Hello Everyone!
When it comes to all things beauty, it is really hard to determine which items are worth shelling out the money and those that are not.
The question I often ask myself is: Is it ALL necessary? Don't get me wrong, these companies have a right to charge the prices they do. They provide excellent quality products. But is it ESSENTIAL? Do we need MAC foundations, concealers, false eyelashes, eyeshadows. e.t.c ? Drugstore makeup has really improved over the years, so much so that the gap between drug store and department store is narrowing.
DISCLAIMER: If you have the money and you wish to spend it on Smashbox, Lancome and previously mentioned department store makeup then by all means do your thing girl.
This post pertains to those ladies who have to be frugal with their expenditure.
This post pertains to those ladies who have to be frugal with their expenditure.
Here are my list of beauty items I think are worth spending top dollar on and those who can Save.
Splurge Time
1. EYE SHADOW, EYE SHADOW, EYE SHADOW, EYE SHADOW.
Eyeshadow is worth spending the money on. It is very difficult to find eyeshadows with great pigmentation, blend ability and smoothness in the drugstore especially matte eyeshadows. Most drugstore eyeshadows contain copious amounts of talc in them and appear quite ashy and chalky on the skin. Some may swatch beautiful but become powdery and dusty when applied to the eyes.
Recommendations
The Sugar Pill Cosmetics 4 pan eye shadows. They retail for about US$34 dollars and can be purchased on the Sugar Pill website. For your bright eye shadow looks I would highly recommend these palettes.
http://www.sugarpillshop.com/products/heart-breaker-palette
For my Caribbean makeup lovelies you can purchase them at the Facebook page:
Makeup Attitude for TT$250
http://www.sugarpillshop.com/products/heart-breaker-palette
Amazon-$36
http://www.amazon.com/theBalm-NudeTude-Nude-Eyeshadow-Palette/dp/B00683MOWK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396188988&sr=8-1&keywords=the+balm+nudetude+palette
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=605294036156175&set=a.550489741636605.133230.480382931980620&type=3&theater
Makeup Haven- $240
http://mymakeuphaven.com/shop.php#!/~/product/category=4009430&id=21675612
2. Makeup brushes
This can be quite controversial topic. While I don't think everyone needs to have a brush collection filled with MAC brushes, I think certain key brushes need to be of good quality. Elf brushes are amazing but I wouldn't rely on their flat foundation or stippling brushes to apply my foundation. You want brushes that are soft to the skin, the hairs stay in tact and the ferrule and the handle are firmly glued together.
Recommendations
Sigma- They have great dupes for MAC brushes
They can be purchased on their website
Sigma Website
http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Brushes_s/47.htm
Or Locally at
Makeup Attitude
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587081644644081&set=a.550489741636605.133230.480382931980620&type=3&theater
Beauty Insider Life
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=627490527318745&set=a.540177556050043.1073741828.533997736668025&type=3&theater
MAC Cosmetics
Can be purchased on their website
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/146/826/Products/Brushes/Face/109-Small-Contour-Brush/index.tmpl
Locally at their West Mall store.
2. Blush
Like eye shadow, it is all about pigmentation. It is quite difficult to find pigmented blushes that are super cheap. I have tried blushes from Milani, L.A girl and because of my deep complexion most cases they appear ashy on my skin.
Recommendations.
MAC Blushes
These can be purchased on the Mac website or outlets in your area.
Exception:
There are some good blushes from NYX.
Savings Time
1. Macara. I never spend much on mascara. (although the price of Ruby Kisses and Milani in Wonderful World I may as well buy L'oreal and Revlon which are more reputable and cost more in the US. Wonderful World convert US products by the US price by 10, while Pennywise where brands like L'oreal, Revlon, Maybelline are sold multiple their items by 7. So a Revlon item at US $9 would be $63 while a $7 item at Wonderful from Milani would run you $70).
I don't see the need. When I spent money it is all about longevity. It is all about the formulation and the brush. Some require more liquid consistency, others prefer drier texture, while others partial to one that is neither liquid or dry in consistency. Most women choose based on their mascara needs.
Most mascaras last no more than four months and even the ones that are packaged as lasting a year tend to dry out. In my personal opinion, spending $100 dollars for something that you may have to throw away three months later, worse yet if you only wear makeup on weekends to church or happy hour with friends.
Recommendations
I recommend Revlon's Lash Fatasy Total Definition. It comes with a primer that lengths the lashes with the mascara end provides volume.
Amazon- $19.95
Pennywise- $40-$50
2. Lipgloss
Lip glosses aren't known for their opacity. Lip glosses are usually applied for high shine, therefore an affordable one will do just find.
Recommendaions
Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss
These are great if you just want that nice glossy look, that isn't tacky and has no taste.
Amazon- $4-$7
http://www.amazon.com/Revlon-Lustrous-020-Pink-Afterglow/dp/B000H3I3YK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1396191512&sr=8-5&keywords=revlon+super+lustrous+lipgloss
Or Locally
Pennywise-$34
3.Liners- Eye and Lips.
Unless you are looking for a specific or unique colour, eye and lip liners from the drugstore will work just fine.
Recommendations
L.A girl gel eye liner
These gel eye liners are super pigmented and creamy and will last you quite some time. I bought mine more than a year ago and while I don't use it as often it is still usable.
Jordana has a wide selection of great lip liners.
Depends
1. Lipcolor.
As fast as a MAC lipstick is released on the market, you will see dupe videos trailing behind. As such it has become quite difficult to discern whether or not you should shell out $15-17US on their lipsticks.
When it comes to most high end makeup, I usually purchase those items that are not only unique but something I will get the most use out of. If you want a pink or purple lipstick, there are many affordable options.
Recommendations (affordable)
L.A Girl Luxury creme lipsticks are amazing. They have twenty four (24) beautiful shades.
Drugstore.com-$3.49
http://www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=All&srchtree=1&Ntt=L.A.+Girl+Creme+Lip+Color&Go.x=6&Go.y=15&CSRFToken=vbl6yewnSfvaIywl8lPrEKp6dYYAOdoaL5oXuceZ41Q%3D
Wonderful World- $14
Recommendations (high end)
Lime Crime velventines are everything. They are kiss proof, smudge proof, are long wearing but guess what they are not drying.
Lime Crime Website-$20
http://limecrime.com/lips/velvetines-37.html
Locally
Makeup Attitude-$175
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=762482233770687&set=a.587296621289250.1073741826.480382931980620&type=3&theater
Beauty Insider Life-$200
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=666709416730189&set=a.540177556050043.1073741828.533997736668025&type=1&theater
Beautifusion Instyle-$200
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534279179961002&set=a.483397648382489.1073741826.100001367754759&type=3&theater
2. Foundation and concealer
It can be quite difficult purchasing a foundation from the drugstore especially if you live in the US. You need to be color matched and many drugstores it isn't available. So it is quite understandable. It can be quite frustrating when you wish to test out a particular foundation and your shade is not available. If you are someone who hasn't found that one foundation that you love or you just love trying new ones, it can be annoying. However, if just need that one foundation that matches you and you can easily find it in the drug store, then there is no need to splurge on a higher end.
Recommendations (Affordable)
L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation
It comes in twenty three (23) shades from cool to warm tones and even some neutral shades.
Ulta.com- $9.99
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2094973&productId=fs1017872&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80022
Recommendations (high end)
MAC Cosmetics
While their eye shadows and lipsticks are quite famous, their foundations have their own cult following. They are often used as a reference for color matching.
One of their popular foundations is the Pro Longwear foundation. It provides excellent coverage, last long and comes in a variety of shades.
MAC Website-$31
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/158/10180/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-Foundation/index.tmpl
Locally
MAC West Mall
Concealer
One of the best concealers in my opinion is the L.A girl Pro conceal HD concealer. Comes in a variety of shades and at an affordable price you can mix and match to find your ideal shade.
Drugstore.com-$2.99
http://www.drugstore.com/l-a-girl-pro-conceal-hd-concealer-toffee/qxp503256?catid=183547
Locally
Makeup Haven-$23 (all the shades are available)
http://mymakeuphaven.com/shop.php#!/~/product/category=2260296&id=34067767
Wonderful World-$15 (5-10 shades available)
These are just my two cents. Feel free to disagree.
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