Drugstore vs Prestige Brands: What's the Difference?

We’ve all asked ourselves, “are high-end/prestige brands genuinely better than the drugstore brands?” The short answer is no, but the answer honestly depends on a few factors including cost & quality. Prestige brands are more expensive & provide a luxury feel, yet this does not mean in any way that the product itself is automatically better. It’s no secret that “dupes” exist to provide an affordable option to high-end products. It’s okay to be unsure or skeptical of price differences for seemingly identical products, but each factor gives a better perspective on the topic.

Cost is the primary difference between drugstore & prestige brands. So, what causes the difference in cost? Let’s consider Kylie Cosmetics & ColourPop. Both are manufactured at the same factory with vastly similar formulas, yet the cost is significantly different. A single lip liner for Kylie Cosmetics is $17, while ColourPop only charges $7. The difference in cost can be explained by their packaging, marketing, & branding. 

Packaging is the simplest explanation for the difference in cost. In terms of packaging the product is sold in, a subtle change in thickness, weight, finish, etc. will cause a difference in price. The individual product packaging itself also creates a notable distinction between an affordable versus high-end option, such as with Colourpop & Kylie Cosmetics. Prestige brands often spend more to have packaging that creates a sleek & durable feel to reflect the price tag in the minds of consumers, whereas affordable brands typically have packaging that creates a simplistic & playful feel that is associated with a lower cost. The lip liners have essentially the same formula, yet the packaging & branding for each varies.

The marketing & branding behind each brand is what creates a different perception of quality for each product & brand. The brand image behind Kylie Cosmetics is closely associated with Kylie Jenner herself: prestige beauty & quality products at a higher price tag. On the other hand, Colourpop is associated with a playful & affordable option for high quality products. The marketing for both brands reflect their brand images, which is reflected in the cost of their products.

Quality is the other defining difference between drugstore & prestige brands. Kylie Cosmetics & Colourpop have almost identical formulas, so how is the quality different? The simple answer is they’re not! The debate of drugstore vs. prestige products stems from the perceived quality of both. With Kylie Cosmetics, consumers associate the brand with higher quality because of the branding & cost behind it. Consumers may be aware of Kylie Cosmetics & Colourpop sharing essentially identical formulas yet choose Kylie Cosmetics to ‘buy’ into a certain lifestyle. On the other hand, consumers may choose Colourpop for better value in terms of cost. It genuinely comes down to personal preference & which brand resonates with that particular consumer more.

The drugstore vs. prestige brand debate can be complex, but the reality is simple: both are catering to a different need within the beauty industry. Variances in packaging, marketing, & branding is what ultimately creates the divide in cost & perceived quality of each. The bottom line is that drugstore & prestige brands are what we make of them to be!