Before you spend all of your Holiday cash stocking up on new beauty essentials, consider these 10 thrifty swaps that ensure you will still look good come time for Spring Break and Coachella.
1. Makeup Removers gentle on your whole face:
Swap Clinique “Take The Day Off” cleansing oil ($28) for Neutrogena cleansing makeup wipes- now in a pack of 25 for $6.14 and two packs for $10.99.
2. Face Washes:
Swap Dermologica “Daily Microfoliant” ($54) for St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub ($4.49).
3. Light Liquid Foundation:
Swap Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($44) for Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer ($12.49). The Neutrogena version helps fight any skin blemishes you may have.
4. Eyeshadow Pallete:
Swap your Urban Decay Naked Palette ($54) with Nudes by Maybelline ($11.99). Maybelline is now also featuring two new eyeshadow palettes, The Rocked Nudes, and The Blushed Nudes. Shop all on their websites or in most drugstores.
5. Liquid Eyeliner:
Swap your Mac Brand ($21) or pretty much any other liquid eyeliner for the best-selling Elf “Expert Liquid Eyeliner,” for only $2.
6. Mascara:
Swap Benefit “They’re Real!” mascara ($24) for Maybelline “Falsies” mascara ($9.49).
7. Colored Chapstick:
Swap your Clinique “Chubby Stick” ($17) for the Revlon version ($5.99).
8. Brush Shampoo:
Instead of buying small bottles of brush cleaner from Sephora or Mac (between $7 and $15) try Baby Shampoo. You only need to use about the size of a dime on your brushes, so you’ll be able to use it for about a year. Johnson’s Original baby shampoo can be purchased at just about every drug store, for $5.29.
9. Nails:
Manis and pedis add up, especially when you want to get gel or acrylics. So, instead of going into the salon, try Sally Hansen miracle gel nail polish ($9.99) or try glue on nails, like “Kiss Salon Acrylic French Nails” for $8.49. You get a pack of 28 nails, so these nails can last for a few weeks.
10. Blow Dryer:
Swap your $100 and up blow dryer for the “Infiniti Pro” by Conair, only $29.99. I have used this blow dryer for years, and my hair has never dried faster.
If you are feeling adventurous you can purchase the “83 Piece Essential Set” from Elf Cosmetics, a complete eyes, lips, and face set on sale now for only $20.
One final tip:
If you’re in college, sign up for the rewards card (it’s free) for the drugstore nearest you. Every time you shop you will save a few dollars, which really adds up.
Happy Shopping!
