When to Splurge vs. Save on Makeup and Beauty Products

Okay guys — I got a few questions on this topic recently and I LOVED it so much I totally had to share with you all. Being an Esthetician I get asked a LOT what products are actually worth it to splurge on vs. which are ok to save on. I mean lets be honest, we all want to buy high end everything but it’s not really always possible and just not good for our wallets so I’m here to shed light on what beauty products are worth the splurge and which ones you can get at your local drugstore.

Eyeliner vs. Eyeshadow

Save on eyeliner, splurge on eyeshadow.

Most pencil eyeliners are made of wax which is not worth the $20 price tag when you can get a great pencil liner for about five bucks at any drugstore. If you don’t like wax liners then try a liquid liner. They have SO many different varieties for relatively cheap at a drugstore. To be honest, I’m not a HUGE eyeliner person so I could have a different viewpoint on it but I’ve definitely loved some drugstore bought ones which is why I think it’s ok to save on this.

Eyeshadow on the other hand is something you definitely should splurge on in my opinion. A great eyeshadow will stay on your eyes all day long while a cheaper on will fade in just a couple hours. Also, quality eyeshadows have much richer and more pigmented colors which I prefer.

While on this topic of eye products, I say save on mascara as well. One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE mascaras is a drugstore mascara – Maybelline The Falsies. It’s SO good and I get compliments on my lashes every time I wear it!

Favorite Drugstore Eyeliners:

Favorite Quality Eyeshadows:

 

Cleansers vs. Serums

Save on Cleansers. Splurge on Serums.

So the Esthetician here wants to go on and on on this one and say you should just splurge and get the best for your skin always but in an attempt to give you OPTIONS I would say save on cleansers and splurge on moisturizers and especially serums.

If you have normal skin with zero issues and you don’t need your wash to have special skills, then you can save on your cleanser. Two of my favorite basic cleansers are the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser. On the other hand, if you have problem skin that breaks out easily or battling acne it might be a good idea to invest in a cleanser that can benefit and target those issues more directly. One of my favorite higher quality gentle cleansers is the Algotherm Cleansing Milk which comes from France! We sell it at our salon and I’ve been addicted ever since I started using it years ago.

Serums can be used during the day and at night and have very concentrated ingredients in them making them able to penetrate the skin better and deeper. If you splurge on a good serum, your skin will be able to absorb so many great ingredients and will show the best results. Serums are extremely pricey to begin with BUT they are SO beneficial and can do wonders for your skin. Plus they tend to last a lot longer than a regular moisturizer because you only need a small amount at every use. I recently did a post on the Clarins Double Serum here  if you want to read more about it! Another one of my favorite serums is the Dr. Grandel Epigran Serum. It works absolute wonders as well!

Favorite Basic Cleansers:

Favorite High Quality Serums

 

Foundation vs. Concealer

In my opinion, I think you should splurge on both foundation and concealer if you can but if you have to choose one, definitely splurge on foundation and save on concealer.

While you can get a decent foundation at your average drugstore, the chances of you finding the perfect shade for your skin color can be hit or miss. I have to admit though, Laura Mercier is hands-down my favorite brand for foundations and concealers. Everything they have is top notch and are definitely at the forefront of all my makeup picks right now.

Extra tip: You may need different shades of foundation for summer and winter. Most people have a shade or two darker skin in the summer time.

Favorite Foundations:

Favorite Concealers:

Lipstick vs. Lip gloss

Now this is a tricky one but if I had to pick — splurge on Lipstick, save on lip gloss. Does a great lipstick need to be pricey? No. Is a good lipstick worth the splurge? Absolutely. The pigmentation and long-wear formula will be worth the money compared t a drugstore lipstick that will wear off after your first coffee. NARS, MAC and Smashbox lipsticks are always worth the investment.

Lip gloss wise, lets face it — they rarely last all day so why should you spend big bucks on them? Some of my absolute favorite glosses are actually from L’Oreal and Maybelline. They make amazing basic lip glosses in a variety of different colors and I wear them all the time.

Favorite Lipsticks:

Favorite Basic Lip Gloss:

Shampoo vs. Conditioner

If you don’t do too much to your hair then in my opinion you can get away with just an ordinary shampoo. However, if you have spent a small fortune coloring or highlighting your hair you might want to go with a good quality product that your hairstylist recommends. When it comes to conditioner however, I always splurge on a good one since whatever healthy ingredients are in them will adhere to your hair. If you are going to splurge one of my favorite brands is Moroccanoil — the conditioner they have is TO DIE for and try the hair mask. Plus they smell SO AMAZING.

Blush vs. Bronzers/Powders

This is one where I’m going to say you should splurge on all blush, bronzers and powders. While you will consistently find drugstore mascaras, cleansers, and moisturizers and they are usually pretty good, you really don’t find many drugstore blush, bronzers, ​and powders. This is not to say you HAVE to take my advice here this is just what I prefer. I find that the pigments in pricier powders are more fine giving a much smoother application. All of my absolute favorite blushes and bronzers are almost always a higher price point but I absolutely fall in love with them so I can justify the extra expense.

Favorite Blush, Bronzers & Powders:

Hope you guys enjoyed my little roundup. Remember, this is by no means what I think you should do it’s just my recommendations and what has worked for me! Please let me know if you have any other questions! Love you!