The Lipstick Mafia: Why is makeup so expensive?!?!

Unfortunately, as we all know; Australia is known for our ridiculously inflated cosmetic prices. A lipstick that costs you $36.00AUD sells for $16.50USD in the states...kill me now right? So what does that mean for us Aussie beauty fanatics? Well it's either guessing what shade or texture we will receive from our online purchase or eventually giving up and buying in store.

Last year I spent a bit of time travelling through North America! The home of Sephora, Ulta, and of course the beauty isle in Walmart. The difference in the cost between here and there is obvious, but you would be surprised which brands are not worth all the online purchase hype.

In December last year we had Sephora open their flagship store on Pitt St Mall in Sydney. Honestly, and I'm just gonna say it, Sephora is not as amazing as everyone seems to believe; even in America the prices aren't that great. I would rate it a 6.5 out of 10.

Let's be honest, all high end cosmetics are over priced no matter where you go. When you see the American prices online for brands like Benefit, Too Faced, NARS etc. and compare it to the Australian department store prices I bet you cringe right? But are you cringing because it's $22.00USD instead of $55.00AUD? I can tell you right now though, even in America that's still extremely overpriced! Contrary to popular belief our prices in Australia are not because of taxes either. The cosmetic industry does it simply because they can. So unless you want to purchase a specific item from brands like The Sephora Collection (their eye shadows are amazing FYI) Kat Von D or Make Up Forever; as far as purchasing in Australia don't waste your time making a trip to Sydney because it's the exact same price at Mecca Maxima or David Jones for NARS, Bobbi Brown and so on. As for saving some money and purchasing these brands online from America (especially for foundations or shade specific products) you're way better off going into Mecca Maxima the department store, correctly finding your shade, write it down and then purchase it online. Always keep in mind the shipping fee. If your paying $20.00+ for shipping it's just not worth it for high end products, because that $20.00 right there is the inflated price you are paying here anyway. I guess the only exception to the high end brands ridiculous pricing is M.A.C. It's cheaper everywhere except Australia and New Zealand, and I still after three and a half years working for them have no clue as to why. I guess.... like I said before, it's just because they can.

As for pharmacy brands like L'Oreal, Ardell or Red Cherry(lashes), Milani, Maybelline, Revlon, Sonia Kashuk and Palladio ......STOCK UP online. These are the brands that, even if your shipping is $20.00,it's still worth buying online from America.

So it's simple really; high end cosmetics are expensive no matter where you go (except M.A.C ... insert sad emoji here) but pharmacy brands, they are great to buy online from America. Below are my top five pharmacy brand products worth buying. Let me know if you have used any of these??