Because I’m worth it!

It certainly is a marketing con, I agree! I bought a new electric toothbrush which I got half price with my Tesco Clubcard vouchers………..consider the mark up on prices if expensive items CAN be sold at reduced prices!
And, just wanted to add, biggest isn’t always best!

Years ago! I recall Estee Lauder being interviewed, asked
why her make up, perfumes were so expensive, her candid
response was that she believed if it was all more costly than
any other, customers would believe it to be superior and buy
for the snob value.
EL products were of consistently good quality but you are right, a marketing con, which worked, heard here straight
from the source.

Does anyone remember Youth Dew? My glam paternal gran would spray it lavishly, ‘to no avail’ as Mum would murmur waspishly.

A hairdryer is basically a motor and a fan.

They can differ in weight, heat and power settings. Some have a diffuser.

Not really a complicated piece of kit is it? Nothing would convince me that one hairdryer is £500 better than a £30 one.

Many years ago, in a different life I worked for Helena Rubinstein in her beautiful salon in Grafton Street in the West End. I was lucky enough to meet one of her sisters Manka several times. I remember her saying that if you pay cheap for your cosmetics you pay dear for your skin - but thank goodness there are plenty of women who are prepared to pay many dollars extra for the box and the name.

Wise and candid words - I never buy ultra cheap make up and skin care, but mid range works for me.

Stella Artois 'reassuringly expensive' always makes me smile!

I have never paid a lot for skincare as I think your genes and diet play a bigger part than creams and potions.

The beauty industry is I big con making people believe spending their hard earned money on expensive products will make them look younger.

SORES

Years ago! I recall Estee Lauder being interviewed, asked
why her make up, perfumes were so expensive, her candid
response was that she believed if it was all more costly than
any other, customers would believe it to be superior and buy
for the snob value.
EL products were of consistently good quality but you are right, a marketing con, which worked, heard here straight
from the source.

Does anyone remember Youth Dew? My glam paternal gran would spray it lavishly, ‘to no avail’ as Mum would murmur waspishly.

Haha, love that response😂

AGAA4

I have never paid a lot for skincare as I think your genes and diet play a bigger part than creams and potions.

The beauty industry is I big con making people believe spending their hard earned money on expensive products will make them look younger.

Yes, in a nutshell.

I think it depends very much on the formulation of individual products. More luxurious perfume for example lasts longer because it is formulated differently, and despite trying loads of different night serums I still find Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair works best on my skin. I also pay more for Nars tinted moisturiser, which I love. Other products, I’m not so bothered about, so my make up bag is a mixture of different brands, many which I’ve bought on retreat because they work, effectiveness is the driver rather than price.

Oreo

AGAA4

I have never paid a lot for skincare as I think your genes and diet play a bigger part than creams and potions.

The beauty industry is I big con making people believe spending their hard earned money on expensive products will make them look younger.

Yes, in a nutshell.

Totally agree!

I think the pigmentation is better in more expensive brands. My Clarins foundation definitely lasts longer than my Boots No 7 foundation. The colour is better too. Same with eyeshadow although I hardly ever wear eyeshadow now. I don't actually think it's worth paying a lot for moisturiser, it all seems the same to me and I buy whatever is cheapest in the supermarket usually.

I had a beauty salon for years and I had to choose a product to stock. I looked at all sorts of options and came up with a brand that partnered with good treatments.
My clients were never pressured into buying them but, of course, some did.
My mantra was clean, exfoliate and protect with whatever product that you like and that suits your skin.
Your genes play a part, as does your diet and, most importantly, your exposure to UVA and UVB. B=burns A=ageing
I use a cleansing bar then remove that with a warm , damp face cloth. That takes care of the exfoliating! Always a clean cloth.
Then protect, protect. There are many products available with reasonably high SPF’s that are quite light and go well under make up.
I use Altruist and a hat if I am going to be exposed to much sun. It is recommended by dermatologists and was developed by one. Available in Sainsbury’s and on line and is very affordable.
My dermatologist told me to use it after she cut the end of my nose off.
I’m very fair skinned and was brought up in hot countries when protection wasn’t very good.
The industry is there to sell dreams.

I hate the whole designer con. My DDs love all this ridiculous expensive stuff and ask for it for presents. I always fund something else to give them!!

Find, not fund

My Nephews partner is a research chemist working with cosmetics. She is part of a team testing well known brands, ensuring they are safe plus development in the future of products.

She tells us they definitely have good and bad that they would recommended.
One well known brand she's tells us to advoid like the plague, due to the chemical ingredients in its constitution.

Also, cheap products are cheap for a reason, they could be fine for you? But the higher price ones are more expensive possible due to the brand name but they have had lots of development to get to that final product.
Genetic and diet do play a part but even that needs a bit of help.

I believe in starting at the bottom and working up. Buy the cheapest product that does the job, and if it doesn't do it well, then go up a grade until you find one that does, then stop.

I have used the original Oil of Ulay Beauty Fluid (cheap and cheerful) for as long as I can remember. Apart from a few around my eyes, at 76 I am virtually wrinkle free.

M0nica

I believe in starting at the bottom and working up. Buy the cheapest product that does the job, and if it doesn't do it well, then go up a grade until you find one that does, then stop.

I don't put anything on my bottom. It's lasted pretty well, still as soft as a baby's.

I usually use Nivea - though have been on a Body Shop product for a while now. So nowt expensive then and I reckon I can't be doing too badly - because there's no particular wrinkles on my skin (despite being early 70's) but I do notice a lot of wrinkles on equivalent agegroup women normally. Had to laugh the other day at a rude shopper calling me "old" when she wasnt getting her way being pushy with me and I just stood there and thought "Matey - you're probably very much the same age as me - but guess which one of us looks a lot older out of the two of us and it's not me" - as she certainly had a lot of wrinkles.

butterandjam starting with the bottom it’s all in the jeans!
Love your humour.

I used to love Ponds vanishing cream. Sadly it's now vanished

the best hand cream is nivea soft. I think it is about £2.25 and you can use it on your face as well

AGAA4

I have never paid a lot for skincare as I think your genes and diet play a bigger part than creams and potions.

The beauty industry is I big con making people believe spending their hard earned money on expensive products will make them look younger.

This. My Dad, and other paternal family members, still had great skin into their 90’s. I’ve got good skin on my face, although as a now 8 stone woman, having halved my weight, sudden weight loss has caused chaos with the rest of my skin 😳

I’ve never used cream in my life. 🤷‍♀️

Not always Quizzer.
Some textiles and woods, for example are definitely worth paying more for.

Artisan products are usually more expensive than the mass manufactured ones it's true but the reflect the hand of the maker and tend to have a longer life (obviously not edible ones!)

Hand-blocked wallpaper, small batch hand made cheeses, bespoke jewellery, small batch coffees.
Handmade furniture, rugs, textiles, art...

They are unique, traceable and enrich our lives.

NotSpaghetti I completely agree - and this includes cosmetics and skin care products.

For about 30 years or more I used a Boots basic moisteriser, then it was discontinued. Unfortunately I have a sensitive skin and get an adverse reaction to many chemicals used in mainline skin products, so after a few unsuccessful attempts with mainline products I began a search online for organic based products and finally found a small company in Cornwall.

There products are not the cheapest and the raw meterials they use have rocketed in price recently. It comes in clear plain glass jars with a label stuck on, no other packaging and it comes scentless.

I have been using it now for about 20 years, the price has risen, but nothing in it causes skin rashes and soreness so I will continue to use it.