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Chicago's Best Discount Beauty Supply Stores

By Amanda Look

Today's enlightened city gal knows there's just no reason to agree to pay $45 for a bottle of designer shampoo. And why would she when she knows there's an abundance of discount beauty supply stores sprinkled all over Chicago? If you're tired of paying $10 for your favorite color of OPI nail polish, I'm with you. Check out where to find the best beauty bargains, right outside your door!

2/28 Shopping & Style Make Up Brushes
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Sally Beauty Supply is the "Top Dog" in the discount beauty products world – and just about everyone has heard of it. But do you know that there's a Sally in practically every neighborhood in the city? With nine locations scattered across the city, and new stores popping up all the time, it's still the trusty, go-to discount shop. With makeup, hair care, and skin products, you're sure to find what you're looking for, and for a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere. So if you've run out of bobby pins and find yourself on your lunch break, hit up their location in the loop – your wallet can thank you later.

2/28 Shopping & Style Nail Polish
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Lynamy Nail & Beauty Supply is the place to go if you're in the market for quality nail polish, without the designer price tag. Located in Uptown, Lynamy has an almost overwhelming amount of nail polishes lining its walls. The normally $10 OPI or Essie is sold for $4.75 each! If you're the kind of gal who takes a do-it-yourself approach to your mani's, this is your paradise!

2/28 Shopping & Style Fake Eyelashes
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While you may or may not be in the market for a wig, Heads & Threads Boutique is absolutely the place to have a little tryin'-on-wigs-with-my-friends-on-Friday fun! While wigs are clearly their top seller (and extremely reasonably priced, I might add) this Wicker Park boutique also has more fake eyelashes than you probably care to even see, jewelry, and discounted make-up products.

2/28 Shopping & Style Make Up Products
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Nordstrom Rack isn't the first place people think of when they're on the hunt for discounted beauty products but let me tell you – boy, can the Rack deliver! I'm always impressed with their deep discounts on hair products in particular. They sell lines like Biosilk, Pureology, Big Sexy Hair, and Redken for much less than you'd pay at your salon. Visit their State/ Washington or Chicago/Rush location. Once you go Rack you'll never go back!

2/28 Shopping & Style Foundation
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Ulta Cosmetics & Salon, located in Lakeview, carries many of the products Sephora does, but at reduced prices. Find your favorite makeup lines like Bare Minerals, Bliss, and Benefit Cosmetics, or Dermalogica, Bare Escentuals, and Philosophy for your skincare. The sales can be hit or miss, but it's always worth the trip.

Amanda Look lives in Chicago and works for an academic association doing event coordination. She is a lover of all things Chicago and blogs about the city's shopping and nightlife.
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