Splurge vs steal: Skin brighteners

Whether you’re saving your pennies or ready to treat yourself, there’s a skin-brightening product out there to suit your skin and budget.
Here are our fave illuminating buys. Ready, set, GLOW!
Splurge: BABOR Cellular Brightening Serum, 50mL, $177
This beauty not only gives your skin a luminous glow, but it also works hard to even out and brighten skin tone over time. It’s a win-win!
Save: Billie Goat Soap Hydrating Serum, 40mL, $16.95
Bursting with skin-loving vitamin C, this seriously hydrating serum will give you smooth, firmer skin all day long plus an enviable glow.
Splurge: Nu'trir Hydrating Mineral Day Cream, 50mL, $39.99
This moisturiser instantly sinks into skin to give your complexion the deep, all-day nourishment and protection it needs, and a glow to boot.
Save: Sukin Facial Moisturiser, 125mL, $9.95
This smooth formula deeply hydrates and softens skin for a more radiant complexion. Oh, and it comes in at only $9.95 for a 125mL bottle – can anyone say ‘value for money’? Run, don’t walk.
Splurge: Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer, $48
Not only will this primer help your make-up to stay put all day long, it’s also formulated with soft-reflecting optics to give your skin a glow in all the right places.
Save: Natio Ageless Illuminating Primer, $16.95
Treat your mug to an extra hit of hydration with this primer. Your make-up will look smooth, even and glowing, and the primer will help to disguise imperfections. It’s the ultimate multitasker!
Splurge: Benefit Perk-Up Artist, $45
This illuminating kit is a non-negotiable – and we don’t say that lightly. From concealing redness, discolouration, dark circles and imperfections to brightening even the most tired of eyes, it’s worth every cent.
Save: COVERGIRL Ready Set Gorgeous Concealer, $11.95
Next time you’re cruising the make-up aisle at your local supermarket, snap up this concealer. It’s a dream for hiding imperfections and brightening dark circles, and it won’t break the bank.
Splurge: Sisley Phyto-Touche Illuminator, $120
Finish your make-up look with a dusting of this glam illuminator. It actually helps to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and just look at that gorgeous palette! #itslove
Save: NYX Cosmetics Illuminator, $17.95
Sweep this light-diffusing illuminator over the top of your cheekbones, forehead, cupid’s bow, the bridge of your nose, and collarbones and watch your skin gleam. It’s available in three shades.
Do you spend or save when it comes to buying skin care? Would you like to try any of these goodies?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
123 Member Comments
Some great information here. Thanks.
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I think you get what you pay for when it comes to beauty items.
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Id probably get the steals for all except the moisturiser because the splurge one looks so good and is still relatively inexpensive.
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Iv'e got a Sukin cleanser, so i'm sure the moisturiser would be great too!
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Love these comparison articles.
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The word 'Brightening' confuses me, I always thought it was a euphemism for lighter skin, but here I'm seeing it in contest as in glowing/illuminating skin? Have I read this wrong?
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i’ve mever heard of the benefit perk up artist but it sounds awesome!
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sukin moisturiser - so unsure about this product, one minute its moisturing but next my face is red which freaks me out it does no other side effects then being red for about 20 minutes but unsure if affecting my skin if i should discontinue
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NYX has some good products. Cost of the product should be justifiable in terms of what it delivers.
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The prices of some products are exorbitant aren't they
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As long as the texture is right for your skin, it doesn't matter
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Haven't heard of the billie goat serum, seen the others around and reasonably priced too
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I really am not sure expensive products are worth it, but I still always like to invest in my beauty products!
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There doesn't really seem to be a comparison between these products. I guess I was expecting them to be dupes.
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These kinds of articles are the best!
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not a fan of NYX, but the rest looks okay
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I like to splurge and steal Sukin's products are great and I absolutely love Benefit cosmetics.
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Love this article !!! Even tho I do love Estée Lauder! Great to use the steals on products that aren't staples !
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It's clear the real winner here is the savvy one.
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I tried a nepolean one and it was awful!
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I didn't know the Billie Goat Soap company had a brightening serum. I'm getting one of those asap.
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Love Sukin and have used it before. Definitely work a try.
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Babor make some lovely products, I have tried 2, but they were great
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The Natio Illuminating Primer and Sukin Moisturiser truly do all of these things.
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