Stephanie is saving to buy a house, and Matthews says that beauty is a category in which you can find creative ways to save.

To help Stephanie remember her financial goal, Matthews suggests this technique: Close your eyes and imagine yourself in 30, 40 or 50 years. She says that studies have shown envisioning yourself as an older person can help to accept delaying gratification -- i.e., resisting those massage and scrub add-ons at the nail salon. "People start to think more concretely about the consequences of their present choices," Matthews explains. "And then they're more likely to make decisions that their future self doesn't regret."

Stephanie says she won't budge on her manicures, but it might just be because she hasn't tried long-lasting nail appliques yet. (Several of our staff members swear by them.) Switching to thrice-monthly appliques would save her $600 a year.

Stephanie is diligent about her skin-care routine. She regularly uses:

-La Roche-Posay Effaclar DUO Acne Treatment, $36.95
-La Roche-Posay Effaclar Toner, $23.99
-La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, $15

Instead of shelling out $80 every few months for an acne treatment, Stephanie should look for similar products with the same active ingredients: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment, $7.99; Dr. Lin Acne Spot Corrector, $7.49; and Biore Blemish Fighting Astringent, $5.99, contain the same active ingredients. Switching products could save her $178 a year.

Now for the makeup swaps. Product junkies know these as "makeup dupes" -- drugstore makeup look-alikes that mimic the department store goods. Stephanie's wallet would benefit from these swaps:

-Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Berry Pop, $21, for NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose, $5

-Benefit High Beam, $26, for e.l.f. Essential Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal, $1

-Lancome Hypnose Mascara, $26, for Maybelline The Falsies Mascara, $7

Making switches like these would save Stephanie an additional $150 a year, bringing her total savings to $928 annually.

Age: 22
Annual Salary: $25,000
Monthly Take Home Pay: $1,668
Monthly Beauty Expenses: $62

Beauty Budget Breakdown: A.J. is a 22-year-old recent graduate working as an assistant at a publishing company. She spends $750 a year on beauty -- she gets $60 facials every other month, uses drugstore makeup, gets cheap trims at a no-frills hair salon and occasionally splurges on manicures. She pays for her most of her expenses, but her parents still cover her cell phone and car payment. She has no savings and no debt.

Why: A.J. argues that splurging on facials means she can go lighter on cosmetics. "Keeping my skin under control means I don't have to spend a lot on expensive makeup," she says. She occasionally worries about not accruing savings, but feels she doesn't make enough money to save. "I'd only be able to set aside around $50 a month, and even that would be making a sacrifice," she says.

Matthews says that now is exactly the time that A.J. should be worried about socking away savings each month. "My advice is even more urgent when you're young," she says. Matthews says that even setting aside as little as $50 a month is significant, especially because it builds the habit of saving. "You should automatically say, 'This is my take-home pay, these are my expenses and this is what I need to invest.' Then, after that, that's your 'play' money."

Matthews also notes that if you're not saving, your money is basically depreciating while you sleep. "If you're not investing, your money is not accumulating," she explains. "If you're earning zero interest, your money isn't even growing at the rate of inflation."

Switching from salon manicures to an at-home DIY job will save A.J. about $20 each month. She can also switch her facial routine to once every three months instead of every other month, saving her another $120 a year. Ildi Pekar, facialist to celebs like Miranda Kerr, says that maintaining your after-facial glow is possible if you follow the right at-home regimen. She recommends asking your esthetician for a routine. Pekar also says that using a facial scrub twice a week will get rid of dead skin build-up, leaving you glowing and polished.

It doesn't sound like much, but scrimping here and there adds up to $360 a year -- a nice cushion if her car breaks down or another emergency pops up. Meanwhile, putting that money into a savings account means her money will appreciate.