Makeup - Budget or Splurge?

[ToddyLu]

Many of my 40ish friends have switched to B.E. I think my mistake was not having someone help me apply it correctly. We have an Ulta nearby. Hmmmm...maybe I need to give it a second look. I love the B.E. makeup brushes and use those exclusively.

 

[crazy4purple]

In my younger years, I started off with the drugstore brands, the progressed to Avon, Clinique, etc. As I got older the saying "you get what you pay for" played into my decisions. I splurged and tried BE. I quickly became a BE junkie and purchased all the TSVs that were on QVC or the special kits at the local Sephora & Ulta stores, etc. But then I got tired of the mess it would leave everywhere and it doesn't travel well.

So I've recently switched to the Mally line of cosmetics and I love it!

 

[rcraw45425]

Best mascara and lipstick is Dior, worth the extra. I love Sephora makeup brushes, a other splurge that is worth it, although the to Laura Mercier brushes that came with my kit are good, not typical kit brushes. I have found the BE brushes to be terribly, cheaply made, hair always falling out, especially if you clean them daily like I do.

 

[crisi]

In my younger years, I started off with the drugstore brands, the progressed to Avon, Clinique, etc. As I got older the saying "you get what you pay for" played into my decisions. I splurged and tried BE. I quickly became a BE junkie and purchased all the TSVs that were on QVC or the special kits at the local Sephora & Ulta stores, etc. But then I got tired of the mess it would leave everywhere and it doesn't travel well.

So I've recently switched to the Mally line of cosmetics and I love it!

I have a piece of fabric. I think it's a scrap of old pillowcase, that I set on my counter before getting out my makeup. It's made a ton of difference in how happy I am with a loose powder foundation

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I threw out all my make-up (typically Loreal/Cover Girl/Maybelline) and have been trying over the past 2 years different brands of make-up. The biggest seller for me is paraben-free make-up, but I also look for make-up with as few artificial ingredients as possible. Mineral make-up isn't my thing.

I love the liquid foundation I use made by Tarte. I also use Tarte's Amazon clay finishing powder. I use Smashbox liquid pen eyeliner and Fresh's Sugar Plum lip balm/stain. I haven't found a mascara I love, yet. My eyeshadow usage varies.

I buy all of this at Sephora when a 20% off coupon comes along (with free shipping!). I wear make-up every day, but it still takes me months to go through each of these products. Buying high-quality make-up has also cut down on the amount of make-up I have. I used to have gobs and gobs of eyeshadows, lipsticks, and the like, but I dumped it all and now only have a small make-up bag full .

I also now use Ole Henriksen skincare items (paraben-free). I love the way it makes my skin look and feel. I only discovered this line after receiving the free samples Sephora sends out with purchases.

 

[englishteacha]

I like Clinique for a department store brand. However, it's usually beyond my budget. I like Almay for a drugstore brand. I also have a sample set of Everyday Minerals that I really like a lot, but haven't bought a full set yet. I don't wear makeup every day, though.

 

[LMN]

For me, using Clinique is a splurge right now, but is not something I'm willing to give up! I only use their foundation and powder and blush. I think the money I spend on it is well worth it. I do use Almay eye shadow and mascara, though.

 

[caribear]

I wore Clinique when I was in my 20's...and then switched over to Bare Minerals which I really liked...minus the price. Then a friend of mine told me to try Avon's brand of mineral make up and I love it. I think it is even better than Bare Minerals...and way less money. I stock up when they have a BOGO deal or a sale. I am not picky about eye shadow...but I do prefer Maybelline mascara.

 

[lisaross]

i'm hitting the Mall tomorrow so i'll go into Sephora. Think i might try the BE foundation and perhaps get a sample of a liquid one...

What about Primers? do u think they help?

 

[Mickeyflower]

I used to like Bare Minerals. I have oily skin, and found that the foundation was literally gone off my face half way through the day, even while using a BE primer. I will be 40 in April, so like everyone else, I want my face to look it's absolute BEST. Just make sure you tell the beauty consultant at Sephora what your needs are and they will guide you in the right direction.

Primers help your foundation go on a nice smooth surface, they minimize the appearance of pores, and give your foundation a little extra staying power. I don't use one everyday, but I do use them.

 

[momto2inKC]

Splurge! I used to use Mary Kay then switched to Bare Minerals. I just love how 'light' it feels.

 

[TinkerBrie]

I love the MAC tinted moisturizer for everyday! I'm a makeup artist and love this for daily wear! MAC cosmetics are a little heavier as someone else mentioned and are great for a night out or special event....

 

[Colleen27]

I really like the BE foundation, but it has been a very long time since I tried any drugstore brands so I have no idea how the knock-offs compare. I'm not a big fan of their eyeshadows, though; loose powder foundation is fine but I don't have a steady enough hand for loose eyeshadow.

I like Urban Decay for lip & eye colors I wear regularly but often go with Avon or drugstore brands for trendier colors/styles that I know I'm not going to get much use out of. And I haven't found any mascara that stands out as better than the rest so I stick to Avon or drugstore brands for that as well.

 

[edk35]

I really like the BE foundation, but it has been a very long time since I tried any drugstore brands so I have no idea how the knock-offs compare. I'm not a big fan of their eyeshadows, though; loose powder foundation is fine but I don't have a steady enough hand for loose eyeshadow.

I like Urban Decay for lip & eye colors I wear regularly but often go with Avon or drugstore brands for trendier colors/styles that I know I'm not going to get much use out of. And I haven't found any mascara that stands out as better than the rest so I stick to Avon or drugstore brands for that as well.

BE now has some new pressed eye shadow compacts. They come 2, 4, and even more colors in a compact. I have two that I love.

 

[fakereadhed]

BE now has some new pressed eye shadow compacts. They come 2, 4, and even more colors in a compact. I have two that I love.

I pressed my loose BE shadows. Very easy to do- just go to YouTube for tutorials. I also turned my loose liners into gel liners.

The big problem I have with liquid foundations(cream, etc) is that you have to replace them frequently. I use the BE mineral makeup and it lasts nearly a year.

 

[Irin997]

I used to use Bare Minerals but I stopped for a few reasons:

- It would be off of my face by 2pm
- I would sweat it off like crazy (not good in hot, humid climates)
- left me feeling dry
- EVERY single photo I looked like a washed out ghost (due to the sunblock in it, plus probably some of the ingredients)

I've since tried and like Smashbox HD (pricey at $38 per bottle) - it lasts a long time and it doesn't look like makeup at ALL. But I've had trouble finding the right color for me.

I'm currently using L'Oreal's Smooth Souffle or something like that makeup. I like it a lot so far. It is really smooth and really smooths out my pores a lot. The color I have is pretty good and it has good staying power. When this is gone I'll probably try something else though.

I have read that women in their 40's and 50's should switch to a tinted moisturizer. Bare Minerals is great for young skin, but it tends to settle into lines a lot.

Sephora and CVS will accept returns if you don't like something. I don't buy foundation anywhere else.

 

[ilovebassets]

I'm a big clinique fan. 30 yrs old and I've finally sworn off all drugstore makeup AND skin care products. I have quite dry yet very acne prone skin. Finding gentle enough prodcuts that won't mkae my skin break out (skin care and make up) has been tough but clinique has been the answer for me.

As someone else said, your face is the first thing people notice about you. It's worth spending more on that than anything else in my opinion. For example, I got to famous hair and spend $15 four times a year on a haircut. pick and choose what's important to you.

 

[Irin997]

I forgot to mention I use a foundation brush from Sephora too. I have this brush set and I love it.

I also use Clinique skincare (super important) and a primer before applying makeup. Actually, I use the Monistat Chafing Gel stuff and it's exactly like the pricey Smashbox primer I used to use.

 

[threeboysmom]

i'm hitting the Mall tomorrow so i'll go into Sephora. Think i might try the BE foundation and perhaps get a sample of a liquid one...

What about Primers? do u think they help?

Primers DEFININTELY help! I am amazed at how long my make-up stays fresh with primer.

I very rarely have to touch up my make-up other than reapply lipstick and perhaps carefully blot the t-zone in the summer months.

 

[threeboysmom]

I hear so many great things about BE, but it just didn't work for me. I love the idea of a powder foundation (less messy than applying liquid in my opinion). I'm 47 and everytime I've used their foundation, I find it quickly settles into my pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, accentuating them even more!

I really like Make-Up Forever's foundation, Laura Mercier, and Guerlain's Terracotta Skin (for the summer).

Thinking of trying Mary Kay's now... Dewey is good! LOL!