One of my major expenses last year was building a collection of beauty products like makeup, makeup brushes, and skincare. I don’t regret it; I love the makeup I have and my skin now looks a lot better naked, but I really can’t afford to spend as much this year.

Therefore, I’ve been thinking about how to cut down on beauty-related expenses with these simple ideas.

Take inventory and organize

A good way to start is by taking an inventory because it’s easy to underestimate what you have when it’s tucked away in various boxes.

Last month I started organizing my makeup in a homemade makeup binder, with different types of makeup in different pages. There’s a page for red lipsticks and glosses, one for the pinks, one for natural eyeshadows, one for other colors, and so on. I’ve really gotten a better idea of what I have — plenty. As tempting as it is to buy a cheap lip gloss here and there, it’s now harder to justify buying another one until my collection dwindles a bit.

Use less

An easy way to save money on beauty products is simply to use less. You don’t have to give them up together, just consider some of these examples:

• Start with a smaller amount of product. You might be surprised how little you need to use to get the same results
• Use conditioner just on the ends of your hair or condition every other time
• Try more natural looks in makeup, especially by day. For example, just use lip gloss instead of lipstick, gloss, and liner
• Use the right tools. While they can cost a lot initially, having good makeup brushes makes a big difference in getting that perfect application the first time
• Use less sunblock by staying out of the sun or covering up
• Take good care of your skin and you can get away with less makeup
• Don’t overpluck your eyebrows. With thicker eyebrows, you need less makeup overall
• To use less concealer, apply it after foundation
• To use less blush, apply it after powder
• Use less foundation by applying in combination with moisturizer
• Apply toner using an atomizer

The amount of product you have to use can vary across brands. Quality brands use less fillers, so you end up having to use less. I’ve been using my Prescriptives All Clean face wash for over a year and there’s still over half left because it takes so little to wash my entire face and neck!

Throw out less

Take good care of your makeup and it will last longer. Don’t expose it to high temperatures, use a makeup pouch to protect makeup you toss in your handbag, and be careful not to transfer bacteria to your makeup. To keep your makeup clean, sanitize your brushes regularly and don’t touch your makeup unless your hands have just been washed and you haven’t yet touched your face.

Of course, makeup should be tossed if it has gone bad or is past its expiration date. If it smells funny or looks funny, toss it. Be especially careful of using old eye makeup since you could get an eye infection. Mascara is supposed to be tossed three months after being opened!

Yes, I know it’s hard to toss out what seems like perfectly good makeup. While I was taking inventory of my makeup, I also decided that it was time to throw out that mascara I got last December. Oh, that was tough — there’s so much left! But it’s not worth an eye infection and I should have tossed it nine months ago.

For more information on how to make makeup last longer and when to toss it out, check out this post at The Budget Fashionista.

Shop less

Looking at my collection, I realized that shopping for beauty products has become a habit, not just something I do when there’s something I need. Why? Fabulously Broke in the City explains it best in her own post on saving money on beauty. Like her, I’ve definitely been going makeup shopping to cheer myself up — and I hate to pass up a good bargain. Knowing my triggers, though, will help me stay away from temptation.

Spend Less

I definitely believe in using quality products that work. There’s no use wasting money on a product that doesn’t do what you need it to do! However, don’t be afraid to sample cheaper brands. There’s no guarantee a brand will perform just because it is expensive, and vice versa. You might find a cheaper brand that works just as well — or even better!

Also, see if another product can do the same job for less. Like Sara, I use baby wipes to remove makeup. They’re soooo much cheaper than makeup wipes and they work great! And check out this super simple recipe for turning regular conditioner into a spray conditioner!

Of course, many company websites offer coupons and rebates. Combine them with store coupons and sales to save a bundle! I haven’t given coupons much thought before, but I might have to since reading this post on free shopping at Walgreens.

And don’t forget discount stores for low prices even without coupons. I was looking at products today in Big Lots and was impressed by the wide selection of name brands. I managed to get a huge container of Herbal Essence Drama Clean shampoo for $5.

If you do have a membership to a store like Costco or Sam’s Club, you might want to buy beauty products in bulk.

Buy less

Buying bigger isn’t always the best idea, though. While you can often get more for your money by buying larger containers, it’s not such a good deal if you don’t use all of the product. Remember that when buying products with a short shelf life like mascara.

When buying items in bulk, keep expiration dates in mind, try to keep to brands you trust, and split multi-packs with friends or family.

Sometimes you can save on beauty products by using homemade skincare. There are lots of recipes online and some are too simple not to use. For example, Gala from iCiNG says in her top 5 beauty tips that she combines sugar and olive oil to make an exfoliating face scrub.

Always do your research, though, and make sure that the recipes come from a reliable source. Homemade recipes don’t always work as well, can often be too harsh for sensitive skin, or could be downright dangerous.

Get something for nothing!

Another way I’m saving on beauty products is with freebies. Many beauty companies offer samples, often generous, on their web sites.

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