Since its invention, makeup has become a part of a woman’s life which is why there are a lot of cosmetics out in the market. With so many options a woman should know that not every cosmetic is the same. Some are expensive and some are not.
Expensive cosmetics are usually sold in department stores while its more affordable counterparts are positioned in drugstores.
Why does makeup become expensive?
The answer to this question may be determined by some factors such as:
- Ingredients
- Packaging
- Brand
Ingredients greatly influence a cosmetic’s price tag—expensive ingredients make an expensive makeup. Here is a list of costly ingredients that might make my point clear.
- Gold – used for its anti-aging, revitalizing and rejuvenating properties. The use of gold for beauty originated from Ayurvedic techniques.
Check out Stila’s 24 kt Gloss!
- Pearl – used for its healing properties. The use of crushed pearls in cosmetics started in China and Japan.
Check out Angel Eyes Mineral Makeup Concealing Pearl Eye Illuminator!
- Silk – used for its anti-pigmentation and anti-aging properties. The concept of silk in beauty products was inspired by ancient Chinese silk workers.
Check out SilkNaturals Perfect Harmony Foundation!
- White sapphire gemstone – used for its anti-aging properties. The use of crushed gemstones as beauty enhancers originated in Egypt, during the days of Cleopatra.
Check out Lancome Ageless Mineral Blush with White Sapphire Complex!
- Diamond powder – used for its sparkling properties.
Check out Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish!
Packaging refers to how a cosmetic’s case or container is presented. Gold, diamonds and Swarovski crystals are some of the expensive materials used to detail cosmetic packaging.
Check out Kiss Kiss Gold ad Diamond Lipstick!
Brand refers to the company that created the cosmetic. The prestige and popularity of a brand name influence their products price.
Here are some examples of well-known cosmetic brands.
- MAC
- Chanel
- Burberry
Now that we know why makeup becomes expensive, let’s find out which makeup is better—expensive or drugstore?
Similar to our first question, the answer is determined by some factors such as:
- Cosmetic type
- Customer preference and budget
Cosmetic type refers to a specific makeup item such as foundation, eye shadow, blush, lipstick or mascara.
Most women prefer to go to a department store and buy from expensive lines for cosmetics such as foundation, eye shadow and blush because there are more shades to choose from than in a drugstore. Also, expensive eye shadow and blush have more pigment than its drugstore counterpart.
But for lipstick and mascara, it is economical to buy inexpensive drugstore brands because these cosmetics only last for so long and are pretty much the same with expensive ones.
Customer preference and budget is also a determining factor in which of the two cosmetics are better. Not everyone can afford high-end makeup. Many resort to drugstore cosmetics that practically work the same way as expensive makeup.
Check out NYX Cosmetics!
Using drugstore cosmetics is not so bad especially when you’re into healthy, mineral makeup. Here are some mineral based makeup ideas.
Party Makeup
- Create a flawless skin tone with a liquid mineral foundation.
- Outline your eyes with eyeliner in a natural tone.
- Apply mascara to thicken and lengthen your lashes.
- Apply mineral blush, slightly blush on a pink color on your cheeks. You can also use the mineral blush makeup as an eye shadow.
- Wear lipstick in a color that complements your blush.
Punk Makeup
- Evenly apply liquid mineral foundation on your face.
- Outline your eyes with dark colored eyeliner, either black or purple. Smudge for a smoky look.
- Apply volumizing mascara to make your lashes look darker and thicker.
- Wear dark, matte lipstick.
The easiest way to spice up your look is through fabulous eye makeup. Here are some mineral based eye makeup ideas.
Bright eye makeup
- Choose a bright shade of mineral eye shadow such as yellow or turquoise and apply on your upper eye lid.
- Curl your eyelashes and apply mascara.
- Keep the rest of your makeup in a natural tone to let the eyes stand out.
Smoky eye makeup
- Sweep a dark shade of mineral eye shadow on your upper eye lids.
- Outline your eyes with metallic eyeliner.
It doesn’t really matter if you’re using drugstore makeup, there are plenty of makeup ideas that can make you look expensive! The truth of the matter is that it all comes down to personal preference. Drugstore makeup will get the job done, but there is not denying that department store makeup is of higher quality. The choice is yours. Try them both out and see for yourself if the designer makeup brands really justify the cost.
