. There are so many products and add-ons at your fingertips that you may just end up broke. A woman has to live a little, right?

Do not sacrifice quality for cheaper services! To help you maximize your funds, here are some money-saving tips:

#1: SKIP THE TREATMENT

I have to admit, I am a lucky gal! My recent trip to the hair salon included a free peppermint treatment. Conditioning treatments are crucial after coloring your hair. Furthermore, a peppermint treatment includes other benefits such as getting rid of dandruff.

Hair stylists will do anything and everything to promote their conditioning treatments. I have experienced different marketing tactics – one even went as far as telling me that I will soon become bald. If your hair is generally healthy, you may skip the salon treatment. Said treatments can boost your bill by S$10. Consider purchasing a hair treatment or a hair mask instead. You may get this S$19.90 hair expert and use it more than once.

#2: CHOOSE THE JUNIORS

When you enter a beauty salon (i.e., nail or hair), some receptionists may ask you whether you have a preferred staff or not. Clients usually go for a stylist that they trust. This is why salons enable booking in advance.

During your first visit, you may judge the staff through their price lists. Prices for junior and senior stylists are different. Stylists with less experience and educational background will get paid less. Are you willing to pay a fortune to get the senior stylist’s touch? For simple services, you may opt for the junior stylists instead.

#3: DO IT YOURSELF

Before having professionals dye my hair yesterday, I had it colored last August (2017). This means that I was carrying about 3 inches of black hair along with the rest of my brown hair. It was hilarious to look at! To look like a normal person again, I opted to dye my hair completely. Touching-up the roots alone can cost me about S$40! It is an insane price to pay for a minor flaw.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Touch-ups are better done at home. Aside from the convenience of not leaving your home, your pocket will thank you for it. Completing the service at home could cost you about S$4-15. This is a bargain price compared to having professionals do it.

#4: CUT THE UNNECESSARY

Spa and salon packages may sometimes include services that you would not normally reach for. While getting a foot massage is pleasant, you may simply opt for a pedicure. You are not getting much of a bargain if you are only there for the basic services.

Do you really need the standard packages or the a-la-carte options? If the standard packages do not suit your needs, explain your situation to the owner or the manager. Ask for discounts – if possible.

#5: RESEARCH THE CUT

Prior to booking an appointment, it is recommended to browse through your options. Do your research to have an idea of your desired outcome. Your cut must complement your face well. People with round-shaped faces can get a bold pixie cut.

While, people with square-shaped faces must keep their hair long with layers in order to highlight their face. Avoiding short hair styles is also a good idea. And for heart-shaped faces, a medium hair cut with uniform layers will look attractive.

#6: BE COMPLETELY HONEST

Whether you will visit a beauty salon for advise or a full-makeover, you need to determine your intentions. Be completely honest when you are there for “window-shopping” alone. Will you get the same level of attention you would have otherwise? If it is a busy day, probably not.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Honestly allows you to carry your pride despite walking out with nothing on your hands.

Sources: 1,  2, &3

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7 Efficient Ways To Cope With Money Stress

1. Whether it is dealing with your horrific credit card balance or realizing that you are barely crossing retirement, it is important to recognize what causes your anxiety. Spare at least 10 minutes of your time to write down your greatest financial problems at the moment.

2. Avoid making matters worse! Rather than being consumed by your negativity, keep a positive mindset. Your “stress umbrella” decreases as you take necessary actions. Believe that you can do it!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

3. If your financial woes come from the anticipation of unfortunate events, you are not alone! Many people exaggerate this act of anticipation. This is why you need to be involved with the present. Mindfulness in your current financial circumstance is the key.

4. Who says change is always easy? I recommend that you start with small changes to ease the transition. Employ seemingly small steps to restructure your finances. Move on to bigger changes, once you are completely settled. It is alright to experiences some bumps along the way. You may commit mistakes for a week but, remember to stick to your realistic plan.

5. A realistic plan includes a working budget. Figure out what you actually spend per day by writing your expenses down or by tracking them with the help of an app. Use these information to cut unnecessary expenses.

6. Saying that you do not make enough money is an excuse! Boost your wealth by making the most of the income you have. Spend your income wisely.

7. After everything has been said and done, your last resort is seeking professional help. A number of experts offer free consultations or reduced rates for their services. For instance, you may type “debt services Singapore” in a search engine and browse what comes up. Choose a company that seems reputable through online reviews and peer opinions.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 &2

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Turn Your 2018 Money Resolutions Into Reality

It all starts with a dash of imagination…

Vividly envisioning where you are headed improves the likelihood of meeting your financial resolutions. Allocate at least a few minutes of your day to contemplate on your past experiences as well as your current standing. Afterwards, visualize the financial situation that you desire to experience in the future. Some people may find satisfaction in their year-round travels. While, you may find serenity through altruism. The mere act of visualization will motivate you to reach the goals that you set.

Plan to start small…

Like anything in life, you must have strategic plans. Money resolutions such as paying off debt or building retirement savings are not always easy! This is why you must commit to small things first. Commit yourself to a “small” task that you will accomplish for the rest of the year. Consider writing down every dollar that you spend. For the adjustment period, you can write down each transaction in a notebook or in a journal. Awareness is increased through the mentally exhausting act of writing. It is exhausting in a sense that it activates different parts of the brain. The enhanced brain activity improves your attention and memory.

As the act becomes second nature, you can turn to electronic devices for help. Find an efficient budgeting app or a software to track your transactions. Keep a record. This will help you spot the weaknesses and strengths of your budget. Please adjust accordingly.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Divide and conquer…

Absorbing the essence of all your financial resolutions is overwhelming! Try dividing a single goal into bite-sized pieces instead. Focus your efforts on a goal before moving on to the next. Observe your progress by ticking off the “resolutions” that you have accomplished.

Remember to be as concrete as possible when identifying your financial resolutions. You may state something along the lines of avoiding credit cards for a month. Or, you may pay an additional of S$50 to your credit card debts. Aim to minimize your debt in a shorter span of time.

Parting thoughts…

Use affirmations to remind yourself that being responsible for your finances will impact your personal life and that of your family’s. Valuing your hard work starts with making few financial alternations.

Sources: 1 &2

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How To Escape The Trap Of Buyer’s Remorse

Words cannot describe how overwhelming the retail prices have been due to the Christmas and Year-end promotions. I bought a quality Kat Von D lipstick for S$13.20 (i.e., original price was S$32). That price is equivalent to the lipsticks found at the drugstore! It was insanely cheap. I did not regret this purchase! In fact, I shared the coveted information to my friends.

Despite my shopping highs, I had my lows. I bought a S$39 hand cream by accident. How can I be so dumbfounded? Well, I saw this product on a sale rack that was mislabeled. Fortunately, I was able to replace the item with several items within the price tag. I resolved the unwanted tension I felt inside. Said unwanted tension is called buyer’s remorse.

Buyer’s remorse (i.e., the feeling of regret after purchasing something) happens to the best of us. We are psychologically wired to focus on desire. This is why it is best to avoid the shopper’s trap. Consider these tips:

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#1: COME PREPARED

Upon entering the glittering halls of Sephora, my sister posed a firm question. “What do you want to buy?”, she said. She believes that it is important to have an item in mind before entering a store. She is certainly right! I walked out with a single item from my favorite brand – Nudestix.

To prevent the common pitfall of impulse purchase, you must do your research prior to shopping. Look through the online reviews as well as the opinion of your peers. Married couples may employ a general rule of purchase. For instance, items over S$100 should be discussed. This rule will help you spend within your means.

#2: SET A BUDGET

Last night, my mother and I went to the nearby grocery to buy toiletries. I did not bring any cash and she brought S$15. I was fine with that as we only needed a pack of facial tissue and two toothbrushes. However, she was repeatedly attracted with other items such as the broom and the wet wipes. Having limited cash helped us to identify the unnecessary items in our cart.

It goes without saying that a realistic budget can help you avoid the unwanted sting of buyer’s remorse. Steer away from the tempting plastic cards! Bringing a fixed amount of cash is a surefire way to strictly follow through your budget. The fixed amount relies on what you are willing to spend on that day. It is best to spend the money that you already have.

#3: WALK AWAY

One of the hardest things to do is to walk away from a seemingly tempting offer. Retailers rule you with posters that highlight limited offers and flash sales. These so-called bargains support impulsive buying behaviors. To save your wallet, just walk away! If you are not willing to purchase an item on its full price, you are better off without it.

Remove yourself from the pressure zone by asking the store to hold the item for at least 24 hours. If there is still a need to get it, go back for it. The passing time in between gives you a chance to rethink the value of your purchase.

Sources: 1,2, &3

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