Q: I love shopping at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls and often see high-end skincare products there. The prices are obviously much lower than what I’d pay elsewhere – but am I wasting my money? I’m worried they might have been sitting on the shelf for a long time.
A: We phoned a friend for this one – Val Monroe, former longtime beauty director at O Magazine. Here’s what she had to say:
“The issue this reader should be considering, rather than whether the products have passed their expiration date, is whether they’re worth spending more on than on a similar, likely equally or even more effective drugstore product.
Most expensive skincare products are pricier, not because of more effective ingredients, but instead because of more expensive packaging and marketing strategies. So that’s what you, the consumer, are paying for, not for a more effective product.”
As for the products themselves, they’re not usually expired — but they are ones that have likely been discontinued, or they may be from past seasons (yes, makeup and beauty have seasons just like fashion items). If they’re truly things you love, it’s okay to go for it. If you’re buying just because it’s on sale, remember one of my favorite Money Rules: If it’s 50% off, it’s still 50% on.
PS, if you’re looking for more beauty tips – budgeting and otherwise – Val’s Substack is a favorite of mine: How Not to F*ck Up Your Face.
