How much is pretty worth?

We've all heard the rumors -- the drugstore mascara that exceeds the results of even the priciest of department-store brands. The shampoo that costs less than a latte, and yet will give you more vibrant results than the most celebrated of high-style names. Are these urban legends -- or does beauty really have no set price point?

What you're really paying for

"Cosmetics made with natural ingredients and at high active levels won't be cheap, but they won't be outrageous either," says Kayla Fioravanti, RA, Cosmetic Formulator for EssentialWholesale.com. But she cautions that there are a lot of products out on the market that are simply outrageously expensive, particularly certain anti-aging or weight loss treatments. You're pretty much paying double, triple or more for a cute box or a chi-chi name.

So what are the differences? Seriously -- how different can one lipstick be from another? Here are some of the factors that come into play:

Pigments vs fillers: When it comes to makeup, the top brands usually have the best ratio of color pigment compared to filler material (such as talc). This generally means a more intense, long-lasting color.

Ingredient quality: Just like there are different grades of everything from gasoline to steaks, all cosmetic ingredients are not equal. In addition, organic, natural, imported and rare ingredients will bump up that price point. Same goes for the occasional real scientific formulation.

Smoothness: How finely-ground is your eyeshadow or face powder? The more milled the ingredients, the more smooth and silky they will tend to be. Smaller particles also adhere better to the skin.

The key to knowing the value of a cosmetic is in becoming a great label reader. If makeup, a shampoo or skincare product is packed with fillers and cheap ingredients, it isn't worth much no matter how high or low the price tag is.

"I have seen products filled with dimethicone, mineral oils and chemicals that appear to be the same formula, with both a high price tag and a low one," Fioravanti says. "It has a lot to do with branding and packaging. The right brand can sell the same low-cost product with a high price tag on packaging and reputation alone."

When to break out the bucks...

Risi-Leanne Baranja, Editor-in-Chief of international beauty product review site palacinka.com, features thousands of reviews from over 400+ global brands and products.

She offers a few tips to keep in mind about what you're buying when paying more:

More concentrated ingredients: A little will go a long way, which means money saved in the long run.

More quality ingredients and testing, leading to in better results. Put simply, the better your skin looks in the end, the less foundation, powder, etc. that you will need to use!

More glamorous and sturdy packaging (this is for women who love what their beauty products look like in addition to how they work.)

Value is never about price point -- women will pay a lot of money for products that work. In the end, even if a product if very cheap, if it doesn't work, and doesn't make the you feel great, then it's not a value -- no matter what the price.

Depending on your budget and your aesthetic sensibilities, you might decide that your only justification for choosing one haute brand over the drugstore version is because of its fragrance or texture. Personal preference is certainly a valid reason for spending a little more, because part of what you are purchasing is the experience you get when using a product.