I’m frugal about a lot of things, but there are certain high-end beauty products that I am willing to pay good money for. Are you the same way? Is there a bottle of Bumble & Bumble conditioner nestled next to your bar of Ivory soap? Are there certain parts of your body that you are willing to regularly splurge on?

Here are 5 beauty products I splurge on. And 5 I skimp on.

Expensive beauty products I love

1. Bumble and Bumble Conditioner. It’s $2.75 per ounce, so I use the least amount needed and not on every wash. (I wash my hair once a week.) This conditioner leaves my hair soft and cuts down on frizz. If you want volume, there is a “thickening conditioner,” too.

2. Weleda Massage Oil (to prevent stretch marks). My sister got my hooked on this when I was pregnant with Lucy, and I credit my twice daily application with why I never got stretch marks. I went through four $25 bottles! (I hear genetics plays a big role, too, but I’ll take a little credit.) The scent was mild and relaxing. Made me feel special every time I put it on.

3. Revlon Tweezers. When you’ve got an unwanted hair, there’s nothing as frustrating as not being able to pull it out! I love my $8 Revlon tweezers, which do a fab job, along with a strong mirror. I think the slant tip has something to do with it. More tips on cheap hair removal.

4. Aveeno Lotion. While not a huge splurge, I could certainly score cheaper lotion at the dollar stores or by matching sales with drugstore coupons. My dermatologist recommended this lotion years ago when I had a mild case of eczema. Now I use it all over my body because it leaves my skin soft, smooth and not greasy.

5. Bumble and Bumble Styling Lotion. It’s really more of a light spritz than a lotion. But after a swim in the pool, I rinse my hair in the shower, then spritz and comb out. No need for shampoo, conditioner, or any other product! My hair looks and smells great!

Cheap beauty products I love

1. Lipstick. I go for drugstore lipstick, partly because I can never figure out which shade is right for me until I buy it and try it on. A dash on your hand is NOT a substitute for applying it on your lips. Plus, I don’t wear lipstick very often, so it usually gets dry before I use much of it anyway.

2. Nail polish. I save money on manicures by giving myself one at home and part of my savings is in the cheap nail polish. I’m so rough on my nails anyway, that even expensive nail polish chips quickly. I prefer light shades that don’t show chips as easily.

3. Lip balm. When I got to play model for a day at Better Homes & Gardens, the professional makeup artist shared her money saving beauty secrets with me. The one I continue to use is applying Aquaphor Healing Ointment to my lips to soften them. Lasts longer than any chapstick or balm I’ve tried.

4. Toilet paper. I’m still working on my husband to try cloth wipes (for the baby *and* for us) but in the meantime I buy the super cheap toilet paper. (Just one way to save money in the bathroom.) If he does the shopping, he buys the thick, fluffy stuff.

5. Toner. Buying witch hazel is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying “toner” and it’s essentially the same stuff. Check the labels if you don’t believe me.

What beauty products do you skimp or splurge on?

This post contains affiliate links.