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Are Department Store Brands Better Than Drug Store Brands?
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Discuss!
I do think some dept store is better but it could be the pretty packaging. For example, I like my No 7 lipgloss in Berry from Target. It's highly pigmented but doesn't have the sticky feel of MAC Lipglass. However, I'm totally in love with it's near color twin, Chanel Glossimere (sp) in Summer Plum. It's got that rich texture like MAC but it's not nearly as pigmented. -
i don't think a blanket statement could be made for either case. each product line and each product itself must be evaluated on the merits of its ingredients, performance, results, and for the budget conscious -- price. knowing cosmetic ingredients is a good start paula begoun, the cosmetic cop (i may not always agree with her opinions, but it is difficult to argue with facts) is an excellent providers and so are our hosts here, the beauty brains. keeping an open mind and having clarity of expectations is also important. nothing short of plastic surgery will take ten years off of a woman's face and it is ludicrous to believe such promises. most experts agree that it is best to not skimp on foundation but that there are bargains to be found in drugstores (especially mascaras and lipsticks where ingredients are rather universal).
that being said, i am inordinately fond of jane iredale and laura mercier products for my face and dior mascaras.
thanks for letting me drone,
faux -
From a formulation standpoint, I would put my money on the store brands over the department store brands. Yes, the latter have prettier packaging but the stuff inside didn't have nearly the same amount of money put towards research and development.
If you want something that looks and smells pretty, go with the department store brands. But if you want something that really works, the store brands usually win. -
I have a question about differences in research between department store brands and drug store brands. I'm wondering how drug store brands are able to keep their prices so low, while having seemingly more advertisement than department store brands, and spend more money and time on the research.
anyhow...
I use both department store brands and drug store brands. For me, everything is product specific, rather than brand specific. I don't know if that makes sense at all. -
Yes, I would think that Paula Begoun and the Beauty Brains pretty much have it right...especially since I believe that I heard that there are really ONLY about 5 or so major cosmetics firms who own all the others as subsidiaries.
However I do have a question about formulation...do the prestige brands have more ACTIVE ingredients than the drug store brands? Or does that only come into play when you are talking about cosmeceuticals...those brands that dep't stores/Sephora and your dermatologist sells or are they too just high priced versions of essentially the same formulation with an MD's name slapped on the packaging?
I must admit that I am more willing to trust department store brands for foundation than drug store brands because you can get tips from the salespeople on the correct application of the product. It isn't rocket science but sometimes it's nice to know how to use a new product most effectively. -
Drug store brands keep prices low because they sell lots of product. The more you can make, the less expensive it will be. The big companies can buy tankers filled with raw materials while the smaller, department store brand makers have to buy more expensive drum quantities.
As far as more active ingredients go, you can't really be sure. The department store brands can make wild claims but they are under no obligation to put more ACTIVE ingredients in their products. Besides, there are very few "active ingredients" (except regulated OTCs) that really do anything.
It seems shameful that Dr. Perricone would charge >$300 for a couple of ounces of a skin lotion. It certainly won't work better than something like ~$20 Olay. -
Ah...thanks for the insight on volume rather than quantity differential. Duh...it only makes sense.
As a baby boomer I can see that we are a HUGE market for the cosmetic industry and NOW the medical industry. I almost fell over when I got a flyer from my OB/GYN group telling me about their new staff aesthetician who could do Botox, etc. What kind of creeped me out me was the promise of a 20% discount on my FIRST appointment for an anti-aging procedure. Since I work in the HMO business I can see that lots of MDs have incorporated "cosmetic procedures" into their practices. Straight cash...no insurance involved...therefore highly profitable. Sorry...if that sounds cynical. If insurance paid for cosmetic surgery I would be in line. -
I'm waiting for my coworker to pay for my first Botox. I have those furrows between my brows that I call my "Cuffy" lines (that's his last name). I get so grrr'd with him and I blame him for those furrows!
Like this'll happen... -
I still can't get over the fact that they are injecting a toxic substance derived from bacteria.
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Paula Begoun has a great book called "The Complete Beauty Bible" where she reviews TONS of individual make-up products from both department store and drug store cosmetic companies. I will say this: She gives positive reviews to many Max Factor products but not too often to Estee Lauder products - thinks they're overpriced and promise more than they deliver. That's just one example but I think it still makes this point: It depends on the individual product item but drug store cosmetics do deliver and for a whole lot less!
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As long as Botox is administered by a board certified plastic surgeon (i.e., not your OB/GYN), it should be fine.
It's just dangerous if the toxin gets into your blood stream and bind to neurotransmitter receptors. THEN you will experience the joy of botulism. -
i'm with the beauty brains on botox -- as a species we've spent thousands of years trying to avoid botulism. now, people willingly turn over their hard earned money for someone (often under qualified) to administer. it's a mystery to me.
faux -
I tend to like department store brands for some things better than drugstore, but it's mostly because with the help of the salespeople I can get the right color. My skin is warm and I was always getting foundations that were just too pink for my complexion. Then I started going to department stores and cosmetic stores (like MAC and Sephora) and got MUCH better colors for my skin. I always had a really difficult time with concealer, too, until I bought a new one from MAC two weeks ago. No more foundation for me! I can get away with a concealer and a little powder, YAY!
That said, I always buy Covergirl mascara and I really like Physician's Formula bronzer. As for lipgloss, I can go with either. So I guess it depends on the type of product for me whether I prefer drugstore or department store brands. Though it always feels much more glamourous to buy a department store brand!
With hair products, on the other hand, I have a strong preference for salon brands, at least when it comes to styling products. With shampoos and conditioners I'm a little less picky, but I never have any luck with drugstore styling products. -
I really truly can see & feel a difference in quality, smoothness, and blendability with department store products that outdoes any store brand. I think things like lip gloss and even some mascara are less affected by this difference - but foundation, concealer, bronzer, powder, eyeshadow, blush...department store or professional brands are truly outstanding in my opion and much experience.
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I've never tried drugstore brands for foundation, concealer, or blush, but I've used drugstore eyeshadows before. According to my sister, drugstore eyeshadow falls into her eyes and irritate her eyes, but I wear the same things and it doesn't happen. But she has weird skin, as in her foundation will still run/rub off when she uses foundation primer (Laura Mercier's primer too!).
Department store products are just more luxurious in their packaging and little details. Was it the Brains that wrote about how Chanel did a survey on how women respond to that clicking sound of opening and closing their packages?
And of course.. color matching.. it's so important for us to find the right shade of foundation and concealer, and it's just so much easier to do that in a department store where there's a SA or MUA to help you match your color. -
The drugstore brands of eye shadow seem less pigmented, which is fine if you have fair skin but not so good if you have dark skin. The L'oreal HIP line is true to its name -- Hi Intensity Pigment -- but the texture isn't great.
I spent a good portion of the day yesterday organizing my cosmetics, I realized that almost all of my cosmetics are department-store brands but more than half of my skin-care products are drugstore brands. That seems backwards to me; it seems like I should be spending the big bucks on skincare and skimping on the fun stuff. -
PurpleRules, I totally agree with you about texture and pigment; HUGE in eyeshadow. I can rarely find a drugstore eyeshadow that I like. I love MAC shadows because they are so highly pigmented and they go on so smoothly.
I wonder if your department store makeup vs. drugstore skin care products has more to do with visible results? In other words, you instantly and clearly see what the makeup does for you, while the skin care products take more time and have less conspicuous results. Although from what everyone is saying, it seems we shouldn't be wasting our money on department store skin care! -
Advantages to department store brands: The ability to sample all products before purchasing and getting your money back if you return them later even if they've been used!
Too often, I have not been able to sample something at the drugstore, purchased it anyway, ripped open the packaging once I got it home and then hated it. UGH! The proof of my long list of mistakes is when I decide to clean out my make-up stash and I end up with a bathroom garbage full of barely used products. (*sneaks past husband on way to garbage can*) I've thought about contacting the make-up company directly but somehow I don't think they are going to like it much when I say, "Well, I just didn't think this red lipstick would be THAT red!"
With the department store products, not only can you sample their make-up before buying it, you can even return something with the generic excuse, "I didn't care for it."......not that the salespeople have acted thrilled with me when I have but they have refunded my money or let me exchange it and that's the important part.
What makes me the most comfortable is to ask the make-up consultant at the department store who is showing me something, "Now, if I get this home and try it for a few days but really don't care for it, can I bring it back?" in my sweetest voice. They have always told me, "Yes." If I decide to return it later, I make sure I tell them that I asked about that policy at the time of my purchase and was told that I could. Less guilt for me; less muttering under their breath by them.
Truth be told, I guess I have earned the title of "Return Queen" at my house for a reason. :shamed: -
I agree, the ability to try the product before purchasing is very important. Colors can look completely different on then they do in the package. You can also get an idea of how easily it is to apply the product and how well it holds up over the course of the day.
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oh, this discussion is just getting better and better.
taiwanesegurl -- your sister and i must have the same skin. weird.
my skin is very dry and has been since i was a teen, on the bright side, there was no acne. getting cheaply made cosmetics to not flake into my sensitive eyes was and is another matter. the quality of the milling process and amount of pigment makes department store brands more appealing to me for powdered products. with dry skin, i like to use as little powder as possible even.
much of my skin care products are drugstore brands, however. i don't think there's anything wrong or backwards with this. if the quality of products is good and they are cost effective, i have more cash available for upscale cosmetics. it works for me ;-) -
I'm looking for a good opaque cream to powder shadow in a gold color- any suggestions?
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anonymousblonde -- i'd check out nars and shiseido -- good luck
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