Welcome to Thrifty Glamour! I’m so excited to start this journey with you and share my passion for beauty, fashion, and self-care—all while sticking to a budget.
As someone who’s faced financial struggles over the last five years, I know firsthand how hard it can be to feel confident and glamorous when money is tight. When COVID-19 hit, I was at a crossroads in life. I had just moved to a new city, taken on a low-paying job just to make monthly rent, and struggled to put money into anything but basic necessities.
During the pandemic, I spent hours and hours (more than I’d like to admit) on YouTube, fantasizing about someday having the beauty rooms that my favorite beauty gurus shuffled through during their videos. I fell in love with the idea that one product can change the person you see in the mirror. During some of my lowest moments over the last few years, lipgloss became a haven for me, and a new skincare product made me feel like I had control of something in my life when nothing made sense. An eyeshadow palette was an outlet for my creativity when all other passions had started to fade away. I realized quickly that minimalism wasn’t in my vocabulary, but beauty was not something I was willing to give up.
As my interest in makeup and skincare grew, so did my credit card bills. I was purchasing every new release from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Tarte, and Sephora, and I started to see more of my money than my savings account did.
Recently, I had a revelation in life. As I turned 28 this past year, I realized that there are ways to still fill the cups that beauty fills for me without breaking the bank. I reimagined what beauty meant to me. Was I buying the latest and greatest products to feel like I fit in? Were the influencers of YouTube and TikTok allowing me to associate my self-worth with what was inside my vanity? Was there a way to still feel the rush of applying a new lipliner for the first time without compromising my goals for the future?
With this new mindset, I set out on a journey to reinvent how I viewed the beauty industry. I no longer buy the newest release, I shop the sales, optimizing tips and tricks to save some money without sacrificing the way that a new eyeshadow palette made me feel. I started venturing into DIY, doing my own nails and hair, and working with the products that make the most sense for my newfound budget.
Thrifty Glamour came to fruition because, like many others, I envy those who walk into a Sephora and not even look at the prices of the items they purchase. I’ve learned to turn this envy into motivation. I’ve learned to turn this envy into self-exploration, which has led me to realize that beauty and self-worth do not have to come from purchasing the new trending item.
I now have new financial goals. Someday, I’d like to own a home with my wonderful boyfriend and my sweet dog. Someday, I’d like to pay off all the debt that accumulated over the years. Someday, I’d like to measure my happiness not by the products or clothing that I own, but by the experiences that I have collected along the way.
In summary, I am so excited that you are here. I cannot wait to create a community that focuses on finding ways to feel beautiful on a budget. I plan to share affordable products, sales, highlight affordable businesses, and tips & tricks to make sure you are feeling like the most beautiful version of you without continuing the cycle of debt and overconsumtion.
With new goals come new adventures. From budget-friendly makeup finds to DIY skincare, Thrifty Glamour is all about showing that glamour is for everyone—no matter the price tag.