[andrea044027]

What makeup / beauty item do you splurge on?
I am very pale and have trouble finding foundation that is pale enough. I caved in and bought an expensive foundation at Ulta yesterday.
Store employee put it on me and it looked great - it was pale enough for my skin tone and offered full coverage.
I don't go near items that only have a light, medium, and dark option.

[cpht]

I used to splurge on makeup. I loved the Bare Minerals. I just have gotten soooooo frugal as I have gotten older. It's the best deal I can find for me these days.

[Vesuviox]

I used to spend a lot of money on makeup now I have gotten in control

[pylant]

I splurge on massages, I LOVE them!

[sar1]

I switched to Bare Essentials about 2 years ago and it's my splurge beauty item. I buy on sale whenever possible but discounts on it are hard to come by so when I find one I buy everything I need for 6 months. Yeah, that bill is tough to swallow but then I'm good for a while.

[proudphillymomof5]

I admit I do buy Bare Minerals because of the coverage that looks great and since I have acne prone skin it really helps cover that to and doesn't irritate my skin. yes it's expensive but I only buy it once a year since I do not wear makeup when i am home or running errands or out walking. I will use Physician Formula occasionally. I love makeup but I have really cut back on buying it since I have like 12 eyeshadows in my makeup box

[andrea044027]

I have tried mineral makeup. I believe it was loreal - didn't care for it. I do remember the Loreal infallible foundation was pretty good. May have to try it again when my expensive bottle runs out. :-)
I'm pretty frugal too (ok I'm just plain cheap ).
Told my family and a couple of friends about the expensive foundation and every one of had similar reactions - good for you! You deserve it!
I was surprised.

I think if you find something that works for you - stick with it.

[cpht]

Originally Posted by andrea044027

I have tried mineral makeup. I believe it was loreal - didn't care for it. I do remember the Loreal infallible foundation was pretty good. May have to try it again when my expensive bottle runs out. :-)
I'm pretty frugal too (ok I'm just plain cheap ).
Told my family and a couple of friends about the expensive foundation and every one of had similar reactions - good for you! You deserve it!
I was surprised.

I think if you find something that works for you - stick with it.

Absolutely, you should treat yourself! Enjoy it!

[Shellydav]

I have a couple of makeup splurges...also linked to Ulta, where I could try before I buy.

I buy a primer at Ulta that really makes my foundation go on smoothly and last all day (I buy Neutrogena foundation at Target. I have two jars left in my stockpile...it was on sale for $2 off, plus I had a $2 Target Q and a $MFQ--hope they do this again!)

I've also been buying eyeliner there--it LASTS when other brands have not.

I did get hooked into buying a high-end mascara there and a highlighter, and was sorely disappointed and mad at myself. I told my Ulta hair stylist that the clerk really pushed them and how they didn't work, and shetold me to bring them back for a refund!

[andrea044027]

Originally Posted by Shellydav

I have a couple of makeup splurges...also linked to Ulta, where I could try before I buy.

I buy a primer at Ulta that really makes my foundation go on smoothly and last all day (I buy Neutrogena foundation at Target. I have two jars left in my stockpile...it was on sale for $2 off, plus I had a $2 Target Q and a $MFQ--hope they do this again!)

I've also been buying eyeliner there--it LASTS when other brands have not.

I did get hooked into buying a high-end mascara there and a highlighter, and was sorely disappointed and mad at myself. I told my Ulta hair stylist that the clerk really pushed them and how they didn't work, and shetold me to bring them back for a refund!

What kind of eyeliner and primer did you buy?
I've been looking at Pinterest hair and beauty category wayyy too much. :-)
I'm glad you were able to return the items that didn't work for you!

[randomequine]

PSST: The best primer out there? Monistat Anti-chafing gel!!! Seriously!! It sounds weird, but it provides an excellent based that helps makeup STAY! My hair/make up lady used it on me for my wedding....it was 106F outside and my makeup stayed put! After that, I was a believer! It also works well if you want a lighter coverage to mix with a foundation....creates more of a tinted moisturizer sort of consistency!

As far as my splurges:
MAC foundation and concealer....loooove it. It was what my stylist used on my wedding day as well and it's just soooo nice and very easily blendable (even for a bad-at-makeup person like me!). At the rate I'm going, my $27 bottle is going to last me a year (at least!).

Salon quality shampoo and conditioner (usually Matrix or the like) - I was amazed at how the manageability and look of my hair improved after just two washes...it's SO worth it!

Other than that, if it's not cheap or free, it's not for me!

[sheillagh]

Originally Posted by andrea044027

What makeup / beauty item do you splurge on?
I am very pale and have trouble finding foundation that is pale enough. I caved in and bought an expensive foundation at Ulta yesterday.
Store employee put it on me and it looked great - it was pale enough for my skin tone and offered full coverage.
I don't go near items that only have a light, medium, and dark option.

I have oily skin and hyper pigmentation. I have tried every foundation under the sun (high end and drugstore brands) My makeup collection borders on being embarrassingly huge. When I start something or enjoy something I go full force, hence my couponing stockpile! LoL. Anyways I found the the best foundation for me is the Revlon Colorstay Whipped. After all the 100's of dollars I spent on MAC, MUF, Lorac, UD, Stilla, etc....kicking myself now. I also use a primer every day and find most are the same. Tried the Monistat chafing gel as a primer and it was ok...if I had normal or dry skin I feel it would've been great but since I'm oily it didn't last. The Revlon Whipped is full coverage and comes in many shades.

[andrea044027]

[quote="randomequine"]PSST: The best primer out there? Monistat Anti-chafing gel!!! Seriously!! It sounds weird, but it provides an excellent based that helps makeup STAY! My hair/make up lady used it on me for my wedding....it was 106F outside and my makeup stayed put! After that, I was a believer! It also works well if you want a lighter coverage to mix with a foundation....creates more of a tinted moisturizer sort of consistency!

As far as my splurges:
MAC foundation and concealer....loooove it. It was what my stylist used on my wedding day as well and it's just soooo nice and very easily blendable (even for a bad-at-makeup person like me!). At the rate I'm going, my $27 bottle is going to last me a year (at least!).

I've read about the Monistat gel on Pinterest.
I have it on my wish list for when I find a good deal or have some extrabucks at CVS to burn.

I bought Stila foundation - I feel about it the way you do MAC. It works even for someone like me! Total makeup junkie here - but I don't get up early enough before work to put on tons of makeup. Not a morning person :-)

[andrea044027]

Originally Posted by sheillagh

I have oily skin and hyper pigmentation. I have tried every foundation under the sun (high end and drugstore brands) My makeup collection borders on being embarrassingly huge. When I start something or enjoy something I go full force, hence my couponing stockpile! LoL. Anyways I found the the best foundation for me is the Revlon Colorstay Whipped. After all the 100's of dollars I spent on MAC, MUF, Lorac, UD, Stilla, etc....kicking myself now. I also use a primer every day and find most are the same. Tried the Monistat chafing gel as a primer and it was ok...if I had normal or dry skin I feel it would've been great but since I'm oily it didn't last. The Revlon Whipped is full coverage and comes in many shades.

I am the same way! Buy tons of makeup - if I like it, I really go overboard and stock up.

It looks so pretty in the package. My mother bought me a huge Estée Lauder train case one year. I loved it!!! Still have lots left because its too nice to use.

I was mostly using cover girl foundation. (Because there is always a coupon and a sale for cover girl). It just wasn't working for me.
I have mild rosacea and it didn't cover it at all.
Felt like it was gone at the end of the day too...
Melted away.
I tried 2-3 Revlon foundations when the $5 coupons came out earlier this year. Big improvement over the cover girl, but not quite what I was looking for. I also bought a revlon primer - I like it too. I wear the primer almost every day.
I've done 2 major clean outs of my bathroom this year - makeup, toiletries, etc.
Still hanging onto a few things that I should get rid of but for the most part, I have thrown out what needed to go.

[monkeydawn]

Buxom lip gloss. Love the tingle and the super sparkly ones. I really like Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow primer too.

Not makeup but related beauty splurges are Lush Bath Bombs, Lush Triclomania shampoo bars and Basin Conditioning Bars (Both the Lavender and coconut varieties). The Lush Jungle Conditioning bar is pretty good too and I like the Daddy-O shampoo.

[andrea044027]

Originally Posted by monkeydawn

Buxom lip gloss. Love the tingle and the super sparkly ones. I really like Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow primer too.

Not makeup but related beauty splurges are Lush Bath Bombs, Lush Triclomania shampoo bars and Basin Conditioning Bars (Both the Lavender and coconut varieties). The Lush Jungle Conditioning bar is pretty good too and I like the Daddy-O shampoo.

Urban Decay seems to have a cult following! My friend bought the naked palette with birthday money she got. Jealous!

[Quazel]

I really, really stocked up on CG foundation last year with the $8/2. I have very sensitive, hard to match skin and have tried everything, drugstore brands, make up counter brands, super high end brands, mineral, liquid, powder, etc. Since I haven't found anything I love, mixing some CG shades was a super cheap way to do it. I recently tried the Revlon Whipped and I love that! I use more of it than I expect to but my skin looks great! I am sure I have two years worth of CG to go. Sigh.

[StLouisClipper]

Bare Escentuals foundation. It is the only one that doesn't disappear after about an hour, nor does it mess with my eczema or cause other issues! It is a splurge, but I still try to be cost conscious about it. I always ask for Sephora gift cards for Christmas. If I don't have a gift cardi purchase sealed containers of it from eBay. I also use my sephora gift cards online so I earn swagbucks on my purchase and combine it with free shipping codes. I'll use the $15 coupon received in my email last week to buy one online this week!

[monkeydawn]

Originally Posted by andrea044027

Urban Decay seems to have a cult following! My friend bought the naked palette with birthday money she got. Jealous!

I got the original eyeshadow primer with a palate. The colors were very intense and I liked it. I did feel like the primer helped the shadow stay put. So when the primer ran out, I wanted more. By that time they were making it in Sin, a shimmery beige. I loved that! So much that I rarely were anything over it. I just ordered my third tube. They also now make Greed, a shimmery gold.

[afiveash]

I splurge on a few things. Clinique, Mac, and Urban Decay.

I'm really brand loyal to Clinique. That's all I would use before couponing. Now I just get Clinique when my mom gets it for my birthday/holliday presents. However their acne gel works the best and the high impact mascara is the best.

I'm not a huge bright color fan, but I love mac's kohl eyeliner. Urban Decay's ammo eye palette is my favorite. I'm on my second one. It's about as colorful as I get.

However lately, I love Revlon's diamond dust. I might not do colorful, but I do love sparkly stuff Revlon makes great foundation, I love the whipped foundation and the mousse one.

I'm looking for a concealer to use though.

EDIT: Nars Orgasm blush is the only blush I'll use. I don't use blush because my cheeks are naturally flushed, but if I do. I use this one. It's the best color.

[monkeydawn]

Originally Posted by afiveash

I splurge on a few things. Clinique, Mac, and Urban Decay.

I'm really brand loyal to Clinique. That's all I would use before couponing. Now I just get Clinique when my mom gets it for my birthday/holliday presents. However their acne gel works the best and the high impact mascara is the best.

I'm not a huge bright color fan, but I love mac's kohl eyeliner. Urban Decay's ammo eye palette is my favorite. I'm on my second one. It's about as colorful as I get.

However lately, I love Revlon's diamond dust. I might not do colorful, but I do love sparkly stuff Revlon makes great foundation, I love the whipped foundation and the mousse one.

I'm looking for a concealer to use though.

EDIT: Nars Orgasm blush is the only blush I'll use. I don't use blush because my cheeks are naturally flushed, but if I do. I use this one. It's the best color.

I love the diamond dust too.


I have found that the stain sticks by revlon melt into the skin as a blusher very nicely. I tend to like brighter than orgasm so I couldnt tell you if there is a comparable color. I don't buy Benefits benetint anymore though since I tried the revlon that way.

[afiveash]

Originally Posted by monkeydawn

I love the diamond dust too.


I have found that the stain sticks by revlon melt into the skin as a blusher very nicely. I tend to like brighter than orgasm so I couldnt tell you if there is a comparable color. I don't buy Benefits benetint anymore though since I tried the revlon that way.

Maybe if I wasn't so pale. I'm like a ghost.

I like Maybelline's Colossal Lashes almost as much as I like Clinique's High Impact mascara

[Quazel]

Originally Posted by monkeydawn

I tend to like brighter than orgasm so I couldnt tell you if there is a comparable color.

The teenager in me is snickering!!!!

I, too, am the color of death slightly warmed over. I can't do the bright colors. I'm excited to try some of the things I am reading about.

I am a Mac girl for eye liner and mascara but can't bear to pay for it now. Since couponing I have found I dislike Physicians Formula for both (but like their blushes) and dislike Almay for both. CG is okay for me, not great. I really like the Revlon Colorstay eyeliners (the jars with a built in brush, I think they are a creme) and haven't found a mascara I love. I have seen several people recommend Maybelline mascaras though, I think I will try some.

[andrea044027]

Glad to see some pale girls on here with same issues as me. My sister used to call me "dead of the dawn".

I have never used MAC makeup. Heard they make a totally white foundation!
I'm going to have to check into it - try a drop or two to lighten up my current foundation just a hair.

[joshmamabear]

My greatest find is UDPP, I'll never go back to other shadow primers since I found it and a tube lasts forever to use. Just when I ran out, the $15/$15 Sephora offer came in handy that I got it cheap. I'm a happy camper