When To Save and When To Splurge on 12 Beauty Essentials

The makeup aisle can be a girl's best friend, but also her wallet's worst enemy. Sure, you want to get all the essentials to enhance your beauty, but you also want to actually have some money left over! Here's our tips for how to get the look you want and keep your cash.

Makeup Brushes

If you’re going to spend the big bucks on any makeup products, brushes better be the first thing on your list. Yes, I know good brushes can be quite expensive, but you will be so surprised at the different they make. Good quality makeup brushes make getting ready much easier and make all your hard work last longer.

Eyelash Curler

This is one item that doesn’t vary that much in quality when it comes to cost. All curlers do the same thing no matter how much they cost. So save your money and buy it from a drug store. Yeah celebrities might use designer eyelash curlers, but it is really jut a waste of money. To make the curl last longer, blast the eyelash curler with your blow dryer on low heat and let it cool for a few seconds for stunning lashes that will last all day.

Foundation

When it comes to creating a flawless appearance a good quality foundation is a lifesaver. This is an item you should throw a few more bucks into. High quality foundation makes your skin look smoother, covers dark spots better, and diminishes wrinkles and fine lines. Not to mention the coverage lasts longer. Before you empty your wallet read customer reviews, test different shades, and ask for a sample to make sure you really like it before your purchase it.

Face Wash

Yes, there is probably a difference between a $5 bottle of face wash and the $100 cleanser that is infused with gold flakes and unicorn tears. But, when it comes down to it, most face wash is pretty mush the same. It might take some experimenting to find the type that is just right for your face, but you don’t need to spend your whole paycheck on some special cleanser.

Dark Eye Shadow

I’ve done some experimenting with different qualities of eye shadow and I have found that more expensive brands of dark eye shadow save a lot of time and headache. The pigments are packed tighter for a color that is more saturated. Lower quality, cheaper eye shadow appears dull as well as creases and smudges easier.

Light Eye Shadow

This is an item you can save on, unlike it’s polar opposite, dark eye shadow. Light eye shadow, whether it is shimmery or matte, ivory or eggshell, does the same job regardless of quality. Because the color is not as bold as dark eye shadow the quality of pigments doesn’t really matter the finished look.

Bronzer

To avoid the Oompa Loompa look, spend a little more on your bronzer. Whether you prefer cream or powder, a good quality bronzer blends easier and stays on longer. If you are purchasing from a beauty store or makeup counter ask a qualified representative for a quick tutorial so you can learn hot to get the look you want.

Blush

There are a crazy amount of blush shades and types so it seems kind of crazy to spend all your money on just one. Save your hard-earned cash and hit up your local drug store for some different cheek colors. Buy a few and experiment with matte, glossy, glitter, and different shades. Sometimes your signature shade will be the one you least expected.

Eye Liner

When it comes to eyeliner, the higher the quality the better. More expensive brands tend to go on smoother, smudge less, and last longer. If you want to experiment with crazy colors then please check out a drug store instead of Nordstrom. But when it comes to everyday black or brown, you will be glad you splurged a few extra bucks.

Mascara

There are so many different formulas for mascara; some for darker lashes, fuller lashes, or longer lashes. But surprise, most mascara does the same thing and there is not a huge difference between the tubes that cost a few bucks and the ones that’s cost and arm and a leg. There is no need to buy the same kind that celebrities use. Save your money and go for the moderately priced brand.

Primer

Like foundation, a high quality primer can make all the difference in your finished look. A good primer diminished pores and erases any flaws in the skin, as well as makes your makeup last longer. Splurge on a good primer and save yourself the time of re-applying mid day. However, you really don’t need separate primers for your face and your eyes. One type works well for both.

Lipstick

A girl needs quite a few shades of lipstick for every occasion and every mood so it seems silly to spend $50 per tube. When it comes to lipstick there are two rules. For classic shades, like an everyday pink, nude, and red go with moderately priced brands. While these cost a little more the color lasts longer. For fun experimental shades like orange or purple don’t spend a bunch since you will probably wear them on rare occasions.