The 7 Things To NEVER Splurge On At The Beauty Counter Because They’re Not Worth It
by The Candidly Team
“Wisdom” isn’t a word we’d typically associate with a beauty routine, but it’s undeniable that over the years, we aquire A LOT of insight into what’s worth our time. And, maybe more importantly, our money.
While some products are unwaveringly worth digging a little deeper into our wallets, others have a just-as-good (if not better) alternative that doesn’t cost us our quarterly coffee budget.
Here, we gathered up all our hard-earned years of beauty-buying wisdom to tell you what is and isn’t worth the splurge. And, of course, what to buy instead.
1. Pricey eyeshadow palettes
We’re all taken in by those colors, aren’t we? We imagine the person we WANT to be, and that person has time to blend four colors on their eyes to look like some smoky, hazy goddess. But oops, we usually only have time to swipe on mascara. IF that. So don’t waste your money. Buy ONE shadow color you know works for you that you can use all over, and that lasts all day.
What to Get Instead:
• We love THIS single shadow for all eye colors—it’s creamy and easy to blend but it lasts all day long.
• And if you just can’t give up your need for a palette, the most universal one we’ve ever tried is THIS one.
• And if you simply must have the palette above that we’re telling you not to buy, it’s THIS one. We know. The colors are utterly mesmerizing and we would totally understand if you had to have it.
2. Cleansers
This product is only on your face for an instant—so brands that put a bunch of active ingredients in their cleansers are charging you for things that aren’t very effective just by the nature of how long your face interacts with cleanser. So skip the expensive ones from super fancy brands and try gentle but effective workhorses like our faves below.
What to Get Instead:
• Dove Soap. Yep. We’re recommending dove soap. Every time we ask a gorgeous older woman her skincare regime this is what she tells us she uses to cleanse her skin.
• Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil. Yes the price doesn’t seem cheap, but at nearly 34 oz, this French pharmacy staple is gentle on even the most sensitive skin, leaves your face gorgeously soft, and the bottle will last you a year even with daily use. Also, you can use our code CANDIDLY to get 15% off.
3. Cream blush
We’ve tried Chanel, Charlotte, Kjaer Weis, Westman Atelier and literally countless others. We just do not perceive a difference enough to warrant the exorbitant prices. For us, the most long-wearing, natural-looking blush that’s created for sensitive or reactive skin, is $20 and lasts us a full year.
What to Get Instead:
• Tower 28 Cream Blush. We love everything from this brand including their LIP GLOSS but the range of colors along with the longevity in their cream blush is what keeps us coming back. Oh, and if you get overwhelmed from looking at all the blush color options and don’t know which one to pick, just go with Magic Hour. It looks soft and natural on everyone and every skin tone.
4. mascara
We’re ashamed and embarrassed to admit that we recently bought a $67 mascara that was so ghastly that it made our eyes water, and smeared down our faces by 2 pm. You just never, ever have to spend a lot on mascara.
What to Get Instead:
• Tower 28 Mascara. It’s the only mascara that doesn’t flake. Ever. It also separates your lashes into fluttery butterflies, never clumps, is entirely “clean”, and NEVER gives us itchy, red eyes—even for those of us who are very sensitive. We’re never trying another brand again.
• Maybelline Full 'N Soft. Simply put, the best natural-looking drugstore mascara in the game. Full stop.
5. Eye Cream
The truth is, this is where we WOULD spend our money, but we just don’t notice a difference around our eyes, even when we spend upwards of $200 on eye creams. And so we always go back to our drugstore standby.
What to Get Instead:
• Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair—we don’t notice a difference when we use it, but we notice a difference when we stop using it—dryer undereyes, more crowsfeet, crinkly smiles. So that must mean something, right?
6. SPF
It’s astonishing how much you can spend on SPF now. But we found our under-$20 miracle worker, and we never, ever stray.
What to Get Instead:
• Cerave Tinted SPF for the face. It’s $17, and it’s so gorgeous we don’t even use foundation over it. Poreless.
7. Pore reducers
Here’s the thing. There’s no such thing as reducing pores. That’s why you often see the words “minimize appearance of” written in fine print. Most products promising to turn your skin to porcelain are not worth their weight in gold (which is pretty much what they cost). But rest assured, exceptional options for making your pores look their absolute blurriest do exist, and they’re reasonably priced.
What to Get Instead:
• Trinny London Miracle Blur is almost like an undetectable putty for your cheeks and lips to fill in pores and lines. We are never without this magic tub.
• IS Clinical Pro Heal Serum: It’s pricey but it can be the ONLY serum you use—it heals breakouts, helps with fine lines, reduces inflammation and hyperpigmentation, and yes, it does reduce the look of pores. Get 15% using the code CANDIDLY.
And here’s what you SHOULD splurge on:
It’s our belief that the worthiness of a splurge is pretty black and white. It has to work in a way that has a real, noticeable, wow-factor. You have to be thrilled with the results, and feel like you can’t live without it.
These are the 6 products where the extra expense is necessary to truly inspire this reaction.
1. Moisturizer
Why: Our skin gets more and more “delicate” every year, which means the quality of ingredients we use becomes increasingly crucial. What was once as simple as oily or dry can turn into a perplexing combination of loose, lined, spotted, and dehydrated, yet somehow also… shiny? At a certain point, we need creams as complex at targeting our issues as the issues themselves. Here’s what’s blown us away on every front.
• The Best: Augustinus Bader “The Cream”
We mean it when we say this one is worth every penny, which is admittedly A LOT of pennies. It’s a cream so perfect, it manages to achieve that typically unattainable balance of brightening, quenching, and spot-reducing goodness.
• Also Amazing: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
Not every cream can claim that every single women who tested it noticed wrinkle reduction, but this one can. The bounce it produces alone is worth budgeting for.
2. Highlighter
Why: Anything that shimmers can be terrifying on “aging” skin. So, this is where the formula is absolutely is crucial. And there are only two we truly love for mature skin.
The Best: Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight
This one has all the glow without the glitter that shines a big old spotlight on fine lines. Can you tell we’re really particular about this? This highligher gives us a coveted radiance that works on more mature texture.
Also Amazing: Miracle Balm by Jones Road
The last thing we want is for color to look caked on. This balm is light and illuminating and works in a pinch to give us an instant glow on days we’re really just sick of wearing make up.
3. Perfume
Why: You shouldn’t limit yourself when you’re choosing the thing that will be on your body more than almost anything. You should love the scent with your whole heart. It should feel like “if you were a perfume,” so give yourself freedom to splurge if need be.
The Best Perfume We’ve Ever Worn: Child
We realize we just said your perfume should feel unique to you, but we honestly can’t imagine anyone not connecting to this fragrance on a slow-motion, love-at-first-sniff level.
Also Amazing: Le Labo Noir 29
There’s something utterly mysterious about this unique, moody fragrance. The black tea leaves swirl round notes of vetiver, musk, fig, and bay. The only downside is being asked what scent you’re wearing 50 times a day.
4. Brushes
Why: What stands between a gorgeous product and a gorgeous look is literally the brush we use. There’s no point spending on A+ cosmetics only to have them ruined by C- application. A bad brush can mess with the texture of even the finest product. So it’s just plain worth investing in the best.
The Best: Westman Atelier Blender Brush
No one wants to look like they’re wearing amazing foundation; they want to look like their own skin is amazing. To get that smooth, blended glow that looks like it’s coming from within, this brush is - no exageration - a game-changer.
Also Amazing: Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush
The greatest brush for bronzer and/or blush ever made.
5. Foundation
Why: If you don’t love your foundation, the rest of the makeup doesn’t matter. The silver lining is that you only use a tiny amount each day, so even if the bottle is pricey, it will last you a long time.
The Best: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation
It makes your skin look so perfect you’ll actually think there’s a filter on the mirror.
Also Amazing: Chantecaille Future Skin
If you’re super dry, this will change your life. And, once again, you can get 15% using the code CANDIDLY.
6. Lipstick
Why: Finding THE color, especially for the “your lips but better” look, is so unbelievably particular for each person. Maybe you will find your perfect shade at CVS. But if you don’t, try the fancy dept stores. It’ll be worth it.
The Best: Chanel Rouge Coco Flash
If you could only pack one lipstick to take with you wherever, this is that lipstick. It carries the most natural yet amplifying colors we’ve found, has the ideal amount of shine, and is deeply hydrating. It also lasts - both on the shelf and on your lips.we wear the color “boy” every day for that natural, nudey, your lips but better thing.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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