In my first post about the new MUA Makeup Academy products now at CVS (click here for lots of pics), I mentioned that it seemed like the products at CVS were quite different from the products available on the MUA UK website.
Well now I have a full explanation for you.
From Happi.com:
CVS/pharmacy has rolled out its own beauty collection, Makeup Academy. Developed for CVS/pharmacy by makeup professionals and beauty experts, the range includes more than 145 products within three categories: lip products, false eyelashes and makeup brushes.
Lip products are the number one impulse purchase by CVS/pharmacy shoppers and lash is one of the fastest-growing categories for the last three years at CVS, according to the pharmacy chain.
"Makeup Academy is another example of our dedication to first-to-market innovation within the store brand category," said George Coleman, VP of store brands at CVS/pharmacy. "We are proud to introduce this professionally-designed, premium cosmetics and beauty accessories line, developed specifically to surprise and delight our beauty customers when they visit their local CVS/pharmacy."
Developed under the same Makeup Academy brand name as the popular UK line, this new collection was designed specifically and exclusively for CVS/pharmacy with a unique product portfolio, distinctive and high-quality formulations, in-demand shades, and refined packaging.
Looking at the sentence in bold above, we can officially conclude that this is an entirely new collection of products that has been developed "specifically and exclusively for CVS". These products are NOT the same as products found on the UK site.
I hope this helps clear things up for you--it sure does clear it up for me!
Aww honestly I'm a little disappointed because there are a lot of MUA products I liked when I saw them in the UK and I was hoping to have access to them here
ReplyDeleteThis would also explain the prices. The UK versions are obviously a lot cheaper than these products are going to be. I agree with Mai, I am also disappointed...Kind of getting ready to boycott CVS anyway because it seems that their prices are way higher than any other retailer. For example the new Milani eyeshadows are $4.79 at my CVS but everywhere else they are listed as $3.99 (including the Milani website!)
ReplyDeleteYes! I've spotted the MUA products at a couple local CVS's and they're all in the $7 range. Seems kind of high, especially if CVS is saying lippies are a top impulse purchase. I consider an impulse purchase something where there's a good sale to spark an impulse, or a new find draws me in. And CVS does seem to be charging a good deal more for products. I'm kind of disappointed in them lately. The ones near me, most of them are kind of dusty and feel sad. I popped in one yesterday and they had stuff on display that I saw at Walgreens and Rite Aids two or three months ago. And both Wags and RA seem to have better sales in rotation these days. At least at those you more often find 25 to 40 percent off, and at Rite Aid my wellness card gets me an extra 10 percent off on most -- if not all -- stuff. I still have some stuff I like to get at CVS but more and more I find myself hitting the other two drugstores or heading to Bed Bath & Beyond with a coupon in tow.
DeleteWell, I have to say that although I don't like the prices on these products so much, I did buy one of the high shine lipsticks when they were on sale last week and not only is the formula light/creamy, but the color payoff is insane. A single swipe from the "Berry" shade and my lips are completely covered - and yes, it is quite glossy. Usually 'glossier' lines of lipsticks are on the sheerer side, but these aren't at all. It just sucks that the color selection for that line in particular is so limited.
ReplyDeleteOh, agree and agree! Price stinks (good item to use ECB on though) and I purchased a lippie as well while it's not the shiny line (the name is Flesh) the payoff is unreal, nice wear time, and smells so good. Someone in the comments here on a recent mua @cvs post mentioned that the deep red balm from this line gives cherry popsicle lips! I'm definately gonna look into that formula/colour next. :)
DeleteOK, I see an impulse buy in my future. Hubby just picked up an RX at CVS and got $5 in ECB. I may have to try. There are so many MUA there, though, I have a hard time deciding.
DeleteI purchased their lip items and I really didn't like them. The labels also say that they're distributed in San Ramon, CA and it also gives their website for the US "muapro.com", where their items lead to cvs.com for purchase
ReplyDeleteWell boo, I was hoping it was the same products as the MUA line in the UK because there are some beautiful colors that would be nice to be able to but here in the states. I haven't seen any of the CVS' here in my area get the displays yet. The prices are a little high for drugstore cosmetics, but if they perform well and colors that I like I will more then likely pick up a few things to try.
ReplyDeleteCVS's prices are higher on everything. I purchase only on sale + coupon.
ReplyDeleteThe MUA displays that I have seen here feature only lip products and brushes, not interesting enough to bother with, plenty of other brands at lower pricing at Harmon
Wow, this is disappointing - but it does make sense. I really wish they had named it something else; then, I'd be excited about a new makeup line rather than bummed that it isn't the same. I'm especially annoyed that they used the same logo!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't look like my CVS will be getting this, it doesn't show up in the map search... you'd think in a city of 50,000 people, they'd have a better store. I don't usually bother going there. they never get LE displays, and the prices on the stuff they do have are way over Rite Aid and Walgreens...
ReplyDeleteI'll check it out but I am a little disappointed we're not getting the same things that are available in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI saw these the other day, and they are pretty, but $7-9 seems a bit high for a lip product, even if it is "high- end". So I think I'll pass on these; unless we get an amazing sale and someone writes a rave review on the products, I'm going to stick with my tried-and-true drugstore brands. :)
ReplyDeletethat is so disappointing, since the UK MUA is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMy local cvs has the lippies for about $11... Seems way over prived to me. And I agree, I hardly ever buy anything at c s anymore. My wmart and Target carry the same items for way cheaper....
ReplyDeleteI killed some CVS ECB and bought a tinted lip balm by MUA (the $5 ones). I picked Cherry. In the tube it looks kind of hot pink, albeit muted a touch. I really like it, though. It leaves the lips nice and shiny (not as much as with a gloss) and has a nice color. Not super-pigmented, but pretty good for a lip balm. The first swipe just adds a touch of color, but a couple more and it leaves nice shine and color. It does make me think of that just-eaten-a-cherry-popsicle look. I checked ingredients online and one of the first ones listed is petroleum jelly, and it does have that heavier feel (compared to Maybelline BabyLips for example). It has a bit of a cherry scent and a touch of cherry flavor, too. I already want to try the grape balm.
ReplyDeleteI grabbed a couple of the eye brushes just to see if they were worth anything. I got the crease brush and a shader brush. They are nice quality. No shedding and soft. The crease brush is actually one I use fault. It's smaller than any other crease brush I've seen (that I didn't have to order online). It's a perfect size for detail work on the outer v and precise blending work. I'm hoping my CVS gets more in soon so u can get a back up before my Extra Bucks expire! They were $10 each at my CVS.
ReplyDelete