Comedian Rita Rudner once asked, “Ladies, why do we shop for expensive cosmetics at department stores that sell high-priced products?” And then she answered her own question:
“It’s because we love the free gift!”
We DO love the free gift, and we shell out oodles of money to the expensive cosmetic companies (sometimes just to get the free gift).
But are the pricey companies’ cosmetics and skin care products superior to drugstore varieties?
For several years now, I’ve been following the research of Paula Begoun, who became the consumer reporter for the cosmetics and skin care industry.
The 7th edition of her book, “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me,” is available at Amazon.com here: http://tinyurl.com/cw63dx . In it, Paula is mostly interested in what works well. She lists product prices, too (and, if she believes a product is pricey for what you get, she enters three dollar signs $$$ next to the product name and evaluation).
Paula dubbed herself the “cosmetics cop” several years ago and continues to go after the industry for misleading consumers regarding what products can and cannot do, for telling us that particular ingredients are “natural” when they are actually irritating to skin, and mostly for ripping us off.
Paula continues to update consumers through her website, www.CosmeticsCop.com. She also started her own product line, Paula’s Choice, but she doesn’t push her line too much.
I’ve used several of Paula’s products for a few years and have been happy with the results (and prices). On her website, customers can choose a set of skin care products based on their skin type. In my case, however, I had some unusual conditions that weren’t covered on her site. I called her customer service line and spoke to one of her employees. The employee was able to help me choose a few products (and an application plan) that worked for me. All Paula’s Choice products are unscented and packaged plainly, so that air cannot get to the product very much. Plus, you’re not paying for expensive packaging.
I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the last 12 years or so by following Paula’s advice. Why should I purchase expensive products when the drugstore brands work just as well? But it’s knowing which products in the various drugstore lines (i.e. Maybelline, L’Orleal, Revlon, etc.) work best that makes a difference. For example, both Paula and I don’t like Maybelline’s “Great Lash,” but there are two other Maybelline mascaras we really like. I let Paula’s team figure out what works and what doesn’t work so that I don’t purchase a box full of cosmetics that sit in the drawer.
One product Paula suggests you spend whatever amount you’re comfortable with if you find the product that works well for you is foundation. It’s nearly a miracle that I found a foundation that works with my skin and my skin color. (Even an esthetician once tried to custom-match my skin and create a foundation color for me – and she had a hard time – must be that Swedish/Greek combination.) So, Paula says if you find a foundation that works well for you – and it’s a little pricey – let that be your splurge.
For her own line, Paula’s Choice, her company has excellent customer service. One time, a product I ordered seemed to have a flaw, so they replaced it. The second one seemed to have the same flaw. I sent it back and they refunded my money. Then I received a letter from Paula (signed by her, too) apologizing for the trouble I had with the product and suggesting two other companies’ products I might try. What company has ever sent you to a competitor?
Start saving more money on your cosmetics and skin care by following Paula’s advice. Check out the Beautypedia on her website too (http://tinyurl.com/cgbsbk ) to get updates rather than wait for the next edition of her book. You can also sign up on her site for free product review e-mail updates, which come once or twice per month. With those updates, you’ll even learn about skin and how it responds to the latest products.
Paula also sells some of the best full-spectrum sunscreens available. But don’t tell too many people – it’s one of my “youthful” secrets!
One last money-saving idea for the drugstore brands – I read the grocery store weekly fliers to see what’s on sale. The store I shop at will, for example, have a sale on the entire Maybelline line (40% off) about once or twice a year. Another time it will put all L’Oreal products on sale for 30% off. They’ll also accept coupons when those sales are going on. It’s a great time to stock up on products you use regularly. I believe Walgreens and CVS do the same thing. Look through their ads every week to see if the products you use are on sale and then look through any coupons you have handy, and stock up.
And if you live in the
