17 Money-Saving Tips Every Makeup Addict Needs to Know / Bright Side
It’s always nice when you buy new cosmetic items, but the money spent on them can get out of hand. The good news is that there are other simple, budget-saving methods that can help you look like a million bucks.
Bright Side collected the best cosmetic life hacks for you that will help you look gorgeous without spending much money. Don’t miss our bonus at the end of the article!
1. Eyebrow brush instead of a scrub
You can use a clean eyebrow brush in order to remove dry skin from lips. Apply a layer of lip balm or cream to the lips, leave it on for a couple of minutes and then rub with the brush — the surface of your lips will become smooth and ready for any lipstick.
2. A cooling mask made of foil
You can increase the effectiveness of any cream mask with the help of ordinary aluminum foil, which should be stored for a while in the fridge before using. Additionally, the foil mask can be used as a separate cosmetic item for removing morning puffiness. For that, it should be applied to the face after applying toner or after using a serum.
3. A matte nail trick made of corn starch
Adding 2 grams of cornstarch to a bottle of nail polish will make your nail polish perfectly matte. Many bloggers have tested this life hack. However, it’s not necessary to use the whole bottle: you can mix a little nail polish with the starch in a small bowl so that the mixture is enough for one time. By the way, you can choose to make a colored or a clear nail polish matte.
4. Coffee filters instead of oil blotting sheets
Coffee filters are sold in jumbo packs and don’t cost much in comparison with small packages of oil blotting sheets. They are made from a thin and soft paper without chemicals or additional scents and that’s why they are perfect for wiping the face to remove oil.
5. Perfect sun protecting tint
We bet there are a couple of concealers or makeup foundations that are too dark lying around on your cosmetic shelf not being used. Emmy Award winning makeup master Kevin James Bennett has an idea for turning your favorite day cream with SPF into a sun protecting tint by mixing it with a too yellow or a too dark makeup foundation.
Use small travel bottles instead of big tubes for figuring out the ideal portions and for easy mixing. The best proportions are 3:1 where 3 is the day cream and 1 is the foundation.
6. Flower water instead of a makeup setting spray
Not only is a makeup setting spray used for fixing the results of your makeup application, but for giving the face a natural radiance too. If your main task is to freshen up your makeup, spraying a little flower water over your makeup foundation or powder will be of great help. And, these don’t cost as much as setting sprays.
7. Concealer for making your lipstick matte
You can save money on matte lipsticks if you already have a glossy lipstick of a suitable color. Makeup artist Pat McGrath recommends applying a concealer to lips, leaving it for a minute to soak in, and then applying the lipstick. Additionally, the concealer will help protect lips from over drying.
8. Dry shampoo made of starch
Instead of paying for a ready-made dry shampoo, you can make it yourself. Mix equal amounts of cornstarch and cocoa, then add a couple of lavender essential oil drops. If you have blonde hair, don’t add cocoa to the mixture.
This shampoo works better than baby powder because it consists of very tiny particles.
9. Homemade body scrub
You have probably already heard about the scrubs made from coffee. But this is not the only option for a self-made exfoliant. You can buy grape and other fruit seeds by weight in stores for soap makers. Citrus peel, rice, or oat granules are available there too. The simplest way is to mix this base with your favorite shower gel. You can also add fruits, berries and essential and base oils.
If you don’t want to buy all of this stuff, you can even make the scrub from ground oats, sea salt, and sugar.
10. A life hack for keeping your lips bright
In order not to worry about a smeared lipstick after eating, you can use this simple method. Mix 2 tablespoons of gelatin with hot water and add several drops of food coloring to the mixture. Apply the mixture to the lips, wait until it dries, and remove it.
11. A budget way to wash brushes
Traditionally, brushes are washed with special shampoos but this option is not very budget-friendly. There is a cheap and simple way to do it: dissolve 1 tsp of dishwashing liquid in a bowl with lukewarm water and add 1 tbsp of vinegar, thoroughly rinse the brushes in this mixture. They will be perfectly clean and won’t lose their look and properties after drying.
12. Lash mascara instead of a liner
It’s not necessary to buy a new eyeliner if you have a black or colorful lash mascara at hand. Just douse an eyeliner brush in the mascara and apply it to the eyes. Your mascara will play the role of a saturated and durable eyeliner perfectly.
13. Good primer instead of expensive pallets
Buying an eyeshadow primer that is good quality is an investment that can help you save a lot of money. In this case, you can buy eyeshadows in any price range instead of the expensive brand eyeshadow pallets and still get perfect results. Besides increasing durability, the primer will make the pigment of a product brighter and more saturated.
14. Toner used as a mask
You can use a toner that you don’t like for diluting clay, alginate, or herbal masks, as well as, for wetting fabric sheet masks with it. The action of any toner is aimed at calming the skin down; which is why the result should be good. Of course, steer clear of products that cause burning or redness.
15. Ways to completely finish your products
Creamy products like toothpaste or lip gloss are difficult to be squeezed out of their tube when they’re near the end. In this situation, an ordinary bobby pin can help greatly — it should be put on the sealed part of the tube and slowly moved toward the hole. Remember that you can also take out the tops from inside lip glosses with sponges brushes to be able to get a little more of the gloss out that could be trapped. You might be amazed at how much of the product you were going to throw away.
16. Cold can help prevent the appearance of bubbles on nail polish.
Air bubbles on freshly painted nails can completely spoil your mood and ruin your manicure. However, it doesn’t mean that you should throw away your favorite nail polish and get a new one. There is a reliable method that can help get rid of those bubbles — put the bottle into the fridge 15 minutes before painting your nails. It works really well!
17. Keep the brush from your high-quality mascara.
Good quality mascara differs from a bad one not only with its composition, but with the well-thought-out arrangement, angle of inclination, and softness of the bristles of its brush. If your favorite lash mascara has just finished and you want to buy a cheaper version, just keep the old brush and swap it with the new one. We guarantee that the difference will be almost unnoticeable.
Bonus: Homemade beauty recipes that will help you avoid awkward situations
What other budget-saving life hacks do you use? Please tell us about them in the comments!
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ThetimesPreview photo credit Depositphotos
— Lisa Chiccine, New York City hairstylist
2. Before you get highlights, tell your colorist how often you're willing to return for touch-ups. If you want only three appointments a year, the colorist will give you fewer, more subtle highlights.
— Kattia Solano, owner of Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City
3. Every other time you go for a single-process color, have just the hairline and crown dyed. You should be charged half the usual price, and your hair will be less damaged.
— Ouidad, author of Curl Talk
4. Buy eyeshadows that come in a trio; the shades are already coordinated. In one purchase, you get a highlight, crease, and dark shade, which also doubles as eyeliner.
— Carmindy, makeup artist on What Not to Wear
5. Skip salon deep-conditioning treatments. Instead, buy a L'Oréal or Pantene hair mask at the drugstore, add a quarter cup of olive oil to three-quarters cup of the mask, and warm it in the microwave. Apply on towel-dried hair starting at your ends, comb through, and cover your hair with a plastic cap. Wait at least 15 minutes before you rinse.
— L.C.
6. Invest in four high-quality haircuts a year. A masterly cut grows out beautifully, and four good haircuts usually cost less than 12 bad ones.
— Helena Faccenda, celebrity hairstylist
7. If you color your hair, always use shampoos that are safe for color-treated hair. You'll cut down on how frequently you need to re-dye because these shampoos won't strip the color.
— L.C.
8. To make foundation last longer (and look more natural), use less than you normally do and add a little water. If you need more coverage on certain spots, you don't have to buy a separate concealer—just use the foundation straight from the bottle (it's usually most concentrated around the top).
— Rebecca Restrepo, celebrity makeup artist
9. Stop wearing colored nail polish—you won't need to return to the salon as frequently because chips won't be as obvious.
— Deborah Lippmann, manicurist and creator of the Lippmann Collection
10. If you go to a salon that has head or master stylists along with junior or staff stylists, ask if you can get your first cut with a top stylist, then schedule follow-up trims with a less expensive one.
— K.S.
11. If you have fine to medium-thick hair: Instead of getting a full head of highlights, ask for a partial T-section. The colorist will apply highlights on just your part and the front sections around your face. This method is cheaper and faster, and your hair looks thicker because the darker hair underneath the highlights creates the illusion of depth.
— H.F.
12. Some salons let you schedule as many free bang trims as you want. If your salon doesn't offer this complimentary service, ask for a lesson on how to do it yourself.
— L.C.
Get more ways to look like a million without going broke!
Style your hair wavy so that you can put off haircuts longer—it's harder to see grown-out layers and split ends in curly hair.— Lisa Chiccine, New York City hairstylistBefore you get highlights, tell your colorist how often you're willing to return for touch-ups. If you want only three appointments a year, the colorist will give you fewer, more subtle highlights.— Kattia Solano, owner of Butterfly Studio Salon in New York CityEvery other time you go for a single-process color, have just the hairline and crown dyed. You should be charged half the usual price, and your hair will be less damaged.— Ouidad, author of Curl TalkBuy eyeshadows that come in a trio; the shades are already coordinated. In one purchase, you get a highlight, crease, and dark shade, which also doubles as eyeliner.What Not to WearSkip salon deep-conditioning treatments. Instead, buy a L'Oréal or Pantene hair mask at the drugstore, add a quarter cup of olive oil to three-quarters cup of the mask, and warm it in the microwave. Apply on towel-dried hair starting at your ends, comb through, and cover your hair with a plastic cap. Wait at least 15 minutes before you rinse.— L.C.Invest in four high-quality haircuts a year. A masterly cut grows out beautifully, and four good haircuts usually cost less than 12 bad ones.— Helena Faccenda, celebrity hairstylistIf you color your hair, always use shampoos that are safe for color-treated hair. You'll cut down on how frequently you need to re-dye because these shampoos won't strip the color.— L.C.To make foundation last longer (and look more natural), use less than you normally do and add a little water. If you need more coverage on certain spots, you don't have to buy a separate concealer—just use the foundation straight from the bottle (it's usually most concentrated around the top).— Rebecca Restrepo, celebrity makeup artistStop wearing colored nail polish—you won't need to return to the salon as frequently because chips won't be as obvious.— Deborah Lippmann, manicurist and creator of the Lippmann CollectionIf you go to a salon that has head or master stylists along with junior or staff stylists, ask if you can get your first cut with a top stylist, then schedule follow-up trims with a less expensive one.— K.S.If you have fine to medium-thick hair: Instead of getting a full head of highlights, ask for a partial T-section. The colorist will apply highlights on just your part and the front sections around your face. This method is cheaper and faster, and your hair looks thicker because the darker hair underneath the highlights creates the illusion of depth.— H.F.Some salons let you schedule as many free bang trims as you want. If your salon doesn't offer this complimentary service, ask for a lesson on how to do it yourself.— L.C.