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According to Forbes, the global beauty industry is a $532 billion business. On average, women in the United States use five skincare products per day, and men are close behind. From moisturizers and toners to cosmetics, the costs of these products can add up quickly.
But that doesn’t mean you have to go without them. Working them into your budget is the best way to get the best of both worlds. Read on for some of our favorite tips for shopping for beauty products without breaking the bank.
Beauty product subscription boxes won’t make sense for everyone, as they’re generally not the cheapest options out there. But for people who regularly run out of certain products, they can help save you money in the long run.
If you only need the occasional cosmetic or moisturizer, skip ahead. But if you prefer to keep a product lineup at home, you may want to look into one of these popular beauty product subscription boxes:
Most of them can be customized based on your skin tone, skin concerns, frequency of use, and other personal preferences. These boxes are also a great option for people who want to try a new product in a small volume before making a larger investment.
If your routine doesn’t require regular beauty box deliveries, you can score major savings by choosing the right store to find affordable makeup. Dollar store chains, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, Walmart, and Target often offer discounted beauty products.
Check for further discounts before you shop by searching for coupons or cash-back deals on the brands and stores you like. Signing up for free loyalty programs like the CVS Extra Care card that will send coupons straight to your inbox each month.
Discount beauty product brands have come a long way, so there’s typically no need to spend $20+ on one tube of mascara anymore. Brands like ELF cosmetics and others sold in dollar stores offer many of their products for as little as $2. At such a low price, it’s worth a try. Many budget-conscious consumers swear by them working just as well as more costly options.
But if the super-discounted brands don’t fit your needs or preferences, try the brands one level up. Mid-level cosmetic companies, like Maybelline and CoverGirl, sell products that are still affordable while also coming with the backing of a big, reputable brand.
At roughly $9 per mascara - one of the most popular cosmetics out there - they’re still considered budget-friendly. And they sell a wide range of cosmetics to cover all different skin types, skin concerns, and beauty needs.
Before you buy new beauty products, do a sweep of your home. Are there old eyeshadow pallets, eyeliners, toners, lipsticks, or other products that have long expired and are now just sitting around taking up space without serving a purpose?
One of the keys to saving money is to recognize the difference between wants and needs. This is one reason why so many experts recommend doing a yearly closet cleanout. This rule should apply to your cosmetics and skincare products, too.
If you haven’t used it or missed it in the last six to twelve months, don’t waste money replacing it. Save yourself time and money by only buying beauty products that you know you’ll put to good use, then skip the rest. When it comes to cosmetics, less is more anyway.
We’ve all fallen into the trap of flashy packaging, taking a casual recommendation to heart, or choosing a product without looking at other options. Then, once we’ve gotten it home and ripped it out of its packaging (rendering it unreturnable), we’ve realized that it was not a good fit.
This happens a lot with products like concealers and lipsticks that come in many different shades. Thankfully, product reviews can help us get out ahead of problems like these. Many shoppers, especially when it comes to cosmetics, post detailed reviews and pictures of their purchases.
Doing a bit of research before you try a new product might help you discover that something isn’t a good fit for your skin tone, or it flakes quickly or doesn’t set right before you spend the money on it and learn for yourself.
Looking for other great recommendations on how to save money, set a budget, or stick to a personal budget? Check out the Spotloan blog for informative articles designed to help you budget better and keep more of your money in your pocket.