If I had a penny for each time someone claimed that high-end makeup has absolutely got to be better than drugstore brands because at their price point, there must be something superior about them, I’d be rich enough to buy the entire drugstore. Sure, if you’re paying an arm and a leg for a pretty little product, you would expect it to magically transform you into Grace Kelly, but the stars don’t align that way for everyone.
So, I decided to put a bunch of makeup products to the test in a face-off of sorts, and we’re going to settle the debate that has plagued many makeup enthusiasts over the years once and for all. Should your makeup bag have only high-end brands? Or is it all a huge marketing gimmick and in reality, nothing different from drugstore brands? The answer is simple: neither. A true makeup aficionado will tell you that the best makeup kits have a mix of both, and they’d be right.
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It can be a slippery slope to go down- some luxury brands definitely have patented formulations and technologies or have just got a lock on the quality of the product, which makes them worth purchasing. With the rest of them, you’re just paying for the packaging and brand’s face value. Similarly, with drugstore brands, it’s important to keep an open eye for high-performing products versus those that are formulated with a compromise on quality.
Don’t spiral yet, there is a shortcut to make things simpler for you. A good rule of thumb to go by is not skimping on base products, i.e. foundation, tints and concealer. You’re going to want a flawless finish for your base and luxury brands really have that nailed down. Another product you should be hurting your bank balance for is lip products, with the exception of lip liners- you’ll be surprised at the amazing stuff drugstore brands are doing with their lip liners. Since your lips are super delicate and easily discoloured and you might be one to eat up your lipstick, it’s a good idea to pick the highest quality for lip products. Eyebrows are another category to be wary of at the drugstore, just because you want a non-flaky formula for gels and a precise non-smudge product to fill in, which luxury brands almost always provide.
According to Bridal Makeup Artist, Nidhi Krishnamuurthy, “When it comes to picking between luxury and drugstore, it’s more about the techniques you use to apply the product. I would suggest that you go for base products, setting powders and eyeshadows from luxury brands and blush, mascara, etc. from drugstore brands. Luxury brands are definitely worth investing in when it comes to base products; they truly do transform the face without feeling heavy. Some of my favourite foundations to use in my kit are the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation and the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation. As for drugstore makeup, nobody does mascara and liquid liners like Maybelline, and Kay Beauty has amazing lip products.”
We’ve put together some of our favourite high-end and drugstore products that will help you curate the ideal makeup bag, and I promise, you’ll never fall for those dupe reels ever again.
High-End Brands
Drugstore Brands
