Posted on 05/15/2005 8:52:34 AM PDT by tuffydoodle
Expert: Bargain Cosmetics As Good As Pricey Products Dermatologist Says Price Not Equal To Quality
DALLAS -- Women spend a pretty penny on high-end cosmetics, but a North Texas dermatologist recommends bargain beauty products found at the local drug store.
"I think it can sort of be akin to buying a first class ticket on an airline. It's nice, comfortable, feels good, have good service, but in the end, you get to the same place," said Dr. Sarah Weitzul, a dermatologist at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.
Weitzul sent an NBC 5 crew to two high-end department stores and a Walgreens to compare four products.
Before taxes, the crew spent a total of $319 at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus and $42.26 at Walgreens.
Weitzul compared the ingredients and offered her take on which products were better. She compared Oil of Olay Complete Defense with SPF 30 -- $13.99 for 2.5 ounces -- with Lancome's Absolue SPF 15 -- $100 for 1.7 ounces.
Weitzul said Oil of Olay was better than Lancome Absolue because it had a higher SPF.
Next, Weitzul compared a daily cleanser that claims to remove makeup. The dermatologist compared Oil of Olay's Daily Facials -- $5.29 for 30 cloths -- to Chanel's cleansing foam at $35.
"I'm sure it smells great and it is probably a good cleanser," she said of Chanel's product. "I just don't think there is a lot of value."
For a basic moisturizer, Weitzul compared L'Oreal's product -- $9.99 for 2.5 ounces -- with Creme de la Mer -- $110 for 1 ounce.
"It probably costs a lot to manufacture, but I'm not sure the customer really sees that benefit," she said.
Finally, Weitzul tested face firming cream from L'Oreal and Lancome.
L'Oreal's Revitalift sells for $12.99 for 1.7 ounces and Chanel's Renergie Microlift costs $74 for 1.7 ounces.
Weitzul said the cheaper product is the better one.
Overall, Weitzul stresses that some of the high-end products do come with high-end service and most of the time, fancier packaging. Many have additional ingredients and fragrances that also add to the price
When the Estee Lauder folks realized they were losing the younger market (that young upwardly mobile gals didn't want to use the "old fashion" products their mothers & grandmothers used) they launched Lancome....and when the decided to capture some of that lower ticket drug store cosmetics market they launched L'Oreal.
No difference whatsoever. I have a strict facial care regime, and my makeup always looks great.
It has been a known marketing fact for many years. If you want to sell more of a make-up product, raise the price.
I like the books, "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without me". Stopped me from buying alot of Estee Lauder products, except for the perfume Private Collection. It's my favorite!
My mother-in-law wears Private Collection and has for as long as it's been around. I buy her three bottles a year (Christmas, birthday and Mother's Day). Estee does have some nice fragances. My daughter loves 'Beautiful'.
Lancome and Loreal are the same company but not Estee Lauder. The first two are french but estee lauder is a competitor and american.
oops....you're right! I just remembered it was Clinique that Estee Lauder launched to corner the 'younger' market.
I traded my make-up down, too. I used to use Clinique and Lancome. I started using Neutrogena foundation and powder when they came out, and I found them superior to Clinique. (I had long been using Neutrogena skin-care products.) I use L'Oreal mascara and Almay eye-liner. Oh, I do still like Clinique eye-shadow, though- and I love Lancome lipstick (love their reds), but I barely wear it and L'Oreal does have the passable substitute.
I like Physicians Formula eye shadow. Alot of the other brands are really shiny but Physicians Formula is mat, no shine at all. These 43 year old eyelids can't handle shine.
That's like voting for Miss America based on the health of her internal organs!
Not sure if I agree with ya there. A higher SPF provides more sun protection and that's what us old ladies need.
I actually like the cheapy eye pencils I find at the local drug store the best - the ones you can buy for a buck!
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