What if the only difference between expensive and more affordable makeup was the price tag?
The beauty battle between price and worth.
This was first published in 2020 as the It’s A Beauty! Newsletter but has been reviewed and updated.
With rising cost of living and so much uncertainty around us, it’s little wonder that many of us are being even more conscious about every single cent we spend.
An $100+ eyeshadow palette isn’t exactly top of the must-have list.
But budget-conscious or not, what’s the deal with high-end makeup and eye-watering price tags? Are they ever justifiable or is it all filler?
And could the rumours that high-end and 'drugstore' makeup are made in the same factory actually be true?
Well.
On my podcast, Beauty Island, I spoke to Sarah Laidlaw, an award-winning hair and makeup artist (and Hair and Makeup Director of Priceline) who has spent an astonishing 29 years in the industry - and counting.
She's had work published in top local and international magazines, worked with some of the best photographers, celebrities and has experience on everything from TV shows to editorial to music videos to runways.
Translation: she knows her sh*t.
She’s tried hundreds if not thousands of products, deciding what’s worthy to put on famous faces and earn a place in her kit.
And she dropped a major bomb about high end vs more budget friendly, particularly when it comes to the big beauty brands.
She gave the analogy of a $200 dress versus one that’s $40,000. While clothing is a little different in terms of the craftsmanship involved, is one ultimately better than the other? Not really. It’s down to the perception.
“So they can charge what they do because of the amount people think it’s worth,” she said.
“A lot of the product companies that have that really high end product, a lot of them also own brands that make more mid-level, cheaper products and they make them in the same lab, with the same scientists...and sometimes it’s the same product repackaged and sold for different markets at different price points with different packaging.”
Mind. Blown.
Now, this obviously doesn't mean pouring your exxy foundations down the sink. (Please don't!)
By all means indulge in the fancy or high-end if you can or like. As you’ve hopefully gathered by now, when it comes to beauty I’m all for no-judgement personal choice.
But if it’s not in budget, please don’t put pressure on yourself to spend because you think it automatically means better. It’s a dangerous - and as we’re learning - false cycle. Higher price tag does not necessarily translate to higher quality.
Of course, a lot of work goes into creating product - particularly skincare. But if it’s for a bigger brand, then chances are a lot of that markup is paying for marketing or celebrity endorsement, rather than strictly into research or, you know, gold flakes in your serum.
So what are the makeup product categories you can save on, and which are worth splurging a bit more for?
Following my skincare investigation, I asked some more beauty experts where to spend your money when it comes to your makeup bag for The Age & Sydney Morning Herald. Check that out here (published 2020). (And spoiler alert: there are so many great budget recommendations!)
The general consensus was:
Save on:
Cleanser
Moisturiser (if you don’t have dry skin)
Mascara
Eyeshadow
Blush
Bronzer
Splurge on:
Serums
Foundation
Primer
Concealer
Do you agree or disagree with the spend/splurge verdicts? Or got a great budget beauty recommendation or a more exxy one you think is genuinely worth it? Tell me about it! Leave in the comments or DM me@brittanybeautybts.