When it comes to beauty products, makeup is quite obviously a highly personalized choice, and most people will naturally have a brand or a range of choices. Product choice can be quite diverse, with popular choices ranging from high production or ‘mass market’ brands to more expensive higher-end products.
So, does price and branding really matter, or are all makeups born equal? Here are a few thoughts on the real and perceived differences between that drugstore option and the high-end retail choice.
Ingredients and raw materials
Firstly, there should be enough evidence to support the contention that some stunningly achievable looks can be created with mass-market products.
That being said, a deeper dive into the actual base ingredients that make up that product reveals that these raw materials can be sourced from a wide range of countries and typically comprise both naturally occurring and synthesized ingredients.
As a general rule, the more mass-produced makeup product relies more upon synthesized ingredients across their product range.
By comparison, a higher-end or boutique makeup and beauty product range such as artdeco will often be typified by higher quality ingredients and perhaps more unique formulations, which often form the ‘hallmark’ of the brand.
A premium brand will also employ synthetic ingredients in their formulations, but this is often accompanied by more costly laboratory and chemistry technologies, and this leads to the next point.
Products with the same active ingredient may perform differently
Two different makeup products may both contain the same active ingredient, but the results achieved by the two products may vary. In some cases, the actual quantity of the active ingredient in the product may be the cause. In other cases, the formulation – the mix of other ingredients in the formulation may be the cause of differences between the two products.
The bottom line is that this can often spell the difference between a makeup that is easier to apply, provides better color and coverage, or doesn’t clump as much.
In this sense, perhaps not all makeups are born equal.
Paying for brand name and packaging
While higher-end makeup brands will generally use better quality ingredients, a potential downside is that, in some cases, the buyer is paying an inflated price due to more expensive packaging and/or the ‘prestige’ of a brand name.
It should be pointed out that neither of these factors actually go onto the wearer’s face or skin!
In some cases, the exact same look can be achieved with a cheaper mid-range product, or even a cheaper product whose only limitation is that it may not bear up as well in ‘extended wear’ situations, longer hours, or in harsh conditions of extreme heat or light, like a TV studio.
The verdict
Like most beauty products, makeup choice is highly personalized, and it is also highly subjective. In that sense, no two people are alike. There are both pros and cons for mass-market brands and for higher-end products alike.
At the end of the day, the best suggestion is to experiment a little and try a few options before deciding what feels right. Or, more importantly, what makes you feel right.