I recently read a piece on Learnvestabout the surprisingly high cost of being a woman due to a phenomenon known as gender pricing. It seems that everything from deodorant to sneakers to health insurance can see a slight or great price difference based on the gender of its intended purchaser.
Although the price difference is not always in favor of our male counterparts, an extra 30 cents here or 50 dollars there really add up over time, and I already hate spending so much money on personal hygiene and beauty products. I’m always on the prowl for more ways to save money on makeup and other beauty products to get the most for my beautiful dollar.
This inspired me to compose the latest installment in my 5 frugal things series, with a small list of five beauty products that don’t cost me much, and won’t be subjects of price discrimination. We beauty savvy gals have to find more creative ways to save money wherever we can, especially when the world is out to make us spend even more just because we are women.
1. Deodorant
Looking for a simple way to save more money on deodorant? Consider switching to a guy’s brand or unscented version of your favorite. According to the article on Learnvest, women’s deodorants were generally priced about $0.30 cents higher than the men’s versions. The only difference is the scent - so if you don’t mind exchanging your traditional flowery scent or going with a milder version, you can definitely save here! I know some female athletes who claim that men’s deodorant even works better.
2. Vaseline
My dad has always been a big fan of Vaseline and keeps a large jar of the stuff in each of our family vehicles. Vaseline is useful for so many things - from keeping your skin soft to removing waterproof makeup to healing cuts! ChristinaLoves put together this great list of 50 Uses for Vaseline to help you save money on makeup. Mix Vaseline with some Kool-Aid powder for a DIY lipstain, or add your favorite salts for a simple bath scrub. Who knew one product could do so much? And all while resisting that evil gender pricing - Vaseline is targeted for everyone!
3. Hair Accessories
I’m always shocked at the price tag on some accessories you find in the stores. $25 for a decorative headband?! No, thank you. If you really want to add some pizzazz to your summer style, pick up some basic headbands or hair elastics, attach a fabric flower, a few feathers, or bake up some clay details like Lucy at Craftberry Bush is always doing. Sometimes I just wrap a scrap of fabric or my favorite scarf around the ‘do for a quick splash of color. I’m all about the DIY hair accessories - don’t fall for the expensive in-store version when you can have a custom look to be proud of in minutes!
4. DIY Face Mask
One of my favorite cheap beauty tricks also happens to be a great way to stick it to the man who keeps marking up your favorite skin care products! When you buy all the ingredients yourself, you can save money and truly feel good knowing exactly how you are treating your precious skin. Keep your skin beautiful and your wallet full with an awesome DIY face mask. About.com has this awesome list of 25 at-home face masks made out of everything from egg whites to dark chocolate. You can even get together with some friends and make a girls’ night out of it, saving even more money by having fun at home, rather than going out!
5. Mane ‘n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner
I have incredibly thick, long hair and I go through more shampoo and conditioner than you would believe! This product really worked for my hair, and I know many other people who swear by it. It’s packed with proteins for healthy hair and has a very mild scent, so you know you are paying for the product and not the perfuming chemicals that make other products so expensive. The shampoo provides a deep clean without stripping your natural oils, while the conditioner works to moisturize and add shine. Price-wise, it is a great value. Plus, it can be used on men, women, children, and even pets, so you are getting a lot of use for your dollar!
ImpulseSave the difference! Compare between the male and female equivalent of your favorite products or opt for a gender-neutral version and see how much you can save! When you catch a difference in gender pricing, you can have the last word by opting for the cheaper choice and impulsesaving the difference towards something you really care about. Here’s to having the last word in our long battle with the beauty industry!
