Breaking Up with Beauty Binge-Buying: A Guide to Smart Spending
As a self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve walked out of Target with a bag full of hair products or scrolled through lipstick swatches online. But as a recent graduate trying to adult, I knew I had to reel in my spending habits. With a new-to-me car and student loans on the horizon, I decided to take control of my beauty budget.
Maximize Your Product’s Potential
The first step to curbing my beauty binge-buying was to learn how to extend the life of my products. By mastering storage techniques and troubleshooting common issues, I was able to get every penny’s worth out of my purchases. For instance, adding saline solution to dried-out mascara or storing nail polish in the fridge can work wonders. This newfound knowledge empowered me to revive my products instead of replacing them.
Sampling My Way to Sanity
Next, I turned to monthly beauty boxes as a way to satisfy my love of experimenting with new products while keeping my spending in check. Services like Birchbox and Ipsy offer a curated selection of samples for a fraction of the cost of full-size products. Plus, many services reward loyal customers with points that can be redeemed for free products. This strategy allowed me to indulge in new products without breaking the bank.
Rewarding Loyalty
Pharmacy reward cards have become my new best friend. By signing up for free cards like CVS’s ExtraCare program, I earn tailored coupons and discounts on my favorite beauty products. It’s not uncommon to score $3 off Almay products or 50% off Revlon eye products. If you frequent pharmacies, taking advantage of these programs is a no-brainer.
Multitasking Magic
In an era of convergence, I’ve learned to appreciate products that can do it all. Stains, lip liners, and eyeshadow trios can be used in multiple ways, making them a more cost-effective option than buying separate products for each task. By investing in quality, multitasking products, I’ve reduced my overall spending.
DIY Delights
Finally, I discovered the joy of making my own beauty products. With a few simple ingredients, I can create alternatives to high-end products at a fraction of the cost. For example, mixing coffee grounds, brown sugar, and olive oil creates a scrub similar to Frank Body’s Original Coffee Scrub – but at a significantly lower price point. Not only do I save money, but I also get to customize the outcome and enjoy the process.
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