http://www.nbc5i.com/money/4487268/detail.html

Expert: Bargain Cosmetics As Good As Pricey Products

Dermatologist Says Price Not Equal To Quality

DALLAS -- Women spend a pretty penny on high-end cosmetics, but a North Texas dermatologist recommends bargain beauty products found at the local drug store.

"I think it can sort of be akin to buying a first class ticket on an airline. It's nice, comfortable, feels good, have good service, but in the end, you get to the same place," said Dr. Sarah Weitzul, a dermatologist at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.

Weitzul sent an NBC 5 crew to two high-end department stores and a Walgreens to compare four products.

Before taxes, the crew spent a total of $319 at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus and $42.26 at Walgreens.

Weitzul compared the ingredients and offered her take on which products were better. She compared Oil of Olay Complete Defense with SPF 30 -- $13.99 for 2.5 ounces -- with Lancome's Absolue SPF 15 -- $100 for 1.7 ounces.

Weitzul said Oil of Olay was better than Lancome Absolue because it had a higher SPF.

Next, Weitzul compared a daily cleanser that claims to remove makeup. The dermatologist compared Oil of Olay's Daily Facials -- $5.29 for 30 cloths -- to Chanel's cleansing foam at $35.

"I'm sure it smells great and it is probably a good cleanser," she said of Chanel's product. "I just don't think there is a lot of value."

For a basic moisturizer, Weitzul compared L'Oreal's product -- $9.99 for 2.5 ounces -- with Creme de la Mer -- $110 for 1 ounce.

"It probably costs a lot to manufacture, but I'm not sure the customer really sees that benefit," she said.

Finally, Weitzul tested face firming cream from L'Oreal and Lancome.

L'Oreal's Revitalift sells for $12.99 for 1.7 ounces and Chanel's Renergie Microlift costs $74 for 1.7 ounces.

Weitzul said the cheaper product is the better one.

Overall, Weitzul stresses that some of the high-end products do come with high-end service and most of the time, fancier packaging. Many have additional ingredients and fragrances that also add to the price.

I figured this out on my own. After I stopped working and had to live on only my husband's income, I became a bargain shopper. I used to buy only Estee Lauder, Lancome or Chanel products at Filene's or Macy's.

I then turned to Revlon, Aveeno and other products at my local Walgreens or CVS. They run great sales too. 'Buy One, Get One Free', things like that.

No difference whatsoever. I have a strict facial care regime, and my makeup always looks great.

I agree with that, though some makeup brands are cheap and look like crap.

I agree with that, though some makeup brands are cheap and look like crap.
Most definitely. The real low price ones are crap, yet the higher-end ones like Revlon, Loreal, Neutrogena or Almay really do the trick.

Most definitely. The real low price ones are crap, yet the higher-end ones like Revlon, Loreal, Neutrogena or Almay really do the trick.
:nod: I like Max Factor too.

I work for CVS so I get all my makeup there DISCOUNT WOOHOO LOL the only one I refuse to use is Covergirl that stuff is so cheap it's pathetic, none of it ever lasts on me.

I work for CVS so I get all my makeup there DISCOUNT WOOHOO LOL the only one I refuse to use is Covergirl that stuff is so cheap it's pathetic, none of it ever lasts on me.

same here

Yeah, I've known this for years. The real ripoffs are Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Channel, etc.. I have to admit though, I still buy my Clinique because I like the way the blush and foundation go on, but the rest, I'll use drug store brands. I also always make sure I buy anything Clinque while there's a bonus on so you get your money's worth! ;)

A couple more years, and I'll just be using spackle and poly-filla for my foundation anyway!! A good sandblasting, and I'll be set! ;)

I buy whatever I think looks nice and works. I like the Almay foundation I bought (which I bought simply because it was for acne-prone skin), better than the Clinique stuff I had. I use Maybelline powder, Neutrogena and Avon blush, Avon eyeliner, Avon and Almay eyeshadow. And I have so many different mascaras it's ridiculous. Cover Girl, Clinique (I got that free :D ), and Maybelline.

I always believed in testing different brands of cosmetics instead of just jumping to buy the expensive stuff because its supposedly better.I use Max Factor most,but I used to buy Clinique,and MF is cheaper and more to my liking.

I work for CVS so I get all my makeup there DISCOUNT WOOHOO LOL the only one I refuse to use is Covergirl that stuff is so cheap it's pathetic, none of it ever lasts on me.
Oh, totally agreed!

I like Christian Dior cosmetics and skincare products, everything is really good quality. Probably my favorite of all the high-end cosmetics. I think it's worth it to spend a lot on makeup if it's good stuff, I've never had any luck with drugstore cosmetics. Especially Covergirl, their smoothers foundation goes on disgusting and does not last, which is probably a good thing because it looks bad.

You can also get good bargains with high-end brands, I just bought Lancome hairspray and got a free cute makeup bag with eyeshadow, lip gloss, mascara, and wrinkle creams (which I don't need since I'm young but ya). All for only one hairspray bottle, the makeup is smaller sized but it's still cool. Estee Lauder also has those if you buy perfume, you get a free makeup bag.

You can also get good bargains with high-end brands, I just bought Lancome hairspray and got a free cute makeup bag with eyeshadow, lip gloss, mascara, and wrinkle creams (which I don't need since I'm young but ya). All for only one hairspray bottle, the makeup is smaller sized but it's still cool. Estee Lauder also has those if you buy perfume, you get a free makeup bag.

Clinique does that a lot. In one weekend, my mom and I got some moisturizer, two small bottles of Happy, two tubes of mascara/lip gloss, and a couple other things, all as a free gift. The perfume alone will last years.