As my blog and I get
a little older (not necessarily wiser) my idea about what constitutes value for
money has changed. It used to be that a product had to be as cheap as chips in
order for me to consider it good value but I’ve come round to the idea of spending
my money on one or two expensive products that I know I’ll use instead of a
dozen cheaper ones that I will forget about. That’s not to say that I’m turning
my back on inexpensive makeup, I’m not. I just want to evaluate products based
on how much use I get out of them. It doesn’t matter how cheap it is, if I use
it once and forget about it then that is not value for money. Here are a few products that I think were
worth every penny for me.
My Benefit Browzings has to get a mention. Before you choke
on the £22.50 price tag hear me out. I bought this around 2 years ago, I use it
several times a week and yet it’s still not done. The wax will probably be used
up by the end of 2012 but the powder will keep going until the end of time. There
are Sleek and ELF versions out there that look similar but I haven’t tried them
so I can’t compare the performance.
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ELF Studio makeup brushes. Not all of them mind you. I never
use the fan brush or the concealer brush but the powder brushes, eyeshadow c
brush and contour brushes are part of my daily face arsenal . None of them have
shed on me. They perform well and the only sign of wear after almost 2 years is
the ferrule has started to loosen a bit on one of the powder brushes. For the
£3.50 price tag I don’t begrudge it a bit of superglue after almost 2 years of
hard graft.
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MAC Wedge Eyeshadow. There are probably cheaper dupes out
there but I don’t own any (although Naked from the Urban Decay Naked palette is
very, very similar). I use this shadow almost daily because it gives me what
nature forgot to (I don’t mean boobs... sadly). I mean a crease. I use this
almost daily to blend out my crease and it creates the perfect shadow. I’d be
lost without it so I consider it £12 well spent.
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What products give you the smug satisfaction of money well
spent?
I think value for money is really important.
ReplyDeleteMy mum thought I was crazy for buying a Naked Palette for £25. But I pointed out that at just over £2 per shadow, that all of her single (Collection 2000/MUA/Rimmel/17 brands etc) eyeshadows probably cost similar or more. And that while some of hers are hit and miss, all in the Naked Palette were good quality, wearable, compact and travel friendly.
I buy from all different brands from Mac to ELF but I do do my research on blogs to see swatches and reviews, so rarely waste money on poor products.
I do think the premade Urban Decay palettes are fab value for money. It's a shame about their new buld your own palette system! Great concept but seriously overpriced in my opinion. I'm getting better at researching my purchases but I will admit to still being guilty of the odd impulse buy. Sometimes to my detriment! x
DeleteMy Benefit blushes, had Coralista for at least 2 years and it still has tonnes in it :P Also have the Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic. £28.50 for small versions of all their concealer products that'll last ages :)Also I have a Chanel neutral eye duo that has lasted as long as the Coralista.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I reckon my Sleek palettes are pretty good value for money as well.
I completely agree, I use my Sleek palettes constantly! And the quality is generally excellent. How are you finding the Confessions of a Concealaholic? I worried the shades would be too dark for me x
DeleteThe lightest shade is the 01, which is fine for me, but I can also get away with the darker. The Erase Paste you get is medium, but I imagine if you mixed it with a lighter concealer it'd work well. I'll let you have a nosy next you're up/I'm down :) x
DeleteMAC Kid e/s does for me what Wedge does for you. MAC Blanc Type is my go-to matte highlighter and transition color and got lots of love already. Oh, and MAC Translucent Finishing Powder. It's the perfect primer/setter for me. I'm an avid powder foundation user and the Translucent Finishing Powder is the perfect primer for it. I also use it to set liquid foundation but that's a rare feat.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I LOVE Blanc Type. I actually wore Blanc Type and Wedge at my wedding! I've never thought of using a powder as a primer. I will have to try it one day! Thanks :-) Glad you liked the post! x
DeleteI understand what you mean. When I first started out in skincare and makeup I bought loads of cheap products thinking I was saving money but in the end most are now sitting in my drawer. I've since become more picky, and am starting to spend a bit more but infrequently and on items I really need and know I will use. Sadly, still can't afford some of the products I really want slash the huge long list of benefit items I want. XD
ReplyDeleteI do think Benefit are really expensive for what they are. That's why I normally only get them with my Boots points ;)x
DeleteI use Nars Laguna bronzer most everyday to contour. NYC Sunny comes close, so I wear it when I stay home (NYC translucent powder is also great). I use Mac Rubenesque Paint Pot as a base everyday, and I also wear Mac Wedge in the crease everyday.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered NYC Sunny from ebay after hearing US people talking about it on youtube for years. I used the have the NYC translucent powder and loved it! The only problem was the lid cracked on me x
DeleteNars anything, they last forever and wear really well. Although you might have to de-rubberize the outsides if/when they get gunky (easy to do w/ a little rubbing alcohol).
ReplyDeleteThe most ridiculously awesome VFM currently rocking my world is a palette of mixed shades I got for $1 (closeout) at Sally Beauty Supply. The blues go on muted and nice, the neutrals are great too, and I keep going back there hoping there are more palettes by the same maker.
What a fantastic find! I don't actually own a lot of NARS. Any specific recommendations? I have a cheek and eye palette containing Orgasm, Honeylust and some shadows but that's it x
DeleteI feel the same now as I am getting older. I'd rather save up and spend money one one thing I know I'll use at least once a week than a dozen similar things that may never get used.
ReplyDelete