Beauty Opinion: Splurge or Save?

 

I am not sure about you, but I don’t have a money tree. If you have one, I’d appreciate it if you could send me some seedlings. The problem I’m faced with is – I’m 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 β€˜Lusher! Firmer! Glossier! Long-lasting!’.

Alas, I then find out that my wallet unfortunately isn’t like a bottomless pit. So I’m going to share with you some secrets that I’ve found along the way. Which products should you shell out your moohlah for? And which budget products rival their expensive counterparts?

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1. Foundation, Concealer and Powder: SPLURGE

I’ve 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 β€˜budget’ 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), there’s not point shelling out your life savings on this product. And Maybelline has been at the forefront of mascara technology – lusher, thicker, more voluminous… you name it, they’ve done it. Favourite pick: Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Mascara, $16.95

3. Eyeliner: SAVE
Can’t 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 – 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 – SPLURGE

I’ve found most lower end primers seem to be moisturisers masquerading as β€˜primers’. They’re not only watery, but many that I’ve 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 don’t 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. Revlon’s Super Lustrous lipstick range has 24 shades, and Maybelline’s Colour Sensational Range has 44 shades. And, if you can’t find a suitable colour…well, you’re 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

  • Fashionista8P
    Reply Fashionista8P Tuesday 19th May, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    if i could afford to splurge I totes would lovely

  • lanalang
    Reply lanalang Friday 18th January, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    I agree with absolutely everything you have said here! I splurge and save in the same areas.

  • Reply stels Thursday 20th December, 2012 at 1:27 am

    great article x

  • Reply Whatthe Monday 9th April, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    I haven’t got a money tree either – but I’m hopeful!

  • Reply Blackwolf Wednesday 28th March, 2012 at 11:39 am

    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

  • Reply thugsy Saturday 24th March, 2012 at 9:15 am

    thanks

  • Reply doogs Saturday 24th March, 2012 at 9:10 am

    foundation and mascara

  • Reply bardie Saturday 24th March, 2012 at 9:07 am

    save save save

  • Reply jarjar Saturday 24th March, 2012 at 9:03 am

    au naturel

  • Reply sappheire Friday 16th March, 2012 at 12:06 am

    sometimes a girl just has to splurge

  • Reply candi_lee Wednesday 14th March, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    Primer is soo important x

  • Reply lizzie_le Tuesday 13th March, 2012 at 9:40 am

    very true. I’m trying to save up to buy some really good basic products. Any brand recommendations for foundations?

  • Reply ragdollbaby Monday 12th March, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    I splurge on foundation. Once u have a good base, there are so many good inexpensive products out there for everything else.

  • Reply juju91 Monday 12th March, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Very much agree on the eyeliner and mascara!

  • Reply juliew Monday 12th March, 2012 at 10:15 am

    great story

  • Reply kymheaton Monday 12th March, 2012 at 7:24 am

    fair calls!

  • tiffany001
    Reply tiffany001 Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    Great Read…thank you πŸ™‚

  • Reply ladadidah Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    interesting

  • Reply Claireo Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    Splurge!

  • Reply BellaB Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    I splurge on moisturizer – which I see as part of my make-up. But I tend to save on most other things.

  • GoodThanks
    Reply GoodThanks Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Splurge on SKINCARE. Without a good base, splurging on makeup wont make a difference.

  • Reply Whatthe Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    Top article!

  • Reply UNoPoo Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Wow, great article!

  • flossyfewclothes
    Reply flossyfewclothes Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    Just buying any cosmetics is a “splurge” for me…

  • Reply KNY Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    I definitely splurge on foundation too….

  • Reply JENNIFAARRH Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    great tips πŸ™‚

    • Reply stels Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 2:48 pm

      i agree, thanks!

  • Reply adnrew Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Nice article!

  • Reply xoxoMayy Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    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!

  • Reply Zerotolove Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Spluuuuuuuuurgeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

    • Reply stels Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 2:42 pm

      ahahahahhaa

  • Reply ichigolove01 Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    I definitely agree with most of this! Splurging on foundation is a must.

  • Reply lynn Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    defs agree on this πŸ™‚

  • Reply fayzeedayzee Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:56 am

    I pretty much SAVE on everything.. 😎

  • Reply linhyy Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:48 am

    great post

  • Reply fengari Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:46 am

    I think it’s good to have a balance – splurge on some items, save on some items.

  • Reply lieuloves Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:43 am

    love this post, in total agreeance!

  • violetflower61230
    Reply violetflower61230 Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:36 am

    Im splurge on foundation- so important!

    • Viggy
      Reply Viggy Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 12:16 pm

      Agreed. Most important!

    • ellisonralph
      Reply ellisonralph Tuesday 13th March, 2012 at 11:02 am

      so so true

  • Reply Crystal Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:25 am

    au naturale

  • Reply teekendall Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 11:05 am

    or just don’t wear makeup πŸ˜‰

    • Reply stels Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      AMEN TO THAT

      • Reply sallync Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 8:54 pm

        Sounds good to me

  • Reply dapperdolly Sunday 11th March, 2012 at 10:59 am

    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.

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