10 Things You Need To Know Before Your Next Makeup Purchase

Feb. 04, 2024

If you love to shop for makeup and get a great deal as I do, then you have to check out these 10 Things To Need To Know Before Your Next Makeup Purchase. It took me a long time to learn these lessons. Don’t shop for makeup unless you know them too.

It’s not as easy as it seems. Making makeup purchases is at times, a difficult task. There are so many questions to ask yourself before you commit to a purchase. Empowering yourself with some knowledge beforehand can save you time and money and ensure you’ve made the right decisions.

As a former makeup artist, I’ve learned a lot over the years, and I hope sharing these key tips with you empowers you with the knowledge you need before making those expensive makeup purchases.

1 – Makeup Inventory: Check your makeup inventory to see what you are low on. I’ve loved Urban Decay Makeup this year and rediscovered so many of my favorites.

Go through all of your eyeshadows, foundations, mascara, concealers, and the like and see what you are actually in need of. Only add these items to your list once you’ve hit pan.

Even when you have hit pan on many products you can still get some mileage out of them. I would say with the exception of mascara, you can get a few more weeks out of most products.

I always have a mascara backup on hand. Creating an inventory of the products you need really keeps you on point when you are at the store and keeps you from bingeing on products you don’t need!

2 – Lists Do Work – If You Have Them Handy: Once you created that inventory, you need to turn it into a doable list. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made lists and left them at home. Paper lists are good but electronic lists are better! Make a list of products and keep them on your mobile device.

This works great especially when you are out and decide to make an impulse purchase (let’s face it, we all do it!). Having a list ensures you will only purchase what you need.

3 – Product Reviews: How did we ever get by before the days of YouTube? Take the time to go to YouTube (please subscribe when you land there!) and Pinterest (follow me while you are there!) and check out some product reviews for any new products you are itching to get.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scratched products off my list based on the reviews. I wouldn’t make a purchase without checking the reviews. Also, be sure to check out reviews from the smaller less known YouTubers – I find I get the most genuine, honest, and accurate reviews from them too!

4 – Friends Rock: Bring a friend with you! Yes, it’s always a good idea to bring someone you can trust when purchasing makeup. They can dissuade you from purchasing products you don’t need. They can also be honest about how the product looks on you.

Your best friend’s input will ensure you’re getting the best products for your money. If you can’t bring a friend with you that’s ok too. You can also take a picture wearing the product and text it to a friend for their opinion.

5 – It’s Called A Smartphone For A Reason: Use your smartphone while shopping. Your smartphone is not only a great place to store your list but almost every cosmetics website has a list feature too. Add all of your wishlist products to that list.

Now, when you are shopping, you can view that list and make sure you have access to all of those products that you really need or want. For example, on the Sephora website. If you add the products you want to your shopping cart, you can log in and see exactly what products you need! It’s a great way to keep a check on the colors you want to try as well.

6 – Sign Up For The Rewards Programs: Always sign up for a cosmetic company reward program. Many companies do offer them. Sephora’s VIB Insider program rewards you on a point system based on purchases.

Ulta has a rewards program as well. MAC as a program called “Back to MAC” where you can return 8 empties and get a lipstick or eyeshadow in return. Reward programs are a great way to get freebies and get the inside scoop on new and discounted products!

7 – Don’t Wear Makeup? Yep, when you are shopping for makeup it’s best to brave it and go there without any makeup on. Of course, this is a tough one to do but it’s the only way you can accurately test which products actually look good on you.

What I like to do is this – if I’m purchasing foundation, I won’t wear foundation, but I will wear eye makeup.

If I’m getting eyeshadows, brow products, etc. I’ll be sure not to wear those products. Then, when I’m at the counter testing, I can finish my makeup application with the products I’m purchasing! It’s a win-win!

8 – Set A Budget To Splurge or Save? Always have a makeup budget. If you feel like splurging, set aside exactly how much money you have to throw into the air!

I always like to make that decision before I step out the door to make my purchase this way I don’t feel let down when I get there. Do the same for your skincare. Budget out what you want to spend for the month. It always helps to pre-plan!

If you set a spending goal and stick to it, you won’t feel disappointed when you are drooling over all the new makeup products you are faced with at the store. Setting a budget keeps you on track too and keeps you from over-spending.

9 – Samples Are Things From Heaven! You would be surprised how many cosmetic companies are willing to part with samples. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve emailed companies asking for samples and got loads more upon arrival than I would have imagined.

As we all know, samples are a great way to live in a product before you decide to make that purchasing commitment. Be brave and shoot the cosmetic company of your desires asking for some samples. You’ll thank me later!

10 – Salespeople Are Really Useful: I know so many women who, for some reason, can’t seem to approach a salesperson asking for help. Yes, at times, salespeople pounce on you the minute you walk into a store.

But after you politely decline the help, they often disappear leaving you in the trenches alone. Remember, just because you declined their help once doesn’t mean you can’t approach them for help.

Most salespeople are well-trained when it comes to the products at the makeup counter. It’s their job to help you. Don’t be shy – ask them their personal opinion too.

I’ve had so much success when I’ve asked them what their favorite products were. Most times, they get so excited when you start asking about their experiences with products they can’t stop divulging their favorites!

Here’s one more tip about makeup returns!

Returning Your Mistakes: Yes, most makeup companies do take back your makeup returns but over the years that’s changing too. I try my best to avoid returning a makeup purchase mistake because I’ve learned it costs me money and time to do so.

Companies like MAC don’t take products back as easily as they once did. If you are well prepared before you make that purchase, you can avoid having to get aggravated trying to return products.

I hope these tips can help you avoid so many of the makeup mistakes I’ve made through the years. Questions? Comments? Please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

Be sure to check out Beauty Experts Swear By These 10 Holy Grail Beauty Products too!

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When it comes to makeup, we all start somewhere. That's why it's so important to start by following makeup tips for beginners rather than jumping to a cut-crease or advanced contour technique. Of course, before we start with simple tips and tricks, we need to put together a solid makeup kit.

Putting together a good makeup kit can be quite challenging and overwhelming for even the most seasoned makeup connoisseur — let alone a makeup beginner. With thousands upon thousands of products to choose from, it can start to get a bit confusing when figuring out which ones work best for you.

If you're just starting out on your makeup journey and are looking for a good guide, we put together a list of all the makeup staples, products, and tools you need in your cosmetic bag. What's more, we consulted experts in the makeup industry to find out which products are the best of the best. Here Sharon Becker, as well as Donni Davy, both weighed in on all the essential products for your makeup starter pack.

meet the expert

Sharon Becker is a Manhattan-based makeup artist.
Donni Davy is an Emmy-winning makeup director for HBO's Euphoria and co-founder of Half Magic Beauty.

QUIZ: What's Your Style Personality?

You can trust us that not only are they easy for newbies to use, but they've also been put to the test and have quickly become pro favorites.

Discover exactly what you need to have on hand with our selects below.

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