Looking to Buy Makeup? Try Coupons to Cut on Costs

As if being a woman wasn't hard enough already, being beautiful doesn't come cheap! Although clothes, shoes and accessories come to mind first when we think of expensive stuff us girls invest in, makeup can also break your bank if you're not careful. Even if you don't wear makeup everyday, you'll find yourself having to replace expired products all too often. For instance, mascara must be replaced every three to six months to avoid spreading bacterial infection. Same goes for concealers, which pick up bacteria from breakouts.

What's a simple trick to save you money on makeup? Cutting coupons. Seriously, the next time you receive a coupon book in the mail, before you throw it away, flip through to see if it has any makeup coupons - 9 times out of 10, it will. Moreover, many beauty retail stores and makeup manufacturers offer printable coupons that you can access online. For example, Ulta Beauty Stores is currently running a 20% off coupon, good for any item bought in store, now through May 26, 2012. Note however, that some coupons cannot be combined with other offers -- manufacturers coupons tend to offer lower prices. In addition, many manufacturers offer customers the option of registering to receive special offers and promotions (check their websites for this option!), which sometimes include free beauty samples. Although you might have to deal with weekly e-mails, signing up often means free samples and tons of additional savings.

You will save the most money if you can learn to "stack" coupons. Stacking coupons is where you pair a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon. Another type of stacking occurs when you combine a physical coupon and pair it with an in-store sale or other promotion. Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kohl's and JC Penney's are some stores that allow coupon stacking. Unfortunately, not all stores allow coupon stacking, so you will have to do some research to find out if your local grocery store or pharmacy allows it. Stacking coupons is different from double coupons, which is a promotion grocery stores and pharmacies sometimes run whereby they double the value of your coupons. Next time your out at the store, ask a cashier if they have Double Coupon Days, and if so when they are -- these can also save you lots of money.

Lastly, consider visiting an outlet mall to purchase your makeup - most will accept printable coupons, when combined with the already discounted prices, will save you big. 

Guest Post By Casey Haslem.
Casey is a writer and a hobby cyclist. In her spare time she hikes with her dog Beau and reads.