I honestly prefer self-service because I don’t feel pressured to buy products. When a salesperson isn’t pushing a product, it’s a lot easier to tell myself, “You don’t need that.”
Same. A shopping experience with a lot of personal attention from sales associates sounds way more uncomfortable than luxurious. I remember the days of beauty counters! Shopping was much more intimidating when that was the way I had to buy prestige makeup brands. The arrival of Sephora and Ulta and the much more hands off experience was so welcome! The only thing I miss about the counters and dedicate brand stores was the larger amount of products they carried. At stores like Ulta and Sephora, there’s less space for each brand so the shade ranges and number of products they offer in store have to be smaller.
Very true and I feel the same. I prefer the self service approach when shopping for makeup, clothes, shoes etc….and if I have a question or need something I have the option to ask someone. I’ve had good and bad experiences at makeup counters. I always felt pressured to buy something that I really didn’t want or need also being told if you spend $50 more dollars you get a gift with purchase and you end up spending more than you would have.
Sephora has lost so many aspects of what felt luxury to me - cracking down on return policies, dirty/messy stores, and yes the Sephora kids affects my experience. It feels much more like shopping at CVS now.
The professionalism of the Sephora employees has gone way down hill too in the past several years. When I first started shopping at Sephora a little over 15 years ago you could tell the employees were trained very well and they had excellent customer service. The store was always clean and well organized, as it should be for a luxury makeup retailer. Now most of the staff couldn’t give a rip and the stores are messy as hell. Sephora needs to get it together because they are way too expensive to have such trashy in-store atmospheres.
I was shocked when I as a long time VIB Rouge went to my nearby Sephora to return two of the five products my significant other bought for my Valentine gift. The two I returned were sealed and unopened. Because I did not have his receipt they would not let me exchange them for products I would use. Very annoying
@@barbraluce5706 Similar thing happened to me. Longtime VIB Rouge member, purchased product using my own account. I thought product had gone off but they would not let me return because it was after 30 days. So effectively Sephora only guarantees products will be fresh/within date for 30 days?
I feel the exact opposite about Sephora. I love that I can return things I don't like. I don't find the stores dirty at all. I will admit that the employees aren't as knowledgeable about make-up in general as I'd like them to be, but they do know what works for them and I don't feel pressured into buying anything even if a person has spent a considerable amount of time with me.
Try this: I kept an empty La Mer eye cream jar (had used it up, liked the packaging and the silver cooling wand) and filled it with a budget eye cream to see if I noticed real differences in the actual product. Nope: I still feel like I’m using a luxury product & have not seen one iota of change under my eyes. Now as I use up my expensive stuff, I wash out the jars and refill them with my cheaper replacements. My vanity looks pretty and I can’t tell a difference in most cases. I’d suggest trying that as an experiment. The placebo effect is real but we can’t deny part of the reason we love luxury products is the feeling we get using it. It’s a good way to know if it’s really the product you love or the feel of owning it.
I also really love using cosmetic pharmaceuticals for the same reason. They make me feel like I’m using something scientifically researched and developed for a purpose and quantifiable results. It’s in my head but I’m persuaded that they are more effective.
I did this recently with an expensive moisturizer with a jar I liked (one of those airless pump jars). While I still think I liked the fancy moisturizer more, I don’t like it *so* much more it’s worth it to me to repurchase especially now that I’ve put my inferior-but-still-good moisturizer in better packaging.
Kelly -- you are so right! Retail does not offer a luxury experience but still is charging luxury prices. When I worked Lancome counters in the late eighties and moved to Chanel immediately after, I knew everything about every product each line sold. I kept cards on each significant client, with HUGE amounts of information about them, and they got personalized skin care and makeup regimes or travel samples specifically for them. That was luxury makeup. And the Chanel experience was even more intense, because even at the department store level, it included the beautiful wrapping for one lipstick (generally the cheapest purchase at that time). Repeat customers got early access to holiday makeup specials and gift sets, etc. We knew their birthdays and called them and sometimes had cupcakes and little champagne bottles cold for them if we know they were coming in around a birthday or anniversary -- that is a luxury experience. I can't think of a singly retailer I've been to since the Plague that has offered that level of service. Yes, the Cle de Peau saleswoman at N-M does keep in touch via email -- that it. That is not luxury.
Oh how I miss this! our somewhat upscale, department store closed a few years ago, and the closest one now is a few hours away. The level of service you described was exactly my experience. My Lancome ladies knew me and knew how to make me feel special - especially around the holidays, Mother’s Day, or my birthday. They knew how to spoil me and help me to spoil myself. ❤
Even in the early -mid 2000s. At least clothing it was very similar. My aunt explained VERY similar situations and tasks she had to do working in like Macy's and such department stores. She kept tabs similarly for the clothes she sold. I wish we had more of that
Going to a counter is not what it used to be. The employees are often covering more than one counter and don’t seem to be the product/brand expert that they used to be.
This is so true. When I think of luxury beauty and going to let's say... The Bay to go to one of the beauty counters and there stood this airline-dressed, impeccable-looking woman in three-inch heels that she never takes off, even to sleep, who sits you down in her beauty chair and walks you through absolutely everything with immaculate language and explanations of the products. This never existed at Sephora or at least not the ones in Toronto - and the other department stores are disappearing so this will be gone too.
These companies also don’t want to invest in experts. And expert wants to be respected in their field and properly compensated. I’ve worked at a high end makeup store and I’ma makeup enthusiast, but they also hire people that know nothing about makeup and don’t even wear makeup, because thats the only person they could find for the pay they were offering. I quit very fast, because it felt more like I was working at Target than a high end makeup store.
Cassandra Bankson said that ''bougie is not for the rich...it's for the poor who want to pretend they're rich'' and I pretty much agree. I highly doubt that truly rich, bougie people are watching Mikayla or Glamzilla for reviews on Dior products. Also preconceived assumptions can so easily trick our brains into thinking something is so much better because it costs a lot, has a pretty package or because a Kardashian uses it and hey, if it makes you feel good about yourself it's your money but I guarantee that most of us using Elf aren't suffering from envy.
Just stumbled upon a real rich kid TikTok and honestly I had not a single clue which brands are those. No Dior or wtv "mainstream" luxury brand on sight. The real rich from old money use stuff we don't even hear about it
Honestly, I have seen the reviews for the luxury brands and the really luxury brands. They're all pretty inconsistent, with some of them being worth the absurd prices and others being worse than what you would get at Walmart
Man go to a MAC store if you have a degradation kink cuz the sails girls there are that rude. And it's the same in every country cuz I remember a comment thread where a woman described her bad experience at MAC in her country and other women commented that it was the same in their countries.
I think it's all about how one defines "luxury." I enjoy quietly shopping online and buying directly from ELF, Physician's Formula, Miliani, etc. They constantly run sales, ship directly to my home, and the products will arrive safely and NOT picked over like in a store these days. If something is broken? They'll work with you to replace it, but I've never had to do that. I like knowing I can take my time to consider my purchase, and that my order will come directly from a clean warehouse. And...I can do all this in my PJs with a hot cup of tea, LOL! ☕
@@greatsmilesI recently returned a used Lipstick from Saks which came from a warehouse after ordering online. It seems there is a lot of returned items being resold. The "clean and untouched" warehouse was a myth I used to believe until I noticed it more frequently now than ever.
Unfortunately the "things not being used or picked over" in warehouses is a myth I used to believe. That used to be the case but recently I have had used makeup show up coming directly from warehouses. Even from luxury stores from Saks and even on luxury items. Its gross and I am going on a no online shopping hiatus for a while.
I have to say that I do get a kick out of the Nordstrom employees wrapping my most basic bra purchase in tissue paper, then walking around the counter to hand me my package in a pretty shopping bag.
Yes! Nordstrom understands the luxury of Graciousness. That extra touch of service with care. To me, that is a huge component that makes it worth any extra charge.
one frustration with Ulta is that the high-end to luxury brands that added in the past several years are having a very limited selection of products, nowhere near what is carried at department stores
Yeah, I figured someone would point this out too. The rewards are helpful if you purchase from them frequently enough and consistently - and actually USE the rewards instead of forgetting about them like I sometimes do! 😂
@@gachapinkfloofuwu826 That just happened to me!!! The hinges on pressed powders suck for every brand that I've ever owned, I think I'm just too heavy handed
That's so sad but when I can still use the product I don't really care because they are affordable and cruelty free wich I still don't get why huge brands can't do this?😢
Omg the way the letters on my extreme shine gloss fade is annoying af 🙄and this goes to other of their products as well,but gotta love how they put the quality in their makeup rather than packaging ,the opposite of what some luxury brands do🫤
I also own a small business and the experience my customers have opening their package is so important to me. My mom doesn’t understand why I always to want to spend so much on packaging but it’s just important to me for a more “luxury” experience!
I appreciate this effort from small businesses so much! It makes it so much more personal and it feels like I'm buying from a real person who put their heart and soul into the products, rather than a big money hungry company.
@kelcilewis 💖✨️when I order things from small businesses, they always come, magically, on my what the fck day'. When everything is somehow going the ABSOLUTE worst way possible, even though it has been PREPLANNED and taken care of?? Yeah !! That day is when I will get some cute little package that I ordered, and the awesome shit you guys put in it, handwritten notes, stickers, drawings etc... It's genuinely the only thing I can hold on to my sanity with, by a thread. Thank you 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💖✨️💖✨️💖✨️
I've probably written this here before, but I had a friend who worked for a make-up company several years back. He told me that they had three lines; a high end one, a mid range one and an inexpensive one. The difference? The packaging. The same product went into all 3 lines and the only difference was the look. Blew my mind. What a scam.
Nope. The difference is the country of manufacture and the margins. The ingredients in Chinese makeup is going to be different and lower quality from those made in Italy or France. A good happy medium is South Korean makeup.
Sephora lately don’t even put samples that you are choose into their packages. I reserved multiple packages without samples I choose to receive. It is pathetic.
In Münich Germany Sephora(the only sephora in a huge city!) has never samples to give to customers for anything that is new and considerable expensive, the employes are rude and not so knowledgeble, the shades for makeup products are always half or less from the actual range, is also dirty and out of stock for many products, (also on line), testers are not existing for popular products, overall is terrible experience trying to buy from them brands that are sold exclusively there. And very important here u cant return an opened cosmetic product bought in shop that for some reason didnt worked for u.
I requested luxury samples with my last sephora order. I got Inkey List foil rip-open moisturizer instead. I didn't expect the large samples, but why would I buy Armani if you can't even semd a sample? I'm not a huge customer anymore so I guess they didn't think I was worth it. Makes no business sense either. I liked the IK sample but the drug store hss a better reward plan. Thanks for sending me there Sephora!
Unrelated but if you’re ever thinking of a different career, something that involves explaining stuff to people would be perfect for you. You’re very articulate
When I started wearing makeup around 1974, there was drugstore makeup (orange and gross) and department store makeup counters. Now we have middle of the road price points, Indy brands, etc. as well as high end or drugstore products. As long as the shades and textures are up to standard, I’ll find the best value and go with that. I still find that some drugstore products have limited or crude shade ranges, too powdery of a formula and reduced concentration (think mascara) but that’s why it’s great to consider product reviews from content creators like you.
I think one of the reasons people buy luxury items is because they are status symbols. Buying and owning them tell others that you have certain financial resources. Luxury brands don't just sell you an experience, but an opportunity to tell others that you've made it. They sell you a fantasy of success and exclusivity. Funny enough, I think, nowadays, more people from different economic backgrounds are buying luxury items. Luxury brands probably have mixed feelings about this. They are likely to enjoy the increase on sales, but won't like that people who are not "the right people" have their products. I mean some luxury brands are known to burn their unsold products instead of sending them to Marshalls or other places for resale... 😱Not judging anyone who buys luxury (I own a few pieces myself). Sometimes the fantasy keeps you going in a tough world! 😓
Yep! I feel a little bit bougie when I use my Charlotte Tilbury compact eventhough it's since been used up and refilled with wet n wild. For me it's remembering the good times before I became disabled. At least I still have pretty things :)
Kind of true. I own quite a few expensive products, but I don't tell anyone because it's not really a rational thing. It's just to make myself feel special. Not even my boyfriend knows how much money I spend on things like that. I love luxury brands and at the same time it think they are ridiculous over priced.
Well said on all counts. There's a certain escapism and aspiration to a luxury lifestyle than the average person can achieve with a splurge purchase. It's so much more accessible than it the past (still a status symbol but not an unattainable one).
I used to be able to buy luxury products! I'd go to the Dior counter and walk out with 3 or 4 items and had spent $500 but since becoming disabled it's impossible! I do still buy a few things, for instance I bought a mini ND pallette but no more Dior!
I find that Sephora and Ulta are less likely to help you if you are of a certain age or older, which is strange because we are the ones spending the money
I'm a younger person and one time I asked someone for help for a certain product I was looking for skincare-wise, and I specifically told her I was looking for drug store stuff that was "cheaper". She helped me but only showed me the luxury stuff, and after she was done I went right back to the drug store side. She checked me out and was really passive aggressive the whole time.
Being 57 yrs old, I’ve noted that both luxury and drugstore makeup have greatly improved in quality since I first began using makeup. Also, duping has definitely gotten better. I remember Avon used to try (usually unsuccessfully) to dupe high end products, but now affordable brands are doing it with much better success❤
While you were talking I had the thought that online shopping IS the new luxury experience. Having something delivered to you, potentially even same day, is a luxury that for many consumers outweighs the desire to have an in person experience. I think this could be an exciting challenge for brands. Like you mentioned, they can still package a luxury product, and they could be competitive with ship times, etc. Maybe we will see some ingenuity or maybe this is their fall (in the beauty space).
One of my favorite things about Kelly's videos is the background information shared in them. There are so many GRWM videos that delve into the products themselves (eg. colors, characteristics, wearability, etc). As a 65 yo woman I find the backstory so much more interesting! At this point I want products that perform, but also, I want to support brands that have values that are meaningful to me. Thanks for all the research you do Kelly!! ♥️
10000%! Quality has evolved significantly and as an industry insider-I’ve worked in prestige at Sephora/Kendo (ie makers of Fenty, KVD) as well as mass (J&J, Covergirl) and now the founder of a masstige brand sold at Target/Ulta-a lot of these products across price points are manufactured at the SAME labs and the packaging is really the core differentiator. I also think the rise of Amazon has shifted beauty purchasing behavior
I do all my shopping online b/c I'm disabled so leaving my home is a total headache and not worth it. So when I do buy luxury I buy for the packaging if it looks sturdy/reuseable. So if a luxury brand is selling something in cheap plastic that I have to throw away, then FORGET IT! I woukd rather buy the drugstore version which works just as well for me. Plus nobody is gonna know if my blush is covergirl or dior when it is on my face.
That's funny because I really related to this. I'm also disabled and don't go out too much and like the reliable packaging of the higher end brands. I also find they have a better shade match for my skin tone (fair light olive).
Back in 2018, when Benefit was really big, I finally got to see the products in real life. I was appalled at how cheap the packagings felt. Even cheap make up brands' packagings don't feel that cheap 😮
When I was in uni I worked on luxury counters like La Prairie, Lancôme, YSL, Shu Uemura ect. I was agency so I got to bop around these counters. The biggest luxury experience difference is the store you are shopping in. A Lancôme in Harvey Nichols is wildly different to one in a Boots. If you want a luxury experience go to a ‘luxury store’.
I went to Sephora yesterday (got the dulche de leche lip softie btw and it truly does smell edible) and I had no joke about 5 different employees ask if I needed help. The line was long and one of the attendants actually rang me up separately on the side! That was a bit luxurious for me 😂
3:00 I agree!! Queuing is NOT a luxurious experience! Before during and after, I've always see queues at luxury brand stores (I'm not in the US) and it always amazed me that people would wait that long in a line to buy some overpriced bs. But I also live in a country where people will queue up in incredibly long lines because a foreign branded cafe or restaurant opened (they queued for subway and popeyes simply cause its american lol)
It's kind of weird that they haven't developed a more refined system to handle an influx of customers, like buzzers or texts or pre-established reservations/appointments.
Ease and comfort come with being financially secure. Buying "luxury" items just gives the illusion of having money. Nowadays, though, people have adopted a herd mentality and will spend their last dime on things they really can't afford.
Yes, yes, yes. Materialism and consumerism have reached disgusting heights, fueled by the mindset of “more more more”. The introduction of the online selling platform “Temu” has given consumers opportunity to really indulge in gross acquisition, with people posting videos showing haul after haul rife with purchases of cheap, never-to-be-used, landfill-toppling, factory worker abuse spurring, cluttering junk. Although individual item prices are very low, those small amounts add up. I have become absolutely disgusted seeing SO many people having (seemingly) no moral, ethical, financial or common sense issues with their non-stop buying of useless junk. It blows my mind that SO many people have absolutely no qualms with placing order after order, delivery after delivery, (and drawer-full after closet-full!) of knick knacks, ugly, ill-fitting clothing, never-to-be-used kitchen gadgets, crap jewelry, etc etc etc. At what point will the rationale “it’s only 82¢, it’s only 17¢, it’s only $1.32 - so I’ll get it” finally fail? How many junky sandals, nail art bits, makeup brushes, epoxy craft molds, swimsuits, junk electronics, on and on and on can someone waste their money on, before they say “enough - I’m done”? I’ve yet to buy a single thing from Temu, and I never plan to. I am grossly repulsed with everything Temu and I have no desire to ever place a Temu order. I can’t be the only one who has become keenly aware of (and thoroughly sickened by) the nonstop Temu-crap-buying epidemic, right? Please tell me that there are others who can see a Temu ad for a 75¢ bear-shaped humidifier, yet have the sensibility to resist buying? I can’t be the only one with the brains to understand that I don’t need any of the low-quality crap that Temu tempts? Right???
Yes, true that. Some of the poorest people will have the latest greatest cell phones for example and can'r make rent that month.......very sad, indeed!
I used to feel intimidated to go to the department store cosmetic counter when I was younger because I could only afford one thing at a time and no one was in a rush to help me. That feeling of being treated ‘less than’ stuck with me, so I gravitated to drugstore options even once I could afford higher end.
A great book related to this topic (which focuses more on fashion but still really relates) is Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas. It's a tiny bit dated now because it was written in 2007, but I still highly recommend it if anyone wants to dive deeper into this topic!
Another good one is Don’t Go to the Makeup Counter Without Me. Her comparison of effective ingredients to look for in skin products is an especially useful section.
I'm annoyed drugstore makeup is nearly $20 now. There are concealers and foundations now from l'oreal and others that are $18+ and I'm not here for that. At least at Sephora you can redeem points for samples and rewards.
Came here to say this exact same thing. I live in Canada and drugstore prices are no longer cheap. You can can tower 28 or rare beauty for basically the same price. And when it comes to shades for foundation and concealer, the drugstore still lacks in undertones. I'm neutral and fair, difficult to find at the drugstore.
For drugstore makeup fans, the Ulta rewards system is pretty good & [for the US] I absolutely love CVS for coupons & rewards. I have a lot of prescription costs, so it's nice that when I'm getting my meds, I'm also earning money I can use on nail polish or skincare.
@@savannawarcop1129Ugh, the struggle is real for fair, deep, & neutral/olive complexions at the drugstore... One of the most inexpensive products that actually has a shade for me is the new About Face foundation. I haven't bought it yet, but I'm excited to no longer have to mix multiple products together or pay $30+. 😭
People want a 1000k dollar purse with only 100 dollars in it instead of a Target store or Walmart purse with 1000k in it.. Wealthy people do not waste money on high end products like those of us who aren't.. Middle class and below spend the most money on higher end products and clothes...trying to look wealthy ..these companies know us better than we realize... 😂 I no longer waste money on higher end products of any kind anymore...I find many excellent products for way less money now with same ingredients!! ❤ The dupes a lot of the time are better if not exactly the same.
Having spent a lot of money on luxury products and a little to a medium amount on drugstore products I had never thought about the experience. I'm not the person who needs that experience. It's always nice but I tend to forget about it. You are making such a brilliant point That we're paying for it when we're ordering online and not getting it. Thank you for being the voice of reason. For your beautiful young age, you have such a open mind and consider everything for your viewers and the consumer. You are a gem. ♥️
Watching your video to relax myself after sending the umpteenth job application (it always gives me major anxiety, but I'm trying to keep myself positive 😅). Great video as always, Kelly, and hope you had fun here in Europe during your recent trip 🤍
Great video, I find the psychology of marketing fascinating, especially for beauty because the profit margins are so high. If the main purpose of makeup is to enhance your look, then the packaging is irrelevant. However as you state, if the luxury experience is important to someone they may be willing to pay high prices.
The Dior example is also Chanel's experience if you buy directly from them. Out of alllllll the brands I've bought from directly (still have yet to buy from Dior directly, one day) Chanel has been the best I've ever bought from. If you order early enough in the day, they ship it out by the end of that very same day! And then when you get it, you get this beautiful box or bag if you want (you get to choose), your order paperwork is put in a cute white envelope, and it's all just so fun. Such different experiences compared to Ulta and Sephora. I like both, they're just different.
I think this goes for skincare too. There’s so many excellent affordable skincare products (K-beauty etc) with better associated experiences than what I’ve gotten from higher end. I’m about cutting back cosmetic spending overall. Less is more. 💕
Agree! K beauty is often as good as or even sometimes better than more luxury prices. I turned my sister onto Tony Moly’s ceramide toner and she and I both love it, and you get a large quantity. We’re both astounded!
It is way better for sunscreen. I’m melanistically blessed (nothing zinc works, to much of a cast) and also have an odd issue with chemical sunscreens available in the US (makes me burn, like physically because of the change in UV to infrared). The formulations for K beauty include tinosorb and mexoryl, photostable options and next gen, with more cosmetically elegant applications. I have no issue getting the full quarter teaspoon or at least close to it with it, and it hydrates so I can skip a moisturizer in the summer, as a menopausal dry combo lady, compared to the school paste you can get here.
@@CandidLy1 Yesss it’s so good. I switched my entire skincare routine to Korean based and it’s helped so much with acne control and my super congested skin. I highly recommend the Anua line.
@@TheBaumcm Yes I agree! I have a collection of mostly Korean sunscreens and they are just superior overall. The only American sunscreen I like for zero white cast is the Summer Fridays. You should try it, it’s 100% mineral with no white cast no matter the skin tone. Otherwise K-beauty all day lol.
I could not agree more! It actually makes me feel bad instead of good. Because such a gorgeous outer packaging is a shame to just throw away, but what would I do with it? Can't keep it around, but can't throw it out either.... meanwhile you did pay for it. I still have a beautiful cardboard box from Pat McGrath somewhere. Yes, lovely box, but what can you do with it? Nothing. But it feels wrong to toss it. So I would absolutely prefer: minimal outer packaging, maximum free samples.
@@marielle7505 I repurpose my especially beautiful bottles and jars with hand lotion, another cheaper cream that I love etc. And boxes I cut the lid part off and use them to store hair clips, cotton swabs, lipstick samples, and disposable mascara wands.
You can donate it to thrift stores. They use as wrappings when people buy dishes, or glass ornaments. Someone will appreciate the bags, ribbons, tissue paper, boxes. 💐💐
I agree that luxury makeup can often perform like drugstore and vice versa. But I also think there can be a different experience when you're using a luxury product, regardless of whether you bought it straight from Dior with the fancy box (super wasteful BTW) or got it at Ulta. The packaging feels heavier and more substantial, the ingredients may be higher quality and it might look smoother on the skin. I do love a lot of drugstore products (most of my makeup is drugstore), but none of them have captured the exact feel and finish of the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Wands, as an example. They might come close but I can tell a difference and I find myself using the CT blush and the others just sit in a drawer. Also the lower price tags from brands like elf come at their own price, which is cheap labor from China. I would prefer to spend my money on a product made in Europe or the United States rather than support child labor or forced labor. As I get older, I realize that I sometimes spend way more money on drugstore makeup trying to find the "right" product, than if I just bought the original luxury product and saved myself a bunch of time and money. This isn't always the case as there are wonderful drugstore gems out there...but it just takes a lot to find them sometimes. So no, I wouldn't say that luxury makeup is a scam. Some of it is overpriced but in some cases you get what you pay for, including cost of production/labor, nicer packaging, and quality ingredients.
They put weights that cost three cents each inside the components to make them heavier. It's not a luxury experience knowing that I'm being conned with a simple trick.
I prefer Ulta over Sephora every time. They have a better rewards program and better range of prices as you mentioned. I also like the self serve, BUT the associates will offer assistance or you can seek out a person to help should you need them. I really like that better than the “counter” experience. I love dupes! I love drugstore makeup now that it has gotten so much better. I am in my 50s so I remember well when drugstore makeup = chalky eyeshadows, hard, stiff eyeliner (we used to carry our eyeliner and a lighter just to soften it to apply and you had to reapply during the day 😳), stiff lip liners that were almost unusable, and makeup tools consisted of the sponge applicators that came with the chalk eyeshadow, the awful brush that came with the blush, and those cheap triangle sponges. We applied foundation with our fingers and if we used powder, we just used the puff that came with it. NO makeup brushes in sight! I am loving what I find at the drugstore now. I agree, though, that the prices have continued to increase and increase. No way should a drugstore foundation (Covergirl ahem!) cost over $20 😳 I really enjoyed this video. I love your content and look forward to your uploads 😊 have a great weekend! Hugs! 💖🌸
I am now on a complete no buy with Ulta. I had been a very frequent customer for many years and a simple request of Customer Service turned into a nightmare. I was ignored and pushed away like I was trash. I will never buy from them again.
I agree that "luxury" has just become synonymous with "more expensive." You get an identical shopping experience if you buy drugstore or Sephora brand vs. the luxury brands. (I suppose you could argue the luxury purchases from some pay for the "luxury" experiences of service for all, but I still means you don't get a unique experience when you buy pricier items.) You could argue that brands will have nicer ingredients or packaging, but dupes prove the quality can be similar and brands like CT stand out for having really mediocre packaging for the price.
But the people making dupes aren't paying for R & D, packaging design etc. Obviously it's going to be much cheaper to copy something rather than invent it. You can't dupe something unless it exists in the first place. The dupe industry is essentially parasitic in nature.
In the UK, one of the biggest retailers is Boots. They've moved from a really special counter service experience to a bog-standard self-service model. If you're buying Fenty or Elizabeth Arden or Max Factor or L'Oréal, it's all the same experience. With that in mind, I might as well buy a L'Oréal lipstick for £10 rather than a Chanel lipstick for £30. It's really taken the 'luxury' and specialness out of buying cosmetics.
I love beautiful packaging and a quality experience. If I'm paying more than drugstore prices, the packaging should at least feel quality. If it doesn't, it should be sustainable/refillable/etc.!
Unfortunately the "things not being used or picked over" in warehouses is a myth I used to believe. That used to be the case but recently I have had used makeup show up coming directly from warehouses after online ordering. I have seen used makeul even from luxury store such as Saks in a $70 plus lipstick. Its gross and I am going on a no online shopping hiatus for a while. Its not worth the headaches!! Online shopping is nothing but stressful lately for me at least.
I agree with your take. Luxury is an experience which is why the price is higher, and the product packaging is better. In today's market, your experience is the same whether buying low-priced makeup and expensive "brand" makeup. There is nothing luxurious about all the different packaging in today's market either, as its all light plastic with some colors slapped on. The only thing you buy is the name, and the name is not enough to impress me.
One benefit about ordering a luxury product through Sephora is you earn points. You may get a more luxurious experience directly through the brand with nice packaging and extras. But you won’t earn the same level of rewards like you would through the box retailer. You have to decide what’s more important. Opening a fancy package, or points towards future purchases.
Ulta's rewards are the best. I don't like that Sephora shows shopping preference to those that spend the most...I'm fine with them getting a better discount but not with allowing them to shop earlier, so by the time I can shop most inventory is sold out.
I hate to break it to you, but I heard that the next Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale is changing how it's done. It's now called the Semi-Annual Sale and they will be dropping the daily beauty steals by the week instead of for the whole sale AND the Platinum and Diamond members get early access. I'm expecting a lot of backlash is headed their way for this.
I think brands like Chanel are relying on the experience of buying something from Chanel and being able to display it on your vanity. It’s more about buying their brand than the product. I do see the appeal of the counter if you know you are going to buy something and you have a ballpark idea. I’ve had a nice time at the benefit counter at macys and the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstroms. It’s a more memorable experience than trying to remember that one time I went to Sephora to buy that one thing. But not as convenient.
I really didn't enter the beauty space until 2020 and once I learned enough to kinda know what I was doing, I started sharing with my mom. She was so confused about what Sephora was and why you would want to pay so much for makeup. Then I realized I didn't really know either lol. The transition of how we shop for lux makeup makes so much sense though!
I think Sam Ravendahl and her brand Auric is a perfect example of luxury. Everything from the ad campaigns, the name of the brand, the outter packaging, the product packaging down to the components, and so much more. The items are also unique and it really is an experience when I use them.
Absolutely!! I'm so glad her brand is being offered at Beautylish now - which is an online retailer which I find puts a lot of effort into neatly packaging their boxes w/ care. I always feel like I'm treating myself to something nice when I get a Beautylish package.
Ulta needs to do something about their shipping. Every time I purchase an eyeshadow palette from Ulta (they never have every product in store), it comes broken. If you buy from a prestige website, their products always come nicely wrapped. Really - besides getting something right now, what is the draw to shopping in store? The experience is so much better direct from the brand. Great video Kelly. Thank you.
Design student here: the experience is a big selling point for many products. It's the selling point for cds nowadays and I've experienced that myself. I love the overall experience I get when plugging my portable cd player to the wall, picking up a cd from my collection, opening the case, taking the cd out and putting it inside the player. When closing the lid, pressing play and being forced to listen from beginning to the end of a cd. It's the reason why I've looked into buying a cd burner or reader that I can plug into my laptop to make my own cds to replace the ones that don't exist in cd form. I've felt so gutted to know that some of my favourite bangers don't come in a cd format that I want that experience back. My brother for example told me I can just use the Spotify app I pay for. But it's not the same. I can get easily distracted using it. It's easy to start and stop. I don't have to click a button from a player in my bag. I can choose to add whatever song I want to my queue. I can choose to scrap the album I'm listening and go for a UA-cam video or listen to an entirely different album all together. A cd forces me to slow down and focus on the music. I love to play mine for example when travelling or cleaning or going to the park for a rest. It's the luxury experience that makes the 20/15 euros value worth it. It's so hard to explain this concept honestly. I think people who either grew up with cds (older than me) or the ones who were born right between the switch (2001) from physical copies to digital ones understand the different feelings in the music listening experience. And I'm sorry if cds is all I can talk about. But I don't have the experience with buying fancy makeup as I only use drugstore.
I love to own my media physically, whether music, video, or reading material, even though I do prefer reading on my kindle. I still buy the hardcopies of good books. Spotify horrifies me!
Ulta3… just laughed out loud. I worked at the head office in Romeoville. The warehouse sales; makeup and skincare for years at a buck or so!!! Best experience ever ❤
To me luxury in beauty needs to be an extremely nice, beautiful, and effective product. All 3. Or it needs to be more personal, I think luxury only truly exists in the artistry. The most luxury makeup experience I can think of would be to book a makeup artist you really love so they can make a look that’s personalised for you or give you a personalised class on doing your makeup. In terms of experience you’re given mindful attention and actually get to support someone you admire, rather than just being a potential dollar for faceless corporations. Some of the things I’ve heard people experiencing from these “luxury brands” are genuinely emotional abuse at best. I’d never willingly let myself be treated in such a humiliating way! But I don’t blame them. I think most of us have times in life when we’re manipulated into tolerating things like that, it always makes me really sad to see… Some people have been so caught up in the ideas that luxury brands sell, basically the myth of the brand, that they are actually PAYING a company to treat them like that!
In my experience luxury products still have better packaging, ingredients and components than the dupes do. Personally I do enjoy using luxury components more vs. cheap ones. Also luxury perfumes are a good example for getting what you pay for. The synthetic ingredients in cheaper perfumes and the less complex formulations and cheap dispensers do have me turn more towards the luxury perfumes. Additionally I am weary of purchasing formulations made in China. I have no idea if the Chinese factories have the same quality of ingredients. In the past even things like baby formula have had contaminants in it let alone makeup. I am putting products on the biggest organ of my body and I don’t trust Chinese factories to be honest about their manufacturing practices. Also China is not known for their ethical labor or environmental safety. Luxury or not I am willing to pay a premium for my makeup to be hopefully ethically manufactured in Europe, North America, Japan, etc. Lastly I divide makeup into three tiers. Luxury such as CHANEL, Tom Ford, Dior, Armani, YSL, etc. Mid tier like Natasha Denona, Pat M. Charlotte T, Hourglass, Patric Ta, Haus Labs, etc. And drugstore like Elf, Cover Girl, Nyx, Colorpop, etc. I try to stick to the top two tiers, and choose makeup I can afford and that is manufactured with hopefully good ingredients and in an ethical way. 🤞
For me I feel like the classification based in price would be luxury (Chanel, hourglass, etc), high end/pro (rare, urban, Mac), Mid tier (the balm, rem, Kylie, Inglot), drugstore (Maybelline, L'Oréal), low cost (Revolution, tecnhic, w7, essence)
Funny this just popped up after I bought a new Chanel highlighter and Gucci bronzer. The packaging and products I find superior but the packaging is what gets me on those items specifically. And while the difference between $20 drugstore and $50 luxury might seem like a huge difference as a % the actual dollars are worth it to me. I won’t toss the gorgeous compacts after the product is done, and that takes a while! Also, the Gucci and Chanel makeup fragrances remind me of my grandmother’s vanity and that’s priceless ❤
@@hcf4kd1992Same. The moment I read 'granny's vanity' my inner child is having a very bad asthma attack and these companies want to put it thisclose to my nose? 🤮
Couldn’t agree with you more Kelly! The internet has definitely changed the game. I’ve noticed that a lot of store locations (cosmetic, clothing, electronics, whatever) do not put the same effort into keeping up the appearance and atmosphere of the in-store locations since online shopping has become more prevalent over the past several years.
My thoughts are this: self checkout at a grocery store annoys me. I’m not getting any savings by doing the work myself, and if I happen to have coupon(s) I have to wave for an associate anyway, so unless I have only an item or two, I’m going to let them do the work. If you twist things a bit, the same can be said for other retail areas. I realize that I’m very basic…hope I’ve made at least a little bit of sense. 🤪
I see your point, but I prefer self-checkout because I am socially anxious and also kind of particular about packing my groceries, so I'd rather do the work myself than have to grit my teeth through letting someone else do it. (Also, the self-checkout where I go has a system for coupons with a discard bin built in, which helps)
To try products on, the counter is so much better. Someone is making sure it's hygenic and you can see them making sure it's ok. The hygiene concerns that I have at Sephora and Ulta are real - it's a free for all of testers. It doesn't feel great at all.
I agree with testers being more clean at high end counter stores. Even then I just use on my wrist so can wipe off with a disinfectant wipe. Our Target store is hideous with stolen testers and opened packages.
Recently I wanted to just please myself with some "luxury" makeup item. I wanted something not only useful and doing the job, I wanted it so smell nice, look nice, packaging to be made of nice materials that feel good in hands and... I wanted a nice experience in a shop. I went to Sephora to check out what they have, but the experience was so bad I didn't want to buy anything. I ended up going to the shop next to Sephora that was Guerlain boutique - they had the same thing I wanted to buy, but this was luxurious. I was taken care of, my questions were answered, the shopping assistant was sooo lovely and she was a real ambassador of the brand. The price for was of course same as in sephora, product was the same, but the one in the boutique was pure luxury. In Sephora they couldn't care less about me :P
I used to shop at Ulta3 😂😂 I do buy Chanel makeup (from Ulta) because I feel the makeup provides me with a more effortless look & I haven't found or looked hard enough for dupes!
The experience of going to sephora is horrible now. Its so crowded, you can't track down a salesperson for help, 10 year olds everywhere. I only buy online from them now.
I like both self service and counter-style. If I know what I want I'm fine with self service. There are times when I want help in selection by someone who actually specifically knows the product. I still love a combo of luxury and drugstore. While influencer channels are great and helpful, many get tons of PR and are sponsored. They may also have a much different skin tone and type that I do.
Yes, I've noticed people having to wait in line outside Chanel in Paris (including if you're wanting to purchase from their beauty line). Sephora has lost their way, post-pandemic. Ulta has far more regular sales, offers, and rewards. Also, they have a consistently lighter, brighter, cleaner in-person shopping encounter - at many different price-points, too. With luxury, there are any number of unspoken expectations and standards. Including, precedent. That is a major point of differentiation.
I had such precious memories of my mom taking me to Sears w her, she would try Clinique skincare products and it was a whole dreamy, glamorous experience. I feel that’s why I love girly stuff
I personally notice a huge difference between pricier makeup and the cheap/drug store ones. High-end makeup lasts longer and looks better on me for a longer period of time, while as drugstore makeup tends to crease and often looks patchy and chalky. The only stuff that I don’t notice difference in is mascara, and some blushes and bronzes. For example the clarins lip oil is good quality, but the dior one lasts way longer on me, essentially making the overall purchase last longer and worh the money.
I don't think dupes hurt prestige brands that much because they target different markets. I cannot afford to buy a lipstick or blush that cost more than $20, no matter how much I like it. Therefore, Charlotte and Company hav no chance of getting me as a customer.
as someone who went from drugstore straight to luxery i can tell u there's a difference. big difference. yeah sometimes drugstore blushes can give the same effect as a high end blush same with counselor and eyeliner but mascara and powder big difference! my old sky high mascara used to not stay on for more then 1 hr while my lancome one stays on for days if I don't remember. and so on so it's important. as for the lipstick i also notice luxery looks better or at least korean brands make some good lipstick at a affordable price
@@hair2show1031 it was new years and it stays until the next day so I count that as 2 days I also went to pool with it and it stays pretty well for not a water proof mascara
Ah I remember Ulta III! I’ve always felt intimidated by makeup counters. But I still like to go to Nordstroms and shade swatch, and they always honor other stores sales.
I totally agree with you, Kelly. In fact, I ordered so many things directly from the brands I had been wanting (Hourglass, Tatcha) during the Holiday season all the way through "Lucky Bag" season because the consumer was so much better that it really was shocking. And I am currently a Platinum member at Ulta and VIB member at Sephora; so I am not a slacker when it comes to shopping at those locations; but shopping directly from the brands certainly made me feel a lot less like cattle.
I actually work for Charlotte Tilbury counter at Nordstrom in central connecticut and we have some great employees and i always try to provide a luxurious experience. But tbh sephora ruined it for us as now customers instead of coming in for nice experience with idea to buy some products come in for free stuff and return everything they bought. Really does not motivate us to do better. At my counter we have amazing gifts with purchase and lots of free samples but i dont even give them to certain customers because i know they are going to return those purchases in a week. The only reason this store is doing pretty well are older customers who understand and value others peoples jobs.
I personally tend to have more success (not always) in finding true quality/luxury products in brands started by those without an existing fan base (ie. celebrities, legacy brand names, influencers, etc) to rely on for sales - they more likely have to work harder or overcompensate by having superior products in order to stay in business (ex. CeraVe, Cetaphil, Tarte, Benefit, Youth to the People, etc) 😊
It's funny because I don't necessarily consider all 'high end' brands to be luxury brands. I wouldn't consider Charlotte Tilbury or Natasha Denona luxury, more like high end makeup artist brands. When I think luxury, I think Hourglass, Pat McGrath (unless she continues with this cardboard packaging), Dior, etc. I do agree that ordering direct from the brand's website makes it a better experience. The only massive caveat I'd say with the drugstore is that they have still not really managed to get their eyeshadow game together. Not all more expensive brands do this well either, and indie brands often manage to have amazing eyeshadow quality (think Cliodnah Cosmetics).
Indie is the way to go if the product is buttery and blendable. I can’t recall the last time I bought drugstore eyeshadow. I don’t think I ever will, I feel it will be patchy:/
What consumers pay for when it comes to luxury makeup is mostly the experience. Marlena Stell made a helpful video on what drives the pricing of makeup products and a lot of it was because of the packaging making it feel more sturdy, heavier, putting more decorative details, adding scent, etc. To an extent, it is also the formulation. The same ingredients can have the same name but the sourcing and processing method makes the difference in quality (and in skincare, the potency of the product). Personally, I stick to buying makeup at the high end to luxury price points because I genuinely find they are of better quality. I don’t mind paying for more if it means better overall experience, especially because applying makeup to me is almost like a relaxing ritual. Many disregard an expensive product if it’s because of the packaging, but I find value in it because it really can make or break the experience. It’s also makeup that you can treasure and if it’s refillable packaging, maybe even pass down. Most of these drugstore products cannot replicate that experience, and when something becomes hyped and widely recommended, they are usually in flimsy or tacky packaging or doesn’t perform as well in the long run. I also don’t want to support brands that mostly thrive on making these “dupes”. The more expensive brands price their products the way they do because they put time and effort researching new formulation and creating nuanced shades and colors. (Now, there are expensive products where this is not the case and are simply overpriced, but those are not what I’m referring to.) Drugstore brands simply copying these just seems like an insult. The high end / luxury market first bring out the ideas of looks and overall aesthetic of products that trickle down in the lower end market, and I don’t mind spending on them if it means the brands continuing to innovate and bring creativity into the makeup industry.
This was interesting! I don't like going to the traditional Makeup counters, because the sales person is watching my every move, and they jump as soon as you start looking, asking if they can help. This is good for people who don't know much about makeup and need help, but if you're immersed in makeup, like we are, I prefer the self-service, and if I need help, I'll ask for it. Also, I def feel more "bougie" going into a Sephora than an Ulta, because of the "experience" Sephora has (pretty walls, displays, the hustle and bustle, etc), but I also enjoy going to Ulta for the calm, and that they have drugstore and high end, I can purchase both in one store. As for Makeup, I'm more into what works for me, the right shades, and not the beautiful packaging, so I have products in both genres...like I love/use a high-end Foundation, and a Revlon blush.
For me it’s about packaging. I don’t own a lot of makeup, but whatever I do have gets used heavily for years. A lot of drugstore options just don’t offer sturdy packaging that will last. I used to spend more money replacing cheap broken tubes and compacts that were only a few months old than I do buying one nicely packaged thing. If you’re the type of person who likes using the same thing every day then paying the extra $10 is worth it imo. (This doesn’t apply to everything, of course)
Going to the counter before wasn’t always a luxurious experience. The assistants were often snobby and limited what customers could see or try. I prefer self-service with help on demand.
I find going to a department store counter disappointing. Most times the person you find isn't the brand's ambassador so they try to help but don't know that much - not sure if they don't do cross training or the brand's don't have the budget to have their associate working each day. 🤷♀ And since I keep up with beauty on YT sometimes I know more about the products than they do.
Luxury is definitely more about the experience in the modern day. It's more accessible but there's still an exclusivity there (sometimes discriminatory but that's another conversation). Yes, some luxury brands have increased quality but I think when consumers are able to find something that's stellar at a drugstore or mid-range price? They don't care to even look at luxury cuz they're satisfied with what they have.
I remember growing up if you wanted brands like Clinique then you had to get them from the cosmetics counter at a department store. It was kind of a pain in the butt though the service was pretty rad if you needed it (not when they were trying to sell you extra crap though!) I like the convenience of Ulta and Sephora though they're not always as knowledgeable as the makeup counter chickies. My mom was actually an Estee Lauder counter chicky back in the 70s ❤ *I said "chickies" though I should say "people" because of course it's not just women ❤
Watch the full Makeup Musings playlist here: ua-cam.com/video/Ad2ZebXp-X4/v-deo.html
Presentation is everything.
Sephora used to be like dining at a five-star restaurant. Now it’s like grabbing nachos at the airport.
😂
Haha so true
Pass on accepting the *suluxs* . They get enough advertisement
I honestly prefer self-service because I don’t feel pressured to buy products. When a salesperson isn’t pushing a product, it’s a lot easier to tell myself, “You don’t need that.”
That makes sense!
Ugh I know! I feel pressured when the sales people are a little pushy. Obviously sometimes they are very helpful but I always feel awkward
Same. A shopping experience with a lot of personal attention from sales associates sounds way more uncomfortable than luxurious. I remember the days of beauty counters! Shopping was much more intimidating when that was the way I had to buy prestige makeup brands. The arrival of Sephora and Ulta and the much more hands off experience was so welcome! The only thing I miss about the counters and dedicate brand stores was the larger amount of products they carried. At stores like Ulta and Sephora, there’s less space for each brand so the shade ranges and number of products they offer in store have to be smaller.
True! I don’t like being approached in any shopping scenario. If I need help I will go find someone.
Very true and I feel the same. I prefer the self service approach when shopping for makeup, clothes, shoes etc….and if I have a question or need something I have the option to ask someone. I’ve had good and bad experiences at makeup counters. I always felt pressured to buy something that I really didn’t want or need also being told if you spend $50 more dollars you get a gift with purchase and you end up spending more than you would have.
Sephora has lost so many aspects of what felt luxury to me - cracking down on return policies, dirty/messy stores, and yes the Sephora kids affects my experience. It feels much more like shopping at CVS now.
Our Sephora is so crowded and are always out of stuff I've stopped going there. I have a better shopping experience at CVS.
The professionalism of the Sephora employees has gone way down hill too in the past several years. When I first started shopping at Sephora a little over 15 years ago you could tell the employees were trained very well and they had excellent customer service. The store was always clean and well organized, as it should be for a luxury makeup retailer. Now most of the staff couldn’t give a rip and the stores are messy as hell. Sephora needs to get it together because they are way too expensive to have such trashy in-store atmospheres.
I was shocked when I as a long time VIB Rouge went to my nearby Sephora to return two of the five products my significant other bought for my Valentine gift. The two I returned were sealed and unopened. Because I did not have his receipt they would not let me exchange them for products I would use. Very annoying
@@barbraluce5706 Similar thing happened to me. Longtime VIB Rouge member, purchased product using my own account. I thought product had gone off but they would not let me return because it was after 30 days. So effectively Sephora only guarantees products will be fresh/within date for 30 days?
I feel the exact opposite about Sephora. I love that I can return things I don't like. I don't find the stores dirty at all. I will admit that the employees aren't as knowledgeable about make-up in general as I'd like them to be, but they do know what works for them and I don't feel pressured into buying anything even if a person has spent a considerable amount of time with me.
Try this: I kept an empty La Mer eye cream jar (had used it up, liked the packaging and the silver cooling wand) and filled it with a budget eye cream to see if I noticed real differences in the actual product. Nope: I still feel like I’m using a luxury product & have not seen one iota of change under my eyes. Now as I use up my expensive stuff, I wash out the jars and refill them with my cheaper replacements. My vanity looks pretty and I can’t tell a difference in most cases. I’d suggest trying that as an experiment. The placebo effect is real but we can’t deny part of the reason we love luxury products is the feeling we get using it. It’s a good way to know if it’s really the product you love or the feel of owning it.
LOVE IT!😂❤
This is pure genius 🤩
I do the same thing and I love it.
I also really love using cosmetic pharmaceuticals for the same reason. They make me feel like I’m using something scientifically researched and developed for a purpose and quantifiable results. It’s in my head but I’m persuaded that they are more effective.
I did this recently with an expensive moisturizer with a jar I liked (one of those airless pump jars). While I still think I liked the fancy moisturizer more, I don’t like it *so* much more it’s worth it to me to repurchase especially now that I’ve put my inferior-but-still-good moisturizer in better packaging.
Kelly -- you are so right! Retail does not offer a luxury experience but still is charging luxury prices. When I worked Lancome counters in the late eighties and moved to Chanel immediately after, I knew everything about every product each line sold. I kept cards on each significant client, with HUGE amounts of information about them, and they got personalized skin care and makeup regimes or travel samples specifically for them. That was luxury makeup. And the Chanel experience was even more intense, because even at the department store level, it included the beautiful wrapping for one lipstick (generally the cheapest purchase at that time). Repeat customers got early access to holiday makeup specials and gift sets, etc. We knew their birthdays and called them and sometimes had cupcakes and little champagne bottles cold for them if we know they were coming in around a birthday or anniversary -- that is a luxury experience. I can't think of a singly retailer I've been to since the Plague that has offered that level of service. Yes, the Cle de Peau saleswoman at N-M does keep in touch via email -- that it. That is not luxury.
Oh how I miss this! our somewhat upscale, department store closed a few years ago, and the closest one now is a few hours away. The level of service you described was exactly my experience. My Lancome ladies knew me and knew how to make me feel special - especially around the holidays, Mother’s Day, or my birthday. They knew how to spoil me and help me to spoil myself. ❤
That sounds heavenly!
Even in the early -mid 2000s. At least clothing it was very similar. My aunt explained VERY similar situations and tasks she had to do working in like Macy's and such department stores. She kept tabs similarly for the clothes she sold. I wish we had more of that
Going to a counter is not what it used to be. The employees are often covering more than one counter and don’t seem to be the product/brand expert that they used to be.
They're most likely not versed on the products, because there are more and more products coming out, and at a faster pace, then years ago.
This is so true. When I think of luxury beauty and going to let's say... The Bay to go to one of the beauty counters and there stood this airline-dressed, impeccable-looking woman in three-inch heels that she never takes off, even to sleep, who sits you down in her beauty chair and walks you through absolutely everything with immaculate language and explanations of the products. This never existed at Sephora or at least not the ones in Toronto - and the other department stores are disappearing so this will be gone too.
that's a good point too. they often look super exhausted/ uninterested too (not their fault obvi)
These companies also don’t want to invest in experts. And expert wants to be respected in their field and properly compensated. I’ve worked at a high end makeup store and I’ma makeup enthusiast, but they also hire people that know nothing about makeup and don’t even wear makeup, because thats the only person they could find for the pay they were offering. I quit very fast, because it felt more like I was working at Target than a high end makeup store.
After 2020 I never had a nice experience shopping anymore
Cassandra Bankson said that ''bougie is not for the rich...it's for the poor who want to pretend they're rich'' and I pretty much agree. I highly doubt that truly rich, bougie people are watching Mikayla or Glamzilla for reviews on Dior products. Also preconceived assumptions can so easily trick our brains into thinking something is so much better because it costs a lot, has a pretty package or because a Kardashian uses it and hey, if it makes you feel good about yourself it's your money but I guarantee that most of us using Elf aren't suffering from envy.
Just stumbled upon a real rich kid TikTok and honestly I had not a single clue which brands are those. No Dior or wtv "mainstream" luxury brand on sight. The real rich from old money use stuff we don't even hear about it
@@amandas.4088like what for example?
Honestly, I have seen the reviews for the luxury brands and the really luxury brands. They're all pretty inconsistent, with some of them being worth the absurd prices and others being worse than what you would get at Walmart
I agree most people don’t even know what boujie means
Agree 💯
Customer service is dead. People are so freaking rude at stores, I’d much rather buy online.
Etiquette, civility & socialisation are dead too.
No one’s getting paid enough
Man go to a MAC store if you have a degradation kink cuz the sails girls there are that rude. And it's the same in every country cuz I remember a comment thread where a woman described her bad experience at MAC in her country and other women commented that it was the same in their countries.
@@taiyabazaheer9492 last time I went into Ulta I walked past 5 employees without a single hi, welcome, can I help you. Ruuuuuude
I do all of my buying online for this very reason.
Generally, I like to be left alone while I'm shopping. However, I appreciate it when knowledgeable employees are available when I have a question.
I think it's all about how one defines "luxury." I enjoy quietly shopping online and buying directly from ELF, Physician's Formula, Miliani, etc. They constantly run sales, ship directly to my home, and the products will arrive safely and NOT picked over like in a store these days. If something is broken? They'll work with you to replace it, but I've never had to do that. I like knowing I can take my time to consider my purchase, and that my order will come directly from a clean warehouse. And...I can do all this in my PJs with a hot cup of tea, LOL! ☕
I agree completely. I did all of my nieces Christmas shopping from the Nyx website, and I even got a free gift for myself when it arrived. :-)
I've worked ib warehouses for years and I can tell you with 100% certainty the warehouse it comes from is NOT clean.
@@0mfgeeze I think she mostly means clean as people haven’t opened up the products and put their fingers in new products.
@@greatsmilesI recently returned a used Lipstick from Saks which came from a warehouse after ordering online. It seems there is a lot of returned items being resold. The "clean and untouched" warehouse was a myth I used to believe until I noticed it more frequently now than ever.
Unfortunately the "things not being used or picked over" in warehouses is a myth I used to believe. That used to be the case but recently I have had used makeup show up coming directly from warehouses. Even from luxury stores from Saks and even on luxury items. Its gross and I am going on a no online shopping hiatus for a while.
I have to say that I do get a kick out of the Nordstrom employees wrapping my most basic bra purchase in tissue paper, then walking around the counter to hand me my package in a pretty shopping bag.
Yes! Nordstrom understands the luxury of Graciousness. That extra touch of service with care. To me, that is a huge component that makes it worth any extra charge.
I think it’s the rewards programs for me, especially ulta. It’s why, unless there’s a sale, I’ll go to ulta
I agree! Ulta has a great rewards program
Same!! Totally worth it
one frustration with Ulta is that the high-end to luxury brands that added in the past several years are having a very limited selection of products, nowhere near what is carried at department stores
I am the opposite. Sephora is always my go to. I find their rewards better for me
Yeah, I figured someone would point this out too. The rewards are helpful if you purchase from them frequently enough and consistently - and actually USE the rewards instead of forgetting about them like I sometimes do! 😂
My biggest pet peeve with drugstore products is flimsy packaging that breaks before I can even put a dent into them. Essence has that a lot.
Omg yes my matt powder packaging always breaks no matter what 😫
@@gachapinkfloofuwu826 That just happened to me!!! The hinges on pressed powders suck for every brand that I've ever owned, I think I'm just too heavy handed
That's so sad but when I can still use the product I don't really care because they are affordable and cruelty free wich I still don't get why huge brands can't do this?😢
Essence packing is not luxe by any means but their products are so good
Omg the way the letters on my extreme shine gloss fade is annoying af 🙄and this goes to other of their products as well,but gotta love how they put the quality in their makeup rather than packaging ,the opposite of what some luxury brands do🫤
I also own a small business and the experience my customers have opening their package is so important to me. My mom doesn’t understand why I always to want to spend so much on packaging but it’s just important to me for a more “luxury” experience!
It is so appreciated by me and many, especially in this fast paced world, where things don't feel personalized or thoughtful
I appreciate this effort from small businesses so much! It makes it so much more personal and it feels like I'm buying from a real person who put their heart and soul into the products, rather than a big money hungry company.
What is your small business?! I’d love to check it out and support it ❤
Luxury packaging is overly wasteful- that’s another reason it’s less common (and should be!)
@kelcilewis 💖✨️when I order things from small businesses, they always come, magically, on my what the fck day'.
When everything is somehow going the ABSOLUTE worst way possible, even though it has been PREPLANNED and taken care of??
Yeah !!
That day is when I will get some cute little package that I ordered, and the awesome shit you guys put in it, handwritten notes, stickers, drawings etc...
It's genuinely the only thing I can hold on to my sanity with, by a thread.
Thank you
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💖✨️💖✨️💖✨️
I've probably written this here before, but I had a friend who worked for a make-up company several years back. He told me that they had three lines; a high end one, a mid range one and an inexpensive one. The difference? The packaging. The same product went into all 3 lines and the only difference was the look. Blew my mind. What a scam.
And that's still true!
What?!?!
Nope. The difference is the country of manufacture and the margins. The ingredients in Chinese makeup is going to be different and lower quality from those made in Italy or France. A good happy medium is South Korean makeup.
Your friend was correct!!
@KaeMaiden Well these were French brands, but to be fair, this was a long time ago. But I'm sure there's still some truth to it.
Sephora lately don’t even put samples that you are choose into their packages. I reserved multiple packages without samples I choose to receive. It is pathetic.
In Münich Germany Sephora(the only sephora in a huge city!) has never samples to give to customers for anything that is new and considerable expensive, the employes are rude and not so knowledgeble, the shades for makeup products are always half or less from the actual range, is also dirty and out of stock for many products, (also on line), testers are not existing for popular products, overall is terrible experience trying to buy from them brands that are sold exclusively there. And very important here u cant return an opened cosmetic product bought in shop that for some reason didnt worked for u.
I requested luxury samples with my last sephora order. I got Inkey List foil rip-open moisturizer instead. I didn't expect the large samples, but why would I buy Armani if you can't even semd a sample? I'm not a huge customer anymore so I guess they didn't think I was worth it.
Makes no business sense either. I liked the IK sample but the drug store hss a better reward plan. Thanks for sending me there Sephora!
Unrelated but if you’re ever thinking of a different career, something that involves explaining stuff to people would be perfect for you. You’re very articulate
Basically then, she already DOES HAVE that career 😊
And she did when she sold cars Lol
If only she had a UA-cam channel…
When I started wearing makeup around 1974, there was drugstore makeup (orange and gross) and department store makeup counters. Now we have middle of the road price points, Indy brands, etc. as well as high end or drugstore products. As long as the shades and textures are up to standard, I’ll find the best value and go with that. I still find that some drugstore products have limited or crude shade ranges, too powdery of a formula and reduced concentration (think mascara) but that’s why it’s great to consider product reviews from content creators like you.
I think one of the reasons people buy luxury items is because they are status symbols. Buying and owning them tell others that you have certain financial resources. Luxury brands don't just sell you an experience, but an opportunity to tell others that you've made it. They sell you a fantasy of success and exclusivity. Funny enough, I think, nowadays, more people from different economic backgrounds are buying luxury items. Luxury brands probably have mixed feelings about this. They are likely to enjoy the increase on sales, but won't like that people who are not "the right people" have their products. I mean some luxury brands are known to burn their unsold products instead of sending them to Marshalls or other places for resale... 😱Not judging anyone who buys luxury (I own a few pieces myself). Sometimes the fantasy keeps you going in a tough world! 😓
Yep! I feel a little bit bougie when I use my Charlotte Tilbury compact eventhough it's since been used up and refilled with wet n wild.
For me it's remembering the good times before I became disabled.
At least I still have pretty things :)
Kind of true. I own quite a few expensive products, but I don't tell anyone because it's not really a rational thing. It's just to make myself feel special. Not even my boyfriend knows how much money I spend on things like that. I love luxury brands and at the same time it think they are ridiculous over priced.
@@Nicole-yw4vq I get those mixed feelings. We're human! 😂
Well said on all counts. There's a certain escapism and aspiration to a luxury lifestyle than the average person can achieve with a splurge purchase. It's so much more accessible than it the past (still a status symbol but not an unattainable one).
I used to be able to buy luxury products! I'd go to the Dior counter and walk out with 3 or 4 items and had spent $500 but since becoming disabled it's impossible! I do still buy a few things, for instance I bought a mini ND pallette but no more Dior!
I find that Sephora and Ulta are less likely to help you if you are of a certain age or older, which is strange because we are the ones spending the money
I'm a younger person and one time I asked someone for help for a certain product I was looking for skincare-wise, and I specifically told her I was looking for drug store stuff that was "cheaper". She helped me but only showed me the luxury stuff, and after she was done I went right back to the drug store side. She checked me out and was really passive aggressive the whole time.
Being 57 yrs old, I’ve noted that both luxury and drugstore makeup have greatly improved in quality since I first began using makeup.
Also, duping has definitely gotten better. I remember Avon used to try (usually unsuccessfully) to dupe high end products, but now affordable brands are doing it with much better success❤
While you were talking I had the thought that online shopping IS the new luxury experience. Having something delivered to you, potentially even same day, is a luxury that for many consumers outweighs the desire to have an in person experience. I think this could be an exciting challenge for brands. Like you mentioned, they can still package a luxury product, and they could be competitive with ship times, etc. Maybe we will see some ingenuity or maybe this is their fall (in the beauty space).
One of my favorite things about Kelly's videos is the background information shared in them. There are so many GRWM videos that delve into the products themselves (eg. colors, characteristics, wearability, etc). As a 65 yo woman I find the backstory so much more interesting! At this point I want products that perform, but also, I want to support brands that have values that are meaningful to me. Thanks for all the research you do Kelly!! ♥️
10000%! Quality has evolved significantly and as an industry insider-I’ve worked in prestige at Sephora/Kendo (ie makers of Fenty, KVD) as well as mass (J&J, Covergirl) and now the founder of a masstige brand sold at Target/Ulta-a lot of these products across price points are manufactured at the SAME labs and the packaging is really the core differentiator. I also think the rise of Amazon has shifted beauty purchasing behavior
I do all my shopping online b/c I'm disabled so leaving my home is a total headache and not worth it.
So when I do buy luxury I buy for the packaging if it looks sturdy/reuseable.
So if a luxury brand is selling something in cheap plastic that I have to throw away, then FORGET IT! I woukd rather buy the drugstore version which works just as well for me. Plus nobody is gonna know if my blush is covergirl or dior when it is on my face.
That's funny because I really related to this.
I'm also disabled and don't go out too much and like the reliable packaging of the higher end brands.
I also find they have a better shade match for my skin tone (fair light olive).
I’m disabled too and can totally relate. Over 90% of my overall shopping is done online.
In my practice people do notice if it is Dior
Back in 2018, when Benefit was really big, I finally got to see the products in real life. I was appalled at how cheap the packagings felt. Even cheap make up brands' packagings don't feel that cheap 😮
@@KateinBlackWhat is your practice?
When I was in uni I worked on luxury counters like La Prairie, Lancôme, YSL, Shu Uemura ect. I was agency so I got to bop around these counters. The biggest luxury experience difference is the store you are shopping in. A Lancôme in Harvey Nichols is wildly different to one in a Boots. If you want a luxury experience go to a ‘luxury store’.
I went to Sephora yesterday (got the dulche de leche lip softie btw and it truly does smell edible) and I had no joke about 5 different employees ask if I needed help. The line was long and one of the attendants actually rang me up separately on the side! That was a bit luxurious for me 😂
I do get good service at Sephora...they take me where I need to go and answer questions...Ulta seems to just point "over there"...
this happens to me every time. its awkward telling five different employees that i'm just looking around.
@@biankabodon4122I get that and also their managers are paying attention to if they’re offering help and checking in with customers
I hate having all those sale people approach me within 15 mins.@@biankabodon4122
3:00 I agree!! Queuing is NOT a luxurious experience! Before during and after, I've always see queues at luxury brand stores (I'm not in the US) and it always amazed me that people would wait that long in a line to buy some overpriced bs. But I also live in a country where people will queue up in incredibly long lines because a foreign branded cafe or restaurant opened (they queued for subway and popeyes simply cause its american lol)
你是中国人？
It's kind of weird that they haven't developed a more refined system to handle an influx of customers, like buzzers or texts or pre-established reservations/appointments.
Sorry but I see a HUGE difference in drugstore quality! I have sensitive skin and drugstore products do not look good on my face!
Ease and comfort come with being financially secure. Buying "luxury" items just gives the illusion of having money. Nowadays, though, people have adopted a herd mentality and will spend their last dime on things they really can't afford.
Yes, yes, yes. Materialism and consumerism have reached disgusting heights, fueled by the mindset of “more more more”. The introduction of the online selling platform “Temu” has given consumers opportunity to really indulge in gross acquisition, with people posting videos showing haul after haul rife with purchases of cheap, never-to-be-used, landfill-toppling, factory worker abuse spurring, cluttering junk. Although individual item prices are very low, those small amounts add up. I have become absolutely disgusted seeing SO many people having (seemingly) no moral, ethical, financial or common sense issues with their non-stop buying of useless junk. It blows my mind that SO many people have absolutely no qualms with placing order after order, delivery after delivery, (and drawer-full after closet-full!) of knick knacks, ugly, ill-fitting clothing, never-to-be-used kitchen gadgets, crap jewelry, etc etc etc. At what point will the rationale “it’s only 82¢, it’s only 17¢, it’s only $1.32 - so I’ll get it” finally fail? How many junky sandals, nail art bits, makeup brushes, epoxy craft molds, swimsuits, junk electronics, on and on and on can someone waste their money on, before they say “enough - I’m done”?
I’ve yet to buy a single thing from Temu, and I never plan to. I am grossly repulsed with everything Temu and I have no desire to ever place a Temu order.
I can’t be the only one who has become keenly aware of (and thoroughly sickened by) the nonstop Temu-crap-buying epidemic, right? Please tell me that there are others who can see a Temu ad for a 75¢ bear-shaped humidifier, yet have the sensibility to resist buying? I can’t be the only one with the brains to understand that I don’t need any of the low-quality crap that Temu tempts? Right???
Yes, true that. Some of the poorest people will have the latest greatest cell phones for example and can'r make rent that month.......very sad, indeed!
I used to feel intimidated to go to the department store cosmetic counter when I was younger because I could only afford one thing at a time and no one was in a rush to help me. That feeling of being treated ‘less than’ stuck with me, so I gravitated to drugstore options even once I could afford higher end.
Yeah, that's an experience I remember having, too. Having an alternative look, I was always treated like I didn't belong.
A great book related to this topic (which focuses more on fashion but still really relates) is Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas. It's a tiny bit dated now because it was written in 2007, but I still highly recommend it if anyone wants to dive deeper into this topic!
Another good one is Don’t Go to the Makeup Counter Without Me. Her comparison of effective ingredients to look for in skin products is an especially useful section.
I'm annoyed drugstore makeup is nearly $20 now. There are concealers and foundations now from l'oreal and others that are $18+ and I'm not here for that. At least at Sephora you can redeem points for samples and rewards.
Came here to say this exact same thing. I live in Canada and drugstore prices are no longer cheap. You can can tower 28 or rare beauty for basically the same price. And when it comes to shades for foundation and concealer, the drugstore still lacks in undertones. I'm neutral and fair, difficult to find at the drugstore.
For drugstore makeup fans, the Ulta rewards system is pretty good & [for the US] I absolutely love CVS for coupons & rewards. I have a lot of prescription costs, so it's nice that when I'm getting my meds, I'm also earning money I can use on nail polish or skincare.
@@savannawarcop1129Ugh, the struggle is real for fair, deep, & neutral/olive complexions at the drugstore... One of the most inexpensive products that actually has a shade for me is the new About Face foundation. I haven't bought it yet, but I'm excited to no longer have to mix multiple products together or pay $30+. 😭
@@savannawarcop1129 exactly! And at least at Sephora if a shade doesn't work you can return it. You can't test anything out at drugstore.
But people are saying that the quality of drugstore makeup has drastically improved, so I'm assuming that this is reflected in the price?
People want a 1000k dollar purse with only 100 dollars in it instead of a Target store or Walmart purse with 1000k in it.. Wealthy people do not waste money on high end products like those of us who aren't.. Middle class and below spend the most money on higher end products and clothes...trying to look wealthy ..these companies know us better than we realize... 😂 I no longer waste money on higher end products of any kind anymore...I find many excellent products for way less money now with same ingredients!! ❤ The dupes a lot of the time are better if not exactly the same.
“wealthy people buy cheaper products and poor people buy expensive products” 😬
Having spent a lot of money on luxury products and a little to a medium amount on drugstore products I had never thought about the experience. I'm not the person who needs that experience. It's always nice but I tend to forget about it. You are making such a brilliant point That we're paying for it when we're ordering online and not getting it. Thank you for being the voice of reason. For your beautiful young age, you have such a open mind and consider everything for your viewers and the consumer. You are a gem. ♥️
Watching your video to relax myself after sending the umpteenth job application (it always gives me major anxiety, but I'm trying to keep myself positive 😅). Great video as always, Kelly, and hope you had fun here in Europe during your recent trip 🤍
Have you had any luck yet?
Great video, I find the psychology of marketing fascinating, especially for beauty because the profit margins are so high. If the main purpose of makeup is to enhance your look, then the packaging is irrelevant. However as you state, if the luxury experience is important to someone they may be willing to pay high prices.
The Dior example is also Chanel's experience if you buy directly from them. Out of alllllll the brands I've bought from directly (still have yet to buy from Dior directly, one day) Chanel has been the best I've ever bought from. If you order early enough in the day, they ship it out by the end of that very same day! And then when you get it, you get this beautiful box or bag if you want (you get to choose), your order paperwork is put in a cute white envelope, and it's all just so fun. Such different experiences compared to Ulta and Sephora. I like both, they're just different.
@@BlowinFree Yeah, there's a slight shipping fee, but I think you get your money's worth.
And they sent me a snow globe for Christmas ❤❤❤love Chanel
I think this goes for skincare too. There’s so many excellent affordable skincare products (K-beauty etc) with better associated experiences than what I’ve gotten from higher end. I’m about cutting back cosmetic spending overall. Less is more. 💕
Agree! K beauty is often as good as or even sometimes better than more luxury prices. I turned my sister onto Tony Moly’s ceramide toner and she and I both love it, and you get a large quantity. We’re both astounded!
It is way better for sunscreen. I’m melanistically blessed (nothing zinc works, to much of a cast) and also have an odd issue with chemical sunscreens available in the US (makes me burn, like physically because of the change in UV to infrared). The formulations for K beauty include tinosorb and mexoryl, photostable options and next gen, with more cosmetically elegant applications. I have no issue getting the full quarter teaspoon or at least close to it with it, and it hydrates so I can skip a moisturizer in the summer, as a menopausal dry combo lady, compared to the school paste you can get here.
@@CandidLy1 Yesss it’s so good. I switched my entire skincare routine to Korean based and it’s helped so much with acne control and my super congested skin. I highly recommend the Anua line.
@@TheBaumcm Yes I agree! I have a collection of mostly Korean sunscreens and they are just superior overall. The only American sunscreen I like for zero white cast is the Summer Fridays. You should try it, it’s 100% mineral with no white cast no matter the skin tone. Otherwise K-beauty all day lol.
I find that the additional packaging with "luxury" brands creates unnecessary waste.
I could not agree more! It actually makes me feel bad instead of good. Because such a gorgeous outer packaging is a shame to just throw away, but what would I do with it? Can't keep it around, but can't throw it out either.... meanwhile you did pay for it. I still have a beautiful cardboard box from Pat McGrath somewhere. Yes, lovely box, but what can you do with it? Nothing. But it feels wrong to toss it. So I would absolutely prefer: minimal outer packaging, maximum free samples.
@@marielle7505 I repurpose my especially beautiful bottles and jars with hand lotion, another cheaper cream that I love etc.
And boxes I cut the lid part off and use them to store hair clips, cotton swabs, lipstick samples, and disposable mascara wands.
You can put things in boxes.
💯 & I despise styrofoam & bubble wrap.
You can donate it to thrift stores. They use as wrappings when people buy dishes, or glass ornaments. Someone will appreciate the bags, ribbons, tissue paper, boxes. 💐💐
I agree that luxury makeup can often perform like drugstore and vice versa. But I also think there can be a different experience when you're using a luxury product, regardless of whether you bought it straight from Dior with the fancy box (super wasteful BTW) or got it at Ulta. The packaging feels heavier and more substantial, the ingredients may be higher quality and it might look smoother on the skin. I do love a lot of drugstore products (most of my makeup is drugstore), but none of them have captured the exact feel and finish of the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Wands, as an example. They might come close but I can tell a difference and I find myself using the CT blush and the others just sit in a drawer. Also the lower price tags from brands like elf come at their own price, which is cheap labor from China. I would prefer to spend my money on a product made in Europe or the United States rather than support child labor or forced labor. As I get older, I realize that I sometimes spend way more money on drugstore makeup trying to find the "right" product, than if I just bought the original luxury product and saved myself a bunch of time and money. This isn't always the case as there are wonderful drugstore gems out there...but it just takes a lot to find them sometimes. So no, I wouldn't say that luxury makeup is a scam. Some of it is overpriced but in some cases you get what you pay for, including cost of production/labor, nicer packaging, and quality ingredients.
Agreed
And....sometimes time and effort is money 💰
Well said. I agree!
Agree.
They put weights that cost three cents each inside the components to make them heavier. It's not a luxury experience knowing that I'm being conned with a simple trick.
I prefer Ulta over Sephora every time. They have a better rewards program and better range of prices as you mentioned. I also like the self serve, BUT the associates will offer assistance or you can seek out a person to help should you need them. I really like that better than the “counter” experience. I love dupes! I love drugstore makeup now that it has gotten so much better. I am in my 50s so I remember well when drugstore makeup = chalky eyeshadows, hard, stiff eyeliner (we used to carry our eyeliner and a lighter just to soften it to apply and you had to reapply during the day 😳), stiff lip liners that were almost unusable, and makeup tools consisted of the sponge applicators that came with the chalk eyeshadow, the awful brush that came with the blush, and those cheap triangle sponges. We applied foundation with our fingers and if we used powder, we just used the puff that came with it. NO makeup brushes in sight! I am loving what I find at the drugstore now. I agree, though, that the prices have continued to increase and increase. No way should a drugstore foundation (Covergirl ahem!) cost over $20 😳 I really enjoyed this video. I love your content and look forward to your uploads 😊 have a great weekend! Hugs! 💖🌸
I am now on a complete no buy with Ulta. I had been a very frequent customer for many years and a simple request of Customer Service turned into a nightmare. I was ignored and pushed away like I was trash. I will never buy from them again.
I agree that "luxury" has just become synonymous with "more expensive." You get an identical shopping experience if you buy drugstore or Sephora brand vs. the luxury brands. (I suppose you could argue the luxury purchases from some pay for the "luxury" experiences of service for all, but I still means you don't get a unique experience when you buy pricier items.)
You could argue that brands will have nicer ingredients or packaging, but dupes prove the quality can be similar and brands like CT stand out for having really mediocre packaging for the price.
Have you checked out Benefit packagings? They feel insanely cheap
But the people making dupes aren't paying for R & D, packaging design etc.
Obviously it's going to be much cheaper to copy something rather than invent it. You can't dupe something unless it exists in the first place.
The dupe industry is essentially parasitic in nature.
In the UK, one of the biggest retailers is Boots. They've moved from a really special counter service experience to a bog-standard self-service model. If you're buying Fenty or Elizabeth Arden or Max Factor or L'Oréal, it's all the same experience. With that in mind, I might as well buy a L'Oréal lipstick for £10 rather than a Chanel lipstick for £30. It's really taken the 'luxury' and specialness out of buying cosmetics.
I love beautiful packaging and a quality experience. If I'm paying more than drugstore prices, the packaging should at least feel quality. If it doesn't, it should be sustainable/refillable/etc.!
The problem with the traditional counter is that i don't consider a high pressure sales pitch very luxurious.
Unfortunately the "things not being used or picked over" in warehouses is a myth I used to believe. That used to be the case but recently I have had used makeup show up coming directly from warehouses after online ordering. I have seen used makeul even from luxury store such as Saks in a $70 plus lipstick. Its gross and I am going on a no online shopping hiatus for a while. Its not worth the headaches!! Online shopping is nothing but stressful lately for me at least.
I lovvvve your content so much! Thanks for highlighting things like this in a very positive and informative way. I appreciate you honey bun. 🌻💐
The formula/quality is rarely different from drugstore makeup. You’re basically just paying extra for the luxury packaging and/or brand name.
I agree with your take. Luxury is an experience which is why the price is higher, and the product packaging is better. In today's market, your experience is the same whether buying low-priced makeup and expensive "brand" makeup. There is nothing luxurious about all the different packaging in today's market either, as its all light plastic with some colors slapped on.
The only thing you buy is the name, and the name is not enough to impress me.
One benefit about ordering a luxury product through Sephora is you earn points. You may get a more luxurious experience directly through the brand with nice packaging and extras. But you won’t earn the same level of rewards like you would through the box retailer. You have to decide what’s more important. Opening a fancy package, or points towards future purchases.
Luxury makeup only seems to exist online now. Sephora is having CVS vibes lately.
They are also inside JCPenney's and Kohl's
Ulta's rewards are the best. I don't like that Sephora shows shopping preference to those that spend the most...I'm fine with them getting a better discount but not with allowing them to shop earlier, so by the time I can shop most inventory is sold out.
I hate to break it to you, but I heard that the next Ulta 21 Days of Beauty sale is changing how it's done. It's now called the Semi-Annual Sale and they will be dropping the daily beauty steals by the week instead of for the whole sale AND the Platinum and Diamond members get early access. I'm expecting a lot of backlash is headed their way for this.
I think brands like Chanel are relying on the experience of buying something from Chanel and being able to display it on your vanity. It’s more about buying their brand than the product. I do see the appeal of the counter if you know you are going to buy something and you have a ballpark idea. I’ve had a nice time at the benefit counter at macys and the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstroms. It’s a more memorable experience than trying to remember that one time I went to Sephora to buy that one thing. But not as convenient.
I really didn't enter the beauty space until 2020 and once I learned enough to kinda know what I was doing, I started sharing with my mom. She was so confused about what Sephora was and why you would want to pay so much for makeup. Then I realized I didn't really know either lol. The transition of how we shop for lux makeup makes so much sense though!
I think Sam Ravendahl and her brand Auric is a perfect example of luxury. Everything from the ad campaigns, the name of the brand, the outter packaging, the product packaging down to the components, and so much more. The items are also unique and it really is an experience when I use them.
Absolutely!! I'm so glad her brand is being offered at Beautylish now - which is an online retailer which I find puts a lot of effort into neatly packaging their boxes w/ care. I always feel like I'm treating myself to something nice when I get a Beautylish package.
Ulta needs to do something about their shipping. Every time I purchase an eyeshadow palette from Ulta (they never have every product in store), it comes broken. If you buy from a prestige website, their products always come nicely wrapped. Really - besides getting something right now, what is the draw to shopping in store? The experience is so much better direct from the brand. Great video Kelly. Thank you.
Design student here: the experience is a big selling point for many products. It's the selling point for cds nowadays and I've experienced that myself. I love the overall experience I get when plugging my portable cd player to the wall, picking up a cd from my collection, opening the case, taking the cd out and putting it inside the player. When closing the lid, pressing play and being forced to listen from beginning to the end of a cd. It's the reason why I've looked into buying a cd burner or reader that I can plug into my laptop to make my own cds to replace the ones that don't exist in cd form. I've felt so gutted to know that some of my favourite bangers don't come in a cd format that I want that experience back. My brother for example told me I can just use the Spotify app I pay for. But it's not the same. I can get easily distracted using it. It's easy to start and stop. I don't have to click a button from a player in my bag. I can choose to add whatever song I want to my queue. I can choose to scrap the album I'm listening and go for a UA-cam video or listen to an entirely different album all together. A cd forces me to slow down and focus on the music. I love to play mine for example when travelling or cleaning or going to the park for a rest. It's the luxury experience that makes the 20/15 euros value worth it. It's so hard to explain this concept honestly. I think people who either grew up with cds (older than me) or the ones who were born right between the switch (2001) from physical copies to digital ones understand the different feelings in the music listening experience. And I'm sorry if cds is all I can talk about. But I don't have the experience with buying fancy makeup as I only use drugstore.
I love to own my media physically, whether music, video, or reading material, even though I do prefer reading on my kindle. I still buy the hardcopies of good books. Spotify horrifies me!
Ulta3… just laughed out loud. I worked at the head office in Romeoville. The warehouse sales; makeup and skincare for years at a buck or so!!! Best experience ever ❤
To me luxury in beauty needs to be an extremely nice, beautiful, and effective product. All 3. Or it needs to be more personal, I think luxury only truly exists in the artistry. The most luxury makeup experience I can think of would be to book a makeup artist you really love so they can make a look that’s personalised for you or give you a personalised class on doing your makeup. In terms of experience you’re given mindful attention and actually get to support someone you admire, rather than just being a potential dollar for faceless corporations.
Some of the things I’ve heard people experiencing from these “luxury brands” are genuinely emotional abuse at best. I’d never willingly let myself be treated in such a humiliating way! But I don’t blame them. I think most of us have times in life when we’re manipulated into tolerating things like that, it always makes me really sad to see… Some people have been so caught up in the ideas that luxury brands sell, basically the myth of the brand, that they are actually PAYING a company to treat them like that!
You’re right!
Sometimes these sites have better sales than Sephora and Ulta. Thanks for interesting convo!
In my experience luxury products still have better packaging, ingredients and components than the dupes do. Personally I do enjoy using luxury components more vs. cheap ones. Also luxury perfumes are a good example for getting what you pay for. The synthetic ingredients in cheaper perfumes and the less complex formulations and cheap dispensers do have me turn more towards the luxury perfumes.
Additionally I am weary of purchasing formulations made in China. I have no idea if the Chinese factories have the same quality of ingredients. In the past even things like baby formula have had contaminants in it let alone makeup. I am putting products on the biggest organ of my body and I don’t trust Chinese factories to be honest about their manufacturing practices. Also China is not known for their ethical labor or environmental safety. Luxury or not I am willing to pay a premium for my makeup to be hopefully ethically manufactured in Europe, North America, Japan, etc.
Lastly I divide makeup into three tiers. Luxury such as CHANEL, Tom Ford, Dior, Armani, YSL, etc. Mid tier like Natasha Denona, Pat M. Charlotte T, Hourglass, Patric Ta, Haus Labs, etc. And drugstore like Elf, Cover Girl, Nyx, Colorpop, etc. I try to stick to the top two tiers, and choose makeup I can afford and that is manufactured with hopefully good ingredients and in an ethical way. 🤞
For me I feel like the classification based in price would be luxury (Chanel, hourglass, etc), high end/pro (rare, urban, Mac), Mid tier (the balm, rem, Kylie, Inglot), drugstore (Maybelline, L'Oréal), low cost (Revolution, tecnhic, w7, essence)
What do you consider good ingredients?
L’oreal is basically Lancome. Voluminous mascara has DEFINITELY blown more expensive brands I have tried out of the water!
Funny this just popped up after I bought a new Chanel highlighter and Gucci bronzer. The packaging and products I find superior but the packaging is what gets me on those items specifically. And while the difference between $20 drugstore and $50 luxury might seem like a huge difference as a % the actual dollars are worth it to me. I won’t toss the gorgeous compacts after the product is done, and that takes a while! Also, the Gucci and Chanel makeup fragrances remind me of my grandmother’s vanity and that’s priceless ❤
That's interesting! I hate when makeup has that "older" scent.
@@hcf4kd1992Same. The moment I read 'granny's vanity' my inner child is having a very bad asthma attack and these companies want to put it thisclose to my nose? 🤮
Couldn’t agree with you more Kelly! The internet has definitely changed the game. I’ve noticed that a lot of store locations (cosmetic, clothing, electronics, whatever) do not put the same effort into keeping up the appearance and atmosphere of the in-store locations since online shopping has become more prevalent over the past several years.
My thoughts are this: self checkout at a grocery store annoys me. I’m not getting any savings by doing the work myself, and if I happen to have coupon(s) I have to wave for an associate anyway, so unless I have only an item or two, I’m going to let them do the work. If you twist things a bit, the same can be said for other retail areas. I realize that I’m very basic…hope I’ve made at least a little bit of sense. 🤪
I see your point, but I prefer self-checkout because I am socially anxious and also kind of particular about packing my groceries, so I'd rather do the work myself than have to grit my teeth through letting someone else do it. (Also, the self-checkout where I go has a system for coupons with a discard bin built in, which helps)
To try products on, the counter is so much better. Someone is making sure it's hygenic and you can see them making sure it's ok. The hygiene concerns that I have at Sephora and Ulta are real - it's a free for all of testers. It doesn't feel great at all.
I agree with testers being more clean at high end counter stores. Even then I just use on my wrist so can wipe off with a disinfectant wipe. Our Target store is hideous with stolen testers and opened packages.
Recently I wanted to just please myself with some "luxury" makeup item. I wanted something not only useful and doing the job, I wanted it so smell nice, look nice, packaging to be made of nice materials that feel good in hands and... I wanted a nice experience in a shop. I went to Sephora to check out what they have, but the experience was so bad I didn't want to buy anything. I ended up going to the shop next to Sephora that was Guerlain boutique - they had the same thing I wanted to buy, but this was luxurious. I was taken care of, my questions were answered, the shopping assistant was sooo lovely and she was a real ambassador of the brand. The price for was of course same as in sephora, product was the same, but the one in the boutique was pure luxury. In Sephora they couldn't care less about me :P
I used to shop at Ulta3 😂😂 I do buy Chanel makeup (from Ulta) because I feel the makeup provides me with a more effortless look & I haven't found or looked hard enough for dupes!
The experience of going to sephora is horrible now. Its so crowded, you can't track down a salesperson for help, 10 year olds everywhere. I only buy online from them now.
I like both self service and counter-style. If I know what I want I'm fine with self service. There are times when I want help in selection by someone who actually specifically knows the product. I still love a combo of luxury and drugstore. While influencer channels are great and helpful, many get tons of PR and are sponsored. They may also have a much different skin tone and type that I do.
Lol the counter people are literally salespersons
Yes, I've noticed people having to wait in line outside Chanel in Paris (including if you're wanting to purchase from their beauty line). Sephora has lost their way, post-pandemic. Ulta has far more regular sales, offers, and rewards. Also, they have a consistently lighter, brighter, cleaner in-person shopping encounter - at many different price-points, too. With luxury, there are any number of unspoken expectations and standards. Including, precedent. That is a major point of differentiation.
I had such precious memories of my mom taking me to Sears w her, she would try Clinique skincare products and it was a whole dreamy, glamorous experience. I feel that’s why I love girly stuff
I personally notice a huge difference between pricier makeup and the cheap/drug store ones. High-end makeup lasts longer and looks better on me for a longer period of time, while as drugstore makeup tends to crease and often looks patchy and chalky. The only stuff that I don’t notice difference in is mascara, and some blushes and bronzes. For example the clarins lip oil is good quality, but the dior one lasts way longer on me, essentially making the overall purchase last longer and worh the money.
I don't think dupes hurt prestige brands that much because they target different markets. I cannot afford to buy a lipstick or blush that cost more than $20, no matter how much I like it. Therefore, Charlotte and Company hav no chance of getting me as a customer.
The luxury makeup is often disappointing, especially when I get compliments after wearing drug store makeup.😮
as someone who went from drugstore straight to luxery i can tell u there's a difference. big difference. yeah sometimes drugstore blushes can give the same effect as a high end blush same with counselor and eyeliner but mascara and powder big difference! my old sky high mascara used to not stay on for more then 1 hr while my lancome one stays on for days if I don't remember. and so on so it's important. as for the lipstick i also notice luxery looks better or at least korean brands make some good lipstick at a affordable price
How can you forget to take off your mascara? For buying luxury, you sure didn’t do your skincare routine any favors.
@@hair2show1031 it was new years and it stays until the next day so I count that as 2 days I also went to pool with it and it stays pretty well for not a water proof mascara
Ah I remember Ulta III! I’ve always felt intimidated by makeup counters. But I still like to go to Nordstroms and shade swatch, and they always honor other stores sales.
So true! Since 4 years ago I stopped using high-end brands, after 10 years of wasting money....
I totally agree with you, Kelly. In fact, I ordered so many things directly from the brands I had been wanting (Hourglass, Tatcha) during the Holiday season all the way through "Lucky Bag" season because the consumer was so much better that it really was shocking. And I am currently a Platinum member at Ulta and VIB member at Sephora; so I am not a slacker when it comes to shopping at those locations; but shopping directly from the brands certainly made me feel a lot less like cattle.
I actually work for Charlotte Tilbury counter at Nordstrom in central connecticut and we have some great employees and i always try to provide a luxurious experience. But tbh sephora ruined it for us as now customers instead of coming in for nice experience with idea to buy some products come in for free stuff and return everything they bought. Really does not motivate us to do better. At my counter we have amazing gifts with purchase and lots of free samples but i dont even give them to certain customers because i know they are going to return those purchases in a week. The only reason this store is doing pretty well are older customers who understand and value others peoples jobs.
The Ulta here in Capitola, CA, now has all “high end” fragrances locked up. ☹️
It's sad , I loved the experience of shopping with a real person.The poor people who sell cosmetics really have it tough these days
Commenting for the algorithm. Girl, you deserve so much more subscribers. You are pumping out interesting content like a machine!
I personally tend to have more success (not always) in finding true quality/luxury products in brands started by those without an existing fan base (ie. celebrities, legacy brand names, influencers, etc) to rely on for sales - they more likely have to work harder or overcompensate by having superior products in order to stay in business (ex. CeraVe, Cetaphil, Tarte, Benefit, Youth to the People, etc) 😊
It's funny because I don't necessarily consider all 'high end' brands to be luxury brands. I wouldn't consider Charlotte Tilbury or Natasha Denona luxury, more like high end makeup artist brands. When I think luxury, I think Hourglass, Pat McGrath (unless she continues with this cardboard packaging), Dior, etc. I do agree that ordering direct from the brand's website makes it a better experience. The only massive caveat I'd say with the drugstore is that they have still not really managed to get their eyeshadow game together. Not all more expensive brands do this well either, and indie brands often manage to have amazing eyeshadow quality (think Cliodnah Cosmetics).
Indie is the way to go if the product is buttery and blendable. I can’t recall the last time I bought drugstore eyeshadow. I don’t think I ever will, I feel it will be patchy:/
Kelly, is your lip color actually Honey Fig? It doesn’t look at all like the color on the website, which is much more neutral.
What consumers pay for when it comes to luxury makeup is mostly the experience. Marlena Stell made a helpful video on what drives the pricing of makeup products and a lot of it was because of the packaging making it feel more sturdy, heavier, putting more decorative details, adding scent, etc. To an extent, it is also the formulation. The same ingredients can have the same name but the sourcing and processing method makes the difference in quality (and in skincare, the potency of the product).
Personally, I stick to buying makeup at the high end to luxury price points because I genuinely find they are of better quality. I don’t mind paying for more if it means better overall experience, especially because applying makeup to me is almost like a relaxing ritual. Many disregard an expensive product if it’s because of the packaging, but I find value in it because it really can make or break the experience. It’s also makeup that you can treasure and if it’s refillable packaging, maybe even pass down. Most of these drugstore products cannot replicate that experience, and when something becomes hyped and widely recommended, they are usually in flimsy or tacky packaging or doesn’t perform as well in the long run.
I also don’t want to support brands that mostly thrive on making these “dupes”. The more expensive brands price their products the way they do because they put time and effort researching new formulation and creating nuanced shades and colors. (Now, there are expensive products where this is not the case and are simply overpriced, but those are not what I’m referring to.) Drugstore brands simply copying these just seems like an insult. The high end / luxury market first bring out the ideas of looks and overall aesthetic of products that trickle down in the lower end market, and I don’t mind spending on them if it means the brands continuing to innovate and bring creativity into the makeup industry.
This was interesting! I don't like going to the traditional Makeup counters, because the sales person is watching my every move, and they jump as soon as you start looking, asking if they can help. This is good for people who don't know much about makeup and need help, but if you're immersed in makeup, like we are, I prefer the self-service, and if I need help, I'll ask for it. Also, I def feel more "bougie" going into a Sephora than an Ulta, because of the "experience" Sephora has (pretty walls, displays, the hustle and bustle, etc), but I also enjoy going to Ulta for the calm, and that they have drugstore and high end, I can purchase both in one store. As for Makeup, I'm more into what works for me, the right shades, and not the beautiful packaging, so I have products in both genres...like I love/use a high-end Foundation, and a Revlon blush.
For me it’s about packaging. I don’t own a lot of makeup, but whatever I do have gets used heavily for years. A lot of drugstore options just don’t offer sturdy packaging that will last. I used to spend more money replacing cheap broken tubes and compacts that were only a few months old than I do buying one nicely packaged thing. If you’re the type of person who likes using the same thing every day then paying the extra $10 is worth it imo. (This doesn’t apply to everything, of course)
I love Catrice Cosmetics. High quality makeup at drugstore prices. If you've not tried it, you need to.
Going to the counter before wasn’t always a luxurious experience. The assistants were often snobby and limited what customers could see or try. I prefer self-service with help on demand.
I find going to a department store counter disappointing. Most times the person you find isn't the brand's ambassador so they try to help but don't know that much - not sure if they don't do cross training or the brand's don't have the budget to have their associate working each day. 🤷♀ And since I keep up with beauty on YT sometimes I know more about the products than they do.
Luxury is definitely more about the experience in the modern day. It's more accessible but there's still an exclusivity there (sometimes discriminatory but that's another conversation). Yes, some luxury brands have increased quality but I think when consumers are able to find something that's stellar at a drugstore or mid-range price? They don't care to even look at luxury cuz they're satisfied with what they have.
i would love an update on the rudi mascara once you’ve gathered more thoughts! it looks so nice on you
For me I love luxury makeup because I care so much for the packaging 🫣
I feel that! I’m also a big packaging person!
Buy/reuse your own quality packaging. That’s what I do especially as I make a lot of my own products.
@@maidende8280is dat something hygienic thing to do? Im thinking of doin dat too like reusing my chanel nail polish remover bottle 😅
You have some of the best and unique beauty content then all the other beauty creators I’m subscribed to.
I remember growing up if you wanted brands like Clinique then you had to get them from the cosmetics counter at a department store. It was kind of a pain in the butt though the service was pretty rad if you needed it (not when they were trying to sell you extra crap though!) I like the convenience of Ulta and Sephora though they're not always as knowledgeable as the makeup counter chickies. My mom was actually an Estee Lauder counter chicky back in the 70s ❤
*I said "chickies" though I should say "people" because of course it's not just women ❤
I learned and discovered this truth a long time ago and went to the drugstore. I agree with this title some celebrity and luxury makeup is a scam.