What products are you least likely to splurge on?

Cleansers and body washes, since they don’t sit on the skin long and just go down the drain, so being efficacious is important but spending a lot is not typically necessary. I will splurge on lipstick, but I think you can find stellar lipstick formulas at all price points.

— Christine

17 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Mariella Avatar

…..yeah, but can you find a dupe for MAC Craving at ANY price point? Sorry, just had to get that out there.

For me, it’s also probably body wash, though I love finding a high ticket item marked down!

Seraphine Avatar

Mascara! For me, certain drugstore mascaras work just as well as or better than any mid-range or high-end products I’ve tried. I know a lot of people disagree with that, but I have not found anything that works better for me than CoverGirl Clump Crusher.

liz Avatar

Most skincare tbh. I am perfectly happy with my Cerave, The Ordinary, and Vanicream products. My skin cannot stand botanicals or fragrance and it seems like the high end brands use them generously.

BrandiD Avatar

Lip gloss and mascara – I have tried many, many kinds and my favorite drug store options perform just as well or better than the pricey stuff. Also perfume – not because I don’t like specialty perfumes, but because I like to change my perfumes out frequently, so sample sizes or slightly larger are the best option for me. Brushes – I have found that Real Techniques and Eco Tools work just fine, with a few supplements from e.l.f. or Morphe.

Nina Avatar

Hand cream. The best I’ve found that works wonders is O’Keeffe’s Working Hands. Not greasy but keeps my hands gorgeous. I’m now using it on my feet and legs. Big tube for $5.99 ! Happiness !

Genevieve Avatar

The list of what I don’t splurge on is far greater than what I do:
Lipsticks – generally I have found that CP’s and Maybelline’s lipsticks are pretty good value, plus whatever more HE or mid end brands I get on sale from an online Australian retailer – such as Shiseido is fine for me.
Mascaras
Setting Powder – my new Elf one is fabulous
Cleansers, day and night time moisturisers – I generally get on sale from Priceline or Chemist Warehouse
Serums and oils – The Ordinary and The Inkey List
Body washes and body lotions – I use a variety of sensitive skin body washes and the Dermaveen Eczema lotions – again on sale.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!