what's
in a
name...
According to most experts, the extra price you pay
for makeup and skin care products
is for the designer name, costly
advertising, and fancy packaging.
They claim the product inside is
virtually identical no matter how
much you pay for it. In fact, part
of what you're paying for is the
prestige of the brand itself.
But you are also footing the bill for
higher concentrations of some of the product's core ingredients, the way they are mixed and formulated, and in the case of makeup more pigmented color, smoother application, and longer wear.
Splurge or Save?
If you're on a beauty budget, you can splurge on certain designer products and buy generic brands for others. You'll need to decide for yourself which products are most important to you, but here's a quick guide to help:
Skincare
Splurge on products like moisturizer, eye cream, peels, and exfoliators which tend to have higher quality active ingredients and fewer skin irritants on the higher end. They will also give you better results in the long run.
Save on the basics like cleanser, eye makeup remover, and sunscreen. Look for ingredients that facilitate makeup removal and keep an eye on expiration dates.