10 Beauty Services Women Are Skipping & Their Budget-Friendly Alternatives
With rising living costs and growing economic pressures, many people are cutting back on beauty services that no longer feel worth the expense.
From skipping salon visits to finding creative at-home alternatives, here’s a roundup of what people are ditching—and how they’re keeping their beauty routines budget-friendly.
1. Hair Salon Visits
What They’re Skipping:
- Braids, sew-ins, silk presses, and other salon hairstyles.
- Long, time-consuming appointments that often leave them unsatisfied.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Learning to braid, opting for crochet styles and glueless wigs.
- Opting for at-home hair treatments, like protein masks and Olaplex.
- Limiting salon visits to trims or rare occasions.
💡 “The last time I got braids was probably my last time ever. I can’t sit for 8 hours anymore.”
2. Nail Salons
What They’re Skipping:
- Acrylic nails, gel polish, and services that damage natural nails.
- High costs and fees for extras like specific nail shapes and removal.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Using press-ons that look just as good as acrylics.
- Doing manicures and pedicures at home with better products.
💡 “Press-ons these days are incredible—people don’t believe me when I tell them they’re not salon-done!”
3. Lash Extensions
What They’re Skipping:
- Lash extensions that shed quickly and require constant fills.
- The long-term damage they cause to natural lashes.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Pre-glued or cluster lashes that cost a fraction of extensions.
- Reserving individual lash extensions for special occasions only.
💡 “Clusters have been a game-changer. An $8 lash extensions kit lasts me months compared to $80 every three weeks.”
4. Waxing and Sugaring
What They’re Skipping:
- Brazilian waxes and full-body sugaring that can cost $75+ per session.
- Frequent appointments that don’t deliver promised long-term benefits.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Waxing at home with DIY kits.
- Using hair removal creams or shaving to save money.
- Saving up for laser hair removal as a long-term solution.
💡 “I can wax myself now and save so much—it’s not as hard as I thought it would be.”
5. Eyebrow Threading and Tinting
What They’re Skipping:
- Threading and tinting appointments every few weeks.
- Expensive brow lamination treatments with little noticeable difference.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Using eyebrow razors at home to maintain their natural shape.
- Skipping tinting entirely and focusing on natural brows.
- Using brow pomades.
💡 “I bought a $2 eyebrow razor, and I get the same results as threading.”
PIN IT.

6. Facials
What They’re Skipping:
- Regular facials that are pricey and don’t deliver results.
- Estheticians who lack the expertise to address skin concerns.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Replicating spa routines at home with affordable products.
- Seeing a dermatologist for targeted treatments instead of generic facials.
💡 “A dermatologist has helped my skin far more than any facial ever did.”
7. Lash Lifts and Brow Laminations
What They’re Skipping:
- Lash lifts and brow laminations that promise big results but often fall flat.
- Expensive add-ons like tinting that don’t make a noticeable difference.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Sticking to natural lashes and brows.
- Investing in good-quality at-home tools for upkeep.
- Using castor oil and select brow serums to grow their lashes at home.
💡 “I paid so much for a lash lift and saw no difference—it was so disappointing.”
8. Body Waxing at High-End Salons
What They’re Skipping:
- Waxing at big-chain salons with steep prices.
- Frequent appointments that feel more like a chore than a treat.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Visiting smaller, budget-friendly salons.
- Stretching time between appointments or opting for hair removal creams.
💡 “I’ve started going to nail salons that offer waxing services—it’s so much cheaper, and I can still tip generously.”
9. Acrylic Nails and Salon Nail Art
What They’re Skipping:
- Acrylic nails that weaken and thin out natural nails.
- Overpriced nail art trends.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Using high-quality press-ons that mimic professional results.
- Prioritizing nail health with DIY manicures.
💡 “The drilling at salons left my nails so thin. Now I stick to press-ons and love them.”
10. Overhyped Beauty Treatments
What They’re Skipping:
- Treatments like brow tinting, lash lifts, and professional hair masks that don’t deliver value.
- Services marketed as long-term solutions (like laser) that require endless sessions.
What They’re Doing Instead:
- Researching more effective alternatives before committing.
- Sticking to simpler routines that are less expensive and more sustainable.
💡 “I realized I was spending so much on things that barely made a difference—I don’t miss them at all.”
The beauty industry has thrived on high-maintenance routines and expensive services, but many people are stepping back and redefining what beauty means to them. Whether it’s embracing DIY solutions, simplifying routines, or skipping services altogether, the message is clear: beauty can be affordable, creative, and empowering.
What beauty services are you not spending money on this year?