I have one no-fail staple in my cosmetic bag – my lipstick. I have bought the same $1.27 lip color for probably 10 years now, and if NYC ever discontinued 415B I think I might cry. I know exactly where it’s located within the cosmetics aisle. However, once I wander away with my bargain lipstick, the rest of the cosmetic department feels like a foreign country to me. I’m clueless. Do I buy the expensive foundation, or can I get away with the no-name pressed powder? I admit: knowing when to splurge and when to save when it comes to cosmetics is as big a mystery as where that lost sippy cup vanished in the playroom. So to help, I reached out to Sherry Morgan, makeup artist at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. She created a list of top splurges – plus where we can rack up the savings when it comes to stocking our cosmetics bag.
Sherry’s Splurge or $ave tips!
Foundation = Splurge. It may be hard to swipe your card for a bottle of prestige foundation at the department store, especially when they can cost $20-45! But this is one of those times that you get what you pay for – in terms of coverage, color matching and overall quality. Many brands also feature tinted moisturizers which do double duty with hydration for your skin, as well as enough coverage to hide blemishes or even out skin tone. The best way to apply foundation, no matter what brand, is to use your fingers or a brush. Makeup sponges soak up the liquid, wasting valuable product! Sherry’s Picks: Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer, Smashbox foundation.
Mascara = Save. This is so personal for most women, but really the best bet is to head to your favorite drug store. Pros will agree, to achieve the best look use two mascaras: one to lengthen and one to add volume. Sherry’s picks: Loreal Voluminous Black, Maybelline Lash Discovery.
Cleanser = Splurge. It’s important to have a cleanser that removes dirt, makeup and sunscreen. You only get one skin, so make the most of it and take care of it by splurging on a well-known skincare line. Remember, if you’re pregnant your skin may be very different, either drier or more oily. If you are oilier, many doctors recommend that you stay away from salicylic acid. So double-check those ingredients! Sherry’s Picks: Bobbi Brown Brightening Cleanser, Bliss Exfoliating Scrub.
Experimenting with the latest color trend = Save. This is where many women get confused. They see the color in a magazine (expertly applied by a professional!) and forget how their individual skin looks with that particular color palette. If you want to recreate that trendy look, go ahead! But this is one time where you can save a lot by buying over the counter. Sherry’s Picks: Check out Covergirl at Target, Stila or Urban Decay at Sephora.
adapted from The Moms Magazine, Winter 2012
