You are interested in everything about beauty and skincare and you love to try new products. You feel that you need to spend a fortune on your skin and hair care, but this is not true. Read this article to find out how you can save money on your beauty routine and still stay fabulous!
Try a product before you buy it
Your favorite skin care brand has recently launched a new product and you want it! Before you make another impulse buy, stop and think: Does this product meet a specific need? Is it suitable for your skin type? Do you like the texture/color/scent? Is it long-lasting?
So, visit your favorite beauty store and ask to try it. Alternatively come in touch with your favorite online shop and ask for free samples. This way, you will see if the product actually provides what it promises and you will know for sure if it’s worth buying it.
Use the free samples you are given
Most skincare and beauty stores give free samples after any purchase. All these samples end up at the bottom of your big bag, until (after some months) you eventually discover them and toss them.
Now remember all these times you had to pack for a trip; huge bottles of shampoos and shower gels taking up value space. And the worst scenario? Reaching your destination only to find out that you have forgotten your favorite body lotion and now you have to buy another one you don’t really like and you will probably never use again after your return. What a waste of money!
Now let’s go back to those samples. Gather them together in a small cosmetic bag and take this bag with you every time you travel. So simple and cost effective!
Buy the travel size if not sure
Most skincare products come in different sizes and usually those in large packaging cost less. So, if you like a product, it’s better to buy the big size. But if you try it for the first time, it’s wiser to buy the travel size. If you don’t like and use it, you will have saved yourself some money.
DIY: Make your own cosmetics
There is really no need to buy all your skincare products from a store. If you enjoy making homemade cosmetics, you will save yourself a lot of money. All you need is a little time, easy recipes and simple ingredients from your kitchen. Read these articles from our blog to get some ideas:
15 Easy DIY Beauty Recipes with Coconut Oil
Homemade Face Beauty Masks: 5 Easy DIY Recipes
Skin and Hair Care Benefits of Honey (plus 4 DIY Beauty Recipes)
5 DIY Hair Masks to Try at Home (BONUS: The Best Scalp Scrub Recipe)
Search for offers 1+1
Some personal care products like shower gels have a long shelf life and given that you will use them every day, it’s unlikely that they will expire. Search for 1+1 offers on products you like and will certainly use. It is a simple and effective way to save some money.
Use multitasking products
All skincare products are designed to address a specific skin concern, but there are also the so called “multitasking” products, formulated to do more than one thing. They simplify your beauty routine, you make a more eco-friendly choice (less products=less packaging) and you save a lot of money you would otherwise spend on different products. Any ideas?
Use a vegetal oil
– On your hair, and replace hair conditioner, hair mask, heat protectant, hair serum
– On your face, and replace cleansing oil
– On your body, and replace body lotion, body cream or body butter
Read this article from our blog to get more ideas:
Argan Oil Uses and Benefits for Skin and Hair
10 Macadamia Oil Uses that Benefit your Skin and Hair
How to Use Hair Oil and Benefits
Use a natural olive oil soap on your face, body, hair, and replace face cleanser, shower gel, hand soap, shampoo
Our favorite olive oil soap:
Bioselect – Natural Olive Oil Soap
Use a vegetal butter like shea butter or cocoa butter
– On your lips, and replace lip balm
– On areas of your body with dry skin (elbows, hands, heels) and replace body cream
– On your feet (add few drops of an essential oil like mint), and replace foot cream
Our favorite product:
7 Elements – Organic Shea Butter
Use what you already have
Already bored with your new lipstick? Feeling the need for a new eye shadow? Don’t waste any more money! Use up what you already have: combine two different shades of lipstick and create a new color, use your blusher as an eye shadow, use your eye shadow to highlight your cheekbones. Be creative and your wallet will thank you.
Apply the right amount of each skincare product
Knowing the right amount you should apply, is one of the most important skincare rules. Using less product than required will not have any significant difference on your skin or hair. Using too much, may be harmful for your skin or hair and also a big waste. Use the right amount to get the best results and help your products last longer. Learn more in this article:
How Much Skin Care Product Should You Use?
Before you buy, check the expiration date and the PAO
As you probably know, your beauty products expire. Cosmetic products that have a shelf life of less than 30 months have an expiration date printed on their packaging. Cosmetic products with a shelf life that exceeds 30 months don’t have an expiration date placed on the packing but it is required that they show a PAO time. PAO stands for “period after opening” and indicates the time a product will remain in good condition after you have opened and used it for the first time. So, every time you are about to buy a new beauty product make sure you are going to use it before it expires. Otherwise, don’t proceed with the purchase.
If you want to learn more about expiration date and PAO red this article from our blog:
When Do Your Beauty Products Expire?
Opt for reusable products
Opting for reusable products is not only an eco-friendly alternative, but also a very cost effective way to take care of yourself. Here are some ideas. Replace:
Single-use makeup wipes with reusable cotton wipes
Synthetic bath sponges with natural sea sponges
Pantiliners and tampons with menstrual cup
Single use facial sponges with konjac sponges
Simplify your beauty routine
Following a certain beauty routine is very essential if you want to maintain a healthy and youthful skin. But do you actually need to follow all the possible steps? Are you sure you need this eye cream in your twenties? And why do you still use foundation when your tinted moisturizer provides super coverage? How about skipping the essence?
For start, follow the basic 3 steps: cleansing-moisturizing-spf. If you think that you need to add an extra step (e.g. anti-aging serum) then do so, but avoid adopting a skincare regimen with many steps for no reason and save yourself some money.
