Drugstore vs. Department Store Makeup: See the Difference?

Can You Tell the $38 Face From the $209 One?

May 26, 2011

Is there really a difference between drugstore makeup and department store finds? Well, yes... and no. It all depends on the product. Some of the best mascaras, like CoverGirl Lash Blast, cost less than ten bucks. And some luxury splurges, like Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick, are truly worth every cent. But can you tell what someone's wearing just by looking at her? To find out, I applied high-end products to one side of my face, with drugstore items on the other. It was a total Harvey Dent moment. Think you can guess which side is which? See the picture and find out.

One half is wearing $209.50 worth of makeup: SK-II Facial Cream Treatment Foundation, MAC Eye Kohl eyeliner, Chanel Correcteur Perfection concealer, MAC False Lashes mascara, Nars blush, and Clinique Chubby Sticks.

The other half rings in at $38.01: L'Oreal Extra Intense eyeliner, Maybelline Fit Me! foundation and concealer, L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara, and CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain on lips and cheeks.

Leave your guess as a comment and I'll let you know later today!

38 Comments

Jacquelyn3516469 29 weeks

I think the left side is the drug store and the right is department store! Let me know if I'm right!! @Annie Tomlin

valli 2 years

Thank you, I missed that out!

Jaime Richards 2 years

Agreed, Diana615. This is so fun! Valli, the answer was revealed by Annie in comment 12 above. It's the right side of Annie's face (left on your screen).

valli 2 years

So what's the answer?

Diana615 2 years

I guessed wrong, but, considering all of the responses you should probably do this again.

amagirl 2 years

Right side

0037sammie 2 years

I think its the left, although that could be because of the better lighting ;) the foundation looks better on that side- but both are modelled very well!

myhousemd 2 years

You should have taken the picture in better lighting, in order to make a good hypothesis about whether there's a noticeable difference between high-end and bargain makeup. But I'd guess the left side is high-end, because the foundation looks less cakey, the blush looks more even, and the lips have more sheen (which the chubby stick gives).

2 years

I think the left side was applied with the high end products (or her right side); however, this doesn't quite paint the whole picture (also, her left side is shadowed, so it's harder to get a true representation of the colors). A better test would include how the different products hold up throughout the day and in various conditions. If the higher end products last longer and don't settle into lines or pores, then the heftier price tag could be worth it.

2 years

the right said has the expensive makeup and false eyelashes, I think.

whats her name 2 years

I think the right side has the more expensive makeup on it. Love the Dark Knight reference, btw.

nonames 2 years

The lighting is so bad that the left side would have looked better no matter what. And there is a mole on each side of the face so that doesn't make it clear...

Tnkrbelli 2 years

I think that the right side (her left side) is the premium makeup.

SeattleJenn 2 years

If anything else, proves the point that splurging might not be worth it if you can't tell a significant difference. I think the left side is premium because the foundation looks more even and the right side seems to have a little splotchiness on the forehead and chin areas (although that might just be a shadow).

Ellenora 2 years

That is so interesting. It was hard for me to decide because I could tell the foundation was much better on the left side of the photo, but the blush was more pigmented on the right side. I think people equate pigmentation with price. I know I usually do. In this case, the side with the less pigmented blush was the more pricey side which puts the idea of pigmentation = price on its head.

2 years

Left side.

lindabalac 2 years

left side = premium

valli 2 years

I think right-side is splurge, left side is drugstore ... But lighting's better on the left. Hard to tell! In fact I think the foundation is smoother and creamier on the left side, but the lipstain looks better on the right side of the mouth.

blondfemail 2 years

I absolutely agree with telmabr's comment. Show us the make-up after more than 4 hours.

nholcombe 2 years

which chubby stick did you use, btw? i love the color!

nholcombe 2 years

so i think conclusion is we can tell! i could tell by the lips and the forehead- the left side of your face (right in the picture) has more visible makeup, so worse quality! either way, very pretty!

Jaime Richards 2 years

This is so fun! My first instinct was to say the right side of your face.

2 years

I think the right side is wearing the expensive makeup!

vertes 2 years

Unfair test. Impossible to tell in that light. One side of the face is in shadow. A better look is after 3-5 hours in equally bright light.