Cosmetics have been around for centuries. The Egyptians used their natural resources to make cosmetics they needed. Things like scented oils and ointments were made to mask body odor or protect their skin from the sun. And since then, cosmetics and makeup have become more of an obsession than a necessity.

The US cosmetics industry generated $61 billion in revenue in 2015, up from $59 billion in 2014, and that number is expected to rise. (Americans spend less on clothing.) Much of the growth can be attributed to the proliferation of beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta. These stores offer consumers a particular in-store experience that they can’t get in drugstores or even high-end department stores: they can shop, test out, try out everything from eyeliner and nail polish to perfume and eye cream.

We don’t suggest you stop buying makeup altogether (if it makes you feel better and have more confidence, more power to you), but here some tips on how you can save on makeup.

Biggest waste: single-use products
The average consumer owns almost 40 makeup products but only uses and carries five of them daily. That means the average person owns eight times more makeup than they use. What a waste. Try to look for multipurpose products to get the most out of your money.

Women spend $1,780 on lipstick and $2,750 on blush in their lifetime. But why not use your lipstick as your blush? There are two ways to do this: Pick any color lipstick that you like and gently dab it on to your ring finger. Pat it on to your cheeks and blend in with your fingers but be sure to set it with a little powder so it doesn’t grease up. Or try the dual-purpose “So tiny lip and cheek face color” by Chosungah for $14 at Sephora.

Have you ever thought about using your mascara as eyeliner? It’s possible. Sweep an eyeliner brush along the mascara wand and brush the product on to where you want your liner.

Biggest waste: expensive skincare products
Skincare is a $121 billion global industry. Skincare includes everything from face wash, to primers to moisturizers. While it’s understandable to want to splurge on skincare – it’s your face, after all – there are still some ways you can cut costs.

You may have been skeptical about the the pricey face primer you bought for $30 – will it really make a difference? The answer is yes, it will. But do you really need that $30 primer to make the magic happen? No, you do not.

Don’t be fooled by the name but Monistat’s Chafing Powder Gel is a great primer for your face. It has the same three key ingredients that can be found in any expensive primer. It really works and you can find it for $7 to $10 depending on where you buy it. The product is originally made for a sensitive area so it’s safe to use on your face. But, if you’re hesitant to give it a shot, first test it on the skin behind your ear. This area is also super sensitive so if you do have a reaction it will be minor and hidden.

Next tip involves what you use to clean your face. Washing your face every night is important, and exfoliating once or twice a week is also an important step and lots of people use face scrubs with microbeads. Not only can these products be harsh on your skin but they can also be damaging to the environment. There’s a way to naturally exfoliate your skin using stuff you probably already have in your kitchen. All you need are two teaspoons of honey, milk, oatmeal and half a lemon. Mix it together and use it just as you would your normal face scrub.

Each of the ingredients have a specific purpose and can be very beneficial for your skin.

Biggest waste: expensive nail polish
The average price for a bottle of a brand-name polish like Essie and O.P.I. ranges from $8 to $15. And out of the high-end nail polish brands, these are actually the most inexpensive.

If you’re loyal to your Essie and O.P.I. brand, try checking local hair salons where other beauty products are sold. Sometimes they sell brand-name polishes for the wholesale price of around $4-$6. If you have no luck there, try Amazon where you can buy your favorite brand in bulk and for a lot less.

Believe it or not, you don’t need to have your own factory to make your own polish. If you have loose powdered eye shadows that you never use or broken eye shadows that you don’t want to throw out, just turn them into a nail polish. All you need to do is take any inexpensive brand of clear nail polish and mix it with your eye shadow. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is a great choice. You can find it for $3 to $5 and it has a great formula that will mix well with eye shadow. It can get a little messy so be careful, but you can customize your colors for half the price of a bottle of O.P.I.

Last, if you accidentally left your new nail polish bottle slightly opened, chances are it dried up. Instead of buying a new one, use your nail polish remover to bring it back to life: Put in five to 10 drops and shake well. Your nail polish should be good as new.

As a makeup lover myself, I know it can be hard to let go of your favorite – and most expensive – makeup habits. But, give it a shot and fill us in on how you’re able to save some money on makeup.

Read more

You have no more excuses not to save – how to start now

Your daily coffee habit is costing you in more ways than you know

Add to your travel fund with these money-saving tips