At the moment, the current economic situation hasn't started to bite my family too hard (touch wood). However, a VAT rise is looming, and train fares are also likely to rise steeply. No increase in the money coming in to the house + more going out will have to = spending less on frivolous stuff.
I've actually been buying less cosmetics over the past few months, and oddly I seem to have been having less cravings for new stuff too. Most days I reach for variations on the same basic theme with either Rouge Bunny Rouge or rms Beauty, and I'm happy with those. I no longer seem to have the same restless yearning for the next perfect taupe because I'm pretty happy with the taupes I already own.
I've also noticed I'm now using skincare products up instead of getting bored halfway through and buying something new. Thanks to blogs like www.beautymouth.com I no longer feel the need to buy everything from the same range, and I'm picking and choosing the skincare products that suit my needs. Although I'm still buying from high-end ranges, I'm not buying new skincare every month.
It's a slightly strange state of being for me - to be content with the cosmetics I already own. I enjoy looking at the new collections, but I'm not as grabbed by the need to buy as I once was. I'm also enjoying finding new independent brands from Etsy and the like. Of course, it would be disingenuous of me not to also consider that I am sent products without charge through this blog, and that means I get to try some new things that appeal to me without having to buy them.
I'm not sure if it's born of necessity or if I'm just too exposed to new brands through the blogs I read to the extent that by the time I see them, I don't want them so much. I do still like to check out the new collections (and I'll continue to write about them). Personally, I prefer to buy a lesser number of high-end products that I absolutely love, rather than a lot of less expensive things, although I am opening myself up to the fact that great products don't always have to be horribly pricey (thanks to brands like the Haus of Gloi body products, and Sweet Anthem perfumes).
Have you changed your cosmetic shopping habits? If so, how?
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Definitely looking all at the new things, but not buying much of anything. Except for new brushes, but I've had the ones I use now for almost 5 years.
ReplyDeleteAustralia has been fairly unscathed by the GFC, and in fact it's worked out well for those of us who shop online, because we can get so much more our US dollar or GB pound at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I've been trying to cut down purely because of the amount of STUFF I've accumulated in the last couple of years. I've been trying to use up skincare products instead of trying them for a couple of weeks, getting bored, and rushing off to buy something else. My success is... mixed. I just bought some Philosophy products, lol. Although in my defence, those are the first I've bought in a few months other than replacements of regular things I've run out of.
Honestly, no. I must be typical of what's called "the lipstick economy" meaning I'll save on very expensive things like maybe shoes or furniture or holidays abroad, but I will still reward myself with cosmetics when I feel like it.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have a fairly good collection of makeup I only buy new items when they really impress me or I don't have anything like it. I don't want to end up having a room full of makeup which I don't fully use, and now that I've gone back to being a student money has once again become something I need to watch.
ReplyDeleteFor me, skincare is the most frequent way I try new things, and I feel good doing so because I use products up before I buy the next thing (in most cases).
I think Haus of Gloi also satisfies my cravings for the new and interesting. There are so many scents and textures to try, and everything is so reasonably priced! By the way, I just purchased Snow Wolf Bubbling Scrub and Body Butter :)
i've certainly become more of a window shopper than ever before. i still love browsing liberty's beauty department, but have to force myself to put the latest exciting offering from nars or bumble & bumble back on the shelf
ReplyDelete:(
I will say it makes me think a little more however, I still buy my share. Like you I am using up some skincare items instead of getting bored half through the jar. I do give my castaways to my Mother so they aren't a total loss.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! x jeanie
Yes, I did change a lot, I now buy close to zero makeup products (well, I had never bought a lot either). And I am in the look out for cheaper skincare products, and I am kind of succeeding in that...
ReplyDeleteHi, Grace,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post - found it thoughtful and informative.
I am buying less, too. Mainly I am "shopping my stash" and rotating more, but I am also finding the new collections very repetitive and uninspiring, so my purse has not suffered too much... I have been hanging on to a few staples and overall not buying as much. I have also liked to "mix and match", and that's a bonus...
Conny
x
Its weird, but I have been buying more stuff lately. I think its all the '10% off, plus 500 points' style offers that have tempted me. However come January I am definitely cutting back. That 2.5% hike is enough to make me take a long look at my spending habits. I do think in these harsh times many brands need to take a reality check. I noticed Space NK at the Trafford Centred closed due to falling sales and they reported a general downturn across the UK. Hardly surprising.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post Grace!
ReplyDeleteI find myself still spending the most on cosmetics, but lately I'm getting rather tired of endless new releases (and I'm not just talking about MAC -given up on that ages ago anyway...).
Also, the fact that seasonal collections appear outlandishly ahead of time makes me feel kind of pressured into rushing out to get something and I'm starting to resent the feeling somewhat.
After all, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing!
Nina x
This is a really interesting post. I'm not sure how much the current situation has affected me as I'm already quite careful with my money. I don't have my own income so I've always spent a lot of time considering which items I really want. My preference has always been to buy a few excellent (and quite often high end) products rather than lots of cheaper things.
ReplyDeleteI do get a lot of enjoyment out of the choosing and researching stage. I also like looking at the new collection but quite often skip them altogether.
Things are going to get tighter due to pension changes etc. I don't think I'll ever stop treating myself though. It will just require even more consideration.
Jane x
I wish I could be like that, I think I've gone the other way, keep buying more and more! I think I must never be satisfied and always have the wants :) The result is I have to spend less on other things like clothes etc to fund the makeup, I think being involved in the whole blogging community has really exacerbated my spending.
ReplyDeleteIf anything I've bought more cosmetics, as they cheer me up more than clothes or gadgets. But then the opening of Westfield London coincided with the economic downturn towards the end of 2008! That place has taken about half my earnings since it opened! ¬_¬
ReplyDeleteInteresting article though...
Kat x
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I always use up skin care products but have one or two backups for all the routine (toner, wash, moisturiser.etc). Quite often I like to mix and match so I'm not using the same product every single day and can supplement my skin in the way I think it needs.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I simply chuck handsful of cash at makeup. I'm a complete pack-rat and love collecting all the colours of the spectrum, so I must owe eyeshadows, lipsticks, lipglosses.etc must be in every single different colour that I can think of. And if I don't get a particular item, I yearn. Re: Sleek's Bad + Good girl palettes. I had nightmares about not having the pretties after deciding I'll never use up all my shadows, ergo will NOT need more. In the end, it was simpler to just buy them anyway. This was also the same for the Too Faced Glamourland palette...
One of the ways I've really noticed a change for me is that I used to buy everything MAC came out with and now I'm pretty judicious about what I buy from them. I've made a few mistakes lately but I've learned to pass up the items I used to buy because they were pretty even though I knew they'd sit in my drawer.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on applying this philosophy to other lines. I'm buying less Guerlain, Dior etc. because of prior disappointment. That wouldn't have stopped me in the past.
I'm also using up my skincare even though I'm testing other lines in between.
I am buying less but not due to economy reasons.
ReplyDeleteWith the recent new products coming on so fast, I go to beauty halls and shops frequently. But they are like eye candy. Nice to see but using them all up is a chore.
That's how I feel because my taste is colours are more or less like you, Grace. Very simple, feature enhancing, rather than being colour adventurous.
When I get interested in stuff and considering to buy, I won't jump into it asap like before.
Once in a while I do like to glam myself up. But not that often. So, yeah. I'm cutting down on products (skin care and makeup) that I buy. Just enjoying them on people's blog and looking them at the counters will do. :)
-Shay
As a freelancer, I've been very badly affected financially by the economic crisis. Unfortunately my usual response to stress is to shop indiscriminately. I have definitely cut back because otherwise I wouldn't be able to eat but I'm finding it very very difficult and depressing.
ReplyDeleteLike you, so far reality hasn't hit, but I've every expectation that it will. Although I don't buy a huge amount of product because I'm sent it, I'm giving side eyes especially to pricy bubble baths and body lotions that I just don't think warrant the prices, with not just myself in mind. I think as the financial situation bites, sharing bargain beauty finds on blogs will be key, and something of a wake up call to the brands that are currently flogging severely marked up products.
ReplyDelete