If You're Not in San Diego, Please Don't Read This (You've Been Warned)

I try very hard to NOT post about regional deals here on the blog, because I want as many readers as possible to have a shot at scoring beauty products at a reduced price. BUT, every once in a while, a deal comes around that's so good, I have to shout it from the rooftops.

If you are NOT in San Diego, you might not want to read this (unless you have a friend or relative who lives here that may be able to get these deals for you). You've been warned. Seriously. Don't torture yourself with this one...

OK, here goes:

Total retail price of this haul: $164

What I paid for this haul: $56.27

Keep reading for the scoop...

If you live in San Diego and haven't been to GTM, you're seriously missing out. I've blogged about the wonders of GTM in the past, but basically it's a discount store with two locations (one in Santee and one in Lemon Grove), and they often get overstock from Costco and other retailers. Their prices are very competitive, and they also have weekly deals and coupons on their website which you can use in-store, right from your smartphone.

Last week I stopped by the GTM in Lemon Grove, which I do quite often since I have relatives in that area, and I could not believe the abundance of beauty products from Costco and other retailers that were in stock. There's a glass display case near the front of the store where they keep higher-end cosmetics, skincare and fragrance, and they also have a few regular aisles in the store with drugstore cosmetics, haircare and skincare. 

I could write pages about the products I found last week for BELOW Costco prices and BELOW drugstore prices (lots of discontinued and limited edition makeup and nail polish from Maybelline, L'Oreal, Rimmel, Sinful Colors, Black Radiance, etc. etc. for between $1 and $3 each) but seriously, you just need to get over there and see it for yourself. They had a TON of Essie and OPI two-packs, lots of Jenna Hipp stuff from Costco, BlowPro full-size gift sets, St. Tropez self-tanner, Marc Jacobs Lola and so much more. I could have dropped several hundred dollars that day, but I restrained myself and only purchased the things I had already really been wanting:

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes 

Retail: $35. GTM price: $12.49. 

NOTE: this has been spotted very recently at Costco for $15.

Prada L'eau Ambree 2.7 oz.

Retail: $104. GTM price: $41.49

(This goes for between $50 and $80 on Amazon and various discount perfumers right now)

L'eau de Chloe Rollerball

Retail: $25. GTM price: $10.39

(This goes for $25 at Sephora)

But it gets better! Right now GTM has a coupon for 20% off any one non-sale item on their site HERE, which I promptly used toward the Prada perfume. After my 20% off coupon I paid $33.49 for that fragrance. Score!

So my grand total for all three items was $56.27 (full retail price: $164). 

I know that the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes set has received mixed reviews, but I figured for $12.49, it was definitely worth a shot considering that I've been so curious about it. And if you're a longtime reader of this blog, you know that L'eau de Chloe has been on my wishlist FOREVER. Seriously, I've wanted it for so long now, but I've been waiting for the perfect deal because I hate to pay full retail for fragrances if I can avoid it. When I saw these rollerballs for $10.49, I seriously started trembling. And I have been wanting Prada L'eau Ambree for years as well (basically since I first read Victoria of EauMG's review HERE). And to get it for $33? Score!

Tips about shopping at GTM: Just like with other discount retailers, you need to make sure that the products you're buying haven't already been opened or tested. This isn't such a big deal to me when it comes to fragrances in spray bottles, but for everything else I always try to examine everything very carefully before I purchase. Another tip is that if you see something that you really want, BUY IT IMMEDIATELY if you can. If you wait and go back another day, that item will be gone, I assure you. I've been burned too many times by indecision and I've learned my lesson the hard way. If you snooze, you lose when it comes to GTM. 

GTM also sells food items, clothing, shoes, handbags, furniture, kid's toys, tools, and lots of other goods. So be prepared to take some time and hunt around...you seriously never know what you may find, and every day is different when it comes to inventory.

If you live in San Diego and already shop at GTM, I would LOVE to hear about your recent finds! And if you don't live in San Diego but you read this post anyway, I'm sorry for the momentary torture!