Drug Store vs. High End

With the overwhelming amount of Instagram ads, celebrity endorsements, and methods of shopping, deciding what makeup products are worth splurging on can be one big headache. Although it is often found that more expensive products are of higher quality, this is not the case with all products. Some fancy makeup and skincare products rack up high price tags, solely because they’re encased in expensive packaging. Here are some guidelines to follow when deciding where to spend your hard-earned cash.

Mascara

Mascara is a necessity in any good makeup collection. However, all great things have an Achilles heel and when it comes to mascara, it’s the product’s shelf life. All makeup should only be used for a certain amount of time because like food, makeup can go bad. After opening a tube of mascara, you have three months to use it until it goes bad due to icky bacteria. Bleh! Lucky for us, drugstore mascaras are excellent quality. It is usually not worth spending more money on high-end mascara, because it will not last as long as other products. Many beauty gurus even prefer the quality of some drugstore mascaras over higher end brands.

Here is a list of five drugstore mascaras that will elevate your lashes while saving you upwards of $30:

1. CoverGirl LashBlast Mega Volume Mascara - A tried and true product that provides the ultimate lash volume.

2. L'Oreal® Paris Telescopic Original Mascara - Complete with a thin wand that will coat each lash for a super lengthening effect.

3. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise - Another L’Oreal Paris product. This mascara is almost identical to the high-end, Too Faced: Better Than Sex Mascara, which costs $23...except this one is only $7.39!

4. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - The wand shape flares out at one end, allowing it to reach every lash during application which will result in lashes that look as good as fake lashes.

5. NYX Color Mascara - These colorful alternatives are an amazing option for when you’re feeling bored of the standard black or brown mascaras. Pro tip: try blue or purple to emphasize brown eyes

Eyeliner

Eyeliners come in many different colors, forms, and prices. When it comes to eyeliner, beginners should start with a felt tip liquid pen from the drugstore. If you are feeling more confident, try a high-end gel liner. Most drugstores often contain a wide variety of eyeliners ranging from high to low quality. Lucky for you, I’m going to list out some products that offer the best bang for your buck.

1. Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner (drugstore)

2. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (high end)

3. Nyx The Curve Liner (drugstore)

4. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (high end)

Foundation

Finally something worth splurging on. While good foundation options do exist at the drugstore, a high-end foundation is definitely worth the money. The first reason being that you can find the best shade for your skin tone since high-end stores let you test out the product before. Additionally, having a good base to your makeup is essential to almost all makeup looks and a more expensive foundation can ensure a nicer looking base. Higher quality foundations not only apply more easily, but they stay on your face longer. Cheaper foundations can often oxidize after wearing them all day, which means the oxygen in the air mixes with the chemicals in your foundation and cause it to turn slightly orange. Every person has their own unique skin type and tone, so it is difficult to recommend a single foundation that encompasses everyone. But, if it makes you feel better you can take a trip to Sephora and have a field day sampling the never-ending rows of foundations.

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Good luck and have fun shopping! If you’re still feeling nervous, here’s a general rule of thumb. If you’re a beginner, stick to drugstore products. That way, you don’t have to feel bad about wasting products and you can save money until you’re ready to splurge on a makeup product that you will love.