What beauty products are worth spending big bucks on - and where you should save your money

Whether you’re going full glam or just want to look presentable on your next video chat, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beauty options these days. There’s a lot of exciting product out there - at every price point - so much so that it can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to decide what’s worth your hard-earned cash (or PC Optimum™ points*). If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is that affordable mascara too good be true?” or bought a moisturizer with an eye-watering price tag because you figured expensive meant effective: You’re not alone.

That’s why we’ve made some recommendations for the best times to splurge and the smartest places to cut back when it comes to your beauty routine. No spoilers, but the results might surprise you!

Save on: Makeup

One of the great joys of makeup is experimenting with different colours, formulas and textures. And it doesn’t have to be an expensive habit, thanks to the drugstore beauty section, which more than competes with its luxury counterpart without the hefty price tag. Drugstore mascaras, for instance, are in some cases favoured by professional makeup artists. (Especially because you should be replacing your mascara every three months—reason enough not spend a fortune.) Next time you’re strolling the aisles of your local Shoppers Drug Mart®, check out Quo Beauty^TM , an exclusive line of makeup that’s a great example of quality product at affordable prices.

Splurge on: Skincare

Here’s a helpful maxim when it comes to beauty: The longer it’s on your skin, the more you might want to spend. Cleanser, for example, can be more of a bargain buy, although we’d also argue that it’s worth splurging to get the self-care soothing that comes with massaging a fragrant, creamy lotion on your face at the end of a long day. Serums are where the “actives” usually are in your skincare: Think retinol, Vitamin C or glycolic acid. If you’re going to invest anywhere, we recommend starting here, because more expensive formulas tend to be more potent. If you’re looking to splurge without blowing your budget, save up those PC Optimum points and watch for bonus PC Optimum points offers or events to stretch them even further on beauty purchases.

Save on: Tools

Unless you’re a pro makeup artist, you don’t really need more than a handful of multi-tasking makeup brushes. You also don’t need to drop a mint on expensive, brushes made from real hair either. Durable and easy to clean, the synthetic brushes you can find in the drugstore do the job. Just make sure you’re washing them regularly (try baby shampoo instead of expensive brush cleaners) and they’ll last well. Same goes for hairbrushes, sponges and any other utility tool. To find points offers on beauty products, download the PC Optimum app on your phone: You’ll get new offers and deals every week, including beauty!

Splurge on: Haircare

When you’ve spent hundreds of dollars getting your hair cut and coloured at the salon, it only makes sense that you’d want to treat your strands with the same reverence at home. By splurging on shampoo and conditioner, you’re generally getting more technology (anything to stop split ends!) and more active ingredients, since cheaper hair care tends to contain more water and fewer oils and vitamins. And, because of the greater concentration of some of these more expensive ingredients, you actually may end up washing your hair less frequently—which is a bargain in its own way! Pro tip: Make your money go even further by using your PC Financialâ Mastercardâ to earn 10, 20 or even 30 PC Optimum points for every $1 of your purchases at stores that participate in the PC Optimum program, and 10 points everywhere else you shop¹.

*Minimum redemption is 10,000 PC Optimum™ points (worth $10 in rewards) and in increments of 10,000 points thereafter at participating stores where President’s Choice® products are sold. Some redemption restrictions apply; visit pcoptimum.ca (opens in a new window) for details, participating stores and full loyalty terms and conditions.

¹Earn a minimum of 10 PC Optimum™ points per dollar on all of your purchases charged to the President’s Choice Financial Mastercard® everywhere you shop. When you use your President’s Choice Financial Mastercard® at affiliated Loblaw banner stores, you will earn 10 points per dollar for President’s Choice Financial Mastercard® cardholders; 20 points per dollar for President’s Choice Financial World Mastercard® cardholders; and 30 points per dollar for President’s Choice Financial World Elite Mastercard® cardholders.