A world where the beauty industry continues to boom with luxurious serums, influencer endorsed palates and new product launches every week, keeping up with the latest trends can be difficult financially. The truth is though, looking and feeling your best doesn’t have to break the bank.
Whether it’s shopping for high end items for drugstore dupes or incorporating clever beauty hacks, there are plenty of ways that you can simplify and save without sacrificing the results you’re looking for. For instance, even essentials like cheap glasses can be stylish and chic if you know where to shop. We’ve put together a list of smart, budget friendly strategies to make your beauty routine more affordable.
- Streamline your routine. One of the most effective ways to cut your beauty costs is to simplify your current regimen. Many people fall into the trap of thinking they need a 10 step skin care routine or multiple products for each step in their make up process. The reality is that most skin types only require 3 core skincare care items, a cleanser, A moisturizer and sunscreen. The rest, such as toners, essences and serums, can be nice to have, but they’re not really essential. You need to stop by identifying the actual needs of your skin. If it’s dry, prioritise hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. If you are acne prone, a single product of salicylic acid may be all you need. When it comes to makeup, a good foundation, mascara and versatile palette can go a very long way.
- Choose multi use products. These are a game changer for a budget conscious beauty lover. Items like tinted moisturizers with SPF, lip and cheek tints, or eyeshadow palettes that double as highlighters or contour powders offer much more bang for your buck. These products can help you to save both money and space in your beauty bag. Another example is using coconut oil as both a makeup remover and a hair mask. Micellar water is another affordable option that can cleanse, tone and remove makeup in one go.
- Embrace those drug store brands. Drugstore beauty products and nothing like those from a decade ago. There are brands out there that have up their game and offer impressive quality, a fraction of the cost of luxury labels. You can find a full face of makeup or an effective skin care routine for under $50 if you are strategic with your shop. Check reviews and YouTube comparisons because many beauty influencers do dupe videos where they test them alternatives to high end products. You might be surprised at how well a $6 foundation performs next to a $60.00 one.
- Get smart about the tools that you use. Beauty tools can be expensive, but not all of them are necessary. While professional makeup brushes, for example, can cost upward of $100 per set, there are many affordable options on the market that offer similar results. Look for brush sets on sites like Amazon or in stores like Target and Ulta, where you can often find quality sets for up to $30.
- Do your skin care yourself. Homemade skin care can be fun and cost effective as a way to pamper your skin. Natural ingredients like honey, yoghurt, oatmeal and avocado can be transformed into nourishing masks and treatments for pennies. A simple sugar and olive oil scrub, for instance, can rival pricey exfoliants at the store. Always be cautious with DIY ingredients and research first and avoid anything that could damage your skin like lemon juice or baking soda. Both of these can disrupt your skin’s natural pH, which you would like to avoid.
- Buy in bulk or subscription. Buying your go to products in larger sizes or through subscription services can save you money in the long run. Many retailers offer discounts for auto delivery or bulk purchases too. If there are products that you use consistently, like cleanses, mascaras or dry shampoo, consider subscribing for regular shipments at a reduced price. You can also join beauty memberships or loyalty programs. Sephora, Ulta, and even drugstores like CVS offer points based systems where you earn rewards, discounts and sometimes free gifts just for shopping.
- Declutter and take inventory. Before you buy the next hyped up beauty product, take stock of what you already have. How many lipsticks or serums do you really need? Go through your makeup bag and sort the items by usage and expiration date. You might find hidden gems that you forgot about. Organizing your products can prevent you from making duplicate purchases and help you to see which items you actually use versus impulse. The goal is to invest only in what truly enhances your look and your lifestyle.
- Follow beauty sales and coupons. Sales cycles are predictable once you start paying attention. Major discounts usually happen around the holidays, Black Friday, and back to school seasons, including for things like glasses and contact lenses. Sign up for e-mail newsletters from your favorite beauty brands and retailers to receive notifications.
- Swap and share with friends. If you have beauty loving friends, consider hosting a beauty swap. Everybody brings gently used or unused products that they don’t want and you trade. It’s a fun way to try new items without spending the money. Just make sure the products are clean and safe to share. Lipsticks, powders, and unopened skin care are best for swapping, but don’t share products that are applied directly to the eyes or open wounds because you don’t want to share an infection along with beauty products.
- Know when to splurge and when to save. Being budget conscious doesn’t mean never splurging, but it means knowing when you should spend more on products that really make a difference or need to perform well, like foundations or skin care treatments that directly affect your skin’s health. On the flip side, save on the trendy products that change frequently or are fun to experiment with, like lip glosses or bright eye shadows. This way you maintain some balance in your budget without missing out on the fun.
