Beautiful on a Budget: Where to Splurge, Where to Save.

I swear my heart skips a beat when I walk into Sephora. For those of you that don’t know what Sephora is, let me put it this way. It’s Mecca for a makeup junkie like me. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I walk through the door. Makeup, skincare, perfume and well groomed makeup consultants everywhere you look.

With that said, I don’t buy all of my makeup there. I don’t have the budget for it. As much as I do love certain designer products, honestly, not all of them are worth the money. Drug and department stores now carry such a wide array of products and the companies that sell their products there do so in such mass quantities that a lot of research goes into what they make.

So what do you splurge on and where do you save? Here is what I’ve found over time and some of my favorite items.

Moisturizers & Cleansers: Save.
Just because they cost more, doesn’t mean they’ll perform miracles. Over the years I’ve read so many articles and 9 times out of 10 when they interview a dermatologist or skin specialist they agree that you don’t have to break the bank. A cleanser is a cleanser. It needs to break up oil and remove dirt. A moisturizer needs to be chosen for your skin type. Not to say the expensive ones aren’t great. You just don’t need them.
My favorite: Garnier Nutrisse. They work great and smell amazing!

Foundation: Splurge.
Foundation is your canvas for the rest of your makeup. If it doesn’t look good, why bother? Granted I tend to buy drugstore brands, I’ve worn it for a long time and I’m picky. If foundation is new to you go someplace like Sephora. For one, choosing the right shade can be a daunting task. You also need to consider your skin type and what you want. Do you just want light coverage or do you need something that lasts all day. The makeup consultants there will help you choose the right shade and product for your skin. Plus, they will teach you how to apply it. Once you’ve become a seasoned pro and know what to look for. Consider scoping out the drugstore brands.
My favorite: Smashbox High Definition Healthy Fx Foundation

Concealer: Splurge.
Concealer hides blemishes and things we don’t want to see. Choosing one with cheap ingredients and fillers can make the area worse. Concealer has a long shelf life. Spend a little more now on a quality one, over time it balances out.
My favorite: Smashbox Camera Ready Concealer

Eyeshadow: Splurge but…
Classic case of  “do as I say not as I do”. I hate to say splurge because I normally choose to save even though I know the difference. Department store brands are more finely milled and have more pigment. Which means the color is more vibrant and it stays on longer. I tend to “Save” because I like having a thousand colors to pick from and that suits my budget. If you can splurge, do it. MAC is the best in my opinion.
My favorite: E.L.F (available at Target too)

Eyeliner: Save.
It’s wax usually. I don’t recommended the $0.99 ones but you don’t need to spend $16 either. If you want something that glides on well, go for one that is a liquid or a gel. A little tip…if using a pencil, twist the tip between your fingers to warm it and it will glide on better.
My favorite: E.L.F. (Available at Target too)

Mascara: Save.
Mascara has such a short life span (about 3 months, 6 at most), that you don’t need a fancy one. There are so many great ones out there.
My Favorite: L’Oreal Voluminous (This has been my go to since I was 16.)

Lipstick & Lip Gloss: Save & Splurge.
So many choices available at the drug or department stores. If you find a lipstick shade you love, buy it. Even if it’s a little pricey. Gloss is reapplied so much, I say go for less expensive.
My Favorite: Maybelline Super Stay 24  2-Step Color (It’s long lasting lip color on one, gloss on the other.)

Want to save even more? Coupons, coupons, coupons. It is Sunday after all! Grab the flyers, get your store rewards and save some money on your beauty routine. For department store discounts and special offers, join their Facebook pages, or sign up for emails on their sites. I have the Beauty Insider card from Sephora and it saves you money and you get awesome freebies.

Have a great Sunday!
Xo
Bethany