Established actors and celebrities make it a point to invest in their physical appearance since they’re always under intense scrutiny, whether they’re in front of a camera or not. According to New York Times author Ian Halperin, Jennifer Aniston reportedly spends $243,000 on her beauty regime. This includes using pricey serums and facial oils that cost more than $1,500 a month, and hair highlights that cost nearly $980 per session.
Looking good is a cinch when you’ve got the money to spend on trainers, health coaches, makeup artists, aestheticians, and expensive products. But if you’re a new actor, you’ll need to find ways to look well-groomed and healthy, even if you’re on a tight budget. By looking your best, you’ll have a higher chance of getting jobs. Moreover, maintaining your appearance also helps to boost your self-confidence and self-worth. If you’re just starting out as an actor, here’s how to maintain your looks while on a budget.
Take Care of Your Skin
Having clear, healthy-looking skin is a must, whether you’re a theater, film, or TV actor. But you don’t need to spend a fortune on skincare products to achieve good skin. Even if you use relatively cheap skincare items, the key to getting good results is consistency. Wash, tone, and moisturize your skin twice a day– once in the morning, and once before bed time. Be diligent about sunscreen use too, especially if you’ll be out and about. For glowing skin, plan on getting a facial treatment, such as hydrafacials once every three to four months. This will help to battle common skin conditions such as dryness and acne, so you can have beautiful skin even without makeup.
Keep Your Hair in Good Condition
Keeping your hair full and healthy should be a priority if you’re auditioning for roles. Don’t worry about getting a new hair color, highlights, or changing your hair texture– once you land a part, the stylists on set will transform your hair to fit your character. Instead, focus on scalp and hair health by using gentle shampoos and conditioners. Use scalp masks and scrubs at least once a week to relieve dryness, itchiness, and keep dandruff at bay. You should also ensure that your hair looks its best by trimming it regularly to keep its shape and prevent split ends.
Get in Shape
At this point in your career, hiring a fitness coach may be out of the budget. However, you do need to workout to stay strong, improve your stamina, and stay fit to get those roles. You can get a gym membership since that’s fairly cheap these days, and that goes for as low as $20 to $60 a month. If you’d rather workout on your own, you can follow along to an exercise video on YouTube if that’s more your speed. You can also go running, jogging, or walking everyday to meet your daily cardio requirements. Make sure to watch what you eat too as a diet that’s high in sugar, fats, and unrefined flour can make you look and feel unhealthy.
Maintaining your physical appearance requires some effort and discipline, but all actors know that doing so is part of the job. Try these tips to look your best without breaking the bank, and see how these can help you get the roles that you want.