Expensive skincare vs expensive makeup - which one should you invest in? Are the Estee Lauder creams and serums worth your money? Can the high-end foundations really give you a flaweless finish? This space can get very confusing. There's tall claims, fantastic (and relentless) marketing, paid influencers, and the promise of silky smooth and perfect skin that so many women seem to desire. Whom does one believe?  Here's my take. Skincare is essential. But it doesn't NEED to be expensive. I have spoken about facial oils and essential oils by @nykaabeauty and they are excellent products that are reasonably priced (a steal, if you ask me). @thefaceshopindia and @innisfreeindia also have quality organic skincare products that are priced higher than Nykaa's and they give you impressive results. They are worth every penny you invest in them because you get healthy-looking skin in return.  At the higher end are @laneigeindia @clinique_in @esteelauder and several other brands who also have loyal users because of the intense action their serums/creams promise and deliver.  Bottomline - if you come across a product that seems like it would work on your skin type, problems, and goals - take a chance with it. Regardless of the price. If it does work, KEEP IT. Your skin is worth that investment.  As far as makeup is concerned, I highly recommend getting the best you can buy for base makeup. Foundations, in particular, néed to be top-notch. (I'll be writing in detail about this in a future post.) For me, they need to provide oil control and be sweat -resistant, humidity-resistant, long-lasting, transfer-proof and non-comedogenic. They should also photograph well and not oxidize. I own three high-end foundations (@lancomeofficial @esteelauder @maccosmeticsindia - pictured above) and each one of them has been more than worth the investment. I also own regular foundations but they simply do not last in this weather. So, don't compromise on foundation is my advice.  The same goes for primers, concealers, contouring sticks, and blush and compact powders, I feel. Buy long-lasting and good ones. Don't skimp when it comes to base makeup, especially if you live in a hot and humid place. Professional MUAs may know plenty of tricks to make any product shine, but the rest of us need the products to be good on their own. There are, however, other makeup products that you need not splurge on. In my experience, many drugstore brands give you excellent choices in eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, lip pencils, highlighters, and eyebrow pencils. @makeuprevolution is a god-send, if you don't mind parabens ;) They make fantastic dupes of several high-end products. For an in-depth read:. https://oilyskindiaries.com/2020/07/18/expensive-skincare-vs-expensive-makeup-which-should-you-invest-in/