Skin care, makeup, hair product – the art of being beautiful (or for most of us attempting to be beautiful) adds up. From discovering which products work for me to debating the age old dilemma of price vs. effectiveness, my budget always cries a little bit when I walk into a Sephora or ULTA or attend a party hosted by a friend.
Buying a product you’ve never used before always brings a risk of wasting money. How’s a consumer to know what’s the best fit for both their appearance and their wallet? These simple strategies might help you sort through the beauty and the cheap debate.
Sample, Sample, Sample
Nothing makes me more depressed than opening a cabinet or drawer and stumbling across a full sized bottle of something I haven’t used. Whether I didn’t like the fragrance or the product couldn’t tame my crazy curly hair, the hall closet next to the bathroom is where beauty supplies go to die in our house. Samples save lives of unused skin care, shampoo, and more. Stores like Sephora are more than happy to allow you to try out a specific product before you purchase. When you can, sample a product before making an investment.
As a side note, I found a skin care line I LOVE by buying a sampler pack of their product. Formula 10.0.6 is such an affordable brand and I’ve had amazing results with the products. I can find the best prices on the line at ULTA where there’s frequently B1G1 half off sales.
Don’t Make High Pressure Decisions
I have many sweet friends who have made good money over the years selling products they love. From makeup to bags to kitchenware, the business opportunities abound. In person parties have morphed into online gatherings in recent years. In wanting to support our friends and their excitement for their products, it can be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the moment.
We order to help their burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit. Or, we order because of the persistent posts online. We feel the pressure to order because of a limited time offer. While it’s totally fine to purchase products you love, it’s not a good idea to simply buy something because you feel pressured. The same principle applies when you’re being helped by an associate at a beauty counter, too. Buy only what your budget can afford.
Take Advantage of Rewards Programs
ULTA, Sephora, and Beauty Brands all offer rewards programs giving you special coupons and discounts based on your purchases. So if you shop these stores, you need to be taking advantages of those offers and timing your purchases well. They also offer fantastic birthday freebies, too. But be warned my last two birthday freebies led to me to buy the full sized products because I loved the promotional item so much.
Coupons and Amazon
You’ll still find plenty of fantastic deals on skincare, makeup, and hair care in your favorite big retailer or drugstore. Pay close attention to unit price on tried and true products, opting for a larger size when it’s most economical. Be sure to make use of both digital and paper coupons in store, too. Most major brands run rotating deals that coincide with coupon offerings. You may even want to check Amazon from time to time for your favorite beauty supplies. In fact, Amazon has a number of free beauty box samples. You pay an upfront fee of $9.99 or $19.99 depending on the box and then are refunded the amount if you order a product from a set list. Check out these options:
- Women’s Daily Beauty Sample Box $7.99
- Women’s Skin Care and Hair Care Sample Box $9.99
- Aveeno Sample Box $7.99
- Men’s Luxury Grooming Sample Box $19.99
- Women’s Luxury Beauty Sample Box $19.99
Target has a similar program, too. Each month, they release a limited number of sample boxes, too.
Ask Around
If you notice a friend has beautiful skin or love someone’s shade of lipstick, ask. I’ve discovered some of the simplest and most affordable products merely by asking a question or two of my friends. Use social media to share your quest for the perfect mascara or mousse. Find out what brands others have had success with and which ones you should avoid, too.
Don’t Be a Brand Snob
Especially when you shop at a big box retailer, don’t be afraid to try the generic skin care line or shampoo. Products with the highest ticket price aren’t necessarily the best fit for you or even the better choice. When you can, buy the store brands instead of the name brands. Many have the same or a similar quality. This is especially handy at a store like Meijer that frequently runs BOGO half deals on their generic beauty products.
Go Homemade
Coconut oil, eggs, vinegar, baking soda . . . no, it’s not a recipe for a protein smoothie. All of these natural ingredients can be used in multiple ways to enhance your appearance. Do a simple YouTube search for frugal beauty ideas and you’ll find a plethora of videos showing how to make the most of your kitchen cabinets in the pursuit of better skin, teeth, and hair.
Cultivate Beauty from the Inside Out
We all know that true beauty comes from within. Your heart, your soul, your spirit, your humor define your beauty more than any lipstick ever could. Your personal habits can also feed or destroy your beauty. Staying well hydrated and eating well might do more good for your skin than any cleanser ever could. Make wise choices and let your loveliness shine right through.
There’s nothing wrong with putting your best foot forward, but the pursuit of beauty rarely leads to true happiness. Realize there are no miracle products, solving every issue or problem area. And if someone’s trying to sell you a miracle elixir to remove all of your wrinkles be suspicious. Be smart about which products you buy and make the most of your chances to save. After all, a full wallet is a thing of beauty, too.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission.
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