For beauty newbs, or really anyone, if we’re being real, shopping at Sephora can be pretty daunting. Its huge, bright stores are filled with rows on rows of different brands of mascaras, foundations, eyeliners, skincare, and more, which sounds like heaven, but it’s easy to get intimidated. Become one with the beauty mavens with these tips and tricks that are super beneficial to shopping at Sephora.
Here are the best tips and tricks for shopping at Sephora.
Sign up for the Beauty Insider Program – It’s worth it
Reward programs can be super annoying, but Sephora’s is not – we swear! By signing up, you’ll get 1 reward point for every dollar you spend, which you can redeem on products in stores. On top of that, you’ll get a free gift on your birthday, seasonal promotions, personalized recommendations, and free product beauty classes. Plus, the more you spend, you can upgrade your “status” – the top tier being “Rouge” which earns you extra perks. Sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider Program here.
If you’re looking to save up on beauty products, check the bottom row
Brands often pay more to be merchandised in more visible and central locations, so you’ll typically find cheaper items along the bottom of stands or the outer perimeters of the store. Newer, more expensive products are always kept at eye level, so keep your eyes peeled for those deals!
Sephora will refund you the difference of an item if the item you’ve purchased has gone on sale
If an item you’ve purchased from Sephora goes on sale within two weeks of original purchase, call up customer service and they’ll reimburse you the difference! All you need is ID and the original receipt number or order number.
Don’t forget your free samples!
If you’re shopping online with Sephora, with every purchase, you’re able to choose two samples from a variety of products provided. If you’re shopping in-store, there are samples available at checkout, or if you want to try a particular product, just ask an employee and they’ll almost always be able to get you one.
You can return products you bought and didn’t like
We’ve all fallen into the trap of buying something that looks good in-store, but doesn’t end up working out for one reason or another. The beauty with Sephora is that if you, for example, bought a bronzer that was a bit too sparkly, you take it back to the store and they’ll let you exchange it or give you a store credit – even if it’s been used.
Wait for the semi-annual sales
Sephora typically has two major sales every year for its Beauty Insiders. You’ll usually get a Sephora promo code for unlimited use at 10% off, VIB members get 15% off and Rouge members get 20% off. Rouge members typically get first access to the sale with a week’s head start.
Don’t fall victim to the cute little goodies in the bins in front of the cash register
They’re cute and fun-sized, but typically not the best deals! If you’re looking for samples, it’s way cheaper to implement #4.
Sephora Collection makes dupes for tons of pricier products
Don’t miss out on the Sephora Collection with a major range of lipsticks, bronzers, highlighters, skincare, and more. Apparently, Sephora products are either discontinued or reformulated if it receives ratings of anything lower than four stars. So, you know that you’re getting great quality products without the high-end price tag.
You Can Get A Free Personal Shopping Experience
It’s totally free to get a 20 minute personal shopping experience from a pro! Plus, anytime you enter a Sephora their staff are always happy to help! If you’re a little intimidated, don’t be afraid to ask for some guidance.
Despite the lack of sales that Sephora has, they do have sale items
And you’ll find them hidden at the edges of stores or in the bins on the end of displays.
Follow Sephora on Socials To Learn About New Products & Deals
If you never want to miss an update, make sure to follow Sephora on socials! Its Instagram in particular is always being updated with the latest beauty tips, drops, and news.
Always Read Reviews
Sephora’s website has an amazing review section where you can see the reviewers eye colour, hair colour, skin tone, and skin type to better assess if a particular product might work for you! For example, if you have dry skin and someone reviewing a product has oily skin, you may have a completely different experience. So, you can find a reviewer with similar characteristics to yourself and see how the product worked for them!
Redeem Your Beauty Insider Points Online
As we mentioned above, every dollar you spend as a Beauty Insider, you get a point. Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem for rewards (products). Although all Sephora locations have a selection of rewards to choose from in-store, there are way more options online.
If It’s Sold Out In-Store, Try Online
It may sound simple enough, but don’t just assume that because a product is sold out in-store, it means it’s sold out online. Online has way more products available than a single Sephora could carry. You’re more likely to snag those viral items while shopping on the Sephora website (or app).
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Beautyblenders have heralded a veritable makeup revolution, helping to usher in the era of flawless Instagram #motd (makeup of the day), baking and so much more.
You’re a whiz at knowing where to find the most affordable makeup, but how much do you really know about your Beautyblender? Do you know the proper way to use it, or to clean it? And, most importantly, do you know the little life hacks to get the most out of it before it falls apart?
If you’re making these Beautyblender mistakes, we’re here to help you correct them.
1. Not keeping it clean.
Twitter/@Prettyymichee
This seems relatively obvious, but even the most diligent Beautyblender users can fall behind in their routine. Unlike brushes, on which buildup is pretty easy to see, the true depth of how dirty Beautyblenders can get is not always visible. That is to say…there could be mold inside your Beautyblender. So, how do you keep your perfect little pink egg clean and mold-free?
Washing it daily is the only true way to make sure your Beautyblender is in tip-top shape. Make sure to use a gentle soap — but don’t think that you have to buy the one Beautyblender sells. That expensive solid soap can set you back a whopping $20, whereas a gentle dish or laundry soap is readily available at your local grocery store.
Oh, and remember to be gentle!
2. Doing the microwave method wrong.
Twitter/@c0urtneymilne
The microwave method is actually a pretty basic (and old) sponge trick, which essentially involves popping whatever sponge you’d like cleaned into the microwave and cooking it up until it’s bacteria-free. However, cleaning your BB is going to take just a bit more work. Sticking your blender right into the microwave is just going to result in you owning a hot, melted sponge. Here’s the real lowdown:
- Mix water and soap in a microwave-safe container
- Fully soak your Beauty Blender in the solution, making sure it’s saturated
- Place the container in your microwave and cook that baby up for a minute
When it’s finished (and cooled down), you should have a much cleaner Beautyblender on your hands.
3. Applying it incorrectly.
It’s all in the wrist, of course. Some people prefer to gently tap the BB to their foundation, assuming that the less contact it has with their skin, the more natural it will look. That isn’t so! Pressing the sponge into your face and really making sure that you get the most out of the product it’s soaking up is the best way to get a flawless look. Remember not to swipe using it, either — a tapping motion (or, as some beauty influencers say, “pouncing” motion) will give you the most even coverage possible.
4. Using it too wet or too dry.
Twitter/@saarahjasmine
The Beauty Blender truly is the Goldilocks of makeup products. It requires water, but not too much water. It needs drying, but not too much drying. It’s finicky like that.
If your blender is too wet, the water in it will react with your foundation and leave you with a streaky, oversaturated mess on your hands. If it’s too dry, it will just absorb your foundation right into it and leave you with very little to put in your face.
The best method is to run your BB under water, make sure it’s sufficiently soaked, squeeze it out, and then gently give it one final squeeze using a paper towel (or a clean regular towel, if it’s on hand). You’ll be good to go after that!
5. You’re storing it incorrectly.
After you’re done with your trusty egg, do not store it somewhere where it can’t breathe! It’s a sponge, after all, and trapping it where it can just sit in its own moisture will cause you nothing but problems — and mold. Avoid sticking it in plastic bags, closed makeup bags or back in its container with the lid on. Leave your Beautyblender out where it can dry out in peace. You can even pick up a cute little stand for it to dry on.
6. You’re Not Making The Most Of It!
YouTube/Nikkia Joy
A Beautyblender is incredibly versatile. Sure, it’s great for foundation, but it can do so much more than that! You can contour your face using cream contours and liquid concealers, then blend it out with your BB. You can apply cream anything, really, including blushes and highlighters, too.
And, most importantly, you can bake with it! A damp Beautyblender + loose setting powder = a flawless, Instagram-worthy finish that will last you all day and all night, too. This is especially handy if you know you’re going to be getting a little sweaty on a hot day, or if you have oily skin. Setting your makeup with a blender and powder will help keep the moisture at bay for a long longer than if you’d just applied your powder with a brush.
No matter how you use a Beautyblender, there’s always more to learn. Luckily, we can all learn together…and practice proper microwave safety! ‘
Featured image: Instagram/@beautyblender
Did you know September is National Coupon Month? While traditional coupon clipping is effective, it can be tedious and sometimes inconvenient. The great news is, there are so many ways to save money when you shop, some that you may not even be aware of. If you want to shop more and spend less, check out these tips.
Online Shopping Subscriptions
You may be reluctant to give out your email out of fear of filling your inbox with things you don’t need. However, giving one of your favorite shopping sites your email will open you up to a brand new world of savings that you would not be aware of otherwise. When you subscribe to a site, you will always be on top of the latest deals. Soon, your inbox will be filled with giveaway opportunities, exclusive coupon codes, and notifications of upcoming sales. Some will even offer you a discount on your next purchase just for signing up!
Stack up coupons with cash back deals
If you haven’t signed up for cash back, you are definitely missing out. Cash back works by giving you back a percentage of the money you spend when shopping online. When you combine cash back with coupon codes, you save even more on your online purchases. BeFrugal offers both online coupons and higher cash back rates than any other site.
Here’s how you do it:
1. Sign up for free – all you need is your email address.
2. Search for a store and find their cash back rate and what coupons they offer. Right now, you can get 3% back at Nordstrom Rack, 7% at Saks Fifth Avenue, 3% at Kate Spade, and 9% at PUMA. Those are only a few of over 5,000 stores that offer great cash back rates. You can combine the cash back you earn with any savings you get from a coupon.
3. Click “Shop Now” and a new window will open so you can shop at the online store as you normally would.
4. After you complete your purchase, check your BeFrugal account for cash back. You can request payment via check, PayPal or gift card. Credit Card Points
You can earn discounts on future purchases when you spend with your credit card. Many cards offer special rewards and cash back on things like airfare and hotels. You can even earn rewards towards beauty products. ULTA Beauty has a partnership with Master Card that gives you points for every dollar you spend on their products. Just make sure to keep an eye on your interest rates and pay off your bill in full each month if possible. No credit card? No problem. Check out this list of stores that offer rewards for frequent customers without any commitments.
Add these tips to your usual shopping routine and you are guaranteed to save money on even the priciest items!
Even if you’re not in a crunch for money, saving it is something that should always be in the back of your mind. We’ve rounded up some tips to help you and your family improve your financial situations. You won’t become a millionaire overnight, but you’ll definitely notice a difference overtime!
1. Plan all your meals: It’s crazy how much money you can save just by knowing what you’re going to eat that week. Sign-up to receive your local grocery store’s weekly coupons (all Metro & Loblaw groceries stores have them) and fliers so that you know what meat & produce is going to be on sale that week and revolve your grocery list around that. Planning your meals in advance will keep you within budget while your shopping & help you eat healthier. Check out our meals under $10, slow cooker meals and freezer meals to help you get started.
2. Bring your lunch, instead of buying it: Lunch is one of those expenses that add up over time unknowingly and depending on how often you eat out, bringing your lunch could easily save you a couple of hundred bucks a month. Include lunches in your weekly meal plan and take leftovers from dinner with you to work.
3. Invest in a coffee maker and travel mug: Like lunch, coffee is an expense that adds up over time. Invest in a coffee maker and travel mug – the savings might not be much, but it will be worth it in the long run.
4. Find your local buy & sell groups on Facebook: You know what they say, one man’s trash is another one’s treasure. Collect all of the old things you don’t want anymore and put them up for sale on Kijiji, Craigslist or a local buy & sell group on Facebook. Housewares (decorative pillows, furniture, old dishes, etc) do extremely well. You’d be surprised at what some people are willing to take off your hands! It’s also a great place to pick up new things for cheap.
5. Sell your old clothes: Clean out your closet and bring your gently used, season-appropriate clothing to your local consignment store. They’ll give you a percentage of what they’ll be selling the item for (typically 20-50%) or a store credit. Check out our list of consignment stores in Toronto here.
6. Sign-up for reward programs: Get an Air Miles reward card, a Shopper’s Optimum Card and switch your credit card over to one that allows you to receive rewards! The points take a while to rack up, but that free $10 will feel so good once you get it!
7. Have your friends over instead of going out: Alcohol has the highest markup in restaurants, so why not have your friends over for a potluck and drinks instead of spending a fortune at that fancy new restaurant?
8. Start or find a clothing swap: If you’re a shopaholic who needs a fix, start a clothing swap with your friends! It’s a great way to get new clothes & get rid of old stuff you don’t want. Your city probably has a clothing swap already in place if you’d like to expand your options. You can find monthly clothing swaps in Toronto here.
9. Watch your bank fees: Did you know that at most banks an e-transfer costs money to send? Or that you’re getting charged ATM fees from the ATM machine you pulled money out of and your bank?
10. Make a budget and know what you’re spending each month: Looking at your bank statements is scary, but totally necessary. Make a list of all your necessary expenses (food, rent, etc.) and rack-up every dollar you’ve spent in the past month. Knowing exactly what you’re spending your money on each month will make it easier for you to allocate funds for entertainment, clothing and savings.
11. Don’t fall into the trap of fast fashion: Stock up on all of your basics and invest in pieces you’ll wear more than a couple of times. Make fashion DIY websites like My Little Secrets or A Pair and a Spare your best friend.
12. Save money on your hydro bills: It may not save you much, but make sure to turn off lights in rooms when you’re not using them and to unplug electronics that aren’t in use. Watch your timing when you’re doing the laundry or running your dishwasher and make sure to only do them on off-peak electricity hours.
13. Do price comparisons: Especially if you’re shopping for big-ticket items like a new computer, vacuum, etc. You can use websites like CamelCamelCamel to find price drops on Amazon and PriceFinder.ca to find comparisons for electronics.
14. If something is broken, try fixing it yourself before paying someone else to do it: You’ll be surprised at how handy you actually are. My boyfriend recently broke the screen on his laptop and instead of paying $150 for someone just to take a look at it, he bought the replacement screen on Amazon and fixed it himself with a little help from YouTube. In total, it cost him $9 to fix his broken screen.
15. Be Wary of Factory and Outlet Stores: Although you think you’re getting a good deal, a lot of what is available in outlet & factory stores was made for those stores, so you’re not actually getting a good deal. Instead, sign-up for warehouse & sample sale lists, like ours, to shop your favourite brands at real discounts!
16. Try to limit how much you spend on gas, taxis and Ubers: With just a touch of a button, it’s easy to call a car to come pick you up and not realize how much it’s costing you. With flat fee’s starting at $4 in Toronto, cabs and Ubers can get expensive. If the weather permits, walk or ride a bike. You make get to your destination slower, but you’ll get exercise and save money. You can also get almost anywhere on the TTC, but do the math before committing to a TTC pass to see if it’s actually worth it.
17. But if you’re going to Uber…: Know that you always get your first ride for free! Find a friend that already uses Uber and ask them to give you their promo code. You’ll get up to $20 for free and they’ll get a $20 ride for free too. Once you’ve started riding, recruit your other friends and every time someone uses your Uber code, you’ll get $20 credit!
18. Make your own cleaning supplies: It’s not a huge money saver, but it’s still something. Plus, it’s good for the environment! See a list of homemade cleaning supplies here.
19. Sell off any gift cards you aren’t using: Get cash for gift cards you’ll never use and buy gift cards at your favourite stores for cheap on websites like CardSwap.ca.
20. Take advantage of all the free events in your city: Websites like BlogTO and Inside Toronto are a great resource for finding fun, free and family-friendly events in Toronto.
Image: Instagram/@celebratetoronto
21. If possible, consolidate your debt: Paying interest is like throwing money away. Look into consolidating your debt, so that you aren’t paying multiple interest rates across the board. You will thank yourself after seeing how much money you save on interest costs and paying your debt will be way less stressful.
22. Get rid of any services & memberships you don’t need or use: Take a look at your internet, phone and cable bills. Are there certain television channels you don’t need? Do you need cable at all? Are you still paying for a home phone when you only use your cellphone? Also, cancel any store memberships (like Costco) or gym memberships that you don’t use.
23. Get the Wifi password: We’re constantly on our emails, Instagram and Facebook, and it’s driving our cell phone bills way up! You can get free wifi almost anywhere now (restaurants, libraries, even the subway!), so there’s no reason you shouldn’t be using it instead of going over your data plan.
24. Create an email specifically for store newsletters & updates: Don’t check it often, as you might be tempted to go shopping, but stores will often send people on their email lists special discounts or promotions for when you do need to shop!
25. Don’t throw your food away: If you’re buying too many groceries and constantly throwing part of them away, it may be the time to rethink your grocery list. Before heading to the grocery store write down all products that you need for your meals and stick to your list.
Do you have any other tips or ways to save money? Share them with us below!
Posts you might be interested in:
Saving Money Tips: How to Stop Impulse Buying During the Holiday Season
35 Money-Saving Websites You Need to Know
10 Things Every Dollarama Shopper Needs to Know
MINISO, Dollarama Competitor From China, is Set to Open in Toronto
6 Money Hacks That’ll Help You Save More
Winter is upon us and that means it’s time to show your skin some love, including your lips. If you find that your lips are constantly peeling, you have trouble applying lipstick evenly or your lips just feel chapped in general, a lip scrub is the simplest solution! You can pick up a fancy lip scrub from your local drugstore or you can save the cash and make a delicious scrub with natural ingredients you already have in your home. We’ve rounded up 10 yummy scrubs that are sure to get you soft and kissable lips – just don’t go scrub crazy! Too much of a good thing is never good and scrubbing too much can irritate your lips.
1. Brown Sugar and Vanilla Lip Scrub
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2. Olive Oil & Cinnamon Plumping Lip Scrub
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3. Lemon & Honey Lip Scrub
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4. Rosemary & Peppermint Lip Scrub
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5. Vanilla Cranberry Lip Scrub
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6. Chocolate Sugar Lip Scrub
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7. Bubblegum Lip Scrub
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8. Pumpkin Spice Lip Scrub
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9. French Toast Lip Scrub
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10. Raspberry Lip Scrub
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Do you have a DIY Lip Scrub Recipe you like to use? Share it with us below!
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Dollarama can be a wonderful place for saving money – that is if you know how to shop the store correctly. Believe or not even though prices are almost always exclusively under $5.00 you can end up wasting money if you don’t have a plan. If you play your cards right and with a little inside knowledge, a trip to Dollarama can end up being a total score.
1. Bring a List
This is a major key to surviving your Dollarama shopping trip. There are so many shiny cheap things to buy that it’s easy to get carried away. Even though you might be thinking “Hey it’s just one dollar,” and keep grabbing things you don’t need it will add up quickly. Using a list can help you stick to your budget and make sure that you aren’t buying those items you really don’t need.
2. Buy Household Cleaning Products
Easily one of the best things to buy at Dollarama are household products. Sponges, tea towels, dish soap, detergent, cleaning supplies are all great buys. While some people suggest that Dollarama cleaning products are diluted, we’ve tried them out a bunch of times and it seems to be practically the same. Definitely worth it if you’re saving up to $3 per item.
3. Surprisingly, Kitchen Stuff is great at Dollarama
Spatulas, mixing bowls, colanders are all great finds at Dollarama. Believe it or not, the spice section is also fairly acceptable. Coarse seas salt, pepper grinders are all great deals at Dollarama.
4. Certain Food – Buy, Certain Food – Avoid!
If you are buying food at Dollarama there are definitely things you should buy, and big things you should avoid. Snacks like candy, chips, and chocolate are definitely a big win. If you are looking to buy Halloween candy we think it’s a good idea. The kids won’t know that it was you handing out the CaraMulk, Mr. Large, or Kit Kart candy bars… The food to avoid – Canned meat. Just avoid it.
5. If The Deal is Too Good, Examine it Closely
Sometimes, the deal is just too good. Often if something is heavily discounted there is a reason. Make sure if you are getting a steal you take a second and think why. Maybe it’s cleaning products that were put in a now defunct packaging system (like electric spray bottles), or maybe it’s because the t-shirts that are marked size Large really fit an XS. Pay attention it can save you money.
6. Do Not Buy Medication or Supplements
Listen, when it comes to your health, saving money shouldn’t’ be your number one concerns. There have been reports that vitamins and Tylenol have been seen with dates that will expire shortly. Be careful and read labels.
7. Do Not Buy Electronic Products
Just don’t do it. It almost never works out. The only electronics we would suggest you buy if any are cheap headphones (if you forget yours, and you just need some) and flashlights.
8. If you have to plan a Birthday Party, Dollarama is a Major Win!
Why waste your money on expensive birthday supplies? Especially when you will throw 90% of the balloons, streamers, and confetti out once the party is over. Dollarama has almost everything you need to spice up a party and you can easily shave hundreds of dollars off your party budget.
9. Shop Early For Seasonal Product
Easily one of the best things you can buy at Dollarama are decorations and seasonal goods. However, the key to getting your hands on seasonal goods is shop early. The selection for Christmas decoration on December 22nd are hilariously sad…
10. Not Everything is a Great Deal
While cleaning household products are a great deal, there are things like school supplies which you can find at Walmart for cheaper (with brand names as well). The one golden rule is that just because it’s at a Dollarama doesn’t make it a good deal.
Posts you might be interested in:
You Will Be Able to Shop Dollarama Online Within the Year
Chinese Dollarama Competitor MINISO Vows To Open 500 Canadian Stores
10 Things You Should Always Buy at Dollarama
12 Amazing Gift Ideas for Parents
10 Great Gift Ideas for Your Significant Other