When buying skincare or cosmetics, does more expensive mean better product? Not necessarily. Here are some guidelines on what is worth spending money on and where you can afford to be a cheapskate when shopping at the cosmetics counter.

1. Moisturizer – Save

A moisturizer is basically a mixture of oil and water; and for daytime, sunscreen is added to the mix. Yes, there are lots of trace additives—fruit or vegetable extracts, vitamins, minerals and various ingredients that claim to firm wrinkles, reverse aging and “lift” skin. (Sorry, friends, once you’ve aged, there is no going back. Sunscreen is the most effective anti-aging product you can use.)

The best you can hope for in a moisturizer is (A) that it is the right amount of moisture for your skin type, (B) that it smells and feels nice when you apply it so you will use it regularly, and (C) that it’s within your budget. There are hundreds of wonderful, affordable moisturizers that you can find in your pharmacy, health food store, even grocery store. No need to spend a lot of money here. Another rule of thumb—if it has ingredients you can eat (i.e. honey, carrots, vitamin C), it’s healthy for your face.

2. Foundation – Spend

The best foundation matches your skin tone perfectly and improves the appearance of your skin’s texture. Because most bargain brands don’t allow you to test the shade directly on your skin, it is never guaranteed that the color in the bottle, jar or compact will be identical to your skin.

That’s why it is better to go to a department store or cosmetic boutique where you can try the actual product on your skin. (The best place to test is along your jaw line – apply a small amount there and if you can’t see where the product ends and your skin begins, that’s a perfect match.) You can also choose from several different finishes (dewy, natural or matte) and degrees of coverage (sheer, light, medium or full coverage). I’m a big believer in using the lightest form in the warmer months and more coverage when it’s cooler, so you may be able to choose the same brand’s shade across the different forms whether you prefer a liquid, cream, mineral powder or “whipped” cream.

3. Powder/Blush – Save

Face powder and powder blush are made up of talc (as in talcum powder), pigments and binders that hold the “cake” together. The more expensive versions may have fragrance, finer particles of pigment and some of the ingredients mentioned above that are added to moisturizers. You are also paying for packaging, marketing, advertising and the supermodel or celebrity who is under contract to endorse the product. Since all powder or blush is basically the same, why not choose the shade you prefer and that is flattering on you?

4. Eyeshadow – Save

For powder eyeshadow, see the same rules above (3). As far as cream or liquid eyeshadow, research has made much progress in formulating products that are virtually crease-proof, so the same caveat goes for choosing a color that looks pretty and compliments your eyes.

5. Eye or Lip Pencils – Save

There are only two manufacturers of high quality cosmetic pencils in the world and they are both located in Germany. Trust me on this, these two companies make pencils for the least expensive cosmetic companies all the way up to the most exclusive designer lines.

Again, minor variations in formula and packaging may occur (bargain versions may be shrink-wrapped; the costlier pencils may be boxed and have metal tips, caps, and “smudgers”). But if you select a pencil whose shade and cost you like and it’s stamped “Made in Germany,” you are getting the same excellent quality as a pencil that costs many times as much.

6. Lipstick – Spend

Okay, I’m a little bit of a lipstick fanatic. It’s probably the item that I change most often of my makeup products. So I always have a wardrobe of lipsticks and glosses that I use in rotation. Because lipstick has been around for years, research & development departments have really come a long way in formulating lip colors that can be long-lasting, glossy, matte, sheer or shimmery. Because lipstick is the one item I can politely pull out of my bag to reapply after a meal or during the day, I like the indulgence of applying a beautiful shade housed in a precious tube. And, since lip colors follow fashion, the exclusive brands have the newest shades sooner. In addition, just like foundation, I think it’s important to try before you buy, and that’s something you’re not able to do with a mass market brand.

Today, you can find high-quality, cutting-edge shades, products and formulas in many prices ranges, so it’s easy to stay within your budget while staying beautiful.

. . . . . . .

Photo courtesy of willgame