Ugh! Where do I begin?….
OK. So we all know that we’re in really tough economic times. Everyone and their momma wants a bailout. Folks are getting laid off left and right. Foreclosures are at a record high. The market is in the crapper. Yada yada yada…
So having said that, I’ve made lots of New Year’s resolutions designed to help me mind my P’s and Q’s. Some of my Recessionista Resolutions include things like:
- Eating out less
- Cooking at home more
- Bringing my lunch to work
- Cutting back on weekly salon visits (we’ll see how this goes *side eye*)
- Eating less meat
- Using more coupons
- Purchasing no new clothes until summer
- Grocery shopping only once per month (which forces me to eat what I have and not buy new things on impulse)
The list goes on and on but I take it you are sufficiently bored. LOL.
Now its time for me to tell you a secret.
Yesterday while in Wal-Mart, I bought a STORE BRAND beauty product!!!!
*screaming*
*running*
*hiding*
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Has it come to this”, I asked myself while standing in aisle 6.
“Hell’s yea”, my inner voice responded.
Let me set the scene for y’all.
My skin has been hella dry this winter and the usual suspects have not been working their usual magic. So I started giving some thought to two products that could potentially help my dryness.
1. I need a super hydrating moisturizer for day time.2. I need a night time hydrator packed with ingredients that will help hydrate, restore and replenish my skin while I sleep.
I’ve been spending a lot of time at home lately which means I’ve been watching a lot of TV….and I’ve noticed quite a few Olay commercials. I must say, their current ads are really enticing. They claim that their new Regenerist line went up against and beat out anti-aging products priced as high as $300. Really? So I decided to do a little investigation of my own.
After perusing the extensive Olay line, I decided on Olay Definity Highly Defined Anti-Aging Intense Hydrating Cream.
Here’s the Olay claim:
The intense hydration of a cream. The high definition technology of Definity. Olay Definity Intense Hydrating Cream creates a powerful yet luxurious experience you’ll indulge day and night.
- Gllcosamine Complex helps repair the appearance of past damage.
- Hydrates deeply to allow the natural regeneration of collagen over time to refine its texture for lasting results.
- Immediately boosts skin.s luminosity and helps control the appearance of brown spots.
- Contains the highest levels of glycerin in the Definity line for maximum hydration.
Sounds like this could work…with two minor concerns –
- 1st concern – The price. $29.99. Yikes. Drugstore brands are really starting to trip!
- 2nd concern – There’s no SPF but not a biggie as I am currently using Dermalogica SPF Booster which can be added to any foundation or moisturizer
So after putting my concerns aside, I threw the product in my shopping cart.
OK, time to buy my night cream…also an Olay product, Olay Regenerist Night.
After noticing yet ANOTHER $30 price tag and thinking back on my Recessionista Resolutions, I had to make a tough decision.
Instead of buying the Olay product, I decided to go with the Equate/ store brand product!
Can you believe it?
In reading the labels I discovered that the products have the same active ingredients. The price of the Equate item is what sealed the deal for me. Equate Regenerating Night Cream costs only $13.89.
Well I’ll be a flying Guinea pig! For $13.89 I’m willing to give Equate a try. The difference between $60 on two products and $43.89 on two products is significant…especially in these recessionistic times.
Here’s how Olay describes their product and here’s the Equate version.
What do y’all think?
Have I taken my Recessionista Resolutions too far?
Is my face going to fall off?
Have you tried Equate before?
Holler at me!
Olay Regenerist Night:
Wake up to the look of a mini-lift each morning.
Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment doubles skin’s surface cell regeneration rate vs. untreated skin – so you can wake up to the look of a mini-lift each morning. Using an exclusive nighttime amino-peptide complex with a time-release effect, Regenerist Night Recovery hydrates hour after hour while you sleep.
Suitable for everyday use for normal, dry and combination skin. Smooth over cleansed face and neck every evening.
Equate Regenerating Night Cream:
- Increases Cell Renewal
- For A Mini-Lift Look Each Morning
- Regenerating Night Cream, W/The Exclusive Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide Complex, Provides The Look of A Mini-Lift Each Morning. The Time-Release Effect Hydrates Hour After Hour For Increased Cell Renewal In The Skin
Hi Felicia!
I use a GRRRREAT product by Origins called Never Say Dry. It’s the only moisturizer that works for me in the wintertime. Since it’s super rich, one jar lasts me from Nov through Feb practically each year. Great deal for a recessionista! Also, as far as name brand vs store brand, I still dont trust it..lol. “Active Ingredients” account for a fairly small percentage of the product (or so I’ve been told)…It’s those inactive ingredients that will get ya! Either way, good luck-thanks for your bargain bravery!!
I think you will be fine. 🙂 It’s not about the name of the product but what’s ingredients are. I personally loovvveee buying store brands because I feel like I’m getting the same thing as everyone else, but with a little something extra in the pocket! I can’t wait to hear how the product worked for you.