Without question, many consumers are either experiencing or are concerned about the effects of recent economic conditions in the world. With headlines and financial markets fluctuating wildly many of us have to deal with some...
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Without question, many consumers are either experiencing or are concerned about the effects of recent economic conditions in the world. With headlines and financial markets fluctuating wildly many of us have to deal with some tough choices regarding budgets. People are making decisions about what they need to scrimp on and what they can do without. Proceeding cautiously is the logic many consumers are opting to let prevail. Interestingly, despite spending concerns in many areas, lots of women freely admit that they won't curb their spending on cosmetics, especially if they are using something that they believe will provide the positive changes they want to see on their face (whether they actually see results or not). Depending on your point of view, that's understandable because in the broad economic scheme of things, splurging on skin care or makeup product is a minor indulgence compared to buying a new car, new wardrobe, or taking a vacation. From my point of view, wasting money on expensive makeup and skin care quickly adds up in a short period of time and there are many ways to put that money to better use and take brilliant care of your face and body. Still, lots of women easily rationalize and justify these overpriced purchases based on fervent beliefs and attitudes. I've heard women adamantly profess: "I just love that product," "Doesn't [insert celebrity name] use this too," "A magazine I read rated it as fantastic." They could care less about the facts, i.e. you can love something that isn't good for you (think sun tanning); celebrities sell their endorsements and they can and do use bad products, and magazines are in the business of advertising cosmetics, not reporting accurate information about them (in many cases doing so would mean the magazine would lose advertising revenue they count on to survive). Not surprisingly, the cosmetics industry knows how women can fall for false promises and they readily pander to their misguided hopes. Prices for "luxury" brands have spiraled out of control and all too frequently the quality has certainly not improved or a far less expensive product would have produced equal or better results. Of course expensive never means better in the world of skin care and wasting money is never beautiful and never wise for your budget regardless of economic conditions. I would never encourage anyone, regardless of their financial capacity to waste money on overpriced makeup and skin care, but it is even that much more significant for someone who needs to be careful with how they spend their money. A moisturizer, anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, specialty treatment, or serum isn't automatically going to improve your skin just because it has a $100-plus price tag. Even $20 and up for a mascara or lipstick is spending more than you need to, a fact that becomes even more important when you consider the glut of excellent mascaras and lipsticks selling for less than half of that price. In this report our aim was to help show you the way to the best products for those looking to spend wisely, whether they need to or not. Every product included was chosen as a best value for the money without sacrificing quality or efficacy for a lower price. You will find low-budget options from a variety of longstanding companies, many of which also own pricier brands sold at the department store. There are also some top inexpensive options from smaller companies you may not be familiar with, but should definitely take the time to explore what they offer. One word of caution: if you do find yourself lured by the "free gift" with purchase many cosmetic companies offer at different times of the year at least select a product I've rated as a Paula's Pick or with a big happy face. At the very least if you are going to spend a lot of money, you should at least get your money's worth by waiting until a free gift promotion is happening. Note: every product on the lists below received a happy face rating or better. Many of these items are readily available at your local drug or mass market (Target, Wal-Mart) stores. All
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