We all assume that the shampoo, lotions, face creams, body washes and other beauty products we buy at Target, Walgreens, or other discount stores are cheaper than their salon counterparts. I've found a couple instances where that's not always the case, and it can pay to do the math.
I first discovered this a couple years ago, when I had a favored brand of shampoo I would buy at Target. It wasn't cheap like Suave, but it wasn't expensive either (it was a John Freida shampoo that is no longer made). I also happened to LOVE Aveda rosemary mint shampoo and had recently splurged on a huge bottle of it for about $25. I was in the shower one morning, and I had a moment of clarity... the Aveda shampoo was slightly cheaper per ounce than the discount store shampoo! I was shouting from the rooftops and began lathering up with the "expensive" shampoo more often!
Soon after, my salon raised their shampoo prices, and I was back to the discount stores, but I still do the math almost every time I'm there.
I had a similar experience today. I just got home from a facial, where I splurged on a $32 bottle of Aveda facial moisturizer. I took it up to the bathroom and put it next to my Biore moisturizer, and I noticed the Biore moisturizer is in a teeny-tiny bottle. Sure enough, I did the math and the Aveda moisturizer came in at $6.40/ounce, and the Biore was a whopping $7.64 an ounce (trust me, it's not worth it).
Additionally, Aveda products typically come with a money-back guarantee. I wish the Biore lotion did, because it burns when I apply it (another wasted product). Maybe salon products really are the better value.
5 comments:
I don't really buy a lot of lotions and products, but I get what you're saying. Just by saying something is cheaper means relative to something else. You have to find a way to compare apples to apples (cost per something).
Great reminder.
-limeade
http://fiscalmusings.blogspot.com
Great catch! Cheaper doesn't always mean "cheaper".
If you don't mind me asking, which discover card did you apply for? I'm looking for an alternative for Citi (I'm maxed out on available credit) and went to discovercard.com, but didn't see anything that caught my eye.
I've found that many soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners have different consistancies, so one ounce of one isn't the same as one ounce of another.
It might be worth comparing prices of cost per use rather than cost per ounce, too. If it takes twice as much of one brand to get the same results as another brand, then the price per ounce might not be the right way to compare.
Referring to the discount products or drugstore products, you can usually get a pretty good deal if you combine rebates (I like Rite-Aid and Walgreens) and coupons. I have to admit that I've stopped paying for toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner.
However, I do have to admit that I do splurge on a few products. The most expensive being my foundation. I don't think you can get a better match than Prescriptives.
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