Luxury VS Drugstore

What is the difference between drugstore palettes and high-end luxury palettes?

-          I used to think that the difference between drugstore palettes and high-end luxury palettes were the ingredients, and although sometimes that may be true on certain circumstances, I’ve come to the conclusion that the true differences between drugstore palettes and high-end luxury palettes are affordability and where the palettes are sold.

My mother never bought me drugstore makeup and insisted to me in my youth that those kinds of products would make me break out (I was already an acne prone teen). It took me a while to get over those ideas that were so ingrained into me, but I started to realize through brands like Catrice that it wasn’t the case at all. It is in fact possible to have formulas that are affordable, perform beautifully, and do not break me out.

What should someone look for in a drugstore palette?

-          When buying a drugstore palette, I would recommend looking at ingredients and at reviews. I prefer palettes that are fragrance free, paraben free, alcohol free, oil free, gluten free, and no microplastic particles added. Additionally it's always wonderful if the formula is vegan and cruelty free! Having these in a palette makes it usable on anyone and everyone, including those with sensitive skin.

Also I will add on this personal tale, a very beauty-influencer popular, affordable brand’s large bright colored eyeshadow palette once completely stained my eyelids, and was afterwards removed from the market, as it was found not to be eye safe. That’s why I really recommend looking at reviews and also ingredients. It is possible to buy a drugstore palette that doesn’t perform like that, but you have to be mindful, as products like that eyeshadow palette exist.

Is it true that just because an item costs more, it will perform better?

-         While I used to think that just because an item costs more, that it will perform better, it's just frankly untrue. It’s about ingredients, but those ingredients do not have to be expensive. Additionally I’ve had absurdly expensive makeup palettes that perform terribly, just because something is expensive, does not mean it's a great product.

What drugstore palettes do you recommend?

-         I love Catrice’s Blooming Bliss Slim Eyeshadow Palette. It has a beautiful mix of matte and shimmer shades, as well as a gorgeous color story (perfect for spring and summer!). It’s vegan, cruelty free, fragrance free, and alcohol free, making it wonderful for those with sensitive skin. Plus, it’s affordable at only $10.

What are the differences in performance between drugstore and luxury palettes?

-         I think the actual differences in performance between drugstore and luxury palettes are rather a formula by formula basis. Some luxury palettes perform beautifully, some do not, same with drugstore.

Do drugstore palettes expire quicker than luxury palettes?

-          While I cannot say with 100% certainty, I do not think drugstore palettes expire more quickly than luxury palettes. It’s definitely based on individual ingredients. Also, powder products in general (like eyeshadows) are slower to expire than cream and liquid formulas, so that’s important to keep in mind.