What is the deal with expensive makeup?

Take one color of eye shadow, foundation, etc. and there are a lot of good brands out there, at reasonable prices. But yet, when I go to Macy*s, Dillards or any other department store and see all the makeup you see advertised in magazines like Nars, YSL, Dior the prices are outrageous!!?!? And I think to myself: Dang, it's just makeup....or is it?





Besides paying for the name, what else makes these makeups so much more expensive? Is it the ingredients or something?





Should I be using them? I will gladly buy them if they are worth it! I need to know when I'm putting crap on my face!





I know my question is kinda dumb, but I feel the need to ask it before I forget!What is the deal with expensive makeup?
They supposedly use purer pigments and higher quality ingredients.





More expensive eyeshadows and powders will have more pigment than filler (like talc). MAC eyeshadows have a lot of pigment, so you can apply a little and still get super bright colors. Eyeshadows with less pigment need more for the same color payoff and fade and get used up more quickly.





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Some brands are designed and priced for people who are prepared to pay more. They usually have the gorgeous stores with all their products in one place. The cheaper brands are more targeted to people who want quality makeup at a low price. These brands you'll find in a regular drugstore that lacks the more pricy, exciting atmosphere.





Free samples and testers


Department store brands will have counters where you can test out makeup, have your makeup done and get free sample versions.





Packaging


More expensive makeup comes in prettier, more chic packaging. Packaging can also affect the quality of the product. If the product is pressed too tightly, it can become harder to use. If a product is packed too tightly and then dropped, it can crack easily, and will make the application less even and creamy.





What kinds of makeup should you spend more on?





Lips


Lipglosses and lipsticks are about the same no matter the price. There might be slightly different ingredients used, but they all last and shine about the same. Try to get a lipgloss/lipstick that's moisturizing. My favorite lipglosses are by New York Color; they're cheap and come in pretty colors.





Eyes


For mascara, drugstore brands work as well as the kind you'll find in department stores. What you should look for in a mascara is a small brush that will reach every lash. Eyeliners are pretty much all the same. Eyeshadows you can mostly pick and choose between brands. Look for refined eyeshadows with more pigment if you want more color for less product (usually more expensive). Stay away from eyeshadows with a chalky texture.





Face


Foundations are worth the more expensive price. Higher priced foundations work on all kinds of skin tones and contain great ingredients that help the skin. The higher quality concealers are more expensive and have a better consistency. For powders and blush, expensive brands will have a more refined texture and will blend better.





So basically...





Things unrelated to the actual product, like advertising and packaging, will make an average quality product more expensive. Some cheaper brands are as good as higher priced brands in most types of makeup, but when it comes to foundations and any kind of powder, the more expensive brand is usually better. Shop smart, but keep in mind that skillful application can make most products look amazing.What is the deal with expensive makeup?
I thought the same thing for a long time. I didnt really think there could be that big of a difference. However, I finally tried it for myself and it really does! I use bare minerals and love it! Less break outs, covers better, and feels like nothing. I also have some of their eyeshadows. They are gorgeous and last longer. Mascara i think dosent make a difference. I just use Max Factor. And lip gloss is a fun every once in a while splurge item.
Let me tell you that I have used many makeup products over the years and I have found that the cheaper is generally better. If you have certain allergies or special needs due to skin problems then there are special kinds of makeup available to you at a bigger price. Go on the internet and visit www.elf.com it stands for (eyes, lips, face). This is a company that sells makeup for $1.00 and I first thought ....Yeah right! Well I bought some to try out and I love it! I especially love the brushes they sell. Take a look and see if you like it! It can't hurt! Good luck to you!
higher quality .. less break outs
I have always used the brands that you can buy at the drugstores such as walgreen's, target, etc....and I've also tried expensive makeup and I like the cheaper makeup BETTER than the expensive makeup they sell at the department stores. I think that you're paying for the experience, fancy packaging, etc at the department store. I have not broken out more with the cheaper kind...it all depends on what kind of skin you have for that factor.
i think its just a scam. the inexpensive brands work just as well.