How do you justify a beauty product’s price? Are there certain prices you’ll pay? Certain prices you won’t?
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I buy what inspires me, in a sense. If there’s a beauty product that really excites me, I’ll probably buy it. Sometimes if it’s very pricey, I’ll think on it and see if I still want it in a few days. If I do, then I’ll buy it.
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I do believe that some items are worth it to spend, so I don’t mind and won’t think twice. I spent $28.50 for Too Faced Retractable Kabuki brush, it’s kinda expensive for brush, but for the quality, I won’t complain 🙂
If it’s more than I wanted to pay, but I really want it, I’ll use a modified version of the Cost Per Wear principle with clothing. The more often I’ll use it, the cheaper it becomes. So it’s not SO expensive for a good brush I’ll use all the time, or a product I find myself reaching for almost every day.
i totally agree! if i use something a few times a week, it turns out to not be so expensive!
plus if it’s too pricey to seem worth it, i look around for cheaper alternatives!
These days, now that I have my MAC brushes, I don’t spend more than
i don’t have like a certain price range for my cosmetics, gut i wont buy one when the price is absolutely ridiculous (like the $90 powders from HK kouture)!
i argee with ya emma thats 60 pounds far too steep 🙁
I’ve been pretty good last few years but if I do buy something very pricey its either around my birthday or Christmas as a present to myself.
It really depends on what it is, the quality of it, and how often I will use it. For example I just bought Nars Duo Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush for $37. Though for me it’s $$$, it’s worth it because I use it all the time and the pigmentation is great.
Typically, because I have so much and really know what works for me, if I see something I LOVE I buy it regardless of price. It doesn’t happen very often anymore, however. I buy something maybe once or twice a month.
I’ve always been into beauty products but some how in the last 3 months I turned into a beauty junky. Here is the guidelines under which I make my purchases:
skin care: spare no expense
foundation: spare no expense
lipgloss: shop for bargains
lipstick: shop for bargains
mascara: I’m always looking for the best new mascara so it depends (right now its BE Buxom Lash…it’s the bomb)
eyeshadow: depends
eyeline pencils: black (ill pay some money) other colors: bargain shop
blush: I’m just venturing in to blush and I’m trying to figure out whats the best route for this one.
brushes: depends
nails: I have great nails if I do say so myself — OPI isn’t that expensive so I would say that’s a bargain.
body: ranges…I like bath and Body and Carol’s Daughter…I buy more at B&W since it’s easily accessible so I would say I save money in this area.
i completely agree!!!
foundations, powders, concealers and blushes – i’ll spend any amount.
but when it comes down to lip products and eyepencils – bargain shopping is the way i go.
as far as eyeshadow, it really depends on the quality, texture and color payoff – i’m open-minded.
mascara – easy, drugstore often carries the best anyway, imo.
Like Christine if a product really, really excites me then I have to have it. Things like beauty products rarely go over a certain amount anyway (unless it’s creme de la mer etc).
If it’s really pricey like YSL’s summer collector powders for
i do my research. is there any other product like it? can i get something just as good or better at a comparable price? as far as makeup goes, im pretty loyal to mac so i have to check and see if mac carries the same shade. if my research fails or trial-and-error fails, i break down and make the purchase.
The only thing i really don’t mind spending a lot on is on facial moisturizers and i justify the high prices at times by telling myself that it will cost me way more when im older if i dont take care of my skin from now because then i would probably be using botox at an earlier age and spending more.
I try not to spend so much on makeup, at least not for one or two items. Depending on what it is I feel like paying over 10 bucks for some beauty products is crazy.
I spend a lot of money on beauty. I won’t pay a lot for mascara. I only buy plushlash. I think spending 30 dollars on something I know has a 3 month shelflife bothers me.
I’m loyal to Mac so I don’t have an issue justifying purchases there.
I also buy from sephora and utlize the exchange policy if I’m dissatisfied. That helps me decide what I will try knowing I’m not stuck with it if it isn’t right.
I have not been able to justify that HK compact though.
I saw a Rockin Republic crystal compact in allure for 228 USD. Someone must buy those.. I just can’t.
body scrub for $65!!! i mean fresh brown sugar body polish is like insane expensive…though i found spending on origins microderma abrasion stuff was worth every penny…
Mascaras…i can’t buy very expensive stuff…
hair and skin care: it depends. I spend an average of $225 every 8 weeks on deep conditioning treatments and other hair care necessities. I use a basic face wash and witch hazel for my skincare. So, I’m flexible.
mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss: save. I will not spend over $10 for these products. These products spoil the fastest (e.g. liquid liner) and I can’t justify spending more than $10.
powder and eye shadow: it depends. I’ll go cheap (WnW) and I’ll consider mid-range (MAC), if the product’s good.
I like buying nice makeup, MAC, Lancome, Clinique, Smashbox. I work for Lancome so I get quite a bit for free, which usually gets me free skincare and basic color, and I buy trend makeup with my discount. i never buy anything from Chanel, Dior, Bobbi or Shiseido because those are just so expensive. I have splurged on NARS but once in a great while. I love makeup and I love buying new and trendy pieces. I do have my limits, the only expensive thing I bought was the Clarisonic brush with the Sephora F&F discount last year. Other then that I will not spend more then $50 on makeup or skincare. That’s my limit! And only buy stuff when I have an extra discount!
it depends, i just started buying make ups but the more i research and read reviews the more i learn. i would always search for dupes and great deals! but once in a while i treat myself.. if it’s too expensive i’d tell myself “that’s 5 hours of work”. 🙂
For me, it really depends on the product. For items like skincare or foundation, when I find one I really love, regardless of price, that works on my sensitive skin I’m all about it.
For mascaras I typically do bargain. I’ve been enjoying Maybelline mascara for awhile now.
I use a lot of Nixie for lipsticks, lipglosses, and eyeshadows. I get the pro discount, so they’re very affordable AND good quality and color pay off. I don’t think you can really put a budget on a good quality product.
I feel that skin products are worth the money. Eye shadow, Blush, Foundation and Primer if it’s what I want. Everything else not really. I don’t see spending a lot of money on a mascara or nails.
For me its about the quality of a product not so much about how much it costs. For instance if I can shop at Sephora (Sephora brand name) for mascara or foundation rather than purchasing at Dior I will. However if the products qualtity is wonderful yet it is expensive I would also buy.
Don’t be fooled by the cost of a product. Test the product. Try it out. Determine the quality of the product. I find that if you do this with everything you purchase you will come out on top!
Honestly, I kind of wing it. I have some loose rules (splurge on foundation, save on lipgloss, that kind of thing) but even those can be broken. I broke down and got an HK Kouture dazzleglass (in dazzlepuss) and I must say I completely adore it. I love Hello Kitty and this lipgloss has the best color payoff and texture of any I’ve ever worn. That being said though, it means I’ll be spending less on makeup for awhile. In general, I like to have a makeup budget and view expensive purchases as replacing more numerous cheap ones.
It varies for me as well like many other posters but here’s my rundown:
Skincare: NO WAY. I read Paula’s Choice Beautypedia and more importantly, talk to my dermatologist. I do not spend a ton of money here at all because I firmly believe most of the marketing claims are lies. I am fanatical about my skin care routine and have rosacea. Skincare is highly personal, but La Mer conning women into buying Mineral Oil well into the hundreds of dollars is marketing magic.
Staples: I’m addicted to Dior’s Skinflash – it’s $35 and I use it under my eyes all the time so I have to replace this quite a bit but its a HG for me.
Mascara: I used to be a Chanel-only girl but then my husband lost his job so I switched to CG Lashblast and MF Lash Perfection. They are fine but I miss Chanel.
Foundation: I don’t think I’ve ever spent more 65 dollars but I probably would. I use about 7 different ones depending on the look I want. A lot of the reason why I’ve never bought one of the premium brands is that here in NYC, I find most of the customer service horrible.
Everything else I apply the frequency of use method. I have over 200 lipsticks so buying one from Cle de Peau for $55 doesn’t seem reasonable. I love eyeshadow palettes and use those a lot; for a good palette, I’ll spend a lot. Blush is hard – if I love it, I’ll buy it no matter what – I only have 7 in my rotation that I truly love. I adore lipglosses; I used to not hesitate to spend $35 on one but now, I’ve scaled back.
I figure, if I love the product and it works for me, then that justifies the price.
For me it really depends on what it is. If it’s skincare items, I justify prices based on how well the products work for me. if it’s cosmetics, it usually depends on the company and whether or not I believe I am getting good value. I believe you get what you pay for in most cases, and if you expect a higher quality item you ought to be willing to pay a little extra for it.
Questions I will ask myself: Does it work? Can I find a cheaper alternative or is it really unique? How often will I be using this? and finally, if I don’t like it, CAN I RETURN IT!! haha..
If i want something i will buy it esp if its limited edition as its worth for the quality but most times its rater wants then needs …oops!!! i just spend over
I used to not spend a lot of money on cosmetics but within the last year that has changed. The two brands I have the most of are from La Mer and Sisley. I have some from Chanel, Lancome, Dior, Clarins, NARS, Shu Uemura. With foundation, cleanser, moisturizer I don’t mind spending more. Everything else – I don’t really care. I wouldn’t spend $50 on lip gloss. The founation I have now is the best one for me – oil-free and lasts all day. It was not cheap though – $110 Sisley.
If it totally calls out to me and I can’t stop thinking about it, I’ll buy it without looking at the price. Other than that… I usually buy just when I need something.
I alway say “buy eyeshadow last forever…so who cares if i buy another purple” lol that’s my reasoning and i’m sticking to it…powder never goes bad haha
Yes, I feel the same. I have learn that the brushes and e/s lasts longer than the other products. So why spend 20.00 dollars on lipstick/lip glosses etc. Tho I did pass some lip gloss at macys ( bobby brown) and I was like hey whats this, and if I do decide to purchase any beauty item over 20.00 Im gonna make damn sure its something I will get my moneys worth lol. I could work the hell out of a lipstick that cost 1.99 you just have to do your research and find cheaper products that work well.
What justifies a price for me is if it really stands out and gets my attention. Also If I love the product or if I’m really excited and obsess about a product.
I usually don’t go over 15 bucks per product(excluding Special edition Sets/palettes, brushes and foundation). Like Dazzleglass, I’d splurge because i love that stuff. And I bought one creamsheen gloss because it stood out and was different for me. I feel more than 15 is too much for anything.
I see it, I want it, I buy it!
Sadly, here in NZ nearly all high end makeup brands (eg Chanel, Dior, Estee Lauder, etc) are around the $45 – $55 a lipstick/gloss because of the exchange rate. So that’s pretty standard for me, as sad as that is for my wallet. Oh, and MAC is only available in specific high end dept. stores in Auckland and Wellington, though we have Napoleon, Chanel, etc nearly everywhere.