Sunday, February 16, 2014

2014 Blogger Challenge #4: What's in a high-end polish?

Happy Sunday! I hope you didn't get as much snow as we did yesterday...I'm getting really sick of winter this year. >:-(

This time around, the 2014 Blogger Challenge participants are discussing "high-end vs. high street", or, are expensive products always worth it? I think nail polish is a different case than some other beauty products, and I'll explain why.

For some products, like skincare, foundation and so on, there can be a pretty big difference in the ingredients used, which can make some products worth more (or at least have the impression of being worth more). Compare the ingredients in Chapstick with those in Burt's Bees next time you're in the drugstore. The foundation, concealer and powder I use are all from Jane Iredale, which is on the pricey side, but they're designed to be beneficial for your skin (especially acne-prone skin) and avoid filler materials, like talc, which can be found in cheaper products. To me, the benefits of using this makeup are worth the extra cost.

With nail polish the situation is a little different. I've been making nail polish for about six months now, which by no means makes me an expert, but it seems to me that there are a fairly limited number of ingredients that go into making polish, and most of these aren't overly expensive (exceptions include things like real gold flake). What sets a polish apart from the rest is the way it combines those ingredients--so, the formula, color, finish and so on.

One reason high-end polishes are popular is that they're often at the leading edge of new trends and great color combinations; take, for example, Deborah Lippmann Mermaid's Dream (retails for $20), which everyone drooled over. Then we got an inexpensive near-dupe from Revlon that made Mermaid's Dream accessible to more people.

For another example, take Rescue Beauty Lounge Aqua Lily (also $20), rightfully lusted after and then duped by GAP. I thought it might be fun to try to make my own version of Aqua Lily too and see just how expensive it is to make. Obviously, I'm not going to be selling this polish; I'm keeping it for myself!

Compare KellieGonzo's lovely swatch of Aqua Lily with my polish below. Since I don't own Aqua Lily, I based the color on photos; hopefully I came close! I also don't happen to own the same shade of pink shimmer used in Aqua Lily, so I used a violet shimmer that doesn't pop quite as much (it's stronger IRL than in my swatch). That's why I'm calling my polish "Aqua Violet". :-D

ALIQUID's "Aqua Violet"

Aqua Lily, while beautiful, is a pretty simple mix--just pigment and shimmer. My bottle of "Aqua Violet" cost less than a dollar to make, not including the bottle itself.

So what are you actually paying for when you buy a high-end polish like Aqua Lily?
  • a good formula (but not always!)
  • beautiful packaging
  • prestige of owning a high-end product
  • prestige of owning the original Aqua Lily/Mermaid's Dream/whatever
  • maybe considerations like vegan, cruelty-free, etc.
If any of the above are important to you, and you have the money to spare, then by all means go for it! But if you're shopping on a budget, just wait for the dupe.

I'd love to hear what you think!

(Side note: high-end polishes aren't always the innovators. Textured polish, as far as I know, originated with OPI. And look at everything that's come from mid-range indie companies. Some really "classy" brands, like Dior, seem to stick to safe, conservative finishes. I'm sure they've done their market research.)

14 comments:

  1. We had 5ft drifts of snow last year at home (scotland) however, this year Ive seen only a few flakes. It always seems to be one extreme or the other! Hopefully it'll warm up soon?! I love your Aqua Violet, it's so pretty! I agree that mostly you're paying for the name + packaging with many of the high end polishes. :)

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  2. I agree that inexpensive polishes and high end polishes don't have that many differences. I think Sally Hansen is way underrated! It's cheap, consistent, and a good polish! :D I only pay for high end if it's a unique color/formula/finish.

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    1. Definitely agree with you on Sally Hansen! I really should buy more!

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  3. Actually, a brand called Cherimoya had textured "sand" polishes called Pebble Beach long before OPI or the trend in general.

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    1. Thanks for the correction!! I wonder why we never hear about those?

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  4. This was a very interesting post to read!

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  5. I love Sally Hansen nail polishes because they're sooo cheap but great quality. As someone that rarely paints her nail polishes, it's a better budgeting option to spend $2-3 on Sally Hansen than $10-20 on a high end polish. I have a lot of relatives that travels to China and usually brings back no name brands and they work wonders too!

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  6. A great read! I often franken new colours out of the polishes I own, but I've never played with pigments and shimmers on their own. Your Aqua Violet is absolutely stunning!

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    1. Haha, once you get sucked in, you'll never be able to stop...

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  7. Thank you for posting this! I <3 nailpolish so much, I really liked your take on the subject. I have to say though, I go to the drugstore more often than not. Your dupe was amazing, if you sold it, I would definitely buy it! I'm gonna check out your other colours where I can, because they look good and are probably for a reasonable amount.

    Check out my post on the same topic: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/02/high-end-vs-high-street-2014-blogger.html?showComment=1392587473879#c67053587273523556437

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  8. Wow, lovely "dupe!" When it comes to "high end" indies I usually pass -- they use the same materials as everyone else, and unless the maker is incompetent or sloppy, handmade polish is handmade polish. I honestly can't imagine why some indies charge over $15 a bottle (before shipping) except to promote the idea of a "prestige" brand and increase their profit margins. Everyone should feel that they and their work have worth, but everyone's idea of value is certainly different, haha.

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  9. Psst, this is me telling you to let me give you my money. Dupe-shmoop, make this part of your core line plz.

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    1. LOL. Given my love of blue, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar shows up eventually...

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  10. I've love your take on this topic, great writing! See u around;)

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