We admit it, we’re serious makeup junkies and nothing makes us feel happier than a brand new Tom Ford Lipstick or Charlotte Tilbury foundation. But actually, you don’t need to splash out every time you want something new in the world of beauty and there are definitely areas of face painting where you could afford to save. With so many amazing drugstore brands, high-quality beauty no longer has to come with an expensive price tag so learning where you can save your pennies is definitely worthwhile. Saying that there’s definitely still areas to splurge a little!
When to splurge:
Foundation
Your foundation is just that, it’s the foundations for your makeup and if you mess up the base then your on fleek brows and radiant highlighter are never going to look professional. Splurging on a foundation is always worthwhile not just so you can find exactly the right coverage and finish that you’d like but also so you can get that color match perfect. While the drugstore is getting better, high-end brands always offer the most when it comes to finding the perfect undertone and lightness or darkness to your foundation for an airbrushed finish.
Concealer
Equal to foundation, spending a little extra on your concealer will definitely pay off as again you can get that color match completely perfect. The drugstore is notorious for having limited concealer shades which is a problem for all skin types as an off-color concealer is never going to look good. Pricier concealers often have better longevity too so you will look as fabulous at 8pm as you did at 8am.
Highlighter
A few years back, a highlighter was only a must-have for the beauty elite but now they’ve become a staple in our makeup bags. Highlighters are definitely not created equally though and some poor quality ones feature large chunks of glitter that just give the game away. A good highlighter will look seamless on the skin and can be built up to high intensity without ever looking like they’re full of sparkle. Sadly the best highlighters do come with a higher price tag but they’re so worth it.
When to save:
Eyeshadow
Whilst we will always love our Urban Decay Naked Palettes and NARS Eyeshadow Duos, you really don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy good quality eyeshadow nowadays. With brands like Makeup Geek and Colourpop releasing shades upon shades of gorgeously pigmented and blendable eyeshadows, you can build your own custom palette for a fraction of the cost of a high-end one. Team up with a long-lasting eyeshadow primer and you’re good to go.
Mascara
The drugstore is highly saturated with mascaras and there seems to be a new release every other day in the mascara world. If you can’t find a mascara in the drugstore that you like, then I’m afraid you’re going to struggle with mascaras full stop. Whether you’re after definition, volume, lengthening or curl, brands like Covergirl and L’Oreal have you sorted.
Lipsticks
Purchasing a premium lipstick is always going to make you feel a million dollars, but it’s not essential if you’re after a new shade. The drugstore has so many gorgeous lipsticks available from reds and nudes to berry tones and fuschias with all different formulations and finishes. Of course, if you’re after long-lasting lippies in stunning shades, be sure to join the LiveGlam Lippie Club, KissMe, for affordable liquid lipsticks! You’ll get 3 colors for only $19.99 a month.
Where do you save and splurge when it comes to makeup?
Sally O'Kelly