Save Verses Splurge? WHEN?!

Nov 24, 2012

Brianne D.

When/ what should I save and splurge on!?

Nov 24, 2012

Michelle E.

I tend to splurge more on skin products (foundation & concealer) only because if its going over my whole face I don't mind spending a lot on it (but there are good cheaper foundations out there)
I also will splurge on brushes because good ones will last forever

I don't really splurge much on any other products just for the "name brand" if its has good pigmentation, a decent size & unique shade ill splurge on it.

Nov 24, 2012

Michelle E.

Sometimes ill splurge for really cute packaging too. Lol #imsoashamed

Nov 24, 2012

Shelly T.

All my opinion (and including hair- and skin-related stuff)...

Save on...
* Pencil eyeliners. The majority of them are manufactured in the same place, by the same people; they're just for different companies. Unless you want a specific colour that drugstore brands don't sell, you can get some excellent inexpensive ones.
* Lipliners. See above.
* Mascara. IMO, there is no need to spend so much money on something you're going to get only 3-6 months use out of, and most of the drugstore ones are pretty good.
* Lipsticks in basic colours (pinks, nudes, plums, peaches, corals).
* Lipgloss.

You can go either way on...
* Gel eyeliners.
* Liquid eyeliners.
* Blush.
* Brushes. I think their longevity may depend more on how well you care for them than how much you initially spend on them. Personally I have higher-end brushes (MAC and Louise Young) and some more inexpensive ones (EcoTools, e.l.f. Studio, Sigma, Sonia Kashuk, and some others I've had stashed away for ages). Only a couple of them are in a bad way (loose ferules) -- one of which I've had for years.
* Eyeshadow. In terms of single eyeshadows there are some good ones that are very well-priced (e.g., Makeup Geek and Inglot's via the Freedom System), but there are also good ones that cost a bit more (MUFE, Sugarpill, MAC). Cream-wise, the Maybelline Color Tattoos are quite good and reasonably-priced. Palette-wise, personally, I don't trust the wholesale palettes. On the other hand, the Sleek ones are rather good, and I've read good things about the MUA ones (only £1, or approx. $1.50ish USD?). Most of the ready-made ones I have are higher-end, though.
* Concealer.
* Hair care. Both high end brands and drugstore brands use the exact same ingredients from the exact same companies. Many hair stylists are taught to sell you product because product sales = extra commission for them. Personally, I've used both and can't tell a difference in my hair.
* Skincare. This depends on your skin and your body chemistry, really. You may be able to get away with drugstore skincare, or you may have to splash out for something more expensive.
* Hair styling tools. To some degree I can see what others on here have been on about, and I'm coming around to the idea of spending on something you know you'll use a lot, but if you're looking to get your eye in with something, I don't see anything wrong with using something less expensive first and upgrading later.

Splurge on...
* Foundation. There are exceptions, of course -- Revlon Colorstay being one. If you're super-fair, you have virtually no choice, as most drugstore brands do not make foundations light enough. Conversely, they don't always go dark enough for darker WOC, or have enough yellow undertone for Asian skins, or have olive undertones for those skins. (This is also true for some higher-end brands, though.)
* Lipsticks in more unique colours.
* Getting your hair dyed. Unless you *are* a pro at it, I do not recommend doing this sort of thing at home. IMO, better to save your money and have it done professionally than to attempt a DIY job and have to pay for your mistakes later.

I'm on the fence about...
* Loose and pressed powder. You definitely do NOT need to pay $32 USD for MUFE HD powder, as it's just silica powder. (Instead, get an ounce of the stuff from Coastal Scents, TKB Trading, or elsewhere; at the first two, an ounce is less than $5 USD, as I recall.) On the other hand, I've done well with inexpensive face powders. But supposedly higher-end ones are better? Hrm.

Nov 24, 2012

Rikki P.

I "splurge" (AKA look for sets, LOL!) on eyeshadows and concealer. Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer is my number one. I don't splurge on face powder because my Palladio is five dollars and wonderful. Mascara and eyeliner, I also don't care to splurge on unless I want a colourful liquid liner from UD or something (which I've yet to do, but I'm just saying). 

Nov 24, 2012

Wendy A.

I splurge on face products bronzers,primers,highlighters.

Nov 25, 2012

Brianne D.

Thanks guys! This helped a lot!!

Nov 25, 2012

Courtney B.

I think Shelly T. summed that all up pretty well. I'd add that I'll splurge on something that's limited edition if I KNOW I'll use it for sure, or on large sets that help me save in the long run. For example, I just bought the Illamasqua mystery kit because it had 10 full size products for $60, which was a $200 value. $60 is splurge territory for me since it was my first time trying the brand and 8 of the items were surprise colors. It ended up being well worth it though. And like Michelle E., I will pay extra if the packaging wows me. I'm not ashamed though :)

Nov 25, 2012

Alyse M.

Foundation and powder are so important to pay well for because they go on your face and into your pores!