Makeup Bargains - Have a Makeup Swap Party

Any of you who know me, know that I love a bargain and I love saving money. So finding ways to havebeautiful, frugal makeup is a topic that endlessly interests me.

Other blog articles have given you tips on finding bargain makeup and discount makeup. This article has other ideas for saving money on makeup.

Twice a year, a bunch of my friends get together and hold a clothes swap party. Sometimes we bring accessories, but mostly it's focused on clothing, friendship, giggling, clearing out our closets, and getting new clothes too.

At the end, leftover clothing is donated to a local women's shelter.

You can do something similar with unwanted makeup.

What do you do when you have a bunch of makeup that you isn't working for you? You can't donate it to a charity like you could clothing.

So what do you need for a makeup swap party?

Lots of mirrors. You could have everyone bring one in addition to their unwanted makeup. A big table. Everyone comes in with the makeup they don't want and can leave with a new makeup wardrobe.

The #1 issue with a makeup swap party is keeping everything sanitary so that you're not swapping more than makeup back and forth!

Here are some makeup swap tips:

If part of the festivities involves giving each other makeovers, each person playing makeup artist should wash their hands first.

Have the following supplies available or ask people to bring them:

*makeup remover
*cotton swabs
* hand disinfectant
* cotton balls or cosmetic applicator sponges that are disposable
* tissue paper
*eyeshadow disposable applicators if you can get them
* makeup brushes (have everyone bring their own), along with brush cleaner
* cosmetics pencil sharpeners for small and thick pencils

Here are specific tips on mascara, eyeshadow, blusher, eyeliner, foundation, and more.

Mascara is not a good item to swap. In fact, you should discard your mascara every 4 months. Not only does it dry out, but you can easily transfer germs by sharing a mascara brush with someone. If you don't like your mascara, throw it out!

Powder or Cream Eyeshadow can be swapped but to keep it sanitary, buff off the first layer of shadow with a clean piece of cloth or a piece of tissue.

If you can find disposable applicators, once it's been sanitized by wiping it off, you won't have to do it again for the rest of the party.

Liquid Eyeliner is just like mascara. Toss it! This is not an item you want to share with others.

Cake Foundation or Compact Powder buff off the first layer and feel free to pass it on.

Eyepencils and Lip Pencils can be sharpened to a brand new tip and then used. Just make sure you sharpen the Eye Pencil or Lip Pencil all the way down so that the new person is using a brand new tip.

Lipsticks you can wipe off with a soft cloth or tissue paper.

Fragrances and Perfumes are easy to swap. But the same perfume can smell different from one person to another, so be sure to try it out.

All cosmetics have a shelf life. So if the swap item is really old, or smells funny, just toss it.

I'd love to hear your makeup swap tips or hear about yourmakeup swap parties.