Splurge or Save: Eyeliner & Eyeshadow
Julyne Derrick About.com Guide
Dior 5-Colour Shadow Palette, the beauty editor’s favorite
Don’t want to spend upwards of $20 on a pricey palette? Invest in a small tube of M.A.C. Paints, which acts like a eyeshadow primer and will keep even the least expensive eyeshadow in place for days. With a dab of this on your eyelid, your shadow isn’t going anywhere.
Splurge or Save: Foundation & Concealer
Too much money is wasted annually on the wrong shades of foundations and concealers, which is the main reason I say, “Get thee to the department store and skip the drugstore.” Nothing beats the discerning eye of a makeup expert when it comes to finding the right shade and formulation for your skin tone. A makeup expert can take one look at your skin and determine if foundation or a tinted moisturizer best suits you or if you need a lighter or darker shade of concealer.
I suggest a department store such as Sephora for foundations and concealer rather than a specialized counter such as Clinique or M.A.C. Why? Sephora beauty experts have a wide variety of brands to choose from, whereas a Laura Mercier makeup artist only has Laura Mercier makeup to try out. (That said, Laura Mercier is hands-down my favorite brand for foundations and concealers. I buy mine at Sephora).
Extra tip: You may need different shades of foundation for summer and winter. Most people have a shade or two darker skin in the summer time.
See my lists of the best foundations and best concealers.
Splurge or Save: Hair Brushes & Makeup Brushes
Makeup brushes are a good example of when synthetic can actually be simpler on your life. Synthetic brushes are easier to clean and easier to use with wet makeup than their much more expensive natural bristle cousins (which can come in pony, squirrel, goat or badger hair).
That said, cheap makeup brushes won’t last nearly as long as well-made brushes. For this reason alone, I suggest investing in affordable brushes from Sephora, M.A.C. or Sonia Kashuk (available at all Target stores). These brushes aren’t “cheap” but they won’t break your bank, like my bevy of Trish McEvoy brushes broke mine years ago when I invested in them. Just as you a gourmand needs only three types of kitchen knives to cook like a chef, you need only 3-4 makeup brushes to get flawless makeup like a model.
Extra tip: Always throw out the tiny brushes that come with department store makeup. You’ll get a much smoother, flawless finish with a professional makeup brush.
See my lists of the best hair brushes and makeup brushes.
Splurge or Save: Lipstick & Lip Glosses
The fact is, lip glosses rarely last, so why spend big bucks on them? Both Revlon and L’Oreal make a great basic lip gloss. That said, you’ll find much better color ranges and a less stickiness if you splurge on Nars or Chanel gloss, the beauty editor’s favorite.
As for lipsticks, the formulations in Chanel, M.A.C., Vincent Longo, Dior and Giorgio Armani can’t be beat, but you can find a great long-wearing lipstick in your local drugstore.
See my list of the best lip glosses and my 16 best
Splurge or Save: Mascara & Eyelash Curlers
Every magazine touts Shu Uemura ($15) as The Eyelash Curler everyone must have in their makeup drawer. So why then, do so many makeup artists stockpile the much cheaper Revlon Extra Curl Eyelash Curlers (about $6)? Hmmmmm……
Splurge or Save: Tweezers & Flatirons
Ceramic flatirons (more than $50 at a beauty supply store) check out some great options here are worth the money if you straighten your hair on a regular basis. Not only will a quality flatiron last longer, but according to InStyle magazine, most stylists agree on the superiority of ceramic tools. They get hotter faster, smooth the hair shaft better and are less damaging to hair, according to InStyle, which consistently name ceramic tools a best buy year after year in their “Best Beauty Buys” issue.
See my list of the best flat irons.
Splurge or Save: Blush, Bronzers & Powders
STEAL
Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
WHAT: Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
WHY: Heading to Milan for the shows? Fancy a detour to Venezia? Well we’ll let you in on a little secret. The views from the Molino Stucky, a former flour factory on Giudecca island, are to die for. Yes, we know, you only stay at boutique hotels so minute and secret and of-the-moment even Departures has never heard of them. But the Molino Stucky is worth making an exception. Far from the madding crowds of St. Mark’s, its Skyline bar is filled with chic locals lured by the super cocktails and the lounge-y vibe. Plus, after your bellini break you can slip next door to the Fortuny factory to snap up sumptuous pillows and lovely journals (just the thing for runway notes.) You might just run into neighbor Elton John.
AVAILABLE: www.hilton.com
STEAL
Ultra Luxe Online!
WHAT: c–Pre-Owned Luxury Goods Website
WHY: Portero Luxury is the leading curated source for ‘premium, pre-owned, prized’ authenticated luxury goods. From Chanel to Hermes to Rolex to Cartier, Portero Luxury provides unprecedented access to more than 500 of the world’s most exclusive brands at exceptional values. The company’s collection of certified pre-owned, vintage and collectible merchandise—including handbags, watches, jewelry and accessories – make it the go-to resource for scoring that perfect piece to make one’s look distinctive.
STEAL
SPLURGE
Let the Suno Shine In!
Loeffler Randall x Suno Erin Lace-up Wedge
WHAT: Loeffler Randall x Suno Erin Lace-up Wedge
WHY: These limited-edition gold wedges are sure to become a wardrobe staple…once the temps pick up just a smidge (or you jet to Mustique for some post-Fash Week relaxation)! The wooden-heeled platform sandal is perfect for any chicette who’s loving (and embracing) the revival of all things ’70s. Made of a special Suno-designed cotton canvas and lined in leather, these wedges scream optimism. Just the pick me up we’ve been after.
AVAILABLE: $645, www.loefflerrandall.com