Save or Splurge: All Things Beauty
Today we are doing a Solution Sisters summer beauty round-up of our favorite beauty products that we both use all the time. Caitlyn and I are both minimalists when it comes to beauty products and are far from experts. We are sharing products we love and have used for a long time. You will see that our price points for our favorites are vastly different, but we have a few we can agree on.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.
Before we dive into all things summer beauty, understand that we are two average gals with normal day jobs. Being a beauty expert is not our line of work. The goal of this post is to simply share products that we have found and love.
A little more background information: Caitlyn is in her early thirties and I am in my early forties. Caitlyn is single and appreciates higher quality products. She loves going to Sephora and asking for help to try a new product. I, on the other hand, am looking for something simple and easy. I need to be able to buy products on Amazon prime and the price point needs to be more reasonable. I don’t need makeup to become another line item on the budget. I am looking for function and practicality.
When Caitlyn moved back to North Carolina last year, I realized that we have similar taste in simplicity and function. Both of our makeup bags are small and just carry the basics. Our skin type and tone are similar. We both have a fair complexion and are both somewhat sensitive.
In today’s post we are comparing six of our favorite products and you can decide if it should be a Save or a Splurge. Then, we have three products we both can agree on and they are all middle of the road price points.
Makeup Save vs Splurge
Mascara
Both of these mascaras have similar qualities. They are great at adding volume and length all with a natural look. They both last all day without flaking or fading. We both have very light and thin lashes and these work beautifully for us. The SAVE has almost 200k reviews on Amazon for only $5, mind blowing.
Bronzer
The price difference of these two bronzers is about $50. The save option is extremely affordable and provides a natural sun-kissed glow for the bargain price of $4. If you are looking for a splurge, bronzer is a beauty item that is used sparingly and lasts a while. For the splurge, Caitlyn uses the shade Laguna. For the save, Courtney uses the shade Sun Bronze.
The one negative about the save option, it cracks and crumbles easily. I am a known klutz and drop things all the time. If you drop this bronzer on the tile bathroom floor, you will have a mess.
Blush
Neither of us use a lot of blush. It is a fun added color and shimmer when we do full makeup. Blush is not part of our everyday makeup routine. So again, blush is a beauty item that is used sparingly and can last a long time. The save option is about $8 and I used the shade Luminoso. Caitlyn uses the splurge in the shade Orgasm, and it is about $27.
Face & Body Save vs Splurge
Self Tanner
Self Tanner is one of my most used, loved and needed beauty products. It is no secret Caitlyn and I both are extremely fair. From about Spring Break to October I use a self tanner a few times a week for some added color. I found the Jergans several years ago and it is super easy to apply. The color builds gradually over a few days. If I want a darker look I apply every day. It doesn’t appear orange or streaky, and there is no mitt needed. My routine is to apply after a shower, night is better, then wash my hands and go. The save option is about $9 and can be found at most major retail stores.
Cailtyn doesn’t use a lot of self tanner. She likes the express option because she will only use it in preparation for an event or vacation, it is not part of her daily or weekly routine. Her option does need to be applied with a mitt and take a bit of practice. This is a great option if you need some quick color for an upcoming event. The splurge option is about $45.
Cleanser
The cleansers that Caitlyn and I use are somewhat similar in their function and price point. The save option is about $11. It works to remove makeup, cleanses and even skin tone. The splurge is about $19 and is great for daily cleansing without over drying. It is a gentle formula that dissolves excess oil, dirt and debris, and is ph-balanced to maintain skin’s natural balance.
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is one of the most exciting, research-proven ingredients you can apply to skin. This water-soluble antioxidant is a natural component of healthy skin. When we’re young, vitamin C levels in skin’s primary layers are abundant, but as we age, these levels naturally deplete. Unprotected sun exposure (UV damage) and pollution can accelerate this decline, leading to skin looking and feeling dull, uneven, and less firm than it once was.
Vitamin C’s benefits for skin are vast, including its ability to even out skin tone and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, While this ingredient is well-known for its skin-brightening benefits, research also shows it can shield skin from the visible impacts of environmental stressors, including free radical damage.
Caitlyn and both use a Vitamin C Serum in our daily morning routine. The save option is about $20 and has over 80k reviews. Caitlyn’s option is widely loved, but closer to $80.
Other Favorites
Cailtyn and I both use the same sunscreen, cc cream and concealer. This was not intentional, just happenstance that we both love these and use them in our daily routine.
We have a major need for good sunscreen. SunBum keeps our skin healthy all summer long and the subtle scent of summer doesn’t hurt either.
Neither of us wear foundation daily, especially this past year with wearing a mask all day. For the CC Cream with love Supergoop’s mineral formula and added benefits of SPF 35. We both wear the fair shade. It has a light and clean feeling. This is an easy to wear daily CC cream if you do not want a heavy coverage.
Over the past year, we both have seen ourselves on Zoom almost every day. We have come to appreciate a really good concealer. We both love the Nars formula and wear Chantilly. Nars is known for its luxurious texture and luminous finish. This concealer evens skin with lightweight medium to high buildable coverage. It is long wearing and crease-proof. We don’t think you can go wrong with the Nars concealer.
My hope is that you got a sneak peek into our makeup bags and gave you some ideas how you can save or splurge. I would love to hear any suggestions for productions you have and love too. I’m always willing to try something new.
One Comment
Colorado Home Fitness
This is a great article. Thank you so much for sharing.