At one time or another, we have all splurged on an expensive beauty product only to subsequently find one with a cheaper price tag that does much the same thing. Yet most of us believe you get what you pay for – that a pricier beauty product is better in quality and will probably have greater benefits.
The truth is there are plenty of inexpensive choices available that are just as effective as their premium counterparts.
According to a Statistics New Zealand survey, Kiwis aged 15 and over spend a total of about $457 million on beauty products, perfumes and deodorant each year.
To help you save in your beauty cupboard, we’ve rounded up our favourite lower-cost beauty products for body, hair and face, most of which are $20 or less.
Here’s how to look your best without breaking the bank.
1 Ingredients are key
It’s easy to be persuaded by beautiful product packaging and a supermodel advertisement, but remember it’s all about what’s on the inside.
Beauty expert and author of Amazinger Face, Zoë Foster Blake, recommends focusing on the product’s ingredients, rather than price, when looking for a good beauty buy.
“You can buy a moderately priced night cream that is packed with glycolic acid or peptides and get far better results than a very expensive cream that lacks those ingredients,” Zoë says. “[Look for] ingredients that actually do something, like AHAs [alpha-hydroxy acids], which exfoliate and cleanse; antioxidants, which claim to slow ageing; and vitamin A, which can reduce wrinkles and brown spots.”
2 Choose products that suit you
To help curb spending, opt for the most suitable products for you. That means beauty items that will work for your lifestyle (and budget!).
“I think where women go wrong when it comes to beauty products is when they buy something because it works or looks great on their friend,” says Liz Kelsh, a head make-up artist for Max Factor.
“Beauty is never a one-size-fits-all purchase and it’s much better value to seek professional advice and find products that are particular to your skin’s needs. There are so many different skincare products out there, I think it’s more about finding out what your skin needs, rather than should I go for expensive or cheaper products.”
3 Cut down on multi-tasking products
We’ve all heard of the wonder products that claim to do four or five things at once, but often they don’t work as well.
“The problem with some multi-purpose products is they over-promise and under-deliver,” says Zoë Foster Blake. “Most products can do one or two things well, but asking any product to do five things competently is absurd. So, rather than throw $20 at a BB cream, spend $15 on a decent SPF moisturiser and $15 on a foundation. It’s worth it.”
Liz Kelsh agrees, saying, “I’m not a huge fan of multitasking when it comes to skincare. I think it’s much better to keep it simple and address your specific skin needs. Especially if you’re on a budget, as using the right skincare for your skin means you will spend less on make-up, as your foundation will glide on and last all day.”
4 Prioritise products
We all buy more than we need and are guilty of using only a small portion of the products we have.
“Our skin only needs a handful of products, but they need to work hard to defend, hydrate and renew,” says Zoë Foster Blake. “A cleanser that removes make-up, a serum or face oil that acts as a skin booster or problem-solver, antioxidants, moisturiser, chemical exfoliation and, of course, sun protection form a simple, effective and powerful artillery.”
Liz Kelsh says a cleanser and exfoliant appropriate for your age and skin should top your shopping list.
“It doesn’t matter how expensive your moisturiser is if it’s being applied over dead skin. This and nailing the perfect foundation for your skin should be your priority,” she advises.
Top tip
You don’t have to spend big to get results. But a quality serum is a good investment for the skin.
“Serums are loaded with concentrated actives in high doses, which is why they cost more, but they will do all the heavy lifting when it comes to genuine changes to the skin,” says Zoë Foster Blake.
Words: Sheree Mutton and Claudia Renford
