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As the cost-of-living soars, makeup purchases may be the least of our worries. But money saved here means more available for essentials, and every little helps.

 

Here’s six tips to save on beauty:

 

1. Work in light layers

 

If you’re a fan of natural makeup looks like me, applying products in light layers is key. Pumps on foundation bottles, pigmented blushers…it can be all too easy to go overboard on application, especially if you’re in a rush. Applying less than you think you need not only allows you to perfect that natural look, but it wastes less product, extending the life of your items. You can always add more.

 

2. Cut open packaging and take out stoppers

 

Just when you think you’ve run out of your daily concealer mid application, think again. There’s way more product inside than you might realise. Whether it’s cutting open your Carmex tube with scissors, or using a metal nail file to pop out the stopper in bottles, you could find weeks to months (in some cases) of product still inside. Yes, it’s a little messier, but it’s a small inconvenience for a few weeks, saving you both money and from binning perfectly good product.

 

3. Multitask products

 

Finished your favourite brow pencil? Try filling in your brows with eyeshadow. Don’t get on with that face scrub? Use it to exfoliate your body. Lipstick not quite the right shade? Try it on your cheeks as cream blusher. There’s lots of ways to experiment with your collection and get the most out of everything you own. Give it a go!

 

Disclaimer: be careful with this when using products that are not stated as eye safe, especially if you have allergies.

 

4. Switch to cheaper options

 

The personal rule I try to stick by is if I run through a product relatively quickly (mascara, lip balm, pencil eyeliner…) then I opt for drugstore options. If something is going to last me a long time (foundation, blusher, bronzer…) then I’ll spend a bit more on it. This will depend on your own usage, but ask yourself if there’s anything you’re flying through, and is there a less expensive offering you could try? This has the potential to save you loads.

 

5. Use up samples

 

As makeup and beauty lovers, I’m sure we’ve all got some samples in our stashes that we’ve long forgotten about. Dig out those mini perfume vials, foil sashes, and sample-size freebies. Not only will this extend the time between repurchasing, it will also clear out clutter. And you never know, you might find a new favourite!

 

6. Go on a no-buy

 

Not for the faint-hearted makeup addicts, a no-buy is a ban on beauty purchases. You could apply this to all makeup and beauty products, or individual categories where you have a surplus of stuff. Whether it’s one month, a year, or indefinite, you can customise this to suit your goals. Keep things light and fun, rather than seeing it as cutting back, by joining project pan challenges (where you focus on using up a product), and rotating through your collection. Not only does this save you money but it gives you a deeper appreciation for everything you own, you’ll learn how to make trickier products work for you, and get creative with your colour combinations. That’s a win all round!

 

Let me know over on Instagram if you try any of these. 😊