Beauty Products: Splurge vs. Save

Should you spring for the new "it" anti-aging product? Are department store foundations better than the drugstore variety? What is the real difference between a $20 conditioner and a $5 conditioner? When it comes to buying beauty products, the more expensive brands aren't always better. We consulted some of the industry's top beauty experts to get the facts about when to spend and when to save, so you can budget for the splurges that are oh-so-worth-it. Read on for the sometimes surprising verdicts, and our must-try product picks.

Moisturizer

The Verdict: Splurge
"A moisturizer has two purposes; to give us hydration and to protect our skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun," says Sephora beauty expert Emily Massa. Both pursuits require consistent daily use. Unfortunately, many women skip moisturizing for fear of break outs. If you fall into this category, try spending a little more on your everyday moisturizer. A good place to start is at a local day spa, which often sells the high-quality brands used for facials--and can recommend a formula that is right for your skin type. Brands to Try: SkinCeuticals, Dermalogica

Eye Cream

The Verdict: Save
While anti-wrinkle agents and skin brighteners may sound alluring, "the underlying issue with any eye concern is a lack of hydration," says Massa. If cutting your beauty budget is your goal, eye cream is a great item to save on. Simply forgo fancy formulas for a great, hydrating cream--almost any reputable brand will do, regardless of the price. You'll give the delicate skin around your peppers a much-needed dose of moisture, and help maintain the elasticity it needs to resist wrinkling. Brands to Try: Vickery & Clarke, Bliss

Anti-Aging Products

The Verdict: Save
Pricey creams may have more expensive ingredients, but nothing that comes in a jar can actually remove wrinkles. What you can expect from an anti-aging cream is smoother skin, smaller pores and a firmer, brighter overall appearance. Since Olay has beat out expensive brands for its great results in each area, there's no reason to stretch your wallet for higher-priced products. Brands to Try: Olay Regenerist, Olay Pro-X

Face Wash

The Verdict: Save
"When purchasing a cleanser, you simply need something basic and gentle that will not leave the skin feeling tight and stripped," explains Massa. Look for liquid and cream cleansers if you have normal to dry skin, and gels if you have extremely oily skin. Brands to Try: Purpose by Johnson & Johnson (shown), Cetaphil

Foundation

The Verdict: Spend
"Quality ingredients are the key to a good foundation," says Massa. After all, the goal is to look like you're not wearing any--so it pays to splurge for top-notch ingredients. Silica or any form of silicone "will give the foundation a smooth finish and add elasticity to the formula, so it never cracks or looks textured," she says. Some other great ingredients to look for: relipidium (moisturizes skin), hyaluronic acid microspheres (hydrates, plumps and smoothes skin) and IP3 (stimulates calcium within the cell for smoother skin).
Brands to Try: Prescriptives, M.A.C.

Concealer

The Verdict: Spend
Since the eye area lacks hydration, many concealers tend to clump, crack or look unnatural. "Spend the extra bucks and buy a hydrating concealer," Massa says. After applying eye cream, you should apply concealer with a brush or by patting around your eye gently with your ring finger. Remember, a good concealer should look invisible (ask for help at the makeup counter to pick the right shade) and last all day. Brands to Try: Lancome, Amazing Concealer

Makeup Brushes

The Verdict: Spend
When it comes to your beauty tools, it's better to spend more for better products that will last longer. "Brushes are an investment!" Massa stresses. "Quality makeup brushes have hand formed bristles and are never cut to get their shape. If you take care of your brushes they will last you a lifetime." Brands to Try: Sephora, Bobbi Brown

Shampoo

The Verdict: Spend
"Shampoo can be very abrasive to the hair, stripping it of natural oils and leaving it dry and brittle," says hair guru Mark Garrison of New York City's Mark Garrison Salon. Unless you have very oily hair, Garrison recommends skipping a wash whenever possible to allow your scalp's natural oils to moisturize your locks. When you do shampoo, "It's important to invest in a shampoo that takes the health of your hair into account. High-end shampoos generally have less detergent than drug store brands. They also tend to be highly concentrated so that you don't have to use as much each time," Garrison explains.
Brands to Try: Kerastase, Redken

Conditioner

The Verdict: Save
Since most conditioners work by merely coating the hair, it isn't necessary to spend a fortune. Instead, pick a brand that fits your budget or just stick with a brand you've used forever. If you have normal to dry hair, occasionally try just rinsing it with water (but no shampoo!) before conditioning-you'll get that fresh-washed feeling without stripping your hair unnecessarily. Brands to Try: Aussie, Neutrogena

Hair Brushes

The Verdict: Save
Popular brands like Mason Pearson are known to last a lifetime, but shelling out $75 or $100 for a hairbrush isn't a reality for most of us. Instead, Garrison says you can find a great alternative in lower-priced brands like Spornette. "Look for brushes made with a blend of boar and nylon bristles where the handle and the barrel are made from one solid piece of wood or metal. Brushes where the handle and barrel are two separate pieces [that are] glued together may separate over time." Brands to Try: Spornette, Goody