I have been a subscriber of Allure magazine since way back in 1991 when it started. It is a great magazine for makeup styles, trends, tips and techniques. They also have fashion articles. One of my favorite sections is the splurge/steal section. Typically, I laugh when the splurge item is some ridiculous price for a mini-skirt ($1800) and the steal item is less, but still not affordable ($550). 

But this my friends is a true splurge/steal list for cosmetics. Whereas most things on the splurge list are affordable and everything on the steal list is most definitely affordable. And just to let you know... this list only includes items that you could get for less and does not include items such as foundations, powders, primers, eyeshadow or blush because quite frankly I would never 'cheap out' on any of those items.

1.SPLURGE- Clarisonic Cleansing Brush- Mia-- $119 
I love my Clarisonic more than words. Sure it was a bit of a splurge, but it is one of those items that I can honestly say is worth every penny. I have noticed a difference not only in the texture of my skin, but the clarity as well. It has minimized my breakouts and after seeing what comes out onto the brush, I can absolutely understand why. 
STEAL- Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleaning System-- $26
If you are on a budget and want to see a big improvement in your skin then run to CVS and pick one of these bad boys up. The main difference between this and the Clarisonic brush is that this brush is battery powered whereas the Clarisonic is an electric charge, so it may arguably have a little less substance. But hey, both products are comparable to a Soniccare toothbrush-- because the pulsating motion of the brush gets your skin 10 times cleaner than a washcloth. You can't lose with either one. 

2. SPLURGE- Fresh Soy Face Cleanser-- $21 The aroma and texture of this cleanser is just so luxurious and delicious. It makes the skin feel silky smooth and brightens the complexion.
STEAL- Cetaphil Cleanser-- $5.49 This cleanser is recommended by dermatologists around the globe and is the savior of all acne prone combo skin clients. What it does is helps maintain the PH balance in the skin without stripping it. Good stuff- great price!

3. SPLURGE- Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer-- $55 This skincare line is amazing. Dr. Perricone really knows skin! But really, how many people can afford to pay this price for a toner that they will have to restock in 2 months? It does a great job of keeping the skin clear of bacteria and shrinks pores, but there is a product that will do just as good of a job for less... 
STEAL- Thayers Lavender Witch Hazel--$15-- This stuff is amazing. It smells great and the best thing is that witch hazel is a natural anti-bacterial, so it tones and brightens just as well as anything I have tried.

4. SPLURGE- Chanticialle Bio-Dynamic Serum-- $210 for 1 oz  If money were no object, I would slather myself in Chanticialle products. This stuff is seriously stellar. But again, out of my budget.
STEAL- Dr Weil for Origins- Mega Mushroom Advanced Skin Relief Serum-- $66 for 1.7 oz. Serums are great at firming the skin while maintaining a lighter overall texture than a moisturizer. It does not replace a moisturizer, but will help it work better. Great for anti-aging. I love that Origins and Dr Weil joined forces. It proves you can never have too much of a great thing!

5. SPLURGE- Kate Sommerville Nourish-- $65  This is another great skincare line from someone who knows skin. Kate developed this moisturizer to help hydrate and nourish the skin, hence the name. The texture is superb.
STEAL- Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre-- $25  This product is highly coveted by Makeup Artists for its texture and the way that it hydrates dehydrated skin. It is great under makeup and you only need a little bit. 

6. SPLURGE- Sisleya Eye Cream-- $205  Sisley's best selling eye cream and one of the best on the market. It hydrates and prevents wrinkles. 
STEAL- Avon Anew Clinical Eye Cream-- $30 Look for sales on this product. Sometimes Avon.com runs BOGO with some of their skin care. The reason that I love this product is that it doubles as two eye treatments. The gel is great for puffiness and dark circles while the cream is good for hydrating and lines and wrinkles. These are solutions for two separate issues combined perfectly in one little jar.  

7. SPLURGE- Lancome Bifacil Eye Makeup Remover-- $26 I love a good oil based eye makeup remover. It is one of the items that I have always splurged on. I love both Chanel Dual Phase and Lancome Bifacil eye makeup removers. But, they are pricey, so I went on to investigate some other waterproof eye makeup removers and found this...
STEAL- Lumene Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover--$4 Now that is more like it. It is a great remover to have for my kit. It conditions lashes and removes stubborn eye makeup. But shhh, don't tell-- I am still going to splurge for the Lancome every once in awhile. :)

8. SPLURGE- Cle De Peu Concealer--$70 Yes, it is the highest rated concealer on the market, but I will be damned if I am going to pay that much money for a product that I would go through so quickly in my kit. I do love the creamy coverage it gives.
STEAL- MAC Pro Longwear  Concealer--$17  I was apprehensive at first when trying this product because honestly, MAC always seems to let me down with their foundations. But this product is a winner! The pump mechanism keeps the product moist and its delivery system allows it to cover smoothly without caking. 

9. SPLURGE- Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara--$19 Now this isn't even that expensive as far as mascaras go, but it is more pricey than the typical drugstore brands that I go to for my kit. The brush is amazing and the formula is wet and strong. Love it!
STEAL- Cover Girl Lash Blast Luxe--$6  Hands down the best mascara for the money! Love the brush and the formula! Also comes in waterproof. 

10. SPLURGE- Makeup Forever Aqua Crayons--$18  These waterproof pencils are creamy and glide on effortlessly. The color selection is huge. But, eyeliners are something that I go through so quickly that I can't afford to pay top dollar for.
STEAL- Ulta Waterproof Eye Pencils-- $8 (often on sale for half price) I stock up on these in Black, Black/Brown and Navy whenever they have a sale. Retractable waterproof eyeliners are all pretty much the same, and for something that I use so often, I need it cheap. They hold up really well too!

11. SPLURGE- Chanel lipliners--$29 There is something about a Chanel lipliner. You feel special when you use it. It comes with a fancy sharpener and the colors are rock solid. 
STEAL- NYX lipliners--$3. I know, three dollars. Seems a little silly, but these are nice! They go on very smoothly and the colors are beautiful!

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Skin Care Regimen for Combo Skin
Jul. 06, 2011