A Wren Says

Not that anyone asked for my opinion, but this is what I think people get wrong about the idea of dupes. I watched a woman review La Mer. Because I possibly hate my life, I decided to descend into the comment section.  “Ugh, I don’t get why people spend that much money when Nivea will do the same thing.” Well, that’s a paraphrase, but the sentiment is the same: People are wasting their money when cheaper products will do. But, that’s where they’re wrong.

When someone chooses to buy La Mer (or whatever product for that matter) they aren’t just buying a moisturizer. Even if you buy Nivea, that’s not what you’re doing either. You are buying a solution. A product is more than just the benefits they put on the label. It’s about what you hope to get from it. It is all about perception.

Take two people.

Person A describes herself as practical and economical. She’s always looking for the most cost-effective way to get things done. To her that means she is acting responsibly. She doesn’t care about labels, just pure effectiveness. She also doesn’t care anything about the particulars of the ingredients or materials used. She just wants to tick off one box: Did it work?

Person B works a high stress but high paying job. She treats her nightly skincare routine like a spa ritual. It is the only moment of calm in an otherwise hectic schedule. She has a large disposable income and wants to treat herself well. She enjoys making luxury part of her routine. That is how she defines self-care. She cares about ingredient quality and will only settle for the best.

Which person do you think will settle for a La Mer “dupe?” Which person do you think would rather pay $190 for a one ounce of product?

Luxury brands are not catering to every consumer. They put in research, that drives up the cost. They source high grade material. That drives up the cost. And sometimes they just want you to think they are a luxury. That’ll drive up the price, too. If a consumer values these things, a dupe product just won’t cut it.

A lot of the time, I am close to the profile of Person B. I want an effective product, and I look at the claims the brand makes and the ingredients used. I want a great product, but I also want an experience. I care about the overall purchase experience, packaging, and usage. But I am in no way opposed to getting the very same product on sale. I will not say no to saving money.

Maybe Nivea does in fact do the exact same thing to your skin (i.e. moisturize), but won’t necessarily fulfill all your needs. It just depends on what you really want your products to do for you.