When you take advantage of these cultural bargains, you want to look like a million bucks—without spending a million bucks. We’ve found ways for you to get head-to-toe deals that’ll keep you looking sharp while you keep to your budget.
…For Your Hair
One again, having a flexible schedule can help—especially if you’re available to take advantage of mid-week specials. Glo Beauty Bar offers weekly deals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, offering a haircut and blow-dry, normally $65, for just $50. New Image Hair Salon has Monday specials: opt for highlights and haircuts for $100 (regularly $150-$200), or men’s haircuts for $13 (regularly $25). Glo Beauty Bar, Mamaroneck (914) 732-3033; www.glo-beautybar.com. New Image Hair Salon, Pelham (914) 738-1323.
…For Your Face
Keep an eye out for special events at your local spa—or even your local medi-spa. Once a month, Bellava hosts an “Injectable Day,” with discounts on fillers or BOTOX ($10/unit for BOTOX, Dysport, or Xeomin, or buy one/get one 30 percent off for Juvéderm, Restylane, Radiesse, or Perlane), plus 20 percent off designer skincare products and 50 percent off high-end makeup (think Epionce, Obagi, Edward Bess, Dior, and YSL). Bellava MedAesthestics & Plastic Surgery Center, Bedford Hills (914) 600-5294; www.bellavaspa.com.
…For Your Makeup
If you want to feel like a VIP, you can treat yourself to a professional makeup application without spending red-carpet amounts of cash. “We always run a makeup special at the JKFlashy Beauty Bar located in Salon Posh,” says Jill K. Imbrogno, owner of JKFlashy Makeup Service, Inc. The special includes airbrush makeup and eyelashes for just $60. JKFlashy Beauty Bar, Salon Posh, Mamaroneck (914) 630-7970; www.jkflashy.com.
…For Your Eyes
Buying in bulk often leads to better prices per service. At Gail Marie Brow Studio, women who buy five eyebrow design services pay $195, when it would cost $225 to buy them individually. Men can get in on the savings, too: Five eyebrow designs cost $220 (regularly $250). Gail Marie Brow Studio & More of Chappaqua, Chappaqua (914) 238-1554; www.gailmariebrowstudio.com.
…For Your Skin
Bringing a friend doesn’t just make appointments more fun—it can land you a bargain. At Skincare by La’Shawn, when clients refer their friends, they receive $25 off any one service, or $45 off a total bill for three or more combined services. “Because we strongly encourage clients to ‘Share The Experience,’” owner La’Shawn Sterling says, “there is no cap on this offer.” Skincare by La’Shawn, Hawthorne (914) 295-0440; skincarebylashawn.com.
…For Your Toes
Who has time to take advantage of all these deals? Turns out, you do. Make your busy schedule work to your advantage by getting an Express Mani-Pedi at Nails by Michelle. It takes half the time—for less than half the price ($25 instead of $60). Nails by Michelle at Loretta’s Mane Station, Irvington (914) 591-5212.
…And for the Rest of Your Body
Just because you want to keep in shape doesn’t mean your wallet has to slim down, too. There are plenty of ways to try and snag a deal on a gym membership.
When looking into signing up, “Don’t always join on the first visit,” says Marc Kamhi, director of Sales and Marketing for Fitness Holdings, LLC (which includes Crunch Fitness in White Plains). “Most places will give a special offer to past guests at the end of the month to enroll. Join with a group of people, since more facilities are willing to waive a startup fee if multiple people are starting their memberships at one time.” If you’re looking into personal training, Kamhi advises buying it when you join, since most gyms give introductory packages or discounts for buying with your membership. Crunch Fitness, White Plains (914) 328-3311; www.crunch.com.
And don’t just run off to the nearest gym with a boldface name. “I strongly advise prospective clients to shop independent companies,” says Tiffany De Marco Loza of Dance by Design Ballroom & Fitness LLC. “They’re not bound to franchise service modules or loyalty fees, so the client gets better service for better prices round-the-clock.” Dance By Design Ballroom & Fitness LLC, Eastchester (914) 337-2138; www.DancebyDesign.info.
In fact, it pays to test out someplace new. “Whenever new places open they are going to lower membership fees to get you aboard as a customer,” says Frank Daniels, owner of Max Impact Training. “A lot of people are frequenting local private workout facilities. Crossfit, boot camps, yoga, cycling, and athletic training facilities are giving the Big Box gyms a run for their money. Almost all of these places will give you a reduced rate or free trial to get you in the doors to their place. If you hear about a great place, contact and find out what they are offering.” Max Impact Training, White Plains (914) 424 5703; www.maximpacttraining.info.
Does timing matter? It depends on where you go. Kamhi notes that gyms tend to be slower in summer, when most people prefer to work out outside. “This slower time of year can mean better incentives to join,” he says. On the other hand, “Large companies like NYSC and Equinox, believe it or not, actually offer their best deals during high-demand seasons, such as January,” De Marco Loza says, noting that the volume of businesses gyms due at that time makes up for the lower prices.
