Skin Care

The Real Difference Between Affordable and Expensive Skin Care

Eye creams, face oils, sheet masks, oh my. Here, what to buy when you're feeling thrifty and what's worth spending on when it's time to indulge

by Amanda Montell | COMMENT

PHOTO 11/14

Save vs. Splurge: Lip Balm The Save: Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith's Rosebud Salve, $6

The Splurge:
By Terry Baume de Rose, $60

The Breakdown:
There are countless benefits to keeping your lips properly hydrated: Lipsticks apply smoother, your lip color last longer and your lips look more youthful over time. However, similar to eye cream, it doesn't take many ingredients (or dollar bills) to give your kisser the moisture it needs.

With just four simple ingredients, this classic Rosebud Salve leaves lips smooth and moisturized. The tin is adorable, and the scent is floral and heavenly.

For ten times the price, you can take home By Terry's version, which smells divine and makes lips soft with the help of about 40 more ingredients. "One additional ingredient to the formula equals one extra cost," Pouillot explains. By Terry's blend of pure rose essential wax, shea butter and other goodies certainly escalates the price. But what you get in the end is an equally pretty pink balm that smells like roses and makes lips soft. So, if you're not in the position to splurge, your skin won't suffer.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Save vs. Splurge: Cleansing Oil

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