Beauty on a Budget: Part 2

Before I tell you about my favorite beauty products on a budget, I have some explaining to do. I am a full-fledged, tried and true, veteran product junkie. I know exactly where it all began and it’s really not my fault. Let me take you all the way back to 1996. The summer Olympics were held here in Atlanta and we all cried when Prince Charles and Princess Di signed their divorce papers. Renee Zellweger uttered “You had me at ‘hello’” and Mariah Carey topped the charts. Most importantly, I entered middle school and was allowed to wear make-up. (Insert roaring applause here!) I wanted to be set free at Eckerd or ULTA but alas, my mom had rules. For example, my nail polish was not allowed to be chipped at church on Sunday. I was never allowed to wear black tops with black pants because I would look too “goth” (secretly thanking my mom for that one now). My make-up rule was that I was to be properly shown application as well as appropriate colors at the Clinique counter. Enter the brilliant and glorious Clinique BONUS. The fact that you were rewarded for buying products with MORE products thrilled me. Fast forward 17 years later and the problem has only snowballed. InStyle annual Best Beauty Buys? On it. Birchbox subscription? Check. Sephora free samples with each order? Every time. This brings me to my beauty bargains. I have lots of products that I splurge on (I die for Moroccan oil and retinol) but this forces me to find ways to save on other products. Here are 3 beauty products that I made the permanent switch to something that works just as well and is more wallet-friendly! Click here if you missed Kat’s favorite budget beauty products.

Redken Real Control vs. Suave Moroccan Infusion

I swore by Redken Real Control for years because it made my hair silky smooth. Every summer ULTA put it on sale for $14.99 per bottle and I hoarded it like it was being discontinued. I was desperately low on conditioner the night before a trip and was limited to what was available at Target. I consider Moroccan oil a soul mate of mine so I decided to try the new line of Suave with Moroccan oil infused into it and loved the results! In the words of Suave themselves, “If you can’t tell, why should we?” Great point Suave and at $2.88 per bottle, my bank account is the only one that knows that difference.

Nars Lip Lacquer vs. ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick in Kitty

I love a good nude lip and for quite some time, Nars Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girls did the job. Recently Birchbox came through for me and introduced me to ModelCo’s Party Proof Lipstick in Kitty. This nude lipstick is semi-matte, feels like butter and actually stays put. So long Nars.

Make Up For Ever HD Powder vs. Ben Nye Banana Powder

I LOATH a shiny face so I’ve been using mineral powder to complete my morning regimen for as long as I can remember. I loved the matte finish Make Up For Ever HD Powder gave me but didn’t love the price. A fellow blogger, Emily Maynard, recommended Ben Nye’s Banana Powder several months ago and I’m hooked. At 1/3 the price, this powder does the same mattifying magic and adds just the right amount of glow to your face. Don’t ask me why it’s called Banana Powder though.

Have you recently said goodbye to a beauty splurge and said hello to a more affordable version? For heaven’s sake, pay it forward, leave a comment and tell us about it!