25 Great Ways to Save on Beauty Buys

8. Think long term

Saving money doesn’t mean you have to skimp on services you love. But think about costs vs. benefits. Take your next spa visit, for instance. A basic facial will usually cost less, but the results are temporary. More advanced treatments — like chemical peels and phototherapy — that target specific issues like wrinkles or acne — come with a higher price tag, but Ghafari notes are long-lasting and may result in fewer trips to the med spa. “Both are necessary and complement each other, but the selection will all depend on each individual’s skin type, condition and concern,” she says.

9. Join social media groups

If you have makeup items you’ve never used, Green says there are social media groups where you can buy and trade makeup with other members. “Maybe you can get the perfume that’s sold out in exchange for eyeshadow you bought, but never used,” Green says. To swap, check out Facebook groups like Makeup & Glamour, Makeup Addicts and Makeup Buy, Sell, and Trade. You can also stay in the know by following and liking local salons and spas on social media to keep up with upcoming events that may offer free treatments, sales or raffles for freebies, according to Woroch.

10. Sift through your stash

One impulse buy leads to another. It isn’t until you get home to cabinets and drawers full of unopened products when you realize you’ve just wasted your money. “Beauty buys can often be spending temptations or impulse buys, and so one way that you can save money on beauty would be to look in your bathroom cabinets and pull out all of the items that you don’t use. You might notice that you tend to buy tons of a particular type of makeup or skin-care product. So, focusing on the items you do use, could help you spend less,” Hanson says.

11. Track your spending

Squandering cash on beauty items can be stopped — if only you knew exactly what you were spending your money on. Hanson says tracking your spending can help you build overall awareness, adding that the act of writing it all down can clue you in on where you’re spending the most, and can help you pinpoint where you might want to shift your focus. For instance, if your tracking reveals that you’re overspending on makeup, it would make sense to target that area to figure out ways to reduce your spending.

12. Grab the bigger size 

Have you ever noticed that products with fewer ounces aren’t that much cheaper than products that contain more? “If it’s something that you buy regularly, you might notice that buying a bigger package or a bigger container of it is a better deal; it’s less per ounce, as long as you’re going to actually use it,” Hanson says. You can find larger-sized products on Amazon and Walmart.com, but make sure to use the mega-sized bottles to refill your smaller, easier-to-lift containers.

13. Shop with intention

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype when influencers are swearing by their latest skin-care finds or letting you in on their daily beauty routines. But it pays to focus on what will bring you the most benefits. “I usually will try to help my clients prioritize which products will be the most important in their routine and which other items they can purchase at a lower price point,” Ghafari says. For example, Hanson adds that you may be able to get away with spending less on a basic facial cleanser by purchasing a drugstore brand (many are just as good as the pricey stuff) in order to save on items that may have greater impact such as a quality serum or moisturizer.

14. Watch for overlapping products

When introducing new products to your beauty collection, be sure to read the labels thoroughly, as you may notice that some of the listed ingredients appear in the products you already own. While not necessarily a bad thing, it might not be conducive to your money-saving goals. As Hanson points out, there are so many overlapping products out there (especially in skin care) that you may not need to purchase as many items as you think. For instance, as Hanson notes, hyaluronic acid is seemingly in everything. And while a quality hyaluronic acid serum is a staple in many 50-plus skin-care routines, know that this popular ingredient is likely in your moisturizer, cleanser and eye cream, too. Doubling up is not necessary, unless your dermatologists says otherwise.

15. Find the freebies

If you’ve been eyeing a certain product for a while, but you’re not quite ready to make the commitment, try getting some free samples before reaching for the full size, Hanson says. Good to know: Sephora online lets you pick up to two free samples per order. And there are various options — from face creams to foundations to fragrance — almost anything they can pump. Shopping in store? Consider asking for samples at checkout (no need to be bashful when bargaining on beauty). Ulta offers “Gifts with Purchase,” but not all orders qualify. Von Maur department store offers samples at their cosmetics counters — Estée Lauder, Chanel, Clinique, Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier — in limited quantities.

16. Be mindful of how much you’re using

Having a heavy hand might be costing you an arm and a leg. If this is the case for you, try easing up on the pump dispensers of your everyday products. We’re talking shampoo, hair styling creams, hand lotions and other products. As Hanson notes, sometimes companies design the packaging to encourage you to use more than what you need, causing you to purchase the product more frequently. Rule of thumb: Adjust amount of shampoo based on hair length (short hair needs a nickel-sized amount; medium-length hair needs a quarter-sized dab; long hair half dollar-sized dollop.) To be smart, always start with a smaller amount of product or lotion and add more if necessary.

17. Opt for auto-replenishment

You might be quick to uncheck the “auto-replenish” box at checkout, especially if you’re buying products you’ve never tried before. But when repurchasing your holy grail items, selecting this option may save you more money. “When you sign up for a recurring purchase of a product, some stores or manufacturers offer 5 percent off your recurring purchase,” Green says. Some of these brands include Bobbi Brown, Sephora and MAC.

18. Search for seasonal specials

Start getting smart about when to purchase the products and services you want. To prepare for laser season — the fall and winter when you are less likely to to be outdoors — Ghafari suggests keeping your eyes peeled for Black Friday deals at your local med spa. Jeanine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist, suggests taking advantage of Mother’s Day and other holiday specials to get money off Botox and filler. She adds that many doctors will offer a standing 10 percent off Botox on patients’ birthday. But vigilance is key: “A lot of discounted Botox is bought online from fraudulent people and companies, and then sold cheaply,” Downie warns. “Some are toxins and are not Botox or anything we know about, and are not FDA approved in the U.S. Then, there are the toxins that are hyper-diluted … working for two to three weeks only.” To be safe, always go to a licensed and trained medical professional in a legitimate health care setting. And don’t be afraid to ask questions about whether the product is FDA approved or from a legitimate manufacturer.

19. See what’s new

If there’s something new at the dermatology office that has piqued your interest, you might be able to try it for a lower price during its introductory period. "If a practice is offering a new treatment and the doctors and physician assistants do not have a lot of experience with the procedure, they may offer as much as 50 percent off to gain experience,” Downie says. But bear in mind that new treatments come with risks, so you’ll likely have to sign a waiver in case anything goes wrong.

20. Look for gift sets

If you’re not in holiday mode scrambling for gifts for loved ones, then getting your hands on a gift set is likely not on your mind. But when the holidays do roll around, you might consider taking advantage of the sales and save on products you already use (makeup items, perfumes and hair products) if you’re lucky enough to find them packaged together. The price you’ll pay for a gift set is lower than what you’d pay for the components, Hanson says. Additionally, while many gift sets only include travel-size products, some come with full sizes. Try checking stores like Sephora and Target for a variety of gift sets.

21. Stock up on older stock

Sometimes doctors buy too much stock, according to Downie. This often leads to big savings for patients as products near their expiration date. “In some cases, these can be, ‘Buy one cosmeceutical product, get the second one free,’” Downie says. “This typically happens when we have an accidentally unopened box of products in the corner.” But Downie stresses that doctors should never use expired products (Botox, filler, etc.) on patients and must always ensure that products are still safe to use.

22. Invest in the best

If spending on salon and spa services is simply not in the budget right now, then a one-time splurge on top-quality tools might be worth it. As Woroch notes, having professional tools at your disposal lets you enjoy self-care at home without draining your bank account. But she warns that some tools may require you to spend more money upfront, whether it’s a spa-like sonic facial cleansing brush or a fancy hair steamer. The silver lining: you’ll enjoy greater savings in the long run.

23. Consider refurbished

If you’re in the market for any electronic beauty tools, Woroch suggests going with certified, refurbished items to get the tools you’ve always wanted without depleting your savings. While not considered brand new, refurbished tools have been repaired and tested to be resold. Just make sure you’re buying from reputable companies. Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy offer refurbished, high-end blow dryers and hair straighteners you can purchase for a fraction of the cost.

24. Buy in bulk

When it comes to everyday beauty products, you may come out ahead if you buy in bulk. For example, purchasing a single makeup sponge can cost you anywhere from $7 to $20 (depending on the brand). You get more for your money when you buy them in a pack. Other beauty items commonly purchased in bulk are disposable spoolie brushes for your lashes and brows (it beats buying a single brush for nearly the same price). Just pay attention to products with an expiration date. And remember, this saving tip doesn’t only apply to products. Woroch reminds that buying multiple beauty services upfront can save you money, too.

25. Pour out those points

Still waiting on the “right" time to redeem all those points you’ve earned at your favorite stores? If the goal is to keep your pockets full, then the time could be now. While it makes sense to accumulate your points over time, being too stingy could cost you some serious savings. Let’s face it: Beauty is expensive, and there’s no greater feeling than watching that three-digit total tumble at checkout. Popular rewards programs include Sephora’s Beauty Insider, Target Circle and MAC Lover Rewards.