How to Look Like a Million Bucks for Waaay Less Than That

by Christine Liu - Citysearch Editor - 56 Reviews - 100 Lists

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Updated: April 09, 2009

The economy's seen better days--we get it. But just because you've chosen to tighten the purse strings doesn't mean you have to ditch the whole honkin' purse. For the Bostonian keeping up appearances, here are some of our beloved strategies to score a bodacious look while discreetly saving time and money for later. Ready? Stretch your dollar like you mean it, beautiful.

Keeping Up Appearances

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Daryl Christopher Ltd
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    37 Newbury St Ste 4, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    You've got to love an establishment that rewards patrons who are happy, social and adventurous. Two resident promotions at this Newbury stalwart send our jaws dropping. In the "20/20," if a client refers a friend to the spa for any service, the pal receives 20 percent off the first visit and the referral client snags 20 percent off the next visit. Easy. Onto the "Non-Request Service": Any client who books a treatment never tried before--organic facial? salt glow?--without a technician preference gets a $25 discount. You can repeat ad nauseum down the spa menu if you like. These discounts? Crazytalk!

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Isoci Salon
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    8 Newbury St Ste 3, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    Can you skillfully do your 'do solo, sans salon? We all know the feeling of poking fecklessly at our mane, with various shades of success, trying desperately to replicate the gorgeous new hairstyle our stylist bestowed upon us. But lo! I Soci's "Style Like a Pro" comes to the rescue. Book the $125, 90-minute session with your favorite stylist (after 5pm, Wednesday to Friday), bring all your tools from home (dryer, brushes, products) and learn one-on-one what techniques and treatments work best for your hair. Post-lesson, take 25 percent off products in the salon and a renewal of can-do attitude.

  3. 3 Luna Boston Llc
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    205 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

    The early bird gets the worm, and potentially a smoking-hot handbag. Every week, during Luna Boston's First Dibs Fridays from 3pm to 7pm, fashionistas chomping at the bit can score 25 percent off the newest merchandise to hit the gorgeous, groaning, smells-like-fine-leather boutique shelves. It's a surprise rotation, though you can keep a sharp eye on arrivals such as Linea Pelle bags, Diane von Furstenberg shoes or Lauren Merkin clutches as they trickle in during the week. Come Friday, fuel up with wine and snacks and snatch those savings before they ever knew what hit them.

  4. 4 Sarra
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    840 Summer St, South Boston, MA 02127 (map)

    Makeup doesn't have to be an expensive, flummoxing venture--provided you know exactly what the hell you're doing. If, like most of us, you're perplexed by the variety of professional brushes or can never find a red lipstick that manages to flatter, Lauren Genatossio and her team offer a $180, 90-minute makeup lesson (includes brow shaping), where you come with your own makeup (dump your vanity right here, ladies!) and receive a personalized, one-on-one consultation on everything from skincare to colors. Price includes $100 of credit towards studio products--to be applied wisely with your newly honed skills.

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Shag
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    840 Summer St, South Boston, MA 02127 (map)

    In this rumble-tumble block of South Boston, an unassuming facade houses one of the most progressive salons in town. At Shag, where clients are greeted with complimentary wine, Red Bull or espresso by one of the tattooed, pierced, couldn't-be-sweeter stylists, one can score a 20-percent discount every Tuesday for coloring with Patty or blow-dry and cuts with Sean, Nate or Jared. With an expansive loft interior, club-lit disco ball and live music (possibly DJ’d by salon owner Sandy Poirier himself), it's a bangin' party from well-tressed head to toe.