Let's face it: we all want to use the best beauty products possible, but sometimes the prices for high-end brands can seem outrageous compared to drugstore staples. But you get what you pay for, right? Well, sometimes. Here, get the scoop from the experts on when to splurge on beauty products and when to go for the deals.

Cheap versus expensive: What's the difference?
It's not always easy to tell the difference between cheap and expensive brands of beauty products – and that's because the difference is often nothing more than packaging and hype, says makeup artist Carmindy of What Not to Wear fame, author of The 5-Minute Face: The Quick & Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman (HarperCollins, 2007). "Sometimes you do have more expensive ingredients in products like foundations and skin care," she says, "but as far as eyeliners, lip gloss and powdered eye shadows, it really is all the same."

Splurge on this
So when should you splurge? Carmindy says she believes expensive foundations and eye creams are worth the price, since they're likely to contain better ingredients. She adds that sometimes, expensive brands do a fantastic job with colour, so if you find the perfect shade for your colouring, spend the money on it. And you may want to go for high-end packaging when the product's likely to make a public appearance. "There's nothing more feminine than pulling out a really beautiful compact," she says, "and they tend to cost a bit more."

Save or splurge?
Carmindy says that she loves drugstore brands of mascara, lip gloss, sunscreen, eye pencils and eye shadows. "No matter what your budget, there is something for everyone."

With that in mind, here are tips on whether to save or splurge, plus product recommendations from Carmindy and Ginny Holt, beauty boutique manager at Shoppers Drug Mart at Market Mall in Calgary.

Mascara: Save
"Go for the brush size and not the formula," says Carmindy. "Stick with small brushes that will reach every lash." Holt adds that since mascara should be changed every three months, you'll save a lot by going with budget brands.

Carmindy recommends:
• Maybelline Lash Stylist Mascara
• Almay Intense i-Color Bring Out Lengthening Mascara

Holt recommends:
• L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara
• Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara

Eye shadow: Save or splurge
"Make sure that the shadow is not chalky," says Carmindy. "Some inexpensive brands are very chalky. I have found nice refined shadows at both drugstores and department stores."

Carmindy recommends:
• L'Oréal eyeshadow
• Dior shadows

Holt recommends:
• Annabelle shadow
• L'Oréal Wear Infinité Eyeshadow

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