Splurge vs steal: Skin brighteners
Whether you’re saving your pennies or ready to treat yourself, there’s a skin-brightening product out there to suit your skin and budget.
Here are our fave illuminating buys. Ready, set, GLOW!
Splurge: BABOR Cellular Brightening Serum, 50mL, $177
This beauty not only gives your skin a luminous glow, but it also works hard to even out and brighten skin tone over time. It’s a win-win!
Save: Billie Goat Soap Hydrating Serum, 40mL, $16.95
Bursting with skin-loving vitamin C, this seriously hydrating serum will give you smooth, firmer skin all day long plus an enviable glow.
Splurge: Nu'trir Hydrating Mineral Day Cream, 50mL, $39.99
This moisturiser instantly sinks into skin to give your complexion the deep, all-day nourishment and protection it needs, and a glow to boot.
Save: Sukin Facial Moisturiser, 125mL, $9.95
This smooth formula deeply hydrates and softens skin for a more radiant complexion. Oh, and it comes in at only $9.95 for a 125mL bottle – can anyone say ‘value for money’? Run, don’t walk.
Splurge: Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer, $48
Not only will this primer help your make-up to stay put all day long, it’s also formulated with soft-reflecting optics to give your skin a glow in all the right places.
Save: Natio Ageless Illuminating Primer, $16.95
Treat your mug to an extra hit of hydration with this primer. Your make-up will look smooth, even and glowing, and the primer will help to disguise imperfections. It’s the ultimate multitasker!
Splurge: Benefit Perk-Up Artist, $45
This illuminating kit is a non-negotiable – and we don’t say that lightly. From concealing redness, discolouration, dark circles and imperfections to brightening even the most tired of eyes, it’s worth every cent.
Save: COVERGIRL Ready Set Gorgeous Concealer, $11.95
Next time you’re cruising the make-up aisle at your local supermarket, snap up this concealer. It’s a dream for hiding imperfections and brightening dark circles, and it won’t break the bank.
Splurge: Sisley Phyto-Touche Illuminator, $120
Finish your make-up look with a dusting of this glam illuminator. It actually helps to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and just look at that gorgeous palette! #itslove
Save: NYX Cosmetics Illuminator, $17.95
Sweep this light-diffusing illuminator over the top of your cheekbones, forehead, cupid’s bow, the bridge of your nose, and collarbones and watch your skin gleam. It’s available in three shades.
Do you spend or save when it comes to buying skin care? Would you like to try any of these goodies?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
123 Member Comments
NYX is becoming one of my favorite "steal" brands. Since buying their BB cream a few years back I have been adding more products to my collection and I love them (especially their lip products, love their butter lipsticks)
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I didn't know Billie Goat expanded to serums! Some interesting affordable suggestions here - thanks!
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The estee lauder illuminator look gorgeous
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wow thank you so much for posting this article, i found this really helpful when you're financially unstable?! I am so keen to try the brightening serum by billy goat, probably going to get it soon!
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These are definitely my favourite type of articles! Love the comparisons. I really want to try the Benefit one I didn't realise they made a compact like that.
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Thanks for the splurge Vs steal articles :)
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I love these splurge versus steal articles! Thank you, keep them coming.
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Nice article. I want to try Sukin products. Have heard good reviews about it.
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Love these articles. Im always hunting for the miracle primer to make magic happen... I tend to use a couple blur/colour correct and illuminate.
I have the Estee Illuminating primer: Good and it does give a subtle sheen - Loreal does some good cheaper options. I hate it when some primers ball or feel gritty after a few hours.
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Both of the brightening concealers sound fantastic. I really should try one soon to conceal my dark circles and redness.
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I love my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, have been using it ever since it was launched. Do want to give the Billie Goat Soap Serum a try
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Nu'trir Hydrating Mineral Day Cream is a budget cream to me, sukin more for young kids that do not need to much hydration (Have used it and it is nice). First one a bit dry for my skin
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just how does the Hydrating goats serum compare with babor brightening one? I only know that I will avoid Babor (it is not the price but overload of synthetic perfume that makes my skin go mad!)
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I tend to do a bit of both - splurge and steal...But lately, I've been trying to only use natural / more natural products and get my skin back under control.
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I am same! Waiting for skin to calm, and only using now simple routine of natural plant based products (serum+cream/balm) with an add of muslin cloth (no more scrubs and cleansers)
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I think I'd naturally go for some of the budget products anyway. Nyx is great, and I love more natural products in terms of skin care (like Sukin, etc.)
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i haven't tried any of them and i don't see how they are similar (the luxe and budget versions)
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Some of these sound really lovely! though I'm always a sucker for high end!
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probably best to spend time and money on skincare than makeup for the glow.
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I hold exactly the same philosophy! high five!!
Disclaimer: I do both. But if I had to pick one definitely on skincare.
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Whoa! Some of these products are so expensive!
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I love these articles, Billy Goat do serums? I had no idea!
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Me neither until seeing it on BH! I really wanted to try it and it's at a great price point!
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I tend to do a bit of both-some splurge and some budget these days-I think Sukin is good value for money though.
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I have recently discovered the Sukin range and amazed at how good some of their products are! I am always on the splurge side but I really want to explore more products from Sukin.
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