Expensive Make-up Products vs. Drugstore Brands for Teenagers?

If you are a teenage girl or boy on a limited allowance or a mom of a teenager who is begging for an allowance raise to try the latest big make-up brands, this page will give you ample information on how to precede.

The following are the “best of the best”: the most diverse, educational, informative and inspiring answers compiled from my 100 professional make-up artist interviews.

Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?

Date your makeup but marry your skincare. Spend a little more money on keeping the canvas lovely and less coins on decorating it.

There are great drugstore products…i even have a few celebs hooked on drugstore mascara!

The quality of the higher end products is an obvious! I do think that it isn’t necessary to buy everything from a high end cosmetic store. The only thing I’d recommend getting at a higher end cosmetic store are just your basics!
A great foundation and concealer that is costumed to your skin color and type, and a powder to set! Everything else drug store quality is good enough if your not wanting to spend oodles of money!

Drug store items are the best for teenagers.

i really do not think extreme amounts of money need to be spent. i have small eyeshadows and things in my kit that have cost less that £5! its good to experiment.

Any makeup product is not the best for your skin. Unfortunately, the problem with most products today (even higher priced products) is that they clog your pores. I would say, that any person who can afford it, should invest in a good quality mineral makeup. Not only do they calm most skin diseases/disorders, but they look good on any skin type as well.

Drug store items are ABSOLUTELY just as satisfactory… especially for young girls. Honestly most days I don’t use my expensive products that I use for photoshoots and such on myself, I reach for my cover-girl and maybelline supply. And Wet n’ Wild has some of the best lip-glosses around.

Depending on the item, I think drugstore items can suffice, especially for younger girls who shouldn’t have to use much makeup anyway.

There are plenty of great drugstore products that perform just as well as high end brand make-up. I carry some of them in my kit!

I say whatever fits your wallet? You like high end products go for it? I love drugstore to high end… It just depends…

Some drugstore items, though cheaply packaged, are actually as good and sometimes better than the high end ones.

Teenage girls, should not use make up at all. They still have their baby faces and they are only causing pre-mature aging with out letting their pores breathe. If they do apply make up, they should not use anything from a drug store, drug store make up may be old or not good enough for skin.

Make up does not have to be high priced all the time – I personally do not use $20 eye shadows and can create the same effect with a drugstore eye shadow versus a MAC shadow. I say splurge on the skin care because if your skin is in terrible shape..no amount of make up will help.

It’s up to their will. As long as they are well informed about what they need and what types of products they are purchasing.

Mm I don’t really think they “need” to splurge but if they want to,there’s nothing wrong with that.A lot of women who use products when they are younger still tend to use those products now. I use the same mascara from when I was 12 to now. I have tried several throughout the years but I have never found one like the one I use most often. I don’t think teenage girls should be wearing makeup that is meant for a woman..as in hardcore makeup looks..a teen girl should always keep it light, fresh and young or else it could send off the wrong message.

Every good makeup artist will tell you – spend your money on a good skincare regime (I love Lancome and there are so many good lines) and spend your money on foundation and powders. Drugstore lines have some amazing buys! L’oreal, Revlon, Cover Girl, many other lines.

There are a lot of great drugstore brand products out there … but for everyday use beware of putting crap on your face especially when they are going through puberty break-outs. I love some of the prestige brands that really cater to the heath and healing of the skin, like Cargo’s lightweight foundation and concealers.

I believe that there are some great ranges available in department stores these days and there is no need to spend excess amounts on skin care at a young age. If you however have problem skin, seek the advice of a skilled independent skin specialist or beautician. Most important cleanse, tone, moisturise and wear sunblock!

That is exactly why I started my blog two years ago. I realized that as professionals we get gifted or have to buy certain things for work that not everyone can afford to experiment with. So, I put some high end products to the test side by side with some drugstore brands. I posted all my reviews on my blog with the hopes that people will save money and stay beautiful.
On that note, I believe that teenage girls should enhance their natural beauty with as little makeup as possible.

NO! They don’t need to splurge on expensive makeup especially when they are starting out. The only thing I recommend if they are looking into foundations do buy a mineral one from a good company in the end it will be better for their skin.

My advice to anyone any age is to invest is quality skin care and foundation. Get yourself a good basic skin care regimen from a department store, staff is usually trained to analyze your skin type and recommend what is best for you.
The same goes for a good foundation they can match your skin type and suggest a formula best suited for your skin type. Buying this stuff at a drugstore is a hit or miss and you could end up throwing your money away for something that was not for you.
On the other hand eyeliners, eye shadows, and lip colors can be purchased anywhere from drugstore to dollar store and back to department store, it’s your choice.

If they are able to use higher priced make-up then it is better for their skin as the cheaper products tend to have a lot of added chemicals in.

They can find just as good makeup in a drug store. They just need to know how to put it on. Everyone thinks by buying the most popular makeup brand or most expensive will help them look better but its not what you buy but how you apply it.

My favorite drugstore brands are NYX and L’Oreal HiP but I think any person regardless of age should be able to experiment with whatever brand they want too

A single brand will not perform every task equally as well, line work as an example. Cheap kits are a ‘make do’ solution and you are unlikely to achieve your best result.

I think as long as your buying quality products the price tag whether its €2 or €200 doesn’t matter. The thing with teenagers is getting them to recognise the difference.

I think teenage girls should stick to drugstore products. My opinion I do not like drugstore products they do not give me the same benefit as Makeupforever and MAC

My recommendation for them would be the new Studio Line from e.l.f. Cosmetics. The products priced from $3 to $8 and the products are more upscale than their $1 line.

It’s fun to splurge, but it really isn’t necessary. CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, and Target all have wonderful products. I usually only go to MAC or SEPHORA when I have gift cards because I just don’t have the money to have all my make-up from there.

There’s a couple of drugstores products that will get the job done. You just have to look for them, If you likeum, then use um.

Lip gloss, mascara, and lipstick you can get at the drugstore. I find that the more economical brands sometimes work better then high-priced brands. But for eye shadows, I would spend a little but more than a drugstore price. Sometimes the quality is better and it will go onto the skin smoother.

Drugstore brands are good enough, as long as the proper color foundation is found.

That depends on what a girl needs to feel good. Some people NEED a brand name on the Powder ;) But there are not too many good products on the market whether cheap or expensive… test it with the glass of water

Drugstore items are satisfactory.

Teenage girls should mostly focus on a great skincare, spf regimen in order to avoid wearing too much makeup later on when skin is damaged.

Just as good, but you have to shop around for the best products within the various ranges within the Drugstores

I would say go to Ulta or Sephora because they have less expensive brands and have people there to help you. Sometimes the hardest thing at a drugstore is there isn’t someone there for professional guidance to ask a question, so people end up buying a ton of stuff that they will ultimately throw away.

I find good products at the drugstore sometimes I find does just as well as the high end makeup.

You get what you pay for. It depends on the use. For everyday, going to school, shopping, etc. drugstore brands are fine. If you want makeup to last and look good on photos, than some sort of monetary investment is required.

In any case, regardless of age, you get what you pay for.

I would make an investment in your skin care and foundation. I say skimp on the accessories… try HIP colors by Loriel for eye shadow…they mimic MAC shadows well. I also recommend cheap lip gloss! But be careful… check the ingredients and don’t purchase products that contain isopropyl myristate…it can cause black heads in certain quantities…

Once a teenager myself, I was very satisfied with drug store make up, especially being a little short with cash. There is nothing wrong with drug store make up, however, when a woman’s skin is more mature, I’ve noticed that using more professional make up can make a huge difference.

I think they should splurge on a foundation whether it be liquid or mineral. One that works well for them is worth the price. I think for trendier things like a bright color for the season is ok to use drugstore items.

Some drug store brands are actually quite nice…you just got to know what to look for. However, it is good to splurge on a good foundation, powder, and brushes.
Once you build your confidence and expertise, you can get drugstore versions of your favorite basics like: backup brushes, eye pencils, lip pencils, lipsticks, nail polish, and glosses. Makeup is a way to pamper yourself….get the best you can when you have money.

Depends upon their skin sensitivity…then decide which way to go.

I love finding great buys at the drugstore and the dollar store. An eyeliner an eyeliner.

I don’t think drugstore products are very good in general. There are the odd products that are worth buying. However, that doesn’t mean you need to fork out lots of money. There are many great professional brands out there that don’t cost the earth and are long lasting and long wearing. Try Kryolan and Ben Nye for example. Quality products at affordable prices.

I don’t like teenage girls wearing tons of makeup to start with. Some drugstore brands are totally fine, specially when it comes to eyeshadow, blush, lipstick and mascara which is what teenagers should wear if anything (I don’t think they need foundation, maybe some concealer), they don’t last as much as pro products but you can achieve very nice results with them.

Professional brand makeup from Department store or Sephora I think is best. It is more expensive but more highly tested and better quality. Also along with free help selecting your makeup you get great beauty tips from the sales associates.
Many women have a drawer full of products that just sits there and eventually gets pitched because they bought products from drug stores that looked great but aren’t the right fit or color or don’t work. Spending more upfront helps ensure you have a great match!

Depends of what the Individual wants.. Department store Foundation and Mascara are two things that definitely differ from the drugstore. But most teenage girls don’t need foundation.

I think that some drugstore items are just as good, but some high priced products are a must for certain looks.

If you want quality you have to put the price, there is some good products in drugstore but I didn’t use them to make up my models.

I would say that some drug store products can be just as good like mascara or lipstick but if you like all the fun eye shadow colors that have higher pigment then I would shop at Smash Box or Mac Cosmetics because you’ll have more of a variety of colors to choose from.

Some drugstore items work fine like certain lip liners or loose powders but if you want bold colored eye shadows and add ons like primers, then you need the high end products because they are true to color and have better ingredients.

Their skin doesn’t need high priced makeup products. Drugstore and High Street are fine. Advertising to the teenage market has a lot to answer for. Why would a 16 year old want to spend £30-£40 on a foundation? Not necessary! High priced does not necessarily mean the best – that goes for any age.

Yes and No. To get a really good foundation and concealer I’d spend the extra money at a makeup counter. It’ll be better aimed at your skin type and offer more coverage. A lot of powders and concealers at drug stores are less coverage, which might be good for those who don’t need full coverage. Eyeshadows you can buy anywhere, as long as you buy even a cream base to match the powder shadow, you’ll be fine. Lipsticks you can purchase at drug stores and save some money. Same great color

There are as much nice makeup products in the drug stores as you’ll find in big department stores. In my makeup trolley you’ll find lots of brands from Superdrug like Sleek, Barry M, Collection 2000, N.Y.C and Rimmel London, all under a fiver!!

I think it really depends on the product. Somethings like mascara and lip products can be the bomb from the drugstore, but things like eyeshadow and foundation are best bought custom from a stand. Like my mother says ” You get what you pay for.”

I use tons of drugstore stuff, like Covergirl and Almay. It’s just about finding what works for you. Also, Eyes Lips Face or elf.com is fantastic, everything for a dollar.

Drugstore items be they skincare products or Make-up are excellent for everyone, most of the time you are paying for packaging and a name. Okay some of the high end companies come out with occasional great products which we must buy!

Just read your ingredients! that is key…

Teenage girls should have access to whichever products they can afford with their allowance. If they are new to makeup, it might be best to practice with drugstore items first.

I think its a good to invest in some high end cosmetics but still use drugstore brands because they are highly underestimated. I would be lying if I said drugstore makeup is just as good as expensive makeup. I think the best thing you can do is go on YouTube and watch reviews on drugstore products. The are amazingly helpful.

I feel that the teen years are a time to play and experiment with makeup. It doesn’t mean that a ton of money has to be spent on the products. Drug store brands allow teens to affordably have a variety of products to choose from.

Well, I guess that depends on the girl. Need? No. Want? Probably. The thing is, the drugstore brands are coming out with intense pigments as well so teenage girls can get similar looks to what they would have with the more expensive brands. And when you stop and think, the makers of Max Factor are also the makers of Smashbox. So being careful about your selections can save you a pretty penny and still get you the look you want.

At that age there priority should be taking care of there skin first my motto has always been beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin, the rest is gravy when the skin is taken care of, so drug store makeup can totally get the job done.

Teenage girls have hormonal and emotional instability which is directly visible on the skin. Their skin is usually mixed, sometimes with acne. In this case they have to use special high quality products advised by a doctor.

Work within your budget. There is no need to starve yourself or go broke trying to live outside your means. There are always ways to work around it!

I think some of the best drug store brands are Rimmell, and Loreal. If shopping for foundation, however, I recommend getting matched during the day so you can see the shade in sunlight. MAC makes many foundations for all skin types that are very affordable.
When shopping for foundation, remember to tell the artist what type of coverage you would like and what type of skin you have.
Laura Mercier also makes a wonderful line of tinted moisturizers for oily and normal skin. These are the products I suggest investing in.

You can get a lot of cheap treasures at the drug store, L’Oreal Tru Match Foundation is great, and I have some favorite lipsticks and liners from NYC, Covergirl, and Wet N’ Wild! It may not have the staying power of some of the pricier brands, but it would get you through the day looking great!

Drug store items have come a long way, and many items are comparable to department store makeup. But teens need to know that their favorite drugstore line may be owned by that famous department store line!

I actually use a lot of drugstore items, and they sometimes give me better results than department store brands.

Teenage girls should find a makeup product that adapts well to the skin. This is all through trial and error though. It’s the experience of finding the right colors for you. If the ladies have sensitive skin, then they should use a mineral based makeup. Drug store brand or high end it depends on what their tastes are.

Drug store items are good. I don’t think teenage girls should wear too much makeup the earlier you wear makeup the earlier your skin starts to breakout more.

It’s not necessary. There are a few drug store brand names that are very comparable to the high-priced items. However, just like the fashion world in high school, the higher the price the better.

Most makeup that is high priced is because the molecules are smaller thus the makeup looks better, some drugstore makeup is great, but I think if a young girl learns how to properly use makeup there is no problem with her using something of higher quality (most of them have vitamins/anti oxidannts/sunscreen that will benefit her skin in the future). This generation should use preventive measures to protect their skin unlike the baby boomers.

Whether you’re a teenager or not you should use products that work. Always spend on skin care and foundation. Drug store products can’t be customized to each individual and first time users will need guidance from a pro. If you want to experiment with color than save some money. Some of my favorite mascaras are from the drug store!

Just stay away from the BLACK eyeliner. Go for an innocent brown. Its dark, but age appropriate.

There are some drugstore items that are good, as well as some higher end items too. The person should take into account their needs, and desired goal and performance of the cosmetics.
The main thing with the drugstore brands is that generally they don’t deliver the same staying power, hydration, pigment and color purity as the more expensive brands.

This is a tricky question, because makeup is not just divided into “high-priced” and “drugstore”. I believe the important thing to look for in cosmetics, for any age, is the quality of ingredients. And it’s possible to find reasonably priced products with high quality ingredients in the drugstore as well as the department store.

Drugstore items are good enough until they become more experienced with the products and know their likes and dislikes – otherwise the high priced makeup products can be great gift ideas for special occasions.

Drugstore is ok but for foundation and skin care products they are better to spend a bit more money on.

I always recommend drugstore products to young girls, they get to experiment and have fun.

Splurge on foundation and lipsticks. mascaras from drugstores are some of the best. Voluminous mascara by Loreal is awesome.

Right now in today’s society, all make up is merely about trial and error. Learning from your mistakes.

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