Originally Posted by helyli /img/forum/go_quote.gif hm...considering much of a makeup's price is its packaging + marketing and the same few companies own almost all the brands, I'd say it's trial and error for drugstore product or pay for the mua's and experience at the counter This is so very true. Maybelline and Lancome are related companies and Shiseido just purchased Bare Minerals. It's all about product placement and what they think their target market should be. It doesn't mean they make the products that really should be in that area of their target market. Clinique for example doesn't really belong in a department store, at best they are drugstore. Lately, you'll also see the crossover where department store brands are finding their way into drugstores - Dior show mascara, Shiseido, Pur Minerals, Lancome are all available at drugstores. Cosmetic companies also make private label brands too so you really don't know who makes those.