best affordable beauty products
Alvaro Goveia

How Can I Save Money on My Beauty Routine?

A derm, makeup artist and hairstylist share their tips for looking great on a dime

Ask The Kit is the real-talk advice column you never knew you needed. Every month, writer Ingrie Williams answers your pressing beauty questions. How can I deal with frizz? Why is my skin freaking out? Send your Qs to [email protected]

“With prices being out of control these days, I’m finding it hard to justify spending so much on my beauty routine. But I still want to look good, you know? How can I save some money on skincare, makeup and hair products and still get effective results?” — Alexandra, Oshawa

Whether you’re treating yourself to a bag of chips or a long overdue vacation, one thing is for sure: It’s going to cost more than it used to. Inflation is making every aspect of life more expensive, and for many of us that means having to become more savvy with how we spend. If you find comfort, confidence or joy in taking care of your skin and primping your face and hair, you don’t have to give it all up to accommodate a newly implemented budget. Tap into these tips from a dermatologist, makeup artist and hairstylist to trim back where it matters most and still keep on feeling great about how you look.

“I believe that there are good skincare products at a variety of price points.”

Let’s start with skincare and with dispelling the myth that you need to spend a lot to maintain healthy, beautiful skin. “I believe that there are good skincare products at a variety of price points,” Dr. Katie Beleznay, a dermatologist who practices at Humphrey Cosmetic Dermatology in Vancouver and is a Clinical Instructor at the Department of Dermatology, University of British Columbia. A friendly face on IG and TikTok, she regularly shares accessible skincare tips including a helpful series called Bougie vs. Budget. “Skincare is personal and it’s important to find what works for your skin and your budget,” she says. 

Regardless of your skin type or tone, a good skincare routine should aim to accomplish a few basic goals: shield skin from damaging UV exposure, infuse it with antioxidants to further prevent premature aging (i.e. wrinkles, dullness and dark spots), provide a boost of hydration and gently remove dirt, oil and makeup. 

And you can save money at nearly every step! “In general, I think cleansers are something where the common drugstore brands offer great affordable options,” says Dr. Beleznay, “For many people I recommend a basic gentle cleanser, like Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.” Of course, tailoring your pick to a formula suited to your skin type should come into consideration, too. “If you have oily skin, then a foaming or gel cleanser is a good option. For those dealing with acne-prone skin and looking for over the counter treatments there are quite a few affordable options. PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Wash can be helpful for both face or body acne,” she says.

I’m also a fan of drugstore cleansers from a cost-per-use factor. They’re a smart buy because they tend to come in larger bottles and deliver more (product) bang for your buck. One of my favourite gel cleansers from Avène comes in a 400 ml bottle that costs less than a weekly spend at Starbucks and seems to last forever.

Hydration is the next step where you can get results without dropping a lot of dough. “A good basic moisturizer is also a place where you may be able to save money with drugstore options, “ says Dr. Beleznay, “Some of the ingredients I like are glycerin, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and squalane.”

“A good basic moisturizer is also a place where you may be able to save money with drugstore options.”

Lastly, sunscreen is one area of your routine where I believe you can find a stellar formula that doesn’t cost a lot. That’s important, because SPF is something you should be using generously on a daily basis. If you opt for one that’s too pricey, you run the risk of skimping on how much you use (derms recommend ¼ teaspoon for your face) or being choosy as to when you use it (which, again, should be every single day). Using it sparingly in any way impacts the efficacy of UV protection, which defeats the whole point! 

In my experience, fluid or lotion SPFs tend to win over most people because the textures are pleasantly lightweight and don’t “feel like sunscreen.” A recent discovery that’s earned a spot in my daily lineup and ticks the boxes for impressive formula and budget-friendly price is E.L.F. Cosmetics’s Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30. If you spot the under $20 tube online, nab it quickly (or sign up for an email notification)—it routinely sells out.

But if you happen to fall for a sunscreen that’s a bit more than you’d hoped to spend, then I’d say go for it and keep an eye out for when it goes on sale. “Sunscreen is an essential part of your skincare routine. There are options I like at a variety of price points, but if this is an area where you want to splurge to find one you like and will use, then I encourage that,” says Dr. Beleznay.

“I encourage anyone looking to save on makeup to ask themselves: Is this something I need or something I want?”

When it comes to your makeup bag, being real is the best starting point for pinching pennies. “I encourage anyone looking to save on makeup to ask themselves: Is this something I need or something I want?” says Toronto-based makeup artist Jasmine Merinsky, who believes that inflation and sustainability go hand in hand, “Consumers are becoming more selective about what they purchase in efforts to protect their wallets and the environment,” she says. 

When “need” wins out, choosing double duty products is one of Merinksy’s expert hacks to getting glam on a budget. “Get creative, try using lipstick as a blush or a use lip balm as a highlighter,” she says, “It can be fun to see what products are interchangeable and your makeup will be unique every time.” 

For maximum performance, Merinsky prioritizes products that deliver versatility and quality. “I learned from my mentors that all had relatively small makeup kits. They were stocked with high-end products that could be utilized in a variety of ways,” she says, “Now having 10+ years of experience, I also always find myself going back to the same things that are consistent and reliable.” 

That said, great formulas can still be found for less. “There used to be a large gap between high-end and lower-end makeup,” she says. “Now, lower-priced makeup lines have redeveloped and reformulated their products to up their standards. The gap is closing performance-wise and lower-end lines are improving.”

Merinsky also believes that less can be more. “Concealer can go a long way and be used all over the face, blended out in areas where you don’t need as much coverage,” she says. “That way, you don’t need to purchase a foundation, which saves you money.” It’s a minimalist P.O.V. that she practices on her own face. “Nowadays, I tend to rely more on my skincare and less on my makeup. When my skin looks and feels good, I don’t feel the need to wear a lot of makeup,” she says. 

“It’s useless to have 25 hair products that you don’t really know what to do with.”

To maintain your crowning glory without falling in the red, Samuel Dupuis says it comes down to having the right products—but not too many. “It’s useless to have 25 hair products that you don’t really know what to do with,” says the hairstylist and colourist who can be found at Salon Le Artof in Montréal. “After a good shampoo and conditioner, you actually need a maximum of three products.” 

While he has yet to find drugstore formulas that perform in a way he considers worth the purchase, Dupuis suggests eco-minded shopping can be a savvy way to price-match. “The only non-professional version of washes that I love are the ones that are 100 per cent natural,” he says. “I really like Oneka, which is refillable and not expensive considering its quality.” His math tracks. A 4L-refill jug of shampoo from the Quebec-based, B-Corp-certified brand rings in at $106 and will refill eight (!) 500 ml bottles, which means you’re only paying $13.25 per bottle. Ta-da!

Wherever you’re shopping, Dupuis says your focus should be on keeping your strands healthy. That’s because if your hair is strong and shiny, you won’t need as many styling aids to get them looking good. “If you invest your money in the right products, you’ll eventually save money,” he says. “So, it’s about choosing cleverly.” 

“If you invest your money in the right products, you’ll eventually save money.”

That’s why two of his must-haves focus on maintaining hair strength and moisture. “Based on the fact that hair is not something that repairs itself, everyone should have a hydrating leave-in to keep it soft and bouncy, and also a good repairing treatment,” he says. “Apply the repairing treatment depending on your hair’s needs. Even if you’ve got natural hair, you will need it every once in a while.” 

Once exclusive to prestige lines, bond repair innovation entered the mass market chat in North America more fully this year. I recently put a budget version of a pre-shampoo treatment to the test on my dry curls and noticed a boost in strength and shine.

Also essential, says Dupuis, is scalp care. “We always forget that hair grows from there and a bad scalp makes hair look bad,” he says. Look for a scalp treatment tailored to your particular needs, whether that’s dandruff, greasy roots or a lack of hydration.

As these pros make clear, there are a multitude of ways to save from head to toe. Take their tips with you the next time you’re out beauty shopping. Your wallet will thank you.

Shop the advice

Affordable beauty products that work just as well as their prestige counterparts

 

The acne-fighting face wash

best affordable beauty products PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Cream 4% Daily Cleansing Wash
PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Cream 4% Daily Cleansing Wash, $9, amazon.ca Photo: PanOxyl
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Clearing clogged pores doesn’t have to cost a lot. This affordable cleanser is powered by benzoyl peroxide—a derm-approved ingredient that kills acne bacteria and exfoliates dead skin cells and sebum to effectively reduce blemishes and smooth skin’s texture.

 

The pennies-per-use cream

best affordable beauty products Byoma Moisturizing Rich Cream
Byoma Moisturizing Rich Cream, $20, shoppersdrugmart.ca Photo: Byoma
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This soothing blend of glycerin and ceramides deeply replenishes skin’s barrier, and a pump of the rich formula goes a long way.

 

The new drugstore sunscreen crush

best affordable beauty products E.L.F. Cosmetics Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30
E.L.F. Cosmetics Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30, $19, elfcosmetics.com Photo: E.L.F. Cosmetics
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This sunscreen-meets-primer is a glow-up in a bottle. It protects from UV light, imparts a subtle peachy radiance and hydrates skin with aloe, hyaluronic acid and squalane. And all for under $20!

 

The versatile complexion booster

best affordable beauty products Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $44, sephora.ca Photo: Nars
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An investment for sure, but this pro-approved formula nixes the need for foundation. The best-seller provides full coverage, with smoothing and blurring benefits and covers dark spots, redness and under-eye circles with ease to even out the complexion.

 

The lip balm with benefits

best affordable beauty products Madeup Beauty Strawberry Lip Conditioner
Madeup Beauty Strawberry Lip Conditioner, $15, shoppersdrugmart.ca Photo: Madeup Beauty
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Delivering a conditioning formula with shine, this lip balm made with shea butter and a blend of botanical oils can sub in for a glossy touch on cheekbones. Bonus: It’s from an up-and-coming Canadian line.

 

The sleeper hit lipstick

best affordable beauty products Quo Beauty Powder Matte Lipstick
Quo Beauty Powder Matte Lipstick, $15, shoppersdrugmart.ca Photo: Quo Beauty
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If you’re looking to save big on makeup, it’s time to discover the in-house cosmetics line at Shoppers Drug Mart. This lipstick, primed to double as blush, is just one example of the high-quality formulas, low prices and super cute packaging that make the collection a hit.

 

The refillable win

best affordable beauty products Oneka Angelica & Lavender Shampoo
Oneka Angelica & Lavender Shampoo, $31 (1L), onekaelements.com
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Made with a blend of essential oils and organic plants grown on a Quebec family-owned farm, this biodegradable formula gently cleanses hair while calming the senses with its relaxing angelica and lavender scent. Even better, you can refill the bottle at a very reasonable price.

 

The budget-friendly hair treatment

best affordable beauty products L’Oréal Paris Bond Repair Rescue Pre-Shampoo for Damaged Hair
L’Oréal Paris Bond Repair Rescue Pre-Shampoo for Damaged Hair, $7, amazon.ca
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Put your strands on the path to less breakage and more shine. This intensive rinse-off treatment infuses hair with citric acid to rebuild broken bonds and reduce damage caused by brushing, bleaching and heat styling.

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