7 Makeup Products You Don't Need to Spend a Load of Money on ... or do You?

7 Makeup Products You Don't Need to Spend a Load of Money on ... or do You?
By Jennifer • Sep 14, 2020 MD

Some makeup products fall into the "you get what you pay for" category, while others are more "why spend more when you don't have to?" ... let's have a peek at the makeup products you can skimp on, and which ones you ought to splurge on.

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1. Skimp: Eye Shadow

I've spent my fair share of dollars on MAC eyeshadow, and while it's glorious, it's really not much better than Wet N Wild. I'm serious! Both brands offer brilliant, long-lasting, on-trend shades, so why not give Wet N Wild a try?

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2. Splurge: Lip Plumper

I've tried every lip plumper known to man, and nothing beats the somewhat spendy Duwop Lip Venom line. Save for it; it's worth every penny.

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3. Skimp: Liquid Liner

This is a fine place to save a buck or two, especially if you don't mind re-applying your liquid liner at mid-day. Cheaper brands, like Almay and ELF offer the same blues, browns, blacks, and violets as the pricier brands, thought usually not the more trendy shades.

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4. Splurge: Moisturizer

I've tried to economize with my moisturizer, but this is another place where it doesn't pay to save - bad pun intended - especially if you have sensitive skin.

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"Enhancing your beauty doesn't always mean going for the glossy look. More ladies now see the allure of a shine-free finish. With the right tools and techniques, you can also achieve a flawless, subtle glow. Learn how to master this trend by following these incredible matte makeup tutorials. Enhance your natural complexion without the unnecessary flash."

5. Skimp: Nail Polish

Essie is cheap, easy to find, and there are a million colors. If you finish with a topcoat, it last forever without chipping. So why spend more here?

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6. Splurge: BB Cream

If you've found an inexpensive BB cream that won't give me a rash just by holding the bottle, please let me know! Til then, I have to recommend sticking to the expensive (but worth it) brands.

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7. Skimp: Lipstick

Truly, I have about a thousand lippies, and I love my cheap ones as much as my ridiculously-expensive ones. The exception: reds. For some reason, the cheap ones never last as long as the "good" ones.

Where do you skimp, and where do you splurge? Do tell!

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • peony

    2015-09-08T21:08:03.226Z

    A good moisturiser does the job and if you can conduct your own even better!
  • Emmanuelle

    2015-09-09T04:47:03.355Z

    @Simone! It's like 20$ in my country
  • Tina

    2017-01-11T06:13:26.160Z

    I splurge on primers, concealer, eyebrow pencils, highlighters & bronzers.
  • Alyx

    2015-09-08T19:23:49.310Z

    This is very subjective. For me, I skimp on moisturizer. Mine is a 9$ one from the body shop or sometimes plain sweet almond oil (10$ for a big bottle). I have extremely sensitive skin. I think eyeshadows, lipsticks and eyeliners should be splurged on. Eyeshadows, once you get really into makeup, going from makeup forever to wet n wild will make you want to cry. I spend less than a minute on blending with mufe, whereas wet n wild will take more work, more packing on, more time. Lipsticks I'm allergic to a lot of drugstore lipsticks so I stick to 4 brands, all at sephora. But they are not over 25$ each. Liner I stick to kat von d or tarte. I don't have to reapply, which really is a pain, and it lasts all say without flaking, isn't going to smudge, and is easy to take off at the end of the day. Nail polish for me is iffy. I love formula x, it lasts easily two weeks without a top coat and in deals (like their mini twenty two pack for 44$) are so worth it. I did my nails at the beginning of August, like the 3 or 4, and it's only got a couple chips on the end of my nails. I just have to touch up the bottom where growth has happened, which creating a subtle gradient is very easy here, and it's like I just got them done. I can't do that with essie polish that lasts a day and then chips.
  • Joviënne

    2015-09-08T19:31:05.193Z

    So professional and a very helpful article! 😊
  • Tina

    2017-01-11T06:14:14.366Z

    And I agree to the commenter above, cheap eyeshadow soften don't have pigment which is really annoying because my money has gone to waste. 😩😒
  • Stephbabe123

    2015-09-08T23:41:07.680Z

    Splurge on skincare, skimp on mascara.
  • Msgrey

    2015-09-08T21:59:13.776Z

    I dont agree with the lipstick part. Ive tried both High end and drugstore lipstick, and the difference here is that High end lipsticks last longer Than drugstore ones.
  • Stephanie

    2015-09-11T02:05:29.087Z

    I splurge on foundations! I've found that my skin doesn't do well with drugstore foundations. They can look nice the first couple of times but after that, they just don't work well. I also splurge on eye shadows because whenever I try cheap eye shadows, I feel like there is barely any pigment to them.
  • Chanel

    2015-09-09T16:25:39.482Z

    I'm sorry, but an expensive Iipstick works well. It lasts longer than a cheaper brand. With regards to moisturizers, It's best to ask your dermatologists or beautician.
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