EYESHADOW
Splurge: Urban Decay Naked3 Palette ($54)
Save: Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette ($7)
My pick: splurge. The Maybelline palette is clever (the shadows are organized by a combination of duos, trios and quads) but there’s a lot of fallout. The Naked3 Palette price point is steep, but totally worth every penny.
PRIMER
Splurge: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($16)
Save: e.l.f. Mineral Face Primer ($5)
My pick: save. I really don’t notice a difference between the Smashbox version and e.l.f.
FOUNDATION
Splurge: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick ($46)
Save: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick ($7)
My pick: save, unless you can’t find a shade that matches your skin tone.
BRONZER
Splurge: Benefit Hoola ($29)
Save: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer ($15)
My pick: save. I’m obsessed with the drugstore one (smells like paradise) and it works great for contouring.
BLUSH
Splurge: NARS Orgasm Blush ($30)
Save: NYX Powder Blush in Pinched ($7)