Pharmacy or department store?

I am used to wearing maybelline new york eye shadow and mascara, cover girl blush, and just pretty much any pretty lip gloss/stick. I am wondering if it's a good idea to start using department store makeup like clinique or lancome. Is there much of a difference? On Xmas I spent $96 on a 4 set of clinique pore minimizing treatment. I've been using it and it seems okay but I tought the results would be better. The other day I spent $25 on a lipstick from lancome and my husband said that was outrageous. In reality, It works just as well as the drugstore makeup I always buy. What do you suggest??