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is more expensive make up worth it? need some new stuff and thinking of trying mac or bobbi brown, rather than number 7 etc

39 replies

whiteandyellowiris · 12/07/2013 22:32

is it worth paying out on the more pricey stuff?
i was thinking of trying either mac or bobbi brown

i like eyeliner, mascara, bronzer on the cheeks and a brownish/nude lipgloss

and normally get loreal, maybeline, rimmel number 7 level type cosmetics
and and ive not really worn much make up for quite a while, but ive decided to make more of an effort
so really i need a whole new make up bag

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DuttyWine · 12/07/2013 22:33

Definitely worth it! Treat yourself to a new make up bag too!

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twirliedobbit · 12/07/2013 22:36

Yep it stays put much longer and the colours are brill.

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chunkymonkeybaby · 12/07/2013 23:13

Bobbi Brown is on QVC, they have a 30 day money back guarantee, so you can try and if you don't like it you can return and get your money back

www.qvcuk.com/Beauty.category.1.html?refine=1000008%2B4294967166

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Vibbe · 12/07/2013 23:16

It depends.
I have incredible products from brands like Essence (sold in supermarkets here), and terrible products from expensive brands.
And terrible things from cheap brands and awesome stuff from expensive brands.

I recommend looking at reviews online before buying. Temptalia is good for most reviews, especially MAC. She's pretty honest about the products, which is not always the case for bloggers.

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chunkymonkeybaby · 12/07/2013 23:41
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Keztrel · 12/07/2013 23:56

Yes definitely worth it, though I don't like Bobbi Brown - not the best quality IME and her eye shadows makes my eyes swell up. Mac is brilliant though. But cheaper brands have some good products too, you just have to pick and choose. I've recently decided to stop buying cheap lipstick cos it always smells and tastes horrible. Revlon and Rimmel do anyway.

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whiteandyellowiris · 12/07/2013 23:56

Oh thanks, worth a try I guess then, what products esp would you say to splash out on. ? Was thinking perhaps eye shadow as maybe the colour lasts longer?

I'm going to book a makeover at with bb or Mac, I think they have both at John lewis, I guess that's free?

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Keztrel · 12/07/2013 23:57

And second what Vibbe says about checking reviews. Makeupalley is great for this.

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whiteandyellowiris · 13/07/2013 00:05

Perhaps I can try the stuff in store then buy from qvc!

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chunkymonkeybaby · 13/07/2013 00:13

Oh OP I've just had another thought, do you live near any of the designer outlets that have a Cosmetics Company store? They have Bobbi Brown and Mac in those and they are pretty good prices too. I bought a nice Bobbi Brown makeup palette from one near me.

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K8Middleton · 13/07/2013 00:15

Bobbi Brown will give you a sample pot of anything you like. I'm still using my cheek and lip colour sample from last year - it was huge! I've just tried a couple of shades of BB cream and got about 2 weeks wear out of my sample.

I splurge on base always. One off colours not so much. This season Revlon has had some brilliant brights if you want to be a bit more on trend.

I love Bobbi Brown BB cream. It has SPF 35 and loads of colours. Great if you're pale or darker.

Bobbi's No Smudge mascara is good for natural looking lashes. I also like her bronzer because it's not too orange and has no sparkle. I got a sample of bronzing gel today so I can report back in a week or so.

Sali Hughes rates Bobbi's pinky brown lip pencil and then adds lip balm and blends. I've not tried it but I have a lip crayon in posey that is good.

For liquid eye liner, Rimmel is great. I have their one like a felt tip. I wouldn't bother splurging when you can get a good cheapy one. Eye pencils - Collection 2000 kohl are fine. If you want speed and don't mind spending have a look at Elizabeth Arden (I know, who knew?!) eye pencils with the smudger on the end. They're about £16 but worth it IMO.

Blusher? Nars. Or Bourjois are just as good. Shadow? Buy cheap, it makes no difference. If it's wearing off try a base - benefit do a good one.

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AwkwardSquad · 13/07/2013 06:56

I think a MAC makeover costs, but the cost is redeemable against products.

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plentyofsoap · 13/07/2013 07:04

Clinique make up lasts forever and I wear it everyday so its worth the extra cost. Mac blusher and powder is great too

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Eastpoint · 13/07/2013 07:09

Laura Mercier lasts well, expensive but it looks the same at the end of the day as when I've put it on. I was given some Nars eye shadow which I use wet as an eyeliner & that has a great texture/look. I think Laura Mercier eyeshadow lasts well & goes on well as it is so finely milled.

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K8Middleton · 13/07/2013 08:33

BB make overs are free.

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hellocatty · 13/07/2013 17:11

i have never been that happy with BB make up I have bought but do find MAC is definitely worth the money.
Agree though some cheap products good eg maybelline mascara and some expensive stuff rubbish eg BB eyeshadows so best to try and get makeovers etc

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chipsandpeas · 13/07/2013 20:06

mac eyeshadow is deffo worth the money colour stays looking great all day whereas i find cheaper eyeshadows fade

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missbopeep · 13/07/2013 20:55

I mix and match though most is 'high end'.

I think buying a good foundation is a must. Bourjois 123 gets good reviews but I like Clinique if they have a shade that suits you, or NARS.

I've become increasingly disillusioned with BB after using her foundation, concealer, blusher, lippie, eye pencil and eye shadows for ages.

IMO the foundations are very watery and don't last 2 minutes ( except the stick one.) The matte eye shadows are okay - in fact quite good- but anything sparkly makes my eyes itch and I've had to return.

I've got some great lippies from Rimmel and No 7.

I bought a Chanel eye shadow quad a few months back and love it even though it was silly money- it stays put better than Revlon Colourstay.

I have not found any mascara to beat Lancome Hypnose although Maybelline The Falsies comes close.


Blusher- NARS is the best but there is not the 'perfect' shade for me there so haven't bought. Clinique blusher is quite good, and so is Laura mercier.

I think you just have to experiment TBH.

I'd always spend more on foundation, concealer and mascara and less on lippie and eye shadaow if I was pushed.

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Allthingspretty · 13/07/2013 21:05

If you have a Space NK near you then the SA`s are really good too. They sell top brands like Nars etc.

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cathers · 13/07/2013 21:11

Again, I don't really rate BB either.
I love MAC for blusher and eye shadow, it seems to have a good amount of pigment and lasts and lasts.
I swear by Lancôme for mascaras and for foundation rotate between Estée Lauder or YSL.

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valiumredhead · 13/07/2013 21:56

I really don't rate bb,I think it's massively over priced. Mac is good though and Estee Lauder double wear eye liners are fab.

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BriocheBriocheBrioche · 13/07/2013 22:07

I love MAC, can recommend the 'Golden' bronzing powder, its really nice, not too orange, can build up the colour and it lasts for ages.

I also love the blushers, I have around 6 of them but my all time favourite is 'Springsheen' and im pretty sure it suits just about anyone.

Love the lipsticks and eyeshadows too. In a lot of MAC stores you can get a free lipstick if you recycle your empty containers.

The only thing I wouldnt recommend is the mascara. I found it to be clumpy and dried up quick - I always buy cheapo mascara after being let down by Chanel too!

Have fun

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Vibbe · 13/07/2013 23:55

Does MAC do the back-2-mac in the UK?

I like the MAC eye shadows - generally, they are very good and last all day. There are some that aren't as good as others (fall out, not very pigmented and so on).
Lipsticks from MAC aren't amazing IMO - and they taste awful. I prefer Guerlain, Chanel, Laura Mercier instead. Glosses are a bit meh IMO.
Blushes from MAC are good, I have loads of them.
Mineralize Skinfinish are nice and Mineralize eyeshadows are decent, although not as good as the normal eye shadows.
MAC brushes are very, very good. They last well, and mine are fine after years of daily use and weekly wash.
Never been keen on the skin care, including primers and strobe cream. Just doesn't work for me.
Most of the rest of their products are decent.
Nail polishes aren't worth the money at all. They are terrible!

My biggest problem with MAC is that the limited collections are so limited that they sell out very quickly - sometimes they are gone in a day or two.
Admittedly, I'm currently not in the UK, so things might be different for me, but they also keep changing release dates - so they'll tell me a date in the shop, then I'll come back on that day, and it's been changed again.

I don't have a lot of experience with Bobbi Brown - I have a couple of foundations from there, which are very good. And then an eyeshadow which looked wine-coloured, but for some reason it changes colour to blue on me Confused

A cheaper brand that does good blushes is Sleek. They are very pigmented, but they are very good.
Bourjois is good generally, and some of their products are very similar to Chanel - the healthy mix (serum?) foundation, the creme bronzer and some other ones.

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southeastastra · 13/07/2013 23:57

for make up i love nars, it costs alos but lasts for ages, mac is good too

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YoniSingWhenYoureWinning · 14/07/2013 01:45

I think it depends on product.

But if you can afford it, go for your life! Bobbi Brown is my fave high-end line.

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