Going to the store to buy skincare can be a formidable task for most people. With shelves and shelves and miles of aisles of beauty products, how do you know where to begin?
This of course also means that I need to find some new fashions and make sure my skin and makeup look great at each event because you know there will be photos…
Well here’s where your trust in a professional goes a long way! And where I can recommend products that you can buy at the drugstore or the department store whatever you prefer. What’s the difference you ask? Well, there are a few key differences but believe it or not there are two major cosmetic companies that own most beauty brands you see in the drugstore and department store.
Yes, I know, it doesn’t sound logical but it’s true L’Oreal and Estee Lauder own many of the brand names that you see in your local Target, CVS, Walmart, Macy’s and other department stores.
So if the same company owns L’Oreal in the drugstore and Lancome in the department store is there a difference between the two brands? Well yes, as a matter of fact, there is but not much. Lancome being a “luxury” skincare brand uses better or high-quality ingredients over the less expensive brand. But that doesn’t mean that the drug store brand is not effective… because it most definitely is! As an example, L’Oreal may use mineral oil in its products (a less expensive ingredient) where Lancome uses hyaluronic acid which can be more expensive, therefore adding to the increased price. But more than anything packaging is the culprit in determining price in most of our skincare products in the industry!
Below I’ve curated some of the better selling products in the drugstore and the department store. I recommend you get familiar with these products because many, many households have at least one of the products listed below!
Best Selling Mascara
Drugstore – Maybelline Great Lash
Department Store – Lacome Defincils
Best Selling Cleanser
Drugstore – Cetaphil daily facial cleanser
Department Store – Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
Best Selling Toner
Drugstore – Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Department Store – Lancome Tonique Comfort
Best selling Moisturizer
Drugstore – Oil of Olay Total Effects
Department Store – Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (also known as DDML!)
Best eye mask
Drugstore – Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Eye Mask
Department store -Estee Lauder Advanced Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask
Best Self Tanner
Drugstore – Jergen’s Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer (what I use on a weekly basis during winter!)
Department Store – Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
Best Hand Cream
Drugstore – Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Department Store – Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment
So as you can see – you don’t have to spend a lot to look good – sure we all love a beautiful Chanel compact with its special applicators, but when your budget doesn’t allow, or you don’t have time to get to the department store, just use this list to feel confident.
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