Drugstore or High-End - What's the difference?

You may have heard these terms thrown around from time to time. You may have thought to yourself, is there a difference between the two? Well, you've come to the right place. A place where you questions have answers!

Basic Definition:

Drugstore - Products that can be bought from supermarkets or pharmacies like Coles, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse and have various other goods available for purchase.

High-End - Products that can be purchased from Mega Makeup Stores and their sole focus is to sell quality cosmetics

Another question you might ask is, is there REALLY a difference in quality?

Well, lets dive into the answers now!

The easiest and quickest answer is - it's not about the product its about how you use it. When I say that I mean you can find great products in Priceline that are better than products you might buy in Mecca. Now, in no way am I saying their products are bad, because there are SO many factors to what makes the perfect range of make up products for you.

If you compare the ingredients, they may have the same ingredients listed on the back of the product and you might think, well why would I buy something that costs me $60-$80 when I can buy the same for $20? Well, yes you can buy the $20 product, however the identical ingredients listed on the high-end product may vary in terms of how concentrated the product is and the quality of the product. What I mean is, you can have silicons that are produced in other countries, or they can be synthesised in laboratories, which will affect the outcome. That is just a vague idea of the difference in ingredients, but it is the basis for every other ingredient when comparing drugstore to high-end.

Some products can have the same outcome when applied, for some people they prefer high-end because they believe it to be higher quality, which can be true, but at the end of the time it's all chemicals and it will affect your skin in the long-term unless you use all natural products. High-end companies generally have a high percentage mark up, so to produce a product and advertising and all that comes with it, it may cost them $20 but to make a profit they will mark it up to $85 and make a whopping profit of $65. Which is HUGE! Its the same with drugstore products, but there mark up percentage is much lower. I don't know the exact mark ups, but the high-end definitely make a higher profit but drugstore have quick profit.

There are certain things that I prefer to buy from high-end retailers and vice versa.

My MUST haves

Drugstore

- Rimmell Stay Matte Powder

- Mascaras

- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

- Blushes

- Chi Chi Brow Pomade

High-End

- MAC Studio Fix Foundation

- Bronzers & Contours (generally not as muddy and sheer)

- Eyeshadow pallettes (can find some pigmented ones in drugstore also)

- Highlighters (Inglot Body & Face Dust in 02 AH-MAZING)

- Stila Eyeliner (more pigmented and opaque)

- Skin care products

- Primers

I have found a few products that I just don't think I could go back to drugstore and some that I find that aren't really worth it to buy high-end.

At the end of the day, it's what best suits your skin type and what fits in your budget, if you find drugstore best suits your needs then fantastic, it doesn't matter what people say are amazing because it may be amazing for them but might be a bust for you.

So as amazing as the ads may seem, always test them out in store or get a sample and find out before committing to it, as we know cosmetics are non refundable once opened.

I know, this wasn't as informative as my other blogs, but I have heard this question a few times and thought it would be great timing to write this blog!

As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments below and if you have any topics you'd like me to write about!

xx