I am not sure about you, but I donβt have a money tree. If you have one, Iβd appreciate it if you could send me some seedlings. The problem Iβm faced with is β Iβm a serious beauty junkie. Addict. Whatever you want to call it. I wake up and I am always entranced by the latest beauty product offerings that scream βLusher! Firmer! Glossier! Long-lasting!β.
Alas, I then find out that my wallet unfortunately isnβt like a bottomless pit. So Iβm going to share with you some secrets that Iβve found along the way. Which products should you shell out your moohlah for? And which budget products rival their expensive counterparts?
1. Foundation, Concealer and Powder: SPLURGE
Iβve never really found a budget foundation that ticked all the boxes. I have quite warm, yellow-based Asian skin, and unfortunately, the shades available in the βbudgetβ category are always too pink, had a very limited shade range or just downright hideous. The more pricey brands tend to have a vast shade range, with both warm, cool and neutral undertones. Favourite pick: M.A.C Studio Fix Plus Powder Foundation, RRP $49
2. Mascara: SAVE
Well, considering that you have to throw these out every 4-6 months (check out my Beauty Products Expiry article), thereβs not point shelling out your life savings on this product. And Maybelline has been at the forefront of mascara technology β lusher, thicker, more voluminousβ¦ you name it, they’ve done it. Favourite pick: Maybelline Volumβ Express Falsies Mascara, $16.95
3. Eyeliner: SAVE
Canβt tell the difference between your Lancome or Australis one? Not surprised. Unless you have seriously oily or hooded lids that are prone to smudging and creasing, most eyeliners will perform well, especially if you set them with a dark eyeshadow on top.
Favorite Pick: Australis Liquid Eyeliner. $10.95
4. Eyeshadow and blush β SPLURGE
I love the pigmentation, finely milled texture and quality of more expensive eyeshadows and blushes. It makes blending simply a dream, and the vast colour range and counter assistants will help you to select the colours that truly complement your complexion.
Favorite pics: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow $20.00, RRP $32, Clinique Blushing Blush, $49
5. Primer β SPLURGE
Iβve found most lower end primers seem to be moisturisers masquerading as βprimersβ. Theyβre not only watery, but many that Iβve tried seem to have less silicones, and more pore-clogging ingredients, like ispropyl palmitate. For me, nothing beats a great silicone based primer that leaves your skin feeling smoother than silk.
Favourite pick: ModelCo Face Base, $34
6. Lipstick and lipgloss: SAVE
As much as I love high-end lipsticks and lipglosses – Clinique and M.A.C, I am looking at you, I donβt think you need to spend a heap on this product. Lower end brands have a kaleidoscope of shades that will satisfy your urge for smooth nudes, sultry reds or innocent pinks. Revlonβs Super Lustrous lipstick range has 24 shades, and Maybellineβs Colour Sensational Range has 44 shades. And, if you canβt find a suitable colourβ¦well, youβre probably a freak of nature. Just kidding.
Favourite Pick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick, RRP $22.95.
What do you save or splurge on?
Image: WeHeartit
45 Comments
if i could afford to splurge I totes would lovely
I agree with absolutely everything you have said here! I splurge and save in the same areas.
great article x
I haven’t got a money tree either – but I’m hopeful!
I agree with all choices you wrote about- which to save and which to splurge. Especially save on mascara, when you are supposed to bin every few months
thanks
foundation and mascara
save save save
au naturel
sometimes a girl just has to splurge
Primer is soo important x
very true. I’m trying to save up to buy some really good basic products. Any brand recommendations for foundations?
I splurge on foundation. Once u have a good base, there are so many good inexpensive products out there for everything else.
Very much agree on the eyeliner and mascara!
great story
fair calls!
Great Read…thank you π
interesting
Splurge!
I splurge on moisturizer – which I see as part of my make-up. But I tend to save on most other things.
Splurge on SKINCARE. Without a good base, splurging on makeup wont make a difference.
Top article!
Wow, great article!
Just buying any cosmetics is a “splurge” for me…
I definitely splurge on foundation too….
great tips π
i agree, thanks!
Nice article!
i only splurge on primer and foundations because they are the basics of makeup and need to be high quality to keep my skin looking beautiful and healthy!
Spluuuuuuuuurgeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
ahahahahhaa
I definitely agree with most of this! Splurging on foundation is a must.
defs agree on this π
I pretty much SAVE on everything.. π
great post
I think it’s good to have a balance – splurge on some items, save on some items.
love this post, in total agreeance!
Im splurge on foundation- so important!
Agreed. Most important!
so so true
au naturale
or just don’t wear makeup π
AMEN TO THAT
Sounds good to me
I’d say ‘splurge’ (though don’t really waste money) on mascara and eyeliner unless you want eyesight damage over time. Natural mascaras are available, if you can’t find them search online instead – pricey but not as pricey as popular counter cosmetics. Eyeliner – natural kohl in block, thick cone or pencil filled stuff that’s good for the skin around your eyes and cheap. There are liquid ones available too, not totally natural but better than counter cosmetics. I’d say say save on eyeshadow and blush – diluted lipstick can be used for both, if you don’t like the gloss feel use powders, pressed or loose, neither has to be only used for eyes or cheeks. Lipstick and lip gloss – I’d say ‘splurge’, you’re ingesting that crap and yes I call it crap, do you read the ingredients in most commercial cosmetics? Actually crap is too nice word for it, poison is better. You’re ingesting it over a period of your lifetime. You are what you consume, make it good quality.