You’re unemployed and broke – do you really have $25 for your Lancôme Mascara? $60 on a haircut? Me either.

As an unemployed woman – who to be honest, is using her makeup a lot less anyways – I still like having my girly stuff.

Well here are some tips I’ve utilized to cut the costs on my “girly stuff.”

Make up & Skin Care

Beauty Ticket – They have Makeup, Skin Care, Bath & Body and Fragrance. Brands include Bliss, Borghese, Bourjois, Paula Dorf, Pixi, Smashbox, Stila, Too Faced, Vincent Longo & Yves Saint Laurent.

They often have discounts between 10-25%, which they list on their website. You can also sign up for their newsletter or twitter to get the codes.

I’ve purchased from them – they’re based in Los Angeles and ship quickly.

Sephora also has a sale section.

E.L.F (Eyes Lips Face) – Almost all their cosmetics are $1.00. You can find discount codes on Retail Me Not.

Another great place to get shampoo, body wash and related products is Big Lots. Yes, the place formerly known as Pic N Save.

I found the shampoo I use,  Herbal Essences Drama Clean  for $2.00 at my local Big Lots. The same shampoo retails for $4.29 at CVS, $3.99 at Drugstore.com & Walgreens.

I’ve found the following brands at Big Lots (they vary per store though): L’Oreal, Revlon, E.L.F, Charles Worthington, Frizz Ease, Aussie, Arm & Hammer,

Find your nearest Big Lots using their Store Locator.

Another way I found to save on beauty and personal care products is to stop going to Target.

STOP GOING TO TARGET!

Even though I love Target, the prices on their shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics, etc is not competitive. They rarely if ever go on sale, and if they do they’re still usually higher than the drugstores. Also it is almost impossible to leave Target without spending $50. It’s a vortex of cute things that you don’t need. Just stay away.

I go to CVS now and spend way less. Sign up for their ExtraCare Rewards Program in store and you’ll get discounts, “Extra Bucks” on certain products and at the end of each quarter you get 2% of what you spent in store credit.

Before you stop into CVS for your L’Oreal moisturizers you might want to swing by a TJ Maxx. I’ve seen L’Oreal products at TJ Maxx for $4-10 that usually retail at other stores for $10-25.

Hair Care

I don’t have $50 plus tip to spend on a hair cut anymore. Unfortunately, I need a trim every few months or my split ends start to get split ends.

If you don’t have friend or family member that you can trust to cut your hair you can always go to your local beauty school.

Many of them offer haircuts for ridiculously low prices. Of course you’ll have to have a student working on you, but if it’s for a trim it can’t be that bad.

I went to my local beauty school here in California and got a haircut done by a senior student for $10 including a shampoo ($15 if you include the tip). She did a great job, although it took a bit more time than I expected – but I shouldn’t complain for $15!

If you’re adventurous and need to trim your bangs. Check out this video (links directly to the Youtube) from InStyle.com where famed hairdresser Ted Gibson shows you the proper way to trim them.

Sale sections of popular online stores and coupon codes

The Body Shop

Bath & Body Works – Coupon Codes

Walgreens

Drugstore.com

ULTA – Coupon Codes

Avon

All Cosmetics Wholesale

ASOS (UK & Europe)

Overstock

Sally Beauty – Coupon Codes

Kmart is offering a program that gives a 20% discount, for up to 6 months, to their unemployed customers on Kmart brand products including groceries and household necessities.

Enrollment requirements are a state issued identification card and  a state unemployment benefits confirmation.

Visit the Kmart Smart Assist website for more information and eligibility information.