Beauty is an industry. Men and women across the world invest thousands of dollars (sometimes even more) into their appearance to meet a standard that changes depending on where you are. While everyone has the right to do whatever they want to make themselves feel comfortable in their own skin, the beauty buying habit can easily get out of control; luxury makeup brands and routine pampering sessions can quickly add up, forcing consumers to max out their credit cards (100% credit utilization can do serious harm to your credit score) in the pursuit of an endless goal. Let’s take a look at some tried-and-true tips to turn that costly beauty obsession into a financially-manageable lifestyle.

Mending Your Makeup Ways

Makeup is one of the most expensive consistent purchases people make. We’re certainly not telling you to forgo your foundation and abandon your eyeliner, but there are better ways to get the most bang for your buck in the makeup department.

• Go generic. This can be a tough pill to swallow, but higher prices don’t automatically mean you’re getting a superior product. Most beauty products are made from the same types of ingredients, regardless of manufacturers; rather than spending $60 on a minuscule tube of concealer, give the drug store brands a try. Considering that cocktail hour spending jumped up to 79% in recent years, maybe save your money for a special occasion.
• Comparison shop ahead of time. It can be easy to get sucked into sales and product promotions, but you might not always be getting a deal. By shopping around online, you can compare prices and customer satisfaction ratings to ensure you’ve found a great deal.
• Make the most of your purchases. If you simply can’t leave your exorbitantly expensive product behind, make sure you’re taking advantage of the store’s rewards or loyalty programs. You can also maximize savings by shopping for these brands online using a rebate portal (like Ebates).

Go Pro Or Stay Home?

In a poll about 2018 New Year’s Resolutions, approximately 29% of women said they wanted to focus on self-care. As nice as routine mani-pedis and teeth whitenings can be, it’s remarkably easy to get stuck in a cycle of heading back to the salon every three to six weeks for new treatments. Although it will be a tough adjustment in the beginning, you can perform many of these at home.

• Nails: Manicures and pedicures are not as complicated as people think. While you shouldn’t attempt to apply gel or acrylic nails unless you know exactly what you’re doing, painting your nails can be a relaxing and therapeutic experience — and you never have to leave the comfort of your own home.
• Teeth:Approximately 127.6 million adults visited a dentist in 2017 — we’re not telling you to abandon basic oral hygiene by skipping these crucial appointments, just that you can achieve whiter teeth without the help (and associated costs) of a doctor. There are a variety of whitening products on the market, including toothpaste, gels, strips, and mouthwash.

Beauty is a personal experience; one thing that we all share, however, is its cost. By making these few simple switches, you can cut down your spending in ways you never imagined.