It's Cyber Monday - and I should be shopping. But the sad truth is that I simply can't afford it. A victim of lay-offs, I am most definitely feelin' the blow as I approach yet another month of unemployment. As Hard Candy and other brands call it quits, more jobs in the beauty industry disappear. But the beauty biz is a billion-dollar industry, based solely on selling you things you need and more importantly, things you want. And beauty is still one of the strongest industries - but will it last?
 

Historically, lipstick sales have increased during turbulent economic/political times. Lipstick sales more than doubled following the 9/11 attacks. And if you've the bad luck to be job-hunting at this particular time, you might notice that CVS, Sephora, Longs, and Macy's Cosmetics departments seem to have the most openings. But we are knee-deep in the worst recession the country has ever experienced as unemployment rates keep soaring and company after company goes out of business. Does that mean the beauty industry is safe?

Well... yes, actually, if past trends are anything to go by. According to this article, women are still spending mad cash on their face lotions, face powders, and foundations. The question is, how can they afford it? Women are more apt to cancel a vacation or forego a new car instead of giving up their beauty products or their Botox - that's nothing new. Those are mostly the women who shop department store cosmetic brands. It's no surprise, being that Nordstrom's carries La Mer and other high price-tag cosmetics. But what about us normal gals, who get most of our products at, say, drug stores or specialty boutiques, and aren't in a position to give up a vacation in order to keep buying lipgloss because we don't vacation to begin with?

I worked in the industry for a smaller cosmetics line up until a few months ago, when the entire staff was let go due to dwindling sales. OUCH. In September, the brand was pulled out of Sephora. This last month, I got the official word: it's being discontinued. Employees of WaMu, I feel your pain. So now what? How can we indulge when we're broke?

Let's face it: some of us are simply going to refuse to give up our expensive moisturizers, lotions, potions, foundations, and lipstick. And that's fine. But as someone who's been unemployed for what seems like FOREVER, l've had to give up some of mine (and believe me, I'm still sad). So for those feeling the crunch, here are a few ways to save some cash while still lookin' fresh and fab:

Ways to Deal:

• Bring a homemade lunch to work or school. Seriously. Chances are you'll be eating way healthier, which is going to make your skin look 100x better - and you'll be saving cash on food and skincare. Yum.
• Shop at places that actually give discounts on cosmetics and haircare. For example, Ulta occasionally offers 20% off coupons that apply to anything but fragrance. Work it.
• Cut down the amount of pedicures/manicures or facials that you get. If you're feeling lofty, do them yourself.
• Switch high-end haircare to drugstore brand. Twenty bucks versus five bucks for shampoo? It's a no brainer. And there are a ton of great brands to try.
• Skip the shaving cream and put your conditioner on double-duty. If you wax, try do it yourself kits.
• Let your highlights grow out, or dye your hair a color close to the natural so upkeep isn't as frequent or expensive. I have short hair, and haven't dyed my hair since May. The results? I'm rockin' my natural hair color for the first time in over a decade, and receiving a ton of compliments for it.

If you savvy Sparklers have any other suggestions or your own stories to share, I'd love to hear them.