Years
ago when I began buying beauty products, I regularly reached for the cheapest option
on the shelf. As a starving student, fancy makeup was an indulgence I could ill
afford and this often meant opting for chalky powders and waxy creams – many of
which just didn’t last. About a decade or so later, my eureka moment happened.
I was travelling and my compact got smashed. Due to the dearth of selection
near my hotel; I was forced to splurge on a high-end face powder. Instantly I realized
I could never go back to the ‘kewpie doll’ look again.
The
next challenge was to find my favourite products at a reasonable price. Then I
discovered department store beauty give-aways. Every few months, major chains
provide generous bonus ‘gifts’, when you purchase name brand cosmetics. For
example buy $60 of Estee Lauder make-up and get $175 worth of product thrown in
for free. These offers often include a mix of high-end, like brand cosmetics, toiletries,
creams, attractive makeup bags, and/or purses. It may seem a lot to spend on a
wand mascara and tube of lip gloss, but when you consider the entire offer, it is the smart way to shop. You can
quickly accumulate a plethora of top-shelf toiletries, for the same price as
comparable products from discount lines. You’ll also receive several impressive
extras.
Assuming
I’ve convinced you to give cosmetic bonuses a chance -- let me share a few tips
to get the most out of these lucrative offers:
·
Request
to be on department store ‘beauty offer’ mailing lists, for advance notice of
cosmetic giveaway dates (via post, email or phone).
·
Choose
bonus offers where you’ll use at least 50% of the gift. If most of the extras
aren’t any good to you, it isn’t much of a bargain.
·
Ask
friends about their favourite cosmetics and occasionally try competing brands.
You might discover a new preference and it’ll provide you with multiple bonus
opportunities, year-round.
·
Lux
department stores may require the biggest initial outlay, but gifts tend to be
far superior. Prioritize upscale store giveaways.
·
Avoid
buying beauty items in-between special offers. If you plan well, you should have
few purchasing emergencies.
·
Track
inventory and replenish, but don’t stockpile toiletries for too long. Cosmetics
don’t stay fresh forever.
·
Share
lipstick colours and superfluous items that you’ll never use with friends and
family (or put them in a bag for your next charity drop).
·
Don’t
get married to any one brand. Sometimes the less costly option is just as good.
No need to splurge, if it’s not necessary.
Sometimes
we get stuck in false economies. Buying cheap generally offers minimal
satisfaction and the product often comes up short on results. Practice these
simple steps and you can indulge your preferences, look your absolute best and
keep your cash in your wallet.
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