Around the holidays, saving money is crucial to a successful season of gift giving. In order to cut down on costs, I make small changes to save big bucks. For example, taking fewer trips to the grocery store, adding online shopping “wants” to a wish list or switching from some of my beloved department store beauty products to their closely-related generics found at a drugstore for much cheaper. I, personally, never splurge on products such as nail polish, eyeliner or mascara, because drugstore brands do the job just as well.
I recently read an article that noted that drugstore brands are steadily increasing their technologies, and most of their products are practically the same as the products that are sold for four-times the price at Sephora. US News posted this article on their website, reporting that although some customers are reluctant to break away from their loyalty to department store products, many of the products sold in drugstores and department stores are made by the same manufacturers in the same factories with essentially the same ingredients.
The article gives advice as to what to look for when purchasing a product and warns that decorative packaging and money-back guarantees are typical reasons why women succumb to the hefty prices of department store brands. The article suggests that a customer should look beyond these external factors and look closer at the fine print to see how the ingredients compare.
As I noted earlier, the 3 products I never splurge on are nail polish, eyeliner and mascara. Similarly, US News suggests customers tend to splurge on concealer, foundation and blush and save on eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick and mascara. Here are a few of the products I previously splurged on, but my wallet and I are happier now with these products that work just as well.
First victim: Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, in Chocolate ($29)
Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder, in Classic Tan ($5.99)
You save: $23.01
Second victim: MAC Powder Blush, in Peachykeen ($20)
CoverGirl Classic Color Blush, Rose Silk ($4.49)
You save: $15.51
Third victim: Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish, in Gabby ($19)
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipcolor, in Miracle Mauve ($9)
You save: $10
Fourth victim: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, in Light/Medium ($39)
Garnier BB Cream, in Light/Medium ($10)
You save: $29