Cutting back on spending often has to start with the luxuries and that includes make-up and beauty products but it doesn't have to mean missing out.
Bloggers and money-saving beauty gurus have plenty of tips for keeping costs to a minimum and making what you do buy go a long way!
Keeping a list of your essentials, sticking to it and waiting for the best deals is one of the most popular tips but there are also ways to keep up to date with the latest trends and products.
With these tips, you can make your final checkouts cost a little less and hopefully shop less often.
1. Join a money-saving group
On the ground shoppers know where the best deals are and they are always keen to share their finds so consider joining a local money-saving saving Facebook group to stay in the loop.
Brands will also make announcements on social media so find your favourite ones and give them a follow too so you're at least spending as little as possible on the products you love.
2. Get to know your ingredients
Thanks to the rise in popularity of brands like The Ordinary, the average consumer is likely to be more aware of the ingredients that work for their skin.
This means you can look at store brands that more often than not will be cheaper than high-end brands with the same or very similar ingredients.
Following beauty YouTube channels like James Welsh is a great place to start if you want to get to know ingredients, plus he calls out the trends that don't work so you don't waste your money.
3. Dupes
Money conscious shoppers are the first to share a dupe and it's a great way of getting your fave products for cheaper prices.
One shopper said that Poundland's 'Land of Nod' Body Butter version of Lush's £9 Sleepy Cream is 'Amazing'- and it's an £8 saving.
An Aldi shopper found a bronzer and a highlighter in the Lacura range for £5.99 each that rivalled cult favourites from Benefit that cost £27.50 each.
"Hopefully they’ll give my Benefit brand a run for their money at that price!," said one shopper hoping to save over £20.
4. Wait for the good deals
Beauty sales and especially three for two offers at stores like Boots are great if you are loyal to brands and know what you want.
It is always worth asking store assistants if you don't know which products are included.
5. Make sure you use all of the product
This means getting a pair of scissors and cutting open that foundations bottle to get the last wear out of it and using a lip brush to get the remnants of pigment from the tube.
This can delay buying a new product and help you if you have a strict budget to stick to.
6. Less is sometimes more
This one is similar to the last tip and simply requires you to check how much of the product you need to use and how often it's recommended you use it- if you are using too much you are wasting money.
This applies to hair products to and while you spend £5 on a bottle of shampoo, you only need to use a blob the size of a 10p piece and Redken Artist and Creative Director at Lockonego, Anthony Rawlings says its the same for conditioner too- with the exception of those with shorter hair or really long hair.
7. Get free samples
If you are one of the shoppers whose budget is struggling because you like trying the newest products you should be keeping an eye out for free giveaways.
Most recently shoppers were picking up their free No7 mascara from boots that cost around £10 and all they had to do was ask at their counter.
This is also a great tip for those trying a new product that can be hard or impossible to return or sell once opened.
Ask for a sample so you can at least try it out at home first.
8. Recycle containers
This tip is from SaveTheStudent but anyone can take advantage of the benefits offered by stores like Mac and Lush.
Return six primary packaging containers to a Mac counter and you'll get a free lipstick of your choice and with Lush, you can do the same.
If you return five clean used black pots to your local Lush store you'll be treated to a free face mask.
9. Broken eye shadow
If you have managed to rescue all if not most of a broken eye shadow pot from your make-up bag you can easily re-press it.
More than one blogger has said you can use rubbing alcohol to mix it up and press it into the mould again and this also works for any powder.
10. Sell unused products
If you have makeup or skincare that is unopened you may be able to sell them and youll have more luck if they are big brands.
If you're the type of person that people buy products for that you might not use it could be useful to get on apps like Depop or eBay.
Get the latest money-saving and benefits news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Money newsletter here.
