ig 📸: @emilymayhopex
Because in this economy? We are not blindly spending $72 on a serum just because the bottle is frosted glass and the packaging is aesthetically pleasing.
But we’re also not pretending every $8 dupe hits the same.
Welcome to The Relatable Beauty Team’s honest breakdown of what’s actually worth splurging on… and what you can confidently grab at Target without blinking.
Foundation: Splurge (Usually)
Let’s be real, foundation is your base. If it looks off, everything looks off.
Luxury foundations like: Estée Lauder Double wear or NARS Natural Radiant Longwear tend to: Have better shade ranges, Blend more seamlessly, Wear longer without separating, and Photograph beautifully.
Drugstore options like L’Oréal True Match and Maybelline Fit Me are amazing, but if you have oily skin, texture, or long work days (hello 9–6 life), higher-end formulas often hold up better.
Relatable verdict:
If you’re going to splurge anywhere in makeup, this is it.
Mascara: Save Your Coins
This might be controversial… but drugstore mascara wins. Formulas like Maybelline Lash Sensational and L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama perform just as well (sometimes better) than luxury staples like Too Faced Better Than Sex or Dior Diorshow.
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama
And here’s the tea:
You’re supposed to replace mascara every 3 months.
Why are we spending $32 on something we’re throwing away quarterly?
Relatable verdict:
Drugstore mascara supremacy. Period.
Skincare: Strategic Splurge
Skincare is where things get nuanced. Luxury brands like La Mer often invest heavily in clinical testing and patented ingredients. But drugstore brands like CeraVe focus on ingredient transparency and dermatologist-backed basics.
Here’s the breakdown:
Save on:
Cleanser
Moisturizer
Basic hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide
Splurge on (if you can):
Vitamin C serums
Retinol
Targeted treatment products
Why? Stability and formulation matter more in active ingredients.
Relatable verdict:
Your cleanser doesn’t need to be $48. Your vitamin C might be worth the investment.
Lip Products: Depends on the Vibe
If you’re a signature lip girl (very main character energy), luxury formulas like Charlotte Tilbury just feel elite. The pigment, the packaging, the moment.
But when it comes to lip liners and gloss?
NYX absolutely carry.
Relatable verdict:
Splurge on your “main character” lipstick. Save on liners and gloss.
So… What’s Actually Worth It?
Here’s your soft-life, financially responsible glow-up summary:
Splurge On:
Foundation
Active skincare (Vitamin C, retinol)
Signature fragrance
One iconic lipstick
Save On:
Mascara
Cleanser
Basic moisturizers
Lip liners & gloss
The real glow-up isn’t spending more, it’s spending smarter.
Luxury doesn’t automatically mean better. Drugstore doesn’t automatically mean cheap quality. It’s about formula, wear time, and what actually makes a difference in your routine.
And at The Relatable, we’re building elevated lives, not debt for aesthetics.
Now tell us…
What’s the one product you’ll always splurge on no matter what?
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