What kind of products or brands are you NOT willing to pay more for?

I tend to steer away from very high-priced cleansers and SPF, as cleansers don’t stay on the skin long and go down the drain quickly, while I want to make sure I feel comfortable using as much SPF as actually needed vs. the feeling of rationing because the product is so expensive.

— Christine

11 Comments

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Penny Avatar

I’m with you Christine on cleansers…..lots of lower priced brands that are great and get the job done…With sunscreens, for my face I like a really good one that lays well under foundation but for my body I can’t rationalize spending top dollar for the amount of product it takes to cover the body….I use an inexpensive one for that! Also I find that drugstore mascara works just as well if not better than top shelf ones….

Nancy T Avatar

Because we have The Ordinary, Inkey List and Good Molecules, all of my serums minus my eye serum, toners, and the like. Also, like yourself and for the same reasons: cleansers (including makeup remover wipes) and all of my SPF products.
Also, all my brow products and mascara, most of my lip products are 20-ish or a little under, since there’s plenty of really great ones that are mid to low end. Plus, those have more of a tendency to go “off” eventually.

Helena Avatar

I agree about cleansers. There are some people that talk about how certain ones are so great, even “a joy to use,” but like…I do not enjoy washing my face regardless. A nice smell or fun foam is not going to make it any less annoying that I now have a bunch of water all over myself and the sink.
Also, clear lip gloss. I will go for ones that smell a certain way (the very popular Essence lip gloss had a berry? scent I can’t stand), but certainly not for one that costs more than $10.

Genevieve Avatar

There’s quite a few products that I am not willing to pay more for and that I actively look to purchase only when on sale. These include:
Makeup – Eyebrow pencil, Mascara, Setting powder, Lipstick and foundation
Skincare: Cleanser, Argon Oil (The Ordinary), Daily Moisturisers, Serums and even Night Moisturisers.
I tend to ‘stock up’ on skincare when its on sale.

Brenda Avatar

I put my money in the middle – serums & treatments. I don’t spend a lot of money on cleansers. I just want them to cleanse gently. Same with moisturizer – just moisturize. I don’t want actives in my cleanser or moisturizer.

Oliwia Avatar

Would you feel comfortable sharing the personal reasons you don’t want to support them?
I find their charity business model not adding up and not transparent but I haven’t found info about any particular controversies. I still prefer to donate directly than via overpriced cosmetics.

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