makeup bag 101 - "what do I need?" and "Where do I splurge?"

The trick to being a budget savvy momma comes down to one simple thing: compromise.
I don't have an unlimited income for couture clothing, dinner out every night, and a trip to Sephora every few weeks to stock up on beauty goodies.  I have a family to support for, and have a budget to keep. The good news is that nowhere is slimming down your budget easier and more painless than in your makeup bag. That is because the true secret to the beauty industry is that more often or not, that $20 tube of lipstick is just a $5 one in fancy packaging.  I know it's difficult to ignore the sleek packaging when you're at the beauty counter or in the beauty aisle.But honestly it can be easy to avoid the lure of well-designed tubes packed with makeup goop that you don't really need. 
"How?" you may ask? All you need to do is figure out what products you really do need, how much each one is worth, and lastly, which ones you can splurge on.
What should be in my makeup bag? All women differ when it comes to what kind of makeup they wear on a daily basis. Some opt for the natural just chap-stick and mascara look, and some opt for the glam girl look. But there are occasions where a gal needs more coverage, whether that be date night, girls night out, or wedding, there are certain essentials every girl should have: - chapstick or lip balm - foundation -perfect shade of concealer - black or brown mascara - pale lipgloss -your perfect shade of lipstick -neutral lip liner - palette of eyeshadow - set of good makeup brushes

 my "esscentials" for everyday

Where should I splurge?

I have two items that i spend over $20 or more on. 

Those items are Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion($20)

and

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer($36)

I have oily skin, and I work 9 hour days. My pet peeve is when my makeup runs and when my eyeliner and eye shadow start to crease, run, and fade.

Both of these products work, and work well. I have yet to find another primer(that is less expensive) that does the job and each item also lasts me about 4-5 months. 

Primer and Potion are my sure my never fail treats, therefore, I don't mind the investment.

So what are some of your splurges? 

A list of other splurge worthy items may be:

The Perfect Foundation

Perfect Shade of Lipstick

 Beauty Balm

A Great Set of Makeup Brushes

Where Can I Save?

After you choose your splurge items, you need to follow through with your compromise and bargain down to lower price points for the rest of you beauty gear.

Cleanser - I admit, I do enjoy my little beauty box samples of $40 facial cleanser. But realistically there are plenty of drug store brands that performs just as well as department store/spa brands. 

For example, Oil of Olay products continuously beat out department store brands. Whats even better is that most drugstores carry their own generic brand of popular drugstore brands. Target's "Up and Up" and Walmart's "Equate" are some of my faves.

Mascara - Again, I admit, I LOVE Diors "DiorShow" masacara, but each tube is $25. Opt for Maybellines Great Lash brand instead. Makeup enthusiasts swear by it and it costs less than $5.

Shop High, Buy Low

You know how big designers have their right off the runway couture line but also sell a more commercial, lower price point line in department stores? Take Vera Wang for example, A Vera Wang dress sells at Neiman Marcus for nearly $1,000, but you can buy a Simply Vera Wang dress at Kohls for under $50. Makeup companies do same exact thing. 

Use Lancome as an example....

 Lancome is actually owned by L'oreal.

 L'oreal also owns Maybelline. 

That means that the lower price point Maybelline has access to the same testing, technology, and formulations that the higher priced items over at Lancome do!

I made a really bad chart telling you some of the bigger cosmetic companies and their sister brands(Estee Lauder by the way is like the head honcho of the cosmetics world. They own everyone! I showed just a few)

So, find out who owns who, head to the department store and find what you like. Have someone show you what color palette suits you best. Get samples of foundation, lipstick, blush, etc. on Q-tips.

Say you found a concealer at the Lancome counter. Go to the local drugstore or Target, head over to the Maybelline or L'oreal section and match your sample Q-tip to the less expensive concealers. 

Chances are, you will find a similar shade for half the price!

So there you have it my loves! Tips for having a great makeup bag, but not breaking the bank for it. Have a great night ladies, and get some beauty rest;)