When are fancy toiletries worth it?

[MrsPete]

I totally agree. I'm curious to learn when people thought it was worth it to pay more and why.

To answer more directly:
- I'll pay more for a product I have personally tried /liked. So, I guess trial and error?
- If I suspect a product might be better, I don't mind paying once to find out whether I like it.
- In contrast, I am not motivated to pay for brands just for "status" or pretty packaging.
- A coupon, sale, or value multi-pack will often convince me to buy. For example, I recently had a coupon that made a tube of Oil of Olay facial cleanser almost free. Now I love the stuff and would buy it again.

 

[tcufrog]

To answer more directly:
- I'll pay more for a product I have personally tried /liked. So, I guess trial and error?
- If I suspect a product might be better, I don't mind paying once to find out whether I like it.
- In contrast, I am not motivated to pay for brands just for "status" or pretty packaging.
- A coupon, sale, or value multi-pack will often convince me to buy. For example, I recently had a coupon that made a tube of Oil of Olay facial cleanser almost free. Now I love the stuff and would buy it again.

Very reasonable answers.

If I want to try something more expensive I will sometimes ask for it as a gift for Christmas, Mother's Day, etc.

 

[NotUrsula]

[snip]

Eh, disagree. I've not found a strong connection between price and quality in beauty products. Sure, the bottom of the barrel stuff is mostly to be avoided -- but the difference between mid-priced items and high-priced items seems to be status /perception of status.

I really didn't mean that what's "best" for a particular person was naturally expensive; what I meant was that most women will keep searching for a product that they are happy with, and if the one they find is a price stretch, but not way over budget, they will probably go ahead and stretch to be able to have it, as opposed to deliberately choosing something cheaper that does not work as well.

I still love Noxema cleanser; it has worked for me for 50 years now, and it's all of $5/jar for 12 oz. My under-eye serum, however, costs 4X that, and it's less than 1 ounce per bottle (not a status brand.) I mix up whatever works. Some of it is pricey and some of it isn't.

 

[holden]

I splurge on skincare, but I'm ok with that because I've learned how to buy it more cheaply. Dermstore is a great resource - sales and a good rewards program. I'll buy my products when they are on sale whether I need them or not; that way I'm paying less. Good Morning America often has them for half price on their Steal and Deals. I use Elemis products.

I use more expensive shampoo/conditioner too, but also wait for sales to buy.

Amlactin is my favorite body lotion (inexpensive). I use Cerave to wash my face (also inexpensive).

I don't wear a whole lot of makeup, so I don't mind buying Lancome mascara, Nars blush and Urban Decay lip products.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I guess I'm very low-maintenance. I use Dove soap on my face, various bodywashes from Softsoap everywhere else, and VO5 on my hair. I rarely wear makeup, but when I do it's an eyeliner from the drugstore and a bit of powder also from the drugstore. Once in a while I'll treat myself to a bottle of Aussie brand shampoo, which is like 5 bucks.

My only vice is Bath and Body Works body spray. I just did a count and I have twenty of them, all different fragrances. I have a bottle of Viva La Juicy perfume for when I get dressed up. That's probably my biggest splurge, and I've had that bottle for a few years now.

 

[lifesavacation]

i turned 50 this year and have become more aggressive with my skincare. I see my dermatologist more than my PCP. I use the products she recommends. Most aren’t expensive and are readily available brands.

Cerave facial cleanser
Cerave moisturizing cream
Drmtlgy tinted sunscreen
Cerave Healing Ointment. I use in sensitive spots before Tretinoin.
Differin. I just bumped up to Tretinoin (prescription)
Vitamin C serum. I have dermalogica left from a facial. She said there’s a better and cheaper brand. I’ll use this up and then switch.

My hair salon uses Unity or Unite brand shampoo and conditioner. I’ll probably give it a try. I typically buy a more expensive brand but am not happy with it.

 

[lifesavacation]

I totally agree. I'm curious to learn when people thought it was worth it to pay more and why.

I can afford to splurge on toiletries. If I don't have to, though, I don't. I use the brands that my dermatologist uses and recommends for me. She looks up close at my skin and knows what my skincare goals are. A prescription for a retinoid is the most expensive product she's recommended. I paid $50 for it. It's a bit stronger than the $10 differin I was using from Walmart.

 

[DVCjj]

Hate to admit it but I like Oul of Olay products and very cheap makeup. Been there, done that on many, many upscale brands and yet, of all things, my all time favorite eye makeup is dirt cheap. ELF especially. Most compliments ever/always on a $3.00 eyeshadow pallette! I literally just bought 3 more today because I just KNOW everything I love gets discontinued.

The absolute only thing I splurge on or ask for a special gift is Charlotte Tillbury Magic Cream.
Can’t figure out if it’s the cream or the scent that I like so darn much. It makes me feel special. Dumb I know. Daughter gave me LeMar. It was just ‘eh’.

One thing I cannot live without and will cry my eyes out if discontinued is a Paul Mitchell thickening gel for my terrible thin no-body hair. I actually found out about it several years ago on DISboards. I am very thankful to the person who posted it.

I’m now old and have come to grips that the ship has sailed about products suddenly making me look like my attractive younger self. I don’t want surgery, injections etc etc. Have autoimmune problem now which is far more important.
It’s ok though. Weigh less than my driver’s license
AND can still do 9 miles a day at Disney. (Though now joints misbehave on that one and that tub in a DVC one bedroom looking better and better).

But very happy to be alive and moving. Me and my pretty ELF eyeshadow. Ha.
Sorry about this goofy answer.

 

[fly girl]

Ok, I will be the snob. It is a mixed bag, but I do have some high end toiletries.

Face Skincare: I do love my Obagi for my face. I have seen a huge difference when using it. It is not cheap, but I am very careful on not using too much so it lasts.

Make Up: I am not as snobby. I use IT cosmetics CC foundation and Bobbi Brown as my powder. Everything else is drug store prices.

Shampoo & Conditioner: With colored hair I do like the good stuff, but I don't like the good stuff prices. I only buy at TJMaxx. Right now Joico, Living Proof, and Oribe are in rotation.

Soap: Dove

Lotion: Lubriderm or Jergen's Natural Glow

 

[nene0182]

My hair salon uses Unity or Unite brand shampoo and conditioner. I’ll probably give it a try. I typically buy a more expensive brand but am not happy with it.

Unite 7 seconds shampoo, conditioner and detangler are one of my splurge purchases. I also use their blow&set lotion but that’s not a must have for me.