Thursday, November 15, 2018

How To Save Big Money On Beauty Products

I don't know about you, but even when I'm on a tight budget there are still things I need to stick to, like my beauty routine. 

I'm a girly girl, always have been. I try to take good care of my skin, and I wear makeup every day....well, most days! 

There are certain products I won't skimp on but I will only buy them when I get a good sale!  

Recently, Sephora had a 20% off sale, and It Cosmetics had a 25% off sale (plus 6% cash back on Ebates!) so I bought a few items that I always use, plus a couple of things my daughters had requested for Christmas. Because there are some things I just can't give up....at least not yet. I've tried to find less expensive, more budget friendly alternatives but they were so disappointing. So I've gone back to my tried and trues, and just try to use them sparingly and only buy them when they are on sale. 

However, I have been able to replace some of my more expensive beauty products with very budget friendly alternatives and with wonderful results! 

Naturally I had to share....because I know I'm not the only one out there looking for an inexpensive beauty product that ACTUALLY WORKS!

Here are some of the swaps I've made recently, with great success:

I used to use Clarins One Step Cleansers at night to take off my makeup, priced at $38.00 for 6.8 oz. 

I switched over a year ago to Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water and I couldn't be more pleased!

Micellar Water on Amazon
Amazon sells this water at a fabulous price of $17.39 for THREE 13.5 oz bottles when  you subscribe and save - I use that feature for so many items, you save 15% and  you can edit your monthly subscriptions before they ship out, so you aren't receiving products you don't need just yet!

When you figure out the price per oz the Clarins was $5.59 per oz, and the Garnier is only $.43 per oz - that's a huge difference! I use this nearly every morning and night from April - November and each bottle lasts me about two months. The Clarins bottles only lasted me about a month each. Huge savings right there!

In the winter months, I often don't want to use a chilly liquid on my face in the evenings, plus my skin is a little dry, so I swap out my cleanser. I had been using Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, which is lovely but priced at $38.00 for only 3.9 oz. I would smooth it all over my face, massage off my makeup, and then remove it all with a nice hot washcloth. It's a great product, but I had a feeling I could find something more budget friendly that would also make me happy. 

I sure did!  I switched to an old classic, Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser. Who knew? I apply it the same way, cream off my makeup, and remove with a hot washcloth. It does every bit as good a job as the Clarins cleanser, at a much more affordable price!
Ponds Cold Cream on Amazon
Amazon sells a 3-pack of this cold cream (6.1 oz each) for the bargain price of $16.99. It truly melts the makeup right off my face, the fragrance is slight but lovely, and it feels creamy and decadent despite the bargain price. When I work out the price per oz, the Clarins is $9.74 per oz and the Ponds only $.93 per oz. Whattttt? 

I still have a little of the Clarins cleansers left, which I use sparingly as a 'treat' now, rather than the norm. But for my everyday removal of makeup, these two items have become my go-to. 

After cleansing, I use a toner to close my pores and remove any lingering trace of the cleanser. In the past I used (guess what?) Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris, priced at $26.00 for 6.8 oz. 

Now, I use witch hazel! I'm telling you, these old school beauty tricks work, they are tried and true. There are so many different variations of witch hazel, you don't have to get one with that traditional witch hazel scent (I don't care much for that scent...)

I absolutely love the Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, Rose Petal. Amazon sells it for $7.90 for 12 oz on subscribe and save, and this bottle has so far lasted me 9 months, and I still have about a third of it left!
Thayers Witch Hazel on Amazon
There's no scent of witch hazel at all, you just smell the subtle scent of roses. It's a wonderful product! It works every bit as good as the Clarins, but at a much more reasonable price. Clarins price per oz - $3.82. Thayers price per oz - $.66. Not too shabby!

After toning, I use a facial oil. Previously, it was also Clarins, their Lotus Treatment Oil.  Again, I loved it....but was looking for a less expensive alternative. The Clarins oil was priced at $58.00 for only 1 oz. Wowzers. Granted, that 1 oz lasted me about a year, but still, I knew I could do better. 

Rosehip Oil on Amazon
Rosehip oil to the rescue!! It's not cheap, at $29.00 for a 4 oz bottle, but that works out a heck of a lot better than the Clarins price! I put it in a small dropper bottle, add a few drops of Plant Therapy's Anti Age Synergy Oil, and bingo, I have an all natural alternative to the Clarins oil, at a fraction of the price.  I alternate this oil blend with my favorite moisturizer every other night. The rosehip oil I bought nearly a year ago, and I still have more than half the bottle left. My moisturizer is also from about a year ago, and I have about a third of a jar left. Alternating my moisturizer with less expensive alternatives really stretches how far it will go and how long it will last. 

I tried another much less expensive moisturizer, Neutrogena's Hydroboost Gel Cream, but I was very disappointed.  The next one I'm going to try is Garnier SkinActive 3 in 1 Face Moisturizer with Rose Water - I'll let you know what I think!

A completely new to me line popped up on my Amazon account recently and the reviews were awesome and the price was right, so I had to give it a try. Are you ready for this mouthful? Ok, here goes.
Buy It On Amazon

That's quite the product name, isn't it? 

I have never, ever heard of this brand, which surprises me - have any of you? 

I have large pores (well, larger than I'd like!) around my nose and I'm always looking for a product to help - well I have to tell you, I have only been using this product for less than a week and I already see a huge difference! The price is awesome, only $9.20 on Amazon for 1.69 ounces, and I only use a few drops in the morning under my moisturizer. The product description on Amazon is as follows: 

"Hylaluronic acid 97% Serum - it captures and continually diffuses water within the skin to restore its moisture balance and leave skin feeling soft and supple. Functional serum for brightening and wrinkle improvement."

Yes, please! 

It has 344 reviews on Amazon, and 4 1/2 stars - that's a product I'm comfortable trying, especially at this bargain price. I'm interested in trying some of the other products by Elizavecca after my success with this serum! 

That's my latest roundup on how to save some big money on beauty products, which of course is all part of the way I saved over $10,000 on my yearly expenses!  I'm still in the market for a great budget moisturizer and eye cream - if anyone has a great budget product that you absolutely love, please share!!

20 comments:

  1. I don't really use items like this, but I am looking for a moisturizer now that winter is here. I know many that still use Pond's Cold Cream and all of them praise it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the Belif Moisturizing Bomb - I haven't found anything that works as well! There was a link to it in my post, if you are interested!

      Delete
  2. Well, I have to hand it to you. You probably have beautiful youthful skin, because you bother with all that stuff. When it comes to a beauty regimen, It's soap and water for whatever's left of the little bit of makeup I bother with - Literally - a little concealer under the eyes, eye liner, mascara, just one coat, that's it for the day. I guess I'm not a girly girl, and I'm lazy with make up application, beauty products, ect. Always have been - Ponds cold cream - it's a P & G Product - it always reminds me of my youth - the men in my family worked for Proctor and Gamble and the women (mom, grandmothers, aunts) used Ponds- and loved it. Now you've got me thinking I should buy some - for nostalgia's sake, at the very least. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I used just soap and water my skin would be so dry I'd feel as if it were cracking, Karen Ann! Especially in winter when I'm exposed to heaters and the wood stove. My hands are a mess right now, cracking and bleeding....uggghhh!!

      Delete
  3. Okay, I'm definitely going to have to give some of these a try, especially the hyaluronic acid. I try to use products that have this wonderful little ingredient because it does help my skin. And ditto when you find a budget-friendly eye cream and moisturizer...I haven't found anything reasonably priced and I can't let mine go until I do! Have a great weekend! Love and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't use the hyaluronic acid this morning as I was running late and my skin feels so dry and tight, Benita! I won't be skipping that step again!

      Delete
  4. wow! This is one hell of a round up and so totally amazing! I just bought that belif moisturizer- it's in a holiday kit from sephora with a night mask and an eye cream right now, and with their 15% off coupon and 3% cashback, it works out to be about $30. I know it's kooky, but I used to use coconut oil to take off my makeup and I absolutely loved it. Just soaks into your skin and you also have a moisturizer, once you wipe the gook away! I stock up during the Sephora sales, too, but try to find cheaper alternatives through the year. I have to say I agree with you though- nothing quite as great as some of those expensive products! Lastly, Pixi glow tonic is a great alternative to serums and like $15 at Target!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do like the pixi glow tonic, I have some that I use sparingly but usually stick with the witch hazel on most days, Amanda. I have never tried coconut oil to take off my makeup, but it's definitely more expensive than Ponds!

      Delete
  5. Lots of great information here! I would never try any of these without someone telling me about them first. I am a Philosophy girl through and through and their purity cleanser is fabulous. I buy it in the huge bottle. I do splurge on my eye and lip cream at $60 for 1.7 oz but my moisturizer is from Walmart! It is Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E skin care cream. There are 2 or three 4 oz. jars for around $10. I am guessing because it lasts so long I don't remember! I love it. All I know is that I am still being told I don't look my age :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See that's just what I need, AnnMarie, someone who has a great inexpensive moisturizer to tell me about it!! :) I'm going to look that one up and add it to my next Walmart order, thanks for the tip!

      Delete
  6. These are all great products. I do use the micro cellar face wipes that I buy at TJ Maxx for $5.99 a package. I get about 4 to 6 months out of one package. It is very inexpensive and you use one cloth at night and they remove all your makeup. Works like a charm and you do not have to buy any cotton balls or make up remover pads etc. I swear by this stuff for makeup removal. So $6 every 6 months is not bad. I do use an expensive face moisturizer that I buy at Walmart called CerVae. My derm told me about this being the best facial moisturizer out there. I have to agree I have been using it for about a year now and my skin is really looking so much younger. It is $14 for a jar of this but I get many months out of using this and I do not wear foundation anymore. This moisturizer is fabulous and I just use a face powder and I get the same effect as foundation. Feels light on your skin. It is amazing how you can figure out ways to save so much money. Your tips are so great. Happy Friday Deb. Have a great weekend.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome, Kris, thank you for this suggestion! I am willing to try a less expensive moisturizer for sure, even if I use it every other day!

      Delete
  7. My skin is a nightmare in the winter. I have psoriasis, so I need a cream that hydrates, but doesn't cause zits. I was thinking about going back to ponds, but for the moment I'm using Burts Bees. I think I'll give it a go since you look like you're the same age as your girls :)

    xoxo,
    rue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you are so sweet, Rue, but clearly need to get your eyes checked!! :) I'm 50 now, and it's definitely harder to keep things looking good than it was even a few years ago, sigh!

      Delete
  8. I'm so boring. I've been using the same Clinique moisturizer for years. Now that I'm 50 I probably should be doing more. Ponds cold cream was a staple in my house growing up. I can still smell it if I close my eyes!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that funny, Kim, I remembered the smell too, my mom used to keep it in the medicine cabinet when I was a kid!

      Delete
  9. I cannot believe how many of the same products we use! I have to admit that I am a nut for skincare and beauty products, make use of Ebates when I shop, and go crazy when companies have those wonderful giveaways. I will be all over these deals Cyber Monday and Black Friday! Fun post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Pattie! I have already taken advantage of a few of the deals - my main foundation is It Cosmetics CC cream - if you haven't tried it you should, it's awesome. There's one that is a 'no more foundation' one, it's a tinted moisturizer - that's the one I wear when I'm off on the weekends and just running errands and such. For work I use the matte one, as I get oily about half way through the day. And for date night I use the illuminating one - I love it!! Not only is it a great foundation, but they have treatments in them as well, so they do double duty!

      Delete
  10. I'm pretty simple with my beauty products and makeup - to me, less is more. And I've always heard from people in the cosmetics industry, that makeup and beauty products are mostly the same. That when you buy the really expensive stuff, you're just paying for the name. Thus said, some of my favorites are...Acure Organics moisturizers (I use a day and night one, as well as an eye cream), the same witch hazel that you mentioned, Rimmel BB cream (it's very light...I use it as a "foundation" to cover the redness on my cheeks), Burt's Bees tinted lip balm, and Elf mascara - but only the volume and length one! I tried one of their other ones and it was awful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for this post! My favorite budget moisturizing cream is Revlon Eterna moisture cream with progenitin-make sure it is the one that says with progenitin. I get it on Amazon for around $17. very rich cream-perfect for winter! An older woman I know with great skin has used it for many years!

    ReplyDelete

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment...I truly love reading your comments and I try to respond to each and every one of your sweet comments right here on my blog page!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
09 10