My experience has been that the little things matter more than you think, good setting spray you use everyday is more important than the pretty lipstick that you only wear 3 times a year
I totally agree. For me it's worth spending on the the tinted moisturizer I wear 5 days a week, even if that's less exciting than the fancy eyeshadows that I never have time to use in the morning. I'm not wearing Chanel or anything super luxury, but I'm glad to spend $40 rather than $15 on something that makes my sensitive skin very happy.
A makeup artist once told me she felt more confident buying more expensive makeup when it’s made by a makeup artist i.e. Makeup by Mario, Lisa Eldridge, Hindash, Patrick Ta, Pat McGrath, Wayne Goss, Natasha Denona, Danessa M. etc. bc they know formulas and how they will work on every skin type and I’ve found that true. They usually make higher quality products that seem very thought out instead of cash grabs by celebrity brands.
I've swatched some Makeup by Mario stuff at Sephora once and wow it felt like an actual step up from drugstore + boutique non-makeup artist beauty brands. However I'm still a drugstore queen!
I’m a makeup artist and for the most part I’ve found myself gravitating towards products created by makeup artists. I do have a few items in my kit that are drug store or “prestige” brands not created by makeup artists. But the overwhelming majority of my products are either pro lines or products created by artists. It wasn’t an intentional choice. I just picked products that worked better in formula, color payoff, skin range, etc. It was only when a client asked which brands I recommended that I realized how many of my products, especially shadows, are artist created. For lip products, though, I feel like Maybelline has been killing it. Great formulas, nice range of colors, and a very nice price point.
Should also mention that no-brand make up from Temu and the like can contain basically anything, including harmful ingredients that aren't approved by the FDA/EU/etc.
THIS is the type of content I show up for. I stopped watching beauty influencers a long time ago (no shade - just found other creative outlets). But I still watch all of Alex's videos because she **educates**! I am not a makeup newbie, but I still learned something new within the first five minutes. Thanks for your quality content as well as your laidback persona and creativity. Please keep it up 🩷
Same here! It used to be at least half of my UA-cam time, now I’m down to Alex and Mikey (Glam & Gore). I ALWAYS learn something new even tho I’m an old hat at this point. Even if I didn’t, it’s fun to watch Alex and her rants and attention span 🤪, feels like home lol
The other thing I love about the Lisa Eldridge eye palettes is that they are refillable. I have used the Vega palette every day that I have worn makeup since it came out, and being able to replace the colours I run through fastest for £11 makes the initial outlay on the palette more bearable.
I have that very same pallet. It was a luxury purchase for me, but I am very happy that I have it. It's the kind of thing you could just take away for a weekend or week and not need anything else.
I used to feel silly for getting influenced by packaging, but as I get older I’m trying to lean more into my truth and surrounding myself with things that bring joy. I would rather have something beautiful on my vanity that makes me happy every time I reach for it and works for me 85%, than something that looks plain or even ugly but works 95% for me. not everyone will agree with that standard, that that’s OK! it’s what works for me and that’s what matters 🥰
What's even worse is flimsy packaging that FALLS APART omg. Even if the product is great, I don't wanna use a blush with a broken off lid everyday, it takes some of the joy away from the experience for me.
I fall into that group of women that are over 50 and we have a way higher ability to spend on luxury products. My husband absolutely loves for me to spend money on myself. It truly brings him joy......Soooo I'm all about bringing him joy. We have a yearly trip to Vegas coming up in 2 weeks and I will bring him all the joy I can!! LOL
Years ago, I had the Buxon gloss in Gabby. I loved it. The color was just what I wanted, the feel was acceptable (I generally hate the feel of lip products) but it's a little pricey ($35) for something I don't wear everyday. Over the years, I have probably spent over $100 on other "less expensive" lip products searching for a dupe. The last time my daughter and I were in Ulta, she was like, mom, just get what you like and know works for you.
This is a great topic and on time considering the exhausting over-saturation in this space 😅 The eye look is stunning 🙌🏼 per usual. Getting a Nikki la rose video and Alex video in one day makes my Saturday all the better 😂😊
i used to go through concealer so fast i could never dream of buying expensive concealer. nyx's old hd concealers and elf's concealers have saved me so much money! i will splurge on good eyeshadow however because it's my favorite part of makeup
I spend on skin care. More on that than anything. I color my own hair and my car is paid off. Good makeup tools, foundation, finely milled powder, mascara (love the Kill Lash) and lipliner (my lips are uneven so I correct the shape with liner. Estée Lauder Double Wear). Everything else is drugstore. Works great for me. You help so many of us with your videos. I appreciate you Alex. Thank you
I'm one of those "more mature" gals you mentioned (and proud of it!) and I have to say you are spot on! I spend much more on skincare, foundation, powder and sometimes eyeshadow, but totally go budget on things like blush. In fact, I'm totally in love with the Essence squeeze tube blusher creams and ColourPop bronzing sticks, and drugstore mascara. I can afford high-end across the board now, but why? We all like saving money! And when places like Ulta put high-end products on sale for 50% off, I definitely wait for sales and discounts.
Me too! 66-year-old make up lover here. I also spend more money on skincare and complexion products. The essence baked blushes are fabulous. Almost exactly the same formula as the RMS beauty blushes. And the essence blushes are about five bucks. And I tend to purchase my eyebrow pencils once a year at the Ulta sale when I can get them for about 11 or 12 bucks.two of them last me the whole year
Great topic Alex. Here Iam 63 yrs young and have realized that I am Wasting more money by burning Cheaper Makeup than if I was buying Mid to higher end. Especially when it comes to complexion products. I will Never but drugstore foundations for my dry, dehydrated, more mature skin. Been there done that. That’s just me. And for eyeshadows, same goes there. But, I’m not one to purchase a lot of makeup. My $$$ is spent on great skincare! Thank you for touching on this as it’s something I’ve sure realized as I get older that I really think thru.
I’m the same way. I’ve wasted more money on drugstore items with rave reviews that suck on me. I’d rather have one or two great pricier things than a dozen things that either sit and take up room, or I will end up tossing.
@@Kasey113 lol. Yep that’s me too. I do have higher end makeup, but just basics which will last me a really long time, but that’s me, I have been amazed at how much better my skin is (tone, texture, more even skin tone, elasticity and on and on) since I’ve been purchasing medical grade skincare. I won’t go back. Although I do use a lot of K Beauty Skincare also. Like toners, essences, hydrating serums and SPf’s. But all my actives are medical grade. Have you tried Medic8 crystalized Retinaldhyde? Oh my heart, this has been a game changer for me. I still use Rx. Tret.
62 and also have very dry, sensitive skin. I've found 1 drugstore tinted moisturizer that works well on me, Maybelline Dream BB Fresh Beauty Balm. Sheer coverage, and only 5 shades, but if one of them works for you, it's good. I'm road testing the Revlon Illuminance foundation (not the skin tint) and so far, so good. Light coverage though, so if you want more coverage, it's not your product.
@@20thcenturyrelic thank you so much. I will for sure give the Maybelline Dream BB Beauty Balm a try. I’ve heard that the Revlon Illuminance is really great for dry skin.
I'm a student (small budget) and a cancer survivor with (now) extra sensitive skin. I've found that spending a little more on skin care, and a little less on make-up seems to work best for me. When choosing products I look at about 3 or 4 sources (that are not sponsored by the brand), then try and find reviews by people who mention similar skin issues. I'm also on the hard to match low end of the melanin spectrum (ancestors from sunless, cold places), so I appreciate the times you swatch things that end up being the wrong tint.😅
Same gurl! I’m incredibly pale with cool pink undertones, whenever Alex pops up with something too pinky or pale, I check it out! Lucky for me I have some new go-to items now
Love your closing thoughts! I live a very minimalist life and have been very stringent in the past about keeping my makeup collection small. Life is much easier with a more relaxed approach. At the end of the day, I love makeup, and having 3 blushes instead of 1 isn’t something to be ashamed of. That said, I almost always buy luxury products. I buy things so infrequently that I have the money to buy really nice versions when I make the plunge.
thank you for always mentioning fragrance, I'm hypersensitive to the world in general but an unexpected scent can really throw my whole day off-course so it's really lovely that you always put these disclaimers
Alex, guuuuurl. Your hair is sooooo good these days! I was a pixie cut woman all my life - until I reached my 40’s and put on weight, and as a Parisienne, I 100% approve of this look. It’s effortlessly cool and effortlessly classy. You wear it so well. 👌🏼
When something is working for me, I don't really want to change! I do, though, as I get older. I do get frustrated when my favorite MUAs keep selecting more and more expensive things. I get it, though-it's your job to try and recommend things, and I really appreciate that you do so much for your audience! I'm very grateful for your guidance, honesty, and sense of humor. Your videos are empowering. 🐈
What a brilliant idea this video is. I only recently been even able to finish a foundation, so I never could justify spending big bucks on makeup. It would all expire on me anyways before I even use half. I am now thinking of spending more to create a collection of precious items. I will say I tend to be interested in alternative colors so it's sometimes just easier to go indie for a really unique shade range. (Blue lip stain is such a dream product for me) I would love a kinda part two to this video of a category by category talk about what's actually different between drugstore, mid and high-end make-up. Kinda like what you did with eyeshadows
have you seen the blue lip stain from nekoyanin? not entirely sure if it's even been released yet but her lip stains are intense and have cute goth packaging lol
The Isamaya Industrial and Industrial 2.0 are palettes well worth the money for interesting shades. Just playing with them gives me so much inspiration.
as someone who also loves a funky lip color, I recently got Sunset Makeup's dark blue lip stain and I LOOOOOVE it. I also have a cobalt blue bullet lipstick that I layer over it (Black Moon Cosmetics Sinister Satin lipstick in Hellraiser), but the lip stain is really great on its own too
I discovered the Lisa Eldridge eyeshadows at just shy of 60 years old. They are unbelievably beautiful, and the one palette I have works like magic on my older eyes. This formula is simply a joy to work with.
Excellent advice, and much of it I give to my clients when I help them choose make-up. It all comes down to lifestyle, skin-feel/texture, time budget, and financial budget-- whatever is best for all 4 is the stuff you should buy.
I always go drugstore for mascaras because luxury brands always feel very wet for too long? I tend to go high end for eyeshadows for the reasons you mentioned and because cheaper brands tend to not have the colors, textures, and color stories I want and omg all the fallout. Back in the day, I would always get like 3 MAC products on my birthday and those would be extra special but with the variety of everything nowadays and my skill level, I have two big purchase moments in the year after doing extensive research from the last time.
I am mature, retired, widowed, and no longer really care much about luxury products. My daily foundations are drugstore, shadows too. I have a few higher end products but haven't found that they outperform my drugstore products, they are in better, prettier packaging. I have had fallout with higher-end shadows as well as drugstore shadows. I will sometimes splurge on a foundation, I have Estee Lauder Double Wear and a Shiseido foundation, I have Lancome and Natasha Denona concealer, but haven't found them to be so much better that they warrant the higher price. After wearing makeup for over 40 years I have the technique down and know my face well enough that I can make anything work as long as the color suits my complexion..
This is such a great topic, thanks for posting. I'm 54, have always loved makeup and forever will..Revlon in the 80s/90s 🔥...and I ALWAYS learn something new from you. My 23year old daughter buys mid range products and i never understood why until she showed me the difference with the eye shadow pallets....it was a game-changer. The choice of brushes was an eye-opener too....we grew up using the sponge applicators in the pallets.
I love this topic! Thank you! When I was younger with acne prone skin I definitely spent more money on higher end foundation and powder, but as I got older I have been using mostly drugstore products. I did learn the hard way that drugstore eyeshadows were often a disappointment and came to youtube to try to stop wasting so much money! As I near 50, and my 3 daughters are now grown, I am thinking about spending more money on my makeup again! The Lisa Eldridge eyeshadows might be a good investment for me!!! They look so beautiful and seem foolproof.
I don't think I've ever commented on one of your videos, but I really enjoy watching you. This is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I am very happy that you are giving people permission to spend money on themselves. Even a $5 mascara can feel like a wonderful treat. I have an LA girl lip liner that cost me 5 dollars that I adore, and one from Huda Beauty that cost $23 that I also love. I think it's important to pay attention to how much product you get for your purchase. If one product is seven dollars and another is $23 and the $23 product has three times the amount in the tube, it just makes sense all things being equal to buy the more expensive one. Less packaging, less plastic to throw in the landfill,and less time shopping.
Skincare and sunscreen comes first when it comes to spending. I'm 51 and that product you wanted to hear about from the drugstore that beats many other is foundation L'Oréal infallible 32h fresh thin layer on well hydrated skin❤
Very sound message here, Alex. I heartily endorse. I think you have hit all the sweet spots. For myself, I just turned 60 (oof!) but I have had sensitive skin all my life and then developed rosacea in my 30s. While in my 20s I was a makeup enthusiast and gravitated towards Estée Lauder and Lancôme and they served me well. Both were often fragranced and that likely contributed to the rosacea as repeated sensitizing ingredients (including essential oils) can do. Then, after I had rosacea I very much wanted to be able to camouflage it on occasion with makeup but I could no longer tolerate a growing list of ingredients. Luckily, this hit just in the time of real makeup artists developing great products. Laura Mercier has always topped that list for me. As a fellow rosacea sufferer, she has strong feelings about not adding fragrance to her products which really suited me as well as the products themselves, which were mostly gorgeous. Similar brands such as NARS, Bobbi Brown, Kevyn Aucoin and the now defunct Becca also hit that sweet spot that you emphasized. Anyway, great video 😊
Danessa Myricks!!! Yesss! Such a queen giving us ALL of the color, drama, multichrome!!!! I have 2 palettes and I break them out ANY time I want to have fun! Nothing else gives me that same giddy feeling in my belly
Some things I look for reviews, and whenever possible I swatch in person. ESPECIALLY foundations, as my skin tone is often a mix between two shades. I'm not afraid to wait for something I like, and won't buy if I feel like I'm being 'pressured' or if it's not exactly what I want. "Do I want this, would I actually use it, or am I being MADE to feel like I SHOULD want it?" I've never been much of a shopper to begin with, even though I'm someone who LOVES pretty things. But, for example, wishing I was someone who wore more fun lipstick colors (despite having VERY dry lips and prone to lip rubbing), meant that I spent several years in my 20s amassing a lip collection of 'the hottest new colors/trends' that I ended up tossing a year back because I just never used them. If it's a color/formula I'm not sure I'll use often, I'll sometimes go for a cheaper version first to see if I ACTUALLY like it (or just am living a fantasy/liking how it looks on someone else). Being ruthless about habits means I have more space for things I truly use- yay! My apartment is too tiny to hoard items I'm not getting good use out of, or truly love.
I definitely feel like being a mindful, cautious consumer is a good thing. It definitely feels like there is a lot of influence encouraging us to overconsume, and some people seem to be trying to push back against this by shaming anyone who ever purchases a product, but neither of those lines of thinking help you to actually be mindful and intentional with the way you spend so you don't overconsume. I really appreciate that there are people like you out there actually guiding people on how to spend money wisely!
My favorite thing to get at the drug store is lip products! Especially lip oils. I love the NYX fat oils (not the pumping one, Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oils, and ELF Watermelon Lip oil ❤ I go through those fast as well!
Thankyou for covering this topic! I try to avoid over consumering when it comes to anything. I think what you describe is more like mindlessly consuming and just always for the next thing to...consume essentially instead honouring or being grateful for what you have. I totally agree in terms saving and spending money mindfully on a product that is worth it. I think it's a good idea to consume mindfully and to check the ethicality and sustainability of everywhere product. Be mindful of those who are actually making your make up products.
Great video. As a fellow olive, sometimes drugstore just doesn’t have the shade range for foundations/concealers. I loved to collect lipsticks in my younger days, but I’ve realized I can cheap out on them, the same goes for nail polish (slightly off-topic).
I can't thank you enough for this video. I'm 67 and have crepey lids, despite my skincare. My old powder shadows weren't working any more but I didn't know what to get. Finally a review I can invest in. I'll be ordering Lisa's palette, and hope it's not to shimmery for me.
My splurge items are always color. DMB for colorful and ultra shiny eyeshadows (including her colorfix, so fun!) and Lisa Eldridge for lipsticks and glosses. Everything else I have: complexion products, eyeshadow primer, eye brows, mascara are all drugstore. I only splurge on what I really love and have fun with. The rest of makeup is just functional so I don't look crazy wearing a bold lip or fun eyeshadows
Thank you for this video! I loved your coverage on this topic -- so helpful, and made a lot of sense. I have very sensitive and thin skin, which for me has translated to a lot of higher end products. This I found through tons of trial and error. Fragrance is something I have to be careful of, too. Sometimes it feels like walking a tightrope. There is one type of higher end product I love, and that is the Chanel "pencil" eyeliners. Incredible colors, long staying power, and works well with my overly sensitive eyes. No irritation.
Okay, some drugstore makeup that’s a lot better than higher end makeup for me: -elf Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand in shade “fair/light” bc it’s so cool tone, and buildable -Maybellines Build a Brow is the best brow pen I have found, and shade black brown this the best color match I have found -Essence super precise eyeliner is the best eyeliner ever. I don’t like felt tip eyeliners, and this one is a brush tip. I always have issues with higher-end eyeliners exploding in my purse, or just not working well. While most drug store eyeliners fade to a dark blue, or rub off within the day. The only makeup I really spend money on are concealer, setting powder and setting spray. I think it’s definitely worth it for me. For concealer it’s hard to find a good shade match, so I’d rather spend the coin to make sure it matches. As far as setting spray and setting powder, I’ve tried cheaper products for both living in Texas heat, it just doesn’t hold up. I’d much rather spend the coin to make sure my setting powder and setting spray do the job
I am an online therapist and am on camera every day so, I run through a lot of primer, powder, blush and use drugstore makeup mostly. But, in my bag: Claudio Riaz Lipxurious Gloss because of the formula and the ***packaging***, touch up powder is La Prairie Skin Caviar Complexion Powder Foundation because it lasts almost a year and it feels like luxury to me.
A great video although I was surprised that you didn’t mention foundation products! I think this is the kind of category where I think that I have to spend the most🫣
I have a few of the Elf bite sized eye pallets and I personally think they could rival high end, as you said about drugstore brands, there is some fallout, BUT, they feel very soft and are super easy to blend and, If I remember correctly I believe they’re only $4.00 each! Love your channel and your honesty! 💄💄❤️❤️❤️
I just got your brush set and I noticed immediately what a difference it makes. I've always used 3-7€ brushes. This is great content, I'm so happy I've found your channel. I've found a whole new inspiration to makeup after nearly giving up on it bc of my hooded eyes and challenging skin ❤
Can’t tell if it’s the hair-parting, the brows, or some variation in your usual blush/contour routine but GIRL. You look so pretty (as usual - duh, but pretty in a diff way today)! Can’t quite put my finger on what’s different though.
Totally agree on the consumerism things!! If you're using it, that's totally good! If you are just buying and buying, and never finishing things then that's bad. Finish the first things then try the new one. Over consumption is bad, not consumerism itself
I swear you always make videos that are so incredibly helpful, just when I need it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, it's so appreciated 🥰🙏
Alex out of all of the beauty influencers, on UA-cam..Tik tok..(and I watch A LOT of them) you are my favorite. You literally are here for the makeup/skin care and it’s amazing. You are the most unproblematic influencer I’ve seen. Dominique is similar and I love her too but you’re my favorite. You’re so authentic and quirky and unique and absolutely BEAUTIFUL..not to mention you’re so intelligent and carry yourself with tact and are articulate. You care deeply about your followers and I trust your reviews 100% because of who you are. Just wanted to let you know that I celebrate you and who you are. You’re literally the best.
Forgot to delve a little deeper into the unproblematic part. The coolest thing about you is that you are never in any drama. I don’t ever hear you speak badly about anyone else and I love that you are truly just here for your passion and to share it with others and that’s it! You’re the best 💕💕💕💕
i bought a gucci matte red lipstick for not even wearing it everyday! so if i want to splurge on a more expensive product, this should be something that i would wear everyday and not 2 times a year; so i have to think about the color, the formula and the finish! for example: i bought a tinted red lip oil (nyx) that i use everyday!
My unquestionable splurges so far are: - LE foundation - there are many brands with comparably excellent formulas and finishes I've tried over the years, for every budget, but this one has MY SHADE that can be used on its own without making me look dead - Skincare - I'm very inconsistent in my routines, but when I do it, it better be good I'm still waiting for the right shade of the affordable but fantastic age rewind concealer. Second imaginary best would be an LE concealer for my dark circles that doesn't require an orange base underneath.
How I decide to what to spend more on really depends on my needs. Having darker skin and being olive means I will not find a good shade match without mixing in blue color corrector so it's better for me to go high end and repurchase the same foundation as needed. I use the Lisa Eldridge one. Contour and blush I'm willing to spend a lot less on because you can find good cheaper formulas and shades are simply preferences. A good concealer is necessary so higher end. Eye shadows don't always show up well or look the same on darker skin so I do spend more for quality eyeshadows. Mascara needs to be replaced too often so cheaper mascaras from somewhere like Loreal work great.
True! I find that it’s better for me to spend more on my face and eyelid primer because of my combo skin and complexion products in general, foundation and powder especially, whereas I can save up on brow products because I already have good brows
I was always taught to buy the best you can afford. Quality does pay off in the long run but I do agree that somethings that you use infrequently can be a waste of money. Experience will tell you what to buy and what best suits you. Thank you Alex.
Hey I think this is a great conversation to have! I agree with the argument that nowadays you can make any drugstore product work, given that the quality has improved so much, it just depends on having the skill to make it work. That being said, I've found myself splurging a bit in things I know are better performing when the quantity of product vs frequency of use makes sense in my head. For example, I splurge on setting spray and face powder since I use a very little amount in my routine and with better formulas, that's all you need to get great results. But for foundation, concealer and mascara I do try to keep it drugstore as I know I go over those faster. I've always bought the Benefit Brow Setter since nothing gives me the same result, and I have a few expensive eyeshadow palettes since I know that those won't expire easily and I won't use them everyday, so they'll last longer.
Haha i love the random timing of this video... The past couple of years i've been slowly replacing my makeup kit with less quantity, and more quality of a few products i truly weat every day. I did it first with lipstick, then blush... And the past couple of months i've actually been thinking of throwing out all my old pallets, random singles etc of powder eyeshadow and treat myself to one of lisa's pallets ^^ (i tried crayons creams gels whatever you name it i always come back to powder for eyeshadow)
Rom&nd has a line of tinted lip oils called the Glasting Water Tint. They’re really close in texture to the Rare Beauty lip oils, and perform just as good.
I have hooded eyes, so using cheaper eyeshadows doesn’t work for me. I still use them for everyday but for bigger events I use good quality, higher end shadows because they rarely crease even though I’m dancing and sweating and have extremely oily skin. I was able to snag a couple of Marc Jacobs eyeshadow palettes and I use those for events and man, they do not budge.
Loved this! Thanks for the tips. I tend to default to affordable options unless I see a ton of influencers I trust hyping a mid to higher end product where I don’t have a great drugstore option. For example, I bought (and loved) Haus Labs concealer and do not have a cheap alternative that works well. I’ve also been trying out nicer eyeshadow because I’m not good at blending and have hooded eyes and just want it to be as easy as possible. Lipstick and mascara: drugstore always.
Great topic ❤ I love special shades. I’m olde but the quality of shadows seems to be more important. Sometimes the aesthetics of the packaging is as important as the product.
I'm mostly spendy when it comes to lipsticks, eyeshadows and blush. I have some drugstore mixed in there too. I tend to go mid range on complexion products, but my favorite powder foundation of all time is Neutrogena Mineral Sheers and my surprise all-star concealer is actually the NYX Concealer Serum. I'm all over the place 😂
For me, when I shop, I think about how my skin used to be. All broken out, literally dry and inflamed where my acne was. Make up never looked right, dry and I looked OLDER than I actually was. I invest in skincare. Drugstore make up is usually alright as long as your base and skin underneath is taken care of. I'll spend $300+ on skincare and maybe $50 on Drugstore makeup. Current skincare: Glow Receipe toner and avocado serum, Innesfree vitamin c and or green tea serums (fair price point and unscented, comparable to Tatcha imo), Tatcha rice wash and dewy cream moisturizer, and then Sunday riley auto correct eye, night time my ALL TIME MOST LOVED L'Occitane Reset Serum and the Reset Eye. Tried and true!!
I'm 46yF, Canadian Algonquin. Ride or die Sydney Grace shadow lover. HOWEVER I also have Lupus(DLE & SLE) So I have an entire wall of skincare and an obscene about of spf products. I've found that my base face products (and wallet) are happy with mid/lower $ items from Huda, TooFac3d, Tart, Rare Beauty. The only drugstore products I repeatedly repurchase are Elf brow freeze and the Maybelline Lifter Plump glosses. I LOVE the burn!
Great vlog to get critical thinking about one's concerns and budget. As one of your very mature viewers, the one place to spend first is on skin care. I am a glam girl and when I was 21 I started a skin care regime and have morphed it over the years based on my skin condition, weather condition, time of year. That being said, when I worked and I wore makeup for 16 hours a day and had to touch up when necessary, I bought the best I could afford on foundation, powder and mascara The colorful aspect I could play with trends and had a lot of options. Being an interior designer I love color and trends so play I did. Now being retired and I only wear makeup when I leave the house and know I'll see someone. I buy the drugstore products for makeup and the high end for eye and lip colors. Why? Well it's the better formulas that don't crease and emphasise wrinkles on the thinner skin. I've gone from trendy to classic and have crafted my signature look for casual, semi-casual, and dressy. I so appreciate your input and the artistry that you employee on your face and show it to the whole wide world. Keep going.
Hi beautiful lady My go to is cruelty free makeup and that can be drugstore or indie brands or high end's as long is cruelty free. ( ex danish brand called GOSH, Or Cosmic brushes or colourpop, or Natasha denona, Melt and so on) I really have an issue with putting pretty thing on my face ( that is not a need ) and at same time knowing that it have been tests on some animals who have been in some kinda pain for my beuaty. Hope it make sense ❤ Ps I don't speel that good but hope you will understand.
My experience has been that the little things matter more than you think, good setting spray you use everyday is more important than the pretty lipstick that you only wear 3 times a year
I totally agree. For me it's worth spending on the the tinted moisturizer I wear 5 days a week, even if that's less exciting than the fancy eyeshadows that I never have time to use in the morning. I'm not wearing Chanel or anything super luxury, but I'm glad to spend $40 rather than $15 on something that makes my sensitive skin very happy.
This is the best advice!
Absolutely 💯
A makeup artist once told me she felt more confident buying more expensive makeup when it’s made by a makeup artist i.e. Makeup by Mario, Lisa Eldridge, Hindash, Patrick Ta, Pat McGrath, Wayne Goss, Natasha Denona, Danessa M. etc. bc they know formulas and how they will work on every skin type and I’ve found that true. They usually make higher quality products that seem very thought out instead of cash grabs by celebrity brands.
I've swatched some Makeup by Mario stuff at Sephora once and wow it felt like an actual step up from drugstore + boutique non-makeup artist beauty brands. However I'm still a drugstore queen!
I can’t stop staring at your hair. I might need to grow mine out a bit. Beautiful!
I’m a makeup artist and for the most part I’ve found myself gravitating towards products created by makeup artists. I do have a few items in my kit that are drug store or “prestige” brands not created by makeup artists. But the overwhelming majority of my products are either pro lines or products created by artists. It wasn’t an intentional choice. I just picked products that worked better in formula, color payoff, skin range, etc. It was only when a client asked which brands I recommended that I realized how many of my products, especially shadows, are artist created. For lip products, though, I feel like Maybelline has been killing it. Great formulas, nice range of colors, and a very nice price point.
i agree too!! i also felt they are more worth their money for the formulations.
Ooooh, I love Wayne Goss formulas! xo
Should also mention that no-brand make up from Temu and the like can contain basically anything, including harmful ingredients that aren't approved by the FDA/EU/etc.
THIS is the type of content I show up for.
I stopped watching beauty influencers a long time ago (no shade - just found other creative outlets). But I still watch all of Alex's videos because she **educates**! I am not a makeup newbie, but I still learned something new within the first five minutes. Thanks for your quality content as well as your laidback persona and creativity. Please keep it up 🩷
Same here! It used to be at least half of my UA-cam time, now I’m down to Alex and Mikey (Glam & Gore). I ALWAYS learn something new even tho I’m an old hat at this point. Even if I didn’t, it’s fun to watch Alex and her rants and attention span 🤪, feels like home lol
The other thing I love about the Lisa Eldridge eye palettes is that they are refillable. I have used the Vega palette every day that I have worn makeup since it came out, and being able to replace the colours I run through fastest for £11 makes the initial outlay on the palette more bearable.
Oh I didn't even know that! Thank you for sharing, that is such a bonus! ❤️
I have that very same pallet. It was a luxury purchase for me, but I am very happy that I have it. It's the kind of thing you could just take away for a weekend or week and not need anything else.
You are absolutely right! I replaced two shades of this specific palette as well.
@@romana.in.wonderland French Grey and Turbulence for me!
@@aliciaf1055 French Grey and Supernova. Pure fairy dust and magic!
I used to feel silly for getting influenced by packaging, but as I get older I’m trying to lean more into my truth and surrounding myself with things that bring joy. I would rather have something beautiful on my vanity that makes me happy every time I reach for it and works for me 85%, than something that looks plain or even ugly but works 95% for me. not everyone will agree with that standard, that that’s OK! it’s what works for me and that’s what matters 🥰
What's even worse is flimsy packaging that FALLS APART omg. Even if the product is great, I don't wanna use a blush with a broken off lid everyday, it takes some of the joy away from the experience for me.
Yess!! Makeup is not just about the practical use, it's about the whole experience of the product
I fall into that group of women that are over 50 and we have a way higher ability to spend on luxury products. My husband absolutely loves for me to spend money on myself. It truly brings him joy......Soooo I'm all about bringing him joy. We have a yearly trip to Vegas coming up in 2 weeks and I will bring him all the joy I can!! LOL
This made me smile! Go bring tons of joy!! 😊😂
I'm smiling also! You and your husband sound delightful 😊
Years ago, I had the Buxon gloss in Gabby. I loved it. The color was just what I wanted, the feel was acceptable (I generally hate the feel of lip products) but it's a little pricey ($35) for something I don't wear everyday. Over the years, I have probably spent over $100 on other "less expensive" lip products searching for a dupe. The last time my daughter and I were in Ulta, she was like, mom, just get what you like and know works for you.
This is a great topic and on time considering the exhausting over-saturation in this space 😅
The eye look is stunning 🙌🏼 per usual. Getting a Nikki la rose video and Alex video in one day makes my Saturday all the better 😂😊
Thank you Kori! Love Nikki! ❤️❤️❤️
@@AlexandraAnele 💖💖💞💞💞
yes, love the eye look! what is the eye shadow pallet used to create the look?
i used to go through concealer so fast i could never dream of buying expensive concealer. nyx's old hd concealers and elf's concealers have saved me so much money! i will splurge on good eyeshadow however because it's my favorite part of makeup
Me, too. I love eyeshadow the most.
I spend on skin care. More on that than anything. I color my own hair and my car is paid off. Good makeup tools, foundation, finely milled powder, mascara (love the Kill Lash) and lipliner (my lips are uneven so I correct the shape with liner. Estée Lauder Double Wear). Everything else is drugstore. Works great for me. You help so many of us with your videos. I appreciate you Alex. Thank you
I'm one of those "more mature" gals you mentioned (and proud of it!) and I have to say you are spot on! I spend much more on skincare, foundation, powder and sometimes eyeshadow, but totally go budget on things like blush. In fact, I'm totally in love with the Essence squeeze tube blusher creams and ColourPop bronzing sticks, and drugstore mascara. I can afford high-end across the board now, but why? We all like saving money! And when places like Ulta put high-end products on sale for 50% off, I definitely wait for sales and discounts.
Me too! 66-year-old make up lover here. I also spend more money on skincare and complexion products. The essence baked blushes are fabulous. Almost exactly the same formula as the RMS beauty blushes. And the essence blushes are about five bucks. And I tend to purchase my eyebrow pencils once a year at the Ulta sale when I can get them for about 11 or 12 bucks.two of them last me the whole year
Ooooh, yes, I love essence highlight and baked blush!
Great topic Alex. Here Iam 63 yrs young and have realized that I am Wasting more money by burning Cheaper Makeup than if I was buying Mid to higher end. Especially when it comes to complexion products. I will Never but drugstore foundations for my dry, dehydrated, more mature skin. Been there done that. That’s just me. And for eyeshadows, same goes there. But, I’m not one to purchase a lot of makeup. My $$$ is spent on great skincare! Thank you for touching on this as it’s something I’ve sure realized as I get older that I really think thru.
I’m the same way. I’ve wasted more money on drugstore items with rave reviews that suck on me. I’d rather have one or two great pricier things than a dozen things that either sit and take up room, or I will end up tossing.
Hear, hear. I'm only mid-40s, but have dry and sensitive skin, and my skincare budget is way higher than my makeup budget.
@@Kasey113 lol. Yep that’s me too. I do have higher end makeup, but just basics which will last me a really long time, but that’s me, I have been amazed at how much better my skin is (tone, texture, more even skin tone, elasticity and on and on) since I’ve been purchasing medical grade skincare. I won’t go back. Although I do use a lot of K Beauty Skincare also. Like toners, essences, hydrating serums and SPf’s. But all my actives are medical grade. Have you tried Medic8 crystalized Retinaldhyde? Oh my heart, this has been a game changer for me. I still use Rx. Tret.
62 and also have very dry, sensitive skin. I've found 1 drugstore tinted moisturizer that works well on me, Maybelline Dream BB Fresh Beauty Balm. Sheer coverage, and only 5 shades, but if one of them works for you, it's good. I'm road testing the Revlon Illuminance foundation (not the skin tint) and so far, so good. Light coverage though, so if you want more coverage, it's not your product.
@@20thcenturyrelic thank you so much. I will for sure give the Maybelline Dream BB Beauty Balm a try. I’ve heard that the Revlon Illuminance is really great for dry skin.
I'm a student (small budget) and a cancer survivor with (now) extra sensitive skin. I've found that spending a little more on skin care, and a little less on make-up seems to work best for me. When choosing products I look at about 3 or 4 sources (that are not sponsored by the brand), then try and find reviews by people who mention similar skin issues. I'm also on the hard to match low end of the melanin spectrum (ancestors from sunless, cold places), so I appreciate the times you swatch things that end up being the wrong tint.😅
Same gurl! I’m incredibly pale with cool pink undertones, whenever Alex pops up with something too pinky or pale, I check it out! Lucky for me I have some new go-to items now
Love your closing thoughts! I live a very minimalist life and have been very stringent in the past about keeping my makeup collection small. Life is much easier with a more relaxed approach. At the end of the day, I love makeup, and having 3 blushes instead of 1 isn’t something to be ashamed of. That said, I almost always buy luxury products. I buy things so infrequently that I have the money to buy really nice versions when I make the plunge.
thank you for always mentioning fragrance, I'm hypersensitive to the world in general but an unexpected scent can really throw my whole day off-course so it's really lovely that you always put these disclaimers
Alex, guuuuurl. Your hair is sooooo good these days! I was a pixie cut woman all my life - until I reached my 40’s and put on weight, and as a Parisienne, I 100% approve of this look. It’s effortlessly cool and effortlessly classy. You wear it so well. 👌🏼
When something is working for me, I don't really want to change! I do, though, as I get older. I do get frustrated when my favorite MUAs keep selecting more and more expensive things. I get it, though-it's your job to try and recommend things, and I really appreciate that you do so much for your audience! I'm very grateful for your guidance, honesty, and sense of humor. Your videos are empowering. 🐈
This autumnal makeup is just gorgeous!
What a brilliant idea this video is. I only recently been even able to finish a foundation, so I never could justify spending big bucks on makeup. It would all expire on me anyways before I even use half. I am now thinking of spending more to create a collection of precious items. I will say I tend to be interested in alternative colors so it's sometimes just easier to go indie for a really unique shade range. (Blue lip stain is such a dream product for me)
I would love a kinda part two to this video of a category by category talk about what's actually different between drugstore, mid and high-end make-up. Kinda like what you did with eyeshadows
have you seen the blue lip stain from nekoyanin? not entirely sure if it's even been released yet but her lip stains are intense and have cute goth packaging lol
I would like to see this as well. Marlena Stell does this sort of content on her channel and I really appreciate it.
The Isamaya Industrial and Industrial 2.0 are palettes well worth the money for interesting shades. Just playing with them gives me so much inspiration.
as someone who also loves a funky lip color, I recently got Sunset Makeup's dark blue lip stain and I LOOOOOVE it. I also have a cobalt blue bullet lipstick that I layer over it (Black Moon Cosmetics Sinister Satin lipstick in Hellraiser), but the lip stain is really great on its own too
I discovered the Lisa Eldridge eyeshadows at just shy of 60 years old. They are unbelievably beautiful, and the one palette I have works like magic on my older eyes. This formula is simply a joy to work with.
Excellent advice, and much of it I give to my clients when I help them choose make-up. It all comes down to lifestyle, skin-feel/texture, time budget, and financial budget-- whatever is best for all 4 is the stuff you should buy.
I always go drugstore for mascaras because luxury brands always feel very wet for too long? I tend to go high end for eyeshadows for the reasons you mentioned and because cheaper brands tend to not have the colors, textures, and color stories I want and omg all the fallout. Back in the day, I would always get like 3 MAC products on my birthday and those would be extra special but with the variety of everything nowadays and my skill level, I have two big purchase moments in the year after doing extensive research from the last time.
I am mature, retired, widowed, and no longer really care much about luxury products. My daily foundations are drugstore, shadows too. I have a few higher end products but haven't found that they outperform my drugstore products, they are in better, prettier packaging. I have had fallout with higher-end shadows as well as drugstore shadows. I will sometimes splurge on a foundation, I have Estee Lauder Double Wear and a Shiseido foundation, I have Lancome and Natasha Denona concealer, but haven't found them to be so much better that they warrant the higher price. After wearing makeup for over 40 years I have the technique down and know my face well enough that I can make anything work as long as the color suits my complexion..
This is such a great topic, thanks for posting. I'm 54, have always loved makeup and forever will..Revlon in the 80s/90s 🔥...and I ALWAYS learn something new from you.
My 23year old daughter buys mid range products and i never understood why until she showed me the difference with the eye shadow pallets....it was a game-changer.
The choice of brushes was an eye-opener too....we grew up using the sponge applicators in the pallets.
For me and my very oily skin, nice/spendy foundation and setting spray are *mandatory.* Everything else is negotiable.
I love this topic! Thank you!
When I was younger with acne prone skin I definitely spent more money on higher end foundation and powder, but as I got older I have been using mostly drugstore products. I did learn the hard way that drugstore eyeshadows were often a disappointment and came to youtube to try to stop wasting so much money!
As I near 50, and my 3 daughters are now grown, I am thinking about spending more money on my makeup again! The Lisa Eldridge eyeshadows might be a good investment for me!!! They look so beautiful and seem foolproof.
Waittt the fact that you and Caroline are friends is major and so important to the lore!!
Such great points and we’re gonna need a tutorial on that fall eye look ASAP pleassse🤩
Coming soon!
@@AlexandraAneleyayy tysm!
I don't think I've ever commented on one of your videos, but I really enjoy watching you. This is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I am very happy that you are giving people permission to spend money on themselves. Even a $5 mascara can feel like a wonderful treat. I have an LA girl lip liner that cost me 5 dollars that I adore, and one from Huda Beauty that cost $23 that I also love. I think it's important to pay attention to how much product you get for your purchase. If one product is seven dollars and another is $23 and the $23 product has three times the amount in the tube, it just makes sense all things being equal to buy the more expensive one. Less packaging, less plastic to throw in the landfill,and less time shopping.
Right off the hop I just wanna say, loving your mismatched earrings.
Your makeup is stunning!! Can we please get the lip look details? Ty!!
Lisa E's makeup quality 👌
Lisa can do no wrong 😭
@@AlexandraAnele Agree. I've tried her matte lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, eyeshadows, liners, foundation & skin tint. All fantasic quality.
I would love an Alex and Lisa video collab!
Skincare and sunscreen comes first when it comes to spending.
I'm 51 and that product you wanted to hear about from the drugstore that beats many other is foundation L'Oréal infallible 32h fresh thin layer on well hydrated skin❤
This is a gorgeous Fall look. Love your hair and makeup! ❤
Very sound message here, Alex. I heartily endorse. I think you have hit all the sweet spots.
For myself, I just turned 60 (oof!) but I have had sensitive skin all my life and then developed rosacea in my 30s. While in my 20s I was a makeup enthusiast and gravitated towards Estée Lauder and Lancôme and they served me well. Both were often fragranced and that likely contributed to the rosacea as repeated sensitizing ingredients (including essential oils) can do. Then, after I had rosacea I very much wanted to be able to camouflage it on occasion with makeup but I could no longer tolerate a growing list of ingredients. Luckily, this hit just in the time of real makeup artists developing great products. Laura Mercier has always topped that list for me. As a fellow rosacea sufferer, she has strong feelings about not adding fragrance to her products which really suited me as well as the products themselves, which were mostly gorgeous. Similar brands such as NARS, Bobbi Brown, Kevyn Aucoin and the now defunct Becca also hit that sweet spot that you emphasized. Anyway, great video 😊
Danessa Myricks!!! Yesss! Such a queen giving us ALL of the color, drama, multichrome!!!! I have 2 palettes and I break them out ANY time I want to have fun! Nothing else gives me that same giddy feeling in my belly
Some things I look for reviews, and whenever possible I swatch in person. ESPECIALLY foundations, as my skin tone is often a mix between two shades. I'm not afraid to wait for something I like, and won't buy if I feel like I'm being 'pressured' or if it's not exactly what I want. "Do I want this, would I actually use it, or am I being MADE to feel like I SHOULD want it?"
I've never been much of a shopper to begin with, even though I'm someone who LOVES pretty things. But, for example, wishing I was someone who wore more fun lipstick colors (despite having VERY dry lips and prone to lip rubbing), meant that I spent several years in my 20s amassing a lip collection of 'the hottest new colors/trends' that I ended up tossing a year back because I just never used them. If it's a color/formula I'm not sure I'll use often, I'll sometimes go for a cheaper version first to see if I ACTUALLY like it (or just am living a fantasy/liking how it looks on someone else). Being ruthless about habits means I have more space for things I truly use- yay!
My apartment is too tiny to hoard items I'm not getting good use out of, or truly love.
I am so thankful that you made this video!❤ In my 60’s andI have never seen anyone demonstrate eyeshadow like you did here!❤
your opinions are so articulate and well thought out- we have a lot we can learn from you! Thanks for sharing!
I will always appreciate how you don't tell me what to do- you help me figure out what *I* want to do (and how to do it). ❤
I just can’t get over how fierce your eye makeup is!!! It’s giving fall vibes and I’m here for it. 🤗 🍁 🍂💯
I definitely feel like being a mindful, cautious consumer is a good thing. It definitely feels like there is a lot of influence encouraging us to overconsume, and some people seem to be trying to push back against this by shaming anyone who ever purchases a product, but neither of those lines of thinking help you to actually be mindful and intentional with the way you spend so you don't overconsume. I really appreciate that there are people like you out there actually guiding people on how to spend money wisely!
My favorite thing to get at the drug store is lip products! Especially lip oils. I love the NYX fat oils (not the pumping one, Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oils, and ELF Watermelon Lip oil ❤ I go through those fast as well!
Thankyou for covering this topic! I try to avoid over consumering when it comes to anything. I think what you describe is more like mindlessly consuming and just always for the next thing to...consume essentially instead honouring or being grateful for what you have. I totally agree in terms saving and spending money mindfully on a product that is worth it. I think it's a good idea to consume mindfully and to check the ethicality and sustainability of everywhere product. Be mindful of those who are actually making your make up products.
Great video. As a fellow olive, sometimes drugstore just doesn’t have the shade range for foundations/concealers. I loved to collect lipsticks in my younger days, but I’ve realized I can cheap out on them, the same goes for nail polish (slightly off-topic).
I can't thank you enough for this video. I'm 67 and have crepey lids, despite my skincare. My old powder shadows weren't working any more but I didn't know what to get. Finally a review I can invest in. I'll be ordering Lisa's palette, and hope it's not to shimmery for me.
My splurge items are always color. DMB for colorful and ultra shiny eyeshadows (including her colorfix, so fun!) and Lisa Eldridge for lipsticks and glosses. Everything else I have: complexion products, eyeshadow primer, eye brows, mascara are all drugstore. I only splurge on what I really love and have fun with. The rest of makeup is just functional so I don't look crazy wearing a bold lip or fun eyeshadows
Thank you for this video! I loved your coverage on this topic -- so helpful, and made a lot of sense. I have very sensitive and thin skin, which for me has translated to a lot of higher end products. This I found through tons of trial and error. Fragrance is something I have to be careful of, too. Sometimes it feels like walking a tightrope. There is one type of higher end product I love, and that is the Chanel "pencil" eyeliners. Incredible colors, long staying power, and works well with my overly sensitive eyes. No irritation.
Okay, some drugstore makeup that’s a lot better than higher end makeup for me:
-elf Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand in shade “fair/light” bc it’s so cool tone, and buildable
-Maybellines Build a Brow is the best brow pen I have found, and shade black brown this the best color match I have found
-Essence super precise eyeliner is the best eyeliner ever. I don’t like felt tip eyeliners, and this one is a brush tip. I always have issues with higher-end eyeliners exploding in my purse, or just not working well. While most drug store eyeliners fade to a dark blue, or rub off within the day.
The only makeup I really spend money on are concealer, setting powder and setting spray. I think it’s definitely worth it for me.
For concealer it’s hard to find a good shade match, so I’d rather spend the coin to make sure it matches.
As far as setting spray and setting powder, I’ve tried cheaper products for both living in Texas heat, it just doesn’t hold up. I’d much rather spend the coin to make sure my setting powder and setting spray do the job
I am an online therapist and am on camera every day so, I run through a lot of primer, powder, blush and use drugstore makeup mostly. But, in my bag: Claudio Riaz Lipxurious Gloss because of the formula and the ***packaging***, touch up powder is La Prairie Skin Caviar Complexion Powder Foundation because it lasts almost a year and it feels like luxury to me.
A great video although I was surprised that you didn’t mention foundation products! I think this is the kind of category where I think that I have to spend the most🫣
I have a few of the Elf bite sized eye pallets and I personally think they could rival high end, as you said about drugstore brands, there is some fallout, BUT, they feel very soft and are super easy to blend and, If I remember correctly I believe they’re only $4.00 each! Love your channel and your honesty! 💄💄❤️❤️❤️
The Hindash pallette is perfection!
Girl that HAIR and those NAAAIIILSSSSS. I’m living for it!!
I just got your brush set and I noticed immediately what a difference it makes. I've always used 3-7€ brushes. This is great content, I'm so happy I've found your channel. I've found a whole new inspiration to makeup after nearly giving up on it bc of my hooded eyes and challenging skin ❤
I personally can't find any reason to spend a lot of money on makeup. 'Drugstore' makeup has come so far & there's so many options now.
Can’t tell if it’s the hair-parting, the brows, or some variation in your usual blush/contour routine but GIRL. You look so pretty (as usual - duh, but pretty in a diff way today)! Can’t quite put my finger on what’s different though.
Totally agree on the consumerism things!! If you're using it, that's totally good! If you are just buying and buying, and never finishing things then that's bad. Finish the first things then try the new one. Over consumption is bad, not consumerism itself
Thanks for this video, it was a good eye opener in therms of where to save & invest money and what you said about reflecting on our buying choices :)
I swear you always make videos that are so incredibly helpful, just when I need it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, it's so appreciated 🥰🙏
Great topic! You are a great teacher.
Great advice as always. Also: This whole look is gorgeous, and your hair is especially gorgeous! Love your tank, too.
The makeup you're wearing is beautiful! Especially the lip!
Lisa Eldridge is my queen, too! I use every chance I get to buy her lipsticks for my friends who also wear makeup!
Alex out of all of the beauty influencers, on UA-cam..Tik tok..(and I watch A LOT of them) you are my favorite. You literally are here for the makeup/skin care and it’s amazing. You are the most unproblematic influencer I’ve seen. Dominique is similar and I love her too but you’re my favorite. You’re so authentic and quirky and unique and absolutely BEAUTIFUL..not to mention you’re so intelligent and carry yourself with tact and are articulate. You care deeply about your followers and I trust your reviews 100% because of who you are. Just wanted to let you know that I celebrate you and who you are. You’re literally the best.
Forgot to delve a little deeper into the unproblematic part. The coolest thing about you is that you are never in any drama. I don’t ever hear you speak badly about anyone else and I love that you are truly just here for your passion and to share it with others and that’s it! You’re the best 💕💕💕💕
Thank you for leaning into a gorgeous shadow forward eye look❤❤❤❤
i bought a gucci matte red lipstick for not even wearing it everyday! so if i want to splurge on a more expensive product, this should be something that i would wear everyday and not 2 times a year; so i have to think about the color, the formula and the finish!
for example: i bought a tinted red lip oil (nyx) that i use everyday!
My unquestionable splurges so far are:
- LE foundation - there are many brands with comparably excellent formulas and finishes I've tried over the years, for every budget, but this one has MY SHADE that can be used on its own without making me look dead
- Skincare - I'm very inconsistent in my routines, but when I do it, it better be good
I'm still waiting for the right shade of the affordable but fantastic age rewind concealer. Second imaginary best would be an LE concealer for my dark circles that doesn't require an orange base underneath.
Paying a ton for your perfect foundation match is worth every penny.
What a beautiful video idea, this really helps get a deeper understanding of how our makeup and products work. Brilliant, thank you!
How I decide to what to spend more on really depends on my needs. Having darker skin and being olive means I will not find a good shade match without mixing in blue color corrector so it's better for me to go high end and repurchase the same foundation as needed. I use the Lisa Eldridge one. Contour and blush I'm willing to spend a lot less on because you can find good cheaper formulas and shades are simply preferences. A good concealer is necessary so higher end. Eye shadows don't always show up well or look the same on darker skin so I do spend more for quality eyeshadows. Mascara needs to be replaced too often so cheaper mascaras from somewhere like Loreal work great.
True! I find that it’s better for me to spend more on my face and eyelid primer because of my combo skin and complexion products in general, foundation and powder especially, whereas I can save up on brow products because I already have good brows
SUCH a good-mood good-quality chatty video! Thank you, Alex ❤
I was always taught to buy the best you can afford. Quality does pay off in the long run but I do agree that somethings that you use infrequently can be a waste of money. Experience will tell you what to buy and what best suits you. Thank you Alex.
Alex I hope you do your holiday gift ideas video again this year! I loved your suggestions last year!
Hey I think this is a great conversation to have! I agree with the argument that nowadays you can make any drugstore product work, given that the quality has improved so much, it just depends on having the skill to make it work. That being said, I've found myself splurging a bit in things I know are better performing when the quantity of product vs frequency of use makes sense in my head. For example, I splurge on setting spray and face powder since I use a very little amount in my routine and with better formulas, that's all you need to get great results. But for foundation, concealer and mascara I do try to keep it drugstore as I know I go over those faster. I've always bought the Benefit Brow Setter since nothing gives me the same result, and I have a few expensive eyeshadow palettes since I know that those won't expire easily and I won't use them everyday, so they'll last longer.
I love you. I love this video and your messages. And i appreciate you! Much Love to all the people and our beautiful Gaia!
I love Caroline! And this video came at the perfect time! Thank you!
I love that eye shadow on u, just looks utterly gorgeous on u!!!!! ❤❤❤
Haha i love the random timing of this video... The past couple of years i've been slowly replacing my makeup kit with less quantity, and more quality of a few products i truly weat every day. I did it first with lipstick, then blush... And the past couple of months i've actually been thinking of throwing out all my old pallets, random singles etc of powder eyeshadow and treat myself to one of lisa's pallets ^^ (i tried crayons creams gels whatever you name it i always come back to powder for eyeshadow)
high end product i havent found a drugstore dupe I love as much is the rare beauty lip oils, I'm willing to spend on those x
Rare Beauty is more affordable than a lot of the other brands found at Sephora.
Rom&nd has a line of tinted lip oils called the Glasting Water Tint. They’re really close in texture to the Rare Beauty lip oils, and perform just as good.
this is precisely the video that i needed this week!!
I always remind myself that I can return whatever I don’t like ❤ Don’t let them keep your money if you don’t like the product!
i'd say your in your element, you explained this all very well. Thank you 😊
I have hooded eyes, so using cheaper eyeshadows doesn’t work for me. I still use them for everyday but for bigger events I use good quality, higher end shadows because they rarely crease even though I’m dancing and sweating and have extremely oily skin. I was able to snag a couple of Marc Jacobs eyeshadow palettes and I use those for events and man, they do not budge.
Loved this! Thanks for the tips. I tend to default to affordable options unless I see a ton of influencers I trust hyping a mid to higher end product where I don’t have a great drugstore option. For example, I bought (and loved) Haus Labs concealer and do not have a cheap alternative that works well. I’ve also been trying out nicer eyeshadow because I’m not good at blending and have hooded eyes and just want it to be as easy as possible.
Lipstick and mascara: drugstore always.
Great topic ❤ I love special shades. I’m olde but the quality of shadows seems to be more important. Sometimes the aesthetics of the packaging is as important as the product.
The look for this video is perfection
I'm mostly spendy when it comes to lipsticks, eyeshadows and blush. I have some drugstore mixed in there too.
I tend to go mid range on complexion products, but my favorite powder foundation of all time is Neutrogena Mineral Sheers and my surprise all-star concealer is actually the NYX Concealer Serum.
I'm all over the place 😂
Loving the longer hair! ❤
You look amazing!!! Skin is beautiful!👑
You look GORGEOUS! Especially the eyes!! Good work!😊
Blend Bunny is so good too and affordable 💜
Love blend bunny!
For me, when I shop, I think about how my skin used to be. All broken out, literally dry and inflamed where my acne was. Make up never looked right, dry and I looked OLDER than I actually was. I invest in skincare. Drugstore make up is usually alright as long as your base and skin underneath is taken care of. I'll spend $300+ on skincare and maybe $50 on Drugstore makeup. Current skincare: Glow Receipe toner and avocado serum, Innesfree vitamin c and or green tea serums (fair price point and unscented, comparable to Tatcha imo), Tatcha rice wash and dewy cream moisturizer, and then Sunday riley auto correct eye, night time my ALL TIME MOST LOVED L'Occitane Reset Serum and the Reset Eye. Tried and true!!
For eyeshadow I love Colourpop and BPerfect which are priced in between the types you showed. Saving for the Eldridge now 😊
I'm 46yF, Canadian Algonquin. Ride or die Sydney Grace shadow lover. HOWEVER I also have Lupus(DLE & SLE) So I have an entire wall of skincare and an obscene about of spf products. I've found that my base face products (and wallet) are happy with mid/lower $ items from Huda, TooFac3d, Tart, Rare Beauty. The only drugstore products I repeatedly repurchase are Elf brow freeze and the Maybelline Lifter Plump glosses. I LOVE the burn!
Great vlog to get critical thinking about one's concerns and budget. As one of your very mature viewers, the one place to spend first is on skin care. I am a glam girl and when I was 21 I started a skin care regime and have morphed it over the years based on my skin condition, weather condition, time of year. That being said, when I worked and I wore makeup for 16 hours a day and had to touch up when necessary, I bought the best I could afford on foundation, powder and mascara The colorful aspect I could play with trends and had a lot of options. Being an interior designer I love color and trends so play I did. Now being retired and I only wear makeup when I leave the house and know I'll see someone. I buy the drugstore products for makeup and the high end for eye and lip colors. Why? Well it's the better formulas that don't crease and emphasise wrinkles on the thinner skin. I've gone from trendy to classic and have crafted my signature look for casual, semi-casual, and dressy.
I so appreciate your input and the artistry that you employee on your face and show it to the whole wide world. Keep going.
As someone with mature hooded eyes I love my Sydney Grace eye shadows & my Rephr brushes & skincare
Hi beautiful lady
My go to is cruelty free makeup and that can be drugstore or indie brands or high end's as long is cruelty free. ( ex danish brand called GOSH, Or Cosmic brushes or colourpop, or Natasha denona, Melt and so on)
I really have an issue with putting pretty thing on my face ( that is not a need ) and at same time knowing that it have been tests on some animals who have been in some kinda pain for my beuaty.
Hope it make sense ❤
Ps
I don't speel that good but hope you will understand.
Caroline's my favourite ! Thank you for this very helpful run down ❤❤