Sarah Niebrugge | 

12 Little-Known Ways to Save on High-End Department Store Makeup

The Krazy Coupon Lady is an ad-supported service. Many offers on our site contain affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using them. Some posts are sponsored by the maker of the product, and we receive a fee for the post. See our full advertiser disclosure.

Where do you buy your beauty products?

Find great prices on high-end makeup from stores like Macy’s, JCPenney and Dillard’s when you pay attention to their promotions and sales.

 

1. Watch for Macy’s 10 Days of Glam sale.

Watch for Macy's 10 Days of Glam sale.

Mark your calendars for Macy’s 10 Days of Glam sale twice a year in June and October. Save 50% on makeup, brushes and perfumes.

This past October we saw deals for 50% off items like Tarte palettes, Too Faced mascara and Benefit products.

Shop all Macy’s deals here.

 

2. Get multiple gifts with purchases at stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s and Nordstrom.

Get gifts with purchases at stores like Macy's, Dillard's and Nordstrom.

Department stores constantly have free gift promotions that can make them a better place to shop than stores like Sephora. The best part is, your gifts will stack and you can end up with up to three rewards!

Recently we saw an offer for a free six-piece gift set worth up to $123.00 at Macy’s with a Lancome purchase of $37.50. There was also a full-size skin cleanser with a Lancome purchase of $125. If you spent over $125.00, you’d get both gifts!

 

3. Get free makeup and perfume samples at stores like Nordstrom or Dillard’s.

Get free makeup and perfume samples at stores like Nordstrom or Dillards.

If you’re not sure about a product, ask the salesperson if you can get a sample. They’re more than likely going to say yes.

This can also work with perfumes! Nordstrom associates will sometimes make you small perfume samples if you ask.

 

4. Return six empty Mac containers and get a free lipstick.

Return 6 empty Mac containers and get a free lipstick.

All you have to do is bring in your six empty Mac containers to any Mac counter, which you can find in stores like Macy’s, and you’ll get a free Mac lipstick!

 

RELATED: 4 Quick & Easy Tips to Score Free MAC Makeup

 

5. Save up to 15% on gift cards from Gift Card Granny or Raise to use on your cosmetics purchase.

Save up to 15% on gift cards from Gift Card Granny or Raise to use on your cosmetics purchase.

Gift Card Granny and Raise sell gift cards at discounted rates and currently have Dillard’s gift cards for up to 15% off their regular price. For instance, get a gift card valued at $25 for only $21.11.

Buy these department store gift cards and use them at the makeup counters to get easy savings.

 

 

6. Get free shipping from Macy’s when you spend $49 plus a beauty item.

Get free shipping from Macy's when you order a beauty item.

Unless you have a Macy’s card, to get free shipping you have to spend over $75.00. If you make a beauty purchase — of any price — you only have to spend $49.00 before the beauty purchase.

Don’t need to spend $49.00? You can also pick up in store for free.

 

7. Get free makeovers and skincare lessons at Macy’s.

Get free makeovers and skincare lessons at Macy's.

Almost all the makeup counters at Macy’s offer a few different makeup lessons or skin consultations for free. Find your perfect foundation or learn how to do your eyebrows, and only pay for the products you decide to buy. Macy’s beauty counters that offer complimentary services include:

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills
  • Bobby Brown
  • Chanel
  • Clarins
  • Clinique
  • Dior
  • Elizabeth Arden
  • Estée Lauder
  • Impulse Beauty
  • Kiehl’s
  • Lancome
  • Mac (some aren’t complimentary)
  • Mario Badescu Skin Care
  • Nars
  • Nudestix
  • Origins
  • Philosophy
  • Shiseido
  • Sk-II
  • StriVectin

You can also find free beauty services at Nordstrom and Dillard’s.

 

8. Download the Krazy Coupon Lady app and follow your favorite department stores for deals.

Download the Krazy Coupon Lady app and follow your favorite department stores for deals.

When you download the free Krazy Coupon Lady app, you can set your favorite stores. Your app home page will be filled with deals from the stores you select, so you won’t miss out on anything!

 

9. Shop at Macy’s during their Friends & Family sale to save 15% on beauty.

Shop at Macy's during their Friends & Family sale to save 15% off beauty.

Macy’s Friends & Family sale happens in April-May and December. Use a promo code to get 15% off select regular-priced, sale-priced and clearance beauty items.

 

10. Shop at Nordstrom Rack to save up to 75% on high-end makeup.

Shop at Nordstrom Rack for great deals on high-end makeup.

You can find some great deals at Nordstrom Rack on more than just clothes and shoes.

I recently found a Laura Mercier Illuminating Powder Quad for just $14.00 that retails for $40.00. That’s a 65% savings!

 

11. Always compare department-store deals and prices with Ulta and Sephora.

Always compare department-store deals and prices with Ulta and Sephora.

You CAN find better deals by brand at department stores, but not always.

Recently, Macy’s ran a sale for Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation for $27.30, but if you got it at Ulta, you would pay full price ($39.00). On the flip side, the Tarte PRO Glow & Blush Cheek palette was on sale at Ulta for just $27.00. Full price at Macy’s? $45.00!

 

12. Don’t let employees sway your purchase.

Don't let employees sway your purchase.

Most of these stores pay their beauty employees on commission, so they’re going to try to up-sell you. Keep an open mind, but think about your purchase before you make it, and know what you want before you start your shopping trip.

If you’re not all in at the department store, at least ask for a free sample, then price compare at other stores!

 

UP NEXT: 4 Quick & Easy Tips to Score Free MAC Makeup