Cut the Cost on Beauty

Beauties, are you spending all of your paycheck on new beauty products and services? Sometimes it can seem that being a woman requires an overwhelming amount of maintenance and an overwhelming number of products. There are plenty of ways to save money and time on services and products—you just have to think outside the square. And if you really want to spend the big bucks, set up a beauty-fund jar. Put in all your extra change, including the money you would normally spend on your morning latte!

1. Enter Competitions

Keep your eye out for competitions in magazines and online—and enter them! Also, be sure to “like” your favorite brands on Facebook and sign up to receive their newsletters. Many companies have product giveaways. Someone has to win this stuff—why not you?

2. Visit the Makeup Counter

Makeup counters offer more than just advice. Most skin care counters provide free services, such as facials, so you can try the products. And if you think about it, would you really want to buy something without knowing everything about it and trying it first?

3. Buy a Tube Squeezer

This handy product is fun to use. It lets you squeeze the remaining cream and lotion out of your nearly empty toothpaste, hand cream, and body lotions.

4. Go Online

Visit beauty websites, social media sites, and your favorite department store websites. They will often tell you about the latest coupons, sales, and store events, and provide excellent product reviews so you can make an educated purchase.

5. DIY Your Mani/Pedi

Doing your own mani/pedi is a huge trend right now. Spend the money on the proper tools, make sure you use high-quality top and base coats (we love CND Air Dry Top Coat and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails as a base), and take some time out to do your nails properly. You can even swap nail polishes with your friends to update your polish library. It is not unhygienic at all and is essentially what you’re doing when you go to a salon.

6. Create Your Own Spa

Invite your girlfriends over for a spa day. Ask them to bring all the masks, scrubs, and nail polishes they have and do beauty treatments on each other. Make sure you have a stack of fresh towels, and prepare healthy snacks like fruit skewers to munch on.

7. Make Your Own Products

There are so many fabulous at-home recipes for face and hair masks that really do work wonders. Here are three we love! You can also make your own products. Create your own lip balm from old lipsticks and use it as balm, cheek tint, and dewy eye shadow.

8. Visit a High-Street Store

If you haven't checked them out already, head to some high-street stores such as Forever 21 and H&M. They have heaps of beauty bargains, and you can pick up the latest shade of nail polish or lipstick for less than $5.