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Create a beautiful ball look on a Cinderella budget!

16 June, 2016 - 10:27pm by - First Lady | 10 Comments

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.

Makeupforpandas

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!

Comments

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27th June, 2016

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.

17th June, 2016

I didn't work during high school and I didn't want my parents forking out money to make my one night with friends (which any other night would be ordinary) expensive. I recall focusing on the thing that mattered to me most which was the dress. I didn't know much about online shopping so I shopped around until I found a dress that I still have today for $150. Everything else I made do with what I already had.

17th June, 2016

That makeupforpandas picture that is upside down is frustrating me. I have to turn my head to see what her eyes look like closed and my workmates are looking at me funny.

You can get makeup done on the cheap in places like Life Pharmacy, Farmers and even a Mac store. All you need to do is buy a product from the range, usually a lippie so you can freshen up during the night.

For my school ball, I purchased a second hand one from a school that was having a second hand ball dress sale and had it altered.

17th June, 2016

I've never been to a ball before but I do like the looks. They're very pretty.

17th June, 2016

I have never been to a ball before, but that BBBE Ball box looks incredible

17th June, 2016

ASOS has so many gorgeous dresses! I have never been to a ball before, but they look like loads of fun. I love to do Ball makeup for others, its one of my favorite makeups to do. I love seeing the end result, after their hair and makeup is done, and they have put on their dress, its such a magical moment. Glamour boutique has the most gorgeous pieces in New market Auckland, one of my cousins purchased a dress from there for $90 when it was originally $700, because someone had tried it on and it had foundation around the neck, she had it dry cleaned and the stain was gone!

17th June, 2016

I wish I did a budget ball. I got a spray tan, acrylics, makeup done, the works. I enjoyed it though!

17th June, 2016

Yes I have don't the budget ball with making my own dress and a friend doing my make up and I felt really good and didn't break the bank.

17th June, 2016

I've been to a ball before. I do like these looks here. That ball box is on my wishlist.

16th June, 2016

Yes I've been to a fair few balls. I got my first two dresses from the Pagani outlet store so they were approx $40 each. My other ball dress was $100 from their standard stores, but I went to several other stores and was looking at up to $600. Make up wise, I just did my classic smokey eye and red lip at I think all of them so I didn't happen to need any extra make up but that ball box looks fantastic for those who do need make up for the ball but that can also be used after the ball.

Macs
17th June, 2016

Must of entered this too early in the morning lol Ive never been to a ball. The closest thing was a dinner out.

Koni
17th June, 2016

Lol Macs - too cute!

pintsize
17th June, 2016

Ah, too quick to hit reply lol. I was going to add that the Ball box would be great for a wedding party too

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