Resolution "LOW-BUY" 2014! Who wants to play?

[ILoveMakeup84]

I'm having so much fun in the swap thread! I'm heading to the post office later today to ship off my first two packages. It's been fun to chat to other low-buy members and trade things that just aren't getting any love in our own stashes. I'm happy to have not wasted the items I bought and don't use, and I even get some new items to enjoy (*cough*yet more blush*cough*) in return. We all get to clear out the things that aren't being used for items that are a better choice. The best part is...we didn't have to buy a thing to do it! Sure, there's a mailing cost but that's way less than what we'd have spent buying new items. If you're not participating, give it serious thought. These new to me items will be as much fun as a Sephora box, and there's no guilt associated with getting them. Of course it takes trust, but there are some great ladies on this thread who are both honest and thoughtful. I'm enjoying getting to know some of them. Yay us! :stars:

It sounds like so much fun! I wish I could swap too but living in another country makes that difficult lol

 

[PixieDancer]

I've also been loving the "use it up" thread! Thanks Pixie! I think I've popped in there once or twice before but I'll definitely have to check it out again now that I'm in the challenge mood.

The use it up thread IS cool too! I need to remember to post in there more often!! And def check out that thread again... Those ladies are all so sweet! Just be careful not to be enable by new products!! They post some really nice looks!

 

[Audrey C]

Ps. If anyone's feeling on the edge about wanting things from Fantasy of Flowers, avoid that thread like the plague right now. It's enabler-central with all of liba's posts! Lol.

Liba is great, but she's an enabler-extraordinaire when it comes to MAC (you know it's true, girl)! I don't think they should get a pass on the bait and switch product name debacle. IMO, that's enough reason to skip the collection. When are consumers actually going to let MAC know in the only way that counts (through reduced purchases) that their business practices are unacceptable?

 

[ILoveMakeup84]

Ps. If anyone's feeling on the edge about wanting things from Fantasy of Flowers, avoid that thread like the plague right now. It's enabler-central with all of liba's posts! Lol.

I've been avoiding that thread for the past week lol! Specially because I love lustre lipsticks. I need to be strong!

 

[PixieDancer]

Ps. If anyone's feeling on the edge about wanting things from Fantasy of Flowers, avoid that thread like the plague right now. It's enabler-central with all of liba's posts! Lol.

WERD!! Lol That liba could sell milk to a cow!! She has a talent and way w words that sweet girl! Stay out! I almost went back for SR and the other blush I didn't buy... I deleted my cart and slapped myself faster than you could say "ENABLER"!!! I second the STAY AWAY warning!!!

 

[Naynadine]

Ps. If anyone's feeling on the edge about wanting things from Fantasy of Flowers, avoid that thread like the plague right now. It's enabler-central with all of liba's posts! Lol.

Oh god, I know... I don't know what to do about that collection. Should I get Petal Power or one of the Hourglass blushes? The HG blushes seem to be a bit of a gamble with the different veining.

 

[veronikawithak]

Liba is great, but she's an enabler-extraordinaire when it comes to MAC (you know it's true, girl)! I don't think they should get a pass on the bait and switch product name debacle. IMO, that's enough reason to skip the collection. When are consumers actually going to let MAC know in the only way that counts (through reduced purchases) that their business practices are unacceptable?

I agree with you 100%!!! I didn't want to say anything more on the topic in that thread for fear of getting tackled lol. I don't think that just because the products are great in their own right the deceptive marketing can be given a pass!! That makes absolutely no sense! It only further encourages shady behavior at the expense of the consumer.

 

[PixieDancer]

Yay, I was able to swap some things as well. I'm especially happy that I found a new home for my Crew Highlight Powder. :rasta:

That's awesome about your Crew powder!!! Yay! I personally would still rec the HG blush... Even w the swirls ratio issues. You can always pick one you like. MAC MBs can be beautiful but I think these are skippable and these shades will be done again. PP looks a lot like Orgasim by Nars too. I got it and will try it. But there's a huge chance I'll return it. HTH

 

[Naynadine]

I love lustres too! But there will always be more. And I need to use what I already have! That's why I bought them!

I agree with you 100%!!! I didn't want to say anything more on the topic in that thread for fear of getting tackled lol. I don't think that just because the products are great in their own right the deceptive marketing can be given a pass!! That makes absolutely no sense! It only further encourages shady behavior at the expense of the consumer.

I don't even care if the new MSF versions are better, smoother, whatever. It's called Stereo Rose/Perfect Topping, it's the same promo pic as previous releases (I think), so when I buy it I expect to get the product that I know.

 

[veronikawithak]

@Naynadine I'd personally go with HG since the MAC ones look seriously dupeable.. but that's just my humble opinion! Or neither! Maybe something in another brand might really grab you this summer. If you aren't obsessively in love with something I'd err on the side of skipping!

WERD!! Lol That liba could sell milk to a cow!! She has a talent and way w words that sweet girl! Stay out! I almost went back for SR and the other blush I didn't buy... I deleted my cart and slapped myself faster than you could say "ENABLER"!!! I second the STAY AWAY warning!!!

Absolutely!! The only reason I didn't fall into it is because I already made up my mind that none of the products were all that special and MAC and I are ON A BREAK. MAC is smothering me with his needy, clingy, manipulative behavior and I'm over it. And I have a Psyc degree so I'm determined not to be persuaded to purchase something I didn't want in the first place by thoughtful descriptions and flowery gushings. The damage to my self-esteem would be irreparable!

 

[allthingsglam]

I've been avoiding that thread for the past week lol! Specially because I love lustre lipsticks. I need to be strong!

so strong that are pretty colors but I feel like we all have something similar I was going to maybe get 2 more of the lippies but with that price hike I think I'm done I'm going to stop hanging out in that thread so much I will not be tempted lol

 

[allthingsglam]

I don't even care if the new MSF versions are better, smoother, whatever. It's called Stereo Rose/Perfect Topping, it's the same promo pic as previous releases (I think), so when I buy it I expect to get the product that I know. 

I agree 100 percent

 

[Serenityy]

Liba is great, but she's an enabler-extraordinaire when it comes to MAC (you know it's true, girl)! I don't think they should get a pass on the bait and switch product name debacle. IMO, that's enough reason to skip the collection. When are consumers actually going to let MAC know in the only way that counts (through reduced purchases) that their business practices are unacceptable? 

WERD!! Lol That liba could sell milk to a cow!! She has a talent and way w words that sweet girl! Stay out! I almost went back for SR and the other blush I didn't buy... I deleted my cart and slapped myself faster than you could say "ENABLER"!!! I second the STAY AWAY warning!!!

Ahhh I'm so split on the situation! Mac baited us but if the product really works for me should I really send it back? Liba is amazing with words! Like when I read her reviews I feel like a wide-eyed little girl reading a fairy tale LOL. She really got me wanting one of those blushes....shh...

 

[Audrey C]

I love lustres too! But there will always be more. And I need to use what I already have! That's why I bought them!

I agree with you 100%!!! I didn't want to say anything more on the topic in that thread for fear of getting tackled lol. I don't think that just because the products are great in their own right the deceptive marketing can be given a pass!! That makes absolutely no sense! It only further encourages shady behavior at the expense of the consumer.

That MAC will continue to launch 4865 collections a year is a virtual certainty. Of COURSE there will be more.

As for the second point, I don't care if I get tackled. Bring it! I can't believe that anyone thinks it's ok to mislead customers that way. All they had to do was call it New Stereo Rose or Stereo Rose 2 and people would have realized that it was a different product. That they used the same name is - IMO - an obvious attempt to generate sales through capitalizing on pent up demand for a coveted product. I'm not a MAC-hater, but I'm not a fangirl either. If I think they've done something misleading, I'm going to say so.

 

[veronikawithak]

Liba is amazing with words! Like when I read her reviews I feel like a wide-eyed little girl reading a fairy tale LOL. She really got me wanting one of those blushes....shh...

I saw that! Haha I was hoping you'd come over here and confess.

Honestly if you were set on skipping, don't let someone's words convince you otherwise. They're just words. The reasons you had for skipping are still there and still very relevant!!

 

[Debbs]

I am able to get the ONE item I wanted from FoF without breaking my no-buy for that collection. Getting to know members via the swap thread is priceless. We have some very awesome members on Specktra. Sometimes I get a wave of depression and may come across as a bit negativist and bitter (IMO) but I am working on that. Pixie you understand what I mean. These exchanges do improve my mood which is good.

 

[Audrey C]

Liba is amazing with words! Like when I read her reviews I feel like a wide-eyed little girl reading a fairy tale LOL. She really got me wanting one of those blushes....shh...

You should absolutely keep it - if you don't mind that MAC launched a different product with the same name. If you feel strongly that it wasn't ok, then you should return it. There are plenty of other similar products that would work as well.

The end doesn't justify the means.

Edit: Not meaning to make anyone feel guilty about keeping the products, but if you want to return it because you feel like you were mislead then that's absolutely valid and not a 'negative' or 'angry' reaction.

 

[PixieDancer]

@Naynadine I'd personally go with HG since the MAC ones look seriously dupeable.. but that's just my humble opinion! Or neither! Maybe something in another brand might really grab you this summer. If you aren't obsessively in love with something I'd err on the side of skipping! Absolutely!! The only reason I didn't fall into it is because I already made up my mind that none of the products were all that special and MAC and I are ON A BREAK. MAC is smothering me with his needy, clingy, manipulative behavior and I'm over it. And I have a Psyc degree so I'm determined not to be persuaded to purchase something I didn't want in the first place by thoughtful descriptions and flowery gushings. The damage to my self-esteem would be irreparable!

EXACTLY! Do you ever get the feeling that the products everyone ravs about become the products that aren't as good as x in the very next collection? The same enabling that caused me to buy other products is now making me feel like that item isn't as great as this new one! How different and how much better can a product get from one collection to the next?! I can understand maybe a few years... But a few months? I'm sorry I can't fall for that. As wonderful as a product sounds, its still just sitting on my face for a few hours... I love liba... And I would buy everything if it was up to her and her amazing descriptions.. And lord knows I have! Heehee I just personally need to get much more discriminating. I hate throwing all my disposable income at makeup!!

 

[Kaori]

Luckily I really don't like the style of MAC's packaging for most products or the LE frenzy so I'm pretty safe from being tempted into buying their collections ;P And their lipstick packaging reminds me of a tampon, I just can't get over it, doesn't matter if the lipstick itself is great or not lol. And their highlighters, blushes and some eye shadows seem to be baked formula, which I don't like ;P Also T keeps giving them mediocre ratings so I wont even bother trying, when there is so many better stuff out there to try ^-^
I browsed through the pics in that FF thread but I honestly didn't see anything amazing(forget packaging, color-wise) that I wouldn't already have a dupe of o.o

 

[veronikawithak]

Quote: Originally Posted by Audrey C
As for the second point, I don't care if I get tackled. Bring it! I can't believe that anyone thinks it's ok to mislead customers that way. All they had to do was call it New Stereo Rose or Stereo Rose 2 and people would have realized that it was a different product. That they used the same name is - IMO - an obvious attempt to generate sales through capitalizing on pent up demand for a coveted product. I'm not a MAC-hater, but I'm not a fangirl either. If I think they've done something misleading, I'm going to say so.

Oh I absolutely agree and have expressed that several times.. The general opinion of the thread was swaying that way in the beginning too!

..until glowing reviews came in and eyes glazed over like krispy kreme doughnuts.. lol! I think sometimes people just want permission to overspend and that's fine with me! I just won't be a part of that.

I'm walking that line between hater and fangirl - I love a lot of their products and the majority of my stash is MAC but their business practices are terrible sometimes!