Splurge vs Save: What Beauty Products You Need To Invest In

The summer season calls for overspending - whether that be on gifts for your loved ones, shopping the crazy end of year sales or simply enjoying nights out with friends. Stocking up on your favourite beauty products can carry a hefty price tag, which can leave you wondering if that luxury serum is really worth the splurge? With the rise of affordable dupes in the market, it’s easier than ever to find high-quality makeup, hair care and skincare products that won’t break the bank. Having wider access to products you can save and splurge on means that there are greater options to cut costs without sacrificing results. Especially in the midst of a cost of living crisis, our guide will help you find the right balance between saving and investing in your beauty routine.

What Is A Dupe Beauty Product?

Dupes are typically more affordable alternatives of popular brands or products and can provide a very similar result. Although your luxury options may contain higher quality ingredients or specialised formulas, some dupes can work just as well, meaning you can now decide where you’d like to save and splurge in your beauty routine.

The Beauty Essentials You Need For Your Routine

Most Effective Collagen Beauty Supplements

The best collagen supplements have collagen peptides that can be broken down into smaller amino acid chains for optimal absorption. These are our highly recommended options that you can save and splurge and still see visible results. 

Save: Nutra Organics Marine Collagen Beauty

A natural collagen formulation consisting of marine collagen peptides and Vitamin C to support skin health of the entire body and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. A clean beauty supplement by Nutra Organics that promotes skin hydration and healing while also supporting healthy hair and nails. Made from natural wholefoods, this flavourless collagen supplement is easy to consume and can easily be added to smoothies or soups. 

Splurge: KAILO Look Well (Skin & Immunity Collagen Blend) 

A collagen and protein supplement combo that works to support cellular renewal, immunity,  digestion and overall wellness. Packed with collagen peptides, antioxidants, B-vitamins and Zinc, this hero supplement by KAILO targets multiple areas of the body for optimal health. Free from nasties, the natural mixed berry flavour is the best treat to add to recipes, or simply tasty enough to drink with water alone. 

Which Face Lifting Device Is The Best?

Skincare tools and beauty devices are a true skinvestment. With consistent use, the appearance of your skin will improve in no time. 

Save: Geske Microcurrent Face-Lift Pen 6 in 1

Combining cutting edge technology with a smart guided app, this GESKE device stimulates over 65 muscles in the face and neck to contour, tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. A convenient, at home solution suitable for all skin types that works to firm and rejuvenate your skin. 

Splurge: FOREO Bear 2

Treat yourself with this FOREO toning device that targets all 69 muscles in the face and neck that has been clinically proven to significantly improve the look of wrinkles, skin firmness and elasticity in as little as one week. 

Benefits Of Glycolic Acid For Skin

Glycolic Acid & AHA is an effective skincare ingredient that acts as a gentle exfoliant. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells, results include an improved skin texture, tone and a boost in collagen production. Concentrations between 5-10% are considered most effective, which is why these two options are both exceptional for seeing results. 

Save: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

A 7% concentration of Glycolic Acid combined with hydrating Aloe Vera and amino acids for advanced skin renewal. With skin soothing properties, irritation associated with exfoliation is reduced, making this a suitable option for all skin types. The Ordinary makes achieving more luminous skin and reducing signs of ageing even easier. 

Splurge: Alpha-H Liquid Gold With 5% Glycolic Acid

A specialised formula with a unique low pH to jump start the skin’s metabolism and enhance the penetration of Glycolic Acid into the skin. While promoting the skins own production of collagen and Hyaluronic Acid for naturally firmer skin, this Alpha-H serum and treatment also makes an effective skincare for acne and blemishes. 

Best Anti-Ageing Skincare

With the rise of anti-ageing skincare, achieving the results of a youthful complexion is made easy with both luxury and more affordable options in the market. Looking out for ingredients is essential, as Retinol & Vitamin A skincare will not only promise results, but actually deliver them.

Save: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

An advanced pure Retinol formulation that is highly stable and readily absorbed by the skin. By reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this formula by The Ordinary is supported with Squalane to moisturise and hydrate the skin to combat dryness associated with Retinol use. For the frequent user, this budget friendly option actively improves signs of ageing in the skin. 

Splurge: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6

Formulated with Retinal, a powerful derivative of Vitamin A, this Medik8 anti-ageing skincare product delivers next generation results up to 11 times faster than classic forms of Retinol. With Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, your skin remains hydrated to promote supple, youthful skin while also reducing bacteria levels responsible for blemishes. 

Which Vitamin C Serum Is Best?

The Vitamin C and E combo works wonders for your skin to provide the ultimate protection against free radicals. Whether you want to save or splurge on a Vitamin C Serum, these two options are guaranteed to deliver results. 

Save: MCoBeauty Glow Boost Vitamin C Serum

With two highly effective, stable forms of Vitamin C, this MCoBeauty serum works to brighten and firm all skin types. Enriched with antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Vitamin E, this serum soothes and hydrates the skin, minimises pores and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Splurge: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

A high potency antioxidant serum that visibly improves fine lines, wrinkles and dullness for a brighter, smoother complexion. A combination of Vitamin C, E and Ferulic Acid to enhance the effectiveness of protecting the skin from environmental aggressors. A SkinCeuticals best seller for a reason as this luxury serum boasts many benefits while delivering real results! 

How To Choose A Hair Styling Tool

Whether you’re looking for a hair straightener for styling every now and then, or simply will not leave the house without straight hair, both save and splurge options will provide the desired results without causing unnecessary damage. 

Save: Mermade Hair Straightener

A lightweight design suited to all hair types, lengths and textures to create salon-worthy sleek styles. No snagging, tugging or damage, just long-lasting, silky styled hair. A bonus is that this Mermade Hair hair styling tool is compact and travel-friendly, so you can style your hair anywhere at any time!

Splurge: Stellar Omnia Styler Plus

For advanced hair straightener users, this Stellar tool will elevate your hair routine. With mineral infused plates, your hair is always guaranteed to be looking and feeling its best. Experience 40% less frizz, 5 times faster styling and 3 times more shine that leaves you with salon quality results. A lightweight, easy to use device that features instant heat up, auto off and memory set function. 

Are Expensive Mascaras Better?

Finding your next holy grail mascara doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. The key is in the formula and whether it provides the desired result you are after. Tubing mascaras are highly effective formulas that boast many benefits. And with the social media craze circling around, you might be thinking - does tubing mascara really work? If you want longer, fuller looking lashes then the answer is yes!

Save = MCoBeauty XtendLash Tubing Mascara

MCoBeauty's Award-winning tubing mascara that maximises curl, volume without the effects of flaking, smudging or budging unlike other mascaras. An affordable option that mimics lash extensions and can be easily removed with water alone. 

Splurge = Jane Iredale Lash Fixation Length & Definition Tubing Mascara

An innovative tubing mascara with nourishing ingredients to moisturise and protect the lashes while achieving maximum length and volume. A smudge-resistant formula that lifts and separates for more defined, longer-looking lashes. This Jane Iredale makeup product delivers desired results while also caring for the health of your natural lashes. 

How To Get Silky Hair With Hair Treatment Masks

Although higher priced hair care products often have higher quality ingredients with more specialised formulas, more affordable options can be just as effective when free from harsh chemicals. 

Save = BondiBoost Miracle Hair Mask

Formulated with natural Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil and Argan Oil to intensely hydrate and repair all hair types. Soft and nourished hair has never been so easy to achieve. BondiBoost is the perfect affordable way to give your hair a little extra TLC.

Splurge = K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

For seriously damaged hair, this K18 hair treatment mask will become a saviour in your hair care routine. By reversing damage in as little as 4 minutes, this best seller heals, strengthens and repairs the keratin within each strand. With antioxidants and hydrating agents, your hair will be left smooth, soft and much more manageable.