Beauty Guide // Save Versus Splurge

by - Tuesday, October 29, 2019


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.
budget beauty items
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 paletteThis 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?

Still, on theBalm Cosmetics train, we have the ever so fabulous Mary-Lou Manizer. Mary-Lou definitely lives up to her flawless reputation. This product is a creamy, pigmented three-in-one highlighter, shadow, and shimmer. On my warm skin tone, the colorization is a compound of honey and champagne hues. I love the texture of this product. It adds glow to your face without excessive glitter and shine. I use this product as a highlighter on the top of my cheekbones and temples, t-zone and in the inner eye corner for that extra "pop" to bring the look together. Run, don't walk, to purchase this product!

spend money
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! 

You May Also Like

9 comments

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This beauty guide is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to make informed decisions about their beauty purchases. As someone who values both quality and affordability, I always strive to find the perfect balance. That's why I like to use cosmetics from https://pdcosmetics.com/ which is a dermal fillers direct supplier. They offer a wide range of high-quality products that not only enhance my beauty routine, but are also reasonably priced. It's a win-win situation that allows me to save money without sacrificing the effectiveness and luxury of my cosmetics. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The article presents a fun and relatable take on beauty shopping, offering a save versus splurge list of the writer's favorite everyday beauty products. Their genuine passion for makeup shines through as they share practical and budget-friendly recommendations, making it an engaging read for fellow makeup enthusiasts.
    Also don't forget that to look great and healthy you need to get rid of extra weight. There are a lot medications to do it without anorexia and other diseases. but not all of them are high-quality and helpful. I can recommend Ozempic, which you can buy on Insulin Store https://insulin.store/ozempic/ - best supplier on Canada with cheap prices and fast delivery to US. Don't forget to consult your doctor, it's very important.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such an informative article! It's essential to find a balance between saving and splurging, especially when it comes to beauty products. If you ever need some extra cash to treat yourself to those occasional splurges, consider exploring this https://northnloans.ca/saskatchewan-cash-advance-loans/ site. They offer Saskatchewan cash advance loans, providing a reliable solution for those times when you need some financial flexibility. Remember, financial wellness is all about making informed choices. Stay beautiful inside and out, and keep your finances in check with the help of resources like NorthnLoans.ca! 💅💸💼

    ReplyDelete
  6. A "Beauty Guide" transcends the superficial, merging the external with the profound beauty of compassionate care at life's end. In the context of family caregiver burnout, companies like MyLifeChoice play a crucial role, offering hospice care to those with serious illnesses in their final months. This support allows patients to live in comfort, managing pain and symptoms, which is a form of beauty in its purest sense. The guide to beauty, therefore, is not just about aesthetics but encompasses the grace of providing comfort and dignity in the most challenging times. It reminds us that true beauty involves acts of kindness, understanding, and support, helping caregivers and patients alike find peace and solace. The beauty in hospice care, provided by organizations like MyLifeChoice, lies in its ability to transform the final stages of life into a period of comfort and dignity, offering a poignant reminder that beauty is indeed more than skin deep.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a fantastic overview of the save versus splurge concept in beauty! I love how you highlighted effective products at different price points. For those looking to enhance their makeup routine even further, Restylane Eyelight is a wonderful addition for brightening the under-eye area and minimizing fine lines, especially after long nights or busy days. I’ve been using it lately and have seen amazing results! If you’re interested, you can find Restylane Eyelight at https://fillersupplies.com/product/restylane-eyelight-lidocaine-0-5ml/ . It’s a great way to complement your favorite makeup products!





    ReplyDelete
  9. Moisturizers, gentle cleansers and other everyday beauty products help keep our skin and hair looking pretty good even without too much effort! It’s always reassuring to know or have a reliable staple. Stores like Orah offer a wide range of quality products that cater to everyday beauty needs, making it easy to find authentic items for your routine. It’s a great option for anyone looking to build a simple, effective beauty regimen.

    ReplyDelete

Instagram