Ferina Santos is part of the team behind Open Colleges, Australia's provider of outstanding beauty and makeup
Ferina is breaking down when it is good to splurge on beauty products and when you should take a second look. I am so glad she is writing on this because I have never splurged but as I am getting older I feel I should get better products!
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Compare two eye shadow colors –
one from a drugstore, and one from a department store. Both are the same
consistency, same color, but the price tag is drastically different. Is the
more expensive one worth the extra money? Sometimes, yes. But this is not true
in most cases.
It is difficult to know what is
true and what is advertised about beauty products in magazines.
Secrets
revealed from former editors prove that many magazines will talk up beauty
brands that are spending big advertising dollars in their magazines, without
ever really falling in love with their products. But as a reader, you deserve
to know the truth.
We have no celebrity endorsements, nor do we get paid to
speak about any particular companies, so you have more of a reason to trust
what you find from personal blogs like this one.
Before you go spending big
dollars on expensive department store beauty brands, it is important to look
closely at the truth behind all these makeup fronts.
While it may be tempting
to splurge on what is advertised as high quality, and perceived as high quality
simply because of the price tag, you may be throwing dollars down the drain on
beauty products that are just as effective as the ones you find in the
drugstore.
The following are five truths you
must know about drugstore beauty products.
1.
Trendy products should never be a splurge
item – Trends, such as nail color or seasonal eye shadow colors are best
bought from drugstores and should not be splurged on at high price points.
These are products that will not be used for a long period of time and
therefore do not need to have high quality raw ingredients to make them work
well over extended periods. Instead,
purchase your latest trends, or colors you want to simply try on for size for a
few days from the drugstore. This way, you avoid overspending on a product that
you will only use for a brief period of time.
2.
Drugstores are the best buy for items that
need to be frequently replaced – Some beauty products have a very short
shelf life. In these situations, drugstores are the best place to purchase your
products. For example, manufacturers and beauty experts recommend that mascara
be replaced every three months (trust me on this, I’ve tried to use mascara
that’s a year old and I totally regretted it). Three months is relatively short
period of time, and therefore a large investment should not be made in each
tube of mascara, or other products with similar recommendations.
3.
Read the ingredients carefully –
Expensive department store brands want consumers to believe that the quality in
drugstore brands is bad. While the more expensive brands do usually use higher
quality raw ingredients in some products, the end formulation of ingredients is
so similar in colored items, such as nail polish or lip gloss, that the splurge
for a more expensive item with similar ingredients does not make sense. Read
the ingredients labels carefully and compare them to each other. You will
likely find very similar ingredients and formulations listed making these items
comparable.
4.
Mass market brands have bigger budgets for
research and development – The research behind how ingredients work
together is important to creating a product that will meet the end consumer’s
needs. For this, drugstore brands usually win the battle. Because they have bigger
budgets, they are able to conduct adequate research to find the best results.
This means higher quality products, even at a reduced price point.
5.
The sales people behind the counter do not
always have your best interest in mind – This might sound harsh, but it is
true in many cases where sales people earn a commission off what you purchase
from their counter. In department stores, this can make the purchase process
seem like you are receiving exceptional service, but in reality, you are having
products pushed down your throat. Be conscious of how the product is being sold
to you and take all claims with a grain of salt.
Consumers are quick to claim that
drugstore products are of equal quality as the expensive department store
brands. While this is true in most cases, department brands are quick to turn
consumer opinions back in favor of the higher price tag with claims of higher
quality ingredients. But over the decades, drugstores have invested in
improving the quality of items used in their products ultimately making them
the best purchase for the price tag and quality. If you are still not
convinced, spend a few extra dollars and try a drugstore brand. What you find
may surprise you.
Below are some looks I obtained
using drugstore products found in my country. You don’t have to empty your
pockets to look ultra fab. Go ahead, try and keep in mind that your budget
should never be a hindrance to looking your best. Also, don’t forget to
experiment combining both drugstore and department store brands (this is what I
usually do). Happy shopping! :)
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| I just wore Maybelline Watershine P24 on my lips here! |
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Brows: Etude House Easy Brow Pencil No. 1
Face: James
Cooper Jazzy (Foundation), E.L.F. (bronzer), Human Heart Nature Love Minerals
Shade 2 (Blush)
Bronzer: E.L.F.
Eyes: E.L.F. Eyelid Primer, Nichido Eye Contour
Pencil in Metal Blue (eyeliner), Too Faced Eye Shadow Duo in Totally Toasted,
Etude House White Styling Eyeliner
Lashes: Maybelline the Falsies
Curler: Fanny Serrano
Lips: Maybelline Watershine P24
|
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Brows: Etude House Easy Brow Pencil No. 1
Eyes: E.L.F. Eyelid Primer, Skin Food Creamy Smokey
Crayon No. 2 (eyeliner/eyeshadow), Etude House White Styling Eyeliner
Lashes: Maybelline the Falsies
Curler: Fanny Serrano (FYI, in our country this
brand of eyelash curler is as good as Shu Uemura’s but for super LESS the price
Shu’s or Shisheido’s.
Lips: Maybelline Watershine P24
|
Doesn't she look fabulous? I love that Maybelline lipstick!!
Remember to keep an eye out for some really great drugstore beauty products. From my experience I know it is hard to find a good drugstore concealer but there are tons of inexpensive options for everything else!
Happy Tuesday!
