As a beauty tester and commerce reporter, I’ve tried pretty much everything, from the luxury shelves at Sephora to the travel-size bins at Target.
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I → try → Target
After accumulating enough serums, mascaras, moisturizers, foundations and hair products to fill a small bathroom (or several), I’ve developed some thoughts about where it *actually* makes sense to spend more.
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it → accumulate → more
Because here’s the thing: a higher price tag doesn’t automatically mean a better product.
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tag → ’ → product
Sometimes, that $10 drugstore find performs just as well as — or even better than — a $50 alternative.
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find → perform → alternative
Other times, I’ve tested a luxury formula and immediately understood what the extra money was buying.
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money → test → what
That’s why I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer to the drugstore-versus-high-end debate.
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size → ’ → debate
The best place to save or splurge can change dramatically depending on the beauty category, the ingredients, how often you use a product and what you actually want it to do.
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it → save → what
So, I’m breaking it all down category by category: what I’d buy at the drugstore, what I’d splurge on at a beauty counter and what I think you can skip altogether at either price point.
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you → break → point
Click to jump to a specific section:
Cleansers | Serums | Eye Creams | Moisturizers | SPF | Face Masks | Bodycare | Shampoos | Conditioners & Hair Masks | Heat Protectants & Styling Products | Blow Dryers & Heat Tools | Primers, Foundations, Tinted Moisturizers, Powders & Setting Sprays | Concealers | Bronzers | Blushes | Eyeshadow | Eyeliners | Mascaras | Lip Products
Cleansers
Cleanser is one of the categories where I’m especially reluctant to spend a fortune, since it spends so little time on the skin.
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it → click → skin
That said, I make an exception when a formula does double duty exfoliating, removing waterproof makeup or just leaving my skin noticeably happier after washing.
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formula → say → washing
Like most people, CeraVe lives on my bathroom counter and hardly ever leaves.
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CeraVe → live → counter
I’ve been using its Foaming Facial Cleanser since middle school and, after reviewing all of the brand’s sensitive skin-friendly options, this one is the best by far.
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one → use → options
It removes impurities and is the one I love using for a gentle option that fares well with my serums and moisturizers.
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that → remove → serums
It’s less than $20 and lasts a long time.
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It → ’ → ?
“I’m absolutely lazy by the time it’s time to wash off makeup and sunblock in the evening,” Erica Radol, Page Six commerce reporter, shared.
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Radol → ’m → evening
“This multi-tasker oil-based cleanser melts every last bit of makeup off while not needing a second wash.
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cleanser → base → wash
It also has fruit enzymes for mild exfoliation and can be used for Gua Sha or dermaplaning.
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It → have → Sha
“My dry-leaning, sensitive skin loves it — and it doesn’t dry my skin like so many cleansers, making it worth the price tag,” Radol added.
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Radol → lean → cleansers
I flew to South Korea last year and have held The Face Shop’s formulas close to my chest since then.
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I → fly → chest
They’re hydrating, effective and give me that glass skin finish that Korean skincare is well-known for.
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skincare → ’re → that
This cleanser is less than $20, foams well and leaves my skin clean and refreshed.
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cleanser → foam → skin
If you love CeraVe but also want to foray into K-beauty, this is what I recommend.
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I → love → what
Serums
Serums are where I’m more willing to spend because they’re designed to deliver concentrated ingredients and usually stay on my skin all day or night.
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they → ’m → skin
But a higher price isn’t enough for me; I want a formula that actually makes a visible difference.
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that → want → difference
Olay is a legacy brand that truly works for 20-somethings and 50-somethings.
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that → work → somethings
It’s trusty, effective and renews your skin, which is what to look for if you don’t want to spend $100+ on a serum.
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you → ’ → serum
I love how this buzzy formula is actually worth the hype; it contains niacinamide, vitamin C and collagen peptides to give me that plump, juicy finish that makes me skip makeup on most days.
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me → love → days
“I was devoted to Sunday Riley’s Good Genes before trying this, but the One Day Exosome Shot 2000 is not only significantly cheaper but better — IMO,” Holly J Coley, commerce deputy editor, shared.
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Coley → devote → this
“Its spicules resurface the skin, leaving it smoother and brighter.
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spicules → resurface → it
It stings a bit (there are basically little needle-shaped things in the serum that deliver the active ingredients), but it’s 100% worth it.
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it → sting → ingredients
Splurge: Talk about a serum that has been trusted by generations of users.
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that → talk → users
As a beauty tester, the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is akin to Holy Water for Catholics: necessary, purifying and refreshing to your soul (genuinely).
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Repair → refresh → soul
Its anti-aging power is second to none, and I love chatting with my mom and mother-in-law about our shared love of this formula.
Eye Creams
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I → chat → formula
Eye cream is one of those categories where I’m skeptical of extravagant claims, but I have found some formulas that make my under-eyes look smoother, brighter and more hydrated.
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eyes → ’m → formulas
I’d rather spend strategically here than assume the most expensive little jar automatically works best.
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jar → spend → ?
I’m beyond impressed with this Anua eye cream.
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I → ’m → cream
Its silky, dreamy texture glides and I’m truly addicted to using it!
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I → glide → it
I can’t believe it’s only $20, and it’s been the product I’ve been showing off to friends and family for its price point, smoothing power and gasp-worthy blendability.
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I → believe → point
“Some say eye creams don’t work, but I’m not kidding when I say that I see a noticeable difference in my under-eye area when I use this,” Coley shared.
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Coley → say → this
“It has Sigesbekia extract to help with skin density, and peptides and hyaluronic acid, which must be some miracle potion when put together.
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which → have → density
…and 173 more, not listed.
The Aporia
