The other night when I was at Walgreens, I noticed that the entire Physicians Formula display, I'm talking every single product, was covered with the orange stickers of doom (aka "Last Chance" 50% off clearance). The last time I saw this happen with a line was with Jane Cosmetics earlier this year, and we all know now that Walgreens has ended its relationship with Jane and you can no longer buy the line in their stores.
So I did some digging to find out exactly what's going on with Physicians Formula and Walgreens, and I found this very interesting bit of information in Physicians Formula's First Quarter 2009 Results report, which is public record. Check this out:
In April of 2009, one of our largest retailer customers informed the Company of its decision to discontinue selling Physicians Formula products in 2010 as part of a change in strategy affecting its entire chain. This change in strategy includes a reduction in the total space allocated to the entire cosmetics category in its stores in 2010.
What I find particularly interesting here is that Walgreens (I'm speculating that it's Walgreens although the retailer is not named in the above report) has decided to cut back on the total space of their entire cosmetics department. If this is true, are we to assume that other lines will go the way of Phyiscians Formula and Jane? That could mean lots of great bargains ahead for Walgreens shoppers, but in the long run that could also mean less choices when you do your beauty shopping at Walgreens.
Again, I need to say that I'm only speculating that the retailer in question is Walgreens. So don't take what I've written as fact. BUT, I did some more google sleuthing and I've noticed that many women across the country have noted that their local Walgreens now have Physicians Formula products on clearance.
Bottom line: If you're a fan of Physicians Formula, get yourself to Walgreens right away. When I was there the other night, it looked like the clearance stickers were just put on the display because the display had not been wiped out. In other words, the Physicians Formula display was still fully stocked and I had my pick of items, all reduced to 50% off. What a fun, albeit sad, opportunity for PF fans. Everything your little heart desires is now half off, but it's quite possibly your last chance to get these items at Walgreens.
What are you favorite PF products? I've tried some concealers that I've really liked, and I also like some of their eyeshadows. I've seen lots of good reviews about their new organic makeup removers (click here for pics of the display that I took back in July). Is there something else I should know about? Please share your favorite products with us!
I noticed a lot of it on clearance as well, but it wasn't the WHOLE entire collection at mine.
ReplyDeleteNoooo! I love Physicians Formula (although I only get it on sale, Rite Aid is great with those!). I really like the plumping lipsticks, highlighters and mineral blushes. The mineral blush in Rosy Glow is one of my HGs!! I'll have to pick up another (and quick!)
ReplyDeleteYep, PF has gone on 'last chance' orange stickers at my Walgreens too. I never really liked any of their products, they seemed really expensive for my tastes. But I did grab some of their concealers because they were so cheap.
ReplyDeleteFor a really great concealer their Cover Rx is really fantastic-- on the level with MUFE full cover. Only drawback is there are only 3 colors and one of them is literally yellow.
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about the bronzers and wanted to try them, so I guess I'll have to pop over to Walgreens! Good thing I happen to need more of my rx lol...
Hi Rai! Interesting. Now that I think about it, I think I did see one or two PF items that were not on clearance, but about 98% of the products were definitely on clearance. This reminds me a lot of when Jane was going away. Almost everything was on clearance at first, except for a few of the higher priced items. But then eventually *everything* was on clearance...
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa Kate! Thank goodness we still have Rite Aid (and CVS, at least in my area). Thank you for the great tips about the products you like. I think I need to get that blush ASAP! :)
Hey Femputer! How do you like the concealers that you bought? I have the yellow one that looks like it's in a test tube, and I actually really like it. I agree that their products seem a bit expensive, which is why I always wait for a BOGO. lol. But now that everything's 50% off, I think it's time I did a little more experimenting! :)
Hey Alyson! I think that the concealer you mentioned is the one that I have, and you're right--it's fantastic! And I'm with you, we need to get over to Walgreens asap and pick up the things we've been hearing about! Looking forward to your future reviews! xo
ReplyDeleteim about to experiment more..with these prices..yep all of them at my store are clearanced too.
ReplyDeletereally like a bronzer that i bought ..can't remember what it is, and i also have a concealer that i like
Hmm this is interesting. I might visit my Walgreens tomorrow and see what is up!
ReplyDeletePF is one of my fave brands. I love their bronzers and Mineral Wear Mascara (my HG, seriously!). I don't shop at Walgreens much since other drugstores are closer (and usually cheaper), but I'm def going there now Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteOh no not again. While I might not be a regular user of PF I don't want it to go away. It always looks like they have more matte items available.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Milani might be going soon too. There display looks so small compared to the rest. Then again I'm new to all this so may be it's always been that way?
BTW, thanks for the PF concealer heads up!!
I really like their felt tip eyeliner, I will have to stock up. If Walgreens reduces their cosmetic department, I probably won't go in at all. I only go in for the cosmetics!
ReplyDeleteYour post made me run into my Walgreens this morning and pick up three of the felt tip eyeliner (all they had) and an eyeshadow trio- for half off! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHey spifftiff! OK, you are one of several people who have said the PF bronzers are good--I need to check these out! :)
ReplyDeleteHey ndoodles! I'd love to know if your PF products are on clearance too. :)
Hi lazybeautiful! Wow, I have never tried PF mascaras before. I'll add this to my list. Thanks!
Hi Anon! I wouldn't start panicking just yet. PF it still going strong in places like Rite-Aid, CVS, Walmart and Target. It's only Walgreens that's giving them the boot. :) Also, I think it might just be your locations but the Milani displays in my city are HUGE! I'd have to say they are almost overwhelming and they're always releasing new and limited edition products. So I think they're pretty stable. :)
Hey Dee! You know, now that I think about it, I don't ever end up buying much besides makeup when I'm in Walgreens either! Wow...cutting back on their cosmetics dept could possibly be a very bad more for them! Oh and thanks for the tip about the felt tip eyeliner. I love those! :)
Hi Adina! OMG, that's awesome!! Yay!!!! So glad I could help, and I think I need to get one of those felt tip liners now! :) Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such as sweet commment. xo
Recessionista: I got both the traditional yellow and green Gentle Cover concealers that are like lipstick tubes. I've never used a yellow or green before! I've only tried them a few times, but I think I like them! They seem very creamy and easy to 'pat' on with my concealer brush. And I do think the green is helping to neutralize my terribly red cheeks. The yellow definitely camoflages undereye circles. I put these on before my foundation, as per the directions. Seems to give a very natural result that way. :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I have been eyeing those yellow and green concealer sticks for so long now. You are pushing me over the edge, girl! Hey, did you see their RX concealer when you were there? It comes in a long skinny tube. Alyson from Gloss Menagerie was talking about how good it is, and then I checked and it's actually the one I own and love! I am horrible at names so that's why I didnt remember it at first. But it ROCKS, although it sounds like you're now all stocked up on concealers. :) xo
ReplyDeleteThat's not a bad news for me since I do hate 85% of the products I have gotten (especially the organic line) but I might go to some walgreens later to check if they are really killing the brand, I love the plump potion mascara and 5 dollars seems to be a much more reasonable price for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Citrine--if you take a peek at the comments here, you'll see that the blushes, bronzers and concealers seem to be quite popular. The next time I hit up Walgreens, I'm going to experiment and pick up a few of those since they're all half off. :) Thanks for the heads-up about the mascara!
ReplyDeleteI went to my local Walgreen's to stock up, and asked the lady in the cosmetic dept about it. She said that all Walgreen's will stop carrying Physicians Formula, and it is because of poor sales for the brand.
ReplyDeleteI've alway been drawn to their packaging, brand, and organic claims... just as much as I am scared off by their price. Prices here are twice the cost compare to US *cries*
ReplyDeleteI heard the same thing from Walgreen's personnel over the summer, so it definitely sounds as though PH was describing them. Make one kind of wonder if Walgreen's knows what they are doing at all.
ReplyDeletePH's talc-free mineral cosmetics, especially their foundation, are awesome. I am absolutely loyal to their foundation, which lasts as good as any sure-stay/long lasting foundation, but doesn't make me break out (and I have super sensitive skin). Ironcially, I am allergic to something in their organic line of foundations, although they looked great on for a while --- super natural and made me look younger. I never tried their concealor or bronzer, but I'll have to try them now, after reading the comments. I'm very grateful of PH's influence on the cosmetic industry, setting a standard for more health-conscious ingredients for consumers. Think about it: if you were made to eat the same, prepared food every day, wouldn't you want to know what was in it for the sake of your long-term health? The skin is a major organ which absorbs what is applied to it, especially what is applied daily. Many of the toxins in cosmetics not only are difficult to metabolize, but some are even carcinogens!
Hi Anon--thanks for such a detailed and insightful comment. :) I couldn't agree with you more about what PH has done for the industry. I am absolutely LOVING the fact that more and more cosmetics/beauty manufacturers are moving toward paraben-free formulas, and I wish the others would hurry it up already! lol.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I feel the same way about Walgreens. If they really are significantly reducing the size of their beauty department, I fear that they're going to lose a HUGE chuck of their female customers. Guess we'll have to way and see (and take advantage of all those clearance sales!).
The cosmetics dept lady at my Walgreens told me the PF was going out of business! I a glad thats no true!
ReplyDeleteSadly Walgreens isn't the only one who stopped carrying it in my area. Jewel and Ulta did the same thing. I have a bad feeling it will soon be gone for good. I really haven't seen it around at all and it really upsets me because I love their makeup!
ReplyDeleteI like their eyeshadows and their felt tip eyeliner. I hope they don't go away for good, they don't test on animals as so many others do.
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