I am a full-time student working a part-time job who has a serious shopping problem, and I’m sure many of you can relate. I don’t have an abundance of money to spend on beauty products, but there are some things I know are worth splurging on. While I love finding a cheap lipstick or foundation that works, I never skimp out on teeth, skin or hair products.
Now, before I tell you which products you should carve out a chunk of your paycheck for, I want to give you some tips on how to save money on these items.
First off, I’m an avid Ulta shopper and have been a platinum member for years. At Ulta, there are three tiers of memberships: member, platinum member and diamond member. The diamond members spend $1200 yearly at Ulta.To be a platinum member at Ulta, you must spend $450 in a year at the store, which is a lot, but because I get my eyebrows done there and buy most of my products from the store, the money adds up. I also have an Ultamate Rewards account which earns points redeemable for money off purchases. As a platinum member, I earn more points than regular members and receive better coupons.
Ulta’s rewards program is one of the best I have joined; it’s simple and very worth it, especially if you have shopping habits like me. I earn so many points from being a member that sometimes I don’t spend my own money on a product because I’ll just redeem points.
I also do a lot of shopping at Target and use their app to save money on products. The app is fun because you can scan all the barcodes and see if there are any coupon or savings available. At Target I like to shop for Crest Whitening Strips for my teeth, and there have been several deals offering gift cards when you purchase them. I find that off brands do not work as well as Crest, so they’re definitely worth splurging on, and there’s usually a deal up for grabs after the purchase.
Ulta’s rewards program and the Target app are my favorite easy ways to save money; they are simple and help me get more bang for my buck.
Now that I’ve shared how to save money, let’s talk about how to spend it. First, please do not cheap out on skin care. I don’t use super expensive products — I really enjoy Aveeno products because they are gentle on my skin and are a quality brand. I also use the Neutrogena makeup remover wipes. They are a little more expensive, but remove all my makeup without irritating my skin. Your skin, especially your face, deserves to be treated with care.
I also splurge on face masks. I’m a fan of Lush products because they are made with natural ingredients and support some incredible charities and causes. While it’s possible to find really cheap face masks, I can’t seem to allow myself to buy them. They aren’t always made with the best ingredients and because I have sensitive skin, they would cause me to break out. Lush sells fresh organic and vegan products, so I am always willing to spend more for better skincare. My favorite mask from Lush is the Mask of Magnaminty, it clears my skin while providing a gentle exfoliator.
Now, on to your hair.
With hair products, you definitely get what you pay for, so don’t be stingy. I don’t think you need to buy that crazy expensive product your stylist tries to sell you because while it may be nice, you can find another inexpensive salon-grade brand.
When coloring your hair, don’t be cheap; it’s a service, and you have to pay for quality. You should care about your hair and treat it well.
Beauty products aren’t cheap, but downloading discount apps and using rewards programs can save your wallet from some aching. Some great products won’t break the bank, but when it comes to hair and skincare, it’s worth the splurge.
Another tip: Don’t forget to ask for samples or buy travel sizes before committing to a product. They will save you money, and you’ll know if the products work for you.
