In the first version of this blog, I wrote the “most expensive cheeky palette.” Evidently, the Freudian slip pressing on my mind was how brands got away with charging such prices.
I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t know what a cheek palette is, given that I apply make-up to both cheeks. However, I won’t hold this monstrous crime against the English grammar against Sephora USA, as that is our starting point today.
Today’s blog
On Sephora USA website I searched for bestselling cheek palettes (Sephora USA > Makeup > Cheek > Cheek palettes > Bestselling).
A cheek palette is essentially any combination of blusher and/or highlighter and/or bronzer. For example, Charlotte Tilbury’s Flimstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo and NARS’ Afterglow Overlust Cheek Palette are both cheek palettes.
After collating data for 27 palettes (excluding sale items), I filtered by price/shade, allowing a comparison between different products. For the most expensive products I went to Net-a-porter (USA site), as Tom Ford was noticeable in its absence from the Sephora list I had compiled.
I learned three things that I wish to share with you today:
Lesson 1: the average price of cheek palettes is about US$ 44 and is LESS than the average price of eyeshadow palettes (US$ 62)
If you buy eyeshadow and cheek palettes regularly, this will come as no surprise to you. These are six of the most popular cheek palettes on Sephora USA.
Source: Sephora USA websiteThe price difference is quite incredible – Charlotte Tilbury’s Bronze & Glow set is expensive at US$34/shade. I also note that pure blusher palettes are cheaper than mixed palettes.
Lesson 2: The average price/shade for a cheek palette is twice that for an eyeshadow palette
The average price/shade for 37 cheek palettes is US$ 14.18/shade. For eyeshadow palettes the average price/shade is US$ 6/shade. NARS (quite helpfully) illustrate this point: the Exposed Cheek palette costs US$ 59 for 6 shades. The Ignited Eyeshadow Palette cost US$ 59 for 12 shades.
Source: Sephora USALesson 3: The most expensive cheek product is unsurprising
Serge Luten makes the most expensive eyeshadows and so I expected it to feature prominently in this section. It did not disappoint. I’ll add that the value for money proposition offered by single cheek colours is a concept that does not exist. Here are six of the most expensive products.
Source: Net a porter USA websiteI almost expect Tom Ford to be in the list of expensive makeup products by default. However, Burberry Beauty even with its limited-edition shades offers pretty hideous value for money. It demonstrates to me that the margins on makeup products are much higher than traditional accessories.
Closing
Clearly, cheek palettes are an indulgence and quite frankly I don’t feel that bad about buying expensive eyeshadow palettes anymore. If there was some way I could completely bypass cheek palettes I would!
See also: Which is the most expensive lipstick? Which is the most expensive eyeshadow palette?
My comment section now works!
I am severely technically challenged. Therefore, my comment section has not been working for the best part of the past 12 months. Please leave a comment on your favourite cheek palette…
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