15 Ways to Upgrade Your Beauty Routine for Less Than You Think

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Whether it’s your first time in the beauty aisle or you’ve been frequenting it for years, it’s safe to say that most of you have noticed that prices have gone up and up a lot over the years.

Fortunately, upgrading your beauty routine is less expensive than you may think. Many affordable products and DIY ideas will help improve your everyday look and give you the boost you need to get a new look and refreshed image.

Upgrading your beauty routine can be costly. But with some knowledge and creativity, you can boost your beauty routine without breaking the bank.

Check out these tips to upgrade your beauty routine and stay within your budget.

Table of Contents

Purchase Generic Luxury Fragrances

Four perfume bottles are displayed on a white, fluffy surface. The bottles vary in size and design, with some featuring labels and unique caps.

You’ll often see prices for luxury fragrances as high as double or even triple the price of perfumes.

If you love a particular luxury fragrance but it costs a lot more than you want to spend, try buying a more affordable dupe.

Focus on Skincare

A person with a towel wrapped around their head applies a face mask while wearing a white bathrobe in a bright bathroom. Several skincare and cosmetic products are visible on the vanity table.

One of the most important things you can do if you want to upgrade your beauty routine is to focus on skincare.

By focusing on your skincare, your skin will look much better for a lot longer, and you will not have to use as many face products or makeup now or in the future.

Try to keep your skincare routine as simple as possible. You want to complete things and use only a few products because you only need a few to finish the job.

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You also do not need fancy or expensive products for a good skincare routine.

In your routine, focus on simple steps such as cleaning, toning, exfoliating, and moisturizing to help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Mix and Match your Usual Makeup

A white table displays three open makeup palettes and three lipsticks, alongside decorative glass vases containing flowers. — Image Credit: Pexels

Many makeup palettes have been released over the past few years. These palettes are great because they provide an easy way to transition between seasons with colors and palettes that work with your skin tone.

If you have a couple of different makeup palettes but stick with the same color schemes every time, try switching up the colors and styles of makeup you typically use.

You may also notice a few trends popping up as you get into makeup. You can mix and match these trends to create the signature style that fits the times and is unique.

This can help to create the perfect look for any occasion in any season.

Get Samples

A white display table holds various skincare and beauty products in a well-lit store. Shelves with more products are visible in the background. — Image Credit: Pexels

Before investing in full-sized products, try to get samples whenever possible. Many beauty retailers offer free samples with purchases or upon request.

This allows you to test products before committing to a full-size version, potentially saving you money on items that don’t work for you.

Switch to Budget Beauty Brands

A well-organized countertop displays various skincare products, dispensers, and glass containers in front of a window with an out-of-focus outdoor view. — Image Credit: Pexels

Many affordable drugstore brands offer high-quality products that rival their more expensive counterparts. Do some research and experiment with budget-friendly alternatives to your favorite high-end products.

You might be surprised at how well they perform while costing a fraction of the price.

Use a Skincare App for Low-Cost Recommendations

A young woman with short hair and red under-eye patches takes a selfie in her bedroom. She is wearing a pink tank top and sitting on a green blanket-covered bed. — Image Credit: Pexels

Take advantage of technology by using skincare apps that analyze your skin and provide personalized recommendations.

Many of these apps suggest affordable alternatives to expensive products, helping you achieve your skincare goals without breaking the bank.

Make Your Own Products

A woman wearing a headband applies a facial mask with a brush while looking into a mirror. — Image Credit: Pexels

Get creative and try making some of your beauty products at home. DIY face masks, body scrubs, and hair treatments can be made with simple, natural ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.

This not only saves money but also allows you to control what goes into your beauty products.

Follow Beauty Influencers for Tips and Deals

Person with curly hair and a nose strip is looking at a laptop screen while leaning on a table in a kitchen. — Image Credit: Pexels

Stay informed about the latest beauty deals and budget-friendly tips by following beauty influencers on social media. Many share discount codes, alert followers to sales, and offer affordable product recommendations.

Just be mindful of sponsored content and always do your own research.

Read The Reviews

Person wearing a white bathrobe and towel on their head, sitting against a brick wall, with under-eye patches, looking at a smartphone. — Image Credit: Pexels

If you are looking to purchase new tools to improve your skincare routine, it can pay to read the comments. You can save big bucks by reading reviews when shopping with large online retailers like Amazon.

The first several products offered on Amazon tend to be sponsored products. This means the company selling the item is paying Amazon to be listed first.

You can save money and purchase more highly rated products by scrolling past the sponsored sales and reading the reviews.

Get a Haircut Suited for Your Face Shape

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Before your next haircut, look online and find out which hairstyles best suit your face shape. Surprisingly, getting the proper haircut for your face shape can significantly enhance your natural beauty and help upgrade your beauty routine.

Everyone has a specific face shape and haircut that would suit them best. If the stylist you regularly go to knows how to take the best advantage of your face shape, you’ll instantly look more put together.

If you’re unsure about yours, you can use a few online tools to help you discover it. You can also ask your friends for their advice.

If you want to cut back on your beauty routine spending, here are a few tips to help you out.

Switch to One-a-Day Lenses

A person with red hair puts a contact lens into their eye while looking in a bathroom mirror. — Image Credit: Pixabay

If you aren’t a fan of wearing glasses and prefer contact lenses, you pay quite a bit. Contact lenses are a hefty expenditure when it comes to your beauty routine.

Moreover, because they are so expensive, you might find yourself going against the manufacturer’s recommendations and trying to wear a pair of lenses for longer than the prescribed number of days. Such a habit can be detrimental to the health of your eyes.

Switch to one-day lenses to save money and avoid the temptation of making your contacts “stretch” for longer than intended.

This switch will allow you to wear your glasses a few days a week, giving your bank account and eyes a much-needed break.

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Rethink Your Salon Visits

A hairstylist with gloves applies dye to a client's long, wet hair in a salon. — Image Credit: Pexels

Another thing that can eat into your beauty budget fast is your routine visit to the salon.

While you should only try to cut your hair if you are experienced, you also want to avoid heading to the salon more often than you should.

Instead, space out your visits a bit so you go less often. You can always touch up your roots at home between visits and use a weekly hair mask to keep split ends at bay.

Consider using a different stylist. Less experienced stylists charge significantly less for a cut and style. You might find a great stylist for much less or learn to cut your family’s hair yourself.

Cut Out Products That Don’t Really Work

A person organizing various lip products and makeup items in a clear container on a white dressing table. — Image Credit: iStock

Practically everyone has fallen victim to products that promise the world but ultimately fall short. You might still be using some products that could be a better use of money.

Popular products like pore strips and toner only do a little to improve your skin’s overall quality. Evaluate your routine to see if any waste can be eliminated.

Choose the right hair color

A hairstylist, wearing a dark apron, works on a client's hair in a modern salon with bright lighting and mirrors. — Image Credit: Pexels

If you stray from your natural hair color, choose a color that stays within your natural color. This practice will allow you to go longer between touch-ups, saving you money.

If you drastically change your hair color, you will need to visit the salon every 4-8 weeks, depending on how the color blends and fades.

Create a Beauty Budget

Paper Budget, Calculator and Money on a Table

Finally, set a monthly budget for your beauty expenses to keep your spending in check. Track your purchases and look for areas where you can cut back.

Having a clear budget helps you prioritize your beauty needs and avoid impulse buys on unnecessary products.