Makeup 101: Don’t Splurge If You Aren’t Sure

August 6, 2009     Posted in Beauty, Style

expensive makeup


By Ali

Let me start off by saying that I am a firm believer in spending money on quality makeup.  Oftentimes well-trusted and expensive brands of makeup are more effective, longer lasting and – shocking – a much better product all around.  However, there are times when buying the expensive stuff is just stupid.

Case in point: when new makeup trends come along. It is silly to spend a ton of money on something without knowing if you’re really interested in the product or if it’s just all the hype. This is the perfect time to invest in the cheaper version to see if it’s something you want to incorporate into your makeup routine long-term. If it is, you can fork over the cash for the better stuff later.

Below are some of the major makeup trends happening right now that (if you get inundated with the ads as much as I do) you’re probably dying to test out. I included the expensive version and the cheap(er) version so you can try them on for size without going for broke.

Vibrating Mascara
Things that vibrate are good, but does that apply to makeup?  Vibrating mascara is the new thing, but I’m pretty skeptical about it being as effective as ads claim.  Lancome makes a vibrating mascara that retails for $34 (if I’m spending that much on something that vibrates it better do more than lengthen my lashes).  But if you just want to test out the pulsating mascara trend without breaking the bank, you could also check out Maybelline’s vibrating mascara for only $14.99.  Much better idea for a product that you aren’t totally sure of.
Savings: $19.

Foundation Finish
Foundation veils are a great way to add a matte finish to your look, but they don’t work wonders for everyone. Why spend money if you aren’t sure it will make a drastic difference on your skin?  As much as I love Bare Escentuals (trust me, it’s a lot), $19 is kind of a lot to spend on a product that may not make a huge difference.  So if you want to test out a foundation finish, try e.l.f’s mineral booster for only $5! Yes, the price of a Subway footlong!
Savings: $14.

Lip Boosters
If you wanna plump your lips without the aid of collagen, lip boosters are the cheap alternative.  But if you aren’t sure how your lips will react, or how great the change will be, you probably don’t wanna shell out a lot of money.  Laura Mercier’s Lip Plumper is $30.  Yikes! But, our ladies at Victoria’s Secret created a lip plumper for only $18.  Much better option if you want to test out this type of product.
Savings: $12.

5 Comments on "Makeup 101: Don’t Splurge If You Aren’t Sure"

  1. Michelle says:
    Thu, 6th Aug 20098:32 am 

    Wow! Thank you so much for this!

    This may sound lame, but I really only started getting into makeup after I finished (and resigned) from a cadet corps at my college. I never realized how expensive makeup was until I started getting my own collection of it (though I doubt anything can replace the Bare Minerals collection, as I'm sure you well know). Drugstores can definitely be a girl's best friend, not just because you can get the generic makeup for less, but because you can experiment with a lot of "throw away" makeup as well.

    Thanks again! :)

  2. Kari- Florida State says:
    Thu, 6th Aug 20099:24 am 

    Yes! I loooove my MAC and Diorshow but that shiz ads up (and quite frankly I see tequila as a better investment). I usually splurge on blush and eye shadow because the better brands use less talc and more pigment (which gets more color/ better staying power). I can't give up my Studiofix either but I buy all my lipgloss and eyeliner at the drugstore!

  3. Amy says:
    Thu, 6th Aug 200911:20 am 

    If your wanting to try quality make up and dont want to deal with the worry of not liking hte product and adding it to your make up grave yard( yes we all have one that draw in the bathroom of all the products we bought and never use) then why dont you buy a product that is American Made and Satisfaction Guaranteed for life? Mary Kay. Their make up and skin care is not only commonly compared to Landcome and MAC but its also cheaper in price and comes with an amazing product guarantee on everything you ever buy form them. Plus you get a personal beauty consultant for life who is trained to know what products will work best for you! If thats not amazing i dont know what is.

  4. AJ says:
    Thu, 6th Aug 200911:51 am 

    I'm pretty sure that's what Sephora is for, so you can go in, and find what works for you BEFORE you buy. And if it doesn't work, they let you return it and find something better.

    I disagree that cheaper is better. I thought that, until I switched from Cover Girl to NARS and it basically changed my face dramatically.

  5. Emily says:
    Thu, 6th Aug 20099:14 pm 

    Not everyone lives near a Sephora. My nearest Sephora is two hours away, so I only go every once in awhile. That's why I love experimenting with brands I don't feel bad about throwing away. Then when I get into Sephora (or the one MAC counter in my state), I can get the same trends in the brands I love and trust. Spending money on quality makeup is something I always justify and it definently pays off.

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