your content is killer lately. thanks for really giving us the details and pulling back the veil for us. i think it’s important, especially because makeup prices are rising like crazy.
Marlena, you have been killing it with everything you have uploaded lately and we all thank you for sharing your vast knowledge with us! I think you are one of the most skilled and honorable people to watch..I pretty much love and respect who and what you stand for! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
As a business owner myself, I loved watching this! It costs a lot of money to run any business ethically. I enjoyed hearing your unique insider’s perspective on the makeup industry.
Is it actually possible to run any business 100% ethically? I've been wanting to start a business for years now and it's the only factor that keeps me from taking a leap of faith and do it.
As another business owner who sources components sustainably, we are committed to only supporting those who have rigorous standards. It's in our company's ethos. You can be part of social capitalism and what sets you apart. Take the leap! I guarantee you won't regret it!!!!! Best of luck
@@stefanelisabethgabriela4259multiple business owner here. Of course it is! How? Just do right by people even if it costs a lot of money. Own up to your mistakes. See things from the customer/client’s POV but don’t let that compromise paying yourself and your business appropriately. If you’re an employee, you’re absolutely not in charge of a company’s decisions. As an owner, the buck stops with you.
I love it Marlena! Could you please do the same talk about different lipstick formulas? I'm quite curious to learn how the cost of lipstick is build up.
Charlotte paid all that for a fancy cap, meanwhile every time I open that bottle I get chunks of red paint stuck to my hands. So annoying for an expensive product.
As a makeup/skincare packaging designer, this video is on point and it brings me so much validation to have you speak on everything that goes into a product, especially the packaging. Your content has truly become one of a makeup geek and I love it.
I'm from Brazil and those name brands here cost sometimes the a whole month of food for 2 people. Sometimes we get carried away by influencers and wanting a certain brand just for looks or name alone. I feel like learning these informations really brings a light to what exactly I'm buying whether it's imported or not. But specially for when I'm looking to splurge a little bit
I’ve asked for this type of authentic content to be shared for years. (Not to disown the brand(s) but rather, out of curiosity or to be aware and gain the knowledge. Honestly, what’s wrong with brand authenticity? It goes a long way with brand loyalty! JS). Thank you for listening to us! We love you! ❤😊
Because of serious chronic health issues, I had to retire very early. I decided three years ago that I was going to stop buying high end makeup and skincare products. I took a year and watched lots of RU-vid videos, buying products that I thought would work for my skin, with my goal being finding affordable products to replace the high end ones. I can honestly say that at this point, I love my makeup collection, and everything is affordable!!! One thing that I love doing is mixing complexion products, like a tinted moisturizer with a more high coverage foundation to get that perfect coverage for my taste. Your content has been SO AMAZING, Marlena!!!
Now that Natasha Denona has done numerous midi palettes, I think she needs to sell the shades as singles so that we can replace panned shades or trade out shades we don't use for shades we would use. Why else did she give us the little holes in the back of the palettes to pop out shadows? Not just to move around the existing shadows.
I think the holes are so that if you want to make a Z palette with all your most used or favorite shadows from different brands so you don’t have to take out ten palettes to do a look, these make it easy to do so.
@@MarlenaStellhow can I reach out to you about an order from Makeup Geek? I’m just looking for tracking. I hit the contact us on website and it wouldn’t let me. Thanks ❤
As someone who grew up watching your content as a teenager and now works in the makeup packaging industry, this was an incredible video! You are absolutely spot on and it was so cool to hear your honest take on these! Would love to see more of these kinds of reviews! ❤
This info is INVALUABLE in the current oversaturated makeup space - so many companies and creators claiming one thing about margins while the truth is something else entirely. Thank you Marlena!
This so feels like old school Makeup Geek. When my twins were 4 years old (now 17) and I would relax after putting them to bed to enjoy Marlena’s videos. ❤
Can you talk about the margins on a big sale like the 21 days of beauty where some items are 40-50% off? Assuming the brand is the one who has to eat % off?
It would be the store eating it because they are running the sale, however they order more products for these sales and get bulk buying discounts. They are loss leaders to encourage overall sales throughout the stores/ website
Girl!!! You are just showing out with ALL the tea lately!!! I love that you are willing to actually be TRUTHFUL and not lying to people to get your coin. We appreciate you're willingness to chance the wrath of the $ Grubber big corporations
This was FASCINATING! I would love to see more videos like this. Having this type of information helps me to make a more informed choice instead of just getting influenced by reviews.
I have never understood when people complain that packaging isn’t fancy or pretty. My belief is that I can’t wear packaging, so as much $$ as possible should be invested in quality ingredients and fair labor.
Knowledge is power and you’re giving us that power by telling us all this. I’d love to know if parent companies can shuffle formulas from brand to brand just in different (more expensive or cheaper) packaging…Like Estée Lauder Tom Ford and or Becca to MAC.
I love how you’re sharing the BTS of cosmetics brands and their reasons behind their decision-making. It helps us consumers learn how to spend our money wisely. 🖤🖤🖤
Your videos are so interesting and educational. I always come away thinking how I can use what I already own more effectively rather than feeling I need to buy a bunch of new products, which is rare these days being bombarded with new launches all the time.
Very informative and enlightening, Marlena! Fascinating to hear all that goes into makeup products. It was helpful to have someone in the industry who knows what is involved to explain this to us. Thank you for this video.
I’d love to splurge on a few high end cosmetics but most add a “signature scent” to them. Fragrance does nothing for the health of skin, as far as I know. I purchased a Clinique foundation for the simple fact it had no added fragrances. Thank you so much for all the work and love you put into your videos. The info in this video is fabulously fire. ❤️🔥
Very useful information. Thank you very much. Yes, please make more of these videos. I can’t tell you how much money I’ve wasted on these luxury brands. And I never even use them up. They’re just sitting in my drawer lol!
People get offended easily when you compare ingredients and point out that you might as well buy essence. Sometimes your brain tricks you to think something has to be better because you don't want to admit you wasted your money... I am glad you can tell everybody that 90 freaking dollars are way to much for a Highlighter
Excellent information. A comparison of ingredients in luxury brands and less expensive brands would be excellent. Question, there has to be something about the CT foundation other than the packaging that keeps you reaching for it and purchasing it repeatedly. What is it? I’m actually impressed with Jones Roads deciding to give the consumer more product over an expensive package, just my two cents.
Love how informative this is! ❤ Although, I keep thinking about the expiry dates on makeup. Like Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Marlena mentioned that it could last up to 3-4 years but liquid products tend to have only 12-18 months. So it feels like sometimes brands tend to sell way too much product, which is barely ever being used until there is none left(unless you’re a pro makeup artist of course or if it’s a foundation that’s being used every day). I guess what I’m trying to say is that maybe smaller packaging with less product which could be safely used up until it expires = more affordable but still good quality/high end product for the consumer? 🤔
Hmmm...Only living things can expire and I found it refreshing to hear an American not wastefully throwing away perfectly good products because of an arbitrary date. Yes, products have a jar saying that they've been safety tested for x months. But that doesn't mean that it is automatically dangerous beyond that point - otherwise most British & European makeup wearers would be in hospital. Makeup and skincare aren't cinderella's pumpkin: they don't immediately go from good to bad on the strike of midnight! Manufacturers of cheap clothes often slap "dry clean only" labels because it's not cost effective to test various cleaning methods. Similarly, brands don't want spend what it would cost to test a product for 4+ years. That doesn't mean that the product is dangerous after the open jar date - just that they haven't invested in testing it beyond that time. Since the 90s, expiry days are *generally* not allowed on any goods here in UK/Europe unless something is genuinely dangerous (poultry, fish, medicine). This is because it was *proven* that expiry dates were responsible for
Could you compare to dupe products this way? Like Elf halo glow vs Charlotte. Or the Alter Ego vs Natasha. It would be interesting to see why it's worth purchasing the more expensive.
Fantastic video! I was surprised about distribution. I always thought stores took a % of the sale. But of course then they would only get paid if the products sell. I’d be interested if it’s priced by unit in the store or the amount of space the products take in the store.
Fascinating vid - thank you. I'm fairly new to your content and I really appreciate it. I'd like to add there's a massive cost you've not mentioned yet - product development + design. Colour testing, R&D, getting it past government standards so it's safe for people to use. Plus all the design teams to make the packaging + branding + overall look. As former designer it breaks my heart not to have that factored in too. Those teams work really hard + it can take years to bring a product to market. And that isn't cheap. So something innovative like Jones Road balms - brought to market by an independent paying for it all herself... can cost a lot upfront that has to be passed on to the consumer. A product from a big company - or a small company owned by a big conglomerate - will have access to their labs, teams, warehousing, economies of scale for ingredients as well as potential bulk discounts passed down from the larger companies. They'll benefit from a lot that smaller independents don't. All that makes something like the Jones Road slightly cheaper component more understandable.
I love love love your educational content! And (this is a separate thing ) thank you for the recommendation of lactic acid! I started using the lactic acid + HA from the ordinary almost three weeks ago, and OMG! My skin is looking and feeling so much better! I’m fifty and had crepey fine lines, dryness etc. And now I don’t. It’s that simple. I simply don’t have dry flakes, my fine lines have decreased almost to non existent and my skin is producing natural oils again. I noticed that last night, which I had not expected, but the suppleness of my skin has returned. You said it would work. I trusted you and I am so glad I did. Thank you so much, Marlena! Can’t wait for Makeup Geek Academy! ❤❤❤
I would love to hear about lip products in the next video! Especially lipsticks. I vaguely remember many years ago Marlena saying lipsticks are one of the cheapest cosmetics to produce and would love to hear more on that
Yusss. Talk to us Marlena! Biz is one of my favorite subjects. When the math isn’t mathing, brow raise! Youre so funny to keep that shot of you as you voiced over the ending 😂
Thanks, Marlena! I love this! I worked in supply chain my entire career…pharmaceutical and then at Coca-Cola here in Atlanta. You are so spot on. Love the education you provide. Again, thanks.❤
I have been using a high end foundation that no one hardly ever talks about, and saving money on skincare, as it is treating my skin better than most of the best known skincare I have ever tried.
THIS is the type of content I have been crying out for! This video taught me something new and super valuable (checking all my makeup now for manufacturing location, mirrors, etc.!) and I find it very rare to find real-life, useful content like this in the beauty space. So refreshing not to be "sold" to in a beauty video! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, Marlena! Your content is so good, I look forward to each and every video. You asked if we want more content like this... from one makeup geek to another, my answer is a huge YES! Would love to see you dissect more brands! Thanks again for not following the herd!
This content is KILLER. This is educational. The educated consumer is going to piss off a lot of bigger brands/ or celebs/social media people who are just slapping their name on an item and marking it up. But this is just responsible educational information. Good Job Marlena!
I’m loving your videos!! I don’t want to hate TikTok but I hate the misinformation that it’s feeding people. Especially younger people who don’t know that they’re being given bad information.
Very interesting video. I remember once having to explain this concept to people and they didn't believe me until I pulled out one of the big brand's (Estée Lauder or something's) SEC filings. Any chance you could do a follow-up explaining how the discount markets and beauty boxes (Company Cosmetics Store, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ipsy, etc.) factor into decision making? In line with the pricing analysis here, I'd be curious to know what portion of this type of offering was intended (for marketing or encouraged to achieve bulk discount pricing as examples) vs. what is just a means of getting rid of unintentional overstock. I'm also curious about decision making when it comes to limited time promotions and the impact repeated sales can have on a brand's bottom line like people who won't pay full price for Pat McGrath anymore due to constant 30% off sales.
I loved this video! 🎉 🎨 🎉 I've long been interested in cosmetic / beauty packaging: the cost and process of how logos are applied to a component, how much embossing the pan of product increases the cost, and how much cost changes to do an ingredient label vs. printing directly on the component. I'd love to know about Bare Minerals, and their cost. Their loose mineral foundations have 5 ingredients, come in a fairly basic jar, and I think the jars are sold without a box. I'd love hear your perspective on other brands, and if the cost they charge is worth it. Thank you for all of your hard work, to bring us high caliber content! ❤
Dear Marlena, I know this is completely off topic, however I was wondering if you ever plan to do makeup tutorials again? I know that some are tired of doing them. Your makeup tutorials were so educations and so much fun to watch. And to be completely honest with you...I truly miss them. No one does them anymore. You are one of the only You Tubers that I actually have any trust in and seeing you put out a few tutorials would be so, so awesome!! ♥♥♥
TOPIC REQUEST: proper bronzer/contour/blush placement for maturing skin…. I’m now 49 and have a narrow long face. I’ve lost volume and feel I’m dragging down my face further with my placement of these products!
Taught me how to do make-up. So glad to have you back on RU-vid & love the content! You are still learning me (and all of us) so much 👌. I never buy expensive eye pencils anymore thanks to your insights 😄. Would love to hear your thoughts on Patrick Ta eyeshadows. Are they really going bad with mold or is it ingredients separating like the brand says?
With the Hollywood Flawless a filter when I get toward the end and can’t scrape any more out I pull out the top with something (use pliers please but I use scissors or tweezers or something unsafe) and then I still get a few more weeks out of it. I know the Ingredients aren’t super expensive but it’s a product that my skin doesn’t reject in any step, primer, highlight, my skin takes it and mine won’t take a lot. So I begrudgingly pay for it. But I often buy the smaller ones.
There is another factor to consider - innovation. When CT Hollywood Flawless Filter was introduced, people bought it because it was something new and exclusive. Now that there are dupes, people can choose to continue to buy it based on quality or branding.
Do companies ever take into account of the plastic, packaging and trash footprint they are leaving behind?? Is that ever talked about at all at conference tables
I would love to see more! I’m curious about the rare beauty soft pinch blushes. They used to be $26, they just changed it to $32 and they don’t feel worth it anymore
Oh my God. This should be always a staple in every professional cosmetic person. Creator like you. Thank you. You have saved me now money and time and where to spend my money. 2024 will be a year of savings and buying quality products instead of just buying. Thank you again.
Paying for the marketing reminds me of the best advice I ever got as a freelancer: "you're not getting any bites because you're not charging enough". I quadrupled my rates and just like that, I had my pick of clients.
This was sit in front of the screen with my mouth open fascinating!! I can't get enough of this just to be an informed consumer, especially about what is going on my face. BUT. . . what about the costs of advertising? Some brands, like Lancome and Chanel, spend a fortune in women's fashion magazines for their cosmetics while others rely on influencers or product reviewers (something that didn't exist when I was coming up through the makeup selling game). That has to hugely inflate their costs as well. As for makeup made in China, what about the quality control issues? Can you speak to that? I have one brand that is fairly new that I love, but I react to every product in her line! The only thing I can figure is that it is made in China and there is some ingredient that is not listed but that is snuck into the products that I am allergic to. Since you asked, I am a mascara fiend, and I would really like to see a "true cost" video about mascara, since everyone touts their unique brush shape, etc, yet 98% (except the tubing ones) perform exactly the same. Sunscreen would be another great one to learn about. Thanks so much!!
Marlena, can you review some of the holiday palettes? Specifically the hourglass ones. People keep raving but the price is insane, I just want to understand the hype
You are absolutely knowledgeable and a great person to follow not only for your beauty tips but, for providing consumer knowledge. I personally use to use European brands but, now I try to support more brands that are manufactured in the USA!! Great video ❤
I would love to see a price comparison of super affordable brands like ELF. I was curious to see the cost/price comparison between CT flawless filter and elf halo glow. Or other comparable elf products as they seem to dupe a lot of high ends!
I work as a packaging designer (not in the makeup industry) and Marlena is 100% correct. Packaging is extremely expensive, especially if there's custom tooling and embossing involved. Not only that, but if there is ever an error in the legal or verbiage, it also costs a lot of money to physically sticker over the mistake. The labor, materials, sourcing, etc etc is absolutely huge. I have been in countless meetings where the sales team wants to take away a main component of the product to save costing and the product development team has to fight sales on it. Like as a broad example, let's say the sales team wants to replace an iridescent shimmer with a regular shimmer to save on cost, we have to fight them on it because the marketing specifically mentions iridescence. Also the costs of having warehouses and an operations team adds to the cost. It's a lot lol
Love!! Can you please do a video on what products you need that’s high end vrs drugstore I remember on one video you did this and said Foundations you need to try and get high end their better for your skin and all that?
I envy those who can use drugstore foundation for a much affordable price. I break out everytime I use them but if I go back to a higher cost foundation, my face stop breaking out. Weird! 😒
I LOVE this series! I love how much I'm learning from you... and I've gotten to a point where I feel as though there isn't much to learn anymore (I'm a MUA AND have been here on YT since 2009 as well). I appreciate this refreshing and informative look at the beauty industry. Thank you!!
Love this! It's such an eye-opener for me about makeup. I have always thought makeup is too expensive. I am working on taking care of myself more, and this video really helps me to understand the value you are paying for. This allows me to spend the money because it makes sense now.
YES!👍 I’ve not seen ANYTHING out there quite like this - not from anyone watch & trust. This is going to be GOLD for so many! I’ve learned so much from Marlena over the yrs ❤
Really interesting! I would love to see comparisons of similar products from an ingredient standpoint. Unless it’s a lipstick or compact/touch up powder, I’m not taking it out of the house and I don’t really care about the packaging. I would love to know which products have higher quality ingredients, so I’m not lured by flashy packaging. That said, I’m sure it’s not just about ingredients, but formulations that make a good product. I’m just curious if there are brands that focus on quality ingredients, but skimp on packaging.
Pretty spot on explanation from someone who worked in cosmetic production! Just in case anyone needs to know these are all really fun jobs to have screw customer service if you want to work in cosmetics look to work for a cosmetic company it is so fulfilling. Ps I would also add France to the cosmetic manufacturer menu. I would say they’re right under Italy. 😊
