Save vs. Splurge: Beauty Products to Save On and When to Splurge

There are some beauty products you can easily pick up at the drugstore for a lot less, but when are they actually worth a heftier investment? This handy guide will help you pick which products you can safely scrimp on, and when you should pony up a little more cash for quality.

Splurge On: Makeup Brushes

When it comes to makeup brushes, you truly do get what you pay for. Drugstores sell inexpensive brushes by the dozens, but you’ll only end up having to replace them time and again. By investing in a high-quality brush set, SEPHORA COLLECTION Perfect Ten Brush Set ($60,) you can rest assured that, with regular cleaning, your brushes will last for years to come.

Save On: Eyeliner

There’s no reason to spend $20 on eyeliner when cheapie drugstore varieties work just as well. I like CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eye Pencil ($5.49.) If you don’t like wax-based eyeliner pencils, look for a kohl or liquid eyeliner instead.

Splurge On: Foundation

When using a product that will be applied to your entire face, it’s definitely worth the splurge for a quality product that works. Drugstore foundations generally don’t have a wide variety of shades, and don’t often allow you to test out a product before committing. By shopping at a department or specialty makeup store, you can test out a foundation before you buy, and even get a beauty expert to help you choose the exact shade for your skin tone. I like NARS Sheer Matte Foundation ($42) for its huge range of shades, making it easy to find the one that’s perfect for you.

Save On: Shampoo and Conditioner

It can be tempting to spend the wad on fancy salon shampoo and conditioner, but the truth is that drugstore brands get the job done just as well – for a lot less cash! Brands like Pantene have millions of dollars to spend on cutting-edge technology and research, meaning their formulas are able to deliver great results for a fraction of the price of more expensive hair care brands. Give a drugstore shampoo/conditioner combo like Pantene Pro-V 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner, Flat to Volume ($4.99) a try, and tell me it doesn’t work just as well as pricier brands!

Splurge On: Tweezers

Drugstore tweezers are a joke, which is why investing in a high-quality pair like Tweezerman Slant Tweezers ($20) is an investment you should definitely make. High quality brands have better gripping power than drugstore cheapies – plus, Tweezerman will sharpen your tweezers for free whenever you need it. What’s a better deal than that?

Save On: Lipstick/Lip Gloss

There’s no reason to pay $25 for a lipstick or lip gloss; for one thing, moisturizing and long wearing lipstick is available at the drugstore for $10 or less. For another, lip glosses aren’t designed to last long anyway, so why pay a premium price for a product you just have to reapply continuously? For inexpensive alternatives, try CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick ($6.99) or e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 ($1.49)

Which beauty products do you save or splurge on? Do you agree with my list? Leave your comments below; I’d love to hear your thoughts!