Beauty on a Budget: 7 Timeless Tips to Save Money on Makeup

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(Sorry guys, this post isn't likely to be directly useful to you, but you can share these tips with the girls in your life and look really knowledgeable and respectful about girlie things.)

Makeup is one of those items that I have a love/hate relationship with. I love trying new colors, dolling up my best friend's teenage daughter for prom, and goofing around with the girls for a spa night at home.

Now, don't get me wrong, I can go weeks without wearing makeup and be perfectly happy; it's not essential to my life. But it's fun to be creative and play with color combinations and application techniques.

Makeup also holds great potential for a shopping addiction. Before I had kids (when I had considerably more spending money), I used to shop for makeup on a regular basis. I stopped shopping at the drugstore and began venturing into the department store's line of more pricey products. The products were nice, but the price tag was outrageous. When my kids came along, I simply couldn't afford to keep up. I learned how to make what I had last longer and how to spend significantly less on my makeup.

Here are eight of my top tips for saving money on makeup:

1. Start with skin care.

No amount of quality cosmetics will make up for basic skin issues. Dry skin, blemishes, enlarged pores, etc must be treated in order for your make up to wear well and look good. If the canvas is a poor quality, the makeup doesn't matter. If you're going to spend more on anything, splurge on a quality skin care kit and use it regularly.

2. Buy your pressed or loose powder a shade darker than usual and mix in a little talcum powder.

This makes your powder last much longer and doesn't affect the overall look of your makeup.

3. Mix in a little quality moisturizer with your liquid foundation to make application smoother.

This also stretches how long your foundation will last since you're essentially using less each day. This technique allows me to purchase a single bottle of high-quality foundation and make it last for 10-12 months.

4. Always apply cosmetics with a brush, not your fingers.

Applying foundation with your fingers means you're wasting makeup on your hands that will be washed down the drain. Using a brush allows you to precisely apply the product exactly where you want it.

5. Shop for your favorite makeup regularly.

Popular drugstores like Rite Aid often have half-off sales to help clear out older inventory and make room for new products. You can stock up on the essentials at a fraction of the price during these sales. Sometimes you can even find a too-bright shade on clearance and mix it with a lighter shade you already own to make it useable.

6. Visit your local department store's cosmetics counter for a complimentary make over.

Most companies don't charge for this service (knowing you're likely to buy something before you leave) and this a great way to get a fresh look for special occasions without investing in new cosmetics.

7. Experiment with color.

Many items, such as nail polish, blush, and eye shadow can be mixed to create new colors. This can result in a new favorite shade or a new look without spending a dime on additional colors.

8. Always use a setting product to hold your look in place.

Topcoat for your nails, lipstick treatments, and loose powder are wise investments since they prevent the need for touchups.

Even if you're addicted to a pricey name brand cosmetics line, you can still save money by adding a few steps to your daily routine and being on the lookout for a good bargain.

What money-saving makeup tips have you found to be useful?

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If you're a makeup enthusiast like me, it's easy to blow your entire month's budget on the newest makeup products on the market.

There's just something about opening an eyeshadow palette the day after you get it or getting a compliment on that new nude lipstick that just makes life seem a little sweeter.

If you're looking for ways to save, but still want to look your best, here are a few tips to help you save on makeup!

Find Budget-Friendly Brands

I watch a lot of YouTube videos from influencers in the beauty community, and somehow I get convinced that I really need that $60 eyeshadow palette (when in reality I don't).

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So many of the popular makeup brands are incredibly overpriced and, while the product may be great, there are dupes on the market that have the same quality at a fraction of the price.

Below are some of my favorite budget-friendly makeup brands that you can find at your local drugstore, Ulta, and Sephora:

Join a Subscription Service

If you don't listen to any other suggestion on this list, pay close attention to this one.

I used to be someone who spent way too much money on makeup simply because I wanted to try new products. While my collection was impressive, it was frustrating to see exactly how much money I was wasting on products that would wind up just sitting in my vanity untouched.

That's why I decided to sign up for a makeup subscription service called Boxycharm. For only $25 a month, I receive a shipment of five full-sized products varying from makeup, skincare, and cosmetic tools.

Generally, there are multiple high-end and luxury products in each box along with 'indie' brands. This means you have the ability to try so many products that you likely never would have heard of or spent money on otherwise.

Another benefit is that if you love the products, you're able to purchase the product through Boxycharm at a crazy discounted price, saving you even more money in the end. Outside of Boxycharm, other subscription services include:

Reuse Broken Makeup

Nothing is more frustrating than dropping your bronzer on the bathroom floor on a groggy morning or your eyeshadow palette being destroyed from packing it poorly on vacation. It's like watching yourself throw your money straight in the trash when you see the entire product is now in shambles.

I'm here to tell you to wait before throwing your damaged goods away! There are plenty of at-home methods for saving your damaged cosmetics! For example, if you damage your powder makeup, follow these easy steps to make your products good as new!

1. Scrape remaining product into the compact or container and crush it all up into fine pieces.
2. Drop a few drops of rubbing alcohol into the product and smooth it out flat.
3. Let the product sit overnight to dry.
4. Voila! Your favorite bronzer, blush, or eyeshadow is ready to use and won't vary in quality.

Ask for Samples Before You Buy

Have you ever bought a product that a friend recommended, only to get home and find out that it doesn't work for you? Not only have you wasted money, but now you either have to make the decision to use the rest of a product you don't like or spend more money to buy something new.

There's an easy solution to this, though'ask for a sample before you purchase!

The sample will be just enough for you to discover if this is the right product to invest in. 

Use Coupons and Shop Sales

I know that getting flooded with emails from various companies can be aggravating, but I think it's a small price to pay when it can help you save money!

From top makeup retailers like Sephora and Ulta to drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens, you're almost guaranteed to find a valid coupon at any given time for a range of products.

Take advantage of these coupons to save on specific items in your makeup routine or even on your entire purchase! Many of these generic coupons can be combined with sales they have running, which can help you save even more. 

Lots of stores that have beauty products also offer rewards points like:

The best part about it'most of them are completely free to join!

Ultimately, whether you're using drugstore or high-end makeup, the most important thing is that you feel beautiful in whatever you're wearing. When the makeup is on your skin, nobody can tell how much you spent on a product, so shop smart when browsing the beauty aisle. 

Have you found any tricks that have helped you save when shopping the makeup aisle? If so, let us know in the comments below!

Married to my high school sweetheart. Dog mom to a golden retriever pup named Sage. Mexican food connoisseur. #1 fan of The Office. Just living every day like it's Pretzel Day.

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