Saving money with Sephora

Test drive

In a previous post, I talked about how to use up every last drop of your favourite (and expensive!) skin care or beauty products. Another way to save is to only invest in products you're sure you like. Sephora (and other retailers, like Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom) are making it easy to try before you buy. You're not going to buy a car before test driving, so why buy a serum or lotion before trying it? Trying before you buy makes even more sense if you have allergies or sensitivities. I only buy something if I finish two samples. If I'm willing to make the effort to go back for the second sample AND use it up, I must actually like the product. I used to buy after finishing a single sample and my under-sink cabinet is proof that I didn't love all those products.

Container arsenal

If you double sample all your products, you'll be going through a lot of those little sample containers. As a person trying to Make Cents, you're certainly not throwing those little guys away. What to do with this growing army of tiny, hinged containers? Here are a few photos of ways I use them, followed by a list of more ideas.

More ideas:

• Necklaces

• Bracelets

• Watercolors

• Extra buttons

• Spices for travel

• Last drops of products

• Planner stickers

Do you have other ways of using these? Message me, and I'll add to the list!