Drugstore vs. department store

This is a question I have long tried to find the answer to. From over 15 years of wearing makeup, I have yet to come to a conclusion. One important thing I have learned is that price doesn't always guarantee how well a product will work. Yes, there are some more expensive products I've found that work better than less-expensive alternatives. However, this is not always the case. In my personal makeup collection, I have a combination of both department store and drugstore products. I am also willing to pay more money for a product if it is honestly better. I am not loyal to one brand because there is no one brand that has the best of every single product they make. In following posts, I will share some of my favorites from both drugstore and department store brands.

The following types of makeup are things I will generally pay more for:

• Foundation: This is what is going directly onto my face. If I am wearing a crummy foundation, it may ruin the entire look of the makeup. A bad foundation can also cause other items not to adhere well to the skin. So, this is definitely a makeup item I pay more for. It is also one I go through regularly, not one that will sit dormant in my drawer collecting dust. Another reason I tend to purchase department store brands of foundation is because I am not able to test out foundations at the drugstore. All they have is those plastic skin-colored tags on the display racks! When I was younger, many times I purchased drugstore foundation on a whim and got home to find it was too light/dark/pink, etc., and then I was out 6 or 7 bucks! Super frustrating. I realized that I could go into a department store and have someone help me find the perfect shade of foundation that I was able to try before I bought it. While it cost a bit more than the drugstore brands, I was not letting it go to waste because it was the wrong color.
• Concealer: As I mentioned in my first post, I have needed concealer pretty much since I exited the womb. It is my true makeup staple, and I have tried COUNTLESS concealers. For my face and complexion, I have found a wonderful concealer that is from a department store. I have tried stick versions, liquid versions, creamy versions and powder versions. Unfortunately I ran into a similar problem of not being able to try on shades of concealer at the drugstore, and many times ended up with white rings under my eyes. NOT a good look. If concealer is not at the top of your makeup needs list, it might be enough to dab some extra foundation on top of an imperfection with a makeup brush, dust on a little powder and call it a day!
• Lipstick: For me, there are two things every lipstick that I buy MUST have: 1) NO TASTE. I eat food, not lipstick. There is nothing worse to me than the waxy perfume smell that some lipsticks have, that I am continually tasting throughout the day. YUCK. 2) Flattering color. I am commitment-phobic when it comes to lipstick; if I don't think I could wear a shade almost daily I will not buy it. In my experiences, the color range of department store brands is better overall; AND I have the added bonus of trying them on!

** I am taking a short sidetrack to add that I know there are some of you who go into drugstores and try on shades of lipstick or other makeup when there IS no sample to try. I will admit that I have done it before too...but don't. It will ruin the item for the person that is going to buy it! Don't be that girl.

As for the "taste" factor, this seems to be brand specific rather than price-specific. Over the years, I have discovered my favorite brand of non-smelly lipstick and have stuck with that brand to this day!

• Eyeshadow: Ah, eyeshadow. I wear eyeshadow daily, and its important to me to find one that goes on smooth and lasts all day. I also don't want an eyeshadow that takes ten layers to achieve the actual color of the product. In the majority of my drugstore eyeshadow purchases, this has largely been the case. I have gotten an eyeshadow home that looks EYE-mazing in the case, and when I put it on my brow furrows because I can hardly see it! I also think the color range of eyeshadows in department stores is much better. In recent years I have found a drugstore brand that is pretty good and has some wet-dry and cream formulas I like and I will buy that periodically. I know that eyeshadow is something you can change a lot and play with colors. For me, I tend to rotate between 5-6 key shades that I have and that's it. Since I go through these colors, I spend more on the ones I use the most. If you are someone who loves to experiment with eyeshadow color trends, it's in your best financial interest to find a less-expensive brand that meets your needs.
• Brushes: Since these are the tools used to apply makeup, quality needs to be important. A low-quality brush can cause makeup to go on unevenly and splotchy, even if you paid a lot for that makeup. For this reason, I rarely use the applicators that come with makeup. Investing in a good brush set is important, or buy "a la-carte" for the specific ones you need the most. A brush set is no good if you only use 2 out of 6 brushes! The brush set I have now is a medium-priced set, but for me it makes my makeup look good.

These are the makeup items that I have found wonderful drugstore deals on:

• Mascara: There are good mascaras EVERYWHERE. You just need to find one that is right for you. This is also one that you generally do not try before you buy. When looking for a good mascara, have a list of your requirements. For me, it needs to be waterproof (I am an eye-rubber) and build volume quickly without clumping. Once you have your list, I will look for someone who has the kind of lashes I want and ask them what they use. That's how I found my favorite mascara, and it is from the drugstore! Not only that, I am often able to find coupons in the paper and get tubes for around two dollars on average. Since mascara is also something I go through frequently this works well for me! Yes, there are several great-quality department store mascaras, but they also come with the department store price tag. Drugstore mascaras are just as good, in my opinion so why not pay less?
• Lip liner and Eyeliner: I have purchased liners at both price-points and I have been successful with both. To me, every woman needs a great black or black-brown eyeliner and a good neutral lip liner. There are several products both in drugstore and department stores that come in flattering shades and go on creamy. In recent years, several drugstore brands have added great products in this area. Currently I have both in my makeup drawer!
• Blush: This is a product my opinion has changed on in recent years. Before, I had very bad luck trying to find a good drugstore-brand blush. In recent years, many drugstore brands have expanded their color range and improved their formulas. I especially like buying cream blushes from drugstore brands. Blush is also a product that is not necessary to try on. To save money, I have also been known to use lipstick for blush!

I hope this helps you when you are deciding which kinds of makeup to splurge and save on. In future posts I will let you know about some of my specific favorites in regards to my own makeup.

What would you like to find out more about? Do you have any specific brands that work well for you?