Splurge Vs. Save: Makeup

So the question I get A LOT is: What are the best products to use? And I think “best product” is too general of a term, and I can write about those in another post.  I do have a preference of splurging and saving. There are particular products that I feel are worth a good splurge and some that you can save a ton on! Read on…

Save: Mascara- Unless you are born (blessed) with amazing lashes, (that I am not by the way) Mascara is something that almost everyone uses, and can be purchased at amazingly inexpensive prices. The brush ‘style’ and ‘fiber-enriched’ will differentiate many formulations, but what I tend to say is, if it works for you, the cheaper the better.

Splurge: Foundation- Great skin can be faked, but great skin can also look very cheap depending on what color and formula you are using. So buyer beware! Best to have your color matched with a makeup artist at a counter to help you find a shade that MATCHES your neckline, works with your skin type and has right type of coverage for your liking. Spending a little more helps put your freshest face forward.

Save: Lipliner- Lip liners are great items to buy at a drug store, the colors and styles are all very similar to what is offered by more expensive brands for a fraction of the price.

Splurge: Eyeshadow- Eyeshadows aren’t created equal. Some shadows are more pigmented than others, so what you are seeing in the case isn’t necessarily what will show up on your skin.  How shadow applies to the skin is super important for making your shadows look great and stay that way!

Save: Liquid Eye Liner- Dare I say this? I have been using drug-store-old-school liquid liner on clients for the LONGEST TIME. There are some amazing waterproof liquid liners out there (If you are afraid of the formula budging) and now the brushes are even better too!

Splurge: Pencil Eyeliner- Conversley, a good kohl eye liner is hard to come by. The water line, where pencil is typically applied, is such a sensitive spot for liner. If you are rubbing a (cheaper) liner in that area of the eye there is a good chance that irritation can occur. Have a makeup artist recommend a good kohl liner and test its application on your water line to see if it ‘tugs’.

Xo-Mimi

Military Chic for under $120

Holidays are amazing times to double up on coupons for clothing. I was able to get this amazing transitional winter-spring look for less then $150! With a little searching (and patience) you can get some really good deals!

Never underestimate the power of coupon codes. I LOVE a fantastic deal, and I got one with this. These destroyed black Jeans are American Eagle, and I purchased them during a clearance blowout! They were offering and additional 60% off clearance price and offered free shipping! Practically giving these amazing jeans away. Original price: $39.99. My Price: $15.

The Marc Fisher booties where also an amazing steal. Macy’s had an additional 20% off clearance during their Presidents day sale. Original Price: $120.  My Price: $60.

Last up, the Lucky Jacket was purchased at Tj Maxx and If you are willing to hunt, that place has the most amazing deals. Original Price: $89.50 My Price: $60!

This would have cost me somewhere in the 200+ Range had I purchased full price. Moral of the story, sign up for emails and keep an eye out for good sales. Often times you can stack those coupon codes.