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

[myfavoritePA]

Liba is absolutely fabulous and so are her reviews.. no disagreement there whatsoever! But I think we've all tried to make it very clear that this isn't about her or anyone else who likes to share great finds but rather about making a separate space free of people gushing about products (no matter how great they may be!).

I do disagree that it's a question of self control.. The majority of people are very much influenced by what others say and do or the images and ideas we're exposed to, often without even realizing it! Influence is very subtle, and we all underestimate how much it affects us on a daily basis. If you're managing to participate in threads with those triggers and maintain your low buy goals, bravo!! That's awesome! But some of us need to separate from that and it's not a question of willpower but simply controlling our environments to prevent the triggers from being there in the first place!

That's the one and only reason I posted a warning about enabling - to help my fellow low buy teammates keep themselves out of dangerous situations! Hope that makes sense.

Hang in there! So much of shopping boils down to the emotional boost of a new purchase.. that's such a difficult hurdle. I'm so sorry to hear about your job and I hope you find something even better very soon! In the meantime, make sure you take care of you. Do things that make you happy that don't necessarily involve shopping.. read a great book, cuddle up with a friend or loved one, check out a new coffee shop or art gallery or whatever you're into! Experiences > purchases. Good luck!

Aw, thank you so much!

 

[ILoveMakeup84]

You caught me in a feeling feisty moment. :haha: Seriously though, I am passionate about people's financial security. I've done the paycheque to paycheque thing (haven't we all?) with nothing set aside for emergencies, much less the future, and it takes a toll. There is no blush that's going to do more for your looks than the good night's sleep you get knowing that the wolf isn't at the door.  Start an emergency fund, even if you can only put $20 a month away. When you can make it $50, do. It might sound boring, but knowing that you'll be ok when life inevitably happens is a great feeling. You don't have to start with much - just start. Skip one beauty purchase a month if you have to - just one - and put it in a separate account. In a year, you'll have little cushion.  BTW, I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad for wanting to buy or keep PT or SR; if you want them, wear them with pleasure. I just meant that others shouldn't make you feel 'negative' for being offended by MAC's nonsense and planning to return them. 

You are so right! Its very important to set some money aside each month even if its a little. You never know when you might need it.

 

[Rainbunny]

Quite frankly, I love Liba and her reviews, and she is one of the reasons I joined the Specktra community in the first place! Her enthusiasm is fantastic, but it does not make me run out and buy a bunch of makeup I don't need. More often than not, she cements what I was thinking about a product in the first place, and she helps me make some good decisions about items I was on the fence about. Even with my low buy goals, I appreciate hearing what she has to say! I guess it comes down to the individual and the level of self control in place to begin with--haha!

I like Liba's reviews, too, but I definitely felt my resolve weakening when I read her latest on FOF! I have too many highlighters and beauty powders because of all the raves people do about them (not just Liba). I think I can't really discriminate between them because I don't see that the colours are all that different, so I am always sucked into people's glowing descriptions of them, thinking they must be seeing something that I don't see. I mean, I can see that a bit of highlighter can look nice, but all the highlighters basically seem to look pretty much the same on the face, at the end of the day, and they are always among the most expensive items, too!

 

[lipstickaddict]

Liba is absolutely fabulous and so are her reviews.. no disagreement there whatsoever! But I think we've all tried to make it very clear that this isn't about her or anyone else who likes to share great finds but rather about making a separate space free of people gushing about products (no matter how great they may be!).

I do disagree that it's a question of self control.. The majority of people are very much influenced by what others say and do or the images and ideas we're exposed to, often without even realizing it! Influence is very subtle, and we all underestimate how much it affects us on a daily basis. If you're managing to participate in threads with those triggers and maintain your low buy goals, bravo!! That's awesome! But some of us need to separate from that and it's not a question of willpower but simply controlling our environments to prevent the triggers from being there in the first place!

That's the one and only reason I posted a warning about enabling - to help my fellow low buy teammates keep themselves out of dangerous situations! Hope that makes sense.

Hang in there! So much of shopping boils down to the emotional boost of a new purchase.. that's such a difficult hurdle. I'm so sorry to hear about your job and I hope you find something even better very soon! In the meantime, make sure you take care of you. Do things that make you happy that don't necessarily involve shopping.. read a great book, cuddle up with a friend or loved one, check out a new coffee shop or art gallery or whatever you're into! Experiences > purchases. Good luc

Thanks! I do feel like I'm doing really well on my low buy

 

[veronikawithak]

I mean, I can see that a bit of highlighter can look nice, but all the highlighters basically seem to look pretty much the same on the face, at the end of the day, and they are always among the most expensive items, too!

Thanks so much for sharing that! These are the feelings I had in mind today when I posted. I often feel like that too, which is why I love to come here for my daily dose of reality and rationality!

 

[GoldenGirl]

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.

YAAAASSS!!! And while I appreciate the love for MAC by some folks in this forum, wrong is wrong. FAIR IS FAIR! Like The Legend Of Billie Jean! If you're gonna call it Stereo Rose/Perfect Topping and consider it a repromote... then don't change the color. I can't WAIT for it to arrive so I can send it RIGHT back. I'm letting MAC know I'm not pleased with my small stance. I can't judge others for keeping it, I get it, but I won't be. I'm sticking with my low-buy and it's the only thing I purchased from that collection and I'm HAPPY to send it back so I can spend my funds elsewhere on a company that doesn't practice deceptive advertising. I feel like y'all do. I have a few highlighters and while they're very pretty, on me they all kind of look the same. Stereo Rose in it's original form could have been multi use, but in this new form? I don't need another hero highlighter!

 

[Rainbunny]

Liba is absolutely fabulous and so are her reviews.. no disagreement there whatsoever! But I think we've all tried to make it very clear that this isn't about her or anyone else who likes to share great finds but rather about making a separate space free of people gushing about products (no matter how great they may be!). I do disagree that it's a question of self control.. The majority of people are very much influenced by what others say and do or the images and ideas we're exposed to, often without even realizing it! Influence is very subtle, and we all underestimate how much it affects us on a daily basis. If you're managing to participate in threads with those triggers and maintain your low buy goals, bravo!! That's awesome! But some of us need to separate from that and it's not a question of willpower but simply controlling our environments to prevent the triggers from being there in the first place! That's the one and only reason I posted a warning about enabling - to help my fellow low buy teammates keep themselves out of dangerous situations! Hope that makes sense. END OF QUOTE ----------------------- Thanks! I saw your post after I had already posted mine above. I think you articulated what I was talking about very well. In a way, the hype makes you distrust your own reactions and second-guess yourself. If everybody else loves it, there must be something in it! If I don't get the big deal about highlighters, maybe I just haven't found the perfect one yet, and this one might be it! I think I just like play

 

[veronikawithak]

YAAAASSS!!! And while I appreciate the love for MAC by some folks in this forum, wrong is wrong. FAIR IS FAIR! Like The Legend Of Billie Jean! If you're gonna call it Stereo Rose/Perfect Topping and consider it a repromote... then don't change the color. I can't WAIT for it to arrive so I can send it RIGHT back. I'm letting MAC know I'm not pleased with my small stance. I can't judge others for keeping it, I get it, but I won't be. I'm sticking with my low-buy and it's the only thing I purchased from that collection and I'm HAPPY to send it back so I can spend my funds elsewhere on a company that doesn't practice deceptive advertising.

Good for you for taking a stand!! I applaud you! If they had made it clear that it was a reformulation and provided comparison swatches and descriptions in advance it would not have been a big deal! At all! Whether it's active deception or poor marketing is debatable I guess but whether it is fair to the customer is not! It's clearly unfair. If anyone wants to keep theirs because they love it or it just doesn't bother them, good for you too! I'm not here to judge.

I absolutely think that if this was any other brand using the same LE name for a new product, there would be borderline rioting in the streets lol. If Chanel had a new LE nail polish called Jade and then it turned out to be an army green when everyone was expecting a re-promote of the 2009 Jade's mint with subtle shimmer.. there would be chaos!

 

[Rainbunny]

Oops, I guess I cut myself off! What I was going to say is that makeup is also a creative outlet for us, and we obviously all share a love of colour! Since it doesn't take all that long to make up your face, the thrill of a new product just doesn't last that long. So I would encourage everyone to find a creative outlet they enjoy that can incorporate their love of colour. For instance, I have taken up water colour painting for fun, which lets me play with colour for as long as I want. My watercolours are really dreadful, to be honest, but I'm having fun and meeting new people, anyway.

 

[veronikawithak]

What I was going to say is that makeup is also a creative outlet for us, and we obviously all share a love of colour! Since it doesn't take all that long to make up your face, the thrill of a new product just doesn't last that long. So I would encourage everyone to find a creative outlet they enjoy that can incorporate their love of colour. For instance, I have taken up water colour painting for fun, which lets me play with colour for as long as I want. My watercolours are really dreadful, to be honest, but I'm having fun and meeting new people, anyway.

That is an amazing idea!! I love that you're injecting your love for color into your life in another way. I also love the idea of creating rather than collecting. Best!

 

[Debbs]

I have a question. If the rumors are true that Mac is re-releasing Metal Rock ( one of my splurges) should we be excited ? Will it be another completely different version? Lol either way I think I want it. SMH

 

[Rainbunny]

That is an amazing idea!! I love that you're injecting your love for color into your life in another way. I also love the idea of creating rather than collecting. Best!:cheer:

Thanks, Veronika! If people aren't into something like painting, I bet they could have a lot of fun getting their own face charts and using their stash to fill them in! You could come up with a lot of different looks that way without having to keep washing your face over and over again! I'm pretty sure you can buy face charts online, but you could easily trace or draw your own instead.

 

[singer82]

I'm proud to say I just got back from Vegas. And I didn't buy one thing of makeup. So proud of myself. Of course I ordered two lippies from FF before I left...but that doesn't count lol. I surpassed MAC, Sephora, and Inglot! Crazy

 

[Naynadine]

When I dug deep into my stash to pick the swap items, I swatched and played around a bit. There's a lot more stuff I will be getting rid of in the near future. I noticed I'm a lot more drawn to subtle looks now rather than the ''MAC style'', the thing I dislike most these days is too much shimmer. I know I'm not ''old'' and everyone can wear what they want at any age, but I do feel too old for some type of products, like shimmery mineralize blushes, glosses etc. Or maybe not old, but it's just that my taste has changed. (hey, i'm even starting to wear flat shoes, never saw that coming, lol)
I also remembered I have Ring of Saturn and Simmer, which are the same kind of shade as PP, so I can safely skip that. I find them both too shimmery now as well, and I haven't even worn them more than a couple of times. I should have stopped at Springsheen, and not get Orgasm. And Ring of Saturn... and Simmer.

On another note, has anyone tried the new Nars Instant Line & Pore Perfector? I'm wondering if it's worth the money. I planned on getting it, but since so far it's only available on the EU Nars site where shipping is pricey I haven't ordered it yet. I'm trying to wait for HQhair to have it where shipping is free and hopefully get a discount as well.

 

[User38]

When I dug deep into my stash to pick the swap items, I swatched and played around a bit. There's a lot more stuff I will be getting rid of in the near future. I noticed I'm a lot more drawn to subtle looks now rather than the ''MAC style'', the thing I dislike most these days is too much shimmer. I know I'm not ''old'' and everyone can wear what they want at any age, but I do feel too old for some type of products, like shimmery mineralize blushes, glosses etc. Or maybe not old, but it's just that my taste has changed. (hey, i'm even starting to wear flat shoes, never saw that coming, lol)
I also remembered I have Ring of Saturn and Simmer, which are the same kind of shade as PP, so I can safely skip that. I find them both too shimmery now as well, and I haven't even worn them more than a couple of times. I should have stopped at Springsheen, and not get Orgasm. And Ring of Saturn... and Simmer.

On another note, has anyone tried the new Nars Instant Line & Pore Perfector? I'm wondering if it's worth the money. I planned on getting it, but since so far it's only available on the EU Nars site where shipping is pricey I haven't ordered it yet. I'm trying to wait for HQhair to have it where shipping is free and hopefully get a discount as well.

I ordered the Nars, Naynadine.. will try out and report back. I should be getting next week. Due to my age, I am purchasing more "care" and correcting type products vs. colour per se. I agree with you on the shimmer/glitter -- I have not worn it in a few years and will only use a slight sheen for evenings out only. I don't have wrinkles on my eyes or many lines at all, but it's just something which is out of my comfort zone. Forget wild and "fashion" colours.. lol. I love a natural look with a bit of tramp.. lol. My tramp has lined eyes and does a soft smokey eye though. I do softer reds and pinks for day, and bit time red at night with lighter eyes. No three and four ES for me -- ever.

I don't wear flats during the day but I have enough to leave in different places and change during the day if it's a long one.

I suspect the NARS product is a silicone concentrate -- similar to Lauder's Perfectionist line, but I like the tube and portability of it.

 

[lyseD]

I LOVE this for pores and fine lines.

http://www.sephora.com/instant-smooth-perfecting-touch-P130909?skuId=1029859

 

[lipstickaddict]

Quote: Originally Posted by HerGreyness
I ordered the Nars, Naynadine.. will try out and report back. I should be getting next week. Due to my age, I am purchasing more "care" and correcting type products vs. colour per se. I agree with you on the shimmer/glitter -- I have not worn it in a few years and will only use a slight sheen for evenings out only. I don't have wrinkles on my eyes or many lines at all, but it's just something which is out of my comfort zone. Forget wild and "fashion" colours.. lol. I love a natural look with a bit of tramp.. lol. My tramp has lined eyes and does a soft smokey eye though. I do softer reds and pinks for day, and bit time red at night with lighter eyes. No three and four ES for me -- ever.

I don't wear flats during the day but I have enough to leave in different places and change during the day if it's a long one.

I suspect the NARS product is a silicone concentrate -- similar to Lauder's Perfectionist line, but I like the tube and portability of it.




Thanks! I'm not Naynadine, but I was also looking into this product. Look forward to the feedback!

 

[GoldenGirl]

I think I missed the big post in the FofF thread, describing in depth these new MSFs and how great and fabulous and fantastic they are and to forget about the naming fiasco because these are superior quality MSF's and they're just the most wonderful products on earth and... Yeah. I just read it. Jesus take the wheel. I cannot. MAC could have just as well made these superior quality from the old releases and STILL made them the same color. Sorry. Not buying the hype.

Anyway, I'm sticking to returning it and to my low buy. I I bought some of the new Maybelline The Buffs because they were BOGO at Walgreens and I am always looking for a good nude. It's hard out here for a WOC.

I think next on my list is one of the new Hourglass blushes. Now that complete swatches are up and there are reviews and comments that some of them are very very light, I'm thinking Mood Exposure, the darkest one, would be a good one to try.

That's all on my list honestly. So far I'm skipping the upcoming MAC collections. I'm like a scorned girlfriend with them. Please get away from me, I'm no longer interested in what you have to say.

 

[User38]

I LOVE this for pores and fine lines.

http://www.sephora.com/instant-smooth-perfecting-touch-P130909?skuId=1029859

I have this product and use it but mostly for under eyes before concealing. I don't like it for face too much as my skin is still normal and it tends to give me oilies during the day. In general, I do like it but not my HG product.

 

[User38]

I think I missed the big post in the FofF thread, describing in depth these new MSFs and how great and fabulous and fantastic they are and to forget about the naming fiasco because these are superior quality MSF's and they're just the most wonderful products on earth and... Yeah. I just read it. Jesus take the wheel. I cannot. MAC could have just as well made these superior quality from the old releases and STILL made them the same color. Sorry. Not buying the hype.

Anyway, I'm sticking to returning it and to my low buy. I I bought some of the new Maybelline The Buffs because they were BOGO at Walgreens and I am always looking for a good nude. It's hard out here for a WOC.

I think next on my list is one of the new Hourglass blushes. Now that complete swatches are up and there are reviews and comments that some of them are very very light, I'm thinking Mood Exposure, the darkest one, would be a good one to try.

That's all on my list honestly. So far I'm skipping the upcoming MAC collections. I'm like a scorned girlfriend with them. Please get away from me, I no longer am interested in what you have to say.

lol.. @ scorned girlfriend.. I hear ya!