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A Bounty of Beauty Bargains and Deals Awaits at Your Local Warehouse Retailer
Supersized soaps from Molton Brown? Bargain eye kits from Stila? Beauty standards bigger than your head from Bliss to Kiehl’s, Cetaphil to Olay? Is this heaven? No, it’s Costco. Next time you’re in the warehouse stocking up on TP and trail mix be sure to visit the beauty department, where the selection is bound to surprise and delight. Here are a few standouts and some pointers for shopping wisely.
Kirkland Signature We know that our readers take beauty seriously and might balk at the thought of a store brand. Not so fast. Costco’s private label means bargains on a vast selection of Borghese beauty products, including moisturizer, concealer, foundation and mineral makeup. These co-branded items are an obvious value, but don’t overlook something just because you don’t see a known brand name alongside Kirkland Signature; the Moisturizing Sulfate Free Shampoo is a shoo-in for Pureology.
Prestige Brands: On different visits we have spotted products from Bliss, Kiehl’s, Shisedo, Frédéric Fekkai and Kinerase, among others. It’s important to remember that Costco negotiates very aggressive deals with these brands; sometimes they are long-term arrangements, sometimes they are one-offs. If you see a fabulous deal then go for it, because there’s no guarantee that you’ll ever see it again.
Drugstore Brands: Bargains on brands like ROC, Cetaphil, Sebamed, AmLactin, Aveeno, Eucerin and Cover Girl abound. Costco also has great prices on personal care staples like cotton swabs and pads, tooth whitening kits, bath gel and vitamins.
A Few Considerations: Remember that it’s only a good deal if it’s something that you actually need. Sometimes the high of bargain shopping can send impulse control out the window. Megasized beauty products might lose their potency or begin to separate before you even make a dent if used infrequently. Makeup lovers who get a thrill from trying every new mascara that hits the market might find two out of three tubes from a multipack of Cover Girl Lash Blast littering the bottom of a bathroom drawer. Be honest with yourself about how you shop and how you use products.
Shoppers armed with a smartphone can easily run online price checks to determine a deal’s hotness. Holiday season at Costco is like… well, it’s like Christmas! The inventory typically includes specially packaged gift sets and makeup palettes along with discounted SpaFinder gift certificates. Two years ago I scored a CHI 1″ flat iron at Costco for $60. When my friend went to get one for herself a few weeks later they were sold out.
Because so many beauty deals at Costco are multipacks, find yourself some partners in crime. Text friends or sisters when you spot something they might want to split with you. Be sure to check Costco.com often, as inventory may be different than your local warehouse. This week, we are seeing crazy online prices for Sebastian Drench Shampoo and Potion 9, prenatal skincare from Belli and Susan Brown’s Baby, Stri-Vectin, Skinmedica, and Chanel Sublimage Eye Cream for $60 below retail!
One of the best things about Costco is the warehouse’s return policy. “We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund.” Returns at Costco are hassle-free and convenient. On the fence about that Kirkland Signature shampoo? You’ve got nothing to lose, and you stand to whittle down your beauty budget without compromising quality.
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