STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

drugstore v. department store

Kelly · Hermes

I only use drugstore products, because I've found some that are very good - things I'd pay a lot more for if they charged it, I'm happy to get them for free!

Every day, I wear:

-Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse foundation

-Dream Mousse blush

-Maybelline superstay lip color (although I can't decide if I like it because it's really good, or just because I found a color I really love)

-Revlon great lash mascara (when I first started using this, I loved it. Now I'm just kind of iffy. I don't know why?)

LRae9107 · Nine West

Good thread.

I definitely agree that for me, drugstore foundation will not cut it.

One drugstore product I use is L'Oreal Voluminous mascara; I think it's pretty similar to Lancome's mascaras. I also use Aveeno moisturizer and Almay's eye makeup remover.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I also like Almay eye make up remover pads.

Suave freesia flexible hold hairspray is my favorite. I've had a hard time finding from time to time, and bought all 4 bottles the store had last time I went shopping for it.

Oil of Olay Shea butter body wash is another drug store purchase of mine. And, I use it instead of shaving cream too.

-gd

blubirde · Chanel

mascara - Max Factor 2000 Calorie (or whatever Max Factor is called now) is almost exactly the same as DiorShow. It's definitely a great drugstore buy.

lipsticks and lipglosses - I've tried all kinds and I really think there's nothing that special about dept. store versions.

kealoha · Kate Spade

Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara (regular & volumizing formulas)
Carmex (tube form).
Wet & Wild makes a respectable NARS Orgasm knock-off called Pearlescent Pink & an all over shimmer that serves as a great highlighter.
Jordana clear lip gloss smells like vanilla & is only $1.99.
Milani's Easybrow is a soft brow pencil with a spoolie @ the opposite end to feather & soften.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

Mascara: Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara or Cover Girl Super Thick Lash.

Cleanser: Neutrogena, can't remember the name of it, but it's the orange stuff.

Face Scrub: Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher.

Moisturizer: Right now I'm using Amore Pacific, (pricy!), but during the summer I love Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture.

Haven't found drugstore foundation, powder, bronzer or blush that work as well as department store stuff.

Nail polish: I am obsessed with Chanel nail polish, but I've found that Rimmel polish lasts just as long. My fav shade is Celebrity Bash.

Eye liner: I like Rimmel.

Lip balm: burt's bees!

Lip gloss/lipstick: drugstore works just fine for me.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I use clean and clear deep action cream cleanser every day.
I also like the sheer blonde shampoo and conditioner. It is the only stuff my hair doesn't get use to after a few months of use (ie. greasy or flaky) and my hair doesn't look any better or worse compared with the salon stuff.
Walmart makes a lovely bubble bath if you want one. The jug is about $2.50 and lasts quite a while. Its made by Lander.

I've tried to swap dept store with drug store when it comes to makeup but I've never had much luck with it. Instead I've bought things NIB from ebay when I am on a budget or from the designer cosmetic store at the outlet mall. Never had an issue and saved some $$ in the process.

sfclinevandy · Coach

-Revlon Color Stay eyeliner in pencil and liquid is my favorite eyeliner.

-L'Oreal Lash Out and Voluminous. I love Lacome mascaras the best and I've found these to be the most comparable.

-Bronzer- I'm currently using Physician's Formula and I like it.

-Almost all of my eye shadows are by Revlon or Maybelline.

-I really like L'Oreal lipsticks.

-For some reason, I've never cared for anything by Cover Girl. I also haven't found the perfect drugstore substitute for foundation/concealor (I wear Bare Minerals and I really doubt I'll find ANYTHING better), blush, or mattifier.

Kelly · Hermes

oh, and I also love Neutrogena's oil free eye makeup remover. IMO it's just as good as the Lancome "dual action eye makeup remover" stuff I'd fallen in love with a while ago.

dot · Marc Jacobs

things worth the splurge:

foundation
moisturizers
toners
eyecream
blush - for me staying powder and pigment are important..
perfume
concealor
shampoo

things you can save on:

mascara - love Covergirl lash exact and Max Factor (the one also with the rubber brush)
fun colors for eyes, lips, cheeks - lines I like are Milani and Wet n' Wild. Rimmel makes great lip products
body wash
body lotion
nail polish - Zoya is the best and doesn't chip. They totally replicate colors from Chanel like Black Satin.. (and I think the polish itself is better quality).
conditioner

member · Hermes

sfclinevandy wrote:
-Revlon Color Stay eyeliner in pencil and liquid is my favorite eyeliner.

I totally 2nd this. I've tried every eyeliner out there and nothing compares to Revlon.

* Powder - I use Covergirl True Blend. I've tried more expensive brands like Clinque, Stila, etc and always come back to this.

* Concealer - Maybelline. Once again, I've tried brands from Sephora, but nothing has impressed me enough to switch from my cheapie Maybelline.

* All the eyeshadows I use are either Maybelline or Covergirl.

* Neutrogena Oil-free Face wash

* I use Suave Passion Flower hairspray and love it. It leaves a very natural hold in my hair.

I do splurge these items because I see the difference:
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Mascara - I love Shu Umera
- Lipgloss - Love Stila and MAC
- Nail Polish - I feel like OPI is the only one that doesn't chip. Drugstore brands don't last on me.
- Blush/Bronzer

janey831 · Kate Spade

Drugstore:

Mascara. I do love dept store Diorshow, but max factor 2000 calorie is just as good. Also, I like to replace it every month or so, and buying a 23 dollar mascara every month is just too much for me.

Exfoliator: I still love and use st. ives apricot scrub.

Shampoo & conditioner. Right now I'm using Aussie brand.

Revlon colorstay eyeliner: love love love it. i've tried various dept store brands, but nothing really compares. i'd rather not waste my money testing out eyeliner.

Daytime Moisturizer: love the dove spf 15 line.

Dept Store:

blush: i love nars

powder/foundation: love MAC studiofix

skincare/moisturizer (night) I dont like to scrimp here

Metric · Gucci

Drugstore:
Maybelline mascara, also Jane curling mascara is very good
Maybelline Dream Mousse shadow
Jane eyeshadows are just as good as Mac in my experience
Clean and Clear face wash

Dept Store:
Foundation, I love Nars imo its worth the money
OPI polishes/higher end polishes really do last longer and wear better

Kitty · Hermes

Drugstore:

- That mascara that comes in a pink tube w/ a green top (I think it's mabelline). That is seriously the best mascara I have ever tried.

- Lipsticks, lipglosses, chapsticks - I dont see a different in department store versions.

Department store:

- MAC for eyeshadow and brushes (I use eyeshadow as liner w/ water)

- Prescriptives for lotion/SPF, concealer

- Clinique for Foundation

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

After I found out most of the dept. store brands are owned by the same company who owns the drug store brands, I havent shopped for cosmetics at a dept. store.....ok, maybe if there's a gift w/purchase. I used to subscribe to Paula Begoun's newsletter (cosmeticscop.com), she gives really great reviews on makeup and beauty products. She also educates you on the cosmetic's industry, who owns who, who makes what, etc.

Mascara: L'oreal (also owns Lancome) is hands down is by far the best mascara I've ever used. I'm currently obsessed w/Architecht and Last Intensifique. Actually just yesterday my employee was shocked I didnt use a lash curler on my eyelashes when she asked to borrow one. it!

Concealer: Maybelline Ever Fresh Concealer doesnt leave creases under or above your eyes.

Blush: L'oreal True Match in Innocent Flush - it's gives you a barely there natural color.

Dry Eyeliner: Revlon Wet/Dry Eyeliner

Foundation: Revlon Color Stay Makeup w/SoftFlex and Neutrogena Oil Free Healthy Skin.

Daytime Moisturizer: Olay Regenerist UV defense regeneration lotion SPF 15

Overnight Moisturizer: Olay Regenerist Daily Regeneration Serum

Exfoliator and blemish treatment: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion. I use this about once or twice a week.

Face Wash: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cleanser - even gets mascara off!

Toner: Dove, I cant remember the name, but it comes in a light blue clear opaque bottle. I dont use it often, but when I feel really yucky, I use it after the cleanser.

I use other stuff thats ok, but the above is great stuff and highly recommend them!

-- Edited by BargainQueen at 19:03, 2007-01-26

kittenheels · Coach

This is a good poll:

I love the nivea soft moisturizer for the body - it has a great scent and is like oil but absorbs more quicky

Aussi moist two in one shampoo - great and moisturizing for color treated hair

Maybelline great lash mascara - I need to throw out mascara a lot - and I think this is great

Cetaphil - you just can't beat it

Almay makeup removing pads - they get all the eye makeup off

Neutrogena tinted moisturizer spf 30

I like stila foundation, creme blush and laura mercier concealer. I tend to like dept store lipstick - just because you can try before you buy

daiz519 · Dooney & Bourke

I love Eucerin products: there is an ointment for chapped skin that comes in a jar and in a small tube...I use the small tube for my lips and it is amazing!! I also put a little right underneath my eyebrows cuz i've been a little flakey and sometimes on my knees. I use body lotions and hand creams by this brand also which i love.

I also recently bought the Eucerin redness relief face wash which is great. Before I was using philosophy purity made simple...and although the smell is not as pretty I actually like the way the eucerin wash feels much better. I'll also be looking into facial moisturizers and other Eucerin products since i've had good luck with them.

I like L'oreal voluminous mascara.

Aveeno has good stuff.

I hear dove also has good skincare....i use the dove body wash.

As far as eyeshadow, blush, foundation, etc. I have to admit that I like department store more than drugstore.

Kelly · Hermes

daiz519 wrote:

Aveeno has good stuff.

agreed. I love their lip balm and moisturizer. I use "Positively Radient" and it has never disappointed me.

boobaby · Kate Spade

I love pricey products and splurge on occassion. One thing I always splurge on is winter moisturizer. I love Origins Urgent Moisture and Shu Uemura's Depsea Therapy whatever-its-called. In the summer, I switch to Cetaphil.

I also used to swear by pricey tinted moisturizers, like Bobbi Brown and Tarte. But I think that Sonia Kashiuk (sp?) from Target is pretty decent and a nice alternative when money's tight.

I LOVE Tarte's cheek stains, probably not necessary, but I splurge on them nonetheless.

I also swear by Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Remedy for a great quick fix for the occassional blemish. Probably not good if you have a major breakout, but its a good spot treatment.

Burt's Bees lip balm is a must have.

As for color, with the exception of blush, I never splurge on eyeshadow or lipstick. I usually lose my lipsticks and the rest I just don't care enough about to spend a lot of money. I don't wear most of that stuff except on rare occassions.

I use a mix of splurge-y and cheap hair care products, mainly because my hair seems to get bored easily, so I'm always trying new things. I usually go back to Bumble and Bumble, though.