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If someone wears mostly drugstore makeup, what type of high-end product would you recommend they splurge on?
If someone wears mostly drugstore makeup, what type high-end product would you recommend they splurge on? (Example: foundation, skincare, eyeliner, etc.) Share!
Anything that you’ll love every time you wear it, and if possible, something you’d wear often and/or finish. It might be a really nice lipstick or as basic as foundation.
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Def get a really good foundation.
I would suggest eyeshadow from MAC or Urban Decay…so much pigment, lovely glitter, perfect mattes and long lasting.
Foundation for sure (provided it’s something you use). Such a better variety of shades, finishes and types.
Foundation! I believe that foundation is the most important part of my makeup routine because it’s the base on which all the other makeup is applied. If I use a good quality foundation, I know that I have a fresh, clean palette to work with and that the other products I apply on top will last longer!
My first splurge, the Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in orange, is an absolute must for anyone with bad dark circles. I have never seen my genetic dark circles vanish quite so well in my entire life.
definitely skincare, i think its important to invest in your natural complexion so that you won’t be investing in covering up flaws instead! makeup wise i think investing in eye and face primers is wise as a good primer can make even the fussiest shadow bearable 😉
Huge agreement on eye primer. I’ve found nothing yet to beat NARS Smudgeproof, and drugstore primers – face or eye – just tend not to work out that well for me.
I agree, I’d recommend something that I know they’d love, but I’d also add that I’d probably focus on a product where the higher price tag certainly makes a difference. I notice this with lipsticks the most, as I haven’t found a budget lipstick with texture as luxurious as, say, Rouge G. (I find that texture is usually what sets a higher-end brand apart from lower-end)
The only really high-end products I’ll spend on are lipsticks, fragrances, and skin care stuff. And nail polishes.
Lippies, fragrance and nail polish because they last forever and I know I’ll get plenty of use out of them, and skin care because I believe the condition of your skin makes the biggest impact on your overall look. So I will happily splurge on my skin to make it clear, bright, and smooth and keep it that way.
I’d say a good concealer, or even foundation.
eyeshadows, In my option they are only thing that you can see a difference between drugstore and high end product.or sometime lipstick but blush, foundation, eyeliner, skincare you can find the good product in drugstore.
Foundation, concealer, powder etc. Basically face products 🙂
I wear 90% drugstore makeup, but I do splurge on foundation because perfect base is important. I also splurge on one lipstick in a natural shade that I will make a lot of use of.
Foundation for me!
Definitely foundation/concealer whichever they reach for more.. I think drusgstore lipsticks, mascara, and pencils are pretty good and mostly comparable to high-end. What makes or breaks the deal is face bases and also sometimes blushes.. atleast for me!
I would say a foundation or powder or even primer, as you want the things most directly touching your face to be high quality and non irritating.
Skincare and foundation.
FOUNDATION!!!!
Definitely a good quality foundation. They make all the difference.
What an awesome question! Can’t wait to see other people reply to this one =)
I mostly tend to stick to drugstore products but I do love to splurge on my lipsticks. They seem more opaque and don’t settle into my lip lines (MAC Cream in your coffee and Craving).
Blush or eyeshadow!
Foundation! Drugstore formulas have really caught up with higher-end formulas, but the ability to get matched perfectly is a really great perk.
This is true!
As someone with a crazy stash of products covering many price points, there are a couple of areas where I gravitate to HE products.. sadly, they are not super exciting: Setting powder, Mascara, and Foundation. I agree though, having a gorgeous and elegant tube of lipstick can make you feel so glamorous and feels more like a treat to buy.
Foundation. There are excellent drugstore products across the board but testers are few and far between, and foundation is the one thing you have to get right and it’s the high-end brands that have the testers available.
I think it will depend on what their particular concern is. Since my hair is falling out and creating bald spots, hair care products are tops on my list. Alternatively, I have great skin, so I don’t put a lot of time or money into foundations or concealers.
Primer it sets the mood for the finished product. I love Porefessional.
Skincare definitely, and foundation base products. Anything that is going to sit directly on the skin I recommend spending some money on as that is what you skin will spend most contact with. Particularly with skincare, serums and moisturiser should have the most budget!
If they hadn’t found a foundation they were satisfied with I’d recommend that, because for certain skin tones and types finding a great foundation can be harder at drugstore prices. Otherwise I’d recommend either Guerlain Meteorites or an Hourglass Ambient Light powder- they’re a nice bit of luxury you can use everyday and because you don’t need to carry them around for touch ups they’re less likely to be lost.
i would definitely say a good foundation.
Eyeshadow primer and foundation is my recommendation. You can get decent face primers now at the drugstore level but most eye primers either make the eyeshadow last long or more intense but not both. >_< If you have any sort of folding of the lids they don't last as long.
Definitely foundation, concealer and setting powder…To me, your foundation is the canvas….if you have a “not so good” canvas than there is no point in other make up. I also splurge on eyebrow products because I need the most help there since pretty much have none…haha
Hmmm. The drugstore has really stepped up it’s game so honestly I wear mostly drugstore. I usually splurge on eyeshadow but I think that splurging on foundation is great too because you can get matched properly. I also will splurge on blush if I’ve got the money.
It would have to be my YSL touche éclat!! I love it so much. I always have one on hand for touch ups and it makes me look revitalized instantly.
I’d vote for either a foundation, or a special shade of nail polish that the bargain brands can’t do well that you gotta have.
Foundation & concealer.
Eyeshadow, eyeliner pencils, and nail polish are 3 beauty products that I feel are much better when they are high-end.
I think that the drug store has quite a few really nice products. But I think getting one larger versatile midend eyeshadow palette will change up your makeup game. I say a naked palette if you’re into lots of glitter and a lorac pro palette if you’re not. That plus 3 or 4 cheap eyeshadow brushes is a great start.
I agree with you that it should be something you use a lot and that you’ll love. I think getting foundation matched is really important, even just to help you find similar drugstore shades. I find myself splurging on items that aren’t easily dupe-able. If there’s a color or formula that I love I’ll go ahead and spend the money but I like to save where possible too.
I also try to spend money on things that actually stay on my skin and serve a purpose like anti-aging or sun protection (serums, sunscreen, etc) but I’ll go drugstore for items like body wash and facial scrubs that are used quickly and just get rinsed right down the drain.
Eye and face primers and finishing sprays. They just help a lot with longevity and performance of any product you put on.
Foundation, primer, or skincare. If there are no specific skin concerns (ie: this person has PERFECT skin) then, makeup with a tone that doesn’t exist in drugstore brands: MAC Heroine or NARS Taj Majal are excellent examples.
For me, foundation and good eyeprimer (I have really oily lids).
Excellent question.
oops, I hit post too quickly. I would probably suggest a foundation.
The products with the most significant difference between low-end and high-end, in my opinion, are eyeshadow and eyeliner. I think high-end blushes are almost always a rip-off; so are most powders. Mascaras and lipsticks depend on the brand, not the price.
However! If you’re only able to splurge on one product, I vote brushes are most important.
Foundation! I tried a high-end foundation once and i would never ever miss it! Before my foundation was about 5-10 EUR but the 40 EUR for the Dior BB Cream are a good deal.
Foundation, given that they will wear it! I just really have noted a difference between the quality of drug store foundation and higher end foundation -especially on my skin, which suffers from acne and unevenness.
Probably eyeshadow. I find it to be one of those things that drugstore brands just don’t do very well! Everything else, you can find of decent quality at the drugstore. A year ago I would’ve said highlighter, but I’ve discovered taht Physicians Formula powders are great!
I have never found any drugstore eyeshadows that lasts longer than 30 minutes without creasing on my lids, so I would definitely recommend a good eyeshadow primer, like NARS Smudgeproof!
NARS Smudgeproof is my HG, so great!
I agree with many that have said splurging on a good foundation (or concealer). I’m loving my NP stick concealer right now.
If someone I knew did not wear foundation or concealer – I would recommend any eyeshadow or liner from Urban Decay. It’s my favorite, and 24/7 is the only eyeliner I like. It doesn’t last very long, but it goes on beautifully compared to almost every other one I’ve tried.
I would recommend a good foundation and/or Chanel blush.
Either skincare or foundation would be my recommendation.
Personally I think quality seems to pay off most in foundation, moisturizer and serums but I think the important consideration is the person using it. For real skin issues something that helps or hides the problem. Perfect lips? Lipstick. Everyone compliments your eyes, shadow. Basically the important thing isn’t the item but how much the splurge will make that person smile at the mirror. It matters most which feature people tend to notice most on someone.
Since this is describing myself, I would say eyeshadow. I am now trying lipstick and I don’t have one that I think is better than drugstore. I have sampled high-end foundation but still have not seen something that is different than drugstor. In the end, I think eyeshadow quality is better in high-end; much more creamy and easy to blend.
Foudantion and concealer, they are the ‘boring stuff’ but they worth the money.
A good, heavy-duty under eye concealer. Drugstore brands don’t really offer a full-coverage concealer (and you also want to be sure it does not cake). I also agree about eyeshadows….some drugstore ones are good, but a good amount out there is still very chalky.
After certain age ( 30ish?) a potent Serum or a good facial oil or a resurfacing product like Liquid Gold CAN change the appearance of the skin…. I really think you get what you pay for with regards to ingredients but it is true too that some cheaper versions of high end products of the same company or manufacturer have the same effect.
When it comes to actual makeup most high end foundations do tend to perform very well but also we all know drugstore dupes that are just as good at 1/3 of the price. Same with some face powders.
What I haven’t found yet is a drugstore khol kajal that could compare to the Guerlain Terracotta one. ( 24 pounds or 30 dollars for 1 gram of powder is quite crazy …but nothing else works so well for me) and BRUUUUUUSHES:….. I still haven’t found a very cheap face brush that performs and lasts. Brow brushes yes but anything for foundation or powder I would stick to recognized quality over cheap price.
In this order: eyeshadow primer, bronzer, blending matte types of eyeshadow shades, and blush. For me personally, everything else I have a much easier time/HG drugstore product. For example, I know a lot of people say foundation, but after trying many many foundations, Revlon colorstay whipped is still my favorite. But I’ve had a hard time finding those products I listed in a drugstore-Makeup Geek helps a lot though. 🙂
Dual Wear foundation by Estee Lauder (liquid) or eyeshadow by Urban Decay. Or, Urban Decay nail polish. I’m so glad they’re making them again.
I would say foundation all the way. The only low end foundation I’ve liked in years has been CS Whipped.
I’d say a high-end eyeshadow palette. Drugstore lipsticks and blushes are really coming along, but I find that eyeshadow is REALLY hit or miss, and mostly miss. So a nice shadow palette is good.
Foundation. Almost all drugstore products have talc and parabens and are generally made in China. Foundations generally higher end do not. But it’s also hard not to say a good moisturizer should be higher end- you dint even have to spend a ton- bare Minerals is fairly good on better ingredients.
Foundation because there are some really amazing high end foundations out there, and it’s something you would always use. That, or a concealer.
I can’t pick one thing. I use only high end products from skin care to makeup. I feel like I really get the bang for my buck. Usually great texture and color payoff. If you can afford it pay for it.
There are so many great and fun higher end
Makeup. I would say, Nar’s, Mac, it, Mally,
Laura geller, urban decay, makeup forever,
Cover FX, bare Minerals, smashbox,
Anastasia, too faced, tarte, lorac, shu uemera,
Chanctecaile,, Laura Mercier, Tom Ford.
Foundation is splurge worthy; but the first thing I’d recommend to any drugstore diva is eyeshadow. We’ve seen the low grades here, and sometimes Wet N Wild products are hit and miss. If there is an Ulta, I’d start out with NYX (still “drugstore” but decent) and Urban Decay. If there is a Sephora, I would go for NARS. And most times, I’d recommend MAC, but advise people to forget the gimmicky stuff.
Definitely a great foundation. It makes all the difference. I can use all drugstore products with a high end foundation and everything performs better.
This is a difficult question for me bc DS and inexpensive makeup has come a LOOONNNG way. I really like Christine’s answer. Someone who wears mostly drugstore makeup likely has a budget so if they choose to splurge–better that it’s something amazing and something they’ll use often (after all, makeup does have an expiration).
I own a few splurge items. Eyeshadow is the biggest one. I own Naked 2, Naked 3, Naked Basics, and a few UD and MAC singles. I just can’t find many drugstore eye shadows that compare in texture, pigmentation, or lasting ability. I also own UDPP, but I have a drugstore primer that works decently. Blush and bronzer are my other two splurge items. I have NARS Orgasm, Giorgio Armani Maestro Blush in 500, and a few Benefit boxed powders for blush. For bronzer, I have Too Faced Milk Chocolate, Tarte Park Avenue Princess, and Hoola by Benefit. With bronzer especially, a lot of drugstore items just don’t look right on my pale skin. One product I will admit was a bit of a waste was Benefit High Beam. There are many drugstore equivalents.
Definitely a good foundation! It’s the key to good skin
Love your response, Christine. I completely agree 🙂
Ultimately I would say to get the Urban Decay Vice 2 eye shadow palette because it has every colour that you could possibly want/need in it. It is beautifully pigmented and the colours are vibrant. This palette would last you a very long time. There are plenty of good drugstore neutral palettes out there to complement the UD Vice 2. Also, once you know your foundation shade -there are lots of good foundations/blushes of the drugstore variety that anyone can buy. Eye shadows from high end producers tend to be of much better quality I think. Another great product is Guerlain’s Les Gris or Les Verts of the 4 pan range. Totally stunning!
I would say moisturizer followed closely by foundation
Either foundation (much better color selection) or eyeshadow primer (cheap primers tend to not work for me).
I first thought of skin care or foundation then realized that the one thing I can’t find in the drugstore is salmon concealer other than Pixi at Target so that would be the thing to go for if you have problem under eye area.
I would definitely splurge on my skincare items only because the skin is your canvas. I have seen people who spend thousands of dollars on makeup & their skin looks horrible. Take care of your skin & no matter what else you splurge on you’ll have the best canvas to showcase your makeup.
Hm… in general terms, I’d say lipsticks. This is partially because I am a lipstick person in general, and partially because I think that lipstick is something that you can wear without any other makeup for a quick pick-me-up and to brighten your outlook 🙂 Higher end lipsticks tend to be more hydrating and longer wearing for me (exception being Revlon’s good stuff).
Foundation! For deeper skin tones, the drugstore variety is severely lacking and often people pick incorrect colors or formulas out of sheer desperation. Finding your proper match and formula is worth its weight in gold.
FOUNDATION, its a base and must look well. I also find that a good eyeshadow thats not too powdery is essential
SKINCARE! No amount of makeup can change your skin or your health. Invest in long term needs. Smart buys.
Foundation.. while there may be a lot of different foundations at the drug store, i find that most of the ones that work best for me are high or higher end foundations.. i am a woc and deep is just not my color.. im not light (nc35 and im not darker nc55) im in between and if find deep usually means red undertones, which i am not and truly pisses me off to think that im considered deep when i am usually refereed to as light skinned (though i truly think im just just perfect brown, lol).. my current favs are estee lauder , becca and lancome .
Concealer (or foundation, if they wear it). Good skin is the foundation (ha ha) for everything – when your skin looks good everything else is gravy.
I know you’ll surprised but I would advice her to buy a lipstick. I think you can find good quality drugstore products of every kind such as foundations, eyeshadows, blush, etc.BUT high end lipsticks have gourgeous packagings and as lipstick is the product you take with you out and about and you show it every time you have to re apply it, is the product you are going to enjoy the most showing it around and enjoying that little piece of luxury.
Foundation for sure…after some eyeshadows from Urban Decay or MAC..
If only one thing, Foundation hands down. Next would be anything that takes everything up a notch- like an amazing finishing powder.
I think eyeshadow is the best to get high-end. The drugstore really lacks high quality shadows while you can find some good quality blushes, lipsticks and what not!