FAN MAIL FRIDAYS: Skin Care and Makeup Products to Splurge and Save on


Happy Friday! Well, it ain't a happy Friday to me (but I'm trying to make the most out of it!) as my good ol' Macbook Air has seen its last day already; it's now mega slow, needs to be restarted at least 5- 10 times (5 on good days and 10 on bad days) and worse, I've been getting notifications from Google that some people have been trying to hack into my accounts because my Google doesn't update their Chrome security settings on old OS anymore. I need a new laptop and I need it ASAP, but...Bills! Oh well! My emergency laptop will do for now.

Ending this week with a lovely question from Patricia. She asks:

Hi Martha!
What skin care products should we shell out more cash on and what are the ones we should save on? Thank you and more power to you and TBJ!
Patricia


Hi Patricia!

Thank you for writing to me. No question, when it comes to skin care, I'd say SPLURGE. Because skin care, to me, is investment, although some may argue that there are really good affordable skin care products in the market and don't get me wrong, I agree with this also because I love Olay! For me, skin care, more than makeup, should be your utmost priority and if you could splurge on one thing, it should be skin care.

But alright, I'll tell you what I think about which skin care products to save and splurge on; to make it more fun, I included makeup too!

1. MAKEUP REMOVER (SAVE)- the drugstore is overflowing with really good makeup removers so you'll be fine in the drugstore.


2. EYELINER (SAVE)- there are a lot of really good of eyeliners out there; in fact most of my favorites can be found in the drugstore so again, you'll be fine in the drugstore!

3. LIPSTICK (SAVE AND SPLURGE)- Save for formula and Splurge for color selection.

4. BODY WASH/BODY CLEANSERS/FACIAL WASH (SAVE)- I've always been a drugstore gal when it comes to these bath essentials; it never really occurred in my head to prioritize expensive shower products. :D

5. BATH SOAP (SAVE)- Simple. Affordable bath soaps are fine.

6. LOTION (SAVE)- to be honest, all my favorite lotion brands can be found in the drugstore. :)

7. EYESHADOW PALETTES (SAVE)- Drugstore brands have improved their eyeshadow game lately so I don't see the reason why we should splurge on eye shadows often unless desired or needed.

8. CONTACT LENS (SPLURGE)- OMG. It appalls me to hear and read when people say that cheap contact lens is fine. NO. IT'S NOT FINE. You only have one pair of eyes and it serves you A LOT so better take care of it!

 9. SKIN CARE (SPLURGE)- again, as I said, skin care should be your utmost priority.

10. FOUNDATION (SPLURGE)- A lot may argue with me on this one, but based on experience, really, pricey foundations tend to have better formula, finish, longevity, shade selection, and gorgeous packaging is a plus too!

That's all! Have a great Friday. Pray that I get a new laptop real soon so I can blog better! :D

**Got a question on makeup, skin care, cosmetics, exercise, career, love, relationships, or whatever? Email them to martha.stabarbara@yahoo.com, message me via POWR form, or message me via THE BEAUTY JUNKEE'S Facebook Fan Page.

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27 Comments

  1. I love your list and it is perfect. May I add save on false lashes (trinoma has great selection of natural looking false lashes) and well for me splurge on nail polish (for color selection specially when picking nude colors to suit you tone).

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    1. Yeah, agree on that just as long as you buy from malls to guarantee safety; won't risk buying from market stalls!

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  2. i love this kind of post! Ms m hope you can do more of Splurge vs Save (for students and mom-on budget like us)

    Makeup remover = check! I save a lot for this because i use facial wipes.. and there are lots of inexpensive makeup removers here and there

    Lipstick = Big Check! Yes there are "lots" of inexpensive and affordable lipsticks around.. you can even shell out less than 200php for a single tube of lipstick.. there are huge sales here and there plus the local brand is expanding their selection of shades and finish (matte/ liquid type and so on)

    For the body wash and bath soap = Check! We save a lot for this because we alternate the use of them, there a cheaper bar soaps in the market or sometimes you can buy then in bundle, which actually give you another savings

    For facial wash = Check! We save a lot from this because like body wash and bar soaps there are many brands to select from. You can save a lot when you get the bigger size and yes it lasts for months too

    Lotion = Check! but when you're into whitening lotion some may splurge on this one, I am okay with any lotions any brand will do..

    Eyeshadow = Big Check! Save! There are variety of palettes here and there (good quality) but at the same time they are inexpensive nowadays

    Contact Lenses = I really splurge on this ms m.. kaya pinagiipunan ko talaga.

    Skin care = SPLURGE! So true.. halos lahat nagsplurge na sa skincare. Investment talaga.

    I seldom use the following: Eyeliner and Foundation

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    1. Thanks for sharing this, Rhania; I'm sure everyone who will read this will be delighted!

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  3. I agree with everything! I splurge on to the products that will go directly to my face like primers, foundation, concealers and skin care products but not on powders though. Having a good base is important so why not splurge on it? I don't use contact lens but yes, it does creep me out when people buy cheap ones especially the ones with huge diameters in it 'cause it is not natural and we have no idea if those are even safe (especially the ones sold cheaply online). Yeay for drugstore eyeshadows / blushes / eyeliners and lipticks!

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  4. Skin care is indeed very important. As for me, I still cant afford very expensive brands (hehe) and its availability in Davao is very limited, so I stick to good drugstore finds. :)

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    1. You can try ordering online; there are so many options in Zalora. :)

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  5. I am mortified that people use super cheap contact lenses. You can go blind huhu

    Also, I really agree that you can save on everything else except foundation and skincare. It's not really cost-efficient to buy super expensive makeup if you just want to test out a trend and eventually not end up using what you spend your money on.

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    1. Same here! Regarding your last statement, yeah, personally, I'd rather splurge on staples than trendy makeup. :)

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  6. Yes to bath products and the makeup removers. Foundation can still be a hit-or-miss regardless if it's drugstore or high-end imo so testing and reading reviews should be done. :) Do you have a list of recommendations for organic beauty products available in the Ph?




    CJ | From Manila with Love : Beauty, Life & Feminism

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    1. Hi CJ, I'd love to help you out regarding organic products, but I'm not a big fan. :) But I do tried some that I like and here they are:

      - Zenutrients
      - Juice Beauty
      - Human Heart Nature

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  7. As you said, skin care should always be the priority. And I really agree with you! That's why we wear makeup, so we can hide our imperfections. If we spend a lot of money to take care of our skin, I think there'll no need to buy makeups like foundation/concealer. I also think that the more expensive the product, the more it gives a good coverage unlike the cheap ones.

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    1. Or you won't need too much makeup anymore to cover your skin, thus you save more time and money. :)

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  8. Thanks for answering my question, Ms. Martha! :*

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  9. Splurge on skincare products first before makeup. Its been a year since I started to invest on my skincare products. When it comes to makeup, I just buy what I really need lately and rely always on your review:) That saves me a lot actually.

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  10. I agree with everything specially on contact lenses. You put the contact lens directly on your eyes. It's scary,it's a serious thing. You can clear out pimples and stop using the product that caused you break outs but with contact lens, gosh, it may cause serious problem and it's not just aesthetic but health problem!

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    1. Yes! Contact lens touch one of the most sensitive part of our body so we should never compromise!

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  11. Ever since I started reading here your blog, I have learned a lot. That's the time also when I became aware to started using skincare products especially sunscreens(^_^) It's great to buy things that can actually save us from spending too much but its more important to spend also to trusted or with a must good quality products just like on contact lenses.(><)

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    1. Agree! :) Glad to know you learned something from me. :)

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  12. More of this kind of post please! Super agree on the skincare and foundation. Specially on serum and eyecream.Its my guilty pleasure, everytime i see my fave brand release new skincare product im soo excited! This month im exploring korean skincare and I love it! Looking forward to more save vs splurge post

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    1. Sure thing! :) Will think of more soon. ;) Watch out for it!

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  13. Thank you for your suggestions, Ms. Martha. Agree with your notes on skin care. It is worth the investment to splurge on a great skin care brand. I learn a lot every time I read your posts. Making a list of makeup essentials as you suggest here in your blog.

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Let me know what you think of this post! :)