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Are there certain beauty products you refuse to spend a lot of money on?


Are there certain beauty products you refuse to spend a lot of money on? If so, which ones & why?

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Body sunscreen is definitely an area where splurging may be nice, but it’s not at all practical, given how much you have to use!

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missy Avatar

lipgloss. i use it up too fast to spend even $15-$20
so drugstore lipgloss is great plus i think on your lips you
can’t tell as much as say a cheap foundation or chalky eyeshadows that might
be inexpensive.

Lens Avatar

Mascara – maybe this i because i have yet to find a mascara that does anything worth paying a lot for…

Makeup remover, nail polish remover… anything you go through at a high rate. I agree w/your sunscreen answer, although it’s important to find one that works well, even if it’s not the cheapest!

Alisha in WI Avatar

Body products in general. Lotions, sunblock, body wash, etc. I also agree with face wash and mascara. Once in a while I will splurge on mascara but it almost kills me!

Tiss Avatar

Body care stuff like lotions, soaps, and scrubs. I feel that you have to use so much on your body so spending a lot of dough on it is kinda a waste. Especially since there’s a lot of cheap drug store brands that work really good.

Krista.K Avatar

Mascara, I have been tempted to try the Buxom mascara, but $18 is a bit too over priced for me, but I know one day I’ll cave lol just because the #1 makeup item I cannot live without is mascara and I’m (like many others) still trying to find my HolyGrail-can’t live without-best ever mascara. (:

Paloma Avatar

makeup in general. I can understand SOME skin care products being more expensive, but the average female goes through makeup fairly quickly due to constant use…so it makes no sense to buy a lipstick for $20-50+ when you can get one that is similar if not identical for much cheaper and be able to replace it for less when you do finish using it. The 50+ you spend on your lipstick could go to a charity, buy a family of three dinner at a buffet, buy a parent at a shelter 2-3 boxes/bags of diapers, etc. It’s a waste, really.

Leenie Avatar

I usually don’t spend a lot on my mascara the most 10.00$, and nail polish around 5.00 unless it’s a color I can’t do with out and I’ll bite the bullet and purchase it.

Leenie Avatar

I know what you mean, I do my nails maybe every three days and I can go though nail polish very fast so I usually have to re-purchase and I don’t want to spend a lot because it can get very expensive

natalie Avatar

chapstick/lip conditioner i.e. i wouldnt buy sugar no matter how good it smells i go through like 3 sticks a month. that would add up a ton of cash.

livnzoe Avatar

mascara.. because there are a lot of drugstore ones which are as good as the high-ends!
also face-wash, bodylotion, primer (since i use monistat), nailpolish

kcrystal Avatar

1. nail polish .. if a higher brand comes out with a particular color during that month, i can easily find a dupe for it and no one can tell the difference.

2. Eyeshadow. I’ve yet had someone come up to me and tell me how lovely my mac shadow was. If a 2 dollar shadow works why shell out 12? Sometimes the pigmentation is much better than some of the colors mac comes out with.

3. Lip gloss. Sheer or clear .. it’s all the same.

natalie Avatar

nailpolish remover and tweezers 🙂 also mainly a lot of drugstore things, i feel they just arent worth it. like 10 dollars for a drugstore mascara no thanks, id say 5 is decent

LipstickChick Avatar

Without a doubt, I refuse to spend $$$ on mascara (as noted, it lasts such a brief time, it’d pain me to spend a lot on something so short-lived), as well as lipliner (I’ve found my HG in the d/s, which goes with everything I wear … no need to look for something as boring as l/l for tons of money LOL).

jenny Avatar

eye makeup remover *baby oil all the way*
mascara, for the most part
lip balm. why wuld i spend more than 5 bucks on it?
body lotion.

Roz Avatar

Latisse or any product in this category , It is Rogaine for eyelashes. When you stop using the product your lashes go back to their natural state. So just invest is some good mascara or false eyelashes.

condesa Avatar

Body scrubs, eye makeup remover (I found Yves Rocher works better than Lancome’s bi-facil!!), body lotion (I use high end and low end, but there is no significant difference!), makeup cotton pads, face wipes (drugstrore ones work as Estee Lauder ones!!). I save for getting high end makeup!!

Hilana Avatar

Let me rather say this: The things I DON’T mind spending money on is the best mascara, foundation and loose powder I can afford. For the rest I don’t mind buying the cheaper stuff.

Dini Avatar

actually nail polish, we have this brand in Malaysia that does nail polish for like rm5 which is about a $1.50 and the colors are stunning so why pay more?

Sweeda88 Avatar

Skincare. I can get exactly what I need at the drugstore. I don’t see a need, personally, for overpriced stuff that’s probably no better. Also, mascara. Same thing!

Meghan Avatar

makeup remover…i use baby oil, it works great, especially since I have dry skin. If I want lipstick in a color I don’t think I’ll use a lot I try to find a dupe, and definitley mascara. I haven’t found any high end mascara thats superior enough to the drug store brands to make it worth it.

Amy Avatar

Or single eyeshadows. I rarely spend a ton of money on one single eyeshadow; I’d prefer eyeshadow palettes or quads for more expensive brands.

Lauren Avatar

All of you are right!

I don’t spend a lot of money on face wash, toner, eye makeup remover, and chapstick/lip balm. I work at a drugstore so I usually will get the store brand plus I get my employee discount.

Martina Avatar

makeup remover, nail polish remover, lip balm, shampoo, hands cream… but generally even nail polish, except if i REALLY LOVE the shade and i can’t fin a similar one anywhere…

Serena Avatar

-Mascara because I haven’t found the expensive brand mascaras to be any different than the drug store mascaras.
-Spray Tanning cause it’s freakin expensive and it only lasts for a couple of days
-Face/Body Lotion
-Makeup remover

Kimberley Avatar

I don’t think I’d spend a huge amount on a lip gloss. Foundation yes, a good moisturiser yes, but for a lipgloss, heck even a lipstick – I could never justify it!

Marina Avatar

Mascara and makeup remover! I’ve found great drugstore products in both categories, so I see no reason to spend more than $10 on a mascara or remover. Just not worth it! I’d rather buy a nice shadow with the extra money.

Keener Avatar

Mascara, for sure. I do replace them every 3 months so I don’t want to invest into it that much. Plus I have long lashes and so far drugstore brands and MAC have been doing a pretty good job as it is. And nail polish, I love it, but I can’t spend a lot on it because my love for certain shades changes all the time. I can’t justify spending a lot on something I may only use a couple of times. I stick to OPI and China Glaze mostly.

I try to stay away from high-end brands, because I know the moment I buy that Givenchy palette I want … it’s all over! I won’t be able to stop myself.

I would list a whole bunch of other stuff but I realize that I do spend more than my friends to on beauty products but I consider myself pretty reasonable.

Ashley Avatar

black pencil eyeliner & black gel or liquid liner. I can spend more on colored eyeliners that are exclusive to certain lines (MUFE, Urban Decay), but not on black – the drugstore black is the same as the high end black! I’ve tried both and not seend a difference.

Annie S Avatar

I would say mascara, only because although department store brands can be significantly better, for the most part unless some one is a MUA, you wouldnt really notice the difference on the eyes

Katie Avatar

I keep telling myself that I need a new foundation, but instead, I walk away from MAC with everything but the foundation.

Ada Avatar

There are quite a few things I won’t pay big bucks for. To name a few, I think body sunscreen, blotting papers, and lip moisturizer would be my top three.

Elyse Avatar

definately make up remover. I actually just use baby oil to remove my makeup, then wash my face to gel rid of the excess oil. works well and only costs me 99 cents for a bottle that can last me months.

after make up remover id have to say moisturizers. My favorite one is olay from drug stores.

Katie Avatar

Oh, I forgot to add that I barely ever buy nail polish! In fact, I have only two! I like to paint my toes, but not my nails. As a mom of a ten month old, I find that I can’t keep up with the maintenance. Plus, I’m constantly doing dishes, laundry, and other stuff, so the polish is always quick to chip. I’d just rather not bother!

Tori Avatar

Basically any one product that is over $50-60 i won’t buy. Sometimes mascara if its over $25… And face/body products because drugstore is just as good in my opinion.

Michou Avatar

Mascara, the best one I’ve ever found so far was Maybelline. 🙂

Also, generally, I buy even my OPI on Amazon or on sale at Harmon, unless there’s a color I cannot be without (Teal We Meet Again was a color I bought at retail price, haha.)

Also, I often buy drug store blushes, but I’m started to be turned by the more awesome unique (or natural) shades I find at the more expensive brands.

Other things I buy on the cheap are brushes I don’t use often, eyeshadow colors I need for a specific event (wedding, etc) and know I don’t like all that much and body wash (I buy inexpensive handmade soap on etsy).

Courtney Avatar

I will not spend lots of money on mascara. It lasts such a short period of time and it’s taken me many-a-trial to find the right one for me.

Christina Avatar

Mascara, lipliner, and eyebrow pencil. I spend way too much on lipsticks/glosses, eyeshadows, etc. so I need to attempt to save somewhere, Lol

Jane Avatar

Body wash, body lotion, makeup remover. I go through a bottle of body wash basically every month, so there’s no point in getting the pricey stuff.

Megan Avatar

probably pencil eyeliner. I have bought MAC eyeliner and plan on buying Urban Decay 24/7. I feel Rimmel works just as well. There’s so many other options too such as gel liner, eyeshadow, etc.

Connie Avatar

I don’t splurge on makeup remover, self-tanning products, eyeliners, or mascaras. There are too many good drugstore alternatives.

Nadine Avatar

Mascara,definetely!I’d love to try out a high-end one,but 30 Euros for a Chanel or YSL Mascara is crazy.Even 18 Euros for a MAC one is still expensive to me,but Splahproof is my favorite.I’m trying to find a drugstore mascara that is just as good.

Ashley Avatar

I like expensive and luxury beauty products in general, so all is good for me. But false lashes,they only last up to 4 or 5 uses really. I just use Ardell, Andrea, or Quo ones. I’ve seen some lashes for 60+ dollars a pair, they were mink and/or human hair lashes.

AnGeLwInGz Avatar

Expensive shampoo. I have very long hair which I wash and condition every day so to spend $25 a bottle would be hell on my wallet.

monika-luiza Avatar

nailpolish! I just invest in a good quality (but not expensive) under and topcoat, but I totally don’t get why I should pay a lot for designer nailpolish when the quality isn’t necessarily better than cheaper products.

Haylie Avatar

Mascara and eyeshadows. You throw mascara out about three months later and the most I’ll spend on an eyeshadow is from MAC but NYX are $4 and sometimes more pigmented. At the end of the day you take it off anyway. No need for $40 designer eyeshadow.

Jennifer Avatar

brow stuff. this is one product where i actually went from expensive high end brands to find that they are now making comparable low end brands that do the trick if not better

Amanda E. Avatar

Oh man. I am the thriftiest girl on the planet, so I could write a book about all the stuff that I buy the “cheap” version of… I know that some products really are worth the money, but $30 mascara? Really? Here’s mine:

1- Mascara. Haven’t found a brand better than Maybelline Lash Stiletto- $6 at Target or buy one get one free at Ulta.
2- Makeup remover- Target brand, $3.
3- Makeup tools- sponges, sharpeners, applicators. I can’t for the life of me understand why anyone would pay $6 for 2 MAC sponges. You can get a pack of 20 at Target for less than $2. I have splurged on nice brushes too, but at the end of the day, I just use the little disposable sponges they have for free at Sephora. I grab a handfull of them whenever I go, and a couple mascara wands too. For free ninety nine!
4- Foundation and powder- never understood this one. My mom pays $50 a bottle for hers… Mine is about $8, Revlon, used the same for years. I understand that some people have very difficult to match skin tones, or maybe have acne/scars that needs really good coverup… but most women can get away with drugstore brand and still look amazing.

angie rafaela Avatar

I am so surprised a lot of viewers don’t splurge on face wash – it’s your FACE for goodness sakes! Anyways, I won’t spend money on eyebrow gel ;P cheapie drugstore brand or even regular hair gel on those off days does the trick =)

Q Avatar

It’s easier to list the things I buy at the d/s to begin with. Other things I buy elsewhere.

1. St. Ive’s scrub for face. This is a standard. It’s fantastic and even smells good. Yay for peach pits!
2. Shampoo. I’m not going to spend all my makeup money on organic goat’s milk conditioner and exotic rhino secretions shampoo when I can get a nice sulphate-free thing at Target for $5. I’ll even put up with the awful rosmary/mint scent.
3. Lip balms. Not necessarily glosses, just balms. Even if my heard didn’t already belong to Nivea “Touch of Moisture,” I could buy any number of $3 balms from indie Etsy sellers and slake my desire for all natural, organic, vegan lipgloss that smells/tastes like cake.
4. lip scrubs: I have sugar and vitamin E at my house; do I really need to pay $20 for someone to put it in stick form FOR me?
5. Mascara. I haven’t seen a big diff between high end and d/s anyway and you toss it in 3 months, so why bother?
6. Face primer. Nearly all the gel-based primers are chemically identical to the Monistat chafing gel formula. It’s just a silicone gel; there’s not much you can do to change that up. So spend $6 and get 4x the product.
7. Nail Polish. I buy Sinful colors more than any other brand. It last nearly a week, despite constant hospital-work handwashing (yay medical fields!) and it comes in a fantastic array of colors that can dupe nearly anything out there. And it’s $2 a bottle even when it’s not on sale.

I guess that’s it. I don’t buy established brands of shadows that much, but I can’t really say it’s an economy thing. A lot of time the mineral/indie shadows I buy wind up being quite a bit more by volume than MAC or Chanel or Shiseido or some of the others. But my lipsticks are pretty much 100% MAC anymore and my l/g is all Buxom and my foundation is all BE (right now, unless I find another powder foundation that I love) and I doubt I’ll ever go back to liquid foundations.

If perfume counts, I can’t buy *any* commercial scents anymore. I am pretty well spoiled by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. Yeah, it’s $17.50 – $27.50/teaspoon, but it’s WORTH it.

wallflower Avatar

Although i love makeup i think that most of the high end MU is simply a gimmick and you tend to spend your money on them not coz they are that much better than cheaper ones but because it makes you feel more ‘special’ or ‘luxurious’.
Most of these products are way overpriced deliberately because the high price tag sends the message that it’s the best on the market you can possibly get. If you base your purchases on common sense as opposed to impulse buying, you will most probably find out that the only beauty products it’s worth splurging on are quality foundation, MU brushes and maybe well pigmented blushes, eyeshadows and lipsticks/glosses. I say for skin, hair and body – the simpler, the better. Harmful chemicals, fancy packaging, expensive advertising campaigns? No, thanks.

Jakara Avatar

Let me start by saying I like nce thingsand I now shop for my department store items at discount makeup sites.

I will not spend a lot of money on mascara, facial wipes, eyeliner, lipliner, body wash, nail polish, body lotion, body scrubs, nail polish remover. eye makeup remover.

Reason being is these products are necissities (sp) and I can find good producs from the drugstore. target or walmart.

Jennifer Avatar

I never spend a lot on body lotions, shower gels, scrubs or sunscreen. That said I am an aesthetician so I get polish, etc for cheap, I have the MAC Pro discount so I pay, like, drugstore prices for it, and I work for Lancome so I get some stuff for free.

Dianna Avatar

1. Bright eyeshadow. No matter how pretty it is, I know I won’t wear it – that’s what my 78 palette is for.

2. Mascara. I’ve received a few for free from MAC (I’ve had my makeup done there many times for weddings, prom, etc.) and I’ve bought sample sizes of high-end mascaras in the past… but I’ve found drugstore brands that work just as well for half the price so why splurge?

Other Items: sunscreen, body wash, lip balm, nail polish remover…

sabrina Avatar

i would never spend to much on mascara since you have to throw it out every 3 monthes. also shampoo… john frieda and suave work fine.

Katrina Avatar

Hah! I wish there was something I wouldn’t be willing to spend big money on. I’m just such a sucker for pretty packaging. I swear sales people can see me a mile away and sell me on any fancy thing. 🙂

Michelle Avatar

I definitely buy cheap sunscreen because where I live, the sun is out all year long and I’m constantly outside.
I also buy drugstore mascaras because I don’t see much point in spending a ton of money when you throw the product out after a couple months. There are some great cheap mascaras anyway. 🙂
Lastly, I buy cheaper makeup remover just because I go through so much of it!

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