How to Save Money on Cosmetics and Beauty Products

Did you know that there are ways to get discounted beauty products to cut the cost of your beauty upkeep? Makeup, skincare and other beauty products can be expensive. You can find many discounts on beauty products with a little knowledge of where the discounts can be found. It is easier to find discounts on drugstore and mass cosmetics than high-end and department store brands, but there are ways to get discounts on expensive beauty brands as well.

Saving Money on Beauty Products at Ulta

Ulta is a national beauty retailer and salon. They carry many brands ranging from drugstore brands such as Maybelline and Covergirl to more expensive brands such as It Cosmetics, Lancome, Smashbox and more. Ulta offers rewards programs to their customers through their Ultamate Rewards. Members of the Ulta rewards programs earn rewards for free product and regularly receive coupons for discounts on product at Ulta. This is one of my main reasons that I’ve been shopping there more and more lately. I prefer to get free reward dollars to spend on whatever I want from the store rather than receiving random free products (like they offer at Sephora).

Although most of the coupons exclude high-end brands, Ulta does occasionally send out coupons that include high-end and salon brands of beauty products and cosmetics. Coupons can also be found online and in monthly magazines such as Allure and InStyle.

Saving Money at Sephora on High End Beauty Products

International beauty retailer Sephora carries many high-end brands. Members of the Sephora beauty insiders rewards programs earn free samples of beauty products and also receive coupons for discounts on cosmetics a few times a year. Beauty Insiders also receive invitations to special events and a gift on their birthday every year.

Saving Money on Cosmetics Through Online Sample Sale Sites

Online sample sale sites such as Hautelook.com often have online sample sales of beauty brands. Those looking for discounts on cosmetics should sign up with the online sample sale sites to keep abreast of brands that are on sale. The selection is usually limited but there are some gems to be found.

Saving Money on Cosmetics at Cosmetic Company Stores

Many cosmetic companies have outlet stores. These stores can be found in outlet malls. Estee Lauder has outlet stores they call the Cosmetic Company Store. These stores carry discontinued and limited edition cosmetics from the Estee Lauder family of beauty brands. Brands found at Cosmetic Company Stores include Estee Lauder, MAC and Clinique among others. Selection varies by location and there are many beauty discounts to be found. I’ve shopped at one of their stores recently and they were having a 50% off sale. Talk about great deals!

Saving Money on Favorite Beauty Brands by Signing up for Mailing Lists

Those looking for discounts on cosmetics should sign up on the retail websites of their favorite brands. Many beauty brands send out emails to their mailing lists announcing sales and promotions. Smashbox regularly sends out emails with discount codes for cosmetics and codes for free samples, as does MAC Cosmetics, It Cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Clinique and more. Some brands announce sales exclusively to their mailing list.

Saving Money on Drugstore Cosmetics

Another way to reduce the cost of cosmetics is to shop at drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens. You can pair manufacturers coupons with the drugstore’s rewards programs. Pairing coupons with Extra Care Bucks at CVS often results in heavily discounted cosmetics and beauty products. I know people who get tons of their beauty products for FREE this way.

Whether you’re looking for a favorite drugstore shampoo or a higher end department store lipstick, there is no need to pay full price with a little savvy shopping.

Let me know your favorite way to get discounted beauty products in the comments below.