Viral TikTok calls out 'insane' prices of drugstore beauty products in Canada

TikTok user @carewithkate highlighted the "insane" prices at her local Shoppers Drug Mart in a now-viral video.

TikTok user @carewithkate shared a video highlighting
TikTok user @carewithkate shared a video highlighting "insane" prices at her local Shoppers Drug Mart.

One Canadian TikTok creator is going viral after opening up about an "out-of-body experience" during a recent shopping trip to Shoppers Drug Mart.

TikToker @carewithkate filmed her reaction to a series of prices at Shopper Drug Mart to demonstrate how difficult it is to shop for beauty on a budget, and the video has since gone viral on the platform.

The user, who goes simply by Kate, prefaced the video by stating that she "hasn't been to Shoppers Drug Mart in months," but she decided to visit the retailer after hearing of dramatic price increases.

In one clip, Kate is seen picking out a set of Quo Beauty makeup brushes that were priced at $32, while in another she spotted a plastic hair brush priced at $29.99.

"Quo is seriously out to lunch — this is the worst price gouging," she remarked.

Kate was also shocked by some of the prices of typical drugstore beauty brands in general — although some of them do line up with the retail prices at other retailers — so it's more of an issue with the pricing of beauty brands in Canada in general.

"Tinted moisturizer at [nearly] $30 full price," said Kate as she checked out the cost of the L'Oréal Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturizer. The same tinted moisturizer can be found on the Shoppers Drug Mart website for $26.99.

In addition to the high cost for regular-priced products, Kate also claimed that Shoppers Drug Mart, which is owned by Loblaws Inc., seemed to "inflate the original price when there's a sale to make it look better."

She took note of the in-store stickers on Essie nail polish, which showed an initial price of $14.99 each. However, the sale sticker advertised a regular price of $15.99, with a markdown price of $11.99 each (or two for $20).

TikTok user @carewithkate shared a video highlighting prices at her local Shoppers Drug Mart.
TikTok user @carewithkate shared a video highlighting prices at her local Shoppers Drug Mart.

Other beauty finds Kate was astonished to learn the prices of included makeup removing wipes for "almost $19," and razors priced at an "insane" $73.99.

"Seeing $74 gave me an out-of-body experience," she said in relation to the find.

Kate also said another popular drugstore beauty brand, Aveeno, also seemed to be more expensive at Shoppers Drug Mart.

"To me, Aveeno's always been expensive but $27, like C'mon now," said Kate referring to the brand's Tone and Texture Daily Renewing Lotion. For reference, you can shop the same Aveeno Tone and Texture Daily Renewing Lotion for $13.97 on rollback at Walmart.ca.

By the end of the video, the only product Kate could justify purchasing was a $5 e.l.f Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer.

A 12-pack of razor blades (top left) priced at $74 at Shoppers Drug Mart. Image via TikTok/@carewithkate.
A 12-pack of razor blades (top left) priced at $73.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart. Image via TikTok/@carewithkate.

Other TikTok users took to the comment section of the video to rally behind Kate and express their mutual frustrations in regard to the retail giant's recent price increases.

"Essie used to be like $7 and even back then I thought it was overpriced," stated one user.

Another commenter backed up this claim and stated, "I was going to buy L'Oréal mascara and it was $21. I looked at Walmart and it was $14."

"Why is everything so much more expensive in Canada? And how do we stop it? What is the solution?" said another.

Yahoo Canada has reached out to Shoppers Drug Mart for comment.

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