Updated on July 12th, 2023
AD – Sponsored | With new makeup constantly being released, it can be overwhelming and also expensive to try new products. In this post, I want to share 5 ways you can save money on makeup.
5 Ways to Save Money on Makeup
#1 Look for Deals
One of the easiest ways to save money on makeup is to look for deals. You can use websites like Latest Deals to browse sales online. You can find deals for individual makeup products, makeup sets, brushes, and makeup bags. Also, you can wait for sales at your local beauty store or browse the clearance section to find a good deal.
#2 Buy Drugstore Brands
Drugstore brands can sometimes get a bad rep for being cheap and low quality, but there are affordable brands that are good quality, and they can sometimes even be better than high-end brands. Drugstore brands can often have dupes of high-end brand products including elf makeup, therefore, it is worthwhile to look into drugstore makeup products. You can check out My All-Time Favorite Makeup post to see what drugstore makeup products I recommend.
#3 Get Samples
Often times you can receive free makeup samples from the beauty counters at stores so you can try out the products before you buy them. You can also buy sample sets both in stores and online to try out various products. By getting samples, you can try out makeup products you are interested in before spending money on the full-size product. If you end up not liking the sample, you will be saving money by not buying the full-sized product!
#4 Make Your Own
Another option to save money on makeup is to make your own using simple ingredients that are non-toxic. You can find DIY recipes for makeup products including foundation, blush, bronzer, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, and lipstick on Google. You can even make your own setting spray and makeup remover!
#5 Use What You Have
The last way to save money on makeup is a bit obvious, but it is to use the makeup you already have. If you are like me, then you probably have way more eye shadow palettes and lipsticks than you need, so why not use them? If you tend to use the same makeup products, try going through your makeup collection. You may discover products you have not used in a while and you can switch them out with the products you currently use. You can also try doing a project pan where you track the progress of your makeup use as you try to hit the pan and use up your makeup products. Another thing you can do is set a spending ban or create a makeup budget to limit how many new makeup products you can buy.
If you are looking for more ways to save money on makeup, be sure to check out Live The Easy Life’s post on The Easy Way to Save Money on Cosmetics!
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These are such great tips!! Since we are moving soon I’m trying really hard to use up all the samples and products I already have before restocking. I have discovered products I love even more than my go-tos this way!!
That’s great you’ve found new products you love by using the samples & products you already have!
To be honest I barely buy makeup stuff because I find them expensive. Lol!! These are great tips, especially the drug store tip. That’s what I do when I buy anything once in a blue moon. Lol!
Yes makeup can be so expensive, but it’s great you do buy from drugstore brands when you buy new makeup!
Make up can be so expensive, soon racks it up. My tip is don’t be lead by fomo. It’s rarely worth the hype and trend. I spend more on tried and tested ones, than I do on gimmicks and fads x
Yes I agree! When I see a new product come out that I’m interested in, I’ll wait until it’s reviewed by others (especially other bloggers) to see if it’s actually worthwhile. If I’m still interested in it I’ll most likely put it on my bday or Christmas wish list.
These are some really great tips! Make-up is expensive but I love to try new colors and items so there definitely needs to be a balance and tips will help a lot!
Thank you! I like being able to try new colors as well & by buying drugstore brands or the mini versions you can!
I love these tips for saving money on makeup. I can’t believe how fast the cost adds up. A couple of brushes and a foundation later, you can spend $100 already. Oooh, it is interesting that you can make your own makeup. I find this great where you can control what to add into the ingredients. At the same time, this comes with a lot of time with backend researching. I like the idea of using what you have. A bit goes a long way. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Nancy ♥
Thank you! I agree! Foundation can be so expensive then if you need concealer that’s an extra cost then what about primer & setting spray? It does add up!
Making your own makeup does require doing some research, but like you said it’s good to know what ingredients are actually in your makeup!
#2 for me all the way. I have found that some of their makeup is so much better than some of the high end products that I buy, and I do find them less irritable on my skin too.
I also like looking in the bargain bins to see if I can find a good deal – $6 for OPI nail polish – yes please!
Great post 🙂
Yes! Drugstore brands are great & I’m glad to hear that they’re less irritable on your skin!
Thank you!
That’s a great idea on how to use other products. I sometimes use highlighters as eyeshadows. I don’t think it’s arrogant at all. I too have a lot of makeup and would like to be much more skilled with it than I am but I still know how to create great looks and am often complimented on my makeup. The important thing is to be as unique as possible with the products you have. I occasionally go for high end makeup if I get money for Christmas or my birthday and sometimes get gifted it. But I am really into dupes and have found some from Aliexpress (UD palette dupes) or also W7 is a good brand for dupes from the drugstore as are Revolution and I Heart Revolution. Wet ‘n’ Wild is good too.
That’s good you can find other ways to use your makeup & I also get high end makeup as gifts.
I haven’t looked on Aliexpress, but I do agree W7, I Heart Revolution & Wet n Wild are good brands!
Yes they do really great dupes.
These are good tips girl! Have you ever used FragranceDirect.com? It’s an outlet store that sells brand makeup at clearance prices – the selection is pretty sporadic in terms of colour choices etc. but it’s a GREAT way to save money xx
Thank you! I haven’t checked out Fragrance Direct, but I will! Thank you for recommending it!
I pretty much do the same thing. 🙂
First of all, I have a lot of make-up, so I don’t need anything.
When I feel like buying new stuff, I always check what’s on special at the drugstore, and I make my selection from there. I have no interest in high end or designer make-up. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I know I’m good with nails and make-up, and I can usually make even the cheapest stuff look great. And if not, then I try to find another use for the product in question (i.e. use the pigment from chalky eyeshadows to make stamping nail polish). 👍
That’s great you look for specials when you want to buy something new! & that’s awesome you can find new ways to use the products!
I don’t buy stuff unless I have tried it. I don’t worry about cost as long as it delivers… especially on eyeliner for me. I need one that stays and does not smear and is easy to put on. I also need to be aware of foundation that does not settle in the wrinkles! So I splurge on the good stuff that works!
When I can cut corners I go for the best reasonably priced makeup …NYX! They have the best lip liner and many other wonderful products!
By the way … thank you for visiting my blog! How kind of you! 😊
That’s good you try makeup before you buy it & yes sometimes it is good to splurge if you know the product works!
NYX is a great brand but I haven’t tried their lip liners!
While I don’t really wear makeup, I once had a sales associate recommend buying a cheaper brand to test out colours if I wasn’t sure what I would like. That way, if I liked it I could invest in a more high quality product instead of wasting money on it in the first place.
That’s a good idea since you can try out products & see what you like!
I have a lot of makeup and I use it little by little. I am an eyeshadow addict and have products in a makeup drawer and makeup bags. I limit my makeup purchases of mascara, only buying and using one tube of mascara plus a topcoat mascara now and then since mascaras can dry up and I have sensitive eyes.
I used to buy so many lipsticks and prefer lipstick to gloss as it is more moisturising. I limit the amount of lipsticks I buy as it takes me longer to use lipsticks than eyeshadows. I have a bag for lipsticks and if they won’t fit, I won’t buy them no matter how much I want them.
I used to be drawn to TV ads and would buy the products that were new in a range.
Now I go on reviews more if I want to have some idea before I buy the product.
I look for offers to save, buy one get one free, 3 or 2 etc either in my local drugstore or on their website and have always done this ever since I started using makeup when I was young.
I limit my most used collection to whatever will fit into my makeup drawer and makeup bags and have products that do not fit stored away or even in their original mail bags to keep them protected.
I use foundations, concealers primers and powders as I buy them and do not buy more than I need at one time so they are fresher to use and do not build up germs.
I buy a pack of sponges to apply makeup and brush sets rather than getting these items separately unless there is a specific one I want.
I write down the dates I buy makeup and try and use older products first.
The final way I save is by putting items on my Christmas and birthday list.
I agree about getting samples, getting drugstore brands and looking for deals. I do all of that. I do try and have a spending ban which is easier said than done but I have managed to now and then, I look for dupes and find that actually makeup lasts longer than manufacturers say if it is stored, closed and used properly. I store makeup and perfumes in drawers and bags and do not open products until they are finished and this way I always have unopened products for review. If I swatch a product I will then use it.
That’s great to hear about all the ways you save money on makeup!
That’s good you limit how much you buy & I’m the same way with foundation, concealer & primer & I only buy when I need a new one.
Looking for deals is a good way to save money & I also put makeup on my birthday & Christmas list that I want.
All of these tips are excellent!! Though I’m not too sure about the DIY, that’s usually a hit or miss(for me miss) LOL!! ♥
Thank you! I personally haven’t tried making any DIY makeup but I should since it might turn out great lol
I don’t buy a lot of make up so I don’t spend a lot of money on it personally anyway but I can definitely see why it adds up! Great tips x
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
Thank you! It’s good that you don’t spend a lot on makeup!