Cost Comparison (Makeup Edition): Watsons vs Guardian

Kendra Tan

Kendra Tan

Last updated 12 July, 2021

Watsons and Guardian are the go-to for many women looking for affordable drug-store make-up products. We compare prices of the same products with both stores to find out which one costs less. 

With a combined total of 211 stores island-wide, Guardian and Watsons are the go-tos for Singaporeans looking for personal care products at affordable prices. They are popular among beauty and make-up lovers especially, who throng outlets looking for drugstore cult favourites such as the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer. 

Many people, however, think that Watsons and Guardian are similar, and usually don’t bother comparing prices between the two, but make-up products at both personal care stores can vary significantly in price. For instance, you can save up to S$6 when you purchase the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush from Watsons instead of Guardian. 

But that’s not to say that Watsons is definitely cheaper than Guardian. Depending on the quantity and brand, there are some beauty products that may be more value-for-money if you were to buy them from Guardian instead. 

So, Guardian vs Watsons Singapore — which one is cheaper? Let’s compare the prices of Watsons and Guardian’s most popular beauty and make-up products. 

Guardian vs Watsons price comparison

ProductGuardian SingaporeWatsons Singapore
Maybelline Babyskin Pore EraserS$21.90S$21.90 for 1
S$30.66 for 2
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid FoundationS$19.90S$21.90 for 1
S$30.66 for 2 
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind ConcealerS$13.90S$19.90 for 1
S$27.86 for 2
Revlon ColorStay 16H Eye Shadow MoonlitS$24.90S$24.90 for 1
S$37.35 for 2 
Maybelline Lash Sensational MascaraS$15.30S$21.90 for 1
S$30.66 for 2 
Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long MascaraS$17.40S$21.80 for 1
S$34.88 for 2
Maybelline Fit Me Mono Blush PeachS$12.90S$12.90 for 1
S$18.06 for 2
Superstay Matte Ink Long Lasting Liquid LipstickS$17.90S$17.90 for 1
S$25.06 for 2
Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing WaterS$12.50S$14.30
Real Techniques Sculpting BrushS$21S$15
Source: Maybelline

Maybelline Babyskin Pore Eraser

Price at Guardian: S$21.90
Price at Watsons: S$21.90 for one, S$30.66 for two

Guardian and Watsons sell both primers at the same price if you buy a single tube. 

However, Watsons is currently having a promotion, where two primers cost S$30.66, which amounts to S$15.33 per tube. Compared to buying a single tube at Guardian, you’ll save S$6.57 per tube should you opt for the bundle at Watsons. 

Source: Maybelline

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid Foundation

Price at Guardian: S$19.90
Price at Watsons: S$21.90 for one, S$30.66 for two

This foundation comes in a variety of shades so you’re bound to find yours. Thanks to a sale at Watsons, you can save S$9.14 compared to Guardian, if you buy two bottles. So if you’re looking to stock up, now is the perfect occasion.

Source: Maybelline

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

Price at Guardian: S$13.90
Price at Watsons: S$19.90 for one, S$27.86 for two

A cult favourite, this concealer has kept eyebags at bay for many years. Go to Guardian if you’re only looking to buy one concealer, because you’ll only be saving 6 cents when you buy two from Watsons. 

Source: Guardian

Revlon ColorStay 16H Eye Shadow Moonlit

Price at Guardian: S$24.90
Price at Watsons: S$24.90 for one, S$37.35 for two

With Guardian’s 1-for-1 sale on this eyeshadow palette, it makes more sense to get it there than at Watsons. Don’t need two eye shadow palettes? Buy it together with a friend, or buy two and sell the other on Carousell (but beware of lowballers in the online marketplace). Click here for tips on how to deal with low-ballers in Carousell

Source: Maybelline

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Price at Guardian: S$15.30
Price at Watsons: S$21.90 for one, S$30.66 for two

Since wearing a mask is the new normal, make your eyes pop with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. Despite Watsons’ “2 for 30% off” sale, Guardian’s price of one mascara is still cheaper by 6 cents. 

Source: Guardian

Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara

Price at Guardian: S$17.40
Price at Watsons: S$21.80 for one, S$34.88 for two

If you snag two of these at Watsons, you’ll be forking out S$34.88, saving 8 cents compared to buying two from Guardian. There isn’t much of a difference so you can get yours from either retailer.

Source: Shopee

Maybelline Fit Me Mono Blush Peach

Price at Guardian: S$12.90
Price at Watsons: S$12.90 for one, S$18.06 for two

Blendable, and comes in a natural shade to give your face a little splash of colour. Getting two from Watsons will save you S$7.74 compared to buying two from Guardian.

Source: Guardian

Superstay Matte Ink Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

Price at Guardian: S$17.90
Price at Watsons: S$17.90 for one, S$25.06 for two

This matte and transfer-resistant liquid stick is perfect for face masks. Save a big — we’re talking S$10.74 — when you buy two at Watsons!

Source: Guardian

Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water

Price at Guardian: S$12.50
Price at Watsons: S$14.30 

The perfect lightweight micellar water to remove gunk from your skin at the end of the day. This Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water at Guardian has its low price locked in so you know you will always be saving when you get it from there.

Source: Guardian

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush

Price at Guardian: S$21
Price at Watsons: S$15

The flat top brush is designed to help you create sharp lines to create that defined contour. It is significantly cheaper at Watsons by S$6 — that’s a whole meal!

How to save on your Guardian/Watsons shopping haul

Guardian Singapore — PAssion Card for shared rebates across Cold Storage and Giant 

PAssion Cardholders can earn and redeem TapForMore (TFM) points when they shop at Guardian, Cold Storage and Giant stores. Earn 1 TFM point with every S$1 spent at Guardian. 150 points can be redeemed to offset S$1 off your next bill at Guardian (in-store only).

You can only purchase from Guardian’s official website which makes it less convenient compared to Watsons.

Watsons Singapore — Watsons membership and credit card cash rebates

Watsons has a membership programme that allows you to earn as you spend. There are two tiers of membership: Regular and Elite. Both regular and elite members will enjoy 1 point for every S$5 net spend and can redeem $1 Rebate$ with every 20 points collected.

Watsons benefitsElite memberRegular member
Birthday Month 1st PurchaseX10 pointsX5 points
Points earned with S$15 nett spendX5 bonus pointsX3 bonus points
Priority queue at selected storesYesNo
Earn S$15 worth of points monthlyYes, just accumulate a minimum spend of S$300 net each month. T&Cs applyNo
Priority access to exclusive eventsYesNo
Free doorstep deliveryWith a minimum of S$40 spend for online ordersWith a minimum of S$40 spend for online orders

Watsons has promotions quite often so sign up for their newsletter for the latest sale updates. Recently, they had a 7.7 sale with various brands offering vouchers that you can stack with sitewide discounts to enjoy more discounts. 

Watsons offers free delivery when non-members spend above S$50 and members spend S$40. A flat rate of S$8 will be incurred for orders below the aforementioned minimum spending. 

PromotionPromo codeDetailsValidity
2 for 20%,2 for 25% or2 for 30%-Select items with the same coloured hearts to enjoy different tiers of discounts. 17 June to 14 July 2021
Get S$4 off with a minimum spend of S$40 WELCOMEYOUDownload the Watsons app to enjoy this first-timers-only promotion-

Watsons also has a Shopee store where you can stack various site and store vouchers to receive maximum discounts. Currently, you can collect a 10% off voucher with a minimum spend of S$55, valid till 2 August 2021. You can also enjoy free shipping when you spend above S$40 with 15-day free returns.

Click here for more Shopee Promo Codes And Credit Card Discounts. 

Source: Shopee

Aside from Shopee, Watsons is also available on Lazada. Spend S$40 on Watson's Lazada page to enjoy free shipping, which normally costs S$2.49 for normal shipping and S$5.48 for express shipping. You can also enjoy 15-day free returns should there be a fault with the product. Remember to collect Lazada vouchers to save more!

Click here for more Lazada Promo Codes And Credit Card Promotions In Singapore 2021.

Verdict: which pharmacy in Singapore is the cheapest?

From our research, we’ve noticed that both personal care stores carry different brands. Watsons carries a wider variety of make-up and beauty products such as AprilSkin, Milani and Kate Tokyo. On the other hand, Guardian carries more entry-level makeup brands such as Catrice, Barry M and Silkygirl. So if you’re looking for cheap but quality make-up, it is worth checking out Guardian’s make-up range. Both brands carry staples such as L’Oreal and Maybelline, but prices can range depending on whether they are having a sale.

Planning to go on a make-up shopping spree? Charge your bill to these credit cards to earn rewards/miles/cashback! 

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Avid promo code hunter and haggler. Kendra doesn’t like paying full price for anything. She’s the best person to bring along if you’re travelling on a budget. Have an interesting story to tell? E-mail her at kendra.tan@singsaver.com.sg

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