Beauty Guide // Save Versus Splurge
There are two types of beauty shoppers out there - makeup lovers who enjoyably spend hours going up and down aisles of cosmetics and those who avoid it like the plague. Whether you indulge in the shopping experience or despise it, to make your life easier and hopefully save you a buck or two, I have put together a save versus splurge list of my favorite "everyday" beauty products.
Disclaimer: This blog was written by one of our staff members about her personal favorites. Marleylilly is not claiming to be makeup or skincare professionals. Use recommendations and products below at your own discretion.
The key ingredient to youthful, healthy and radiant glow is moisturizer. Whether your skin type is oily or normal to dry, Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer is a product to keep stocked in your medicine cabinet. Its deep hydration, high-quality natural and active ingredients and SPF protection make it "best all-around". It instantly makes me feel refreshed and energized to start my day.
One of the most overwhelming beauty products is foundation. What’s your skin type? Do you want a matte or dewy finish? What’s your budget? Do you prefer liquid, powder or compact? Have you considered using BB cream instead? Insert “monkey covering eyes” emoji here. The benefit of having so many foundation options is that you can virtually find a product that works for you at any given price point. One of my favorite foundations is Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation. It has medium to full buildable coverage with a blended finish and is long-lasting throughout the day. I personally have normal to dry skin, and when paired with my daily moisturizer, this product gives me the natural makeup look I want to achieve for an "everyday" look. For special occasions, I might splurge and bring out my Estēe Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, but on a normal day-to-day basis, this category is a "save" for me.
Eyeshadow. Where do we even start? I am a huge fan of all Morphe makeup brushes and makeup palettes (eyeshadow, blush, bronzer), but for now, we’ll focus on their eyeshadow palettes. My favorite Morphe product that I dare not travel without is the 35O palette. This palette has 35 pigmented matte and shimmer shades. I can achieve almost any look from this palette whether it's more natural or glam. I tend to gravitate to warmer shades (brown, orange and red undertones). If you prefer more neutral or cool tones, browse their eye palettes to find something that fits your makeup style.
Mascara is one of my favorite parts of my beauty routine. It enhances your natural eye shape and darkens, lengthens and defines your lashes. I started wearing mascara in middle school, and over the years I have tried countless variations of brands and products on the prestige and drugstore spectrums. All the above considered, the votes are in and my top pick for mascaras is Loréal's Voluminous Original Mascara. I love the formula and brush applicator. The bristles separate your lashes for a thick, voluminous finish without the flakes and clumps. This being a drugstore product, you can't beat the price point, so this is definitely a "save".
Blush and bronzer are my favorite products to highlight natural shape, dimension and color. I have a fair-to-light complexion with a warm undertone, so one tap in my blush and bronzer pan goes a long way. One of my favorite brands for blush and bronzer is theBalm Cosmetics. You can’t go wrong with this Girls Getaway Trio. The formula is long-wearing and blendable. My favorite shade out of the trio is “Balm Desert”, which I own in a single compact. It’s a two-in-one product that can be used as bronzer or blush. Need I say more?
Ahh, concealer - dark circles, blemishes, eye primer - is there anything you can’t work with? My favorite concealer that I’ve used for three years is Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer. I am currently testing out their All Nighter Waterproof Full-Coverage Concealer in anticipation for the dewy South Carolina summer season ahead and so far I am loving it! In the spirit of "splurge versus save", you can absolutely find a high-quality drugstore concealer, but I personally think this category is worth the splurge.
It’s the butter to your bread, the creamer in your coffee and the icing on your cake - it’s translucent powder. My #1 go-to translucent powder is easily Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder. When you use this product with a high-quality concealer, your base will last all day long! I use this product with a medium size powder brush to set my concealer and catch any fall out from my eyeshadow. You can also use this translucent powder to blur harsh lines, mattify and “bake” your contour. This is deemed a "splurge", but you definitely get your money's worth as a little product goes a long way!
The very last step I finish off any look with is makeup spray. My personal favorite is Mac’s Prep + Prime Fix+ because of its versatility. You can use it as a primer, a setting spray or as a refreshing spray. You can definitely see the difference once it's applied to your face. It's the perfect product to finish off your beauty routine and tie in all the different products, textures and layers. This product is categorized as a "splurge". You wouldn't willingly take your freshly detailed car through a mud bath. Similarly, you don't want to apply a spray that will cake up your makeup. Mac currently has my favorite makeup spray, but you can find a product that works with your budget anywhere from Chanel to NYX.
I imagine you’ve probably already guessed by now - I'm definitely a makeup lover. On Saturday mornings, you'll find me in my happy place - cozy on the couch with warm coffee in hand watching beauty reviews, tutorials and hauls on YouTube. That being said, I would love to hear what products you’re currently obsessing over. Don't forget to shop your personalized luggage, travel bags, and suitcases from Marleylilly. Or, if you're just looking for something to carry around your makeup in, we have a ton of personalized train cases and cosmetic bags to choose from! Happy glamming!
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