BEAUTY // How to never pay full price for High End Makeup

Hello!

I love high end make-up. I mean full on LOVE it. I really wasn't into the whole expensive beauty thing up until about a year ago and I got my first MAC lipstick. From then on I have been unstoppable on my mission to fill my make-up bag with items I never thought I could afford in my wildest dreams. Well, on a student budget it doesn't seem quite right to spend £40 on an eyeshadow palette when I can get the same tones for £5 in Superdrug. I don't quite like the idea of spending £16 on a lipstick when there are plenty of dupes on the high-street. However, the majority of my make-up that I use on a daily basis is a little on the pricer side and I have not paid full price for one item. Isn't that the dream?

So, I thought I would share my tricks of the trade and perhaps help you save a little money when it comes to buying your favourite high-end brands. Sound good?

1. Vouchers are your best friend

I never buy anything without searching the internet for a voucher first. There are plenty of websites like Vouchercodes and Vouchercloud that are voucher catalogues waiting to be browsed. I frequently get discounts from places like Debenhams and The Fragrance Shop from these sorts of websites and never buy anything at all without looking. They all have smartphone apps too for when you are out and about.

2. Sign up to the mailing list to your favourite stores

A lot of online shops send out emails when they have flash sales, limited time only voucher codes/free shipping etc. How are you going to be ready to get the bargains if you aren't hearing about where and when they are? Sure, a mailbox full of marketing e-mails isn't ideal (I must get 100+ a day) but if that bothers you that much then you can set up a different e-mail address just for it. 

3. If you are a student, take full advantage of student discount deals!

Websites such as Unidays and NUS extra website advertise student discounts and these are sometimes boosted to up to 30% throughout the year - especially just after Freshers week/when student loan comes in. Another one of my favourites is Student Beans as they sometimes have offers that the other websites just are not aware of. All three companies have apps for your smart phone (although Student Beans' is dodgy from my experience - their website is fine though) so you can flick through the discounts at your leisure.

4. Take advantage of birthday deals

As well as perhaps getting gift vouchers, a lot of companies send out birthday vouchers along the lines of '£x off when you spend £y'. I know this can be a trap and you can impulse buy to reach the stated value but onto my next tip....

5. Have a wish list of products (which you stick to) and be patient

Also, it is important to emphasize that you should PRIORITIZE! If you want something, put the money aside in a separate account, or secret box in your room, and when the right voucher comes along, then buy it. 30% off when you spend £60? Who has £60 to spend on make up right? Well, that's actually £48 and you will have that if you save up the money for each item in advance. Yes, this is much, much, much easier said than done but can save you a fortune (believe me).

6. Shop around

Savings really can come reeling in by doing just a little bit of research before hitting the checkout button. There are plenty of online retailers who sell genuine cosmetics and, because they are smaller than the likes of Debenhams, House of Fraser and Selfridges, will offer discounts a lot more often. Even if you just get a free gift and free delivery - that can be a good £10 worth of savings. It also helps to have a look at places you would not necessarily look, such as ASOS and Very. They do sell cosmetics and, like I said, have flash sales of up to 50% off semi-regularly.

7. Loyalty cards can be your best friend (and your worst enemy)

Yes girl, you do need to buy shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste and being clever about where you buy it can give you discounts for those bits that you really want, but break the bank. Rather than buy the essentials when you are doing your food shop, perhaps start to buy them from Boots and flash your advantage card every time. The essentials can cost a fortune and the loyalty points soon add up. I'm not saying spend all of your money in Boots to get loyalty points but, instead, just buy what you would normally and patiently wait for the rewards. It won't happen in one transaction and you might only get enough points once a year for a free treat but, when it is free, it feels amazing!

8. Take advantage of magazine freebies

Does anyone remember that Clinique mascara free with Marie Claire last summer? I may have bought three issues. Make-up doesn't go off it you don't open it. If you find a product sample that you love, why not buy a few issues and put the sample sizes away? £4 for a Clinique mascara that lasts me 2-3 months? My Maybelline £8 falsies doesn't even last that long! Like anything, don't go overboard, but if you try a product and want to buy a full size for double the price - why do it when the samples are there for the taking?

So that's it - just a few tips on how you can save money on your high-end cosmetics. It's pretty much the same big, overrunning theme of VOUCHERS but, pretty much, that is all there is to it. Don't be a slave to the new product rush or impulse buy a lipstick that you're not quite sure is for you. Know what you want, and wait to pounce when the time is right.

Have you got any tips for saving money on high-end cosmetics? Why not share them below?