luxury for less

it seems as if this economic crunch is affecting every aspect of our lives. we're driving less, vacationing less, spending less, eating out less...you name it, we're cutting it back. today i realized that the one aspect of my life that i've cut back on the most is personal pampering.

now don't get me wrong. i'm not that girl that gets fake acrylics every two weeks, or gets a pedicure every three weeks. i don't spend too much on unneccesary beauty products and i don't indulge in a massage every month. and if you are that woman, amen to you sista. you are my muse.

i've invested a large amount of my paycheck into high quality beauty products, like dermalogica skin care that are proven to keep my face clear. i get a facial once every few months, or when i have a massive break out. the one thing i don't let get out of hand, my visits to the beehive every 6 weeks. no man likes a sasquatch, even if they say they don't mind it :)

if i had it my way, i'd go for a monthly massage at my favorite spa in san diego, spa velia. then i'd head to urban calm in east village for the best two hour facial on this planet. one of these days, it'll happen.

but for now, i'm pampering myself wisely and always looking for money saving deals. here are my top picks for incorporating pampering and luxury into your life and not spending a boatload for it.

1. one of the not-so hidden jems in san diego is the reader. those nifty papers are full of advertisements, crazy stories about party crashers, church of the week and where to get the best pho in kearny mesa. on the flipside, new and even seasoned spas, salons, tanning salons and waxing studios are all vying for your attention and your business. last week, i took advantage of a company offering a $24 brazilian wax. next week, i plan on booking an hour massage for half the price at a cute spa that i've always wanted to check out. always be on the look out for companies with offers to new clients. they are eager to show you what they're made of and it's your decision to stay with them or not as part of your monthly beauty regimens.


2. if you've had your eye on an upscale spa but never thought that you could afford their services, check out their website. if they have an email opt-in page, join it. if you're afraid about the spam, enter an email address that you don't use regularly. or, if you're a fan of a particular spa or salon, join their newsletter. you'll be kept to date on monthly events and special promotions. i'm on the mailing list of my neighborhood aveda salon, adora and i get weekly emails about last minute hair cuts and colors. since stylists are trying to book their appointments, the salon offers 20 percent off of particular services and particular times. since the beehive waxing salon is my waxing studio of choice, i'm also on their newsletter mailing list and have saved a good percentage on services throughout the year. this month, they're working with soles4soles and i can get up to $10 off a service just by bringing in a donation of gently worn shoes. and we all know that we have some shoes piling up and are ready for the donation bag.


3. pretty much every neighborhood in sd has some type of beauty college. whether it's for hair care, holistic massage, or acupuncture, our city is bursting with young enthusiasts looking to make a name for themselves in the beauty world. take advantage of this! scour the streets for these colleges and check out what services they offer. today, i got a 60 minute deep tissue massage for $50 at the vitality college of healing arts. the student was eager to get her hands wet, no pun intended, and worked out ALL of my knots and back pain. other colleges you might want to check out: paul mitchell the school in downtown, mueller college of holistic studies and the marinello schools of beauty.


4. if you're so lucky to be blessed with these people in your life, become buddies with an aspiring stylists or aesthetician. they'll need to get some hands-on training hours in and when they graduate and start looking for jobs, they'll need models like you to prove their skills to potential employers. i had a friend whom i met in college and she was pursuing her career in beauty. she needed a model on numerous occassions, which meant that i got a free hair cut or color and i treated her to cocktails and dinner. what a pleasant medium.


5. lastly, treat yourself at home. go into your favorite beauty supply store and browse the aisles for aromatic and natural beauty products. i'm currently into klean bath and body and indulging in the yuzu sugar body polish. just be careful while you're in the shower, things get real slippery :) and anything from bath and body works' true blue line is always awesome.
   

even though we're all in a bit of an economic spaz, it doesn't mean that you have to give up the things that make you happy and serene. with all of the stress you'll be going through about budgets, mortgages and finding a job, you're definitely going to need a few moments to yourself to unwind. just be smart about it and don't be afraid to look around for special savings.