The Essentials

A lot of magazines and websites put out lists of the essentials products that you need.  Usually followed by a list of products that "they" tell you need but the magazine disagrees.  I'm joining the fray.  In this tough economy, spending big bucks on products does not make sense.  I'm currently in the midst of preparing for an extremely large vet bill.  This has made me take a hard evaluation of needs and wants.

Things that you should spend money on:

1) Facial cleanser
Why?:  Let's face it (no pun intended), everything starts with how clean your face is.  The cleaner your face, the less make up you will "need" to put on.  If you have no acne or imperfections, you won't spend as much time and money on products to make it appear like you have no acne or imperfections.  This isn't to say that you need to spend huge amounts of money on a facial cleanser, but you should not be embarrassed to pony up the dollars if you find one that works for you.
Splurge:  Clinque or Bliss both put out really nice cleansers.  They fall into the $20 and up category and can be purchased online, in department stores (Clinique) or Sephora (Bliss).
Steal:  I'm a big fan of Aveeno.  It keeps my skin in clean but does not overdry.  I've had luck with Biore and Noxzema as well.  The latter two have both gone through some product reformulations.  Since all three of these brands are well under $10 apiece, it won't hurt you to try until you find one.  These steals can all be found in CVS type stores, Target/Walmart and Bed, Bath, and Beyond

2)  Toner
Why?:  Everyone says you don't need this product.  It is from an older era where cleansers left a film on the face that needed to be removed by toner.  I say poppycock!  There have been many a time that I have used Toner on my face after cleansing, and my cotton square has been tinted with the color of my foundation.  Today's toner doesn't have to be your momma's toner.  Several brands put out a product that does not have the same astringent feeling or odor AND gets the job done sometimes even adding a bit of moisture.

My favorite?  I'm in love with Boots Rosewater toner.  It has an awesome scent, is gentle, and gets the job done.  Unfortunately, the only place I have found it is inside Target stores.

3)  Eyeliner
Why?  The eyes are the gateway to the soul and all that jazz.  Even babies now that eyes are a focal point of the face.  Regardless of your other features, people are drawn to the eyes.  Help them out!  A good eyeliner, done well, will help emphasize and open up your peepers.

Splurge:  Need I say it?  Stila's smudge sticks at $20 apiece are kinda pricey.  But to me they are worth it.  They do NOT come off until you want them to come off.  Even if you are one of those that prefers to get close to your lid rims.

Steal:  Avon's glimmersticks are $6 apiece and come pretty close to Stila's standard.  The main difference is the lack of color selection at Avon.  They have the standard black, brown and navy.  Their green and gray are okay and their purple found its way into my trash immediately.

4) Moisturizer
Why?  Unless you want to look like an old hag, you need to keep your face moisturized.  Doing so will help push back the onset of non genetic lines and wrinkles.  As you age, your skin loses firmness and elasticity.  Plump skin helps to hide this process.  Again, you don't have to spend big bucks to get a quality product, but if you find one that does cost money and it works SPEND.
Splurge:  Any department store brand
Steal:  A month ago, I would have gone on and one about another Booth's product here.  The rosewater day disappearing moisturizer was great.  But I have found an ever greater product.  L'Oreal's new complexion equalizer day/night cream is fantastic!  Not only is it purple (awesome color).  But it lives up to its promise.  Your skin will look more refreshed and alive by using this product.  I have yet to actually find it not on sale, but I think it is around $20.  Not cheap by pharmacy brand standards.  However, the beauty in a product that works is that you don't need to use much to have success.  A jar lasts a very long time.

5) Foundation
Why?  It's okay to spend money on foundation.  If you are spending money on your cleansing routine, you won't be using a lot of foundation.  So go ahead and spend the money because it will last a really long time.  As much as the eyes are the gateway to the soul, no one is going to see that gateway if they are distracted by blotchy, uneven skin.  Foundation helps you make your skin look like it all belongs together not some misshapen quilt.
Splurge:  Go to Sephora, there are many to choose from.
Steal:  I have officially been turned into a Bare Minerals convert.  Despite being a powder, it actually provides coverage without looking like war paint.  It is made from all natural ingredients so your skin actually benefits from wearing it.  And if you fall asleep without taking it off, you will not have a disaster on your hands.  It's about $25 per pot, but again it doesn't take a lot to achieve a covered face.  If you crave a liquid make up, I like Make Up Forever's Mat Velvet formula.  It technically should fall more in the splurge category.  Good coverage, very little meltage in hot weather.

6)  Primer:
Why?  A relatively new fangled invention in the consumer make up world.  Primer helps even out your skin to prepare it for other products.  It can fill in light wrinkles, this prevents liquid make up from settling and making their appearance larger.  The primer gives make up something to stick to.  By having the barrier, make up lasts longer.  In fact, if you have a decent primer, you can spend less money on other products because the primer will give any make up a lasting effect.  Spend $18 on an eye primer that will last months and you can use CoverGirl eye shadow and it will stay on your lid as long as Chanel without primer.
Splurge:  There are several brands that combine different properties into their primers.  Some help with other skin issues (acne).  Some have a tinted color.  Some are silicon based, some are cream based.  Primers with added benefits cost more
Steal:  BareMinerals facial primer at $21 is a bargain.  It makes your skin feel good (no greasy feel while it drys).  Something about it makes it feel clean.  It is a silicone based product so it spreads very easily.  For eye lid primer?  Well I'm still testing a variety of brands.  I have liked Urban Decay's product.  But I'm not a fan of the applicator.  It forces you to use more than you need.  I got a free product sample of Too Faced which I enjoyed and I am currently testing Kat Von D's primer.  All three are around $20.