Beauty

[Caitlinh429]

I'm a big ingredient reader, so I have been much smarter with my dollars spent because of that. I too have been disappointed by cheap and expensive brands alike. Generally, drugstore brands are filled with things that my skin just can't handle, especially for lipsticks and foundations/powders.

My "splurge" on lipsticks would be a $20 bite or too faced product however I do splurge on my foundation & primer (2 Hourglass products, can't believe what those 2 products alone have done for my skin). I wouldn't ever spend $50 for a lipstick or $30 for 1 eyeshadow color, I'm too frugal for that.

[BTwixx]

On 12/28/2014 ElvisShops said:

I've been disappointed in all price ranges.

YES !

I find in so many brands drugstore and dept. store is the difference in color payoff

of eyeshadow , blushes and lipsticks . I can make a dent in some with first time use

just to get some depth of color

[Campion]

On 12/28/2014 HeartsNdiamondz said:

Just about every high end product disappoints me. For lots of money, I expect major improvement!

I've learned the same lesson. i used to like Clarins skin care but it's unreasonably priced. I get the same results from DHC at half the price. I like Lancome mascara, but L'Oreal and Maybelline give me almost the same results (and are made by the same company) for 1/3 of the price.

[ValuSkr]

I too expect a lot when I spend a lot of money. ... So much that I'm bound to be disappointed. Better for me to stay with mid-range products.

[vac]

I've been disappointed by high-end products many times and I mostly use drugstore products now. I started switching to drugstore stuff several years ago when my budget was very limited, and found many drugstore products that I liked just as well or even more than the high-end stuff I was using.

I will pay more for certain things such as an Urban Decay lipstick I love and Laura Mercier matte eyeshadows.

[gardensla]

On 12/28/2014 Danielle46 said:

I don't agree that the only difference between high end and drugstore is the packaging. 95% of what I use is high end from Chanel & Dior and nothing compares to them. When it comes to the products offered on QVC - I use IT Cosmetics mascara and their under eye concealer. I also like Tarte's powder foundation which I use instead of my expensive foundation when going to the gym or running out quickly. There is good and bad in all levels of products but the majority of my cosmetics from Chanel and Dior out perform everything else I have tried and this is why I use it. They also "look better" and contain better ingredients for my skin. IN addition, because they are better quality you only need a small amount which makes them last a very long time. The cost is totally justified. As someone who has used high end products for over 20 years, I see a big difference in high end vs drug store. Once or twice I ran out of something and would go to my local CVS to pick up a product from Almay or Revlon and I can tell you without a doubt, that they couldn't compare to the products that I buy from Chanel.

I'm with you on this one. I've used skincare products at all price ranges and with few exceptions (I prefer Cetaphyl over other face washes, for example) the more expensive products just deliver better results. Bobbi Brown's $$$ Extra Repair SPF moisturizer makes my skin glow in a way that my $ Neutrogena rich SPF cream simply doesn't; and a tiny bit goes a long way. I buy Tom Ford lipstick because one swipe is all I need to get rich color that lasts which I haven't found to be the case from a similar drugstore product. I'm not a product junkie and I tend to use what I do buy to the bottom of the tube; for me, buying what I consider to be better quality (in all things) is the way to go.

[NJgirl 1205]

On 12/28/2014 Danielle46 said:

I don't agree that the only difference between high end and drugstore is the packaging. 95% of what I use is high end from Chanel & Dior and nothing compares to them. When it comes to the products offered on QVC - I use IT Cosmetics mascara and their under eye concealer. I also like Tarte's powder foundation which I use instead of my expensive foundation when going to the gym or running out quickly. There is good and bad in all levels of products but the majority of my cosmetics from Chanel and Dior out perform everything else I have tried and this is why I use it. They also "look better" and contain better ingredients for my skin. IN addition, because they are better quality you only need a small amount which makes them last a very long time. The cost is totally justified. As someone who has used high end products for over 20 years, I see a big difference in high end vs drug store. Once or twice I ran out of something and would go to my local CVS to pick up a product from Almay or Revlon and I can tell you without a doubt, that they couldn't compare to the products that I buy from Chanel.

While I own and love many Chanel products, I will admit that I own certain wet & wild shadows that are far better in terms of color pay off, texture and blendability than certain Chanel shadows. Sad but true. Chanel blush can do no wrong and certain foundations are great, but the eyes shadows are hit and miss.

[lisrobreib]

I have to agree. I too had purchased Bobbie Brown because of all the gushing. Well I hated it. I never posted bc sometimes the Mean girls have what to say. But, I stick to Skinn, It, or Revelon. !!! Very content.

[rhinovodka]

yes (one that comes to mind it the It Cosmetics Lip Vitality Lipstick stain), but I have been disappointed in drugstore products as well. For department store products, I still like lipsticks, eye shadows and sometimes foundation. I feel like the texture and durability are a little better. I still use drugstore mascara, brow pencil/powder, and nail polish.

[Danielle46]

On 12/28/2014 kcladyz said:

Well in general high end shampoos are better than drugstore. Even the best of the best drugstore shampoos are still not completely as good as salon. I believe they salon shampoos are expensive for they spend money on really researching and testing their products to make a high quality item. Also salon brands tend to be more concentrated thus you can use less and it will last longer. I mainly buy the expensive stuff when beautybrands has their liter sale when they are all $12 a liter. I refuse to spend $30-50$ on a liter unless i know in advance it will deliver. Makeup to me drugstore is as good as the department store brands.

Also when it comes to the branded walgreens , cvs and equate(walmart) it is the exact same as the brand only repackaged. companies often sell their surplus to other companies that will repackage it with their name. it is the same with drugs. If you think brand is better than generic its all in your head. its all the exact same drug only difference may be the color used. I know for i wrk in the drug business. Brand and the generic is the exact same thing no difference

There most certainly are differences between Brand and Generic drugs! Trademark laws do not allow the Generic drug Company to have all of the same ingredients as the Brand so the "inactive" ingredients are different i.e. dyes, fillers and preservatives. As a person with sensitivities & allergies I cannot always use the generic version of a drug. There are many times that my doctor will not allow me to use a generic due to the other ingredients - so don't be so quick to make the blanket statement that they are "exactly" the same. In addition, when it comes to cosmetics, yes there are big companies that own several "brands" but I know for a fact that Chanel is still Chanel. Aside from that, there is a huge difference between the high end brands that I use vs drugstore brands. The drugstore brands can't measure up in quality, the way the look on the skin or performance. There is a reason I spend the money on department store brands - its not all in my mind!!!! Its the same as when others say that there is no difference between high end apparel brands and low end and that your only paying for the name. That could not be further from the truth!!! Not only are you getting better fabric and superior style but most important of all, is the fit!!!