high end vs low end products ?

[fortworthgal]

I'll only buy cruelty-free, regardless of price. I have some Barry M. (a low-cost drugstore brand) products (including the elusive clear mascara, which works great as both a mascara and a brow tamer), but I won't touch L'oreal, for example. I tend to use Lush, which I adore, Body Shop for foundation. Most of my skin-care products, though, are of the organic, mid-price range type (Weleda, Lavera...)

I recently tried a few Lavera products, and I can't believe how disappointed I was in them, particularly for the price. The mascara was the absolute worst - it did nothing and I had a very bad reaction to it. The only other time I've had a reaction to mascara was with Diorshow, and it was the exact same thing - really bad itching, redness, and swelling. I used the Lavera for 2 days and had to throw it out. So odd that a natural product would cause a reaction like that!

I used to love the Weleda wild rose skincare line when Target carried it.

 

[katiesparkles]

therizyflapper, well that's awfully nice of you! I'll take advantage then and will PM you, if I won't be able to order it in Europe, thank you!
Here's a LUSH Store locator in the US:
http://www.lushusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Lush-Site/en_US/Stores-Locate
And you should be able to order on-line from the site, too.

Drappa, katiesparkles, I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that The Body Shop retains an independent testing policy. It's still on the PETA white list, as "The Body Shop (L'Oreal)".

Yeah, exactly. They don't test (and support the cause, as far as I know) but their parent L'oreal does. Isn't it the same with Revlon, who doesn't test but they're owned by P&G? Don't quote me on this, please.


And oh my gosh, yes! I'll be in Germany the last week of August - I hope they release it until then AND it doesn't see out either. Do you happen to know when it's going to be released exactly?

 

[Juliet]

And oh my gosh, yes! I'll be in Germany the last week of August - I hope they release it until then AND it doesn't see out either. Do you happen to know when it's going to be released exactly?

It says "available from June" on the Art Deco website (showing lipstick, mascara, nail polish, eye-shadow and what looks to be a compact powder and compact foundation). Unfortunately, I don't know how long the stores will keep it. I do hope you'll be able to get it still!

 

[therizyflapper]

therizyflapper, well that's awfully nice of you! I'll take advantage then and will PM you, if I won't be able to order it in Europe, thank you!
Here's a LUSH Store locator in the US:
http://www.lushusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Lush-Site/en_US/Stores-Locate
And you should be able to order on-line from the site, too.

Drappa, katiesparkles, I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that The Body Shop retains an independent testing policy. It's still on the PETA white list, as "The Body Shop (L'Oreal)".

Juliet I would be happy to send you some just send me your mailing address in a a personal message and ill send some out soon

 

[bunnyb.gal]

I recently tried a few Lavera products, and I can't believe how disappointed I was in them, particularly for the price. The mascara was the absolute worst - it did nothing and I had a very bad reaction to it. The only other time I've had a reaction to mascara was with Diorshow, and it was the exact same thing - really bad itching, redness, and swelling. I used the Lavera for 2 days and had to throw it out. So odd that a natural product would cause a reaction like that!

I used to love the Weleda wild rose skincare line when Target carried it.

I really only use the Lavera Wild Rose range, because I adore the smell. It is shocking how little product you get for the price. Generally I much prefer Weleda.

Drappa, katiesparkles, Juliet, as far as I'm aware, the Body Shop still doesn't test, but I am aware of their being owned by L'oreal, so I really only buy my foundation from them, whereas before the "takeover", I bought a lot of their products. Thanks ladies for the warning!

I recently heard that MAC is changing their policy, by the way, so no more MAC for me. I'll stick to Illamasqua and Besame for my lippy, then.

Lush have a product which I just discovered called "Toothy Tabs", little aspirin-size tablets of toothpaste. You just crunch them and they foam up like the stuff in a tube. Maybe it's just the novelty, but I really love this stuff, and it leaves my teeth feeling really clean. They have a rose flavour one to die for; great for me 'cause I really dislike minty toothpastes.

 

[katiesparkles]

I really only use the Lavera Wild Rose range, because I adore the smell. It is shocking how little product you get for the price. Generally I much prefer Weleda.

Drappa, katiesparkles, Juliet, as far as I'm aware, the Body Shop still doesn't test, but I am aware of their being owned by L'oreal, so I really only buy my foundation from them, whereas before the "takeover", I bought a lot of their products. Thanks ladies for the warning!

I recently heard that MAC is changing their policy, by the way, so no more MAC for me. I'll stick to Illamasqua and Besame for my lippy, then.

Lush have a product which I just discovered called "Toothy Tabs", little aspirin-size tablets of toothpaste. You just crunch them and they foam up like the stuff in a tube. Maybe it's just the novelty, but I really love this stuff, and it leaves my teeth feeling really clean. They have a rose flavour one to die for; great for me 'cause I really dislike minty toothpastes.

MAC and Estee Lauder already "changed their policy" - unfortunately. I think it is so they can market their products in China specifically.

By the way, Lush is amazing! Their oat meal soap is my absolute favorite ever -- it feels sooooo good on your skin!

 

[Juliet]

Oh, I love the toothy tabs! "Aquatic" left my gums healthier than ever before (and believe me, I've tried nearly all toothpastes and mouthwashes available). And the packaging is really environmentally friendly.

 

[bunnyb.gal]

MAC and Estee Lauder already "changed their policy" - unfortunately. I think it is so they can market their products in China specifically.

By the way, Lush is amazing! Their oat meal soap is my absolute favorite ever -- it feels sooooo good on your skin!

...and Avon and Mary Kay - on the sly if you believe PETA. Oh well, there's plenty of cruelty-free competition to choose from.

 

[Claireg]

Yes you guys in America and Europe are so lucky!
Over here in NZ we dont have "drugstore brands" other than a few major ones like Revlon, Maybelline etc.
Our "high end" are Nars ( $70NZ) approx for lipsticks, Chanel and Bobbi Brown.
We have no Sephora, Target, Walmart or anything cool like that.
Mac is Mid range here as is Napolean.

I ended up importing Besame so that we can have that - I was so desperate, and here it is Mid range priced.

I was very impressed with all the cheaper options in Sephora when I was in the US a while back, and man what i would give to be able to have Benefit here!

I have found that super cheap Chinese made cold cream is just as good - if not better than some of the more expensive brands - and that was just because you cant get any forms of cold cream here that i can see so stumbled upon a $2 one in a discount store!
I am going to do a trip over to the US next year hopefully, and man am i going to stock up!

 

[fortworthgal]

^ I've heard that overseas brands like MAC are very expensive. I don't understand it! But then I wish we could get many of the brands the UK & Europe ladies have available.

I too consider MAC and Clinique to be "mid-range."

My US-based mental cosmetics hiearchy -

Drugstore ("lower end" - although I hate to use that term, because many of these are quite good!):
Cover Girl
Maybelline
Rimmel
Elf
Wet & Wild

Mid-grade (higher-end drugstore, lower-end department store):
L'Oreal
Revlon
Boots (at least here in the US it is expensive)
MAC
Clinique
Ben Nye

Higher-end:
Estee Lauder
Lancome
Benefit
Make Up For Ever

High end:
Chanel
Guerlain
Chantecaille
Dior

 

[Juliet]

fortworthgal, the interesting thing is, over here MAC is priced the same as Estee Lauder AND Chanel [huh]

 

[Bluebird Marsha]

Ouch! MAC = Chanel?
Why do I see myself involved in a black market import business, smuggling cosmetics across international borders?

 

[ThemThereEyes]

I like things from all throughout the price spectrum. Some things I have because they were free or discounted from working in cosmetics, some were traded for. I don't go for drugstore eye shadows because they tend too have too little pigment for my tastes and not as much staying power. Not that some higher priced ones aren't the same way. Drugstore beauty items I like are Revlon ColorStay lip liners, some Revlon lipsticks, Prestige eye liners, and things from the Yes to lines.
I have had customers stock up on brands like EL, stating they are twice as much overseas, stock up on things from their region they stated is still cheaper here, and many many times foreign men come in looking for drug store brands to bring home. Those last were things like Max Factor, Maybelline, and Revlon.

 

[pompsnpincurls]

I've been converted on my foundation! I'm loving my Palladio dual wet&dry foundation from Sally's. It's about $10 to $12 depending on if you have a Sally's card, and I'm liking it so much more than my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation for the summer time!

 

[galby]

Max Factor is my favorite, too. But recently, I have started going wihout makeup - just to try - and I do not feel too bad.

 

[Stray Cat]

Revlon lipsticks,
Those last were things like Max Factor, Maybelline, and Revlon.

I'll second that!
And, I'll add Deborah: great eye shadow collections. Also, don't forget Avon. (some things are so-so.. but some are GREAT)

 

[fortworthgal]

I have had customers stock up on brands like EL, stating they are twice as much overseas, stock up on things from their region they stated is still cheaper here, and many many times foreign men come in looking for drug store brands to bring home. Those last were things like Max Factor, Maybelline, and Revlon.

I don't understand the vast pricing differences at all.

One friend told me that some places in Europe (I think she said the Netherlands, but I will have to ask her to be certain) brands like Dior were sold in corner drugstores.

 

[ThemThereEyes]

I don't understand the vast pricing differences at all.

One friend told me that some places in Europe (I think she said the Netherlands, but I will have to ask her to be certain) brands like Dior were sold in corner drugstores.

I've been told that too. That they sell things like Lancome at the pharmacy.
I am not sure why the products from brands that are European would still be cheaper over here.
As for Lauder, I had Chinese, Koreans, Brits, and for Clarins Aussies that would make large purchases because of it being so much over there. And of course people living in Dubai.

 

[zombi]

I have lurked on this board for a while and noticed that a lot of you adore MAC/Benefit/Beseame, etc. I was wondering what differences you see between higher end and drugstore products if any?

For me personally I do see a lot of difference in quality between, say, Chanel or Laura Mercier versus L'oreal or Cover Girl. I have also had more allergic reactions to eye makeup in particular of drugstore quality and less from middle or high end companies -- not that I haven't had any from high end companies, just that I've had MORE from drugstores.

It used to be a big difference in colour payoff, but drugstore makeup has started to up the quality of the colour payoff on eye shadows. Texture in my opinion is still better from higher end companies. I had to go to middle end to find foundation/face makeup that matched my skin because no drugstore company had a colour that matched. Most of my middle or high end lipsticks last longer before fading.

But I have not found anything I love more for powder than Coty Airspun, and Covergirl makes one of the only mascaras I seem to be able to wear... so for me it mostly comes down to which company I've had less problem with, when I am shopping.

 

[fortworthgal]

^ ITA. I will admit, I can definitely see differences in quality in say, Chanel vs. Wet & Wild. I think anyone who says they can't see a difference is full of it. :lol: But that said, I agree that there are many great drugstore products, and many not-so-great department store/Sephora products.

Eyeshadow for me is one of the standout areas - most drugstore ones just don't seem to work well for me personally. I get the best color payoff and staying power from MAC eyeshadows. I also think foundation is an area where you need to spend a little more to get good quality. But there again, there are some drugstore foundations I love!

Primer is one area where I swear by drugstore version. My favorites are Revlon PhotoReady perfecting primer and L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base. I was previously using Smashbox Photo Finish and Laura Mercier primers, and IMHO the 2 drugstore ones I mentioned blow them out of the water. Again, personal preference.