How to Save Money on Makeup & Skincare

While there are many ways to save money on makeup and skincare, ranging from buying Walmart brands to watching for the “free gift” deals, today I am going to share with you what I personally do to cut my beauty costs.

Before I started doing this, I was spending over $100 each time I bought makeup and skincare, and I had to order many times throughout the year. Plus, I was constantly moving so I also had to pay for shipping. I have allergies and sensitive skin, so I cannot wear just any brand of cosmetics.

This method I’m sharing only saves you money if you do use skincare and makeup products daily.

If you do not use a makeup regularly or moisturizer, eye cream, and foundation, I think you are best off buying over the counter and looking for those “free gift with purchase” deals.

This Clinique deal from Amazon is a good example of all you need if you are very low maintenance:

Clinique Smart De-Agers 8-Piece Gift with Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum Eye Cream

The products that you get with these free gift sets are usually travel size. However, if you don’t wear makeup often, they can last a surprisingly long time. Best of all, the whole set is currently only $30, and it is not just makeup. It has some good skincare products in there.

However, I usually use a good bit more than that.

Plus, I can only tolerate one brand of mascara. I am allergic to all others, so I opted another route.

Personal Use Mary Kay Consultant

I am not into selling things and have no desire to do so. Back in 2003, I tried that. I went all in as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. Somehow, I even managed to work my way up to a red jacket.

But I didn’t enjoy the selling part. I worried that people would dread seeing me coming for fear I would want them buy something. In the process though, I got pretty addicted to the Mary Kay products. They have excellent skincare and makeup. It is not cheap though……..unless you are a consultant.

These days it is about the same price as Oil of Olay at the drugstore. Everything is expensive now.

If you are a consultant, you get 50 % off of every single item Mary Kay sells.

The only catch is that in order to get the 50% off, you have to spend at least $225 each order. Well, in retail, that is too easy. In wholesale that equals $450 worth of makeup, so that is a LOT of makeup. Inevitably, you do end up hoping for a family member or friend who also wants a discount on MaryKay Cosmetics to order with you. I think the company is fine with that. Either way, Mary Kay is making money.

I started doing this in 2020 when some of my favorite stores to buy makeup were closed by the government.

By favorite stores, I mean Kohl’s. I was so sad Kohl’s was closed. Stores stayed closed in Maryland FAR longer than they did in Alabama. Y’all wouldn’t believe what all we went through, but I digress…

So I did not start buying MaryKay wholesale just to save money, I literally had limited access to skincare products without it.

I stuck with it because it is definitely saving me money. Plus it is super convenient.

How being a Mary Kay Personal Use Consultant Works:

You just have to put in an order of $225 wholesale at least once a year to remain a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. This past year I literally only ordered once. Most years I order two or three times.

Once you put in an order of $225+, you are active for three months. During those three months, once you have done the $225+, you can order any amount you want and automatically get the 50% off discount.

This past order I forgot two things that I need. I can go on now and just order those two things, have a $20 order and still get my 50% off.

However, once I pass the three months, I am considered inactive. At that point, I have to put in another order of at least $225 to get my 50% off again.

Once you hit a year since your last order, though, you lose your privileges and you have to pay the sign up fees all over again.

Thankfully, my Mary Kay director always lets me know if I am about to hit a deadline. That always motivates me to put in my order on time.

How to Become a Mary Kay Consultant:

If you have a friend or family member who is a Mary Kay consultant or director, sign up through them. They will lead you through the process.

If you do not have one, this is my director, and she is the best: Melinda Hurley

Click here to learn more about becoming a consultant. If you send Melinda a message, tell her you heard about this from me, April at gettingmyacttogether.com.

Mary Kay now has an option where you can become a consultant for only $35, and that gives you ordering privileges, your own online store, and training.

I made a video about how I save money doing this and what all I order from Mary Kay:

So to wrap it up, if you use skincare products or makeup daily, being a Mary Kay personal use consultant is an easy way to save money.

You get all your makeup and skin care for a 50% discount, and they ship it right to your house. I find this super convenient and fun.

For more money saving ideas:

Making Do and Yard Sale-ing: How We Paid for 4 Kids in Private School

How to Save Money Using Dealspotr.com

Thrifty Sunburn Free Trip to Miramar Beach

For more fun girly style posts:

Best Closet Hack Ever: How to Stop Being a Clothes Hoarder

What Real Housewives Actually Wear