Are you a cosmetics snob? Make up gurus over here.

[ameliagrey]

I am having a re-think. For years I have bought mid-upper range products, mainly because my skin sometimes has the odd bit of eczema, so my make up bag is mainly Clinique. I also have some Dior, Lancome, Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown.

However, now I am in need of some blusher and thinking- why spend £20+ on Clinique for a silver case, mirror i won't use and a useless brush when Rimmel does one for £3.99?

Is there really any difference?

I used ot loooooove Prescriptives blusher- perfect shade and lovely texture. L Mercier blusher is great, but limited shades lately, so what about cheap end? Any difference?

[MissFoodie]

if ingredients aren't an issue for you then yes, in fact, Boots Naturals are good and so cheap!

[hester]

I think blusher is one of those where you often do get what you pay for - but not always. Well worth experimenting across the ranges. I particularly love By Terry and Becca for cream blusher (I'm not a fan of powder blusher) but I also think Bloom do some really good ones (sold in Superdrug).

[ComradeJing]

Ohhh the By Terry cream blusher is lovely. Absolutely worth every penny.

[QuinnFabray]

Well, I didn't like the Rimmel ones, but I have an MUA one from Superdrug that cost a pound, which I love. I also have a NYX cream blush which is fantastic, which cost a few quid. I think every brand has good and bad products, I don't think cost is an issue. Unless you are really fussy about packaging.

[applecrumbleandcream]

For me, there are some higher end cosmetics which are lovely as a treat and if I really loved the more expensive product on myself and it suited me then I would consider it well worth the money and buy it anyway. However, with the higher end cosmetics you are paying for the 'brand' and the 'packaging' (ie. mirror, 'gold' casing, posh box), the cheaper alternatives are usually just as good imo and I personally couldn't tell if a person is wearing a face full of Dior or a face full of Rimmel. The range of colours in the cheaper cosmetics ranges are fantastic and if you buy something which absolutely looks terrible on you, then you don't have the guilt of having paid a fortune for it!!

[MatLeaveForever]

Bourjois are good, give them a try!

[Gillybobs]

I think Sali Hughes in the guardian did a recent column on what to spend on and what to save on.

For me, Bourjois blusher is def as good as any premium product, ditto their eyeshadow. Rimmel lipgloss and liquid eyeliner is also fantastic quality. I find I need to spend on foundation and mascara for good results

[polyhymnia]

Another vote for By Terry cream blusher here. Also for Becca. Have never tried cheaper ones and have no desire to. Which probably makes me irrational, extravagant, and shallow, but still ! Don't spend anyone else's money on it - nor do I need to buy a pot very often.

[Catslikehats]

Bourjois blusher is as good as chanel IMO and one of the few pieces of make up where it makes sense to not spend the earth.

I also save on mascara - I think max factors are some of the best on the market, as is their retractable eyeliner.

I spend on foundation, concealer, highlighter, eyeshadow, gel eyeliner and lip gloss.

[QuinnFabray]

I thought I had to spend on foundation to get a good result, but I think a few recent High Street foundations are really excellent and comparable. Bourjois foundations are really great. Okay, so the colour range is rubbish, but it works for me better than any Chanel foundation I've tried. I also like the Rimmel 25 hour one.

[higgle]

I like my Barbara Daly Tesco pot of blusher as much as my Nars blusher stick.
I think you definately get better foundation with the more £££ brands. With eyeshadows I find the cheaper ones fall apart in their boxes/pots and the more expensive ones survive a life rattling around in my handbag.

[steamedtreaclesponge]

I'm a MAC and Laura Mercier girl as a rule but when it comes to brightly coloured eyeshadows, mascara and blusher I don't bother spending the extra money. I use No.7 blusher which works fine for me - I was wearing it one day when I met a professional make-up artist and she said it was the perfect colour for me so I've stuck to it!

For anything skin-coloured (foundation, concealer etc) I tend to buy the expensive stuff as I find it too hard to get a good colour match otherwise.

[PlumSykes]

I have a Nars blusher that I love, but I use a Bourjois one too, and it goes on very well. I love shopping for make-up, tbh, and the Rimmel stand in Asda doesn't give me the same hit as a trip to Space.NK.

[ForYourDreamsAreChina]

I buy expensive foundation, (I bought a n7 one while I was waiting to get to the posh shops, and it was horrid, like orange tinted water) but for the rest I go more economical. Anybody's mazzie will do, (I've tried Lancome etc in the past, but wasn't overwhelmed) I like Bourjois eyeshadow, and have just found, for the first time ever, a blusher that doesn't make me look like I've got toothache in both cheeks, it's a Maybelline little pot called apricot. Also using a touche eclat-alike thingy from Superdrug which cost £2.99 and is fab.

[Pinot]

I second reading the Sali Hughes column about spend vs save. Infact just read them all.

My fave blusher at the mo in benefit posietint. Makes me look young and fresh

[CountBapula]

Revlon matte blush in Perfect Peach compares very favourably with Nars Orgasm at a fraction of the price. Nice packaging too.

[scootergal]

I m the same - tend to spend on foundation (LM tinted moisturiser)
I ve a MAC bronzer that I m not kiding I hvae for about 5 years and there s lots left ( I use it lots but not everyday) so that was IMO worth what i paid
i ve bobbi brown palette - shimmering nudes and a LM palette that are great - they were gifts but I love them. I love mac eye make up too - my sister and I get each other a single eyeshadow as a pressie every so often so again ive a few that I ve acquired. Love bourgois eyeshadow too.

Mascara - bourgois or maybelline

Have bobbi brown blush that I got as a gift set years ago and one I bought myself about 6 months ago.

At the mo I m using loreal concealer - the roller ball one for under eyes ... it s fine - but not wonderful and i fine doesnt last the day. I d love a good concealer but i really dislike the haevy waxy ones you get.

I dont use primer - i d love a good one too as caught sight of myself recently in bright light - ewwwww !

[TheSandstoneCat]

Can I butt in here with a question please? I bought a wonderful Bobbi Brown cream blusher 18 months ago which I love. I am obviously using it very sparingly as I have barely scratched the surface. Do these products last indefinitely or should I consider replacing it - are there really health concerns about using old cosmetics?

[auldspinster]

Myface foundation is fab, got props from make up artists for being just as good as Chanel and only £12 as opposed to £35+ for Chanel.

[ggirl]

wish you could get samples of the cheaper brands
i can spend just as much on cheap ones trying to get the right shade or type

[ameliagrey]

Don't you find the Bourjois blushers are just too bright and pearly? if anyone can point me in direction of a pale peachy one that would be great.

Sandstonecat Re. Bobbi Brown cream blusher- I 've got it in Cabo Coral but on my face it's more pinky than in the pot. Back to your Qs- they say around 2 years for a product but as it's something you dip your fingers in, maybe less as you will be transferring bacteria into the pot.

[MissFoodie]

bourjois are very highly pigmented, so yes, you need to know what you're doing otherwise you end up looking like a clown - I never found them manageable (when I used to use them)

[AngryGnome]

The benefit lip and cheek stains are great - i like posie tint. I find their face powders quite drying though.

[JohnniesBitch]

i have a bourjois blusher, its at home but will update with the colour later. its not shimmery at all. i needed a new one and picked it up in sainsburys with the food shop. I was a mac girl or nars prior to this purchase but now i'm converted.
A few items i have found better alternatives in high street chemist, e'g the chanel eyeshadows i dont find have a very strong colopur to them and seem to disapear throughout the day, but mac will last all day, as will mua from superdrug, avon and m&s.
mascara as well i found my ysl went really gunky very quickly but the chanel is fine and my bourjois i used until it ran out, which i think is a first for me with mascara.

[Pinot]

sandstonecat It's mascaras you have to worry about - other cosmetics can last ages and ages - I have blushers that are easily 5+ years old and are fine. One tip for the Bobbi Brown cream blush - it lasts longer on your face if you use a giant kabuli brush and really stipple it into your skin.