But speaking of makeup, I'm on a pretty tight budget, so how do I save money when it comes to beauty products? Let's see:
- Dupes--There is almost always a dupe or knockoff of a more expensive beauty product. Try the drugstore generic of a favorite beauty or hair product. Usually they're made in the same factory! Not in the mood to treasure hunt and try? Search for ____dupe (ex. Mac lipstick dupe) and you'll easily find a comparable product for a fraction of the price.
- Drugstore--Most of the products I use are drugstore! The quality of what you'll find is so much better than it used to be. Try Wet N Wild shadows, Revlon lipsticks, and Covergirl mascara, just to name a few.
- DIY--When I saw a brown sugar scrub for $65 (seriously) I knew I could easily make my own. And I do for many DIY hair, skin, and body products. Check those out here.
- Returns--Is there anything worse than spending your money on a new lipstick only to hate it once you bring it home? Luckily, many stores allow returns, even with opened & used products! Try Sephora, Ulta, drugstores, Wal-Mart and Target. Keep the receipt!
- Monthly Subscriptions--One way to sample new beauty products is to try a monthly subscription service, such as Birchbox or MyGlam. Some are even free--try influenster.com
- Beauty Swap--If you have a lot of good friends who use beauty products, try a beauty swap. What doesn't work for you might be perfect for someone else! Makeup can be easily disinfected (click here for a post on how to disinfect makeup).
- Sell, Donate, or Repurpose--See link above for more details!
- Multipurpose Products--I love it when I can use a product for more than one thing. Conditioner easily becomes shaving lotion, baby wipes make great makeup removers, and lipstick can be blush!
- Choose Wisely--I love drugstore products, but I do spend money on my haircut and color. But drugstore mascaras are always better than high-end brands. If you have finicky skin, a name-brand foundation is a wise investment. Many drugstore shampoos work just as well as the fancy ones.
Where do you spend and splurge when it comes to beauty?
Are you all high end? Drugstore diva? Or high-low?
Hi Elle,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a beauty swap. Glad to know some stores will take returns on opened products...that's my reason for not buying where I can't try a product.
Great advice, love it! I spend most on foundations/mascaras. I want them to be specific. For other things - creams etc I don't mind buying a cheaper product. xxx
ReplyDeleteSunshineDays
On TV?! Nice - what were they interviewing you about?
ReplyDeleteAwesome tips Elle, i like the idea of the beauty swap and multitasking products
ReplyDeleteDo tell us what you were interviewed for! And I know....it always happens like that, eh? They always seem to get you when you're not ready.
ReplyDeleteAnd agree about the Revlon lippies. They rock!
BTW, I nominated you for a blog award, Elle:)
ReplyDeleteI did a one-time splurge on organic mineral makeup: foundation, blush, three eye shadows, mascara, lip gloss, and a new brush. I have very sensitive skin, so I like using organic products for foundation/blush. I love buying drug store lip gloss, mascara, nail polish, and eye shadow, though.
ReplyDeleteFor hair, I use drugstore brands, but Organix, which is pricey for a drugstore brand. Still cheaper than salon brands!
I buy a lot of drugstore makeup, but I think foundation is worth the splurge. Wonderful tips!
ReplyDeleteSince I don't wear a lot of makeup- I usually purchase my stuff from the Drugstore, or maybe Sephora!
ReplyDeleteThese are some fantastic tips, Elle! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the celebrity. Sorry you don't feel you were looking your best. Every time I skimp on my beauty regime and go out, I run into an old classmate...
ReplyDeletei can't wait to move back to the US to try birchbox!
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips! I splurge on my face makeup because I have sensitive skin, but I mostly use NYC for my eyes/lips! I'm going to have to try that Wet n Wild lipstick you mentioned in your last post!
ReplyDeleteFor my tried and true favorites, I wait until they are on sale and then stock up. I buy most things at CVS so I can use extra care bucks and coupons there. :)
ReplyDeleteYou probably looked fine for the interview. Was it something about the hurricane?
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is, I'm an Arbonne consultant (I sell botanically based skin care and makeup), but I still use Revlon lipstick!
I did not know you could return used make up. That is a great tip!
ReplyDeleteMan, if I knew that many places did returns, I would have returned a few makeup products instead of having them sit in my drawer taking up precious space.
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely do dupes and drugstore brands as well.
Great tips! I basically use whatever my sister recommends to me -- some a bit more high-end items, some bargain items, since she knows what works and what doesn't!
ReplyDeleteEeek how horrific! But I'm sure you're just being too hard on yourself. We always look at ourselves with a more critical eye. I bet you looked gorge :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Elle. And you're so right about a lot of prestige and mass brands being made at the same plant. You can definitely get quality at drugstore prices.
xoxo
I always get a thrill when I find a drugstore "dupe" for a high end product! Fantastic! So they did air your interview? I'm sure you looked better than you think you did!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there were such literal copies of products–genius!
ReplyDeletegreat tips. i do spend a lot of time looking at the brads/products carried at the drug store since a lot are good :)
ReplyDeleteThanks lady! I tend to love Wet n Wild, NYC and ELF better than high end brands!
ReplyDeleteI am almost entirely drug store, but I do love Mac eye shadows and Bobbi Brown's concealers.
ReplyDeleteawesome tips
ReplyDeleteGood tips! I tend to have a mix of lines, some high-end, market buys, etc. There are a few brands that I will spurge on from time to time. But, I have recently been getting loads of items online and from friends who work in the beauty industry. Those large samples are still saving me when I'm travelling. So helpful.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip on the being able to return make up when opened. Had no idea.
ReplyDeleteGood reminder! I'm still searching for a drugstore equivalent of Chanel Inimitable intense (which I love!) I do find I have to search a while for nail polish dupes too, but would love to try more shades!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
I'm definitely drugstore diva, but I'm always curious about the more expensive products. They are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteGREAT TIPS! i like the beauty swap idea a lot!
ReplyDeletexo
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