Bargain Beauty – Going Drugstore, Generic Beauty, and Learning When to Save
Posted On: 05/21/08
Posted in: Drugstore Brands
One of the few things I miss about southern California is CVS/Pharmacy, which is a national drugstore chain, but there just aren’t many locations (I think there is just one or two) in northern California.ﾃあ Let me first rave about CVS’ fabulous return policy–all beauty products are refundable, any time, no matter what; there is a 100% money back guarantee on all beauty products.ﾃあ This is one of the crucial reasons why I have preferred shopping at a department store beauty counter, because I could try and not worry about whether or not I can return.ﾃあ Well, times are changing, and CVS has made it easier to go drugstore by making returns easy as pie.
Why should you go store brand?
These days, CVS is coming out with their versions of so many popular items, and of course, they are always just a bit cheaper than the name brand.ﾃあ If there is anything I’ve learned from my dad, it’s that generic doesn’t mean worse, it means savings.ﾃあﾃあ Aside from coming out with generic alternatives to popular name brand products, CVS comes out with new products as well, like Continuous Spray Aloeﾃあand Aftersun Cloth Wipes.
The store brand use similar/identical ingredients that are of the same quality as the name brand, but often for 20 to 30% less in price.ﾃあﾃあWhat’s cool about CVS is that they haveﾃあemployees called beauty advisors that are trained to help you choose the right beauty products.ﾃあ Have you been to the drugstore beauty aisles lately?ﾃあ They are growing!ﾃあ There are so many brands in the market, and it isﾃあso difficultﾃあ(not to mention overwhelming) to figure out what’s worth trying or what may work best for you.
Personally, I always opt for store brand for many of my beauty essentials like cotton balls, swabs, polish remover,ﾃあmakeup removing wipes, etc.ﾃあ Even on my non-beauty items, I’ll always hunt for the store brand!ﾃあ I use Neosporin all of the time, but it’s pricey, so I opt for the store brand to save a few bucks.ﾃあ I have pretty nasty allergies come spring, and although I used name brand allergic medicine for years, I’ve finally taken the plunge to store brand, and can you believe it?ﾃあ They work just as well.
And hey, if it doesn’t impress you?ﾃあ Return or exchange it.ﾃあ No problem says CVS!
What are your drugstore staples?ﾃあ When do you save?ﾃあ When do you splurge?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I absoutley adore St. Ives Clay Firming Mask. I have not found a mask out there that can compare to it. It only cost about $3.99 and it is truly worth it.
Kathleena
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Nice! I’ll have to try this.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I’ve always equated cost with quality, and therefore go for name brands. But, some store brands are stepping up the quality on their products – finally. Shopper’s Drug Mart (in Canada) has a house brand of cosmetics, and their brushes are actually pretty great!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hey Vee! I agree, once upon a time, drugstore brands definitely weren’t bringing it… but I think they have (but then again, a LOT of prices have gone up, too!).
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
My drugstore staples are usually face wash and cotton balls! :)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cotton balls! Me too!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ugh. Cotton balls. Keep those things away from me!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I love everything drugstore :) CVS, Walgreens, wherever. CVS even carries lots of great beauty product generics; even a generic alternative to the Olay Definity line, which is super pricey for a drugstore brand – lol! But they always have fantastic savings and awesome sales on makeup, too… for those of us that buy it.
I’d NEVER equate cost to quality (without proper research), especially when drugstore stuff like Olay Regenerist has out-performed some higher-end skincare lines. But I guess that’s just how I am. :)
I could go on forever, buuut I’ll stop here! Hehe.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I love CVS!! :D
Tell us some of your faves for drugstore, c’mon! GO ON!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I LOVE CVS!!! Their Essence of Beauty Non Oily Eye Makeup remover is my HG! Never irritating or too greasy! Plus, only $4.99, I pick up 3 bottles of it up at a time. The Essence of Beauty line of make up brushes are pretty good too. Another good line of drugstore make up brushes are the Walgreens ones…they are actually made by Japonesque for Walgreens.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Nice, Tammy! I’m so glad you’re lovin’ the Essence of Beauty line. Makes me so sad there isn’t a CVS up here.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
just one of the reasons I love CVS! the Extrabucks program is my #1 reason, though.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Gosh, you guys are making me miss CVS SO BADDDDD!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I’m a Walgreens gal myself. I got a lot of my makeup there. Right now, I live in an area WITHOUT Sephora or MAC anywhere to be seen. Which makes me ever so sad. So, I either have to buy my makeup online, or at the drugstore. Either is good!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ohh, that sucks, Trisha :( There aren’t too many Walgreens nearby. It’s pretty much Longs for me. But by nearby, I mean, within 2 miles, LOL. I know we have Rite Aid, Longs, & Walgreens in my area.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I can’t complain, I got EVERYTHING near me. I live 5 mins away from a mall w/ Sephora and other brands, and at work the building next to me has a CVS and across the street is Macy’s. But can’t you believe it, they don’t carry MAC!!! I guess it’s better that they don’t since I already head over there anytime I get bored or have a bad day (for a little pick me up) =)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
LOL, you lucky duck!!
I’m surprised there’s no MAC in your Macy’s though ;P
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
hey christine, i always buy CVS versions of facial wash. i just did a post about surviving allergies and makeup… check it out ;)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Thanks, will do, Kia!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I’m realizing this more and more as I get older and presumably wiser…. My must buy’s include: Albolene (makeup remover) I absolutely love the stuff, Queen Helene’s Mint Julip (sp?) Mask, Epsom Salts (to soak in), Cover Girl Volume Exact mascara…. Unfortunately, I don’t have a CVS in my area, we have a Fred Meyer, but I prefer Target…but anything like aspirin, swabs, cotton pads, drugs, i buy all store brand and generic…
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Awesome! It took me awhile, but I’m finally convinced to opt generic for a lot of things, if and when I can. Especially when there’s a huge price difference!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I WORK AT CVS!!! AHHHH!!!
i abuse my employee discount constantly (20% off regular brand, 30% off of cvs brand)! honestly though, the products are priced about 10-20% than what you might find at target or walmart. however, cvs brand products are very good and are pretty cheap too. essence of beauty and lumene have some pretty sweet brushes. but yeah cvs brand products are basically the exact same as the name brand but 1-2 dollars cheaper. i always go cvs brand though because of my discount
i talk alot. anyway if you ever need someone to review some drug store products, i’m your girl! since i’m always there i have no problem buying something and returning it if i don’t like it. i just bought some covergirl eyeshadows that are new today- one looks like golden lemon pigment and the other reminds me of freshwater. they are so pretty and only 3.49! add my discount and my 2.00 off coupon and that equals…cheap lol. anyway…just fyi. i’d be happy to test stuff for you…i know i signed up for that thing you sent out.
did i mention i talk alot? sorry. i just ate a caffinated snickers bar i found at cvs. weird, right? but it totally works!
oh, and remember cvs has a 100% money back garuntee on all beauty products! don’t like it? bring it back!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hey Sara!! :)
LOL, I think I can tell you are loaded on caffeine! But yes, I’m getting the test panel stuff together and will be talking to all those involved soon!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cover Girl VolumeExact mascara–it’s my HG mascara. CVS is kind of my major pick-me-up place, what with their return policy and everything. And they’re everywhere in the northeast!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
That’s a great mascara :) I was a big LashExact fan for awhile.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
i love CVS.if your looking for some great BRUSHES…look out for Essence of Beauty. they are great and a whole set would only cost you $10!!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
I’ve heard great things about this line!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I got the E.O.B brushes, the “crease” set and they are great. It comes with a blending brush, and a smaller one which is comparable to the MAC 219!! And I think the set was $4 or something.
Also, they don’t have them at every CVS but the Lumene eyeshadows are really nice! They are wet/dry with pretty decent payoff, and using them with the mixing medium makes them stick around. I got one the other night which is basically a dupe for Seedy Pearl. =D
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Awesome to hear, Trace! Good to know we have so many CVS fans :)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I moved from Northern California to Virginia a few months ago and one of the things that I DO love about being in VA is CVS! They have all SORTS of beauty products. They’re cheaper than at other places, and they’re always stocked up.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I don’t know why we don’t have CVS up here, man!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
OMG How could I forget the brushes they sell?! Dirt cheap and good quality. I bought the set of two crease brushes and I use them daily.
Friday, February 27, 2009
never use CVSbrand eye make-up remover it’s very strong and stings your eyes and it made my eyes all red and swollen