Buying Cheap MAC Cosmetics

I love MAC Cosmetics, as I'm sure some of you realized by my in-depth hub on their various eyeshadow finishes. MAC produces high-quality makeup in tons of colors, textures and finishes. However, it's hard to love the price of their makeup. At $14 an eyeshadow, you can consider their products a small investment. Over time though I've realized there are plenty of ways to save money on the same MAC makeup you can buy in the stores. Here are a few ways to save a few bucks.

Sign up for the MAC mailing list. If you visit the MAC official website, you can find a place to enter your email address. Once a week or so, you'll get a newsletter from MAC which gives you information on new collections coming out. Occasionally you'll get coupon codes too. I've seen coupon codes offering anything from free shipping to 30% off your entire order!

Sign up for a MAC Pro account. Now unfortunately this is only open to professional makeup artists, stylists and photographers, but if you fit one of those categories you can get a MAC Pro card. Not only does this give you discounts on products, but you'll have access to the MAC Pro website, where you can buy products that the general public can't. You need to be approved by MAC for the Pro card and it has an annual fee of $35 a year, but you'll easily surpass that in savings.

Check eBay. Buying MAC on eBay can be a little scary since there are so many fakes out there. However, you can also scoop up some pretty good deals. Just do your research before you bid and you'll be fine. Not long ago I bought 3 MAC eyeshadows on eBay for $10! 

Network with MAC professionals. If you're good to the people at your local MAC store or counter, they'll be good to you. Last year at my local MAC counter the artist there was teaching me how to apply gel eyeliner.

He made a deal with me: if I bought the eyeliner from him, practiced at home and then came back and showed him my improved technique, he'd give me a free eyeliner brush. That's a $30 brush for nothing! Obviously I took on this challenge, improved my skills and got the free brush.