Fashion & Beauty
Designer or Budget
Beauty Buys
By Helen Taylor
Do you love designer cosmetics ? Or do you much prefer a bargain
buy ? Whatever your preference, it’s worth checking out our guide to
when to splurge and when to save so that you can get the best value -
and results - from the products you spend your hard-earned cash on .
Foundation - Splurge
Foundation literally provides the foundation
for the rest of your make-up. It evens-out
your natural skin, covers-up flaws - like
blemishes and scars - to leave you with a
perfect finish. So it’s important to get it right.
Cheap products just can’t beat their costly
counterparts when it comes to this all-important
purchase, because poorer formulations don’t
have the staying power and the true-to-skin
colour of pricier versions.
To find the one that’s ideal for you, head to your
nearest department store and take advantage
of some expert advice. Find a shade which
matches your natural colouring and works
best for your requirements - like skin type and
coverage.
High-end foundations are formulated with all of
these things in mind and come in a variety of
true-to-life shades. Built to solve the problems
presented by cheap foundations, these
products get it right.
Blusher - Save
Everyone needs a bit of colour in their cheeks
and fortunately you don’t have to spend too
much to get it. Blusher is definitely one of those
items that you can save on, because high-end
products don’t differ too greatly from budget
versions. Just make sure that you choose a
natural shade, as cheaper colours can be a
little more intense and unnatural if applied too
heavily.
Powder - Splurge
Like foundation, there is a real difference
between budget and high-end face powder.
Expensive products are finely milled, making their
texture extra soft and natural looking on the skin.
A good powder sets your foundation and finishes
your make-up look, so invest in a quality one.
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Mascara - Splurge
Full, long lashes really do make your eyes look more
beautiful, so it’s worth investing in quality mascara.
Cheap mascara is often disappointing because its
consistency doesn’t match that of more expensive
products, and so, leaves lashes looking sticky,
clumpy and undefined.
High-end cosmetic companies lead the way in
developing the best formulas and brushes for their
mascara, so you can be sure that you’ll see the
benefits when you up-grade from a budget brand.
Eyeshadow - Save
Generally you can get away with wearing cheaper
eyeshadow as there isn’t too much difference
between budget and more costly versions, as long
as you choose neutral shades - stronger colours
and be very harsh.
Cheap eyeshadow does have a tendency to be
more glittery and shimmery though, so be careful
using it if you’re a more mature lady because it will
emphasise every line around crease around your
eyes.
Lipstick - Save
Lipstick formulations are pretty similar, so save some
money when you buy yours.
There’s an array of colours to choose from and all
of them will instantly serve to enhance your lips,
making them extra kissable.
Highlighter - Splurge
There are many different highlighters on the
market; some are in powder form others liquid. Find
the right one for you and your face will be instantly
lifted with a radiant and youthful glow.
It’s definitely worth making an investment when it
comes to highlighter and it’s important to choose
a quality product, that way you can be sure that
you’ll be delighted with the results.