What beauty products are a waste of money?

The article identifies five common pitfalls: impulse buys without research, foundations purchased without proper colour-matching in natural light, accumulating too many drugstore dupes whose combined cost exceeds the original, rarely-used expensive products, and splurging on categories where cheaper options work just as well.

Should you save or splurge on skincare?

The article advises splurging on a serum that targets your specific skin concern, as the active ingredients make a real difference, while saving on a cleanser since it is only on your skin for a few seconds. A higher-end foundation is also worth the investment for a broader shade range.

Is it better to buy expensive makeup or drugstore dupes?

Adding up the cost of multiple cheaper dupes often reveals you have spent the equivalent of the original product anyway. The article recommends saving for one luxurious product you truly want rather than accumulating a bag full of alternatives.

How often should you replace mascara?

Ophthalmologists advise replacing mascara every three months to prevent eye infections, and since mascaras tend to dry out after a few weeks regardless, this is a category where going for an inexpensive option makes good sense.

The 5 Beauty Products You Should Stop Buying | Beauticate

The 5 Beauty Products You Should Stop Buying

Our expert tips for not wasting our money on beauty products.

Tess Schlink — Contributing Writer

Last updated July 20264 min read

Here at Beauticate, we love to indulge in buttery soft high-end eyeshadow quads, luscious face creams, and luxurious shampoos as much as the next person – let’s be honest, probably even more so. But over the years, we've learned to be clever about the way we spend our money and the traps to avoid - we’ve made the mistakes for you, so now you don’t have to repeat our errors. You can treat yourself without guilt with these tips on being a savvy beauty shopper.

Our expert tips for not wasting our money on beauty products.

Avoid Impulse Beauty Purchases

Impulse Buys

It always pays to do your research before buying anything, whether it be the latest cutting edge skincare or the hottest makeup launch. Luckily in our day and age, there is a wealth of information out there to get you as informed as possible before you hit up the beauty counter. Instead of going out and blind-buying a product, why not scour the Beauticate archives to find the best foundation for your skin type or the best face masks for your lifestyle.

Three Beauticate approved classics:

CLARINS INSTANT LIGHT BRUSH-ON PERFECTOR

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY AIR BLUSH

DIOR DIORSHOW MASCARA

Colour-Match Foundation in Natural Light

Improperly Colour-matched Foundations

We’ve all been there. You’re at a beauty counter, feeling pressured by an unrelenting sales assistant to buy the foundation they’re pushing you, and you go home only to discover that you’ve splashed your hard-earned cash on a foundation that is the wrong colour. You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: always double check a new foundation in natural light and wait a few minutes, as you may need to adjust the shade if it oxidises. Doing this is a bit of a pain but it’ll save you money in the long run.

Our go-to foundation picks, from affordable to high-end:

BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX FOUNDATION

BOBBI BROWN SKIN FOUNDATION

LA PRAIRIE SKIN CAVIAR ESSENCE-IN-FOUNDATION

Why Too Many Dupes Cost More

Too Many Dupes

You may well think you can’t afford that designer foundation you’ve been coveting for months, yet one look at your makeup bag reveals it is overflowing with drugstore dupes you bought on sale. Total up the cost of the cheaper products and you’ll probably find you’ve spent just as much money as if you’d bought the original in the first place. Save your cash for one luxurious product you want and enjoy it – you’ll be more satisfied with your purchase and probably save money in the long run.

Holdingshot

High-end products worth the money:

NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER

DIOR CAPTURE TOTALE DREAMSKIN MASK

CHANEL LE VERNIS

Invest in Everyday Beauty Staples

Products You Rarely Use

You’re happy to hand over $50 for a high-end red lipstick you’ll maybe wear out, say, once a month, but baulk at the idea of paying that much for an everyday My-Lips-But-Better shade? You might want to switch your thinking. Not only is it a treat to the soul to use a luxurious product everyday, it makes sense economically, too. It’s better to spend your money on items you know you’ll use (and love) everyday, rather than feeling guilty about the expensive product you bought now sitting neglected on your dressing table.

Fail-safe everyday lip colours:

TOM FORD LIP COLOR

CHANEL ROUGE ALLURE

YVES SAINT LAURENT ROUGE PUR COUTURE

Where to Save and Splurge on Beauty

Products That Should Be Cheaper

Not all makeup and skincare products are meant to be expensive, and knowing where to save and what to splurge on is key to a well-functioning beauty arsenal. When it comes to mascaras, we recommend you go cheap – they tend to dry out after a few weeks, plus ophthalmologists advise replacing them every three months to prevent eye infections. Good foundations, however, tend to cost a bit more, and higher-end ranges generally have a broader colour spectrum, so you're sure to find your exact shade. As for skincare – splurge on a serum that specifically addresses your particular skin concern, while saving your coins on a cheaper cleanser, as it’s only on your skin for a few seconds.

The5thingsbeautyexpertswishyouwouldstopwastingyourmoneyon