Spending Less on Make-Up: Easy Ways to Save on Cosmetics and Make Them Last Longer

Make-up is one the most expensive household items you buy -- in fact, most women spend an average of $84 a month on cosmetics.

If you're trying to rein in your make-up budget, we can help! Here are some easy ways to cut back on your spending and make your make-up last longer by using your cosmetics more wisely.

How to Save on the Cost of Make-Up
Good make-up doesn’t have to be expensive! When shopping for make-up and other cosmetics, remember that a higher price doesn't mean higher quality. One of my favorite places to buy make-up online is E.L.F. Their prices are far lower than just about any other store.

No matter where you shop, department stores are usually one of the worst places to buy cosmetics. Because of sales commissions and the cost to rent the space at the store, they’re never a bargain. Instead, check out your local grocery store or discount store such as Walmart or Target -- they almost always have the exact same brands for much less. If you still can’t find your brand, consider switching to another brand you can find. Choose one a good friend uses, and ask her if she’d be willing to buy it from you if you don’t like it. It shouldn’t be too hard to find one you like just as much that costs much less.

Want to take advantage of coupons and sales on make-up? Here's a great tip so you always know what color to buy, even if it's not your usual brand: Keep a make-up index card by rubbing a bit of your favorite lipsticks, blushes, and/or eyeshadows on the card, then write down the brand and what the color is called. When you need more make-up, you can easily compare the colors of the sale brand with your card. Then write down what that color is called on your make-up card. You’ll soon have a list of all your favorite colors from each brand.

Minimize the Make-Up You Use
When it comes to conserving the make-up you already have, remember that you don't have to wear everything every day. Try using eyeliner one day and mascara the next. Use some make-up -- like perhaps lipstick or eye shadow -- just for special occasions. Ask a close friend if she notices you're wearing less make-up and she'll probably say no!

Most people use far more foundation than they need -- and since it’s one of the most expensive types of make-up, that’s money down the drain! To make sure you’re using the proper amount, simply apply one dot to each of your cheeks, your forehead, and your nose, then blend thoroughly. Follow with blush and the rest of your make-up. Don’t be afraid to leave some areas bare. As for powder, apply it everywhere except the cheekbones, down the center of the nose, and the middle of the forehead. Those areas will still be able to reflect light and will keep a glow on the skin.

Maximize the Make-Up You Have
The good news is that there are some easy tricks to make the make-up you do have last longer. First, store away from light and heat to make sure your cosmetics' volatile chemicals don't go bad -- your bathroom cabinet may not be the best place for them. Here are some other easy ways to make your make-up last longer than you ever thought possible:

• Make foundation and powder last longer by buying a shade darker than your natural one, then mixing it with moisturizer (for foundation), or baby powder (for powder) until it matches your normal color. You’ll have more than twice as much, and you’ll never be able to tell the difference!
• When your mascara starts to clump, you don’t have to toss it out! Smooth it out again by setting the tube in a teacup of near-boiling water for five minutes.
• Make lipstick last longer by making it bind to your lips better. Dab some baby powder on your lips before applying and it will make multiple applications a thing of the past.
• Before you apply eyeshadow, lightly dampen your make-up brush with water. This will not only make the eyeshadow adhere better, it will make the color brigther.

Do you have any tricks for making your make-up last? About how much do you think you spend on cosmetics each month? Let us know in the comments below.