When you’re a student—and especially when you're in college—every penny counts.
Thankfully, a growing number of brands offer discounts specifically for students. Plus, there's been a steady increase of platforms and apps popping up that curate these deals (think UNiDAYS and Student Beans)—and you can only reap the benefits with your .edu email address.
One of the most annoying things to buy in college is makeup. It's always more expensive than you think it's going to be, and somehow you're always out of one thing or another (or, if you're like me, you've lost it in your car). Coupled with the low income of most college students, this can be a real drag.
Thankfully, there are a ton of makeup brands that offer student discounts, for those college students who live for makeup tutorials (like this one from Her Majesty Rihanna), but don’t have a ton of extra spending money.
These 11 brands keep their college clientele happy by offering major student discounts, and even bigger discounts if you happen to be going to school specifically for makeup artistry (you can save big).
Before we dive into the brands, there are a few things you should do first, if you haven't already.
Are you a MAC girl? MAC is known for their beautiful, designer brand worthy makeup, but sometimes it’s a little too pricey for the average student. Enter: UNiDAYS.
UNiDAYS members get 10% off all MAC products. Now you can grab that gorgeous Passion Fruit eyeshadow that goes perfectly with your new weekend outfit.
MAC also offers regular promo codes and deals on their website, and you can find MAC promo codes for up to 15% off here.
Sigma Beauty has a really great discount for students, but only if you are a cosmetology, esthiology, or makeup artistry program student.
If that sounds like you, you can join the Sigma PRO club and enjoy a 20% off discount. You'll just have to submit proof that you are currently enrolled in a program that requires more that 80 hours of instruction, or a course completion certificate or diploma from the last 6 months.
Urban Decay is another one that saves you 10% if you sign up with UNiDAYS, however this one's only available in the UK. If you're across the pond, UD offers 10% off to those with an account.
If you're a makeup artist or going to school for makeup artistry in the US, however, there's another option for you. UD Pro is a membership program for industry peeps, and you can join here. If accepted, you'll get 40% off your UD purchases, up to $2,000 each year!
If you're a regular makeup lover, but aren't going to school for it, you can sign up as a UD Beauty Junkie and earn rewards that can equal discounts for you. Finally, you can use this code get $10 off your purchase of $30 or more.
Too Faced is another leading affordable makeup brand, offering a ton of Paraben-free and Gluten-free products.
Too Faced is on UNiDAYS as well, and members can get 10% off their purchase with a UNiDAYS-generated code.
Too Faced has a full list of all of their current promotions here, and you can also check here for a ton of 20% off promo codes for Too Faced.
Right now, NYX only offers student discounts for makeup professionals. So, if you’re studying away in beauty school, you’ll save 30% off on most NYX products.
Something you might be able to try is shopping at ASOS—they carry NYX products, and have a 10% off discount on UNiDAYS. Or, you could use one of these 20% off promo codes for NYX.
BH Cosmetics is yet another brand that offers student discounts through UNiDAYS. With your account, you’ll receive 10% off all your favorite lipsticks, face powders, eyeliners, and more.
Be on the lookout — they say they're launching a rewards program soon, too.
If your UNiDAYS code isn't working, there are about 200 other 10% off codes here.
Love having Bobbi Brown in your makeup bag? If you join Bobbi Pro as a cosmetology student, you’ll get a whopping 40% student discount to use anywhere on the site.
If you're not a cosmetology student, you can still get 15% off by signing up for the Bobbi Brown email newsletter, and there are plenty of other promo codes, too. Bobbi Brown is also sold at plenty of other stores, like Sephora, which often have their own promo codes available—so be sure to check there, too
Lime Crime is moving their way up the makeup industry ladder with their vegan and cruelty-free products and daring styles. With UNiDAYS, you can get 15% off of all Lime Crime products!
You can also check Lime Crime's own promotions and coupons page, or use a $5 off promo code here.
Make Up For Ever has been making people feel pretty and confident since 1984. And if you're a beauty school student, you'll be able to secure a 40% off discount from Make Up For Ever if the program you’re in requires 120 hours of makeup courses.
Make Up For Ever doesn't have too many other discounts, however you can find the promo codes they do have here.
Cover FX is another brand that offers 40% to students enrolled in a beauty program. However, their pool is a little wider than most. You can also qualify for 30% off if you’re a performer, photographer, aesthetician, cosmetologist, hair stylist, fashion stylist, nail tech, costume designer, or a model.
At this point, Clinique is a time-honored classic in the makeup world. Through UNiDAYS, Clinique offers 15% for all students enrolled in classes.
Clinique offers plumping mascara, ultra cute eye shadows, and everything else you need to complete your college makeup bag.
If you’re a student, there's no question that the savings are out there for you. If you’re a beauty school student, however, you're able to save even more! No matter what classes you’re enrolled in, these makeup brands allow you to reap the benefits of being a studious makeup fanatic.
