Beauty on a Budget: Maintain Your Glow Without Going Broke

Even when times are tough, we still want a beauty routine that says “I’ve got my life together” without maxing out our credit card. Between rent, groceries, and everything else adulting throws our way, splurging on high-end beauty products might not always fit in the budget. Luckily, beauty on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality, it’s all about getting creative and knowing what works for you.

Looking put together didn’t mean you had to spend a fortune or constantly buy new things. With a simple mindset shift and a few tips from the beauty gurus, you can have a high-maintenance glow on a budget.

Think of this as your cheat sheet for looking fresh without the financial guilt. Let’s explore some ideas to maintain your beauty on a budget.

The Mindset of Beauty on a Budget

Before going all in on changing your beauty routine, first let’s change the way we think about our routines.

Are you constantly buying the newest products to keep up with your Instagram feed? Is there a drugstore product in your collection that works better than the high-end stuff?

I want you to think about what products and routines truly work for you, and not what’s trending. What truly makes you feel your best?

Start with your beauty non-negotiables. For some, it might be that you refuse to leave the house without your lashes done. For others, it might be that they always need to smell like their favorite perfume.

When you’re on a budget, you probably won’t be in head-to-toe glam every week, and that’s completely normal. When you shift your perspective, you’ll realize your beauty routine doesn’t have to be complicated, long, or expensive.

How to Save Without Sacrificing Quality

Use what you have. Take a few minutes to look through your makeup and skincare stash. Do you have multiple sunscreens or concealers, but only use one?

Shop the outlets. Depending on where you are located, you may be able to find a beauty store outlet like The Cosmetic Company Store. The first time I stumbled upon this store, I honestly thought it was too good to be true. But it’s real! They sell beauty products that may have been overstock, discontinued, and so on.

Learn to master at-home/DIY routines. We are living in very privileged times where the internet is at your fingertips and it’s free! (for the most part).

Low-budget beauty maintenance ideas to save you money. 

Skincare

Learn how to do facials at home. You can find super-easy 2-3 ingredient facial recipes right on Pinterest. You can mix up a spa-worthy glow right in your kitchen.

Find inexpensive skincare tools. You can find ice rollers, Gua Shas, dermaplaning tools, and more for under $20. Check the beauty section in markdown stores like TJ Maxx, where you may also be able to find some high-end products at a discount.

Here are some affordable skincare products I use for my dry skin.

Hair

Learn how to get salon results at home. Between YouTube and TikTok, you can get step-by-step tutorials and tips on how to create your hair appointment right at home.

Find your signature on-the-go hairstyles. My signature hairstyle is a bun or claw clip; it’s quick, easy, and works even on my worst hair days. Just because you can’t afford to go to the salon right now doesn’t mean you have to look like it.

Consider buying larger-sized products. If you have a little extra cash to spend, think about buying a larger version of your favorite products. For my hair, I bought the large 33 oz bottles of Redken shampoo and conditioner. It was a bit of a splurge, but it lasted almost a year.

You should also consider hair tools that come with different attachments. Like one of my more recent purchases, the wavy talk thermal brush.

Makeup

Look for drugstore dupes. Elf is known for creating dupes of high-end makeup. They have dupes for viral makeup products like the Milk Hydro Grip Primer (Elf Power Grip Primer), Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (Elf Halo Glow), and many more.

Define your problem areas or focus on one standout feature. If your skin has only a few dark marks, you might only need concealer. Or maybe your eyes are your best feature, you might only need a great mascara and lash curler. You don’t need 20 products to create an everyday makeup look; focus on enhancing the features you love.

Try multi-purpose products. One brand that does a great job of creating multi-use makeup is Danessa Myricks Beauty. One of the first products I ever bought from her was the Colorfix liquid pigments. You can use these products as eyeshadow, lip liner, blush, lip gloss, whatever your vibe is for the day.

Nails

Try press-on nails. Having press-on nails in your stash of beauty products is a must! There have been countless times when I simply did not feel like paying $100 to get a full set, press-ons gave me the same look for a fraction of the cost.

Learn how to do a manicure/pedicure at home. If you’re not into nail extensions, learning to do any at-home manicure may be all you need. Some cuticle oil, a good nail file, and the iconic OPI Bubble Bath nail polish will get the job done.

The key to beauty on a budget is working with what you’ve got, whether that’s a well-thought-out budget or simply grabbing products you’d forgotten about. Start slow, experiment, and build on what works for you. And don’t forget your confidence!