The Broke Girl’s Guide to Saving Money on Cosmetics

If you’re a girl that loves to try out different make-up techniques, but you haven’t got the funds to fuel this habit, we’ve got the perfect guide for you. When your makeup bag is running low – alongside your bank balance – we’ve got some tips for you to save money on your next cosmetics haul without having to splurge the cash.

Save Up Your Packaging

Holding on to your old containers and packaging for your used cosmetics can actually save you money in the long-term, as many stores will accept your old packaging from previous purchases to recycle, and give you a free product in return! Not only are you helping the environment, but you are helping your bank balance too, as you are purchasing one less item.

In fact, many of this packaging is made from special types of plastic that cannot be recycled in home recycling, and needs to be recycled at special processing plants – which is why the store encourages you to bring them back! For example, MAC Cosmetics will give you a free lipstick of your choice if you bring back 6 primary packaging containers. LUSH Cosmetics also gives you a free facemask of your choice if you bring back any 5 clean black pots from your previous purchases.

Sell Your Old Makeup

Many of us have mascaras that we have used once, or eyeshadow palettes that have one or two colors used and the rest untouched. Instead of letting these go to waste as they are hidden away in drawers in our bedrooms, why not resell these products? Many discontinued colors of lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes are in high demand, as customers can no longer find their favorite colors in store. Selling these products on Depop, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay means that you can make some money to fund your cosmetic purchases in the future!

Sign Up to Loyalty Schemes and Offers

If you are a regular customer in Sephora or other drug store brands, make sure that you have a loyalty card so that you can rack up points when you shop with them. These convert to money-off your future purchases, and some offers are only available to loyalty card holders. Additionally, make sure that you are signed up to their mailing lists, so that whenever there is a sale, offer or discount code, you can be sure that you know about it!

As well as signing up to drug-stores’ mailing lists, signing up to voucher websites for the latest discount codes, such as goodshop.com, can help you to save money too on your next cosmetic shop. Thinking ahead before your favorite product runs out, and making the most of a limited time offer, can mean that you save money later on down the line. Sometimes, the perfect opportunity to try out a new product is when it is on an introductory offer, so keep your eyes peeled for these too.

Saving money on cosmetics doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice quality. Even when the best brands come with a high price tag, our guide should help you save money while ensuring that you’re using the best products on your skin!