The battle between drugstore and department store beauty brands has been going on for years.  Lately, many inexpensive lines have changed formulations and package designs to better compete with their higher end competitors, making you – the customer – the big winner in this war.

However, the many options can be overwhelming.  Other than the price point, is there really a difference between drugstore and prestige brands?   Where should you splurge, and when can you save?

“I think it really depends on what you are looking for in the product you are selecting,” Tammy Smitham,  Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Shoppers Drug Mart  tells us.  “In skincare specifically, the main differences you might find between mass and prestige include the concentration of ingredients and, often, the rarity of the ingredients. But increasingly, mass brands like No.7 Refine and Rewind and Olay are producing clinical studies as well.”

Joanne Dolan, PR and Marketing Manager at Benefit Cosmetics Canada, says: “There is great value in each type of brand – the pricing of drugstore brands allows you to experiment with colour and try new things without too much investment while prestige brands carry that exclusive appeal and are usually of very high quality. I actually believe you can’t have one without the other.”


Splurge: Good Skin Care

(1) Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, $92

Dolan and Smithan both agree that investing in quality skin care is an important factor in preventing skin problems and aging. “Some of the prestige products are infused with other properties which set them apart from their mass competitors,” says Smithan.

Splurge: Foundation

(2) Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless! Custom Powder Cover Up, $34

As a makeup artist, I am a firm believer that a good foundation makes all the difference in a flawless application. It’s difficult to find the right shade when shopping drugstore brands because testers are not always available. Prestige lines now have formulations that blend right into the skin and offer anti-aging properties with sun protection.

Splurge: Makeup Brushes

(3) MAC #187 Duo Fibre Powder Brush, $42

Quality beauty tools are a worthwhile investment that will last for many years with proper care. Not only do brushes help achieve a polished look, but you also end up wasting less product than applying with your fingers. Expensive brushes also feel softer and are less harsh against your skin. The brush hairs rarely fray or fall out.


Save: Mascara

(1) CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara

Most mass brands offer the same volumizing and lengthening effects as higher end brands – and sometimes better. Since the shelf life of a tube of mascara is 3 months, you’ll need to replace more often.

Save: Trendy Colours

(2) L’Oreal HiP Eye Shadow Duo

Trends are always changing. Trendy colours aren’t daily staples so splurge on beauty items you know you’ll use more often. If you love experimenting with colour, mass brands now have highly pigmented products at a cheaper price point. 

by Joy David-Tilberg