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- I love to pamper myself by visiting my local salon, but it can get expensive over time and the pricier services don't always fit into my budget.
- The Insider Picks team contributed some of their favorite at-home treatments and products that help them save money on salon and grooming services.
- Solutions like DIY gel nail kits and at-home tanning lotions keep us feeling pampered while keeping our money (or at least most of it) in our pockets.
Whether it be a morning journaling session or an evening yoga class, we all have our “thing” that allows us to escape life’s regular chaos. For many, it’s a daily ritual that becomes near habitual — for others it’s an occasional indulgence that eliminates stress almost instantaneously.
My personal solution to life’s everyday stress is a trip to the salon — followed by a much-needed manicure, tan, wax, or hair treatment. Although these services certainly do the job of helping me relax, I find myself passing up on regular visits because of the ever-increasing prices.
I’m a DIY kind of gal, so I’ve meticulously searched for ways to save some money on my favorite services by mimicking them from the comfort of my apartment. I figured I wasn't the only one trying to save money this way, so I went to my colleagues to ask about their go-to DIY products that have helped them save money on salon services, too. It turns out I'm not the only one trying to stick to my budget — plenty of people here have their own tips and tricks for avoiding pricey treatments.
Below, I've shared nine products that Business Insider staff members swear by for getting salon-like services at home and on a budget.
SEE ALSO: The top trending beauty and personal care items on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list
A self tan bronzing mousse
St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse, $44, Available at Amazon
This summer, I was guilty of getting weekly spray tans. I had a membership at a local salon, so it was a little less expensive, but still ended up being over $40 per tan!
The instructions say that the St. Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse is meant to be worn for only 3 hours, but I find that leaving it on overnight gives me the exact same results as a spray tan. I also put some on my face which I am always careful to wash off after the three hour mark. Since it doesn't last quite as long as a professional tan, I apply once every three days — but still, and entire bottle costs around the same amount as a professional tan. — Grace High, Insider Picks commerce analyst
An all-over body wax kit
Sally Hansen Extra Strength All-over Body Wax Kit, $8.83 (Originally $9.29), Available at Amazon
I'm not lying when I say I have saved a ton of money avoiding waxing services with this kit. Most salon waxes cost anywhere from $15 to around $60 depending on the service, with almost all salons fitting in that general price range. Though I had been paying to get my brows, underarms, and legs done for years, I got to a point where these regular trips became a luxury that I couldn't always afford.
Knowing my crafty nature, I wondered if I could do it myself. I found this kit at my local CVS, but I was hesistant at first because the price of the entire kit equaled to around half the price of the cheapest salon wax. Turned out that it not only worked, it worked better than I could have ever expected. By following a simple four-step process, I was able to achieve the same look I would have obtained from the salon at a fraction of the price. — Megan Foster, Insider Picks editorial intern
A sleek electric razor
Bevel Trimmer with Square Blade, $199.95, Available at Bevel
If I could afford to get a haircut once a week, I would — but since I refuse to spend $100 or more a month on haircuts, I've learned to give myself trims in between visits to the barbershop — and the Bevel Trimmer is my favorite tool to use. Designed to be used by everyone from at-home groomers like myself to professional barbers, it has an adjustable blade and a shape that allows for total control. It helps me shave without irritation and can achieve sharp lines on my hairline, mustache, and beard. At $200, it's kind of expensive, but if it can save you from paying for frequent haircuts (not to mention the time and effort involved in going to a barbershop), it'll pay for itself. — Amir Ismael, Insider Picks reporter
See the rest of the story at Business Insider