Try it out Thursday

This week is going to be a little different. I’m going to be doing more of a comparison of products versus a review on one product. This week’s product will be: Makeup

I have no issues saying that I was never really taught much about makeup so it was up to me to do a lot of discovering on my own. This is a terrible thing for any darker brown girl because you probably needed more than one shade to get a match. With that being said, I’ve NEVER been someone that loves makeup. I enjoy a lip gloss or some lipstick, mascara, and some liner…but that was my whole routine for a while. Once Tinted moisturizer became a thing I felt like I had moved on up in the world. Now that I’m an adult, there’s just levels to makeup and I’m finding my way through trial and error.

One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is that there are tiers and those come and different price points. I am quite frugal and for most things I can’t justify spending a ton of money on it. This is the same case with makeup. I do not have the same issues with skincare because I live in my skin and I need to take care of it the best way possible even if it is a little expensive, but makeup is not even something I wear weekly. Now that the public is starting to open back up, I do wear it at least twice a month. So which is better? Should you really splurge on expensive makeup or does it have more to do with application and the hand that is applying? For most of my life I believed that you could use decent products and get by. That isn’t entirely false, but quality does matter. Cheap makeup and even tools tend not to last the same as products that tend to be a little pricier. However, you can go out and buy a Pat McGrath (This is what I consider an expensive line) palate and it still turn out trash because application and technique impact the finished product. 

I have products on both sides of the spectrum for makeup. I have high end foundation (Thank you Influenster because otherwise I wouldn’t have tried Givenchy..Let me say this product has completely changed my mind about my willingness to spend a little more on foundation because this also has skincare in mind and looked flawless) and I have drug store concealer. Like anything else in life, I’ve found that you have to do a good job of figuring out what’s most important for you. It is very possible to get away with a cheap liner that hasn’t failed you while using a better quality mascara and eyeshadow. I base what I’m willing to spend on what I’ll be using the most. Liner isn’t option for me so I don’t mind spending a few more bucks there as well as mascara. I just recently found out I enjoy layering so I use more than one type. I often go for curling and lengthening, but sometimes I like volume. And I don’t use a 3-1 shampoo, I don’t want to do that with my makeup products as well. Another thing that I’ve found value in increasing my spending on is primer and setting spray. These are two things I would have never given much thought to, but a primer that offers a blurring effect makes a difference so I’m rolling with it until it stops working. Another thing I consider in whether or not something is worth the purchase price is the impact on my skin. I have a very good skincare routine so cleaning my skin is a necessity, but I have worn makeup that absolutely caused breakouts in spite of that. I don’t care for acne so I choose products that can either work as makeup and skincare or products that don’t mess me up. Where do you fall on this spectrum? Are you completely sold on a certain brand or have you found a variety that works for you?