Splurge and Save Beauty with Make Up Artist Paul Venoit

Posted by Alexandra C. | Wednesday October 26, 2011

While I think I can safely say that we'd all love to have a beauty budget of unlimited funds, the chances of such a dream happening is slim to none. So, the question is- which beauty products should you invest in and which ones can you pick up at a drug store for a fabulous bargain? ChickAdvisor had the opportunity to chat with make up artist Paul Venoit and we asked him this very question. He gave us some great insight into what pieces are worth the extra dollars and what products we can save a few bucks on (perhaps to put towards that pair of pumps you've been eyeing?).

Splurge: Foundations
Paul suggests splurging on foundations and concealers because of the variety of skin tone colours that come in more expensive brands. Because coverage should be a priority when purchasing foundations, Paul told us that a good foundation is worth the extra bucks because coverage is often better with more expensive brands.

Try these: Nars Sheer Matte Foundation (US$42.00), Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation (US$40.00), MAC Studio Fix Fluid with SPF 15 (C$31.00)

Save: Mascara
I once heard, 'Mascara is mascara is mascara'. Meaning, one mascara is often very similar to another, especially in formula. While Paul loves the more expensive brands of mascara, it isn't necessary to purchase them to achieve a similar look!

Try these: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara (C$9.29), Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (C$5.99), CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara (C$6.54)

Splurge: Powders
Make up should always enhance your features- not cover or change them. A bad powder can look caked on and can clog up those pores. Splurge on a good quality powder to avoid the 'tanned mask' look and try mineral powders to let your skin breathe!

Try these: Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder (US$30.00), Benefit Hello Flawless! Custom Powder Cover Up (US$34.99), MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (C$31.00)

Save: Lipgloss
I don't know about you but I am constantly losing my lip glosses! After losing my millionth one, I decided to never splurge on lip glosses again, so I was glad to hear that Paul was on my side for this one. Lip glosses are definite "save-on" because there isn't much difference in the way an inexpensive gloss looks compared with an expensive one.

Try these: Rimmel London Vinyl Lip Gloss (C$6.49), CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers (US$4.99), Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss (US$5.00)

Do you have a favourite bargain beauty buy? Let us know what it is!

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11 Comments

	on November 13, 2011 GlamGal 2,378 said: Nice article!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	on October 27, 2011 shiorim 982 said: Def. agree with this list. i'm pretty frugal when it comes to make up, but I love spending my money on it despite wearing very little. I never wear fulll foundation just cause I hate the feel of it, but I am thinking of investing in a high quality concealer as most days I just want to cover up the dark circles on my eyes.
	on October 27, 2011 AlexJC 50 said: On the powders note- lately I've been using The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder- I'm loving the minerals so far. And at C$25.00 it is more than a drugstore brand but not so, super expensive. The only thing I'm really bummed about is the colour choices which is where more expensive brands come in- the lightest powder is actually a bit too dark for me so when winter hits and I lose any colour I once had, I'm going to have to change it up.
	on October 27, 2011 Makeup Guru Emily 1,073 said: Yay love this post! Yup, I love getting mascaras from the drugstore...my faves are the pink and green Maybelline, and the False Lash in the purple and blue tube. I usually get my foundations and powders from MAC. I get my blush and bronzer from NARS (splurge indeed!). And for lip gloss I usually just use Burt's Bees lip balm or Beauty Rush.
	on October 27, 2011 Ali de Bold STAFF said: Great tips, I totally agree.
	on October 26, 2011 sthom 369 said: I use Powder and cover up from the FIT ME line from Maybelline. I like it because it doesn't feel heavy and it gives good coverage. I use the cover up to cover blemishes etc. then put the powder on top. Each is only 10$ at drug stores. The only thing I dont like is that it doesn;t last all day...when i get home from the day my face is not up to par with what I walked out the door with!
	on October 26, 2011 TashaCat 6,762 said: Love this - he's 100% right. And this is not new advice - I read this when I was a teenager, again when I worked the counters in my 20's.... and its still true today. Everything looks great on a great base - but a blotchy, mismatched, chalky base can ruin any look.
	on October 26, 2011 Nanda said: I am all for saving but some things are worth splurging for.
	on October 26, 2011 Becky 13,128 said: Completely agree with everything! I started reading and thinking to myself "don't stinge on foundation, don't stinge on concealer, don't stinge on powder" .. I actually wouldn't even stinge on blush 'cuz if its poor quality, it'll either magnify your pores, settle into your wrinkles, or do a vanishing act. Mascara is definitely mascara is mascara; couldn't agree more. And there are a ton of really good drugstore brands out there, like the ones you mentioned. Some Pharmaplus's are carrying a brand called "Pupa". That is totally comparable with Lancome Hypnose. I have them both and Pupa can give a very stiff competition. A lot of high end stuff are degrading in quality too, like MAC shadows just aren't what they used to be so why spend the money for the packaging?
	on October 26, 2011 beachbabe 4,164 said: This is a great list. Totally agree with everything. I like to save on mascara and lip gloss. Mascara should be thrown out after 3 months. I'd feel much better about throwing out a $7 mascara before it's empty than $50 mascara. And lip gloss I like to save because the lower the price, the more variety I can have ;)