Why is there such a big price range in makeup? (dying, brands)

[jade408]

Several reasons:
1. Department stores and sephora have testers and samples
2. For me drugstore foundation pretty much never has a shade that suits me. There might be one in Iman's line, but I got the BB cream and found it was ok but itchy. I got Lancôme foundation and the texture was amazing and they had plenty of warm undertoned darker shades. My stores never stock the warm MAC ones
3. Pigmentation: higher end lipsticks have better colors and pigmentation. My lips are two different shades so I need the pigment so the lipstick works

I skimp on mascara, lip liner and eye liner.

[oh-eve]

make up with no animal testing is more expensive I think

[Sundaydrive00]

Originally Posted by oh-eve

make up with no animal testing is more expensive I think

Thats not true. e.l.f. does not test on animals, and a majority of their products are under $3. And companies like MAC or Bobbi Brown are not considered cruelty free.

[weezycom]

There are a couple of items that I buy at the counters that are pricey compared to the drugstore brands, but they typically last me close to six months (a primer, a concealer and an eyelash primer), there is one eye cream that I dearly love but it's so expensive that I only get it if I get a bonus at work and then use an Olay or L'Oreal until another bonus check comes thru. Otherwise, it's all drugstore stuff for me.

[TheImportersWife]

I buy across the board from drugstore to high end. My arsenal contains Koh Gen Do, Dior, Revlon, Physicians Formula, Maybelline, Becca, MUFE, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Guerlain, UD, theBalm, Too Faced, YSL, Givenchy...you name it!

I tend to read reviews and research items before I purchase, especially high end items. If there are glowing reviews and the product seems like it might work with my skin, I give it a shot.

[anadyr21]

I have not tried high end makeup, so I can't speak on that. However, for cheaper brands/drugstore brands, I used to always go with the cheapest. After I had more disposable income, I decided to try something a little more expensive. There was a difference. However, I'm talking about $2 or $3 dollar stuff vs $10, not $100 stuff. For example, ELF makeup is $1, but has little pigment and doesn't last long. I've had more success with Rimmel. Yet, I absolutely love Wet and Wild mascara and lipgloss over Revlon. And nail polish has more of a difference.

Really, it's trial and error. If the best thing for you is the cheapest, go for it! But, don't expect miracles from expensive stuff.

[Sundaydrive00]

Originally Posted by anadyr21

or example, ELF makeup is $1, but has little pigment and doesn't last long. I've had more success with Rimmel. .

I actually like elf more then most of the other drugstore makeup brands. I buy their eyeliners, HD blush, and all over color stick.

[ShinyHappyLucy]

Because all makeup is not created equal. I've worn makeup that seemed to fade off in just a few hours and makeup that stayed on all day. I'll pay the extra if it means my eye makeup doesn't disappear in 2 hours.

[Mikala43]

Some make-up IS better than others, sometimes it costs more, sometimes it doesn't. Right now I'm addicted to Bareskin and PrimeTime by BareMinerals... I dunno... both cost about $70? Bareskin is amazing and while "pricier" (not really) you use one tiny little drop, like a quarter of a pea... so it will last forever.

[JennyMominRI]

IME some more expensive brands last longer. My blush from clinique lasts forever. Loreal, Cover Girl etc, seems to last less time.