I’ve always enjoyed Splurge v. Save blog posts because I find it interesting what people are willing to spend money on. Brad and I have been doing a lot of purchasing lately since we’ve moved, so I thought I’d do a little Splurge v. Save series of my own. I thought I’d begin with beauty products since I think it’s the easiest.
*Note: Of course, everyone’s version of “splurging” and “saving” is different! My definition of splurging could be very different than yours!
In general, I’m a saver. Partly because I have to be and partly because I was raised that way. (My mom is a great bargain shopper. I love calling her to tell her about the great deal I just got.) Beauty products can get expensive. Therefore, I’ve tried to figure out what can be saved on, and what is worth spending the money on.
Shampoo / Conditioner / Soap: SAVE
To be honest, I have pretty good hair. I don’t need anything fancy to make my hair look good, so I buy pretty much whatever is on sale. However, this doesn’t always work for everyone. My mom has very thin hair, so she pays more money for products that will make her hair thicker and stronger. When it comes to soap, $3 soap and $15 soap both get you clean. I’ve bought the off-brand of Dial for years.
Also, I didn’t include things like hairspray and other products to put in your hair because I don’t use them, so I guess I’m “saving” on those too!
Face lotion: SPLURGE
When it comes to the lotion I put on my face in the morning and at night before I go to bed, I don’t go for the cheapest bottle of the shelf at CVS. Skimping on lotion always leaves my face feeling greasy but not moisturized.
This may seem very silly, and I do not “keep up with” the Kardashians, but I read that Kim Kardashian said that her number one beauty secret was that she started wearing eye cream at night when she was in middle school. When you think about it, you totally should start wearing eye cream before the wrinkles come, not after!
Currently, I put on a face cream by Estee Lauder in the morning, and at night, I wear Neutrogena face lotion and Estee Lauder eye cream.
Make up: SAVE
Make up can get expensive even when you are “saving” because there are so many elements. I buy most of my make up at CVS or Target. I’ve had a lot of luck with the brand E.L.F., which is sold at Target. I LOVE their liquid eyeliner and eye shadow palettes. I also just bought their bronzer and a large brush, which I have been really happy with so far. I used to spend $13 on Neutrogena foundation, but I recently decided to try E.L.F.’s $6 foundation, and although I wouldn’t say they are comparable, I do like the E.L.F. foundation enough to keep buying it.
For eyebrow pencil I use a product by Revlon, mostly because the color matches my hair the best. I’m currently using a sample size mascara from Estee Lauder that I really like, but I haven’t decided if I’ll spend the real money on it once it runs out. I usually buy Maybelline mascara.
Straightener: SPLURGE
A straightener is something you only buy once every several years. I’m actually on the market for a new one at the moment because I think I’ve had mine for about 5 years! I’ve really been putting it off for too long because it’s definitely lost some of its heating power. Since this is something I use a lot and lasts a long time, I don’t mind buying a nice one.
There you are! A peak into my spending habits. What do you like to splurge on? Have you found any products that have saved you a ton?
One Little Bird Blog 