Luxe vs Less

So, times are hard and there is a lot less money in circulation.  How can you change your beauty buys without skimping on the items you can't live without?  Easy, find a dupe or find something similar!  I've made a comprehensive list of bits and bobs where you can swap your luxury brands for something less pricey, whilst still doing the same JOB!

001.  Rodin v Aesop
Facial oil is used for its moisturising properties and quick-drying ingredients, but are all facial oils created equally? Rodin Olio Lusso face oil (£90) and Aesop Fabulous Face Oil (£34) both have similar textures, yet completely different prices.

 

002.  Just like the rest of your skin, lips need to be exfoliated regularly. Fresh allows you to do this with their Sugar Lip Polish (£18), while Lush gives customers Pow Wow Lip Scrub (£4.95).

 003.  Chanel's Glossimer (£20) became popular for its subtle shimmer and strong staying power. A less expensive option is Rimmel's Stay Glossy Lip Gloss (£3), which comes in an array of vibrant colours and stays put when applied.

 004.  A deep cleansing mask is great for shrinking pores and getting rid of blemishes, but there are so many to choose from! Clark's Botanicals came out with their Intense Radiance Mask (£58) recently, and beauty editors have been raving about it. Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque (£16) is a similar, less-expensive option.

 005.  Highlighters can do amazing things for the face, like make it dewy and fresh looking. On the luxurious end of the spectrum, you have Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate (£55), which also has darker makeup for contouring the face. You can use your own applicator or the brush that goes with it, but it's an extra £50. Clinique's Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator (£16) is on the less expensive side of the spectrum and can be easily applied with your fingers.

 006.  Although La Prairie's Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream (£135) and Garnier's Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller (£8) target the same problems, it is their difference in ingredients that causes such a big price gap. La Prairie uses caviar and sea algae to form a protective film over the eye area skin, while Garnier uses pro-retinol to get rid of crow's feet.

 007.  Laura Mercier is revered for her tinted moisturiser (£25), which wins tons of beauty awards each year. When developing her own tinted moisturiser, Sonia Kashuk kept the brand in mind and came up with her Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (£10).

 008.  When it comes to lashes, thin is NOT in. Instead, women want full, long lashes that make eyes stand out. When you can afford to, DiorShow Mascara (£15) will give your lashes the wow effect you want. You can see similar results with L'Oréal Studio Secrets Professional High Drama Mascara (£5), which comes at a steal of a price.

 

009.  Long nights out and sleep deprivation can make you look like a nightmare in the morning. This is why so many women have turned to YSL's Touche Éclat (£18) for their dark circles. In 2012, however, Maybelline will be offering a less expensive alternative, called the Dream Lumi (£6), which will also fight the look of fatigue.

 

010.  Nothing is more important for skin than hydration, which is why findning a good moisturiser is so important. Whether it's an expensive brand, like Dr Alkaitis's Organic Day Creme (£72), or a less expensive version, like Olay's Total Effects Moisturiser (£10), it's important to make sure it's providing your skin with the moisture it needs.

So hopefully this has been a handy post and you might be able to try something new that you haven't before!  If you have any handy tips on luxe vs less, PLEASE let me know in the comments box ^_^

Bisous