how to save money on beauty products during the holidays

Makeup obsessed? Love to try out new products? I know the feeling. The problem is that being a beauty lover can get pretty costly. Especially if you are the type to pick up the holiday lines from Too Faced, Tarte, and every other Sephora favourite. Being a beauty lover is a wonderful thing…. except when it takes a hit on your finances. Don’t stress this season. There are plenty of ways to save money on products without feeling the pinch that December often brings. Here are a few of my personal favourites.

Make The Most Of What You Already Have. One of the things I struggle with most is overbuying makeup and beauty products. If there is something new and exciting on the shelves, I usually want to try it. One solution? Shop your stash. Take a look through your makeup collection and re-discover old products that have been pushed aside. Try using what you already have to put together a look that is unique and different. It can be a lot of fun and push you creatively.

Another idea is to take part in the “I Hit Pan” challenge. This has been floating around the Internet for a while – and for good reason. The idea is to hit pan on a few of the products you already have before buying more. That gorgeous bronzer you bought a while back? Use it until you hit pan or there is nothing left. Then and only then can you go out and buy another bronzer. Sound fair? This can help you avoid the lure of those oh-so-pretty holiday sets. 

Look Online For Deals and Discounts. It’s true. Makeup can be expensive....but it can also be pretty reasonable. Especially if you do your shopping online. It’s true you won’t be able to swatch and debate when you look online. But on the plus side, you are more likely to buy only what you actually need when the products aren’t right there in front of you.

There are also some pretty great deals to be found online. Using rebate sites is one way to save while shopping. Or you can always make the most of discount codes, holiday sales, tax-free promotions, and so on. It all comes down to timing and checking back often. Another idea? Check out a website like Miss A, where everything costs a dollar. That can be a great way to try out new products without breaking your holiday budget. 

Mix and Match Drugstore and High End. Who said high cost means high quality? Sometimes the more expensive makeup items tend to be a total letdown. (I have been in that boat before!) Sure there are certain products that are totally amazing…. but one great way to save money this season is to mix and match.

Rather than buying everything you want from Sephora or MAC, buy your absolute musts from high-end shops and fill in the gaps with drugstore products. Say you love the MAC Pro Long Wear Concealer. Great, buy it! But look for other ways to save. Pick up a Maybelline brow pencil instead. Or a Hard Candy blush. You never know. You might be surprised at how many products you love that are still cost effective.

Watch Beauty Gurus and Read Reviews. These days it is easier than ever to find out how a product performs before you buy it. It is all thanks to bloggers and YouTube makeup gurus. They are constantly posting about products new and old. That means you can get a better idea of whether or not it will work for you.

If you have been eyeing an expensive eyeshadow palette, wait. Do a quick search online and read up on it before you splurge. You just might find that the shadows are chalky or lack pigmentation. This can help you save money on products you will never use. Let reviews guide you to make smart purchases this month! 

Yes, it is possible to save money on makeup. So get creative, shop smart, and use what you’ve got. Your wallet will thank you! 

Have any tips of your own to share? Comment down below! 

xo Shannon