If you looked at Miessence.com before, perhaps you’ve noticed that there is an option to switch countries in the upper right corner. At first, I thought the way in which the prices were switching to a different currency was simply a conversion. After taking a closer look though, you’ll notice that the displayed prices aren’t following the basic currency conversion rates. The amounts listed in euro’s convert to very different prices than the ones shown in dollars. (Switching countries is not optional by the way – even if you try to avoid it this will happen automatically at checkout, based on your address.)
Miessence is a beautiful company making some of the best certified organic skin care, and also does many other good things through their non-profit organisation, the David Suzuki foundation. The country of origin of Miessence is Australia, but they also have warehouse in the United States. Good to know if you’re American and aim to shop (kind of) local.
So how about if you live in Europe?
Let’s say you wake up one morning to the sweet sound of a “bonjour”, “god morgen” or “buongiorno” and it suddenly hits you: you need some really good organic skin care. Don’t laugh – that could totally happen, right? You head to google, armed with a cup of joy, or some nice cappa-chiiii’no and search for something like ‘the best organic skin care’. Chances are you’ll find Miessence. However, since you live in a European country, prepare to be surprised – and not in a good way. I should probably say sur-priced instead. 😉
Why does Miessence not make much sense, if you’re in Europe?
As a customer, I don’t have any insight in the reasons behind what I’m about to go over with you. I can only assume it has something to do with either import fees or country-specific tax costs, perhaps. Since the shipping costs for Miessence orders are very similar to various different countries worldwide, another possibility is that Miessence chooses to make it look like shipping is practically the same everywhere, but then has to adapt the prices of the individual products to make up for the distance traveled. Those are just my random speculations, and I may very well be completely off.
For a very basic item such as the Darling Salt Glow body scrub, let’s run a currency conversion. The jar is around 39 Australian dollars. When switching your country to United States, in the above right corner of the Miessence website, the price changes to around 45 US dollars, which converts to 50 Australian. That’s a bit higher, but there’s more… Doing the same for a European country, for example France, the price of this exact same jar of body scrub changes to 60 euro’s, which converts to – are you seated? – 91 Australian dollars. Holy cow. No offense, but come on guys… it’s just salt with essential oils!
Out of curiousity, I checked the same thing for some other products.
The Rejuvenating Skin Essentials Pack consists of an organic face cleanser, a conditioner and an organic face moisturiser. All three are specifically adapted to the needs of dry or mature skin. It’s an awesome organic face care line for around $143 Australian dollars. Switching to US dollars you’ll be paying (at the time of this writing) almost 120, which converts to around 135 Australian dollars. Interesting, this product is cheaper in the US. Switching to the United Kingdom the price tag becomes 87 British pounds, converting to over 160 Australian dollars for the same set of organic skin care. Unfortunate for UK customers… Last but not least, converted to Euro’s (150 is on the pricetag now) we’re looking at (converted with currencyconversions.com) close to a whopping 230 Australian dollars.
Miessence organic shampoo. In Australia it’s 25 dollars. In the United States, it’s almost 25 US dollars – the equivalent of around 28 Australian dollars. That’s not such a big difference. In Europe however, the same shampoo is over 37 euro’s, which converts to almost 57 Australian dollars. Almost two and a half times the Australian price.
Let’s try one more. The Protect Hair Repair, an almost entirely organic hair care product, looking very appealing. In Australia it goes for $37.80, converting to around 34 US dollars is almost 52 Australian and around 48 euro’s or 73 Australian dollars.
Toothpaste is ten bucks in Australia, twelve in the US. Across the Atlantic it costs one 19 Euro’s, which converts back to 29 Australian dollars. Almost three times the price.
Okay, last one.
The organic deodorant, available for Australian $10. In the US it’s ten bucks as well, which converts to little more than the Australian price. In Europe it is 15 euro’s or almost 23 Australian dollars.
Unfortunately Miessence no longer offers the sample sachets for sale. That was a very nice way of getting to know the products. I really appreciate it when a skin care brands acknowledges the importance of sampling, for various reasons. Checking the scent and feel of a skin care product, the way in which it agrees with your skin (and not being stuck with a large, expensive container if it doesn’t…) Also, allergies to natural substances are possible, and that’s something to figure out before spending on a full-size item. Being able to take your new skin care product for a test drive is definitely a big plus.
Miessence does make great organic skin care, i.m.o., but offering those samples again would perhaps be a good idea. 🙂 That way, if you’re going to spend a small fortune, at least you can make an informed decision.
TIP: Annmarie Gianni’s organic skin care brand has a very good thing going with their trial-size mini’s. They come with free worldwide shipping.
Miessence Product Reviews:
- Lemon Myrtle & Desert Flower Miessence Organic Shampoo
- Organic Soap – Geranium Cleansing Bar by Miessence
- Miessence Concealer
- Miessence Certified Organic Soothing Moisturizer
- Sunflower Organic Body Wash
It’s a Mystery.
As for the high prices in Europe, the initial subject of this article, I don’t know how to explain those – it’s a mystery. It can’t be sales tax, which should add only around 20%. The difference between Australia and the US, versus Europe (and perhaps other places) is just so flagrant I thought it was worth making a comparison. It looks like Europeans are expected to pay more than double, and up to 3 times the initial price, varying per item, if they want to get their hands on some Miessence organic skin care. In the United States, Miessence prices are not as drastically increased. The 3-pack of organic skin care essentials is even a bit cheaper than in Australia!
There are other options for natural and organic skin care in Europe.
Weleda and Dr. Hauschka are great German organic skin care brands. These products are available in many local stores in different countries.
/ LoveLula carries a large selection of brands making natural and organic skin care. It’s a British website and they ship worldwide for free.