Makeup is one of life’s little pleasures. Even if you have a dressing table already full to the brim, there’s always room for a little something extra. If it’s at the right price point, of course.
The makeup that we lust over, that beauty bloggers extol the virtues of, tends to be expensive. There’s something we just can’t resist about that dynamic packaging, the lushness of an expensive product, the weight of a metal compact in your hands. Makeup that can hold back the hands of time, make you feel beautiful, make you feel confident. It feels more permanent and full of promise than the cheaper, drugstore options.
Of course, every once in awhile someone will do a “half face” feature. One half of their face will be made up using drugstore brands, the other using high-end products. “Can you see the difference?” they ask, and you find yourself squinting at the screen, wondering if you can.
In most cases like this, you can’t. So, the obvious conclusion is that money doesn’t matter when it comes to makeup. That you can achieve the same, fabulous looks with items that cost a fraction of those that are at the top and setting the trends. But is it true?
NARS Women’s Blush – Angelika vs e.l.f. Cosmetics Blush Tickled Pink||Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm, 0.10 oz. vs CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm||MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation vs. Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Effect Makeup||MAC Eye Shadow vs Nyx Cosmetics Nude Matte Eyeshadow||Dior ‘Diorshow’ Waterproof Mascara – Azure Blue 258 vs. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Volume Building Mascara
At first glance, yes, absolutely – cheaper makeup can indeed look the same. The pigments of the eyeshadow might not be quite so strong and the finish on the face makeup might be lacking, but the overall effect tends to be pretty similar.
So does that mean you can rely on cheap makeup alone to keep you looking good, from now until the end of time? No need for expensive purchases, ignore the brands, don’t look for plastic surgery, and no more need for skincare if you can get everything you need from clever makeup tricks alone?
While at a moment’s glance you can achieve much the similar look with more affordable products, how long will it stay that way?
That’s where the problem of pigments begins to be a problem. Even with the best eye primer you can find, a low-pigmented color is going to begin to fade or even fall without a few hours. The same applies throughout the range: foundation will rub off faster, mascara will run, and lipstick will be deposited on every glass you dare to sip from. So while there might be an initial similarity, give it a couple of hours and you’d have no problem telling the difference.
So… it’s expensive products all the way? Don’t bother with more affordable alternatives?
If you’re going out for a lunch with friends and only expect to be a few hours, then there’s nothing to stop you choosing cheaper products.
If you need your makeup to stay in place all through your working day, however? Then that might be where the difference is.
Don’t forget that you can also mix and match between price points on your face. While your eye makeup might benefit from being more high-end, if you don’t mind a few applications, then your lipstick can be on the cheaper side without damaging your overall look.
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