Pharmacy or department store?

Question

I am used to wearing maybelline new york eye shadow and mascara, cover girl blush, and just pretty much any pretty lip gloss/stick. I am wondering if it's a good idea to start using department store makeup like clinique or lancome. Is there much of a difference? On Xmas I spent $96 on a 4 set of clinique pore minimizing treatment. I've been using it and it seems okay but I tought the results would be better. The other day I spent $25 on a lipstick from lancome and my husband said that was outrageous. In reality, It works just as well as the drugstore makeup I always buy. What do you suggest??

Answer 1

For most products there is little difference. Foundation and concealer can be very difficult to match properly with cheaper brands.They tend to offer little selection and the coverage is not as good. So splurging on a dept store brand foundation is not a bad idea. But most other products are pretty similar.

To find a good cheap eyeshadow find a drug store with samples on display. Or if you have a Rite Aide near you buy the makeup from them as they have a risk free guarantee and you can return makeup you don't like for a full refund.

Anyways to test the eyeshadow apply it to the side of your middle finger just below the knuckle. Gently rub your index finger against the middle finger and sort of rub the eyeshadow around between them. The smoother the eyeshadow feels the better the product.

Your skin is very sensitive between your fingers and you can only apply light pressure in this area. So it makes it a perfect place to test powders. Eyeshadows that last longer and go on easily will feel silky like baby powder. Gritty or rough feeling powder makeup is more likely to crease, come off and look splotchy.

Hope this made sense :)

Answer 2

Makeup bought at the drugstore can be just as good as makeup purchased from a department store. Stick with brands you like regardless of where they are sold.

The main advantage of shopping at a department store is having access to testers. This is especially true with foundation.

Department stores will accept returns and a few drugstores will too. I really prefer stores with a good return policy because sometimes a product just doesn't work out after a few days.

Also, if there is a department store item you really like, try to buy it when a GWP (gift with purchase) is being offered. Clinique and Lancome have these promotions about 4 times a year at each department store. GWPs will have a lipstick or lip gloss, a sample size of a best selling or new skin care product, etc. in a cute make-up bag or tote.

Here are two websites I've found really helpful:

www.cosmeticscop.com
This website is run by Paula Begoun and it has helpful reviews. You can also sign-up for a e-newsletter and once a year she has a list of drugstore equivalents to department store products.
She offers her own line of products but the site doesn't push them too hard.

www.makeupalley.com
This is a consumer-to-consumer site. Members rate products and I've found them to be helpful. I've been a member for 3+ years.

Answer 3

Stay with the cheaper stuff. That department store stuff contains high levels of lead. Very bad for you. I've been using drug store cosmetics for a long time and they work very good. The only exception would be Mary Kay Cosmetics if you have the extra money. Their makeup I think is the best. Especially the foundations. That would be the only makeup worth spending any money on. And it lasts forever so you only have to buy it every 6 months to a year compared to every month to 3 months. And honestly it's not too expensive. A lipstick is around 9-12 dollars. So, I would check it out. The best part is you don't have to leave your house and can try all of the makeup before you buy it to make sure you're getting the right colors so you don't waste any more money.

Answer 4

I suggest you use whatever works best for you. If cheaper brands are just as good as department store brands, then use the cheaper stuff. I personally prefer department store brands because I break out more and my skin texture changes in a bad way when I use cheaper stuff. If I could use the cheaper stuff without the negative effects on my skin, I would.

Answer 5

To me they are all the same. The cheaper brands are just as good as the high end products. Consult magazines for ideas. I know I've seen talk shows focus on comparing the cheaper vs the more expensive, and sometimes it's not worth the money you spend on the more expensive products.

Answer 6

use whatever you're comfortable with. don't buy into the myth that expensive dept. store products are better. they aren't. if they were, names like cover girl and maybelline wound no longer exist. there has been much research done on this matter and they have found that the stuff you buy in target or walmart are just as good.

Answer 7

I buy my perfume at the department store becaue pharmacies don't usually sell it. But i have tried so many types of make-up and the stuff from the pharmacy is just as good, you are usually only paying for the name at the department store.

Answer 8

if you like the cheaper stuff and it works good, stick with that. why waste money you dont have too?? I also love maybelline new york, much cheaper than department stores.

Answer 9

find a good happy medium. $25 is too much
$6-9 is much more realistic
$4 -6 is a good sale
less is too cheap to mention
pharmacy, or target(or whatever)

Answer 10

I personally like Cover Girl. I'm allergic to alot of them. I don't have any problems with them. I can afford them and they work good. I would to hate to see you having money problems with your husband over makeup.