Makeup: What To Save And Splurge On
There is a lot of makeup on the market. But where should you save and splurge?
Like a lot of people MAC was the gateway to my high-end makeup addiction. It all started off with MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline Gel Liner and quickly escalated. Especially in college. I went to Trinity so I was right around the corner from Brown Thomas. It was the first time that I had my own money. I didn’t really drink in college so makeup was my outlet. Now this is all to say I’ve been around the block many times with makeup and have bought into a lot of fads, but I’ve learned a lot along the way. This is what I think you should splurge and save on when it comes to makeup…
What To Splurge On
There are some great budget foundations on the market from The Ordinary Coverage Foundation to L’Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation, but for me I feel foundation merits an investment. I like a natural finish but something that will last all day. My ultimate favourite is Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation. To get the most out of foundations I rotate between my “good” foundations and my drugstore foundations. I use L’Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation myself, btw!
If 2016 was the year of the Lip Kits, 2017 was the year of the Palette. From Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette to Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette we coveted a lot this year. I think you can definitely justify the purchase of an eyeshadow Palette. Take my favourite, Modern Renaissance, there are 14 different shadows. When you break the €49.7o price tag down it works out as €3.55 per eyeshadow. Bargain I tell you!
I’m one of those people who believe that eyebrows define your whole look. If I was only allowed use one product for the rest of my life it would be brow related. For that reason I do believe in investing. Skip the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, I found it runs out very quickly. The NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil is just as good, if not better, and more than half the price. In terms of Anastasia Beverly Hills the Dipbrow Pomade is much better value. Just make sure you keep the lid very tight on it and it will last you. I already spoke about my love of Glossier’s Boy Brow. But if it’s hard to get your hands on it Benefit Ready, Set, Brow! will do the same job.
What To Save On
Right, I’ll be the first the admit I’ve been guilty of splashing out on the ol’ mascara a lot over the years, but I’ve recently seen the light. Maybelline Lash Sensational Intense Mascara is hands down the best mascara I have ever used. It’s super back, lasts all day, holds a curl like no other and gives the illusion of false lashes without the unattractive clumps. Definitely skip the high-end mascaras and save your money to in something else, like foundation.
Yes, eyeliner was my first buy, but I’ve since discovered Collection 2000 Fast Stroke Eye Liner. It’s only €3.99 and beats every expensive eyeliner on the market. The same with pencil eyeliners. It’s easy to be lulled into the idea that you need a €22 eyeliner from Charlotte Tilbury or Urban Decay but the Rimmel options are the exact same. Especially the Rimmel Scandal Eyes WTP Liner Nude which is a dupe for the hyped Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n’ Kohl Liquid Eye Pencil in Eye Cheat.
There are lots and lots of Primers on the market, but I think this is one to save on. The Ordinary’s Adherance Silicone Primer is the perfect dupe to lots of more expensive primers and it only costs €4.68. If you do want to splurge I do enjoy Stila One Step Correct and Benefit Professional.
I don’t believe that makeup brushes are worth spending tons of money on. I treated myself to the Charlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush and lost it somewhere in Asia. It was devastating and a lesson. You can’t beat the brushes. I could not be without my Setting Brush for applying concealer and the Core Collection is well worth the money. The buffing brush is my go-to for foundation and the contour brush is dulling the pain of losing my Charlotte Tilbury Brush. And I use the pointed foundation brush for applying face masks. The same goes for the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. It’s actually far better than the Beauty Blender in my opinion.
What are your favourite products to save and splurge on?