Your Beauty Budget: How Much Should You Be Spending?

Your beauty budget is probably huge, isn’t it? After all, new products come out all the time, your skin changes here and there and has new needs, and you get bored of your makeup look on a regular basis. Because of all this, you could be spending upwards of €1000 a month on your beauty regime! 

And you’re not alone in that. In fact, it’s the current average for people across the globe. But with the current inflation rates, this is becoming an unsustainable amount. And it’s hard to justify a new stick of lipstick or some new fancy moisturiser when you’ve to rent to pay too! 

Which is why we’ve listed the guide down below. Your beauty budget needs to come down, and that’s actually easier to manage than you might think. All you have to do is think a little creatively, and even start mixing your own items at home – a bit of DIY goes a long way! So without further ado, here are our tips for saving money on your beauty regime every month. 

Use Up Your Beauty Box First

You’ve probably already got a half-stocked beauty box or bag in your home somewhere, filled with older, discontinued products or impulse purchase you didn’t quite like once you tried them. 

Use these up first; it doesn’t matter if you weren’t sure about how they applied on your face, it’s time to get your money’s worth! It might take some getting used to, but this is the (mostly) guilt free way to still commit to your beauty routine. 

And once this box has been depleted of most of its supply, you can head out to fill it up again! Indeed, you can go shopping secure in the knowledge that you’ve done your bit to save your bank account, and even splurge on the good stuff to make sure you don’t have to come back again too soon. 

Buy Basic or ‘Drugstore’

Do you like buying the big brand names because you think their products are better? Many people do, and while there’s some truth in this claim, it can be a money trap for most. And if you’re struggling to pay your other bills, it’s time to kick the habit. 

The basic versions of these products, sometimes known as ‘dupes’, are often made by drugstore brands to ensure there’s an affordable item for every kind of shopper. And once you try some of these lower end products, you might notice they’re just as good! 

So go over the ingredients label of your favourite designer items to see what they contain. Write it all down and then head to the makeup aisle to compare. You’ll probably be able to find multiple products that can replace a certain step in your makeup or beauty routine – you just then have to pick the one you like best! 

Cut Back on Your Skin Care Steps

How long are your morning and nighttime skin care routines? Because if they’re longer than 3 or 4 steps at the moment, this could be where all your money is going. 

A lot of people don’t even realise how much money they’ve spent on different creams and serums, oils and water based cleansers, and using them altogether might even be drying your skin out further. Which then leads you to buy more items to ‘fix’ your skin, and the cycle continues without notice. 

Of course, we all have different skin care needs and some people need to exfoliate, cleanse, tone, and moisturise much more vigorously than others. However, this should never be at the expense of your overall wellness, which includes being able to put food on the table. And the most high end moisturisers, face packs, and clay masks can even cost well over €100 each! 

Make More Homemade Products

Did you know you can mix your own makeup? Take the items you don’t quite like or have too much of and create some concoctions of your own. You can make your own eyeshadow tones from old powers, as well as new blushes from lipstick and cream, and even new shades of foundation and concealers if you’ve got some primer going spare.

If you want to get serious about your own makeup though, you’ll have to invest in some healthy product bases that are good for the skin. Beeswax is one such option, but you can also look into various oils (like coconut) and naturally occurring pigments that can be mixed together for unique colours and textures. 

And we also have good news for skin care too! You can make various DIY treatments to help combat dry or oily skin, as well as acne related spots and blemishes. Check out these tutorials and see if you’ve got any of the ingredients already kicking around in the kitchen or bathroom cupboards. Reduce, reuse, recycle – easy! 

Work with a Good Surgeon

If you want to undergo a cosmetic procedure at some point in your life, you really need to do your research. Whether you want some Botox to smooth out your cheeks or to reduce the appearance of ‘crow’s feet’, or you fancy some lip filler to plump up one of your main facial features, you can’t be skimping here. 

Now that might sound like doing the exact opposite of what we’re trying to achieve here, but hear us out. A good procedure is going to cost, but if you choose the right lip filler expert to do it, the effect is going to last. You won’t have to go back too soon, and you can enjoy your new look for at least 6 months. 

Do plenty of research to find the right doctor or surgeon, and make sure you feel comfortable when sitting through a consultation with them. If you’re not feeling it in ‘your gut’, don’t make any decisions until you’re ready. Not only could this procedure be invasive, but it’s going to cost a lot of money! 

Keep an Eye Out for Sales

Makeup goes on sale very often, seeing as it’s an everyday item people like to buy. Brands and businesses can afford to grant frequent sales periods, as people are going to roll in and grab a few items no matter what! So if you want to buy in bulk, or stock up on your favourites for the year, wait for the sale. 

It’s best to sign up to a store’s mailing list to be sure you hear news about any discounts as soon as possible. In the meantime, we’ll give you a little lowdown: 

The summer period usually presents the most savings. People often see prices marked down by around 40% at least, but the full discount tends to be around half off. Many shops also run promotions where you can get 2 for the price of 1, or the cheapest item free when buying 3 or more. 

Some even allow you to put as many things in your basket as possible and only pay €20! It’s a rare shopping opportunity, but it’s one you should keep an eye out for just in case. 

Book Appointments Every Other Month

If you’re someone who loves to get their nails done, or you love spending an afternoon at the salon for a new hairdo, this is another habit to think about kicking. It’s nice to pamper yourself and make sure you look your best with some small professional treatments, but these are some of the worst bank breaking activities to do. 

Why? Because they happen around once a month. Or if you have slow growing hair, around every 2 to 4 months. And these appointments can cost over €250, according to the average. If that sounds like a bill that’s often come your way, start booking your appointments a little less frequently. Go every other month instead, or only twice a year until your finances improve. 

It might be a little awkward to have hair longer than you’re used to, but you can then get creative with hairstyles and new looks – your tresses may have never been styled so beautifully! 

What Does Your Beauty Budget Look Like?

Is it a bit too much right now? Have you been trying to cut it back for a little while now? Then let’s go through the steps together. Don’t let yourself spend more than you’re able to make by using up what you have, investing in reusable items, and ensuring you make informed decisions about any procedures you want to go through. 

Not only that; it’s a good idea to switch up the kind of products you like to buy. Yes, it’s nice to have a big brand named product to use, but the drugstore dupes work just as well. So why not buy them a little more often and see just how good they can be for your skin? And above all else, make sure you review your budget every month. It’s best to keep a close eye on what you’re spending!