We all go to drugstores at some point as part of our routine whether it be for toothpaste, shampoo or medicine.But what about all the other possible purchases that can be made at drugstores that we tend to overlook. As consumers we tend to purchase what is the most advertised in magazines or television and forget that some of those items can be purchased at your local drugstore for a quarter of the price. Below we break down many of the benefits of shopping for your beauty needs at your local drugstore as opposed to big name department stores.
- Cost, cost, cost! Did I mention cost?! Sure you can buy a moisturizing lip balm at your local Nordstrom for $50 (yes, I said $50 for a LIP BALM!) or you can head to your nearest drugstore and save yourself the $46.01 and buy a drugstore lip balm for only $3.99! Chances are both purchases will hydrate your lips, smell and taste good and eventually get lost in your purse. I don’t know about you but I would much rather lose a $4 lip balm in the deep abyss of my purse than a $50 lip balm.
- Coupons. Very similar to number one but even better. Remember that $4 lip balm we talked about? Well guess what, you can get it for even cheaper! Most drugstores allow you to use manufacture coupons, in store coupons or even offer some sort of loyalty program. I am sure you have noticed that beauty products never go on sale at department stores. Sure, you get your gift with purchase every so often but again that is every so often.
- Freedom. No, not freedom of speech but freedom to shop! How many times have you walked around your local department store and thought you were at the hyena pit at the zoo? That is because most department store employees work off commission which means 9 out of 10 times they will try to sell you something for their own good instead of yours. At the drugstore, you can peacefully browse the aisles without feeling pressured to buy something you don’t need. While shopping at the drugstore you have the ability to use your smartphone and look at beauty product reviews and make your decision on your beauty purchase as opposed to feeling pressured by the sales person at the department store to make your purchase so they can help another customer.
- Dupes. What is a dupe you might ask? A dupe is a drugstore item (specifically a beauty item) that is identical to an expensive, big brand item for less than half the cost. For example, you can purchase a highlight pen for your face for either $41 (YSL Touche Eclat) or you can buy a dupe at the drugstore that gives you the same effect for only $12.99 (L’Oreal Magic Lumi)
Let’s face it, looking good is never going to go out of style. In this economy, most people are pinching their pennies. Why not still keep the luxury of looking good while still being financially savvy and save money when and where you can?
