Everyone has their own places and websites for “cheap thrills” makeup when you just need a treat but don’t want to spend too much. Probably these are already on your radar screen, but just in case… And sorry, the list tends to be U.S.-centric, though not exclusively.
- Marshall’s and TJ Maxx: Especially great for close-outs from luxury brands bath & body products. I’ve found terrific deals on Perlier, Vitabath, Bliss etc. Also NYX, e.l.f limited editions, and travel makeup brush sets.
- Dollar stores like Dollar Store, Ocean State Job Lot, Big Lots etc.: Good for drugstore makeup brands, nail polish and sometimes good deals on skincare like Kinerase too.
- Bed Bath & Beyond: Not all BBB stores have a cosmetics department, but if your store does, you’re in luck. The prices are much lower than drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, and they also seem to get limited editions. The other good news is that you can use your 20% or $5 off coupons for cosmetics too.
- Nordstrom Rack and Hautelook.com: A good source for makeup brands like Stila, Lorac, NARS, NYX among others as well as skincare and body care like Bliss. If I see something that I want on Hautelook.com, I’ll usually swing by the store to see if it’s there so I can avoid the shipping charges. Often, stuff that’s not well-sealed will be opened, swatched and ruined in the store, but sometimes I get lucky. Also, it gives me a chance to see it in the store before purchasing online. The online prices are often a little bit cheaper than in the store, but then there is shipping to take into account.
- e.l.f. or eyeslipsface.com: I’m sure you all know this brand that’s sold at Target and also on its own website. A wonderful inexpensive brand that often has 20% and sometimes 50% off sales on its website.
- All Cosmetics Warehouse: a great website for discounts on prestige and drugstore makeup brands as well as other beauty items like brushes, hair care etc. Right now, there’s a deal on a 5-piece Deborah Lippmann mini collection of nail polishes. Free shipping kicks in at $100, unfortunately, otherwise it’s $6 for 2 day shipping.
- Alcone Company‘s The Daily Deal: http://www.alconeco.com: Alcone Company is a website for professional makeup that also sells some well-known brands like Kevyn Aucoin etc. Mostly, they sell brands and products used by makeup artists that are well worth getting to know: Ben Nye, Embryolisse, Skindinavia, and Viseart Eye Shadow Palettes etc. Visit the website and take a look around. If you’re in NYC, they’re on 49th St.
- Cosmetics4less.net and discountcosmetics4u.co.uk: For UK readers who probably know this already, cosmetics4less.net is a great site for brands on sale
- sasa.com: One of my go-to sites for buying Asian skincare and makeup products that often has free or inexpensive shipping. A great source for Shiseido products among others.
Though not quite inexpensive, prestige brands like Stila, Too Faced, Benefit etc. sometimes have online coupons. So don’t forget to look online before buying! Often, you can find a 20% off coupon just on its own or for signing up to receive emails. Well worth it.
One last thing, though not a bargain. Have you seen the Walgreen’s stores with the prestige cosmetics department? I visited the one in Boston at Downtown Crossing for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I found Cargo, theBalm, PurMinerals, Freeze 24/7, Demeter Fragrance plus many other top-notch brands that I can’t think of right now. All with testers that the beauty consultants kept clean and tidy. Definitely worth checking out if there’s a store in your area.
So, which sources for inexpensive beauty products can you add to this list? Please do let me know in the comments what else to add to the list!
Great list!
I love Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Nordstroms Rack for inexpensive beauty goodies!
Best,
Leigh
Leigh recently posted…Inside my June 2014 Rebecca Minkoff IPSY Bag.
They are my go-to places to shop on a budget, Leigh! Thanks for commenting
Love , Love , LOVE Nordstrom Rack and Hautelook. I wish my Bed Bath and Beyound had makeup 🙁 Especially when they get some super good things like that Maybelline Nude palette. I am totally going to check out Marshalls for makeup. Great tips!
Jamie @ Makeuplifelove recently posted…Beauty Behind the Blog: Hairspray and Highheels…
Jamie, I’m taking my coupon to BBB sometime this week to see if that Maybelline Nude Palette is in my local store! I was so happy to discover makeup there. What a find!
I love checking out TJ Maxx and Marshalls for discount beauty goods! They had a NARS Cleansing Milk once and I just recently spotted NARS Andy Warhol goodies!
Noelle recently posted…Mascara Monday | L’Oreal Miss Manga
Wow, Noelle, I don’t usually see NARS at my Marshalls and TJs, but I do see it sometimes at Nordstrom Rack.
great list of places to shop! Like i needed to add anymore to my already heavily visited list! hahahaha
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…The Best Summer Blush
:D, Laura, I know what you mean!
What a great resource list!
Kelly R recently posted…Battle of the Bloggers: butter LONDON butterfly nail art
Thanks, Kelly!
Great tips! I like Nordstrom Rack.
Phyrra recently posted…KBShimmer Happily Ever Aster Mani
I do too, I just wish people didn’t open and use the products at Nordies ‘coz they have the best selection!
Very nice list!!!
Destany recently posted…Essence Snow White Collection – Doc swatches+review
Thanks, Destany 🙂
This is an awesome post, thanks for sharing!!!! I love me some TJ Maxx!
Ange recently posted…Cate and Chloe: The VIP Box Review
Thanks, Ange! Yeah, TJs and for me, Marshalls, especially the big one in Boston has a great selection
Mine never have these goodies. And the ONE time I did find a palette from theBalm it was totally destroyed =(
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…LORAC Fall 2014 Swatches, Looks + Review
Oh no, Brooke! At Nordstrom Rack, I have that problem too, but not so much at TJs and Marshalls.
I love going to TJ Maxx to try to find beauty products, I’ve gotten some good ones there too
Mai recently posted…3 Ways (and 6 Products) for Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
Yes, it’s a good one for prestige brands. And I’m loving BBB for drugstore brands.
Great picks! I am just realizing that TJ Maxx and Marshalls is a great place to pick up inexpensive beauty products.
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…Minimal makeup for business travel
They really are, Monica. And BBB for drugstore brands coz they have the lowest prices!
TJ Maxx is amazing at finding products from great brands like Shiseido, Clarins, Pacifica etc. Love bargain shopping 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…How To Get Silky Smooth Legs For Summer
Gotta keep my eyes open for Shiseido & Pacifica at TJs. Haven’t seen those yet, but it can be a great source for bargains!
Wuh..wuh..Walgreens with a *prestige* makeup dept? What? Where can I get one of those things? Sweet. Thanks for the list, there were some I didn’t know about! off to shop!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Influenster Spring VoxBox!
Yes, Nidia, Walgreens! Probably only in big cities now.
I constantly frequent big lots for good beauty finds!
Miranda recently posted…June Beauty Box 5
I wish we had Big Lots ‘coz I’d love to compare their offerings to Ocean State, but those job lot stores/dollar stores are great for bargains!
Such an informative post! We used to have a Cosmetics Company Store outlet in WI Dells which was 1.5 hours from where I lived. I never got to go there but I loved when I got the chance to go! WI Dells is now the halfway point between where I live and where my family lives so we stop there all the time and of course now the store is closed!
Justina recently posted…Farmhouse Fresh Crow Catcher Eye Perfecting Serum Review
I haven’t had good luck at Cosmetics Company Stores here in the northeast ‘coz the prices still seem high to me, but I think I should try them again. Thanks for reminding me, Justina!
Thanks for this list! I’ll have to start checking out Alcone. I really wish I was near a Walgreens with prestige cosmetics.
Sheila (Painted Ladies) recently posted…My Top 5 Tips For Eyeshadow Application
Alcone has great deals, Sheila. And I wish I was closer to a Walgreens with prestige, too!
My local TJMaxx don’t have fancy brands so I just shop online for discounted high-end brands i.e Hautelook, Gilt, sometimes even Zulily. And yeah, The likes of Stila and UD do flash sales!
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…Oh My Lorde! MAC Lorde Pure Heroine Amplified Creme Lipstick (Review, Photos, Swatch)
That’s too bad, Kathryne. They’re a good source for me especially for skincare and bath products. I’m big on finding the 20% off coupons online for prestige too.
When I visit the USA I visit as many of your drugstores as possible, but when you live in Australia you find that every store is considered a bargain!
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries recently posted…Dove – Clear Touch Roll-on Deodorant Review
Yes, those prices on cosmetics in Australia are crazy! I’d need a loan for every purchase!
Great List! I always find neat finds at TJ Max!
Melody recently posted…How Does a $500 Visa Giftcard sound?- Give Away!
Thanks Melody! So far, it seems that TJMaxx is the winner lol
Nordstrom Rack is my fav!
I think they often have a great selection of upscale brands, Eugenia. I just wish that girls/women who shop there wouldn’t use the makeup and ruin it. It can be so disappointing when you find something good but someone has swatched it. What pigs!
I’m a Nordstrom Rack gal when it comes to Beauty and Hair Care as they seem to carry items from just a season or two prior.
Ashley recently posted…Beauty Blogazons Summer 2014 Giveaway
Yes, Nordie’s Rack is a good one as long as you’re buying something that’s not able to be opened. I love to go there but I’ve been disappointed when I open up a palette I really want, and some jerk has swatched it, grrrrr
Great post! I have some of these options in my city and not others. Hautelook is top of my list too!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…New! Kerastase Couture Styling Products!
Thanks, Cindy! I’m waiting for an Hautelook delivery now as a matter of fact. They had it at Nordstrom Rack but someone had swatched it and ruined the palette, boo!
Ohh great list!
Thanks, Lisa. Hope you got a new idea or two 🙂
I am all about Marshalls!
Kendra recently posted…Art Deco Mint Nail Art Design
The one in downtown Boston is my favorite Marshalls in my area, Kendra. I can always find good stuff there 🙂
I sure love Marshalls 🙂
Betzy Carmona recently posted…Sally Hansen HD Nail Color Collection
It’s definitely a good source for inexpensive beauty products, Betzy!