10 Money-Saving Tips for Your Beauty Routine

As self-confessed beauty junkies, we understand that there’s nothing more satisfying than opening up and testing out a new facial serum, eye cream, or mascara. That said, when it comes to cracking down on money-saving tips and habits, our beauty routines are typically the first things we look at. As great as it can feel to splurge, those small tubes and jars sure add up! But you don’t have to break your budget for an envy-worthy beauty regimen. If you’re looking for money tips that can help your beauty routine, we’re sharing 10 to start with, below.

#1. COLOR YOUR HAIR AT HOME

The cost of getting your hair colored professionally, typically every four to six weeks, can add up quickly. Rather than heading to the salon, consider DIYing your color at-home. Seriously—there are plenty of at-home hair coloring kits on the market that will leave you with envy-worthy color sans the salon price tag. Consider one of the shades from the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color, L’Oréal Paris Féria, or L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color lines.

#2. TOUCH-UP YOUR OWN ROOTS

Like we said, salon visits add up. If you’re partial to getting your hair done by a professional, there’s still a way to save! Maximize the time between your salon visits by using a root touch-up spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Spray, when you begin to notice your roots showing.

If your roots are showing more prominently or going completely gray, but you can’t get back to the salon, use the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Root Rescue 10 Minute Root Hair Coloring Kit. This 10-minute treatment matches seamlessly with both at-home and salon hair color, whatever your shade, saving you both time and money.

#3. OPT FOR DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS

Long gone are the days of spending a large amount of money on your favorite face masks and foundations. Today, there are plenty of affordable, high-quality products available at your local drugstore. Don’t believe us? We know a skin care routine that can prove you wrong: Your Drugstore Skin Care Routine.

#4. TRY AN AT-HOME FACIAL

When regular facials at the spa aren’t an option, why not DIY a spa session? All you need are the proper products and techniques to give yourself a relaxing, luxurious experience at home. Yup, no need to break the bank! For everything you need to know to embrace this money tip, here’s How to Do a DIY Facial at Home.

#5. RELY ON MULTI-TASKERS

Why buy multiple products for different skin concerns, when you can use one that boasts numerous beauty benefits? To stretch your skin care budget, use products that multi-task, such as a facial moisturizer that contains SPF but is also formulated to fight wrinkles, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30.

Another place where you can multi-task is with your cleanser; rather than buy separate a facial cleanser and makeup remover, reach for a micellar water, which can do both jobs. Try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types, letting it serve as your morning and evening facial cleanser and your eye makeup remover.

When it comes to hairstyling, leave-in hair creams and serums that deliver multiple benefits are another good money-saving tip (not to mention the space you’ll save in your medicine cabinet!). Before heat styling, use a product that preps and protects hair for hot tools and also continues to fight frizz and shield against humidity long after you’re done styling. The L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Thermal Smoother Cream fits the bill!

#6. TRAVEL SMART

You may not be traveling right now, but when you do, purchase a set of reusable travel-sized toiletry bottles—they’re inexpensive, and they allow you to use the products you’ve already got! Buying new individual, travel-sized hair and skin products can add up fast, not to mention, reusable ones are much better for the environment. It’s a win-win!

#7. DO A DIY MANICURE

Love getting your nails done at the salon? While visiting your manicurist may be one of your favorite things to do, it likely isn’t your bank account's fave. Try one of our top money-saving tips and give yourself an at-home manicure. We promise you won’t have to sacrifice style! Don’t believe us? Simply follow our tutorial, How to Paint Your Nails for an At-Home Manicure, for Instagram-worthy nails.

Editor’s note: Does your manicurist usually do something more complicated with your nails? You can do that at home, too. Here are 19 Easy Nail Art Designs to Try in 2020.

#8. REFRESH, DON’T REDO

Rather than completely re-do your hairstyle to take you from day to night, save time and money by refreshing with a few spritzes of dry shampoo! Oily roots? Where? The same thing goes for your face makeup; when you don’t have the time (or energy!) to start from scratch, refresh with a lightweight powder, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder. If you have oily skin, try a powder with a matte finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder.

#9. USE IT ALL

Have old lipsticks lying around but find yourself craving a new lip color? Why not go ahead and use what you already have to create your very own custom lip palette! (Read our article How to Curate the Perfect Lip Palette for step-by-step instructions.) Similarly, if you’re running low on your favorite product but waiting for your next paycheck before repurchasing (same), use a small spatula to scrape out all the very last remnants. Or, if your product is in a plastic tube or container, cut the top off! Scrape out everything that’s left and transfer it into a small jar, so nothing goes to waste. 

#10. PICK UP PALETTES

If purchasing multiple single eyeshadows is taking a toll on your wallet, go for an eye makeup palette instead. Find a palette that contains many different colors—mattes and shimmers—so you can achieve endless makeup looks with just one product. Try the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Eyeshadow Palette, which comes with 12 different shades (and smells amazing, too!).

Eyeshadow isn’t the only makeup product that comes in palette form. Face makeup palettes are another great option for saving a little dough. Instead of buying a multitude of highlighters to get your glow on, find a palette that has everything you need. Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette, which comes with four different highlighter shades for creating a multi-dimensional glow. Genius!

Still looking for ways to save a bit of cash? Check out these 5 Affordable Skin Care Tips, next.