Most women say the economy is affecting how much they spend on beauty products and services, according to a recent survey by DailyMakeover.com, with well over half reporting they’re spending less on makeup, hair products and salons.
Almost half (47%) of the women surveyed said they’d already changed brands to save money. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) said they would change lipstick, and two-thirds (66%) said they would change shampoo and/or conditioner. Other items included blush/bronzer (67%) lotions/cleansers (64%) and foundation (57%).
The economy sucks, and we have to hang on long enough for things to turn around.
If you’ve started cutting back on beauty, what were the first things to go? Is your beauty regimen suffering, or are you getting by with less? Have you stopped getting salon pedicures, switched brands of moisturizer or limited yourself to fewer products per month?
Are you spending less across the board or eliminating your spending on some things to be able to maintain your spending on something else?
What’s the best way to save money on beauty without sacrificing too much?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
One word, drugstore! I’ve been skipping Nordies and trying more things at riteaid and walmart. Target is another place I’m shopping at more than ever. Sonia Kashuk and the other new lines they have are really good for the price.
This one I don’t know how many people will want to do but amazon.com carries a lot of beauty products as well and some of them qualify for free shipping with orders $25 and up.
Hi Sarahc,
Thanks for the amazon tip!
DYI!
Instead of going out to get an expensive massage or facial, buy a facial kit and do it at home, or have massage night with your spouse! You can buy a footbath and give yourself salon-quality pedicures. There are many low-cost alternatives to pricy treatments that you could do at home.
Hi Leah,
Good call on the foot bath. I purchased one for $20 a few years ago and have gotten a ton of use out of it!
Leah, I got this footbath from amazon for Christmas and LOVEEE IT!!!
Right now it’s only $26.99 and that’s free shipping with no tax. I don’t know if this link will work but its http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-DR6622-Toe-Touch-Massage/dp/B000C7J9YO/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1238262681&sr=8-3
I’m now going drugstore for eye shadow, hair products, and facial cleanser. I miss my Philosophy Purity face wash…but my skin is adjusting well so hopefully I will too 🙂
Hi Maeve,
Have you found a drugstore equivalent to Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple?
Target and me a now best friends. I used to get all my makeup at Macy’s but can’t really afford it anymore. Goodbye Lancome and hello Maybelline!
Hi Julia,
Target’s got some good stuff. Have you ever tried the Sonia Kashuk line?
I LIVE for my hair and makeup, & can’t really compromise when it comes to pricey foundations.. that’s the one splurge I can’t give up. So to compensate I found GVP (Generic Value Products) at Sally’s to cut WAY down on my hair allowance. No-name, ingredient for ingredient products that are equivalent to Paul Mitchell, Matrix, Nexxus, etc. My $16 Paul Mitchell Straight Works straightening balm is now $6 and some change with my Sally’s card.
It’s AMAZING with AMAZING results!
Hi Emma,
Thanks for the Sally’s tip. That’s a great money-saving idea.
I bought 7 maybelline lipglosses and 2 of their founations instead of a chanel foundation and dior lipgloss.. its simple economy and math 😛
Mascara i will not comprimise one!! Thats why I bout 3 new ones to try today. (Dior show iconic in brown and black.. and a chanel one- we shall see if ill ever replace my Hypnose!)
Hi Tali,
Good luck with the mascaras. 🙂
Yeah..to save money, I am actually buying stuff like eye shadow, mascara, glitters, all those kinds in drugstore and keep buying the basic yet very important stuff like foundation, eye shadow primer, from the high end store.
Next to that, I bought things online or from eBay-it’s cheaper to buy some stuff from asia or the US via online because here in NL the prices are crazy!! For instance, OPI nail polishes are like 13 euro each here, and it’s only 7 euro including shipping if you buy it online.
eunice´s last blog post..our relationship OST
Hi Eunice,
Thanks for the tips on eBay!
Im addicted to getting my nails done with acrilics
with the french tips cause it goes with everything.
But this past month ive decided to save some money
and when they all came off, i decided to try to let
my REAL nails grow and TRY to not bite them, which is really hard beacause i have been addicted to that since FOREVER which is why i get fake ones cuz then i dont bite them.And of coarse they look 100xs better then my REAL ones.Well its been a month and my friggin nails are so brittle that they are all chipping and any growth breaks off.Some might say oh that beacause of fake nails, but it also beacause i have THIN nails.So im most likelly going to get them done again tommorow,I like my nails to be PERFECT;)But im still doing my own pedicures which i have been doing since the summer.I can surelly paint my own & i just bought a bunch of new polish for the price of like 1 pedicure I bought 5 mixture of OPI & CHINA Glaze online:]
Hi June,
I end up doing my own pedi’s. You should get a foot bath — they’re like $20 and they totally up the DIY experience.
The drugstore!!! I’ve switched from Aveda shampoo and conditioner to the new Aveeno line (partly because of your reviews Karen!) and love it! I’ve been letting my hair grow so I don’t have to get it cut as often. I buy my contact lenses online. And I got a Sally card, so that I can buy my China Glaze nail color for half the price!
Hi Stef,
I’m glad to hear you like the Aveeno line! What did you end up getting?
My spending hasn’t changed much..if I have to MAC, I go to the counter less and buy it at the CCO (it’s more fun anyway!) Things like cleanser, moisturizer, eyeliner-that is always bought at the drugstore/grocery store.
I think I’ve just become more conscious of how I spend my money and I’m trying to buy less, or make more calculated purchases. I have sensitive skin and am allergic to a lot of things, so I’d rather keep buying tried and true favorites than cheap alternatives that will break me out or give me hives. My foundation is EDM, so it’s already pretty cheap and I’ve been mixing my own moisturizer for almost a year. I think focusing on maintenance is key because that means I won’t be forced to buy treatments. At the same time, I’m definitely bargain-shopping both at the drugstore and the department store, trying to look for sales and better values.
Catherine´s last blog post..I’m back! 😀
Though I’ve never been one to spend a bunch on makeup anyways, I’ve been going to Ulta lately since they’re ALWAYS having some type of promotion. Just last time, I got 2 Ulta eyeshadows for only 6 dollars! It was a buy one get one free deal and now I’m in love with their eyeshadows, so smooth and velvety! Maybelline, Revlon, and Rimmel had a buy one get one free offer going on too so Ulta is my go-to spot for new makeup and I’ve been sticking to drugstores for my moisturizers, but the only thing high end for me is my foundation. Coupons help so much! Ulta always has great print out coupons and online discounts. Retailmenot.com is the best for searching coupons for makeup stores.
June, OPI Nail Envy would be a great investment for you to grow out your natural nails. In fact I was even too cheap to buy that and ended up with Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails with Nylon and Retinol, which at Walmart was less than $3 and I’ve had it on my nails for a week and a half now and my nails are doing terrific. And I too am a huge fan of the french manicure, but ironically enough I haven’t had any polish on my nails since using this treatment because my nails are shiny and I’m happy enough with the natural look of my nails. Believe it or not I think if someone looked at my hands you’d think I had a very neutral french manicure. And I know around here we have some nail bitting treatments that apply to your nail just like a polish and tastes terrible, so when you go to bite your nails you get this terrible taste in your mouth and you don’t want to bite anymore. Hey, my mom used it on me and it worked more than 25 years ago. I hope you decide to try growing your nails out, good luck!
I already buy pretty much everything at the drugstore or Target (I love Yes To Carrots), but I’m trying to get more ounces per dollar. I’m growing my hair out just for a change, but Stef’s point about needing fewer cuts is a good one. I’m also considering coloring at home with nonpermanent color instead of doing it at the salon. And I’m using up what I have in moisturizer, body lotion, and deep conditioner; I used to buy something new without finishing something I didn’t love.
I’ve always tried to use products that are a variety of prices.
However – I do try *new* high end products all the time and recognize the price of quality (for me this means Shisedio The Skincare cleanser, Clarins & Biotherm Masks, MAC shadows and Smashbox gloss in Flame as a few examples) but I’ve been impressed with the innovation behind some of the newer launched mass brand items. I think L’Oreal, Maybelline, Cover Girl and Revlon know it’s their time to shine with new products because people are more willing to part with $10 as oppossed to $50 for an item..
My “cheapie” products I love are:
1) Revlon Colorstay Foundation. Can’t live without it!
2) Colossal Mascara by Maybelline. Love Love Love.
3) L’Oreal Skin Genesis Gel cleanser (so soft and fresh!)
4) L’Oreal Colour Riche lipsticks – super smooth
Overall yes, I am buying a lot less. A LOT less…but only because I’m using up some stuff that I’ve been stashing and when my stash dwindles it’s likely I’ll be stocking up again all over the place.
But it’s amazing how some beauty products can really make your day – so I think the beauty industry will bounce back because everyone wants it to.
Bottom line: Do a little beauty “inventory” and decide on 3 MUST haves and the rest you can play around with and find alternatives. That should keep us all distracted until things get better 🙂
Target all the way, baby! I usually buy my mascara there because I throw it out every 3 months. Purchasing Lancome’s hypnose mascara would be WAY too wasteful since it has a short shelf life.
What I’m doing is actually trying things rather than buying outright – I give myself a week to decide if I really want it.
And one thing I won’t compromise on: perfume. It’s the one thing where you can really tell quality, and can’t get quality cheap (unless you go for essential oils, but I like my layers and lasting scent). I could be broke, but I’d still smell of Givenchy or Guerlain!
I use drugstore products for hair, nails and makeup to cut costs. I try to only buy with BOGO sales or at least 40% off. I check the clearance bins. Every store varies so you got to check them all. There’s a RiteAid near the place I do yoga that has the most incredible markdowns. I’ve purchased conditioner for under $2 and Revlon eyeshadow quads for less than $4. I go to the beauty school for occasional facials. I go to the massage school clinic for inexpensive massages from students in training. I used Karen’s handy dandy tip for setting up a “Google Blogs Alert for: makeup sale” to find out about makeup sales. I wait ’til the holiday packages come out at MAC to buy those coveted products! I use cheap, men’s double blade razors instead of the more expensive triples or quads. I do my own pedicure. I studied the gals at the salon bought all the right tools to do it easily at home. I’ve heard that Costco can be a good source for makeup and beauty products. And I drink water to keep hydrated and feeling good and glowing.
Coupons and mailers to use at drugstores. I try to wait till stores have buy 1, get 1 free deals and then use coupons to stretch my dollar even further. I also streamline my makeup routine in the morning, which helps me realize that I DON’T need to buy a lot of different products because I don’t use a lot to get ready. Just the basics: foundation, eyeshadow, mascara, lipliner & lipstick or gloss, powder, and eyeliner.
*i totally agree with everyone that said drugstore, and besides, d/s products always have coupons in the paper that you can use to save more!! lol.. also, bed bath and beyond has an awesomeee beauty department that is cheaperthen drugstore prices (trust me i know, i work at a drugstore) and you can use the 5 off 15 or 20% coupons that always come in the paper for that store!
*makeup swapping is a great way to try out new stuff without actually spending money; your gently used goodies get a new home and you get some new goodies to try as well! cant go wrong!
*DIY stuff is great too
I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart because of their hideously unethical practices but I do like Target. I think for me the main thing wasn’t buying cheaper products, but buying less of them. I used to go splurge at Sephora and the MAC store at least once a month when I was among the employed but now I’m only buying essentials. I’m still going to buy a giant bottle of Redken shampoo because it literally lasts me months on end (but I go to Trade Secrets where they have fantastic discounts on salon products). I’m still going to buy Bare Escentuals mineral makeup because I use it every day (for daytime only though) and the tub lasts me almost a year. But I am a diehard DIYer when it comes to beauty treatments (except haircuts!) and I actually enjoy doing my own manis (I swear by Nailtiques Formula 2 to make your fingernails long and strong) and pedis. I also dye my own hair (buy the developer and color separately at Sally’s and you’ll pay less and get a superior product than boxed hairdye) and do my own facials and hair removal at home. If you absolutely must have perfume, buy it on eBay from a reputable seller and you’ll save a ton of money. And I wait until I get special offers before buying so I never have to pay full price for anything.
i’ve always been a drugstore-brand girl but accumulating much lip glosses and eyeshadows can cause unnecessary holes in my wallet :)) i’ve been on the look-out if i have this kind of color (lip or eye product) so i wouldn’t have to buy another tube or pan then realizing that it’s exactly the same shade of pink or gray lol
and DIY too! especially facial scrubs/cleansers.. i found lots of great free e-books about DIY scrubs and spa treatments without breaking the bank.. 🙂
MakeUp Alley helps a lot too.. and makeup swapping (minus the brushes lol) with friends is good :p
and since i live in the East, Multiply.com and eBay is the way to go when finding for low-price US-based beauty stuff 🙂
noi´s last blog post..Beauty Lows: Shu Uemura vs. The Face Shop Blushers
I stopped getting arcylics when I feared getting a fungus infection. I waited for my nails to grow out them I buffed them down and filed them “squoval” ya know square & oval. Then I read about taking biotin. I started taking biotin about three years ago after I double checked with my dermatologist and my nails have been double duty strong ever since. i just use a purly light polish once a week. And plenty of hand cream after I remove cuticles with a fast acting cuticle remover from the drugstore. Nailene & Sally Hansen all make a good product!
This is much cheaper, healthier and and less addicting than going to the salon ((and in my case)every 2 weeks!
Have a great week-end!
Michele
I absolutely love using drugstore products and dupes! XD
Primer: Monistat Chafing Relief Gel (dupe for Bare Escentuals Prime Time and Smashbox Photofinish)
Makeup Remover: unscented baby wipes for face makeup, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with cotton swab for eye makeup
Makeup brush cleaner: generic baby shampoo, occasionally I’ll use EVOO for deep cleaning
Face mask/scrub: the infamous DYI aspirin and honey mask, I also love the St. Ives Apricot scrub!!!
Hair treatment: EVOO and Queen Helene’s Cholesterol Conditioning Cream
Lip color: I mixed vaseline with some blush and pink eyeshadow pigment to make the perfect color! It’s my new favorite lip color!
I already buy most of my toiletries at the drugstore but i’ve stopped getting mani/pedis completely and I stopped buying any new makeup I’ll but it if its simply replacing something I ran out of but I’m not buying any new products! I HATE IT! 🙁
diy. ive had my makeup done one time and HATED IT! i just hated the process of it, and prefer to do it myself. and theres really no need to buy makeup at an expensive counter. i kinda think thats ridiculous. i mean, i guess its ok every once in a while. but i would rather go to the local drugstore and walk in knowing that im not about to spend gobs of money on one little thing. or buy more than one thing for the price of one thing at the makeup counter.
I’m drugstore all the way when it comes to my bath and body products (except for my philosophy body wash…mmm) but I CANNOT give up my high end makeup brands. I have stopped getting manicures at salons, and surprisingly I actually enjoy doing it myself more! Plus, I’ve figured out how to make a mani last longer. Salon manis always chipped after a couple days for me.
I’m trying to use up all the stuff that I already have, so pretty much curbing makeup shopping….
of course, I’ve cut down on my spending. I spent some very senseless spending spree online for high-end Limited editions, which less than 10% of my hauls is actually useful for me. I got cut and now I found new love – minerla makeup; not the drugstore ones. I go online for my natural mineral eyeshadow-I don’t wear foundation, blush, concealer due to my sensitive skin and rosacea. The natual online minerals don’t contain parabens, or chemical fillers. Any eyeshadows I’ve tried creased on me within a short time (even Dior, MAC) so I don’t care about long lasting-ness. The ones I shopped at, I have some fav. stores, lots of yummy unique colors.. The only thing is that they’re messy
Another is that, I bought a lot NYX and some Milani; they’re just as good. My brushes? I’ve always bought from Coastal scents and Eco-tools. They work so great, so why should I buy a brush for 40+ USD? Yeah.
The solution for us Dutch girls is buying in the USa and the UK , many products are much cheaper than overhere.
Well, I gave up the manicures and pedicures :(….miss them very much.
I will not, however, give up my salon haircoloring once a month. I live in a houseful of men (DH and sons)…I NEED to spend some time in a girly place (her place is all pink and purple) and do something girly. It’s only $36 a month.
I buy less and try to stick to what I have. Spending 25 Euro on a gloss hurts!! (ca. 33 $ for a DIOR gloss…)
I buy some organic stuff from the drugstore. And I will definitely buy in the UK and US like wenvers said, it is much cheaper! I paid 40 Euro for a NARS Multiple (had to have it) – can you imagine? I can buy food for one week with that money!
But there is one thing – I still would buy perfume, and I mean expensive perfume. I try there to share or buy 2nd hand.
http://www.mybeautyblog.de´s last blog post..ESTÉE LAUDER Pleasures Splash
Okay ladies – you are some drugstore lovin shoppers and I think that is great! As a professional makeup artist, I feel compelled to tell you that just because it is cheap doesn’t make it chic! I know we are in an economic melt down, but I wanted to give you my professional opinion on some great drugstore brands that won’t break the bank:
L’Oreal – the TrueMatch line is great and you can rest assure you will find your foundation color – it is a good alternative to big time splurges on higher end products. Also a wonderful lip line and good makeup remover cloths.
Jemma Kidd – this is one smart cookie who is giving you all her makeup artist expertise in her product line and selling it at Target – talk about pigmentation!
Sonia Kashuk – again – great product line from a pro artist at Target and her brush line is fantastic!
Sephora brand – I know it isn’t at a drug store, but you can find some great color in that line. Fun stuff too like pigments or shimmer bricks. Worth checking out.
Crown brushes – online only and has amazing prices from $1.99-$15.00 (psst – wanna know a secret? they make the MAC brush line!!).
Coastal Scents – online too – palettes with a bazillion colors for like $19.00 – really! Good pigment too!
Boots – good makeup removing cloths.
And seriously ladies – it might be time to head back to school – old school – Noxema and Ponds cold cream were great for our grandmothers and they work for deep cleansing of the face!
Melissa Street´s last blog post..Spring Fling!
Okay ladies – you are some drugstore lovin shoppers and I think that is great! As a professional makeup artist, I feel compelled to tell you that just because it is cheap doesn’t make it chic! I know we are in an economic melt down, but I wanted to give you my professional opinion on some great drugstore brands that won’t break the bank:
L’Oreal – the TrueMatch line is great and you can rest assure you will find your foundation color – it is a good alternative to big time splurges on higher end products. Also a wonderful lip line and good makeup remover cloths.
Jemma Kidd – this is one smart cookie who is giving you all her makeup artist expertise in her product line and selling it at Target – talk about pigmentation!
Sonia Kashuk – again – great product line from a pro artist at Target and her brush line is fantastic!
Sephora brand – I know it isn’t at a drug store, but you can find some great color in that line. Fun stuff too like pigments or shimmer bricks. Worth checking out.
Crown brushes – online only and has amazing prices from $1.99-$15.00 (psst – wanna know a secret? they make the MAC brush line!!).
Coastal Scents – online too – palettes with a bazillion colors for like $19.00 – really! Good pigment too!
Boots – good makeup removing cloths.
And seriously ladies – it might be time to head back to school – old school – Noxema and Ponds cold cream were great for our grandmothers and they work for deep cleansing of the face!
Ooopps – forgot two more lovely drugstore finds:
CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara – I am a DiorShow gal which is what is in my pro kit, but personally I use CoverGirl mascara in very black because it is almost the exact same formula as Dior. Hate the waterproof formula, but the regular mascara is incredible!
Max Factor – love their 2000 Calorie Mascara and their Vivid Impact Lip Color is incredible!
Melissa Street´s last blog post..Spring Fling!
Right now i’m cutting back on my usual pamper services and learning how to do them myself i.e. manicures, pedicures, waxing, etc…i found that doing these things at home not only saves a LOT of money but its more convenient and rewarding:)
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I buy all body moisturizers & shampoo from the drugstore. I go high-end on skin care and cosmetics, but I buy a lot less. Color collections don’t vary much year after year, so I only go for products that have improved textures: Lipsticks that don’t dry & wrinkle lips, smooth glosses & e/s, etc. I’m in my early thirties, so texture is really important to me. I eschew foundation and concealer and focus on skincare.
I’ve never been one to go completely high end and ignore the drugstore finds, but of course like everyone else I’ve been much more money conscious lately. I too have been trying to use things I already have…You would be surprised the number of items I’ve found that I’ve used once and not used again…not because I disliked them, but I happened to stick them in a drawer I don’t use much. I definitely shop for sales and deals. I look for a GWP when I do have to et a must have…at least then I get some free product, or even a gift set containing the product I want. I’ve found some that are the same price or $5 more than the item I wanted and you get 3 or 4 bonus items essentially I’ve been using an old tip of yours – that was born of necessity, but i continued with it. One week I was almost out of cotton pads which I use for eye makeup removal, and I didn’t have time to go to the store before going away for the weekend, so I cut them in half. And I’ve been doing it ever since. It makes more sense because I wasn’t using both sides or the entire pad at all. I have bought a couple items on e-bay for HUGE discounts. One item I have found that i love are the covergirl lipstains.
And when all else fails I ask myself – Do i have something comparable at home? (I am horrible about buying similar eyeshadows over and over). Then I think about it in terms of something that is a necessity…e.g. that eyeshadow palette could buy groceries for X days, is it worth that? Usually this helps me to talk myself out of it. I am still buying, just putting more thought into it.
walmart and walgreens aLL THE WAY! THAT’S WHERE I GET MY EYE LNER,MASCARA, LOTION, you name it! I’m usually starting to go less to the beauty salon and i usually do my nails and toes at home except for special occasions
Melissa, I checked out that Crown website & i love it for brushes. hey have everything you can imagine and for cheap! i do drama make-up at my High School so I am always looking for good ideas.
I also like Sallys. Great hair products, nail polishes and eye make- up. Most of he staff is educated on what to buy for your hair or skin- type, so just ask. And check out their website and magazine as well. And if you are older than 55 you can sign up for a Sally’s discount card good for one year!
Your friendly Beauty Addict,
Michele
Hi Michele,
Crown Brush is one of the pro industry insider secrets! Love them and I always pick up several brushes at beauty shows when I see their booths! Great deals. Thanks for the info on Sally’s – I guess Ulta is sort of along the same lines, but I always preferred Sally’s inventory!
Melissa Street´s last blog post..Frame Your Face!
5 Tips to Budget Beauty
1. DYI – Manicures, Pedicures, Facials, etc.
For example, if you go an get manicures that’s 10 bucks that can buy a WHOLE bottle of higher end nail polish (like Essie and OPI) or 2 or more drugstore kinds that are still good (like Sally Hansen and Rimmel London). Just remember to use a top coat, base coat and a hand lotion, and voila, a great mani at home.
2. Cheaper Alternatives:
Now a days, stores like Target, Walgreens, Duane Reade, etc. all have fantastic new or updated lines, such as Clean and Clear, Aveeno, L’Oreal, Olay, Burt’s Bees, etc.
3. Buy online:
If you MUST have your high cost high quality products, shop online. Watch out for sales and stock up, or find some e-retailers that sell makeup, skincare, and other makeup essentials for CHEAP. (I recommend HauteLook ;))
4. Be cautious with new products:
There is nothing more disappointing than buying a new product to try out, only to find out that it just doesn’t work for you. This is why doing some research online and with friends is the best way to prevent a disappointing splurge. Go online and check out some blogs, before grabbing that new bottle of miracle whatever. Chances are its not that fantastic. Or if you are in the need of something, ask a fashionable friend what she uses and if you could try some too. This way you get a bit of a trial without spending.
5. Lastly, natural beauty.
This is always the hardest and most annoying thing to so but beauty starts with what you already got. So go running for 2 hours, drink 8 glasses of water a day, sleep 8 hours, and keep a balanced diet (which should be easier seeing as we can’t really afford that extra tub of cookie dough ice cream :(). This is the cheapest way to look good.
I figured it out. Only use what works and don’t experiment. Have one of each item, only have necessities, and if variety is important get a palette of the item.