With Christmas quickly approaching and a mile long gift list, my own wish list is on the back burner. I’m sure a lot of you are in the same boat, but before you cry pitifully into your empty The Problem Solver jar, I’ve got another round of Save vs. Splurge for you. I’m sharing some luxe products and their less panic-inducingly priced counterparts (that’s a real word, by the way). Read on for a breakdown of what’s worth saving money on and what’s worth the splurge.
Hairspray
It’s no secret that I love Josh Rosebrook’s hairspray Hold. It was the first natural version that I found actually worked. I love the scent and the fine mist that keeps your mane intact. It gives a nice medium hold that’s great for daily use to tame fly-aways. Plus it smells pretty amazing! Cost: $22
Since I’ve been using my Josh Rosebrook Hold more and more on the kids, I’ve been searching for a more price friendly option. Thanks to my girl Suzi of Gurlgonegreen.com I discovered Andalou Naturals Hair Spray and with more than half the price tag, this is the perfect choice to stash in my bathroom for when Annabelle wants her Princess Anna braids to last the whole day or when Carson comes downstairs with crazy bed head. I’m also eager to try this out for myself! I ordered some and can’t wait for it to arrive. Cost: $10.50
Rose Serum
Kypris Beauty Elixer I- 1,000 Roses is one of the most decadent moisturizers that may grace your skin. It contains a host of natural oils, nutrients, and compounds that will hydrate and soften even dry, aged skin. Each bottle contains the oil of 1,000 Bulgarian roses said to be picked in the quiet of early morning. I have to say my skin loves every Kypris product I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried them all aside from this one). They truly have created a magical line that nourishes your skin. However, the price is a bit out of reach for most of us. Cost: $225
Another Andalou Naturals pick: Their Moroccan Beauty Oil- 1,000 Roses is great for all skin types and not only nourishes and hydrates your skin but also smells amazing! It protects skin’s lipid barrier as well as soothes skin. This product continues to receive great reviews and glowing recommendations. I have no doubt that the Kypris version is amazing, but for the money, this one has my vote. Cost: $13.31
Foundation
Kjaer Weis is known for their ultra glam, luxe products, and their foundation always gets high praise. It gives great coverage but manages to glide on to skin easily and without needing much blending. It feels like silk on your skin. As far as cream foundations go, this is one of my favorites. Plus the packing is beyond gorgeous! Cost: $68 with compact or $40 for the refill.
If you read my review of Honest Beauty, then you know that their foundation was one of the stands out products for me. It also offers great buildable coverage and I’ve been able to achieve almost the same finish as Kjaer Weis with it. The only caveat is that it requires a lighter hand and a little more blending to achieve that weightless coverage. The package may not be quite as glam, but the price sure makes up for it. Cost: $30 or $16.67 as part of a bundle.
Eyeshadow
Jane Iredale has some beautiful makeup that can hold it’s own against conventional makeup. One of their products that always gets high scores is their eyeshadow. With chic packing and very wearable colors, their palettes seem to be a great addition to anyone’s makeup collection. While it’s not that bad of a deal for the price (you get 5 shadows), it still might be a bit too much for those doing a gift shopping marathon right now. Cost: $55
Gabriel cosmetics has proven itself to be a natural beauty company that consistently delivers value and performance. They have an even wider array of eyeshadow palettes than Jane Iredale does, and at a lower price point, they’re much more attainable. Note that their palettes only contain 4 shadows, but the price still makes it a great deal. Cost: $27.50
Nontoxic Water Bottles
I have 2 BKR water bottles and I completely love them. They easily fit into my bag or cup holders and they come in the cutest colors. These silicone wrapped glass bottles are easy to fill up and then throw into the dishwasher when it’s time to wash them. The only issue is the price. Cost: $45
Another option is this glass bottle by Contigo that also comes with a silicone sleeve to keep it protected and looking just a little prettier. I’m also a fan of the stainless steel cap. Cost: $19.65
Spot any favorites on this list? What do you think is worth the splurge or worth saving on? xoxo
Love this post, Molly!!!
Aww, thanks for the shoutout Molls! I hope you like the Andalou Naturals. Love these posts too! I think we all can relate to wanting to save where we can. I love the Contigo water bottle too! I have the grey one. I did a water bottle round up in the summer and that’s one of my faves. I love that it fits in my car console. I agree with you on the Honest Foundation. I really liked it too, and felt it was very comparable to Kjaer Weis. Haha, I know Janny didn’t like it! 🙂 Everyone is different. I haven’t tried the Andalou Moroccan Beauty Oil…but it sounds great!
Great post! I love being reminded that green beauty doesn’t always have to be expensive. 🙂
Thanks Amber!
Hi Suzi! Thanks for the awesome recommendation! I’ve been using the hairspray this week and I actually really like it. It has great hold and a nice even spray. You are always such a treasure trove of green beauty knowledge!
Thanks May! I think a lot of people get turned off by the high prices, but you’re right! It doesn’t always have to be expensive. xoxo
I really enjoyed this article I think it helped protect my pocket book ??
Thank you so much for this post!!!!! Nowadays it is very difficult to decide what to and not to splurge on. Especially with new green beauty products emerging all the time and trying to figure out if they are just being green washed….ugh. This was definitely so helpful. I look forward to seeing more posts like this and also venturing into other green vs products besides just beauty. ????