What is a facial?

Facials improve your skin’s health and appearance. They’re typically performed by trained estheticians at a spa or salon and cost anywhere from $55 on up to several hundred dollars, depending on where you go and what treatments you choose.

If you’ve never had a facial, these are the basic steps to expect, according to About’s guide to Spas, Anitra Brown:

• Cleansing


• Skin analysis


• Exfoliating


• Blackhead extraction


• Facial massage


• Facial mask


• Application of toners and creams


• Product recommendations/tips

Beware the up-sell

At its core, a facial should leave your skin clean and refreshed. At upscale spas, facials can include a buffet of quirky add-ons, from oxygen facials to painting caviar on your face.

Some of these extras’ claims, however, are just full of hot air, writes Lisa Zamosky at WebMD. To save money, pass on the oxygen, as well as treatments containing gold or diamonds.

Be wary, too, of the skin analysis and advice. It’s important to know your skin type and what products are available. But those tips are usually paired with a product pitch — an easy way for you to spend more than you wanted to.

Instead, have a plan and a budget in mind before your day of beauty. Practice saying, “Hmmm…I’ll have to think about that,” and you’ll walk out glowing instead of owing.

Bargains in unexpected places

If avoiding the sales pitch still doesn’t make your facial a fiscal reality, try these budget-friendly tips:

• Coupons and special deals: Browse through newspapers, the Internet and inserts in your credit card bill. Also, many salons offer two-for-one promotions or discount nights.
• Bartering: If you have a skill or service you could swap with a salon owner, such as Web design or childcare, don’t be afraid to offer a trade.
• Off the beaten path: The New York Times dished recently on how budget salons are blossoming in warehouses and less-trendy neighborhoods. But don’t go in blind. Make sure the esthetician is trained and has references.
• Party time: Some cosmetics or home product companies offer a chance to host a free spa party at home, in hopes of selling products to your friends. Depending on your circle, it can be a great path to pampering, but again, the up-sell is the downside.

Beauty school drop-in

The best bargain with the least chance of a product pitch? Your local cosmetology program. Students are trained and supervised, and prices are cheap: According to MSNBC, you can find facials that are more than half off the price you’d pay at a salon.

To get the most out of your visit, plan to spend extra time at your appointment and don’t be surprised if your facial becomes an on-the-spot lesson for a group of students.

There’s no place like home

If your pocketbook really can’t take another hit, there’s one more option: A do-it-yourself facial. Chances are you’ve got most of what’s needed right in your kitchen. HealthCentral has a list of foods that can pinch-hit for the pricier parts of a facial:

• Mashed fruit for cleansing


• Milk to exfoliate


• Cucumber and oil for acne


• Honey and oil for a facial mask

Shop and save

No time to make your own products or don’t like to mix food and beauty? You’ll still save money doing a facial at home — even if you have to do a little shopping. The cost is spread out over the number of times you use each product. And, you don’t have to leave a tip.

Here’s a selection of fabulous products for your at-home facial:

• Cleansers: For cleansers that cater to your skincare needs as though you were at the salon, try MD Formulations, which has products specifically designed for sensitive, oily and dry skin. If you’re in a hurry, Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser washes and smoothes skin at the same time.
• Scrubs: When it’s time to exfoliate, achieve fresh, luminous skin with Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask. And for skin in need of a soft touch, use Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser.
• Masks: For a great way to wrap up your at-home day of beauty and find a solution for every skin type, consider a mask. Cellex-C Speed Peel Facial Gel works fast, leaving skin soft and smooth. For products with high-quality, natural ingredients, check out the Yonka line of masks: Masque 103 for normal to oily skin, Masque Hydratant 60 for dry skin or Masque 105 for dry to sensitive skin.
• Facials in a box: Pressed for time? We’ve found kits that contain everything you need for an at-home facial. The Murad Resurgence Renewal Home Facial Kit is a luxurious weekly treatment to improve your skin’s elasticity, moisture level and firmness. The antioxidant-rich Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit targets sun damage and premature aging.

Learn everything you need to know about budget skincare in our Beauty on a Budget Handbook.