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Temptalia Asks You - How big of a role does price play in your beauty purchases?

How big of a role does price play in your beauty purchases? Makes a huge difference? Not much?

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There are certain things out of my reach (y’know, like an $800 cream), but I don’t worry too much about price as I do about efficacy and whether I’ll like it or not. I also look at how many uses I’ll get out of it.

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39 Comments

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dolce aria Avatar

If its massively expensive, then yes, thats a major consideration. If i could take home a sample, to see if it was worth the money, then i might still buy it, if it was an item i could get a lot of use out of(IE foundation, or something used daily)

I’d pass if it was something that I really could only use a few times(like false eyelashes with feathers and rhinestones, or something), or a nail polish that I really couldn’t wear to work with the dress code, and thus would be limited in its usage.

Musingonbeauty Avatar

I have limits, I’d never put 250€ in a moisturizer or 100€ in an eyeshadow trio because I don’t feel like anything is actually worth that much. Plus that would be quite hard on my budget 🙂
Now for the rest it’s all about quality and results. My YSL mascara and my Chanel foundation are pricey, yes, but they work better for me than anything I have tried from the drugstore so I’m willing to pay that price.

Nancy Liedel Avatar

It depends. Do I perceive the purchase to be something I can get a lot of use out of? If it’s clothing, jewelry, shoes (yum), or makeup, can I use it for years? Mascara aside, cause I will spend the bucks for a limited time product, I have used lip brushes with lipsticks and still have some from 2000, that I can’t get anymore. These are good quality. I have some Playboy Lipgloss that I cannot find anywhere and am reluctant to toss the bottle, even though it’s hopelessly separated. I’m tempted to dupe the color at home, empty and sanitize and re-fill. Not sure how, but the color and bottle are unique.

Eye makeup only gets applied with a clean brush and NEVER if there’s pinkeye in the house. I have four boys 5-12 and they bring home pinkeye every year. I’m always on the watch for it. It there is even a question, no makeup for Nancy. I refuse to even think about it. I’m considering buying one-time-use Spoolies for my mascara that won’t dry up like a desert after three months. I own about $150.00 worth of mascara and to lose it…I could replace it, but I don’t want to. Some of it is wonderful. Some, ugh.

A great lipstick that is going off-market is now purchased in threes. Which means my YSL is going to set me back some, but oh well.

star_violet Avatar

In general, I would rather buy one high-end product that I love, than several low-priced items that are a bit “meh”. So I am happy to spend more and invest in products, within limits. The only times I will really splurge are on things like eyeshadow palettes that I know I will get a lot of use out of.

keerthamina Avatar

It plays a big role for me – I’m only just developing an interest in makeup, so I don’t want to splurge too much ’til I get a better sense of what I like and will use. When it comes to nail polish, though, I definitely know what my tastes are and what’s good quality, so I’m willing to pay higher prices more easily.

Torie Avatar

I’m thinking how to put this. Four years ago I would never have dreamed about paying over $15 for any makeup. Once I took the first step my price range has moved up quite a bit. $40 for foundation, $24 for l/s, l/g e/s and blush. I think $14 is a good price for these same things? Even my face care products have gone up quite a bit(Bliss). I still have a hard time though buying Dior or Guerlain but who knows maybe in a couple more years?

shatani Avatar

um, the biggest! there are lines that i dont buy because im just not willing to pay that much for a lip gloss or mascara, and i am always on the lookout for a sale. thats why the gilt and hautelook sites rock so much for me. and also the fairest.

maybe when im no longer a student i may venture towards pricier things, but i cant imagine so. it seems to me its more of a principle thing; like even if i DID have $50 to spend on a fancy mascara or lipstick or some such, i wouldnt. just doesnt FEEL right! lol

Lean Avatar

The price is not as important as the quality . I don’t care about the price much..i’m after the good product! ^___^
and even if the price is high..i’ll save money for that specific beauty product..

Anitacska Avatar

Not that much. I will still buy Guerlain make up and skincare products, and Chantecaille LE palettes, although I will really try to find them cheaper on eBay (so far so good :)). Fortunately I’m in the position where I don’t have to worry about spending £150 at the Mac counter in one go, but even I will draw the line at Creme de la Mer. 🙂

shontay Avatar

It doesn’t play a role for me at all. I’m willing to pay as long as it’s good. Actually, I don’t want to pay too little. I’m turned off by drugstore cosmetics. I start with mac as far as price points and I work my way up to chanel.

Tanna Avatar

I use to hunt for Mac drugstore dupes. Then I would hunt buy1get1 sales at the drugstore. Finally I realized, why am I paying $7.99 or $9.99 for two HIP eye shadows or two Revlon Lip glosses I kinda like. Drugstore prices are getting too high & their return policies are strict. So, why don’t I just pay $14.00 for that one Mac lipglass/eyeshadow that I really really really want. Sometimes I end up regretting a drugstore purchase…. but I RARELY regret a Mac purchase!

Miss_M Avatar

I totally agree with that. Prices of MAC and drugstore products are not that far apart. For example, I pay E12,- for a L’Oreal lipgloss and E16,- for a MAC lipglass, so I rather spend my money at MAC. I also find the displays and testers at drugstores gross and dirty and the packaging is in some cases rather flimsy and breaks easily.

Karenloveseyeshadow Avatar

Of course, if I am short of cash the price plays a big part. But also during more prosperous times, I do feel that paying much more than 15 USD for an eyeshadow or over 20 bucks for a lipstick is very rarely worth it. I never even look at the Chanel/Dior/etc stuff, because I know they’re too expensive for my liking. MAC prices are OK, if on the steep side – but then I love the brand so much, it’s worth it to me.

Miss_M Avatar

I do take price into consideration when I buy something. I really have to LOVE a product before I spend more than my personal budget but I refuse to spend E150,- euros on a fragrance or E200,- on a jar of moisturizer, no matter how great it is.

Jenny Avatar

As long as it’s under $100 (or around there) my main concern would be value and how much I use it. If a lipstick cost $50 and I plan to wear it every day, it’d be still a better deal than something that cost $15 that I was only fond of. The same logic is used by me to buy shoes/clothes as well.

Of course if the price is ridiculous or I can get something I like just as much (or more) for less, I’d go for that instead.

Sarah M Avatar

If I really like something and know it will work I will pay for it – if, of course, my funds allow me to do so. Having said that I’ve not yet come accross anything I’ve had to have that costs hundreds of pounds/dollars.

happybadfish Avatar

I think none, but the product has to live up to it’s expectations. So I wouldn’t buy something expensive unless I knew it was worth it. I don’t think I have purchased anything outrageously expensive.

BeckBeck Avatar

It varies. I’ll pay for things I know I love and will use up – for example, even though my cleanser is $30 a bottle and goes up every year, I’m committed to it until they stop making it. (Lancome Clarifiance, for the curious.)

For color cosmetics… I’m a little more cheap, haha. Mostly because I have bad makeup ADD and have never finished anything in my seven or so years of wearing makeup. I do own some Dior shadows, but I bought them with 20% Sephora coupons. These days my eye products are mostly MAC and my lipglosses/lipsticks vary – I have some drugstore glosses that I love, but I’ve also bought $24 gloss because I loved the color and how it felt on the lips.

tabby Avatar

Right now, my budget is going to be stretched quite tight. My place of employment is not giving raises for the third year in a row & my health insurance is going to go up considerably higher than last year. So, I have tighten up a bit. This will not stop me from buying the same brands I now buy, it will just make me be more selective about what I do buy. I will question whether I really need both those glosses, or if that eyeshadow is enough different from one I already have to justify buying it. I will be in a more “can this be duped with products I already have” mindset.

Charlene Daalling Avatar

At first I thought it didnt but I dont usually buy anything more expensive than MAC but I do love MUFE and UD. So I guess I do put limits but still treat myself from time to time. Probably more often than I should. 🙂

amy Avatar

Yes it plays a fairy big role, especially if it is over $50.00. I look at the quality and how many uses I get out of it. Most important, I look at how effective it is for me, especially in skin care.

Heather Avatar

Like many other users, I cannot justify spending an excessive amount on makeup products. However, the older I get I see the importance of investing in a product that may be a bit pricier, but a better quality. I will pay more for a better quality product, but I wont go overboard.

Constance Avatar

Cost plays a semi-major role. I do have my limits, but if its a really great product, Ill save and do without other items to buy it. My general rule of thumb is: The higher the price tag, the more I expect a great product and performance of that product. I dont get mad over $10 spent on an item I dont like…..I pass it on to my nieces. If I pay $50 for an item and it doesnt perform, I return it. Gotta love Sephora for their return policy. Im not afraid to spend in a major way there.

MakeupLover Avatar

Price IS important, esp when these MU companies are out to get you with the foo foo packaging.
We are all being duped, don’t you know that?
Do you honestly think the product inside the packaging is that different from name to name? Yeah, maybe a few items here & there, but not most!
Those who know anything about private label cosmetics know the truth.
The smart folks with the Name and the advertising, marketing, creative packaging and glitzy product will get you coming and going. You gals all fall for it one after another. Makes everyone of them rich.
Do your research, ladies!
I love this stuff as much as you all do, but I just save my $$.

Luisafer Avatar

Sometimes, when I can’t afford something too expensive I don’t, I know it’s better to get something a little bit more expensive that will be great and won’t damage my skin and won’t be a waste of money.

Liz Avatar

It depend,like i would pay for something that are good quality and work for me. I don’t mind splurge on it. But let say i won’t spend 50 dollars on a mascaras because it expire and dry out in a couple of months,so i don’t think it worth it.

Sass Avatar

Depends on the product like I will spend a lot more money on a blush because I have darker skin than an eyeshadow any day. I will spend more for my foundation where as I will cheap out on things like liners. Overall, I pay more most of the time than little (which isn’t often) for my makeup and beauty products. I wish I didn’t have to. *shrugs*

Chiara Avatar

It plays a certain role, I won’t buy anything that too expensive, like a $300 moisturizer or a $50 lipgloss. I can spend a lot on beauty products, but only if they are from a good brand/good quality. That’s why I will only very rarely splurge on Dior/Chanel makeup because I just think they’re too expensive for what you get.

Emm Avatar

Depends on what it is and how much I like it and how often I will use it. Because I will pay extra for a good moisturizer, but not lipstick or mascara. I will pay the extra money for higher end brands for eye shadows because most of them are more pigmented than cheaper versions. Though I also take packaging into account, because though I love YSL/Dior/Chanel I feel like I am paying more for packaging than quality or amount of product.

Nicci Avatar

I will pay more for skin care products. I don’t spend as much on mascara, eye-shadow, and blush. I do spend more on foundation. But I have my limits. I won’t spend $400 on moisturizer, that just seems too crazy for me. The skin care products I use now are high end brands but I finally found a brand that makes my skin happy so it is worth the money.

xiulan Avatar

I will pay a bit more for skin care products if they are working. As far as makeup I will pay a bit more for foundation and powder, but for mascara I may not. MAC items I will pay a bit more for also.

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