Cindy Laverdière, beauty blogger
Although it’s easy to assume that high-end beauty brands produce higher quality products, many affordable products available at your pharmacy can do wonders. But what’s the difference between a product available at a department store and one you can pick up while renewing your prescriptions?
Getting the most for your money takes on a whole new meaning when you learn that, on average, a woman will spend more than $15,000 on beauty products during her lifetime. To help you decide which products you should spend money on, I’ve made a list of the reasons luxury brands are often more expensive than ones available in a pharmacy. With this information, you’ll be able to decide what’s more important to you the next time head out to purchase beauty products.
Your perception of a prestigious brand will determine whether you’re willing to spend more for its products. In fact, prestige is one of the reasons consumers spend more for these brand items, consciously or not. You might also think that using these products changes how others perceive you. In the end, it’s all about boosting your confidence.
With more money to spend on research and development, big name brands can afford to use extracts of rare plants when formulating their products, whereas less prestigious brands will rely on synthetic ingredients that cost less to produce.
You may have noticed that the fragrance of luxury brand products is more enticing than products available in a pharmacy. That’s because they’re designed to enhance the beauty experience. On the other hand, some luxury brands offer fragrance-free products for a gentler, more natural formula.
Personally, whether it’s a luxury product or one that comes from a pharmacy, I rarely use the applicators that come with the package, unless I want to travel light. That being said, the difference in quality is noticeable. Big brands often provide better applicators, such as brushes for eyebrows, foundation sponges, innovative mascara brushes or gentle powder applicators. These tools can make a big difference on the final makeup results and are an added value to the product, justifying its higher cost.
It can be hard to resist a unique or attractive package. Pharmacy product packaging tends to be simpler and minimalist, whereas big beauty brands often cover their items in works of art. Shiny tubes and gorgeous boxes make the prices go up. If using a visually appealing product makes you feel good, you’ll probably be more willing to pay the higher price.
When it comes to makeup, we all want the product’s colour to be perfect and saturated, not pale and dull. Big brands go all in when it comes to colour. More pigments also mean you won’t need to use as much product to get the same result. This can be a determining factor when it comes to eyeshadows and powder blush.
In the end, you’ll probably get similar results whether you use products from a department store or products from a pharmacy. It’s up to you to determine whether you want to pay for a more expensive or affordable version of your favourite product.
To discover terrific products that will do wonders for your complexion, watch the following video!
Don’t hesitate to share your favourite pharmacy products here or on Brunet’s Facebook page. Consult your Brunet beauty advisor to help you find the best products at an affordable price.
You may change the store at any time.
