Makeup has never been cheap, but as the economy plunges into disarray, shopping for it has become a high-stakes game of ‘not breaking the bank’. A mascara that used to cost six dollars now costs twelve; foundation, on average, costs an arm and a leg, and then some. With these five tips, you can level up your makeup routine while keeping it cost-effective, and your bank account will thank you.
1. Ditch Sephora: Dollar Tree is Your Friend
Stop walking past the budget beauty aisle like it doesn’t exist. Stores like ShopMissA, Five Below, and even the dollar store have perfectly fine options for brushes, sponges, lip glosses, and brow gels. Are they luxury? No. Do they work? Yes. My current favorite setting powder is the Wet’n’Wild Photofocus loose setting powder. It works just like high-end products, leaving my foundation looking airbrushed. It only costs 3 dollars, which is a steal compared to the average powder, which costs upwards of 10 dollars.
2. One Product, Many Jobs
You don’t need separate blush, lipstick, and cream eyeshadow. Use your lipstick as a cream blush. Use a brown pencil eyeliner as a brow filler. And use your bronzer as a transition eyeshadow. This isn’t “being cheap.” It’s being smart. Every time you double up on a product, you save money and space in your makeup bag.
3. Research Before You Buy Anything
Impulse buying is the enemy of a low-budget routine. Before you spend even five dollars, take ten minutes online. You might find that the cheap concealer everyone raves about is terrible for dry skin, or that the mid-range one you wanted has a perfect dupe for half the price. A little searching now saves you from a credit card on its last legs later.
4. Use Non-Makeup Products on Your Skin
Some of the best makeup tools aren’t sold as makeup at all. Vaseline is my favorite example. Apply a tiny amount over your moisturizer, then spread it across your face. Let it sink in for a moment—it creates a smooth, slightly tacky base that helps foundation adhere like a high-end primer. Aloe vera gel can tame flyaway brows. Plain old cold cream and soap remove everything. These products cost pennies per use and often outperform the fancy stuff.
5. Stretch Your Foundation With Moisturizer
Take your regular foundation and mix it with an equal amount of your daily moisturizer on the back of your hand. You now have a tinted moisturizer. It’s lighter, more natural, and doubles the number of uses you get from the bottle. If you want a little more coverage, adjust the ratio. If your foundation is too thick or too dry, this fixes that, too. Try it once. You’ll never go back.
Inflation is real, and it is here to stay. However, don’t despair—these easy hacks can help you keep up with your beat a little more cheaply.
