Splurge or save?

Blush
Splurge on: M.A.C The Simpsons Powder Blush ‘Pink Sprinkles’, Rs 2,500
It’s a great matte pink that will work with most skin tones, but who are we kidding — we want it ’cos it has Marge on it.

Save with: Maybelline New York Cheeky Glow Blush ‘Peachy Sweetie’, Rs 250
The tiny bit of shimmer in this drugstore buy makes it great for night, but is just enough for a glow in the day, too. 

Concealer 
Splurge on: Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector, Rs 1,900
The cooling formula soothes the under-eye zone and cancels out dullness without caking or settling into the tiny lines we all know we have.

Save with: Chambor Radiant Touch Up Concealer, Rs 650
The cream-to-powder texture gives it stay even on hot days. 

Moisturiser
Splurge on: L’Occitane En Provence Angelica Hydra Vital Cream, Rs 2,990
It’s like a drink of cool water for skin. Gets instantly absorbed and keeps moisture in for 48 hours!

Save with: Pond’s White Beauty Daily Spotless Lightening Cream, Rs 125
Its mattifying effect makes it perfect for oily and combination skin types.
Tip: try as a primer before putting on foundation.

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Hair brush
Splurge on: Braun Satin-Hair 7 Brush,  Rs 2,682
A hairbrush which gives you shiny hair, no products needed? Yes!

Save with: Divo Express Wooden Paddle Brush,  Rs 220
Don’t want to spend big bucks on a high-tech comb? This one is a great de-tangler that’s easy on both hair and pocket.

Sunscreen
Splurge on: Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF 50 Broad Spectrum, Rs 2,695
No white cast, broad-spectrum waterproof protection: this is your best buddy for beach vacations.

Save with: Lotus Herbals UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50 PA+++, Rs 395
The gel texture makes it great for people with oily skin types, and it works well in hot, sweaty weather. 

Body lotion
Splurge on: Forest Essentials Ultra Rich Body Lotion Nargis, Rs 1,175
It moisturises perfectly, and smells so delicious, you’ll want to eat it (don’t).

Save with: Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic Almond Moisturising Lotion, Rs 290
An effective, sweet-smelling lotion that’s worth keeping on your dresser for everyday use.

Photographs: Manasi Sawant

You may want to read: ELLE review: Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Treatment

You may want to read: How to: Build the perfect make-up kit

Hair serum
Splurge on: Moroccanoil Treatment, Rs 2,990
A legendary one-step quickie for silky soft hair, enough said.

Save with: Dove Elixir Hibiscus and Argan Oil, Rs 185
If you want value for money, this is it: use as a leave-in, for heat protection before your blow-dry or as a pre-wash treatment to smoothen dull, rough hair. 

BB Cream
Splurge on: Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Beauty Booster, Rs 3,750
Goes on like a gossamer-thin negligee, evens out skin tone, hydrates: with this, your face doesn’t need much more. 

Save with: L’Oreal Paris True Match BB Cream, Rs 550
It covers minor spots and pigmentation, and leaves your skin with a light sheen that’s perfect for a workday. 

Face Mask
Splurge on: Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, Rs 1,600
With mineral-rich ingredients sourced from the Amazon river, it purifies skin from deep within and minimises pores.

Save with: Kama Ayurveda Lavanya Natural Plant Mask, Rs 395
Its anti-microbial properties make it a saviour for troubled skin, and we’d recommend it to anyone looking for an instantly refreshed complexion.

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For every big luxe purchase, there's an effective-yet-affordable buy. What you ultimately go for depends on the current state of your pocket, the occasion and a plethora of other factors. But you need to know your options. So what will it be? Will you splurge or save? 

Compact
Splurge on: Dior Diorskin Nude Compact FPS 10 SPF – PA ++, Rs 3,600
The product is great, but we’d cough up the dough just to see faces going green at the sight of the stunning silver, transparent fibre case. 

Save with: Za True White Two Way Foundation, Rs 950
Use it to soak up greasy spots, as a finishing powder, or apply with a damp sponge for heavier coverage: this compact is great value for money.

Lip balm
Splurge on: Leighton Denny Cuti-Lips Cuticle & Lip Balm, Rs 1,000
It smoothens out chapped lips instantly, and is great for softening hangnails and cuticles (nail biters, this is your saviour).

Save with: Lakmé Lip Love Lip Care balm, Rs 200
Get a bit of colour, moisture and yummy fruity flavour with this dependable little stick. Tip: dab a bit on your lids for an understated, glossy look. 

Lipstick
Splurge on: Givenchy Le Rouge Intense Color Sensuously Matte Lip Color, Rs 2,760
Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to this velvety, matte-textured, leather-cased thing of beauty.

Save with: Avon Ultra Color Matte Lipstick, Rs 399
Goes on smooth, has great colour payoff, available in a number of shades: it’s everything you want in a no-frills matte lippie.

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