We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Are Designer Cosmetics?

By Erin J. Hill
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Designer cosmetics are makeup and beauty items which are designed or labeled by a well-known designer. Many fashion designers branch out into makeup and perfume sales. Most of the time designer cosmetics are more expensive than drugstore brands, although some of them also work much better.

There are various levels of designer cosmetics. Some are only a little pricier than makeup one may find in a lower-end department store or drugstore. Others are very expensive and carry luxury labels on them.Designer cosmetics companies also may specialize in different types of cosmetics. Clothing designers who branch out into makeup and other items often focus more on luxury, fragrance, and the way the substances feel against the skin.

There is some debate on whether or not designer cosmetics are worth the added expense. There is no easy way to answer that question, since there are good and bad items in virtually any price range. Consumers should keep in mind, however, that just because a product has a high-end label doesn't mean it's a good product. There are plenty of designer items that don't work nearly as well as cheaper drugstore products, and vice versa.

When trying to decide whether to spend the extra money buying designer makeup and other cosmetic products, shoppers should always try and take advantage of any samples available. When free samples are not available, high-end department stores will often allow consumers to try items before they buy. This gives them a better idea of which ones are worth the money, and which ones are not. When making a purchase, it's also a good idea to buy the smallest available size when one has never used the product before. That way, if the it doesn't work or causes a reaction when applied to the skin, less money is lost since smaller sizes are generally cheaper.

In many cases, buying cheaper cosmetics is a better value than buying higher-end items. When shopping, consumers should compare ingredients and ingredient amounts. Many times the lower-priced items will have the same ingredients as designer products, so the increased cost is primarily due to the designer label. For those only looking for cosmetics that will work, paying more for the label isn't always worth the price.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.