SPLURGE vs SAVE: Face Makeup Edition

Happy Thursday, friends!! Today is going to be an episode of Splurge vs Save – and we are talking FACE MAKEUP. There are so many misconceptions on items you should and shouldn’t spend all your hard earned money on throughout the internet. There are SO many products you need to think about when it comes to deciding what brands to purchase from, and sometimes it helps to have a list of foodproof products to help you decide.

(ALSO: I will be turning this into a little 3 part series: Face, Eyes, & Lips because I realized as I was writing this that you PROBABLY do not want to read a 5000 word post. Seemed overwhelming. So.)

ANYWAYS let’s break down which face products deserve the $$$ and which just DON’T. 

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SPLURGE vs SAVE: Face Makeup Edition

Primer:

Primer is one of those things I feel is really just kind of a placebo effect a lot of the time. I have a few primers I do really like, but whether or not they actually extend the wear of my makeup has yet to be determined. My favorite dewy skin primer is super inexpensive and isn’t really about extending my makeup wear but moreso keeping my skin looking dewy and hydrated throughout the day. I’ve tried dozens and dozens of primers that claim to make magic happen – and haven’t had any magical results THUS far.  So, in my opinion: NOT worth the splurge.

BEST drugstore primer recommendation: NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer

Foundation:

Foundation is one that I truly feel can go either way. I’ve had really expensive foundation I LOVE and I have drugstore foundation I LOVE. And, along those same lines, I’ve had expensive foundation I HATE and drugstore foundation I HATE. I think this will truly depend on your skin type – and the amount of pigmentation you prefer. 

BEST high-end foundation recommendation: Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation

BEST drugstore foundation recommendation: Covergirl True Blend Matte Made Foundation

Concealer:

This falls RIGHT in line with foundation above. There are good and bad on both teams. This will really be able finding exactly what works for you. One of my FAVORITE concealers in the world is drugstore and I think it does an AMAZING job. That being said, another one of my holy grail concealers is a little more on the pricey side. If you like your concealers with full coverage and little creasing – try the ones below!

BEST high-end concealer recommendation: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer

BEST drugstore concealer recommendation: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfecter

Bronzer:

Bronzer is one that I really think you need to go high-end on. I’ve tried dozens and dozens of drugstore bronzers – but they all tends to look orange on my skin or have too much shimmer. Again – this can greatly depend on the undertones of your skin – but a lot of low-end bronzers do tend to cater to a limited number of skin shades and undertones so you will find that awkward orange tint more often than not. That’s why I like to stick to high-end bronzers, who tend to have more undertones to choose from and typically better pigment and lasting power, as well. The ONLY exception to the drugstore situation I mentioned earlier would be the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer – which has an AMAZING color + scent (but doesn’t last quite as long as I’d like).

BEST high-end bronzer recommendation: Laura Geller Baked Bronzer

BEST drugstore bronzer recommendation: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

Blush:

Blush is another one that I tend to stick mainly towards my high-end faves. Not that drugstore blushes can’t pack a punch – but the lasting power usually just isn’t there. One of my biggest pet peeves in the world is when my blush fades during the day and then I look like someone with the plague. It isn’t a good look – especially in the winter. It isn’t a secret that I’m definitely on the light end of the spectrum, and whatever blush I’m using needs to last at LEAST 8 hours.

BEST high-end blush recommendation: Benefit Blush Bar

RELATED POST: Fall-to-Winter Skincare Transition

Highlighter:

Highlight can totally go both ways – but drugstore is what I suggest!! I have lots of highlights that I absolutely love – both high-end and drugstore. If you are on a budget, I’d say definitely go drugstore on this one. You won’t be disappointed! 

Best drugstore highlight recommendations: Physicians Formula Butter Highlight & The Balm Mary-Lou-Manizer

Eyebrows:

Eyebrows aren’t something to mess around with. I’ll be completely honest: there really isn’t an eyebrow set that I am in love with. I have a system that I really like, and the products last an insane amount of time – so I don’t really need to switch it out for something drugstore (and I’ve tested a LOT of them out). The reason I love this two-step system I’ve got going on is that the ABH dip brow gives my brows body and fullness, while the Benefit Gimme+ Brow tints the hairs and holds them in place. The Gimme+ Brow actually adds fibers to your brows to increase fullness, as well. I’d HIGHLY recommend these products.

BEST high-end brow recommendations: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow + Benefit Gimme+ Brow

Powder:

Powder heads back the direction of foundations and concealers in terms of you making the best choice for your skin. I have two powders I really like – one is drugstore and one is high-end. I use this particular high-end powder when I want a dewy and overall glow because it has a slight shimmer. The drugstore version I run to when I want something super matte. Neither are a loose powder – because they tend to dry the skin on your face out WAY too much (even those with oily skin).

BEST high-end powder recommendation: Laura Geller Baked Highlighting Powder

BEST drugstore powder recommendation: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Pressed Powder

Setting Spray:

I like a LOT of different setting sprays – but tend to lean towards my drugstore favorites 75% of the time. I love the Pixi By Petra Glow Mist because it gives me a really beautiful and dewy shine without adding to my excess oil. It’s my go-to spray. If I want my skin to last an obnoxious amount of time (like for events or date nights, etc) – I lean towards my Urban Decay All Nighter Spray. It locks my makeup in place and it literally doesn’t MOVE until I say so.

BEST drugstore setting spray recommendation: Pixi By Petra Glow Mist

BEST high-end setting spray recommendation: Urban Decay All Nighter Spray

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I hope this splurge vs save really helps you to determine which products you should be saving up for and which you can snag at your next drugstore visit!

Let me know which products you always save up for and which you just don’t care to spend a ton of money on in the comments below!