Money-Saving Sephora Hacks for 2024

Sephora, born in France in the 1970s, has blossomed into a global hub for top-notch bath, cosmetics, and lifestyle treasures. With a curated collection of luxurious brands and a signature private label, Sephora has become the go-to destination for those in pursuit of the latest beauty trends.

Yet, the siren call of beauty often comes with a hefty price. In fact, Yahoo Finance found that women spend over S$1,000 on their appearance each year. As much as I love Sephora, I still value my frugality by following these few tips:

REQUEST FREE SAMPLES

While swatching cosmetics on your hands might not offer the most precise shade match, fear not! Seeking out Sephora’s Beauty Advisors for small tubs of samples can be a game-changer.

Take these samples home to experiment without the risk of ruining your flawlessly applied makeup. If the product can be squeezed out, rest assured – you’re eligible for a free sample.

UNLOCK PERKS WITH SEPHORA’S BEAUTY PASS

For those obsessed with Sephora but mindful of their budget, enrolling in a free Beauty Pass Membership is a must. The three tiers – White (Free), Black (Spend $300 a year), and Gold (Spend $1,500 per year) – bring forth enticing perks:

– Accumulate points for free beauty products from Sephora’s Rewards Boutique.
– Enjoy a complimentary brow service by Benefit Cosmetics during your birthday month.
– Double points accumulation for any purchase during your birthday month.
– Receive a free birthday gift without spending money (exclusive to Black and Gold Members).

And don’t forget, as a member, you can also politely request free samples to sweeten the deal.

MAXIMIZE ONLINE ORDERS FOR FREEBIES

Once you’ve pinpointed your go-to makeup products and no longer need to test them on your skin, consider the online route.

Sephora often rewards online shoppers with complimentary product samples for every purchase, adding an extra layer of value to your beauty haul.

OPT FOR SEPHORA’S HOUSE BRAND

Keep an eye on Sephora’s in-house brand, often a treasure trove of budget-friendly alternatives to high-end makeup. Take, for example, the Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer (S$25) and Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner (S$19)– delivering quality comparable to their pricier counterparts.

It’s a gentle reminder that the essence of good makeup lies in quality rather than a brand name.

RESIST IMPULSE PURCHASES

While the siren song of the latest makeup trends is alluring, exercising restraint can be a wise investment. Avoid the rush to Sephora for newly released products from your favorite brands.

Today’s makeup lines strive to cater to diverse skin tones, and what looks stunning on one person may not suit another. For instance, the cult-favorite Anastasia Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette (S$85) might look better on some people than others.

Before splurging, consider whether the product aligns with your skin undertones, ensuring a worthwhile investment in your beauty arsenal.

IN A NUTSHELL

By incorporating these money-saving Sephora hacks into your beauty routine, you can revel in high-quality products without causing a dent in your budget.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

From securing free samples to tapping into membership perks, these strategies empower you to make informed and economical choices in the realm of beauty. Happy shopping!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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6 Must-Have Beauty Products Under S$50

Despite the influx of new products that hit the beauty market each week, there are certain products that will go down in history as truly the best, complete with their devout followings. Many of these products start at affordable prices which fall under the S$20, S$30, and S$50 mark. Intrigued yet?

Although it’s easy to get carried away and drop by the nearest makeup store to spend the bulk of your paycheck, save your money on these cult-loved products that are worth every dollar!

#1: ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CLEAR BROW GEL, S$18 MINI-SIZE & S$42 FULL-SIZE

This pocket-friendly Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel is lightweight and long-lasting. If you are waiting for a sign to grab it, this is it! Like a clear topcoat for brows, this brush-on gel sets the product and keeps the hair in place. You can achieve clean and polished arches in no time!

#2: TARTE SHAPE TAPE ULTRA CREAMY CONCEALER, S$22

Tarte’s iconic shape tape concealer gives your face the instant life it needs. The creamy formula helps create definition all over the face with ease, thanks to its applicator. It is also crafted with ingredients such as antioxidants, salicylic acid, and vitamins.

#3: RARE BEAUTY STAY VULNERABLE GLOSSY LIP BALM, S$33

Glosses by Rare Beauty come in gorgeous neutral shades and feel as hydrating as your favorite lip balm. Be sure to reap the effects of its lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily. The balm’s beautiful packaging is a plus too!

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: BENEFIT COSMETICS 24-HR BROW SETTER INVISIBLE BROW GEL, S$26 MINI-SIZE & S$47 FULL-SIZE

The Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Invisible Brow Gel blows its competitors out of the water with its comb-like wand that achieves the lamination-like effect. One tube can take you a few months even with near-daily wear.

#5: SUPERGOOP! PLAY 100% MINERAL SUNSCREEN LOTION SPF 50, S$24

To ensure that you minimize your skin damage, do not forget to bring sunscreen lotion, or stick with you wherever you go. Supergoop! Play 100% Mineral Sunscreen Lotion can be reapplied every two hours or after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. Best of all? It’s fragrance-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, and sulphate-free.

#6: FENTY BEAUTY MATCH STIX MATTE CONTOUR SKINSTICK, S$49

Yet another Fenty Beauty best-selling product, the Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick comes with its light-as-air formula to help contour, conceal, and correct parts of your face. This buildable, creamy-to-powder stick has blendable finish that does not crease. Moreover, it comes with many shades to ensure that you use the ideal stick for your skin tone.

 

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6 Undeniable Reasons Why You Should Buy Luxury Makeup

Over the last decade, the beauty industry has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Dermatologists, beauty experts, and celebrities alike are launching their own high-end beauty brands. Not to mention, drugstore makeup widened their range of beauty products. You have probably once thought why do some makeup products, which all appear to be similar at first glance, carry different price tags?

Well, some products may seem like an investment, but the benefits are vast. If you are considering investing in luxury or high-end makeup, here are some reasons why it is beneficial to spend more on the products that you apply to your face.

#1: PRODUCTS ARE LONGER LASTING

You will keep reaping the rewards for much longer when you invest in luxury facial serum, body oil, or fragrances. Luxury brands offer richer, deeper, and more premium kind of beauty experience that comes with longer lasting results. When you invest in high-end beauty, you pay for ingredients that are meant to last.

#2: BETTER INGREDIENTS WERE USED

Drugstore beauty brands may have active ingredients such as retinol, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. However, the amount can be negligible compared to luxury brands. Luxury brands offer pure, authentic ingredients, which may be harder to source. While both high-priced and low-priced products can have the same ingredients, the former tend to have more potent ingredients.

Karen Kagha, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist, shared that she “like for the ingredients and studies/results to inform my opinion about a product’s performance.” She highlighted that many luxury brand names have combined effective ingredients and great branding over the years.

#3: QUALIFIED CONSULTANTS ARE READY TO HELP

When purchasing luxury makeup, there is always somebody qualified to help you both before and after the sale. Whether you are in the physical store or purchasing online, you can chat or live chat with the beauty consultant to help you find a product that suits your skin best. Apart from the premium ingredients, you are investing in the expertise of these beauty consultants too.

Some of the typical queries of customers are finding the right color to purchase the right foundation and finding the correct style of lipstick to suit one’s lips. Brands that offer beauty products at a cheaper rate are generally self-serving and provide no aftercare if you need further help afterwards.

#4: PRODUCTS COME WITH QUALITY PACKAGING AND APPLICATORS

Luxury makeup looks more pleasing when you pull them out of your bag. Apart from its attractive exterior, it is unlikely that high-end makeup will come with a smashed palette, product faults, and broken mechanism. These products come with quality brushes or appropriate applicators instead of the standard widely produced sponges. These applicators make a dramatic difference in how your face will look and how well you apply the products.

#5: LUXURY CAN MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD

Strategic marketing is a big part of luxury brands. Luxury brands spend a chunk of their budget to entice customers all over the world. The packaging or how the product dispenses can make the consumer feel good about their makeup. The feeling of exclusivity and value should not be discounted as it can help boost someone’s overall confidence!

#6: WE ALL DESERVE A BIT OF LUXURY

Whether you have been saving up for a luxury makeup item or have extra money to spend, you deserve a bit of luxury. With the mask mandate slowly easing, our face is the first thing that people see when we meet them. Take care of your face by putting quality products that will last long. Do not be shy to walk inside the luxury beauty stores at The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands and simply enjoy the experience. If you have enough money saved up and you are not hurting your credit score, you can treat yourself to luxury beauty items every once in a while.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Start and end your day feeling beautiful – because you are!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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Smart ways to save money on makeup

makeup products

Fashion trends come and go, but one thing that remains constant is the cost of makeup.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to save money on makeup without having to sacrifice quality.

In this post, we will share some tips on how to save money on makeup without compromising your look. So whether you’re a makeup lover or just looking to save a little extra cash, read on for some helpful recommendations.

DIY your makeup

All you need is a few simple ingredients, and you can create a blush, eyeshadow, or lipstick that’s perfect for you. Apart from being a great way to save money, it’s also a fun way to experiment with new colors and textures. Search online for “recipes” and get creative with mixing up your own!

Invest in quality over quantity

Rather than buying a bunch of drugstore brands, you should save up and purchase a few high-quality products. Not only will they last longer, but they will also give you better results. So what are some high-quality makeup brands? We’re glad you asked! Some of the best brands used by ladies worldwide include MAC, NARS, and Bobbi Brown.

Join beauty subscription boxes

 

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A post shared by Kinder Beauty Box (@kinderbeautybox)

If you’re like most women, you love buying new makeup products. The trouble is, those products can get a little expensive, especially if you’re someone who likes to keep up with the latest trends.

But there is a way to save money on makeup without having to sacrifice quality or style: join a beauty subscription box. These boxes are like mini-beauty stores that send you a new selection of makeup products each month. And the best part is, they usually cost far less than buying those products individually and have you risk not liking them.

Use what you have before buying anything new

For example, if you have an eyeshadow palette that you love, try using those colors in new combinations. Or if you have a lipstick that’s your favorite, experiment with different ways to wear it. By using what you have before buying anything new, you will be able to stretch your makeup budget a lot further.

Compare prices online and shop at discount stores

When it comes to buying makeup, one of the smartest things you can do is compare prices online. That way, you can get an idea of what’s a fair price, and then you can head to a discount store to see if they have any deals. Another thing you can do is wait for sales. Most makeup brands have sales at least once a year, so you can stock up on your favorite products then.

You don’t have to forgo your love for new makeup products to save money. There are plenty of ways to cut costs without having to sacrifice your beauty routine. Look out for great deals online, especially during the holiday season. And as a bonus suggestion before we go, why not consider buying in bulk? If you have a preferred lipstick or blush, purchase several at once to get them at a discounted price!

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2022’s Pantone Color of the Year is Here — Decorate Your Home with Very Peri

Here are some of the most stylish ways to decorate your home with Very Peri, a never-before-seen shade by Pantone.

The long-awaited announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year declared Very Peri as the color of 2022. Very Peri is a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone. It was custom-made by Pantone’s color experts to represent the innovative and optimistic expectations for our future.

The Pantone Color Institute’s Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman said:
“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue color family.”

Describing it as purple is limiting. You see, Very Peri is not just a blend of blue and red but is also the essence of periwinkle.

BEAUTY

How does 2022’s Pantone Color of the Year translate to the beauty industry? The institute predicts a rise in glittery and matte products for the eyes, nails, and hair. This color will invoke futuristic inventiveness and daring imagination. It is a fun way to approach beauty. On that note, here are some of the products that you can explore.

#1: FENTY BEAUTY STUNNA LIP PAINT LONGWEAR FLUID LIP COLOR (UNDEFEATED)

Image Credits: sephora.sg

Price: S$39 at Sephora Singapore

Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color consists of a hyper-intense pigment that is best used to define your lips. The lip paint shade named Undefeated embodies the Very Peri color, which fills your lips using the precision wand. Shake it before using it!

#2: TATCHA LUMINOUS DEWY SKIN MIST

Image Credits: sephora.sg

Price: S$72 at Sephora Singapore

The TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is suitable for various skin types such as combination, dry, normal, oily, and sensitive. Simply shake the mist and spritz your face once or twice. Use this mist for concerns such as dryness, dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

#3: ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS NORVINA EYE SHADOW PALETTE

Image Credits: sephora.sg

Price: S$81.00 at Sephora Singapore

This palette is made with thoughtful ingredients to ensure that it is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sulphate-free. Revamp your look with these matte and shimmer eye colors that can transition from day to night. Minimal product is needed to enjoy maximum pay-off!

DÉCOR

#4: IKEA FLOTTEBO SOFA-BED COVER

Image Credits: ikea.com/sg

Price: S$200 at IKEA

IKEA Singapore’s FLOTTEBO sofa-bed cover in Vissle Purple radiates the beauty of Very Peri. This durable, spin-dyed cover can be cleaned easily. Simply take it off and machine wash it.

#5: VEELIKE SELF-ADHESIVE MATTE SURFACE FINISH WALLPAPER

Image Credits: lazada.sg

Price: S$6 at LazMall

What better way to decorate your home with Very Peri than by adding pizzazz to your walls? The Veelike self-adhesive matte surface finish wallpaper is a wall sticker decal that is made from premium PVC. Its size is 40cm x 1m per order.

#6: ADVENTURE WORLD FOLDABLE LUNCHBOX

Image Credits: fairprice.com.sg

Price: S$18.50 at FairPrice

Kids and the young at heart can enjoy the Very Peri shade by bringing the Adventure World Foldable Lunchbox to school or in the office. This lunchbox is made from flexible silicon material that won’t break accidentally in your bag. Pop it up for use and flatten it into a portable size after eating. Apart from its portability, it is easy to clean and comes with two compartments and a spork. What’s more? It is microwavable.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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