12 Absolutely Free Ways to Update your Look

Editor's note: this blog post was originally written in February 2018 and has since been updated for clarity and with the latest information. Enjoy!

Are you looking to update your style, but don't want to spend a load of money doing so? There are lots of ways to reinvent your look for absolutely free.

Whether it's the turn of a season, you're starting a new job or you just fancy a change, updating your style is a definite way to increase your confidence and get you feeling great.

By making small changes to your hair, makeup and clothes, or by trying out new styles altogether, the overall effect can be dramatic! Transform your style without paying a penny.

Whatever's inspired you to revamp your look, make sure you check out these 12 free and effective ways.

1) Get your jewellery professionally cleaned for free

Credit: Goldsmiths

Give your jewellery an extra sparkle by getting it cleaned professionally for absolutely free. Get your earrings, bracelets and necklaces looking brand new. An instant way to add shine to your style!

This free cleaning service is available at over 50 locations all over the country. Why not check out where your nearest stand is now? Find out how In-Time will make your tired looking jewellery stand out from the crowd.

2) Apply for free perfume samples

An easy way to instantly update your look is with a fresh new fragrance. Having a signature scent is a great way to leave a lasting impression. After all, they say our sense of smell is most closely linked to memory...

Keep an eye on Magic Freebies for all the latest free perfume samples. When companies bring out a new fragrance they'll often do a large giveaway of samples to spread the word.

Top tip!

Become a member of the Debenhams Beauty Club and you'll find that with each purchase you'll get a few perfume samples thrown in (sometimes even without a purchase!).

3) Become a product tester for beauty companies

By becoming a beauty product tester you can get lots of different beauty products sent straight to your door for free, just in return for a quick review.

Try out the products that you may not normally buy for absolutely free. High-end beauty companies are always on the lookout for people to join their product testing trials, including:

• Soap & Glory
• Sanctuary
• Boots

They need honest reviews to help them improve and spread word about their products. It's a win-win!

One of Magic Freebies UK's favourites is the Glamour Beauty Club. Sign up for free and you'll be sent personalised beauty products for you to keep. One of our favourite freebies received so far was a full-sized tube of Elemis Superfood Day Cream.

4) Update your hairstyle

A really simple yet effective way to update your look for free, is by changing up your hairstyle.

Hair is one of the first things that you notice in a person, so changing your regular style will alter how you look, even to the people who know you best. Readjusting your parting will frame your face in a different way, why not give it a go? If you're a die-hard middle parting person, you'd be surprised how different you'll look with a side part...

You could also dedicate a bit of time to watching tutorials and searching for new styles to try out. Ditch your boring pony-tail and learn how to french braid! By learning a few new hairstyles you'll be able to quickly update your look (with zero cost). It may take a while to get a hang of but practice makes perfect!

5) Change your look with free make-up samples

Credit: LookStylo.com

Another way to drastically change your appearance is by trying out new makeup trends. Beauty companies often do giveaways of their products, so keep an eye out on Magic Freebies for all the latest beauty samples.

If you're a fan of The Body Shop, why not pop in and enjoy a free makeover and skin consultation? Let them know you're after a new look, and they'll be able to give you tips and ideas. You may shudder at the idea of changing your well-honed make-up routine but don't be scared! Try a pop of colour in the form of a bright lipstick or eyeshadow and watch the compliments pour in.

6) Get a free eyebrow wax on your birthday

Credit: John Lewis

NEVER underestimate the impact a good pair of eyebrows can have on the rest of your face. Eyebrows frame your face and affect the way your other features appear. 

No-one knows brows better than Benefit and on your birthday you can treat yourself to a free brow wax, at your local Debenhams Benefit counter. A professional make-up artist will discuss with you the look that you're after and wax them into shape.

The style at the moment is the bigger the better, but it's up to you how you want them to look. Is your birthday coming up? Find out how to get your free eyebrow wax now.

7) Organise a clothing swap with your friends

We all have items of clothing that spend far more time inside the wardrobe than out.

Why not set up a clothes swap with your friends? Get some love for your unwanted clothes and get some fresh new items in return!

Exchange the clothes that you know longer wear in return for items that your friends have fallen out of love with. 

It's a win/win situation:

You get rid of the clothes taking up too much space and get brand new ones for free! 

8) Get enough sleep & drink enough water

Credit: ScoopWhoop

I know, you've heard this one many times before! But you should never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. Clearer skin, feeling more alert and helping to aid weight loss are just a few of the many benefits. What's not to love? There are lots of ways to make water taste more exciting if you're not a fan of it plain! Try adding some slices of cucumber, or a sprinkle of herbs or mint to give it an extra kick of flavour. Remember, your morning cup of tea also counts toward your water intake! Another reason to pop the kettle on now...

Make sure you catch your Zs and drink enough water and you'll notice the benefits in no time.

There are also a few things you can do differently when buying new products that will help you save money on updating your look...

9) Shop out of season

Credit: Wallpaper Flare

Shopping out of season is the best way to snap up the highest possible discounts on clothes & accessories. It can be tempting to shop for the season we're in, especially with brands bringing out new and exciting products every single week - but if you can put your blinkers on and wait til the end of the season you'll see the biggest discounts.

Brands need to clear out stock and so that's why you'll see huge discounts at the end of each season.

Plus, it's fun to have new things to look forward to using when the time comes!

10) Clear out your clothes & buy new ones in quick succession

When we're updating our style, it's important to make sure we don't hold on to anything that doesn't, in the words of Marie Kondo, "Spark Joy". It's easy to clear out your clothes in the usual way - with a 'keep' and 'go' pile... but what about adding another layer to the process? 

As you go through your clothes, take stock of what you're keeping and ask yourself why & what purpose they have in your wardrobe? If you're hoping to keep hold of your new found space and easy-to-navigate wardrobe, then use this time to shop for any replacements you might need. If you shop for clothes & accessories shortly after having a clear out, you will have a much better image in your head of all the items you own and this will help you buy things that will genuinely go with things you already own. This saves you money on ill-informed impulse purchases that only wind up in the donation bins the next year it's time for your clear out. Shop smart!

11) Shop for style, not fashion

Fast fashion can be tempting, but guess what? Consumerism is so fast-paced, there are now considered to be 52 seasons in a year in fashion! That's a whole lot of new designs being churned out, with low quality materials to meet demand. Us consumers are also throwing these same clothes out at a similar rate, so isn't there money to be saved here? When you're looking to buy something new, ask yourself if you can see yourself wearing the item until it's worn thin and if you think the quality is good enough to last you a few years. By shopping in this way, you'll make fewer more meaningful purchases that will last you much longer and you'll save tonnes of cash on quick, cheap purchases that don't last.

12) Use Facebook Ads to find hidden discount codes

We've saved the best til last! Did you know that you can head to the Facebook Ad Library and search for any brand? Browse your favourite brands and you might get lucky and spy a hidden promo code to use on their site. This is a great way to snap up bargains as so many brands put their best offers on social media platforms.

So, if you're looking to update your style, why not give these methods a go? You never know how drastically your look could change...

Alex xx