Budget alternatives to your favorite beauty splurges

Trade this for that

Every woman knows that beauty products can break the bank -- but only if you let them. Some of the price tags on our go-to favorites are painful, yet we buy them anyway because it's hard to find affordable alternatives that actually work as well. In the interest of saving money while remaining your beautiful self, Katie Betian, a Los Angeles-based aesthetician and make-up artist, shares some professional secrets that will help you choose reasonably priced products without sacrificing results.

Mascara

For many, finding the perfect mascara can seem like a lifelong quest. Once you discover one that works for you, it's tough to let go. But, with prices reaching beyond the $20 range, you may think twice about applying that second coat. According to Betian, 'Mascara is all about the brush. Look for one that has a lot of bristles to help separate, lengthen and define. Sparse bristles will lead to clumps.' Another tip: make-up artists will often use two different mascaras, one for length and the other for thickness. If you want to experiment with this tip, apply the volume formula first and follow with the lengthening, even if it's just on the ends of your lashes.

Trade This:

DiorShow ($24) or Benefit Bad Gal Lash ($19)

For That:

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara (around $8) or Cover Girl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara ($8)