Drug store vs. higher end products

Jun 8, 2011

Clara A.

What do you all think of them? Any major differences? How's your experience with certain products? Fav's? Any dislikes? Share your thoughts!!My newest video is on a few drug store items that I find were comparable to the higher end products.

Jun 8, 2011

Jane A.

I've had a really bad acne problem earlier this year. Bad as in my forhead had huge bumps when I would run my finger across it, and the fact that I would break out with 3+ new pimples in multiple areas at the same time. I really felt gross and what not.

After joining Beautylish and actually taking other posters recommendations, my skin has cleared up! No more bumps -- my forhead is now smooth, and no more horrible breakouts -- I do tend to break out here and there, but it's like a 1 now if it were on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worse).

I seriously can't thank Soma S. enough for recommending the CeraVe line! Not only is it a drug store brand -- it has the same great ingredients that higher end products have -- but it's so much affordable! [[[Thank you SOMA!!!]]]

Jun 8, 2011

Jane A.

I so really want to thank another poster Mandy K. -- she also recommended Witch Hazel (prior to that, I've never really heard much of it) as a toner. WH is another drug store item! [[[Thank you MANDY!!!]]]

I'm so glad I met these two beauties -- and I'm so glad they took the time to recommend such great drug store products!

I was really losing hope since I would spend $$$$ on many higher end brands such as Dr. Gross MD products, Philosophy, Murad, Cover FX, etc. etc. etc. and not get any results. 

Jun 9, 2011

Marianna K.

There are some high end brand items that I probably would not replace such as MAC eyeshadows and certain lipsticks (my favorite being Venetian Rose by Estee Lauder). However recently more and more of my make up collection has become drugstore just because I think drugstore brands such as Sleek, Bourjois and GOSH (which I adore) have drastically improved in quality and pay off.

My current favorite foundation is Natural Touch Foundation by GOSH. It is amazing for dry skin. I used to use Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation but GOSH has stopped me from repurchasing and the difference is around £20!!

My skincare is mostly by L'Occitane because I agree with their ethics (such as no animal testing, using more natural products) and I have never had a bad reaction on my skin. On the drugstore side Nivea has to be my ultimate favorite. Their Daily Light Moisturizing Lotion is my summer must have as it has matifying properties and acts wonderfully as a base for any make-up.

There were several higher end brands that i was slightly disappointed with. Caudalie is one of them. I love their shower products and facial wash but I just couldn't use the moisturizers, they did nothing for me. On the other hand my Aunt and my mum love them so maybe it just depends on the skin type!

Overall I really don't think that people can tell if you are wearing high end brands or drugstore brands as long as the make-up is applied well and suits your skin type. One downfall for me though is the packaging-I am easily sucked in. I love having a really flashy eyeshadow quad by Chanel or a sexy Clarins lipstick in my make-up bag! But if I were to base my opinion just on the product inside the fancy packaging I would have to pick drugstore!

Jun 9, 2011

Soma S.

Aw, I can't believe I'm just seeing this now! [You're so welcome, Jane A.!] I seriously swear by CeraVe, but I take no credit for it. I learned it from www.InMyKit.com - they offer high-end and drug store products that makeup artists use as their staple products in itheir kit. I hope any of you looking for great products take the time to visit that site! I think it's a great resource, and it has really done leaps and bounds for me. =)

As for drug store products I can't live without, there aren't too many, but I'll name the few I adore:

Physician's Formula: Happy Boosters blush in Rose and Natural and their gel shimmer stacks eye liner pots.

CeraVe skin care line - MUST-HAVE: PM moisturizer. Their moisturizing cream is great for dry winter skin for both face and body.

Covergirl Lip Perfection moisturizing lipsticks

Revlon's Colorburst lipsticks

Ecotools: their bronzer brush is a MUST-HAVE. I want to kick whomever named it though... because that's a LOAD of bronzer for one person's face! I use it as an all over powder brush for my HD powder. Their blush brush and angled liner brush for brows is always going to be in my kit, and their retractable kabuki beats out any brush from Coastal Scents any day by price and accessibility. I'm also going to give ELF some credit for decent brushes as well.

Now, for high-end... I have to admit, I am extremely particular when it comes to texture, finish, longevity, how it reacts to my skin, etc... almost snobbish since I've found one particular brand to work better than others. It's taken me a while to stop being a brand-whore, and thanks to all of those lovely DS finds I listed above, I'm no longer particular to just one brand. For things a bit pricer than usual, these are my fav's:

Make Up For Ever: I adore ALMOST everything from them. Their primer, HD foundation and HD powder, HD blushes, HD elixer, AQUA eye and lip liners and creams, Smokey lash mascara [waterproof]. I'll stop now, but seriously... wow.

MAC: eyeshadows, blushes [some break me out though, boo... but PEACHES is an absolute MUST-HAVE for tan/olive/latin summer skin!], fix+ [not a bad setting spray]

Tarte: Amazonian clay blushes... Tipsy and Dollface are beautiful matte shades. Slightly chalkier than other high-end blushes, but it does not break me out, and anyone can come to appreciate that in makeup!

Bare Minerals: Faux Tan - great matte contour powder. I also like MAC's Harmony, but once again... my face does not agree with it. Boo-boo. =(

Brushes: don't get me started. MAC is easily accessible [where I am from at least] and they deliver what they promise. I also love my Hakuhodo brushes... and although Sigma is not considered "high-end" - they do cost more than DS, and they aren't easily accessible. I only like their synthetic face kit though.

Hope that helps! [holy !#@$%, that was an essay!]  =(

Jun 9, 2011

Clara A.

Omg you all are awesome!!! I didn't expect such detailed responses! Next time I run out of something I will definitely refer to this page! Thank you all!! I hate wasting money on products that don't work and I love that you all took the time to answer me in such depth =) It all helped a lot!!!!~ I appreciate it :))

Jun 10, 2011

Rikki P.

For one, I will never ever consider MAC high end again, haha. Middle end, yes. High end, no. For eyeshadows, I really prefer going MAC level and over. The fact that nearly every single drugstore brand tests on animals helps this, aha. And I don't care for Revlon shadows at all. But I <3 Revlon lipsticks and I like their Colorstay foundation. Urban Decay shadows will forever be my favourite.

Jun 10, 2011

Arie C.

I honestly can't say that I've tried a wide variety of high end make up, however, there are a few products I have tried where I can honestly say theres a HUGE difference.

The big one for me is eyeliners. I'm always on the hunt for good eyeliners, and theres only ever been one brand that was even somewhat met my criteria, and thats the Loreal Carbon Black Kohl eyeliner. HOWEVER, When I discovered that they test on animals, I was really turned off by Loreal. But then I discovered the UD 24/7 pencils and I fell in love. Those eyeliners are really hard to beat in my book.

I love Revlon foundations, and I love Maybelline's lipsticks and mascaras (and they don't test on animals!). I own some MAC lipsticks, and I can honestly say Maybellines are just as good, if not better in some cases. 

Jun 10, 2011

Rikki P.

Maybelline tests on animals.
But Revlon does not.

Jun 10, 2011

Arie C.

Really? I could have swore peta has on their website that they don't.

Jun 10, 2011

Rikki P.

Google it. It's all over the Internet that they test on animals. Loreal is supposedly going off animal testing but that's not until 2013.

Jun 10, 2011

Arie C.

Awwwwe, I think I got my lists confused. I'm really sad right now! D: 

Jun 10, 2011

Jamie D.

I use a mix of both; there are definitely good and bad products in all price ranges.

For Drugstore I love Revlon ColorStay foundation in both formulas and Almay Nearly Naked Foundation, both are beautiful.

For Concealer I love Revlon Age Defying concealer for under they eyes because it does not crease and lasts all day.

For Powder there's a lot of great powders at the drugstore: L'oreal Translucide, Revlon ColorStay (for oily skin), Maybelline Fit Me (for dry skin), Maybelline Dream Matte is beautiful esp for oil-prone skin, Almay does Line Smoothing pressed powder and Nearly Naked Loose powder for dry skn and the TLC powder is best for oily skin.

For Blush L'oreal's true match is great, Rimmel does a nice powder blush, and smaller brands like milani, wet 'n wild, and jordana do beautiful powder blushes.

For Bronzer I usually go high end because I have trouble finding a suibtable color for my fair skin, b ut physicias formula has a great variety and are good quality.

For eyeshadows it's easier to find good ones in high end because there is a variation in quality in drugstore brands even within the same line or palette. for example, wet n wild's color icon palettes are great and greed is my favorite, but the lavender gray color in it is so awful I popped it out and trashed it. THe wet n wild singles are all great except for Kitten. Revlon Satin shadows are really good. The other formulas are good or decent.

For pencil eyeliners there are so many great ones at the drugstore: Prestige total intensity, milani liquif'eye, revlon colorstay, maybelline unstoppable are all great for pigmentation and longevity.

For liquid I love Almay liquid liner and l'oreal lineur intense

for gel I'm all high end since my fave drugstore gel liner was discontinued (Jane Be Pure MIneral Gel Liner) I like Estee Lauder gel liner.

For Mascara it just doesn't make sense to buy high end for me. For volume I like L'oreal Voluminous, CoverGirl Lashblast, Maybelline XXL Lash extensions, Prestige my blackest lashes, prestige my biggest lashes, Almay Nourishing Mascara triple effect. All of these beat out high end for me.

For length I love Rimmel Lash Accelerator, L'oreal Voluminous Full Definition (drugstore dupe of Lancome's Definicils)

For lip gloss I love prestige lasting moisture gloss, Revlon Superlustrous lip gloss, and NYC liquid lipshines (the new formulation is great!

For lipstick I love Revlon Superlustrous, some colors of Revlon colorburst, maybelline colorsensational (the original formula, cover girl lip perfection, and rimmel lasting finish

Jun 13, 2011

Angela W.

I love that CVS drugstore will let you return cosmetics because it's been really hit or miss when I've tried new products. I've found some great items.. eyeliners (Rimmel), mascaras (Maybelline), even some lip glosses. I'm still yet to find a foundation that can compare to my more expensive ones though.

The thing is, I definitely notice a difference in the quality of pigment and the ease of application when it comes to drugstore vs. my higher end stuff. I think in most instances you're going to get what you pay for.

Jun 13, 2011

Jamie D.

I agree with Angela; if you're going drugstore and you can't return things you really have to know what you're getting. Most of the time higher end stuff will be good, even if some products might not be worth the hype.