Mofe Awala-Ale: 8 Tips for Saving Money on Make Up Related Purchases

Beauty related purchases made by the average Nigerian woman has increased greatly. From skin care to haircare, cosmetics and beauty enhancements, there has a surge in the number of people buying cosmetics in particular. This surge can be attributed to the growth of channels through which the use of cosmetics can be seen (Youtube, Instagram, Snapchat and Blogs).

It is essential to note that with the current quagmire the Nigerian economy has been faced with, many men and women have been forced to prioritise and make use of available funds accordingly with cosmetics being on the bottom of the priority list of most.

The rise of foreign exchange rates has also led to a hike in the prices of cosmetics. In some cases, powders that were sold for 6000 Naira now retail for 11,000 Naira and higher.

The rise in other costs of living has reduced the funds available to some Nigerians after paying for their essential and basic needs and purchasing items of top priority.

For these reasons, it is necessary to share 8 tips that help to save cost when buying make-up.

Do not buy everything
This may seem like a very vague advice but it will save make-up lovers and shoppers a lot of money. This simply means do not buy every color of lipstick available. Do not purchase 4 different face highlighters in four different shades, do not buy 10 blushes. Stick to the basics that can be worn in a formal situation and not so formal occasion. If you are not a make-up artist, you won’t get much use out of all the products you purchase. Save by buying the essentials.

Do not follow the trends
To save and reduce money spent on purchasing make-up, it is essential that one purchases classic items that will get a lot of use. Make-up trends are temporary and in some cases, unwearable. An example of this is the glossy eyeshadow look, this is not the best for Nigerian weather and may be too much for some offices within Nigeria. The liquid lipstick trend has stayed a while. However, using a liquid lipstick may not be comfortable for some and it does not allow for precise application when on the go. Shop to fit your lifestyle and needs but do not ‘shop the trend’.

Learn to use a single makeup item for different purposes
Learning to use makeup products for different purposes are a great way to save on makeup purchases. A red or pink eye shadow when applied with a fluffy lightly packed brush makes a good blush.

A gold or silver eyeshadow applied in the in the same fashion creates a good face highlight. Occasionally, I use mascara as eyeliner. Other multipurpose makeup hacks exist and can be found on the internet. By using a product for purposes other than its advertised use, the cost of buying makeup is reduced.

A popular or high end brand does not equal great products
A common belief is that the more expensive or high-end a product is, the better it functions. This is for the most part incorrect and when it comes to buying makeup, the brands that cost more do not always work best. This is because the way makeup works differs among people and can be determined by skin type, level of expertise or method of application. For the above stated reasons, it is important that cost is not the sole motivator when buying makeup but how the products will work on your skin should be considered.

Similarly, popularity of a makeup product is not very important. Now, influencers and content creators in the makeup industry have been known to deceive their audience. Make informed decision about products and brands before buying makeup items to avoid having to spend more money replacing them soon after purchase.

Buy Nigerian
There has been an increase of Nigerian makeup brands and they are not dirt cheap. These Nigerian brands are cheaper than the brands being imported and this is a way to save on purchasing makeup. Furthermore, support is given to the Nigerian economy when we buy cosmetics made in Nigeria however the rules for buying cosmetics still prevail even when buying Nigerian. Do not buy the unnecessary, if it will be useful for only 1 month and then be relegated to the back of your drawer afterwards, do not buy said product.

Buy only your shade of foundation
This tip will seem a bit odd if you already buy a single foundation shade but some women has taken to investing in 3 shades of foundation or 3 shades of concealer for the full face, highlight and contour. Aside from the fact that face sculpting using makeup was not intended for daily use by the average woman, this is simply an expensive purchase. In other cases, purchasing the wrong shade of foundation could mean having to purchase another or buy products to help disguise the wrong shade of foundation.

Buy a well-rounded palette
Buying a makeup palette is cheaper than buying individual products. However, buying individuals (Eyeshadow, blush, powder etc.) guarantees that only products that will get much use are purchased. If you wish to purchase an eyeshadow palette or lipstick palette, purchase palettes that have the shades of eye shadow or lipstick that you will get much use out of. Do not buying a palette just for one shade in it. If in a full palette, only 1 shade catches your eye, pass on that purchase.

Always work with a budget
The use of a budget guides against making impulse purchases which consume a lot of money that could be spent on other necessities.

All these tips can help you to save on cosmetic purchases but it is essential to remember that it is necessary to live within the means available. The cosmetics industry is much like the mobile phone industry, a new product is released daily and this leads to discontentment with what is already available. Learn to work best with what you have and that is the best tip.

Photo Credit: Nelson Ikheafe | Dreamstime.com