Splurge or Save? Your Need-To-Know Beauty Product Guide

BY: HOLLY BARTTER

A stroll through the beauty aisle often means a bombardment of brands and products, all at difference price points, and all promising they are the one. If you’ve found yourself leaving the shops a little bewildered as to which items are essential for your routine, then you’re in luck!

Read on for your fool-proof guide to balancing your beauty cabinet with your budget.

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SAVE: Face Cleanser

Thoroughly cleansing your face is the basis of a good skincare system, and you want to feel free to use enough product to remove makeup, dead skin and oil build up. If you think about it, your cleanser is only in contact with your skin for a few minutes twice a day, so give expensive face wash a miss and choose an affordable, gentle cleanser and stock up.

BWA Loves: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 1L RRP $19

SPLURGE: Serum

A serum packed with antioxidants, protective natural oils and skin soothing ingredients is the perfect final step to your regimen. A well formulated serum can be applied before sunscreen both day and night and is definitely worth the extra dollars.

BWA Loves: Sunday Riley Artemis Lipid Serum RRP $105.00

SAVE: Body Lotion

Post-shower, a generous swipe of soothing body moisturiser is essential, and committing to a daily application means your skin will always be prepped and ready to bare. Find a light, fragrance-free variety that comes in large bottles for easy access and no irritation.

BWA Loves: Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturising Lotion RRP $11.99

SPLURGE: Chemical Exfoliant

Be it an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid), a chemical exfoliant will perfect the appearance of your skin with minimal effort. Ensure you get the best possible result by investing in a refined, pH balanced product that works.

BWA Loves: Malin + Goetz Glycolic Acid Face Pads RRP $70.00

SAVE: Lipstick

With some amazing drugstore options on the market, there’s no need to spend big in order to find smooth, pigmented lip colour. By sticking to more economical lipsticks, you’re free to change up your lip shade more often – and who doesn’t love more choice?

BWA Loves: Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipcolour RRP $16.95

SPLURGE: Foundation

It can be resting on your skin for several hours at a time, so find a foundation that seamlessly matches your skin tone and doesn’t feel heavy. Brands are now finding ways to fill formulas with even more skin-beneficial ingredients. Finding your perfect coverage will save you both time and money in the long run, so get swatching!

BWA Loves: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Defining Liquid Makeup RRP $60.00

SAVE: Mascara

Considering you’re meant to throw out your mascara after 3 months use, we recommend looking at a lower price point mascara so you never feel guilty about rotating your collection. Like lipstick, there are dozens of options for length, volumising and hold, so you can truly customise.

BWA Loves: Bourjois Volume Glamour Mascara RRP $20.00

SPLURGE: Contour

The best contour is one that is undetectable, and higher end brands often mix their contour shades with more finesse, resulting in realistic skin tones. A cream formula will further blend the product with your skin for awe-inspiring cheekbones.

BWA Loves: NARS Contour Blush Duo RRP $62.00

 

By mastering the art of skilful beauty buying, you’ll get more for your dollar and look good doing it.

What is the one item you always splurge on? Let us know in the comments!

 

RELATED – Wardrobe 101: Six Classic Pieces Really Worth Owning

READ NEXT – Splurge Or Steal: Weekend Wear

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2 Comments

  • Reply Kyra Thursday 21st March, 2019 at 4:58 am

    Some great tips here but I definitely feel that you can save on foundation with some great drugstore options available!
    -Kyra || lovekyra.co.uk

  • Reply Weekday links: 16 February 2016 – Professionata Tuesday 16th February, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    […] with Audrey is a favourite Australian fashion and beauty blog of mine. This post gives some guidance on the make up products worth an investment versus the products to buy on the […]

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