Affordable Alternatives For High-End Brands

Designer brands and other “high-end” terms are associated with high price-tags. If you’re looking for quality and stylish panache, you’re welcome to spend that kind of money. But, are high-end items really worth the premium? Read on – and you’ll see how to get quality, panache and value by adding our affordable alternatives to your shopping list

“The best way to save money is not to lose it”.

• Affordable Alternatives to High-End Makeup Brands

You can easily find more affordable alternatives to high-end cosmetic brands at local drugstores. The New Savvy team has found you some options that are just as good as the high-end makeup brands coveted by many women.

Bobbi Brown is one of the biggest superstar foundation makeup brands on the market. Bailey Sessoms, a makeup artist, adores Bobbi Brown’s foundation for its flawless yellow undertones. An alternative is Maybelline’s FITme, which produces an effect similar to the one you get from Bobby Brown. Maybelline’s FITme is a whopping $40 cheaper than Bobbi Brown’s liquid foundation.

We Asians love to beautify our eyes with mascara. A popular high-end mascara brand is Too Faced Better Than Sex, which enhances with a brilliant thick, dark eyelash effect. Too Faced Better Than Sex, however, costs $23, which really adds up if you renew your mascara on a monthly basis. Take a look instead at Rimmel’s Scandaleyes Retro Glam, which produces similar results with a more affordable price tag of $5.

Moving on to lip products, Clinique Chubby Stick lip stain has been a smash hit since its launch. For $17, it gives your lips a ravishing nude or pinkish shade suitable for all types of complexions. An alternative at half the price is Revlon Colourburst Balm Stain, which produces the same effects with even greater moisturising results.

Many of us are manicure addicts – looking at pretty nails make us happy. Nail polish from Chanel costs $27 for a small bottle. A more affordable alternative is the Essie brand. Essie is at the top of their game in product innovation, ensuring a high-quality and long-lasting polish.

• Affordable Alternatives to High-End Clothing and Accessory Brands

Many luxury fashion brands have a secondary line offering a more affordable price tag for designer clothes.

Are you a fan of British designer labels? Take a look at Preen Line from the parent fashion brand Preen. Preen introduced Preen Line with the aim of unveiling both sides of a label to the world of fashion lovers. In Preen Line you will find almost identical clothing designs of those available under the pricier Preen tag – and what a significant price difference! A dress from Preen costing ₤800 may have an identical twin at Preen Line for ₤400!

Every girl loves Valentino. Valentino’s secondary clothing line, RED Valentino, carries through with a design feel for that gorgeous modern romanticism just like in the original brand. RED Valentino takes a bit of a more modern, youthful approach and boasts lower price tags ranging from $100 to $1600.

Do you love your denim, ladies? Alexander McQueen has a secondary line called MCQ. MCQ’s contributing fashion designers include Sarah Burton and Pina Ferlisi. Sarah catapulted to world fame after designing Kate Middleton’s royal wedding dress. Pina has designed for Gap and Coach. MCQ prices range from approximately $148 to $2561.

• Affordable Alternatives to High-End Handbag Brands

Many of us spend a fortune on designer handbags, justifying it with our yearning for quality and tradition. You can buy designer handbags from some of the secondary clothing lines mentioned above at a lower price point than that of the flagship brand level.

Instead of blowing $2,350 of your bank account on Betty, the jumbo black leather shoulder bag from Yves Saint Laurent, consider the black Third of July shoulder bag, whose price is only $328. That’s a remarkable roundabout-15% of the original price!

Eyeing the blue Givenchy Antigona nubuck satchel bag priced at $2,395? Consider the bright blue Rebecca Minkoff Mini Perry Satchel costing just $395. A smarter buy if you are cash-strapped but don’t want to skimp on style.

• Affordable Alternatives for High-End Footwear Brands

Many high-end footwear brands found only at specialist boutiques are now collaborating with high street stores. Plenty footwear recently teamed up with Keds to introduce an affordable line of footwear comprising peep-toe flat sneakers, ballet-style flat shoes and skimmers. The line is priced between $65 and $80.

Alexander McQueen and Puma are joining forces to produce a more affordable footwear line. The designs are sporty with an edgy “street” look.