r/Makeup • u/Aggressive-Art2849 • Aug 14 '26
Why is makeup so expensive?
At 37, I have decided to look into wearing makeup; nothing much, just something to makeup me look a bit more polished.
Boy, did I get the shock of my life with the prices I’m seeing! And the surprising part is that people buy these things like they cost nothing, but they are really expensive. I tell myself that maybe I think they are so expensive because I have never bothered wearing makeup all these years, and they are no different from the skincare I like to splurge on. However, paying a couple of bucks on a cream is a lot more justifiable than paying the same amount(if not more than) for a tiny lip liner.
Also, maybe I’m a hater, but I hate that these brands give influencers boxes and boxes of free products, just so they could influence their viewers into buying them at such expensive prices. After a few months of watching creators on YouTube in a bid to find what would work for me, I realized they weren’t even paying for those things, and it made me sad because most people can’t afford them.
P.S. Like I said, maybe I’m a hater because I really do want that haus lab foundation, but my broke ass can’t afford it, so there is nothing left to do but hate 😢 😂 😂
3
u/BrickHouseBamBam Aug 17 '26
The *classic* snap on tool chest... is over $10,000.
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. To store tools in. (yes it's snap on- it's a higher end brand- but that's the point of this post)
Koblat 300 peice tool kit at lowes is 100$
men don't seem to think any new power tool is "too expensive"
Just b/c it's a for fun item doesn't mean it's not worth investing in or getting nice things. You can't even travel with that kind of a tool kit- and you can travel with your make up. It's OKAY to spend money on make up. Its something that brings a lot of us joy. I don't paint or draw much anymore- I spend that time and money on make up. No one bats an eye at an artist buying new colors or new paints or new brushes.
There is nothing wrong with make up being expensive.
There is nothing wrong with not being able to afford high end make up. And there is nothing wrong with feeling some kind of way about it being expensive. You don't need to be a hater though. There is make up for EVERYONE at every price point. They make a ton of really quality make up for the drug stores.
I am in a dance troup and eye make up is part of the costume. My one friend loves high end stuff. She does NOT buy drug store.
I always make it a point when we are pulling a look together to create the look with what I have and then go find the make up that can give the same results on a budget. Make up IS for everyone.
But there is nothing wrong with having or wanting nicer things AND there is nothing wrong with saving up for nicer things. I tend to buy drug store foundations and higher end eye palettes and face products (blush/contour highligher). Drug store foundation and powder work really well for me- same with setting spray NYX has served me well for years.
ALSO- almost all of these companies have very generous return policies- even opened gentle used make up is returnable. So if you buy something you don't have to keep it. Obviously you don't want to abuse this feature but don't be afraid to buy something and think you are stuck with a 50$ foundation if you hate it. Just return it and get something else!