Pricier Cosmetics I was a total Skeptic, NO more!!

[scandalouslyglam]

I always poo-pood when my friends bought Pricier cosmetics. By pricey I mean above drugstore stuff. But I recently bought OPI base coat, top coat($15) and "Best of the Best" collection($25). OH my! My nails are shiny, don't chip and dry so well!! I'm tossing all my sally Hansen and Revlon...they take so long to dry!!

What Pricier products do you swear by??

[SouthernCJ]

MAC concealer and bare escentuals mineral makeup Oh and OPI nail polish. Welllll I guess I use mainly "pricier" products.

I really find that by spending a little extra for quality things go soooo much further, and is really cheaper in the long run. My MIL thought I was crazy for buying a Coach purse, but I have used it every day for the last three years. It is a lot cheaper than buying a new $30 purse every month like she does. I have Northface boots I got my freshman year of college that are pretty much brand new still.

[DavesGirl]

I swear by MAC, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Philosophy and many others. I do like some drugstore stuff but there really is a difference in my opinion.

For Nails, I'm pretty loyal to OPI, Essie, China Glaze & Seche Vite.

[scandalouslyglam]

I carry Coach as well. I like vintage...without all that Logo stuff. It lasts forever and a day!!

[Cryssi]

I only wear MAC Cosmetics. Someday I'll carry a Coach purse.

[SouthernCJ]

Thought I should add that I have never liked an expensive "pricy" mascara. I think drug store mascara is the way to go Trying to think of other pricy/not pricy things I like, hmmm...

[OrchidCactus]

Before I started doing my own gel polish on my nails, I swore by China Glaze polish. Now it is relegated to the toes......

I reckon in the long run it's probably cheaper, but I make my own shea butter creams. The quality is top notch because I KNOW what's in it!

[CubsFan85]

I've just started getting into high-end cosmetics. I do still love a lot of my drugstore stuff. I plan on getting my first Mac item - powder foundation - with Christmas money. But, for liquid, I love my Revlon Colorstay, so I see no reason to stray just because it's drugstore.

So, while I'm excited to try out some new pricier products, there is still a ton of great drugstore stuff too. I'm happy to mix and match.

[CubsFan85]

Originally Posted by SouthernCJ

Thought I should add that I have never liked an expensive "pricy" mascara. I think drug store mascara is the way to go Trying to think of other pricy/not pricy things I like, hmmm...

I've heard this is usually the case and was very happy with Covergirl Lash Blash. Then, I got a sample of Tarte Light, Camera, Lashes in the True Blood palette and o.m.g. It's amazing. I would love to get the full-size but it's $19, ouch! I pay less than $5 for CG when it's on sale and I have a coupon.

Plus, I have a stash of mascara backups under the counter so I don't need any for quite some time.

[LowCarbRachel]

I like foundation from Tarte or Smashbox.

I can only wear mineral make up on my eyes due to allergies, same goes for mascara. Otherwise, I would wear Great Lash. The only one I can wear is Bare Minerals.

I buy lipstick and lip gloss from the drugstore.

[stews]

I use Arbonne skin care and make up. LOVE it!

[Psmileyf]

I just got my first full size bottle of Lancome Mascara in November.
I had a sample and I simply loved it, so I asked for it for my birthday. It was $25, but I just love it!

[killerblues]

I use some high end stuff, but a lot from the drugstore too.

I use:

Elf eyebrow gel, it's $1

Everyday Minerals (concealer and mineral foundation)

Two Faced eye primer (a tube lasts me about four months)

Tarte eye lash primer

Benefit, They're Real!, mascara (this is the best I've ever used, I used to wear GL but dd turned me on to this. Love it. Expensive, but this tube has lasted two months now.)

Tarte eyelash curler (works the best and last the longest of any I've used, and I'm the QUEEN of eyelash curlers.)

Maybelline mineral blush (I just happen to try this and am going to use it up, it takes me FOREVER to use an entire one up.)

Various eyeshadows. I love Elf, lots of color saturation and they really stay on well. I have revlon, wet and wild, maybelline. I use whatever suits my fancy at the time. I also am too old to use a lot of sparkle so I really try and use matte and neutral colors.

And corn starch as a finisher. The kind you get from the grocery store.

Most of my brushes I get at Sally's. They are really great.

I use some OPI polish but I go by color on that. I use Out the Door top coat and all my pedi's wear like iron with that stuff, even the cheap kind. Love it. Don't wear polish on my fingernails. With all I do it wouldn't last five minutes. I would love to though.

[SuzanneM]

I splurge on mascara - Lancome and eye pencils - Chanel and bronzer - Guerlain- those are pretty much the only make up items I wear.

I use moisturiser with bronzer - so skip the foundation stuff.

For the life of me, I don't why that Pink maybelline mascara gets great raves- it's the worst mascara I've ever used

[killerblues]

I love GL, but the Benefit I use now is just wonderful and I hope to be able to budget well enough to always use it.

Until this year, I used GL since junior high. I tried others but they just didn't hold up.

[SouthernCJ]

Originally Posted by CubsFan85

I've heard this is usually the case and was very happy with Covergirl Lash Blash. Then, I got a sample of Tarte Light, Camera, Lashes in the True Blood palette and o.m.g. It's amazing. I would love to get the full-size but it's $19, ouch! I pay less than $5 for CG when it's on sale and I have a coupon.

Plus, I have a stash of mascara backups under the counter so I don't need any for quite some time.

Okay, you guys are killing me! I'm totally going to pick up some of this mascara to try. I'm trying out different makeup and skincare things under the guise of it being part of my wedding preparations, I guess we can file this new mascara under the wedding budget, lol.

[LCJunkie]

I recently got into using the higher end cosmetics and what a HUGE difference! I use Christian Dior spray foundation, and powder. I just bought their eye shadow yesterday and LOVE IT! I really like their Dior show mascara but I bought a brand off The shopping channel (which I think is QVC in the US) called Dalton and I prefer it to Dior Show now. And its cheaper. I also use OPI nail product and always use salon brands for my hair.

[dmvgirl]

Fresh lip balm by Sugar. DH about had a heart attack when I told him it was $20.00 but I swear by the stuff.

[Beaglesaroo]

I'm not going to tell you all how much the eyeshadow I bought last week cost me...but it's coming from the UK.

There are very few drugstore products I like ~ I'm not a 'return it' kind of girl, so I definitely like to swatch/test it out and department stores give samples and have testers (which I use on my hand, not my face)

[SummerAnne]

I gave up on makeup ages ago because I can't find a decent eyeliner at the drug store and I got tired of wasting money. And what's the point if I'm not going to use eyeliner?

Any brand suggestions?

[killerblues]

Originally Posted by SummerAnne

I gave up on makeup ages ago because I can't find a decent eyeliner at the drug store and I got tired of wasting money. And what's the point if I'm not going to use eyeliner?

Any brand suggestions?

Try a good primer before you put on eyeliner. I don't use liner per say, I use primer and then eye shadow to line. Only on the top lid though. Black or very dark brown and smudge.

Primer makes all the difference in the world. I use Two Faced. It's not cheap but the tube is good sized and mine has lasted about four months.

[Beaglesaroo]

Have you ever used gel eyeliners? Bobbi Brown has good ones. MAC Fluidlines are decent.

Or you can try a 'cake' liner, like Laura Mercier (don't bother with the 'activator'...use regular water only).

For drugstore pencil, Milani Liquifye (not sure I spelled that right...) is decent.

[DavesGirl]

Originally Posted by SuzanneM

I splurge on mascara - Lancome and eye pencils - Chanel and bronzer - Guerlain- those are pretty much the only make up items I wear.

I use moisturiser with bronzer - so skip the foundation stuff.
For the life of me, I don't why that Pink maybelline mascara gets great raves- it's the worst mascara I've ever used

Oooohh! Pretty!

Maybelline Great Lash is like putting ink water in your lashes.

[Bluqq]

I havent bought from a drugstore in years
Im a sephora girl...only place I shop for stuff

[AllMyPonies]

I swear by MAC paint pot eyeshadow primer. I've had one over a year, and use it daily, I apply with a brush. Even in the Texas summer heat, my shadow won't crease or smudge. Mascara - I've tried 'em all and found the BEST is Revlon Voluminous False Lashes with fiber, waterproof. Makes my lashes loooooong, and normally they're little stubs!

[DavesGirl]

Originally Posted by CubsFan85

I've just started getting into high-end cosmetics. I do still love a lot of my drugstore stuff. I plan on getting my first Mac item - powder foundation - with Christmas money.

Which one you gettin? Studio Fix?

[CubsFan85]

Originally Posted by SummerAnne

I gave up on makeup ages ago because I can't find a decent eyeliner at the drug store and I got tired of wasting money. And what's the point if I'm not going to use eyeliner?

Any brand suggestions?

What type are you looking for? For pencil I am using NYX right now, which is available at Ulta. I think it's $3.99. I like it. I've also used in the past one of those twist up type pencils from Walgreens. I can't think of the "brand" name but they're at the makeup counter in bins for like $.99! It's black with a gold lid. It reminds me of the Mary Kay liner I used to use years ago.

For liquid I have Maybelline Lash stiletto. It's the first liquid liner I've used so I can't really compare it, but I like it.

But, my fave is gel liner. Physician's formula makes a great trio that they sell based on eye color. So, for blue eyes it has a black, brown and blue. They all have blue glitter, though it doesn't show up that much. I've also heard great things about Wet n Wild gel liner. I plan to try it next.

Originally Posted by DavesGirl

Which one you gettin? Studio Fix?

I haven't decided. Either Studio Fix or Mineralized Skin Finish Natural. On Youtube, more people recommend the MSF. But, on Makeupalley, Studio Fix has slightly better reviews. So, I'm torn! I figure I'll ask someone there for advice.

I'm looking for something to wear on days when I don't want to do my normal liquid foundation.

I'm slightly leery of mineral, because I wore L'Oreal mineral makeup before and while I liked it, it kind of accentuated the pores on my cheeks. It also made my nose itch a little (which is normally where I itch if I'm having an allergic reaction). So, I don't know if I'm sensitive to the minerals or just that particular brand.

[JerseyGyrl]

Originally Posted by CubsFan85

I'm slightly leery of mineral, because I wore L'Oreal mineral makeup before and while I liked it, it kind of accentuated the pores on my cheeks. It also made my nose itch a little (which is normally where I itch if I'm having an allergic reaction). So, I don't know if I'm sensitive to the minerals or just that particular brand.

If you experienced itching from mineral foundation, its most likely it contained bismuth oxycholoride which is notorious for causing itching & irritation.
Based on a recommendation I received here (thank you RockyMtnAngelEyes ) I use Smoky Mountain Minerals (almost 6 years now). No bismuth oxycholoride and about half the price of Bare Essentuals.

[jezzie]

Bare Essentials face, blush and eyes.

Smashbox primer

Clientele face cream.

Too Faced and Joan Rivers lipsticks.

Philosophy for perfume and body exfoliant.

[TigerlilyCA]

Originally Posted by SummerAnne

I gave up on makeup ages ago because I can't find a decent eyeliner at the drug store and I got tired of wasting money. And what's the point if I'm not going to use eyeliner?

Any brand suggestions?

I really like Tarte Aqua-Gel liner. It's basically a gel liner in a pencil form! It's fab and so easy to appy! It's very soft and creamy, so it's really only good to use the way that you would use the pot gel liners (ie not in the water line and it doesn't really smudge).

If you like a more true pencil-type liner, I like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil.