Just a few years ago, women were the chief buyers of hair and skin products. This is not the case anymore. More and more, men are becoming a large percentage of the buying population in these categories. Realizing that their skin and hair are just as important, and looking fresh and vital can give them an edge in a competitive market, they are becoming more aware of their appearance other than apparel. How can you pick the best products and when can you shop for the best deals?
For men and women, trying samples is your best bet to begin saving money. If you don’t know which product works with your skin and hair, you may end up with a closet filled with products you spent money on, but will never use. Free samples allow you to find out if the product works for you. E.g. do you like the smell? Does it cause reactions in your skin? Does it work? Samples allow you to try the product free before you pay large amounts at the drug store, bargain store, department Store or beauty supply shop.
Tip 1 Use your favorite search engine and type in the phrase “free samples.” My motto is, “Before you buy, definitely try.”
Check sites that offer free samples for the cosmetics, hair and skin care you are interested in. (Never pay for a sample.) Examples: www.walmart.com has a “featured free samples” section on their website. Frizz-Ease, John Frieda Hair care, Always Clean and many more are available to try. www.freakyfreddies.com has Schick Quattro razor samples, Olay, Curel, Lancôme, L’Oreal, Mary Kay, Revlon and more. Once you make a decision on the brand and type of product that works well with you, it’s time to shop and save a lot of money. Listed below are a few stores and when their best sales happen.
Tip 2 Before you hit the store, check their online website.
Go online to the products website to find any coupons they offer. Many times, you can get even further discounts by checking online and printing coupons. Additionally, often the same websites have a one-day deal and buy-one-get-one free offers. They don’t offer it in the stores, only on the websites.
Tip 3 Freshness counts in the cosmetics isle.
You always want fresh cosmetics. Older cosmetics that may have been on the shelf for a while, won’t work as well. For cosmetics, I believe it’s always best to go to Department stores. Department stores will also have free samples and they will demo products on your skin.
Most stores have their best sales in October, the day after Thanksgiving. Lotions and regular shampoo can be purchased at drug stores such as Walgreens or Wal-Mart. Keep a look out for 25% – 50% more bottles (these are usually hidden behind other bottles.) The retail price is the same. My motto is, “Why pay more for less?” Get what you pay for.
Tip 4 Professional shampoos and conditioners are less expensive and you use less product in the end.
Shampoo is not always a good buy at a drug store or department store. I have found throughout my life, that no matter how poor I was, going to a beauty supply store, was always the best deal and ultimately a lot less expensive. To verify what I have experienced myself, I did my own study.
Step 1. I had several family and friends purchase regular shampoo, on sale at a drug store and kept track of how long a 12 oz bottle lasted. In most cases, the shampoo was used up in two weeks. One person lasted a month, another family less than a week. Average price for the shampoo was $6.45 per bottle.
Step 2. Head to the beauty supply store (not a beauty salon. A beauty salon will cost more. Most states have beauty supply stores that are now available to the public). The cost of the shampoo from the beauty supply store was $21.95 for 33.8 oz bottle. Each poured the shampoo into the 12 oz used shampoo bottle. In most cases the 12 oz bottle of professional shampoo lasted five weeks and their hair was shinny and in better condition. The conclusion was that it was a lot less expensive to purchase shampoo and conditioner at a beauty supply store. To achieve the same results a lot more shampoo had to be used in order to get a lather from the non-professional shampoo’s and conditioners. For me, a 33.8 oz shampoo bottle lasted two people, four months.
Tip 5 Hair coloring products.
These products can be purchased anywhere. The best deals I have seen are at Wal-Mart consistently and Long’s Drug Store has periodic sales of 60% off. Look for these deals and stock up.
Tip 6 Coupons, frequent buyer cards as well as checking a stores sale times are really your best friends when shopping.
Would you throw a $1, $5 or $10 bill in the garbage can? That’s what happens when you don’t use coupons, frequent buyer cards and planning for stores sales. I usually save $6 – $20 off my next purchase. (They punch a hole for every $1 spent.)
Tip 7 If you like a product or are unhappy with one, call the manufacturer up right away.
In many cases, they will send you coupons, free goods and even prepaid cards to use in their stores. I have over $65 from two stores and 15 minutes of my time to use right now from two weeks ago. If I were going on an hourly rate, I have paid myself $260 an hour for letting the manufacturer know how I feel.
Tags: cosmetics, coupons, hair care, samples, saving money
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