The never ending battle of sacrificing quality over cost is officially over. Curated below is the ultimate beauty and skincare guide to what products are worth it and which ones you can definitely go without. The first volume comprises the top essentials for your quick 20-minute routine: foundation, concealer, and brows.

Subscribe to stay in the know for new content and volume 2. Launching soon: all of the extras you should splurge on: moisturizer, rose spray, and more. Let 2019 be the year of glow-from-within, post-vacation skin without breaking the bank.

Foundation

Without It: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

While it does provide full coverage, the coloring is not smooth. Overall, the product is on the more heavy side of foundation reminding you that you have a full face of makeup on. The CC Cream doesn’t give your skin the extra boost of moisture or glow. Giving you the impression it is both a tinted moisturizer and foundation, it doesn’t really do the job of either one.

Worth It: MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Not only is the color matching flawless, it feels like a moisturizer making it guilt-free if you want to go for the “more is more” look for the day. Full coverage without the baggage. It’s so soft, you never have to worry about dry, dull skin again. One swipe of the foundation and your skin is set for 24 hours.

Concealer

Without It: Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape Concealer

Only good reviews about this one and I thought I would agree, but I didn’t. The product is very thick, so you find yourself having to scrape off quite a bit before you can apply it. The color is too light that you have to take a few extra minutes to make sure you have it blended properly. It also dries very quickly which does not help when you are blending. It does last all day, but shouldn’t your concealer do more?

Worth It: NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS is the definition of beauty must-have. They provide a range of colors similiar to foundation making it effortless to choose the type of color you want. This concealer gives you full coverage melting seamlessly into your skin and giving you a subtle glow-from-within. It stays on all day and is moisturizing. NARS has a permanent place in my routine and my vacation bag.

Brows

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, $21.00 | Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape and Fill, $24.00 | Sephora Collection Brow Gel, $12.00

Without It: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

I was really interested to see if this brow pencil lived up to the hype that everyone was giving it. It didn’t quite get there. It was just OK. It was not very user-friendly which is important with a brow pencil because brows are one of the hardest to master in general let alone in under 20 minutes. The color was darker than I wanted and I spent more time fixing my mistakes than filling in my brows.

Worth It: Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil Easy Shape and Fill

With various shades and a brow comb attached, this product is a brow luxury. Benefit makes it very user-friendly to achieve full brows and ultimate brow brilliance with one or two strokes. Finish your application with a quick comb-through and wait for endless compliments, no endless morning routine necessary.

Worth It: Sephora Collection Brow Gel

Forget the exact size needed to fit in all of your bags or the Black Friday like price of $12, this brow gel will stay on your list of favorites. If you don’t have the time for most makeup besides one or two tools in the morning, grab brow gel. On vacation and just need to freshen up, but don’t want to put on much? Grab brow gel. Your brows look put together without the work and without costing a month’s rent.

High Street Beauty & Skincare: Worth It or Without It Volume 1