It's Not The Brand Of Makeup - It's About How You APPLY It

[Leopardskinny]

I think it is a balance of both. The best liquid e/l I have found was a Rimmel one. Pencil eyeliners however, you really get what you pay for. Also I find that HE lipglosses and eyeshadows last SO much longer. My UD lipgloss is the longest lating ever! I admit that I love HE more, as with MAC and UD I know I am going to love what I get (well, 99% of the time!). I do however love L'Oreal- but apart from them I much prefer to stick to HE. I would rather save up and splurge on something expensive, but that is just me!

 

[smellyocheese]

haha. when I work at high end brand counters like Dior and I put my cheapo drugstore make-up from home, the customers can't even tell the difference! "Oh, that's a great colour! what colour are you using?" and I just point to the closest color I can find. HAH!

I can even bluff customers into thinking that my Pure Essential's powder finish is La Mer's loose powder.

 

[glam8babe]

i sort of agree... drug store brands seem to have a short lasting power especially eyeshadows, glosses, foundations etc. I think high end brands are much better AND if you have good quality brushes, i have a few drugstore stuff but none of it is 'amazing' so i stick to high end cosmetics as they tend to last longer, look better and more variety also the people who work behind makeup counters are there to help.. drugstores theres no professionals

 

[ginger9]

I agree technique is very important. Because someone who doesn't know what they are doing can be give the best of the best products (regardless if it's dept store or drug store) will not get very far.

But overall I like to look at the products INDIVIDUALLY, and by that I don't mean different product lines but each individual item. My HG everyday mascara is Maybelline. I would say out of all the l/s I own (a wide range), my favourite in overall quality is still high-end(MAC). E/S I prefer MAC as well, but not necessarily l/g or blushes. My favourite HG-go-to-cannot-live-without lip balm is Blistex which is only 3 dollars. So it really depends on the individual product imo.

 

[frocher]

I think makeup in general has gone up in quality. I have found some drugstore brands that are very good, it's best to mix and match and find what works for you. Technique is very important, but some makeup is crap, and no amount of skill could salvage it.

 

[Kiseki]

I mainly use use higher end makeup, not only because I'm a hopeless consumer, but also because I've gotten better results with it. Some people rave about that Maybelline mascara and I hate the stuff and don't get me started on that dream matte mousse nightmare. Most of the stuff just makes me want to itch like crazy, other friends of mine have passable results with it but end up wanting my things.

That doesn't mean I don't have bad experiences with expensive makeup, per example one of Dior's pressed powders made my face go completely red and I ended up giving it away after using it two times.

In the end, there is a lot more choice in higher end makeup and the products are usually more durable.

Yes, you need skill, you need tools and technique, but you need good quality product, that doesn't mean you don't have good alternatives in the DS department, but it's more of an exception than a rule.

 

[liv]

I myself have a little bit of both. I have found a lot of things at the drugstore level that are absolutely great and work very well (Milani quads, Revlon Colorstay eyeliner, Jane blush, Bonne Bell shadow quads), and I use quite often. But for some things, something comparable can't be found in the drugstore, like some of my favorite MAC stuff (Satin Taupe, BPs, perfect NW15/NC15 foundation matches), that I am willing to pay more for. And for me, having 15 minutes in the morning to put on makeup is a luxury for me, and I know its all psychological, but using nice things makes me feel better and ready to face the world knowing I look pretty darn good. =]

 

[faifai]

There aren't many things I would go "high end" for, but one of them is foundation/concealer, because I can't find a match at the drugstore. It's much easier having an MA match me for the perfect color. Most drugstore lines don't have testers, so it's hard to tell what matches and what doesn't.

However, 95% of my makeup is not "high end." I've bought higher end products and for most things, I've found drugstore lines that are just as good (usually better). Some of the more expensive lines have unique items though, like...I can't find drugstore matches for some Urban Decay stuff. Overall, the product quality is far more important than whether it's drugstore or high end. I've found amazing eyeshadows by NYX and by MAC, but both lines have their misses as well. I can find incredibly cool Physician's Formula shadows at the dollar store and not so good mascara by Chanel. It just depends.

But yeah, in most of my FOTDs, you'll see me wearing my Wet 'n' Wild liquid liner, Maybelline mascara, NYX eyeshadow, L'Oreal bronzer, Goldie lipgloss, and Sally Hansen face powder, and it looks good! I've had MAC MAs compliment me on what I was wearing and they were pretty surprised when they found out most of it wasn't MAC.

 

[CaliArtist]

i agree with the original... it is app... but also ppl with senstive skin do have to be more picky if they want pigment and safeness for skin...im glad i dont hve that issue

 

[LaChinita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modil I've used OTC or drugstore makeup and gotten COMPLIMENTS from MAC M/A's.. I walked in to a MAC PRO store and was wearing milani greens - Smokey eye look with milani blush along with a gold bronze $2.99 lipstick and the MA's from MAC loved my makeup. They assume I was wearing MAC but they did not know it was all drugstore colors.. One MA even asked me to even think about becoming a MA for MAC.. You can use drugstore makeup but in the end - It's about proper brushes and application IMO.. Yes - Some drugstore are less pigmented compared to a few but there are good ones out there that are on the same level as the high end ones (jane, milani,NYX).. Before you trash drugstore makeup - Make sure you know how to apply it =) Because in the end - That whole NARS/MAC/GA makeup on your face (without proper application) can look like my $2.99 lipstick.. =(

I couldn't agree more! One time I was playing around at the counter and one of the MAs who was doing a makeover on someone complimented me as well. I was wearing all NYX e/s, Jordana blush, an NYX lipliner and Neutrogena gloss! When a MA gives me a compliment, it really makes my day!!! These ladies are very skilled at what they do, and they can tell badly applied makeup from well-applied makeup. I was smiling from ear to ear that day.

I do love MAC as well (that's why I'm always hanging out at the counter LOL), but I know what you mean about knowing how to apply e/s and investing in good brushes. I've never had a problem with drugstore brands on my skin, and I don't have that much moolah to buy MAC 24/7 so I'll stick with my NYX for now as I don't have that many MAC e/s yet. But my bday's coming up and I'm planning a trip to a CCO!!! Yay!

 

[thanh13]

I think it takes more skills to work the DS products, I always have trouble blending their e/s.

 

[NoAddedSugar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modil I've used OTC or drugstore makeup and gotten COMPLIMENTS from MAC M/A's.. I walked in to a MAC PRO store and was wearing milani greens - Smokey eye look with milani blush along with a gold bronze $2.99 lipstick and the MA's from MAC loved my makeup. They assume I was wearing MAC but they did not know it was all drugstore colors.. One MA even asked me to even think about becoming a MA for MAC.. You can use drugstore makeup but in the end - It's about proper brushes and application IMO.. Yes - Some drugstore are less pigmented compared to a few but there are good ones out there that are on the same level as the high end ones (jane, milani,NYX).. Before you trash drugstore makeup - Make sure you know how to apply it =) Because in the end - That whole NARS/MAC/GA makeup on your face (without proper application) can look like my $2.99 lipstick.. =(

I agree with your comments on using brushes and also technique application. I would add that using things like UDPP can really make eyeshadows come alive with colour payoff and also make them not crease and last all day. I see so many people complaining about quality of e/s and I think, hmmm all my e/s (every brand from hi to lo) are awesome as long as I use UDPP

 

[SparklingWaves]

I feel product, application, technique and color choice are all key to a beautiful look.