Almay Intense I-color Wins

Butter is one of the staples that I constantly keep stocked in my fridge. The old standby, Wegman’s store brand butter, always works well, particularly for baking. This butter is flavorful but simple, lacking in complexity but fine when melted.

— $2.19

On the other hand, French butter (my favorite is President) has a much more complex flavor. While I originally doubted that butter could get any better, this creamy brand is only marginally more expensive and has a depth of flavor that American butter simply hasn’t mastered. When I am eating butter on bread or anything else where flavor matters, I stick to President.

— $4.99

THE VERDICT: French butter Wins

Mascara is a girl’s best friend and is definitely my favorite cosmetic. For years, I used Dior Diorshow Mascara, the classic that wins Best of Sephora year after year. While it made my lashes look long and pretty, replacing it every three weeks — I use a lot of mascara — gets a bit expensive. This mascara is only splurge-worthy if it lasts you a month or more.

— $23.00

My replacement, Almay Intense I-Color Mascara, has a plastic (rather than traditional nylon bristle) brush that makes application quick, easy and foolproof. As a bonus, the colors are shaded to match your eye color perfectly, ensuring that your mascara is never too light or dark. And at its reasonable price, I can replace this mascara as often as I need.

— $8.99

THE VERDICT: Almay Wins