Every couple of years a news article is written about the increasing cost of school balls, talking about how the price to be ball-beautiful is now reaching into the hundreds and closing in on thousands of dollars. For a girl who had a friend do her hair and makeup, bought her dress from Shanton, and bought a cheapish pair of shoes, which she wore to any event that required fancy footwear for years after, those figures seriously scare me.
Balls are now big business and girls are ready to fork out serious dosh in order to look and feel their best. If you’ve the cash fair enough, but what if you don’t have or simply don’t want to spend that kind of money? What’s a girl with no Fairy Godmother to do?
With a wave of our wand and a sprinkle of glitter we present you with the Beauty Review Guide to Getting Ball-Beautiful – on the cheap.
image: flo_sorrel
Save on makeup by buying the Great Ball Season Box. It contains everything you need to create a stunning ball look, except your regular foundation. Then get your girlfriends together for a pre-ball pretty up where you help each with hair, makeup, nails. Here's some easy but stunning looks you can create with the box.
Dresses can cost an arm and a leg, but they don’t have to. Renting from a shop specialising is ball dresses is always an option, as is borrowing from a similarly sized friend. Costume shops often have special event or ball dresses to rent, you can even get creative and make a statement with a fabulous sequined flapper dress. Another idea is to head into shops that sell clothing on people’s behalf – they often have gorgeous dresses that have only been worn once selling for a fraction of the original cost. (And that’s another reason to buy cheap, chances are after wearing your ‘dream’ dress once you very well may not end up wearing it ever again.) Scouting out online stores (BR Natalie swears by the ASOS Outlet section - check out the stunning dresses available for under $50!) is another idea, but it pays to buy in advance so that if the fit isn’t quite right you can get it altered or find another option.
Shoes can also be borrowed, or check out some of the cheaper shoe stores for a bargain – just remember to walk around in them first or break them in before the ball, you don’t want to be a hobbling hottie. (You'll find some foot saving Party Feet Gel Cushions in your Great Ball Season box!)
Want to turn up in style? Well since your friends are already at your house getting ready you could very well split the cost of a cool ride, like a classic Lincoln limousine or even a stretched Hummer. If you know of someone who has a beautifully restored classic car you could always ask him or her to escort you to the ball in it for a small fee.
And there we have it, the Beauty Review Guide to Getting Ball-Beautiful – on the cheap.
Have you done a budget ball before? Share your tips here!
The last time I attended a ball was over 13 years. My mum lol spent about one $180 on my dress from wild pair. Did all my own hair and make up. Today teens face even more pressure to spend up large to fit in. This ball box is fantastic and affordable.