Being Frugal with Cosmetics Tips & Methods

[lyra]

I used to spend tons of money accumulating cosmetics and keep on buying every shade of lipstick I like, lipglosses, body lotions, toiletries you name it.

I always thought that piling up cosmetics and toiletries is a normal behavior because that's how I was raised. I realize that normal people only buy one bottle of body lotion and use it up, then buy a new one when it's finished.

I also learned that people use up their powders and blushes until they hit pan.

A recent financial change in my life has taught me a lot and I decide that it's time for me to change. All this time,I was like being stuck in some sort of inertia from my childhood and teenage years.

Here's what I am doing right now :

- only buy one bottle of body lotion per purchase and use it until finish
- using drug store brands for make up and moisturizers
- use my powders, blushes, eye shadow until they hit pan
- always buy neutral daily wear colors
- i used to hoard nail polish. now i only buy one neutral color for daily use
- use bar soap instead of liquid
- buy cheaper brand for haircare products
- have a fixed monthly toiletries budget and stick with it
- not buying lipsticks & gloss for this year, because I want to use up all the lip color and gloss I collected
- i invest in kits. I do my own manicure & pedicures. I never go to salons
- i invest in good hairstyling equipments, I do my own hair styling

[The Muse]

I'm a stockpiler and find it to be cheaper in the long run if I stock up on toiletries as I find deals. In the US, I was able to get body lotion, deodorant, soap, haircare products, etc. free or close to free with sales, coupons, Extracare Bucks, etc.

I don't really see where you'd find savings in not taking advantage of those deals, unless by some miracle of timing you run out of something at the exact week there's a great deal.

Cosmetics are different issue. It can take forever to go through a tube of lipstick, but I did the same for foundation and mascara as I did for toiletries because those ten to run out more quickly and I tend to be more brand loyal on these items.

But if you've found a system that's good for you, that's what matters!

[Catherine]

One of my friends works as a consultant for a beauty company. I just order what I need and get everything quickly.

[Pemberleyan]

I only buy my foundation from a cosmetic store, Merle Norman, because I haven't found anything to equal it for less. Otherwise, I buy from Walmart, etc. I was in my local grocery when they had marked down loose face powder to a fraction of its original cost. I bought some very dark powder and mix it with baby powder for my pale skin. It should last for years. Between occasional gifts of lotion sets and the free samples from Merle Norman, I spend very little on cosmetics.

[lisaflex]

i am a bit of a snob in this area.

cetaphil facial cleanser
purpose face lotion w/ spf
laura mercier primer
aveeda tinted moisturizer (instead of liquid makeup)
YSL undereye brightener
smashbox eye shadow
clinique super glossy mascara
clinizue lip primer
sephora brand lip liner and lipstick

i do many other frugal things though. just not so much in this area.

[Lori67]

I understand your idea. I also used to buy a ton of products. Years ago I would drop a load on MAC or Bobbie Brown. Then I decided I really didn't need to do that because of my extremely oily skin they didn't hold up any better than anything else.

Then I went back to using drugstore products like I did in my early 20s. But I just had an issue of buying too much. I would see one of my friends use a certain kind so I thought that I should try it. Then I would think I sent too much money if is wasn't one of the cheaper products in the drugstore so I would get the cheaper one next time. Sometimes I would have too may products and couldn't decide if I wanted to wear a full face everyday or just have minimum. As I have gotten older I have noticed I have an issue with foundations. My skin is somewhat light but my neck is lighter. I can't stand seeing people with obvious foundation. I have acne scars but they have faded over the years. I have just decided to wear powder, liner, mascara and blush...eyebrow pencil also because my brows aren't as full as they once were. I feel better because I am not dropping as much money on products and I look just as good without shadow as I did with it.

I catch myself going down the cosmetic isle a lot but I haven't purchased anything in a while. It's just a habit I need to break. I don't know what the problem is but I seem to focus too much on makeup.

As far as other products I am also trying to cut back. I do have sensitive skin all over my body including my scalp and face. I have been using a fragrance free shampoo 32 oz from whole foods. it is their generic brand and is only six bucks. I use as a body wash, for shaving, shampoo and facial wash. it is very gentle and it has allowed me to cut back on the amount of stuff I have.

[frugalfriend]

- not buying lipsticks & gloss for this year, because I want to use up all the lip color and gloss I collected

I'm doing a lot of those you mentioned and especially this one. I have a lot of lipstick and lip products that I want to use up before I buy any more. It is hard not to keep buying my favorite Revlon one because it lasts so much longer, but I really want to use up what I have first!

[madhen]

I can't say that I spend much on cosmetics, but I admit that when I do buy some, I also spring for the more expensive stuff. It never goes on sale, so not much point in stockpiling it! I do try to look for the special offers, such as when I bought my mother Shiseido for Christmas, and it came with a free travel-sized mascara. Mom doesn't wear mascara, so I snagged it.

I don't wear a lot of make-up, and I use it sparingly, so it lasts a LONG time for me. I've actually thrown non-empty mascara away because of bacteria concerns. (You aren't supposed to use it more than around six months, because you stick the brush in the mascara, then on your eyelashes, then back in the mascara and can potentially transfer bacteria into the tube. )

I am also very shade-loyal. Once I find something I like, that is the only colour I buy. Over and over and over.

[Ashley01]

I use olive oil for my eye make up remover it works AWESOME on mascara! I also take a cotton pad and put olive oil on it and sugar to exfoliate my skin instead of buying ones to do it. I spend more on condition and shampoo and heat protentant, face wash, lotion and spot treatment. I use drugstore foundation right now revlon colorstay and i love it! I also order from ELF a lot they have surpisingly good quality stuff for the price and they always have 50% off codes. Their studio line brushes are very affordable and great quality.

[lisaflex]

do keep in mind, all cosmetic products do infact expire and go bad.

[Ramona]

Your plan sounds great! You'll be able to use your "stash" for a while and save lots of money by not "spending for the sake of spending."

I wear sunscreen religiously, it's one of the Neutrogena's with Helioplex, but my foundation is Revlon True Match and my lipgloss is a Lipsmacker from Bonnie Bell I have a Maybelline Pure Blush I've had for years and haven't hit pan yet!

[Ramona]

Your plan sounds great! You'll be able to use your "stash" for a while and save lots of money by not "spending for the sake of spending."

I wear sunscreen religiously, it's one of the Neutrogena's with Helioplex, but my foundation is Revlon True Match and my lipgloss is a Lipsmacker from Bonnie Bell I have a Maybelline Pure Blush I've had for years and haven't hit pan yet!

Correction: My foundation is L'Oreal True Match from CVS. Sorry.

[lyra]

frugalfriend, exactly. Me too! I want to use up what I have before I buy new shades of lipstick. I used to be a lipstick & lipgloss junkie.

madhen, glad to meet someone who is same as me. I am shade loyal also! I found out that basic eyeshadow colors I need are : brown, grey, black & white. That's it. They can go with many looks and can be worn daily I used to get tempted and ended up buying so many shades but now I stick to the basics. I saw a friend of mine only owning three colors (black, white & grey) and she wears them daily, she looks great.

Ashley01, I use drugstore shampoo, conditioner and hair vitamins. I buy these in bulk and they can last long I used to buy designer brands and buy so many haircare products but now I learn better.

Ramona, yes correct. I am using the stash now. Although I am short on compact powder and mascara (already dry). I need to buy them again. But the rest,they are fine and I am currently using them up. No new purchases for cosmetics except mascara & compact powder.

The Muse, yes this system works for me. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I am a brand and shade loyal person as well.

Catherine, that's very practical!

Pemberleyan, I'm trying to spend little on cosmetics as well. I used to spend lots on cosmetics and buy new colors every season.Now it's different.

lisaflex, LOL it's okay. Perhaps as my finances are getting better I might purchase few favorite designer brands as well. But not for the time being.

Lori67, I am surprised that I can get by with minimum cosmetics and still look great. Not so much of the perks. I wear powder + eyeshadow + blush + mascara & lipstick. I used to buy lots of skincare products and many fancy serums & masks that I end up not using all, because too much fuss (I know, it's stupid). Now I stick to the basics. Moisturizer + cleanser + toner. I am surprised that my moisturizer can last long. I used to buy many brands and try them out. Now it's only one brand and it suits my skin well.

[Squidge]

Well done for breaking out of the old, bad habits .

I have skin prone to spots and blackheads, so messing about with what I use is not an option. A great deal of trial and error has led me to the realisation that high-end, and generally expensive, make-up is what works best with my skin. In terms of make-up removers, moisturisers and eye-creams they are all Simple products which I love.

Thus, regardless of what offers are on, I always buy the exact same products over and over again and use them until they are finished.

The only way I save money in this area is with bath and shower gels and soaps. I literally NEVER buy any except anti-bacterial ones. I use up everything I get for my birthdays and Christmases!

[Ali Lee]

I use my lipstick as blush. Do 1 cheek @ a x. !Do not! dot 1 cheek & go to the other & then go back & rub in! That cheek will be darker! I have found name brand lipsticks @ my $Store! I'm thinking about melting petroleum jelly & lipstick together & making tinted gloss. Has anyone tried this?