'I'm a hardcore beauty devotee. Here are 5 ways I spend less on products.'

With new releases coming out left, right and centre, it’s enough to make us beauty aficionados weak at the knees. I mean, the Barbie beauty collabs alone have had me in add-to-cart mode for weeks!  

Combine this with re-blossoming social calendars beckoning beauty appointments into full swing, and a wedding on the horizon, and it can certainly make me guilty of spending quite a few dollars on products and appointments. 

Now don’t get me wrong — beauty is one of my passions, so I’m more than happy to splash some of my hard-earned cash on the goods. But sometimes even us hardcore devotees can do with some reigning in. 

Watch: Dirt build up wreaked havoc on your makeup draw? Here's the quick fix. Post continues below.

Whether I’m saving my dollars for a special occasion, or just feeling a little frugal, I have a few tricks up my sleeve for when I’m trying to spend a little less dough on the beauty front. 

Before we jump in, a quick reminder that everyone’s skin is unique, so be sure to patch-test goodies that are new to you and seek advice if you’re unsure if a certain product is right for you. 

I’m not a dermatologist or a financial advisor — always seek professional advice.  

1. Clean up my bathroom cupboard.

A bathroom cupboard clean-out is top of the list for a few reasons. Firstly, it is immensely satisfying. Sorting, organising, making things look all neat and pretty… it all brings me a great sense of calm. 

Secondly, it helps me bid adieu to products that have reached their expiration date.  

I’m pretty good at using skincare products until they’re all the way empty (a money-saving hack of its own!) but certain less frequently used makeup products can be harder to get through. 

But finally, and most importantly for the topic in question, it helps remind me how many hardworking products I already own. I just recently re-discovered a whole stack of lipsticks I forgot about, which consequently helped me fight the urge to buy any more for the office-outfit rotation. 

It’s much harder to justify fresh buys when you’re well acquainted with your already stellar line-up.  

2. Plan out my beauty routine with products I already have.

Just like outfit planning inspires fresh excitement for the threads you already own, planning your beauty routine can remind you that you’ve got a flurry of options good to go.

So, I often do just that. Once I’ve taken stock of the goods I already have, I like to plan out routines featuring said prods: morning skincare and evening skincare, and makeup looks for the week. I just write them out as a note on my phone — nothing fancy — but enough to do the trick. 

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To help keep things feeling extra spesh, I also remind myself to incorporate the beauty tools I already own. 

It can be so easy to forget that Gua Sha, dry body brush or face roller in the back of the cupboard, but whipping them out and integrating them into the routine makes things feel fresh for no extra dollars. (Just make sure you give them a good clean if they’ve been gathering dust). 

3. Do my own nails. 

Getting my nails done is all fun and games until I get trapped in a never-ending cycle of re-application. I tell myself that I’ll go in just to get the gel removed, and end up coming out with pink glittery nails and another hit to the ol’ bank account. Oops. 

DIY-ing my nails is one of my go-to ways to save a little extra cash on the beauty front. Plus, much like cleaning out the bathroom cupboard, I find the whole process really calming and rewarding. 

My favourite time to do my own nails is Friday night, in front of the TV. 

I’ll do the full kit and caboodle — base coat, two coats of colour, top coat — while binge-watching something good for the soul. And all of it for much less than an in-store mani! 

Here's some nail polish inspo for your next DIY sesh: 

• Essie Ballet Slippers, $15.99, is a fan fave. Classic, timeless, cheap! 

• Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Wine Stock, currently $12.99, is a perfectly moody yet polished winter colour. 

• Kester Black Rouge, $28, is one of my most worn polishes ever. The best red. 

• Chanel Le Vernis 505, $43, is a cult colour that never fails. Plus, it’s a bougee buy that’s still less than most nail salon experiences. 

4. Search out discounts on things I actually need.

If I realise that I’m close to running out of something I really need (think cleanser, SPF, shampoo) and haven’t uncovered a substitute in the great bathroom cupboard cleanout, I get my discount on. 

There are lots of ways you can nab a cheeky discount on beauty. Some sites offer a percentage or dollar value off for a first-time purchase, so it’s worth seeing if you can get what you need from a reliable site that offers one of these. Lots of online retailers also allow you to add items to your wishlist and get notifications when they go on sale. 

This also applies to skin treatments and services — I keep an eye out for special packages and discounts at my favourite treatment spots and add them to my account. 

This one is double-y smart because when my skin has had a professional treatment, it’s looking and feeling its best and therefore doesn’t require me to introduce an extra flurry of at-home products. Savvy! 

5. Allow a treat.

Going cold turkey on all beauty products is a recipe for disaster for me. I end up getting crazy FOMO, which can lead to reckless and unnecessary purchases.  

Instead, I still allow myself a considered purchase or two, making sure it’s something I will absolutely use and will bring me lots of delight — I’ll try a sample to make sure it’s ticking all the boxes. After all, I said spending less, not spending nothing! 

What are some things you do to save on beauty products? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Instagram/@hannahrabbitt.