Self-care can look different for everyone. It can be taking a nap on a rainy day or scheduling a massage for the weekend. It can range from small to major commitments, all in an effort to make you happier and healthier in some way.
Self-care is important because it can improve your relationship with yourself and others, according to Southern New Hampshire University.
It can be challenging to find the time and importantly, the budget, to spend on self-care.
“A budget-friendly self-care item is something that supports your wellness without straining your finances — typically priced under $15,” said Nicole Moss over email, owner of Soulful Strands, a beauty supply store on SW 8th street in Corvallis that carries textured hair and melanated skin types.
“Most customers in our community are comfortable spending up to $25–$30 for a quality self-care item, especially if it’s something that lasts a long time, like a good hair treatment, skincare serum or a wellness kit,” Moss said.
For those looking for more “budget-friendly” options, there are plenty of items available for purchase at beauty supply stores around the country.
“We carry a range of budget-friendly self-care items, including: travel-sized and trial products for hair and skin; Natural oils (coconut, tea tree and castor); Lip balms, hand creams and body butters under $10; DIY face masks, exfoliating tools and more,” Moss said.
Sylvia Harrington, the store manager at Sally, a beauty supply chain store in Corvallis, said self-care is something often framed as a luxury but can be something good and healthy for oneself.
“(Self-care) doesn’t have to be expensive, but something just framed for your overall physical health. For the most part, we mainly sell hair color, so I think that’s what people of all ages and a big demographic do,” Harrington said.
The cost of something should not determine your ability to “self-care,” and there are plenty of ways to maneuver around the prices of basic care items.
According to Dr. Lindsay Keith’s medical information team, creating a facemask with ingredients from your kitchen is also a common practice to keep costs affordable. Many of the common options include yogurt, honey and oatmeal for exfoliation, antibacterial properties and hydration for your face.
Do-it-yourself recipes for soothing your skin are widely available, as well as smaller versions of products and ingredients that can help you to concoct your own serum.
“(Sally) sometimes has our Sally-owned brand, and those are typically more affordable than a lot of salon-quality brands. We also have generic brands that are comparable to bigger, more salon-like Paul Mitchel and Nexus stuff that have the same ingredients,” Harrington said.
If accessibility is an issue with getting to and from stores like these, there are still other options out there for you.
“People can find low-cost self-care items at dollar stores, community co-ops, local farmers’ markets and online retailers,” Moss said.
If self-care is something you are interested in, there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle without having to break the bank.
