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Adrian Grezeskiewicz, 25, a graduate student, buys only Clinique products for her skin-care routine. She is using Clinique’s Turnaround cream and feels her skin is improving with it.
“I like department stores because the products have better quality than drugstores,” she said. “I end up with better results for my skin.”
Tamie Dickinson, 32, an insurance company manager, shops in department stores for her Clinique soap, toner and moisturizer.
“I use Clinique because they offer oil-free products for sensitive skin, and the quality is good,” she said.
Katie Carey, a 27-year-old consultant, buys dermatologist-tested products at a salon because she feels like “it is heads above Clinique.”
Beverly Westly, a 45-year-old who does public relations for Bell South, uses Neutrogena soap to clean her face and a moisturizer made by a California-based doctor.
“I like these products because they contain sunscreen and are dermatologist tested,” she said.
For her body, Beverly is experimenting with Avon’s Anew, an acid-based product.
Judy Pawligei, 45, a housewife, changes between Neutrogena and Dove soaps for her face.
“Drugstores sell the basics, while I find department stores confusing,” she noted.
Judy admitted to using Prescriptives’ All You Need moisturizer and said she likes it.
Laura Eschbach, 28, a flight attendant, uses a variety of products. “I buy Clinique soap and Princess [Marcella]] Borghese toner from department stores,” she said. “I buy L’Oreal Plenitude moisturizer from the drugstore. On the whole, I prefer department stores because the quality is better and the products are not animal-tested.”
Merrily Nicolson, 69, a worker in retail sales, has been using Almay’s toner and moisturizer for many years. “I use Almay because it is good for allergic skin,” she said. “My face products are all from drugstores, but I buy tanning lotion from Estee Lauder. It might be expensive, but it is the best. Drugstores are cheaper, but department stores will take back products if you do not like them. I shop at both.”
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Mary Jo Wark, 32, a corporate office manager, strictly shops at department stores.
“I switch brands around for different things,” she noted. “Clarins milk cleanser is great, but sometimes I use The Body Shop’s cucumber cleanser. For under-eye treatment, I use Lancome. I also buy a lot of Chanel products. Department stores are better because they let you test products and give you samples. I go home and try the products. That way, I see what works best for me.”
Tracey Lilly, 27, a travel company accountant, buys from department stores. “I use some Chanel products, but mostly Clarins,” she said. “It works for me because Clarins is an all-natural product and the quality is good. I have sensitive skin and I’m afraid to try other stuff.”
Alka Patel, 28, a sales director, shops at drugstores. “Drugstores are a lot less expensive,” she said. “You can get the same products without all the expensive packaging. But I did recently buy Prescriptives All You Need, their alpha-hydroxy [acid-based] product. I decided to try it because I read about it.”
Kathy Coward, a 44-year-old who works in real estate, uses drugstore products. “I either use Ponds or Ivory to clean my face,” she said. “For moisturizer, I like Oil of Olay. I shop at drugstores because it works for me and saves money.”
Steronica Dunston, 23, a program assistant, goes to the drugstore to buy Noxzema cleanser and Clean and Clear Moisturizer.
“I have tried Clinique, Prescriptives and Fashion Fair,” she said. “I was not impressed; it all seems the same to me. Drugstore products work just as well, maybe better.”
Nina Ameekins, 26, a cosmetologist, uses Black Opal soap, toner and moisturizer. “I use a Lancome mask, but there is no difference between drugstore and department store products,” she maintained.
Joie Chen, a 32-year-old employee of CNN, buys her cleanser and scrub from her salon.
“I can just get it from the person who does my facials,” she said. “I tried a glycolic acid, but I bought that from my salon, too. I trust them.”
Vonda Borzello, 52, a designer, shops at both drug and department stores.
“I buy Dove soap from the drugstore and Elizabeth Arden toner from the department store,” she said. “I also use a lot of Clinique. I prefer department stores because I like promotional items. You get to try all the new things.”
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Juanita Jones, 53, a safety and occupational health specialist, said, “I buy Fashion Fair lotion at Woodward & Lothrop department store. I think it’s worth the price — drugstores just don’t have the brands I like. I have oily skin and I need something for that, and drugstores don’t distinguish [between skin types].”
Sumatra Belcher, 48, said, “I just use Vaseline Intensive Care and Avon Moisture Therapy. My co-worker sells Avon. Department store brands are just too expensive. I’m not really satisfied with drugstores. Usually, you find a product and get used to it and then they discontinue it, it seems to me. It would be ideal if drugstores had [cosmeticians] to guide you choosing what you need. I think that would be very helpful.”
Susan O’Mally, a publicist, said, “I buy all my products through the mail from Yves Rocher. Yes, I think department store products are too expensive, doesn’t everybody? I never go for drugstores — my skin is too sensitive. Even if drugstores had more of a selection, I probably wouldn’t try them. I don’t want to wind up with big red welts all over my face.”
Shannon Persetic, 30, a computer programmer, said, “I use whatever my Mary Kay sales lady recommends. I can’t remember what it’s called. I just use hand and body lotion. Department stores are definitely too expensive; that’s why I don’t shop there.
“Stores like Drug Emporium have a good selection, but not CVS or Rite Aid or places like that. I’d definitely like to see personnel in drugstores who can help you select what you need.”
Arzella Epps, 54, a business development specialist, said, “Department stores are a little overpriced. Well, not a little — they’re overpriced. I’d like to see more selection in drugstores and a cosmetician. Everything’s all taped up and you can’t really get a feel for them or how they’ll affect your skin. I use Vaseline Intensive Care, but I’m planning to try an alpha-hydroxy product by Avon that a woman in my office is selling.”
Melanie Ostrowski, 26, a secretary, said, “I just love Clinique. Usually I buy it at Hecht’s. I use the set of three: an astringent, soap and lotion. I use their cosmetics, too, and the Turnaround Cream that removes dead skin layers and makes your skin glow. It’s worth it for me to pay the price for Clinique because it lasts a long time and you don’t have to spend a lot of time looking for what you want and experimenting.
“I might go back to drugstores if they had something like department stores, but I don’t know if that would still be a drugstore.”
Nashwa, 27, a gallery manager, said, “I use Aveda cleanser, moisturizer and toner, which I buy in salons. Department store prices are outrageous, but then again, so’s Aveda. I don’t shop in drugstores. I think the stuff there is pretty cheap, but I would go if they had higher quality products.”