I need to know your reasoning!

Dec 11, 2013

Erica G.

Okay...so I am addicted to make up...basically everything I have is high end and I need to know what your thoughts are on this subject. do you buy high end because you truly believe it to be superior to drug store items or is it just because of that fact that they are just that,high end. for me, I honestly don't know...I think I had it in my head a long time ago that once I started using HE products that I couldn't just go back to drug store products! because this is like an addiction you all know how expensive our collections can be...so my question is, WHY do you buy high end and would you settle for less quality in order to save money or just fork out the dough for an awesome product. let me know!!

Dec 11, 2013

Shelley W.

I buy a lot of high-end products especially when it comes to foundation because I've never had great success getting a perfect match with my skintone. Though over the past year I've found a drugstore bb cream and foundation stick that is drugstore...and I love it. Overall my collection is a mix of high-end and drugstore. I don't discriminate as I'm willing to give everything a chance before I dismiss it as a fail.

Dec 11, 2013

Kenzie L.

My grandfather taught me that "when you buy tools, buy tools." meaning that you must look at quality over price. a lot of my collection is higher end cosmetics because I believe they work better than the drugstore versions I've tried. my skin does not like drugstore foundations so to me its not worth saving a few bucks at the expense of my face. an other example is my stila lip vinyl glosses. they are $24 each and work better than any drugstore long wear lip color and believe me when I do research on a product I do work! lol ill try literally dozens of brands to find the perfect product because once I find it I stick to it :)

Dec 11, 2013

Kelly V.

My collection is a mix of both. My skin is super sensitive and I haven't had the best of luck with drug store foundations. I buy a lot of high end eyeshadows because the quality is so much better...much more blendable and better color pay off. I do love me some wet n wild eye shadows though! Lipsticks are a toss up...I REALLY love Urban Decays lippie line and OCC Lip Tars but I also love just about any drug store lipstick too. so I would say it really just depends on the product. I've used some drugstore items that are pretty darn comparable to highend and some that are awful. I also research things before I buy and try tons of stuff before I stick to one thing.

Dec 11, 2013

Danny C.

I have a mix of both as well I don't mind spending extra but sometimes its not necessary. totally agree w Kelly about the eye shadows I find higher end always wins. as far as liners amd mascaras go I think there are some great drugstore brands equal or better then some high end.

Dec 11, 2013

Natalie T.

I have a mixture of both as well. I don't think anything is a waste of money as long as it will be used. If I'm just trying a trend color or something I won't wear too often, I usually won't splurge unless I end up wanting to wear it more often than I intended to...then I'll repurchase high end if I'm not completely satisfied with the quality of my cheaper alternative. As far as stuff I use every single day or staple items, I won't bat an eyelash at high end prices since I get so much use out of those products. I do always try drugstore products and have found a lot of great items that I repurchase time and time again-but that really goes both ways. When I was young and just starting to wear makeup and throughout my teens, my mother always bought me or let me buy high end products, so trying drugstore items is actually quite new to me!

Dec 11, 2013

Naomi S.

I agree with pretty much everything said here. and Erica, I've asked this question as well. definitely interested to get others opinions. for me, I usually buy midgrade. lol. which is what I consider MAC/Clinique/Mary Kay price range. I feel like this midgrade level is comfortable for my pocketbook and the quality is very good. it allows me to pass on some higher end stuff like ysl, tom ford and Armani, because I'm comfortable with what they offer me..with that said, I will buy these brands once I can afford to.. ;-) because they do have some things that I think are different and would add to my collection. but with brands like too faced, tarte, etc.etc.I can stay in my comfort zone and still get really great quality.
like Natalie, I'm new to drugstore. when I started teaching myself makeup about 10 years ago, everything I tried was a dud.. so I used a lot of Victoria secret and Mary Kay makeup.. n passed on all drugstore. since then low end brands have really up'd their game. adding more pigment. the eyeshadows don't come off all chalky like they used to. there's a lot of cool stuff going on. with that said, I still find something missing here n there n long term ill stick to my midgrade staples.. I have very sensitive skin and I want to take the best care of my body overall.. that goes for what you put on your skin. it needs to b quality

Dec 11, 2013

Mary T.

I'm going through the same journey as you, Erica. So far more than half of the drugstore finds have been crappy. The way I look at it out of the last $100 I spent on ds mu $50 of it I don't like and can't return. I think until I hear big hype about something ds or read great reviews I'll stick to higher end stuff. For me the more expensive products seem to be better quality and last longer. I usually have sensitivities to a lot of ds foundations, mascara, liner, concealer ect.

Dec 11, 2013

Kelly H.

May not sure about by you, but here I can return anything cosmetic I don't like to the drugstore, no questions asked.

Dec 11, 2013

Kelly H.

*Mary not May

Dec 11, 2013

Naomi S.

I've heard that Kelly. but I don't make a habit of it as a lot of times you rip off the skew with the packaging.. I have returned some things recently..
I just wanted to add that I do stick to drugstore mascara.. maybelline is a staple. I don't do high end mascara unless its free or bundled. lol. I did really love 'I love lashes" by Mary Kay. but I havent ordered Mary Kay in awhile.

Dec 11, 2013

Kenzie L.

Naomi-I just buy the sample sizes of the department store brand mascaras I like because they're just as much as the drugstore and you're supposed to throw them out after 3 months anyway :) a $10 tube of they're real verses the full size for $23.

Dec 11, 2013

Roz X.

I mix both. If it works, I use and enjoy it.

Dec 11, 2013

Lizzy W.

I agree, I also have a mix of both. I don't think paying less always means compromising on quality. One of my favorite drugstore brands, Bourjois, actually own Chanel. I'm not going to pay $30+ extra just for a brand name.
The things that I do buy high end are primers, foundations, and eyeshadows. I perform a lot and need my makeup to be sweat proof and long lasting, and I haven't found it in drugstore products yet. But for my everyday products, most of them are drugstore.

Dec 11, 2013

Jennifer S.

"High End" doesn't mean high quality.

Dec 11, 2013

Sevetria M.

I have a mix of both as well. Like Jennifer said high end doesn't always mean high quality.

Dec 11, 2013

Mary T.

I totally agree that high end doesn't mean better quality. However I'm allergic to hundreds of things from flip flop decals to cheap shoes, band aids, perm markers and the list goes on and on. From my experience more of the bad for me ingredients make it into the cheaper cosmetics. I also can't use most nars or Mac without hives and rash.



Kelly I'm in tx and I haven't had much luck with returning opened pkgs to the local drugstores. I need to go to ulta!!

Dec 11, 2013

Maria C.

I have a mix of both. At this point in my life I feel more comfortable buying HE products. I don't mind spending a little more in the basics. They are some amazing finds at the drugstore.

Dec 11, 2013

Sharifa S.

I use both drug store and high end but I do prefer higher end products for my eye shadows and blushes. I find that they are more pigmented.