Where to Splurge and Where to Save

Now the clue’s in the title of this one. I’ve been scratching my head for the past few days pondering where it’s best to invest your cash in the beauty world, and where you can hold back, buckle up your purse strings and no-one will even know, not even you. Where to splurge and where to save – what made the list? Read on…

Where to Splurge

SKINCARE: Ah common’ that’s the obvious one right? Now I’m not talking Crème de la Mer here, but brands that sit somewhere in the middle and still leave enough money leftover for rent after a purchase are worth investing in. Since upping my skincare game (and the relevant healthy lifestyle shebang) I’ve suffered with less redness, congestion and needed to slap on less foundation than ever before. Particularly hardy brands that offer up amazing products across their range include Zelens, Emma Hardie, Clarins, Pai and La Roche Posay.

FOUNDATIONS/BASES/BB’s: Now there are some pretty kick-ass bases out there for under a tenner that do rival some of my more purse-walloping favourites, but in terms of ‘still can’t detect it, even in a terrifying magnifying mirror’-ness you still can’t beat some of the more high-end formulas. Get your base just right – and you can easily scrimp on the rest without anyone batting an eyelid. Some of my favourites? Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation, Chantecaille Just Skin, Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser, Dior Nudeskin BB Creme, Dr Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream.

EYELASH CURLERS: Now this might seem like a bit of an anomaly here, but for elephant-like lash possessors like myself, there is just not a curler out there as awesome of the Shu Uemura one. Think of it as an investment – pop on any ol’ (waterproof) mascara on top post-curl and you’ll be fooling people into believing you’re rocking the extensions. My last pair lasted three years. Like I said, awesome.

CONCEALERS: Now I do love Collection 2000’s offering, and L’Oreal’s actually, but in terms of coverage, longevity and eight hour sleep faking you just can’t beat the more pricey bad boys. In fact, it’s the category where my favourites are repurchased most often – and when a repurchase happens in my stocks, it’s a pretty big deal. By Terry Touche Veloutée and Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer top my concealer charts.

Where to Save 

EYESHADOWS: This is more of a recent find, as before I was a bit of a devout to MAC’s offering, but there really are some fab finds for lids in the aisles of Boots and the sorts. All different textures too – creams are catered for, along with traditional powder pans, shimmers and all sorts. The Sleek Palettes go without saying, Maybelline are worth a look in for their 24hr Colour Tattoos and the Giorgio Armani-esque Colour Infallible Shadows from L’Oreal are genius too.

BRUSHES: There was once a day when I yearned to own every single MAC Brush. Those days are now long gone and there’s now a fair few standing in my pots, but in terms of brushes I whip out on a daily basis? Not one MAC brush filters through – Real Techniques all the way. I have every darn single one of their sets and they are ridiculously good value, wash beautifully and are softer than softer (they’re Marks favourite actually, and we all know how picky he is). The Core Collection is my favourite – worth picking up, even if just for the Buffing Brush alone.

LIP PRODUCTS: I’ve kept it pretty broad here, you know – lip products in general. Glosses, lipsticks, chubby-esque pens, stains, balms; yup, across the board you can pick up something pretty special for your pout without going too cray cray with the plastic. Worth a nod: Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Kate Moss Lipstick, Bourjois’ Colour Boost Lip Crayons, Carmex Balms and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss.

NAIL POLISHES: I’ve made no secret on here of the recent non-pricey polish push I’ve been experiencing recently (see a rave on the Rimmel ones, and some recent haulage). Essie will always have a special place in my heart, but the sub-fiver varnishes available now are bringing it. Just as much gloss, colour and longevity. I’m slowly accumulating every single shade of the Rimmel Salon Pro Polishes, and Maybelline’s Forever Strong line and Barry’s Gelly Nail Effects are good’uns too.

Splurging? Saving? Sorted.