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Which Beauty Products You Should Be Splurging On—and Which You Shouldn't

Financial planning applies to lipstick too.

By Chelsea Peng

Jul 15, 2016

Courtesy, design by Dana Tepper

If we were smart about it, we'd buy less and only the best we could afford, but LOL, have you *been* to Sephora? For those of us who like to put our money where we can see it (on our faces), we've got a complete guide for how all that beauty spending should really break down.

<p>The chichi, almond-soufflé-scented ones may come with honey dippers, but there's really no compelling *need* to drop $$$ on body lotion. Drugstore brands work just fine.</p><p><strong>Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $7, <a href="http://rstyle.me/n/buvtddbqb8f" target="_blank">target.com</a>.</strong><br></p>

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Body Lotion: Save

The chichi, almond-soufflé-scented ones may come with honey dippers, but there's really no compelling *need* to drop $$$ on body lotion. Drugstore brands work just fine.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $7, target.com.

<p>If you're in your 20s, your main objective is to hydrate the eye area to prevent lines. Beyond that, you'll want to choose a more technical (and probably therefore expensive) formula to undo any damage.</p><p><strong>Burt's Bees Sensitive Eye Cream, $9, <a href="http://rstyle.me/~8CsMq" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Eye Cream: Save (with a Caveat)

If you're in your 20s, your main objective is to hydrate the eye area to prevent lines. Beyond that, you'll want to choose a more technical (and probably therefore expensive) formula to undo any damage.

Burt's Bees Sensitive Eye Cream, $9, amazon.com.

<p>You're <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a14687/how-to-layer-skin-care/" target="_blank">layering your skincare</a>, right? So this just acts as a barrier, sealing the active ingredients underneath in. (See next slide.)</p><p><strong>CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $13, <a href="http://rstyle.me/n/buvtjqbqb8f" target="_blank">target.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Daily Moisturizer: Save

You're layering your skincare, right? So this just acts as a barrier, sealing the active ingredients underneath in. (See next slide.)

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $13, target.com.

<p>...Like your serum, which should go on first so all the good, please-help-me-age-like-Pharrell stuff absorbs. This is not the place to scrimp.</p><p><strong>Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, $92, <a href="http://rstyle.me/n/buvtmqbqb8f" target="_blank">neimanmarcus.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Serum: Splurge

...Like your serum, which should go on first so all the good, please-help-me-age-like-Pharrell stuff absorbs. This is not the place to scrimp.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, $92, neimanmarcus.com.

<p>Most complexions should do fine with a mild cleanser—you're washing it off after a short time anyway. But if you've got acne or other concerns, you might consider investing in a cleanser formulated especially for your skin type.</p><p><strong>Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $6, <a href="http://rstyle.me/n/buvt9pbqb8f" target="_blank">target.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Cleanser: Save (with Another Caveat)

Most complexions should do fine with a mild cleanser—you're washing it off after a short time anyway. But if you've got acne or other concerns, you might consider investing in a cleanser formulated especially for your skin type.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $6, target.com.

<p>When you're applying heat directly to your hair, your goal should be do no harm—<a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a15722/flat-iron-perfect-temperature/" target="_blank">or at least no more than needed</a>. Higher-end models reduce the time your hair is in direct contact with the heat, which in turn means less fry-age.</p><p><strong>Harry Josh Pro Dryer, $300, <a href="http://www.bigelowchemists.com/harry-josh-pro-tools-2000-pro-dryer.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=productfeed&utm_campaign=googleshopping&mkwid=sJcIuegXV&crid=111557621404&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&pdv=c&gclid=CNL26YaF9M0CFZSIaQoduHsN5g" target="_blank">bigelowchemists.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Hot Tools: Splurge

When you're applying heat directly to your hair, your goal should be do no harm—or at least no more than needed. Higher-end models reduce the time your hair is in direct contact with the heat, which in turn means less fry-age.

Harry Josh Pro Dryer, $300, bigelowchemists.com.

<p>Mostly in that there are so many new colors coming out all the time that it's *most* worth it to spend on a few classic/favorite shades.</p><p><strong>Burt's Bees Lipstick, $9, <a href="http://rstyle.me/n/buvt5qbqb8f" target="_blank">ulta.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Lipstick: Save

Mostly in that there are so many new colors coming out all the time that it's *most* worth it to spend on a few classic/favorite shades.

Burt's Bees Lipstick, $9, amazon.com.

<p>In the hierarchy of makeup, an even-but-still-real-looking complexion comes first—always. But then again, if you're taking care of your skin, foundation is a category you won't need to worry about at all. Hmm...</p><p><strong>Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin-Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup, $48,<br>
<a href="http://rstyle.me/n/buvtuibqb8f" target="_blank">nordstrom.com</a>.</strong></p>

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Foundation: Splurge

In the hierarchy of makeup, an even-but-still-real-looking complexion comes first—always. But then again, if you're taking care of your skin, foundation is a category you won't need to worry about at all. Hmm...

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin-Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup, $48, nordstrom.com.