January 25, 2016

Makeup Quality Over Quantity?

Makeup

You purchase a blush for $30 and it is thee best blush of your life. It’s smooth, pigmented, blends like butter, and makes your face come alive! But it’s super small for the price.

Do you repurchase it?

It Cosmetics CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation is $38 and holds 0.34 oz of foundation. This is probably one of the smallest foundations on the market with the one of the biggest price tags. Recently, It Cosmetics introduced refills for it in the new New Year, Your Most Beautiful Skin Set but no word yet how much the refills will be.

It’s small yes, but it happens to be one of my favorite foundations and I’ve repurchased it numerous times since it was introduced last year. It’s one of my holy grail foundations and I use it daily.

Am I upset over the price and smaller size?

No, I’m not. I actually don’t mind paying more for a smaller amount knowing that it works for me. I’d be upset if I paid $38, got a small size, and the formula sucked. But considering the product works so well I honestly can’t say I mind the smaller size and bigger price tag. Also I feel like foundation is a difficult product to get right so when you find one you love you end up sticking with it.

How about you?

Makeup quality over quantity ok with you?

If your favorite blush, foundation, or skincare is smaller with a bigger price tag are you ok with paying more for less?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Maria A

    I wouldn’t only because I like variety and I like to have blush options. I am such a blush hoarder. I think I have enough blush to last me a few lifetimes (hate to even admit that)

  • Christina D.

    I completely agree with quality over quantity. However, it does not stop me from buying the pricey item and then cheaper dupes. I don’t know why…sigh.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha likewise! Even when I find my HG I still go out and look for another one! 🙂

  • Cindy

    Truthfully, once I find a cosmetic product I love, I stay loyal to it. So, I keep repurchasing no matter if the quantity changes. If it works for my skin type and it makes my complexion look better, I will not make a big fuss if the quantity changes.
    The one thing I do hate is when one of your holy grail products get discontinued.

  • Rhonda

    Thank you for bringing this up, as it’s something I’ve been going through recently. I have bad rosacea, and after trying almost everything, moved up to Kevyn Aucoin’s Sensual Skin Enhancer. I then added more of the company’s products out of curiosity. I’m not usually loyal to brands, but the finished look from KA products justifies the crazy cost/amount for me. My fiance can tell when I wear KA products over anything else. So I just keep a closer eye out for sales at authorized retailers.

  • Mox

    I wouldn’t.

    I love Fresh lip treatment but the price for the amount of product is not good. I’d rather buy six LypSyl (even with the different scent and no tint) than another Fresh.

    I can’t justify it.

  • Natalie

    I rather have quality over quantity. But, quality doesn’t always have to mean expensive and expensive doesn’t always mean quality. I found my ideal skincare routine are a mix of high and low cost items. CeraVe PM moisturizer is still my favorite and is a good value. My serums that are more expensive are worth every penny also. I am the same with makeup too. I stick with what works for me.

    • Maggie

      Agreed with Natalie. Quality does not have to mean a high price tag, and high priced items aren’t necessarily good. I like Cerave PM too.

      And Muse, I buy Paula’s Choice BHA 9 which is $42 for 0.3oz and I use it daily to help with acne. I totally think it is worth it.

  • dia

    Maybe not a blush, because I do love my $5 Rimmel blush, but I would definitely repurchase something that works well for me even if it’s a small size, because I am rather religious about replacing makeup regularly to prevent bacterial growth, so I rarely use up the entire bottle or palette of anything anyway. The Armani cc cream is a good example. The tube is only 1oz for $52 (!!!), but it lasts me about six months, and you’re supposed to toss liquid foundation after six months anyway, so it works out about right for me.

  • Lori

    I can justify purchasing both quality and quantity items, lol! If there’s something I love that works great, I don’t mind paying more for it and consider it a staple. For more trendy items, however (like a bright shade of lipstick that I probably won’t wear everyday), I don’t like to spend as much and I’ll find a less expensive way to try out the trend. I’m old enough now, though, to know which more modest brands I do like, and which ones to stay away from! Sometimes, you really do get what you pay for!

  • Kate

    depends on the product type, mascara is strictly drugstore for me, but a good foundation is hard to find, so the budget is much, much higher

  • mirandagrosvenor

    Foundation, concealer and skincare, yes.

    Color cosmetics, bath stuff and cologne, no. I wouldn’t have said this years ago, but there are SO many more cosmetic and fragrance options than there used to be that it’s pretty impossible that you couldn’t find another color or scent you liked as much.

    The other 3 things are the hardest to get right, so once I do, I don’t want to think about it any more, price be damned.

  • Rachel R.

    It depends on the product, how much I use it, and how close the cheaper dupes are. If it’s a Holy Grail item, then I don’t mind paying for quality or quantity, within reason for my budget.

  • Jay

    Quality, definately! Once you’ve built up a decent collection and/or refined your tastes, it’s worth it to just acquire items that you truly enjoy. Buying a bunch of “dupes” of MAC’s Russian Red for example is more expensive than just buying the lipstick. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been trying to dupe my favorite Chanel gloss at the drugstore forever lol, but I try not to settle if there’s something I truly desire (within reason). If it makes you happy and it’s within your price range, buy it! And use it all up! Makeup is meant to be used and enjoyed. Your pleasure makes the product worth it.

  • Lorraine M

    With a foundation, maybe. I guess it would depend, if in this scenario this is the only foundation that I love then yes, but if it’s one of a few that I like then I would choose to repurchase the one that gives me the best value but still the desired results. But a blush, no way. I can’t see myself ever finishing a blush, no matter how small, and I see no benefit to using expensive blush when a cheap one can give the same look, wear time, etc. I love my $3.50 La Femme pan blushes. Quality doesn’t have to mean expensive.

    I don’t like the idea of paying for packaging instead of product, which is why I’m not a fan of Colourpop Lippie Stix. It’s 1/3 – 1/4 the size of some of my NYX, Milani and Maybelline lipsticks which cost about the same or cheaper on sale.

  • kellly

    Well, it sort of depends on what it is, how little I get for the price and how much money I have! My current job only earns me 2/3 of what I used to make, so a lot of my discretionary income is … gone. And I used to be able to purchase some pretty nice things but now I sort of know that when I use them up, I probably won’t be able to justify (or afford) a repurchase.
    Sigh. . .

  • Nicole

    Hi sweet Isabella! Just a little extra information on CC+™ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50+ Refill (full retail price) is $32.00. Because Jamie offers supersize on her most popular products twice a year in most cases, I bet QVC will have some special where you basically get 2 for almost the price of one, I am hoping she does offer the CC+ Veil in supersize once or twice a year too. 🙂
    I LOVE IT Cosmetics CC+ Veil and I love the weightless natural finish so yes, I will pay more for what works for me. I also will pay more for a makeup that is not harsh on my skin and has skincare benefits as well. I don’t feel like using a product anywhere on my body that is benefiting somehow it somehow. 🙂

  • Who’s Thirty

    The older I’m getting the more stock I put into quality, especially when it comes to skin care. I’ve discovered a few holy grail items lately (Perricone MD and Kiehl’s for example) and while the initial price was a hard pill to swallow, the results are worth the investment in yourself. There are so many products out there and so very few work for me, especially with my normal, but very sensitive skin. The wrong products send my skin into a tailspin that takes weeks to recover from. For me, it’s hard to take that leap knowing the possible outcome.

    I think the biggest disappointment is spending a lot on something that doesn’t work for you, but with return policies of stores like Sephora and Ulta you don’t really have to worry about investing in the wrong product.

    Also, as a side note, as someone who never took good care of my skin and put lots of poor quality crap on my face… I was blessed with great skin in my twenties. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to invest in yourself and take care of your skin!! Something happens when you turn 30 and it’s hard to imagine when your twenty and have fabulous skin (and think you’re fat when you’re tiny), but it will happen to you! It’s easier to prevent than it is to repair! /endrant

    • Nicole

      You could not have said that any better Who’s Thirty! It is why both all my nieces (except for the 3 year old) 14 & 13 have a Clarisonic and extra brush heads along with good quality cleansers based on both their specific needs. They are gifted or surprised with quality makeup (usually IT Cosmetics over the past year or so) and when you come to auntie Nicki’s, no sunscreen (yes, I provided them all with their own Supergoop sunblock 🙂 ) means no playing out in the sprinkler system or going on the boat and so on. My nephew turns 10 this year and since his sister has a Clarisonic I will likely pick him one up in a grey or navy color.
      My grandma taught me so young I don’t remember a time I was outside without sunblock. Bless her heart because of her wisdom and good genetics I have beautiful skin from what I am told at my age. 🙂

  • genevieve

    A lot of people have issues with their skin so finding the right skincare solution is important and when you find those products, you stick to it. For sensitive skin, chopping and changing products around can be harmful. I am lucky because both my foundation and my skincare products happen to be those that are found at our equivalent of the DS. I use Natio (an Australian cruelty free brand) Restore range – which is often on sale and QV another Australian brand.
    But for eye shadows – I really go towards the ME to HE for those. My only splurge.

  • Jackie

    I actually don’t usually pay too much attention to the size of the product I’m buying unless I’m trying to decide if I should buy a smaller size or a full size. If it’s quality and it works for me then I don’t worry about price per ounce. I’m not very likely to go through any makeup completely unless it’s holy grail, use it every single day status anyway. My skin is sensitive, so if skincare works for me and doesn’t break me out then I buy it however they’ll sell it to me.
    I used to deny myself things that I really wanted because they cost too much, just to buy a ton of less expensive dupes and I ended up with way too much stuff and it cost me more than if I just indulged it what I really wanted in the first place. Who here hasn’t cleaned out a cabinet to throw away bottles upon bottles of stuff that didn’t work for them? Luckily, I want less these days and if I stick to some sort of a budget I only buy a few things that I want and will use. I’m also more in tune to what works for me and what I like so I buy smarter and have a lot more holy grail items I repurchase. This way I also feel that I’m doing better in regards to space and my husband isn’t as angry with my spending. I also try not to instantly indulge in anything. I give myself a few days to decide if I need something. Sometimes I forget about it completely and other things I’m still thinking about a week later and I know it’s something I really want to spend money on.