Garage sales, the Good Will and outlet stores can make some of us turn our noses up. The thought of fishing through bins of merchandise that hasn’t been displayed in the ornate displays that you find at department stores raises eyebrows in doubt.

I almost hate to share this secret as I like to keep honey spots unspoiled. However, I get most of my favorite products from stores like these and I pay a fraction of the price most pay in salons, department stores and even well stocked chain retailers. Before you snub The Dollar Tree, check out their offerings. I found a plethora of e.l.f. lipsticks, Sally Hansen nail polish and other beauty offerings that you might overlook like Crest toothpaste. The retail chain is also accepting manufacturers coupons now for even deeper discounts!

I should note that you can find better bargains out there for select products. In my area, the store always has VO5 products in stock as well as Barbasol products for a buck. This is no deal when I can walk to the Walmart next door and buy it for 88 cents!

My favorite stop for higher end beauty products is Marshalls or TJ Maxx. All their loot is at least 50% off and you can find names like Peter Thomas Roth, Juice Beauty, Davies Gate, and N.V. Perricone peeking at you from shelves. Their fragrance selection has also grown. It’s not just clothes and shoes. Flat irons with triple digit price tags are slashed in half. Hair brushes, designer perfumes and many other goodies are just waiting for you. One bragger even found 2 pack of OPI nail polish for $7.99!

Some are still hesitant about their prices and offerings because of some common misconceptions…

“Everything is damaged or just leftovers other stores couldn’t sell.”

Truth: Marshalls and TJ Maxx buy directly from 10,000 vendors in 60 countries. That means you are getting the exact same products sold at department stores.

“They sell only irregular or damaged merchandise.”

Truth: The stores demand that 95% of their goods are top quality (ie. perfect, no flaws) while only 5% is irregular–and if it is, it will be further discounted. When you come across goods that are opened/damaged/tested it is very likely done AFTER the product hit the floor thanks to customers trying it out before purchase. My kids are guilty of opening things before we get to the checkout lane or I never intended on purchasing. After a round of discipline, I have them tell a clerk and apologize. I practice what I preach and alert clerks when I accidentally damage products. Other people may not have the same value or idea and the result is open and damaged goods.Be cool everyone!