14 Best Places In Melbourne To Get Budget and Discount Beauty Treatments


Melbourne College of Hair and Beauty

MCOHB operates as a beauty college primarily, but it also has a salon attached which is open to the public. They offer both beauty services and extensive hair services at majorly discounted prices compared to typical salons. Facials, body treatments (massage, scrubs, hot stones), spray tanning and eyelash extensions or eyebrow tints are all on the menu.


National Academy of Hair & Beauty

The National Academy of Hair & Beauty in the inner suburb of Richmond runs regular courses as well as operating a salon where students apply their newly mastered techniques to clients who like a budget beauty service. From eyelash extensions to manicures, pedicures and facials – for a spare $5 you can indulge in a treatment (or two). The catch is that it may take much longer than a highly experienced beauty professional, so factor in an additional hour in some cases.


Sephora In-Store Beauty

You go in for a browse and end up with a basket load of lipstick, blush, bronzer and glitter. What happened? We’ve all been there. You get dazzled by the lights and colours and next thing you know, your entire budget and more has been blown. Fortunately, you can make a buzzline directly for the brow bar or a Sephora makeup artist for budget-friendly makeup application (listen to the expert tips: priceless) and brow taming and grooming. You can book online.

MAC

The MAC Express service is super affordable and doesn't require a major time commitment either. The sessions are 30 minutes long, with a focus on a particular facial feature you want to learn how to accentuate or mastering a look (like  a cat's eye or fuller lips). The session costs $70 which is fully redeemable on product so that once you've been recommended products, and experienced how they work on your face, you go home wiser with a bag full of MAC goodies. Book ahead or in store.


Endota Spa Wellness College Spa Night

As part of their beauty and wellness courses, endota Wellness College runs “spa nights” in which students provide discounted services like manicures, pedicures, facials and massage. Massively discounted, you’ll be in the hands of students who are under supervision and have undergone extensive training to deliver endota quality service. For more information on the spa nights, enquire with the college or join the Facebook group. Located at The District Docklands Shopping Centre in Docklands.

Victoria University Beauty

Conveniently located on King Street in the CBD, the student salon at Victoria University offers all the beauty services you could want at a fraction of typical salon prices.  Whether it's waxing, facial and body treatments, manicures and pedicures, eyelash and eyebrow tinting or massage, you can book in online. There's also a Dermal Clinic and Osteopathy Clinic within the campus so you could make several consecutive bookings.


Brazilian Butterfly

Brazilian Butterfly has salons all over Melbourne, but their offers are organised centrally so you can be sure that whichever salon is closest to you is running the same discounts and specials as all salons. Their expertise is in waxing and tanning, and they also offer IPL Hair Removal and Lash Lifts and Tints.

Results Laser Clinic

With clinics around Melbourne, Results Laser Clinic will have a salon convenient to you. They run promotions throughout the year, sometimes with 60% off laser treatments and half priced microdermabrasion or other facial treatments.  They have specific treatments for acne as well as skin needling and non-surgical facelifts and eye treatments.

Box Hill Institute

Fully supervised by senior trained staff, the services at Box Hill's Beauty Salon are offered at a huge discount because they're provided by students. Manicures, waxing, facials, spray tans, massage and brow tints are all on the menu for around $10 to $20. Open Monday to Friday.


Elly Lukas Beauty

Elly Lukas runs beauty and spa courses year round, so you can attend the Student Clinic located on site in Flinders Lane, central Melbourne for a range of services. Each treatment is $20 and each treatment is assessed so you can sure students are providing the best quality of treatment. Facials, massage, waxing, eyelash extensions, spray tans and body treatments are all on offer.

Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science

The Student Clinic at AACDS provides advanced dermal treatments for a fraction of the typical cost. Opt for the AHA peel for around $30 or IPL (Intensive Pulsed Light) photo rejuvenation, IPL hair reduction, skin needling or microdermabrasion. Each treatment takes between an hour and a couple of hours so ensure you plan enough time to get there and stay the full length required.



Casey College of Beauty Therapy

Casey College of Beauty Therapy is located in Berwick. Running Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9:30pm and Friday mornings 9:30am to 2:30pm, the treatments are all performed by students that have qualified the course unit.
On the menu are eyelash extensions, shellac manicures and pedicures, acrylic nails, waxing and massage.


 Kangan Institute
The Student Clinic at Kangan Institute offers both beauty and hair services so you could organise a full makeover at a huge discount to what you'd usually pay. The training salon in Richmond runs from Monday through to Wednesday until 4pm, though the hair and barbering salon is open until 8:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays for those who need an after-work appointment.


Biba Academy

Ok, so technically this is all about hair not beauty, but if you’re seeking affordable cuts, colours, styling and you can spare a little longer than a typical hairdressing appointment, get to Biba Academy in either Melbourne CBD or Fitzroy.


Geo Print Eco Friendly Yoga, Barre, Gym Gear


Pastel pink has been called the colour of 2016 by Pantone, the great colour gurus. This may be so, but as a Yoga Pants Guru, I'm seeing black and white geo print and I am loving it.
Loving it.
Because it's flattering when the angle and placement of the print aligns with your body shape, it can easily be coordinated with block colours and if you're more adventurous, other patterns. It can dial back the intensity of your more eye-popping colour choices, whether that's neon green tank top or aqua blue hair.

Back to Geo Print though. In particular, eco friendly activewear. The fabric and the manufacturing process have been carefully chosen to ensure least damage to natural resources and climate. I believe it's going to become more and more of a political, cultural and social discussion point for 2016 and onwards in the fashion industry. The ethics of our clothing and the imperative to spend more on clothing that meets a sustainability standard rather than throwing away money on 10 pieces of el cheapo mass manufactured tat that will fall apart, fade and tear within 2 washes.

I've loved Om Shanti Clothing for years. Every single pair of pants still looks and feels EXACTLY as it did when it first arrived. No amount of sweating, gym sessions, laundry and sun exposure has faded or stretched it. And it's still super bright. Cannot speak highly enough of Joel and Jackie Strauss who run Om Shanti and really live the message: be active, be good, be considerate of the earth and your footstep on it.
So hard to narrow down my favourites so lucky I've got a theme: the new Black Chakra print Performance Legging is AH mazing. Agreed?



I'm a new convert to Shift To Nature. This is a Australian brand run by the lovely Sonja. Her entire range is eco friendly from design to delivery. Fits like a glove, looks flattering and withstands hot yoga and CrossFit. There's plenty of pieces you can coordinate too. The prints complement one another and there are several pieces in the same prints so that you can go with full length leggings or hot yoga shorts. Lucky. Some days I haven't defuzzed and fake tanned and as we know, those are NOT hot yoga short days. My new favourites? The GeoTech Hot Yoga Bra, Pyramid Hot Yoga Bra and Geo Tech Eco Leggings. They will be featured on my Instagram. Of course! Stay up to date with new products and offers on Facebook:     Eco Active @ Shift To Nature

And last but not least, of course, make sure you coordinate EVERYTHING because it's the small details that can make you smile mid-class, workout or meeting.
Whether you go all fancy with nail art of some wonderful geometric print or just black, just white or a combo - embrace the spirit. Obsessed with OPI Alpine Snow ($19.95 @ Myer)



Glad to Be Back From Phuket

I'm back! Or, as the pilot said on landing... "G'day".

I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach barre and flow yoga and also to do some personal training with men and women of all nationalities, ages and abilities.
While I admit, Phuket is not for me as a non-drinker with no interest in seeking massages, beer, manicures and $1 thongs and singlets daily, ever day. If this is your deal on holidays, you will love it. Beer, pedicures, massages until you collapse...perhaps from the heat, perhaps from the drinking.
Anyway, I digress.

Teaching yoga and barre to men who have never done it before and speak only French or Korean is not a piece of cake, but it was a fabulous challenge and one I really rose to. I had my class in perfect wide plies, pilates single leg extensions and Warrior 2 positions daily and it was incredibly satisfying! I was also able to schedule some one-to-one sessions and work on more difficult poses, or even perfecting squat and lunge technique.

I would recommend the opportunity to teach overseas - to challenge your cueing and sequencing, adaptability and demonstration skills - to any and all fitness instructors. It is a deep joy to discover that yoga, dance, barre, pilates and training in general are universal to a degree. Find the right WAY to show and explain - using hands-on and demonstration - and you'll discover new ways to teach and a new appreciation for the body and spirit.

In future, I would do more consideration of WHERE I was teaching and the rules, regulations and approach to classes and teachers. While I appreciated the great respect shown for my style and ability as a teacher, the approach to fitness was "whoever shows up, whatever they're wearing, they're paying guests so they can do the class".
While I was very fortunate to have committed and enthusiastic class members, I also had people wandering in with 4 toddlers "just wanting to watch" or dressed in jean shorts and filling in time before the bar opened.

I would also opt for somewhere I really wanted to explore and feel part of during my stay. I felt in my natural environs when travelling in Ubud and Barcelona recently and I would easily and enthusiastically teach in both cities again. The mix of architecture, artistic and expressive individuals, great food, coffee and vintage clothing and music boutiques, outdoor fresh fruit, veggies and seafood markets and sacred sites all in one big mix was so appealing.

Having said all that, again, the opportunity to teach to international participants and to make use of some very basic French and German (thankyou high school!) skills was fabulous. I also completely ignored my stern note to self: No More Ink. If you're in Phuket, I highly recommend Hanuman Tattoo Studio.

DIY Manicure and Pedicure - Hello Yellow!

I know some people love getting their manicure and pedicure done in a salon, but it's just not for me. I'm not a fan of making small talk or sitting around being forced to listen to other people making small talk!
I also like throwing on a back-to-back TV series for binge watching, or putting on a long, intriguing podcast episode and flicking through the latest international Vogue editions while I'm waiting for my nails to dry.
I also don't mind getting into a headstand during nail drying time. Not something you'll see encouraged in your suburban nail salon.

Having said that, I only discovered CND through a salon and it is awesome. Along with OPI and Orly, I have a new go-to nailpolish label.

I managed the long, difficult task of choosing my colours (it had to be Vinylux because it promises to stay the distance: one week, no chips...your time starts now.)
No base required. The colour coat goes on, followed by the Weekly Top Coat and you're all clear to go lift weights, exfoliate like a madwoman, peel oranges, garden and grab stuff without needing to remove and reapply only days later. Phew.

Because life is too short for boring nails, I went with Bicycle Yellow and Sultry Sunset.

Also, because life is too short to smell like anything other than fruit and spices and flowers, I couldn't skip the wash and moisturiser in Black Cherry and Nutmeg. This is my full home spa experience after all!

I've got the 100% soy candle burning (Lux 400, made in Victoria!), the latest Vogue Italia (hey, it's free! My local library recognises a fashionista magazine addict and indulges me), my nail polish remover, Nurse Jackie Season 6 and a big plunger of coffee. And some free carpet space for headstand. Just in case.

If you are not able to paint inside the lines, or you want to be pampered, you can find a CND Spa via their site.


Do It Yourself Beauty At Home (Beauty On A Budget!)


Closer to counting your coins than your diamonds? I hear you. You don't need to make half your beauty and wellbeing appointments beyond your bathroom. Here's what you can and should be mastering at home!

Hair Colour. Ok - NOT if you have super blonde hair unnaturally or complex highlights happening. Put down the bleach immediately. However, if you are touching up the roots on a colour within 4 shades of your natural colour (I dye my hair 2 shades darker brown than natural) then save yourself an expensive salon visit and do it at home. I swear by no-mess, fast L'Oreal Sublime Mousse or Colour Preference in Brasilia. It is so easy to apply in mousse form and way less messy than the typical liquid formulas.

Facial. Sure, this is such an appealing luxury BUT you can apply a skin-specific masque at home and spend the waiting time dancing to lame 90s hits in your loungeroom. Can't do THAT at a salon can you? I love Elemis, Kiehl's, Sanctum and Nut'rir skincare ranges for their masque offerings. What you choose is dependent on what you want to target (acne, uneven skin tone, dryness, sensititivity and redness etc) so look at what the masque says it does. Not all products do the same thing!
I've also just discovered indeed labs exfoliator. It is awesome. A fine powder that works into a foam - you can use it alone or add it to your current cream cleanser for some added oomph. Cleansing before a masque is mandatory.

Sea Siren Buccaneer
OPI Chiffon My Mind
Mani/Pedi. Yes you can. It's practice. Make sure you paint the WHOLE nail and try to stay inside the lines. My favourites are OPI Chiffon My Mind for subtle, Orly Push The Limits for full-on fuschia, and Sea Siren Buccaneer or Pirate's Blood for dramatic bold shades. All are 5-free and cruelty free.



Contouring. Yes you can. Thanks to Into The Gloss for the insider guide to contouring by Kim Kardashian's makeup artist du jour, Mario Dedivanovic. Note that he FILLS THE BROWS to "frame the face". Such a quality tip! I dye my brows dark, dark brown. Skip the salon and use 1000 Hour Eyelash & Brow Kit (saves you $$$ and time).
Watch, learn, do.