When striving for success, part of the formula is to walk through the door with a fresh, professional appearance each day. After all, career experts advise that you dress for the job you want – not the job you have. So that means stepping it up a notch, regardless of where you’re at in your career. In addition to sending the right message to your coworkers, customers – and most importantly, your boss – it also adds a confidence boost to your own attitude and work ethic. However, putting together an executive look on a budget can be a daunting task. But with these steals, you’ll be on your way to looking and feeling gorgeous in no time, without breaking the bank.

Tips for buying beauty on a budget

• Choose multitasking formulas. Products that are multifunctional can significantly stretch your dollar when it comes to creating a comprehensive beauty routine. Purchase multi-purpose products like a daily moisturizer with SPF, night cream with anti-aging benefits or conditioning lip balm.

• Look for long-lasting products. Not having to reapply your makeup throughout the day not only saves you precious time, but also extends the life of your products.

• Have a chat with a professional. A trial and error approach to beauty can drain your pocketbook fast. Sit down with a representative at your favorite makeup counter and let them try out different shades and formulas. Typically these consultations are free, so you don’t have to buy anything. Armed with this new advice, you’ll be prepared to make smart decisions the next time you’re ready to buy makeup – whether it’s online or at the drugstore.

• Embrace DIY beauty. If you have the extra time and enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, consider making your own beauty formulas – including lip balms, facial masks, body oils, salt scrubs, and hair and hand treatments. Check out 10 DIY Summer Treatments to Rejuvenate Skin from Head to Toe to get started.

• Know when to splurge and when to save. When it comes to your beauty routine, some formulas make more sense to splurge on – like high quality eye creams and night treatments that offer more of the active ingredients for better results. Other products – like basic cleansers and daily moisturizers – are often okay to spend less money on. Simply look for the brands that work well with your skin and deliver satisfactory results. For more, read Budget Beauty: Where to Spend Your Money.

• Be smart about sizes. While it’s sometimes tempting to buy in bulk, many cosmetics and skin care products carry an expiration date. Based on how long products last and how quickly you use them, be sure to buy the proper amount or you risk throwing money away when you have to toss unused, expired product. For more on expiration dates, see A Comprehensive Guide to Expired Products.

Looking great each day at work depends on a comprehensive beauty routine. Whether you’re new to the office place and need to build beauty arsenal on a tight budget or you’re already an upper level executive and just happen to be a frugal fashionista, take advantage of these affordable, effective beauty finds.

1. Blemish bar. The cornerstone of any effective skin care routine is a good cleanser. Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Bar is an affordable option with hydrating soy and blemish-fighting ingredients to prevent and treat acne.

2. SPF daily moisturizer. Young or old, SPF is essential to defend skin against damage from the sun. Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer Light Tint brings broad-spectrum daily protection against UVA and UVB rays while an advanced blend of vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 formula nourish and repair existing damage. This non-irritating formula is fragrance-free and lightly tinted to even out skin tone so you can skip foundation.

3. Eye brightener. Every working woman experiences a sleepless night from time to time. To fake a good night’s sleep, arm your beauty routine with an eye-brightening product like Hanson Shadow Fade. This unique complex of vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts is blended with light-dispersing microcrystals to reduce shadows and caffeine-infused Brazilian guarana extract to brighten dark circles.

4. Long-lasting foundation. Don’t waste precious time touching up your makeup during the day. For full, long-lasting face coverage that won’t break the bank, reach for  CoverGirl Smoothers. This unique gel formula slides on effortlessly to bring 11 hours of continuous hydration and coverage for a beautiful, flawless face from nine to five.

5. Concealer. Even those lucky enough to have a flawless complexion need a bit of concealer from time to time. Conceal pimples, birthmarks and any other imperfection with Judith August Cosmetic Solutions. This long-lasting formula includes five easy-to-blend shades so you can create the perfect match. You can even use it to conceal a tattoo.

6. Quick oil eliminator. For a quick, easy way to rid your complexion of unwanted oil and shine, keep Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets accessible in your desk or purse.

7. Eye shadow options. Don’t get stuck using the same boring shades of eye shadow. Play up your eyes in a professionally appropriate way with Stila Eye for Color Eye Shadow Palette. From petal pink to burgundy and bronze, this color wheel boasts 13 gorgeous shades at an incredible value.

8. Highlighter. Add a subtle flush of color regardless of the weather outside. By blending the bronzer and matte blush in Physicians Formula Planet Blush you can create a beautiful glow that highlights your complexion without the harmful effects of the sun.

9. Healthy glow. For a more dramatic glow all year round, reach for Neutrogena Build a Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Lotion. This affordable UV alternative is easy to use, allowing you to gradually build an authentic-looking tan in just five minutes a day – minus the messy streaks.

10. Lip color that lasts. The hard-working woman needs a lip color that lasts. Smooth on CoverGirl Outlast Double, and your pucker will maintain gorgeous and kissable all day long.

11. Multitasking lip balm. When you’re busy at the office, your products should be as skilled at multitasking as you are. Supergoop AcaiFusion SPF 30 Lip Balm - Sheer Pink provides intense hydration, SPF 30, repairing ingredients, and, best of all, it leaves behind a subtle, sexy shade of sheer pink that’s perfectly office-appropriate.

12. All-day mascara. Humidity, oil or rubbing those tired eyes can all trigger your mascara to run before the day is done. Apply bareMinerals Flawless Defintion Waterproof Mascara for a lash color that lasts all day long. This affordable, natural and smudge-free formula nourishes and conditions for healthier, enhanced lashes that are stronger and look better than ever.

13. Dry shampoo. Whether you’re running late in the morning or need to freshen up your tresses toward the end of the day, Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray is an affordable option for ensuring locks that look great at work. In addition to absorbing excess oil, this formula also helps to add texture and reshape your style.

14. Roots. Although colored hair can be a hassle to keep up, don’t let your roots prevent you from achieving a professional look. Oscar Blandi Pronto Colore Pen Neutral Brown is a quick, simple fix for roots. You can find this color-corrector pen in any shade.

15. Smoothing spray. To tame curly hair, relax frizz or add a sleek shine to straight tresses, Nexxus Sleek Memory Straightening Smoothing Spray is the ideal solution for finishing off your style. Formulated with the patented NexxuSphere® time-release technology, your locks will be infused with an innovative blend of nutrients, antioxidants and UV protectors for healthier, more attractive hair when you walk out the door.

There’s no reason that a professional, fresh appearance should cost a fortune. With these fabulous, affordable formulas, you’ll walk into work with an attractive, confident look that complements an already outstanding work ethic.

Learn everything you need to know about workplace beauty and skincare for a professional lifestyle in our Office Beauty Handbook.