Insider advice on how to save a few bucks and still get great results.

I often say, "I'm a beautician, not a magician," which is true. Another truism about me is that I am not a chemist (or Paula Begoun), I'm a makeup artist. I can't tell the difference from a scientific standpoint between the ingredients in drug store brands and department store brands. I am a makeup artist, and I can only tell how products apply and how they wear. Health Food Stores: Great Value The first suggestion I would have is to get your skincare from a health food store rather than a drugstore. The lower prices are comparable, and the quality is far better. There are a few products that are indisputably great that you can get from a department store. For instance, despite the fact that it contains mineral oil (yuck!), Crème de la Mer yields unsurpassed results. It's expensive, sorry, but it's the best. For a more affordable line, I would choose Korres or Dr. Haushka, both homeopathic lines. Products to Look for in Drugstores Products that are great finds in drugstores begin with pencils. Most of the pencils in the world are made from just a few factories in Germany, Stabilo being one of them. One of the best bargains is from Prestige their Sand pencil is a dead ringer for MAC's Spice and it's only $2.49. Prestige is a great knock-off line with a million different lip products in different formulations, all great choices. Any lip gloss from a drug store is fun to experiment with. Careful for those huge $10 palettes, though. All the colors end up looking the same after they are applied. Mascara is also a great choice. Every private client I have ever worked with loves something from Maybelline especially their Great Lash Mascara. This gives a more natural lash. Also, L'Oreal is popular. Check out their Voluminous, which gives a huge, thick lash. Generally, unless you're completely toe-headed or albino, use black. Brown or brown-black mascara just ends up looking gray and does not define the eye. If you want to splurge on $20 mascara, nothing beats Giorgio Armani Soft Lash or Star Lash. Truly the best mascara you will ever use. Department Store Must-Buys I would move over to a department store for an item like eye shadow, because these are more pigmented, have more sophisticated ingredients and wear longer; also, they are just prettier. Please show me the drug store equivalent of Stila's Barefoot Contessa or Nars' Night Breed, and I will eat a compact of either. Foundation is a really important choice to make at the department store. First, you will get better coverage and better ingredients, but also you will be able to test it on your skin and make a more informed decision. Try some on your jaw line and then take a mirror and step outside. The color should work for you in store light and in daylight. If so, you have found your match. Otherwise, keep looking for free! No worries about returning or throwing away products like you would if they had been purchased in a drugstore. Blushes are also a nice pick for department stores. You don't use that much blush, so why not get the exact right shade? Drug store brands are often…vague, or muddy. Proper blushes are vibrant, even when subtle and really make your face sing. A Last Piece of Advice Finally, it comes down to your wallet. Don't splurge if you can't afford to. There will be plenty of time when you make it to the big leagues to exclusively use Armani, Mercier and Nars. MAC is always a great choice it's more affordable and has everything from classic to trendy. And it always puts a smile on one's face. Read More