How much is too much? Makeup Burnout? Spending too much.

AudreyNicole

Well-known member
With all of the GREAT summer collections coming up, and a wishlist a mile long, I am really forcing myself to take a look at what I already have. I just spent the last hour swatching my entire collection on white notebook paper. I have realized that I have 18 lipsticks, and they are all so similar. I am drawn to the same types of colors, I find myself buying stuff from the new collections because I like the color (and forget I have 18 at home just like it!) I have 62 eyeshadows, 8 blushes, 2 beauty powders, 5 MSFs, 10 lipglasses... etc. etc. etc. I list goes on and on. AND I have just, the the last few months, sold off more than half of my collection.

There is absolutely NO way I can give up my MAC, but today since I see all I have on paper, I realize I can buy 2-3 things from a new collection and be satisfied. I don't need the entire collection or even half of it. This was really a reality check for me. Earlier, I was showing my husband swatches of Naughty Nauticals and asking him what he liked. He said "but honey, it all looks like stuff you already have." Ya know, he's right!

Do you ever look at your collection and feel content? Or do you stalk the boards for new collection info? Do you find yourself lusting after an entire collection, and panic because you can't keep up with the constant releases? Ok, now that I just told y'all how *I* feel, what about you? How much is too much? Where do you draw the line and force yourself to be more choosy?
 

lazytolove

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Yes you're totally right. I love MAC but sometimes we all have to save a lil fortune for other things. Whenever new MAC collections come out, i always think twice before buying them.
 

MACATTAK

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

It's true...we tend to buy things that are similar (colors we like, textures, etc) That's why it's so easy for people to dupe Heatherette or Barbie looks etc with things they already own. I say enough is enough when I don't have money for the upcoming collections. If I know I'm not going to have the funds, I don't look at the swatches, and I certainly don't head to Mac "just to look." No point in torturing myself. I really wish collections would be more spaced out, but I guess that's business. Realistically if I look at my collection, I really have enough to last me forever and would never need to buy much else (with the exception of foundation, powder, mascara) However, that doesn't end my obsession!
 

SparklingWaves

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

If there is a color that really stands out in a Limited Edition that I don't have, I will purchase it. I know what colors look good on me and I stick with those. If there is a color that comes out that compliments what I have, that is something I may purchase as well. I really have a complete organized set of makeup now. I know what I have and I know what colors to reach for to obtain a certain look.

I don't buy into every L/E. I would wind up with a ton of makeup that wouldn't be utilized.

If I know I will never use something I have in my makeup sets at home, I give it freely to females in my family.
 

Karen_B

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

When I started getting addicted to MAC about a year ago, I couldn't stop buying. This was especially true for LE items, obviously, it's so easy to get sucked in by LE collections. But now that I have a lot, I realize that so many things are actually dupable. Like the Heatherette Trio 2, with the purple and pink e/s - it just didn't seem unique enough. I know I can do a similar enough look with what I already have at home. I guess there is a limit to how many unique eyeshadow or lipstick colours a company can actually come up with - it's impossible to make everything completely new and "never seen before". I didn't realize that before, but now I do.
Now, I try to only buy things I know I cannot find dupes for at home or in the permanent line, or things I find exceptionally pretty and collectable. For example, Fafi Eyes 2 and Heatherette trio 1 was such items for me.
That being said, if I had lots and lots of money I'd probably be buying up entire collections left and right, no matter how many dupes I had at home!
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xoxprincessx0x

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

I agree the LE collections suck me in but now I'm trying harder and harder only to purchase what I really can't live without. Even in naughty nauticals at first i wanted all the l/g then i realized that 2 of them look so similar its not even worth it. I have to really tell myself to buy what I don't have dupes of.
 

purrtykitty

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

ITA, which is why I'm probably only going to get the blue pigments (I already have Lovely Lily) and maybe one or two lippies. I sincerely doubt I'll get any shadows, since I'd rather have the pigments and the purple-y on is likely just like all my other ones. Fortunately for me, I really don't give a hoot about LE packaging, so when the three-part collection comes around, I will truly only buy the colors I like.

Over the last couple of months (as I, too have cleaned out my collection and am selling a ton of it off) I've also realized that I tend to buy lots of stuff in virtually the same shade. Of course I can tell the subtle differences, but most other people can't...and really, isn't that the point of having fun colors? I mean I love wearing makeup, so if I wear a different color, then it really should look like a different color...not the same color with a different name. Anyhoo, hopefully this new "method" of buying MAC (or makeup in general) will help me save some of my budget so I can divert it elsewhere, like into a new purse!
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

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I do think about this too, but I haven't been buying MAC for a real long time. Only if a collection has my favorite wearable colors (pink, nude & oh, pink
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do I buy most of it with backups. Usually, I'll only get 2-3 items if any from a regular collection. Barbie & N collections were probably my biggest hauls & the BPB which I use everyday & really love.

I've often wondered if we're all searching for that "perfect" color that makes us look incredible or something
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But I do really, really enjoy my makeup. And honestly, I've been through some very trying times over my lifetime and I'm choosing to enjoy everything I can enjoy - today.
 

darkishstar

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Yeah.. I got into MAC in '05.. but I really didn't start getting into it till late '07 and because I'm still building a collection of sorts, I let myself buy from the collections, but I'm essentially building up a collection with LE colors, so if there's a similar perm color, I won't have to buy it until I run out of the LE. So that really helps me save money.

Like thinking of colors like Gulf Stream from Cool Heat that may be like Waternymph, I can skip on that if it is. Or how Submarine from NN might be like Freshwater, maybe I can opt for Freshwater instead.

I do have to start picking more carefully now because my collection is starting to head in a direction where I finally will not need to get anymore colors really unless I really have to have it.
 

spectrolite

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

I think that I already have more makeup than I will probably ever *need*. It is way too easy to fall into the habit of collecting when you are attracted to pretty, shiny things like myself. It doesn't help when MAC just keeps coming out with collection after collection year round! It's diabolical. Alas, I can only blame myself for my lack of self control
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To answer the question how much is too much - well I think too much is when you have more makeup that you don't use compared to makeup that you do use.
 

AudreyNicole

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by darkishstar

I do have to start picking more carefully now because my collection is starting to head in a direction where I finally will not need to get anymore colors really unless I really have to have it.


I think this is the point that I have reached. I only have 2 eyes... why do I need so many shadows?
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I am glad that I have been able to build up a great collection (mostly of LE stuff), and now I am trying to only buy colors that will compliment ones I already have. But speaking of "have to have", can we say "COOL HEAT!?" See, it truly is an addiction
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I was getting to the point of actually stressing over buying because I wanted SO much. Now that I see exactly what I have, I won't be buying too much after all. I have managed to cut my wishlist for the summer collections from over $400 to about $215 and I am sure it will go down further...
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AudreyNicole

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by spectrolite
I think that I already have more makeup than I will probably ever *need*. It is way too easy to fall into the habit of collecting when you are attracted to pretty, shiny things like myself. It doesn't help when MAC just keeps coming out with collection after collection year round! It's diabolical. Alas, I can only blame myself for my lack of self control
smiles.gif


To answer the question how much is too much - well I think too much is when you have more makeup that you don't use compared to makeup that you do use.


I agree, it's not a matter of need, it's a matter of WANT!
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I do feel better about selling off alot of my collection because it sat unused, and I was able to use that money for things in newer collections that I DO use. I have gotten better at knowing what I like and what I will actually use, and less in the mindset that I HAVE to have it because it's LE. I was so paniced that I *might* want it later and not be able to get it.
 

redambition

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

i get that feeling too. mostly i feel that way about blue and green eye shadows... i love those colours and just keep buying more and more of them!

i'm making an exception for meet the fleet eye shadow, as i don't have a navy blue, but other than maybe a pigment or two i won't be getting anything else for a while.

i really have to work at using the makeup I already own, and i have to try and get rid of all the stuff in my collection that i don't use and just plain don't need. that's the hardest part. i'm a hoarder by nature, so it's difficult for me to part with things.
 

darkishstar

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AudreyNicole
I think this is the point that I have reached. I only have 2 eyes... why do I need so many shadows?
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I am glad that I have been able to build up a great collection (mostly of LE stuff), and now I am trying to only buy colors that will compliment ones I already have. But speaking of "have to have", can we say "COOL HEAT!?" See, it truly is an addiction
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cutey.gif
I was getting to the point of actually stressing over buying because I wanted SO much. Now that I see exactly what I have, I won't be buying too much after all. I have managed to cut my wishlist for the summer collections from over $400 to about $215 and I am sure it will go down further...
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Yeah, I'm actually branching out from teals, blues, browns and greys, and I've added some purple and pink (Heatherette) and I plan on adding some yellow, and some green. And I will definitely be good.
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Cool Heat, I do want to add the blue-violet as I obviously don't have that color and I really want the sea foam green, but most of the other colors are like.. waternymph.. parrot.. .from what I've seen of the pictures. I will be picky and choosy.
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But for those two shadows, those are I HAVE to have.
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I have been more picky, and my list has gone down to $95-$123 depending on what swatches like what.
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And despite loving red, I'm getting rid of Port Red lipstick, it's a yellow red and I really don't want that. I love blue-reds.
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Go us for making smarter choices and making the lists go down. I want to be a much smarter buyer after going INSANE on Fafi and Heatherette. Fafi was a big regret purchase though, with the quad #2.
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

I just made a list like you did Audrey. Out of all the new collections coming out over summer, my list only includes 4 shadows, 1 lipstick, 2-3 tendertones,
1 slimshine, 1 nailpolish, but ALL of Dress Camp
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Wow, that's not so bad for a whole summer. But, I'm sure somethin else will creep onto that list
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darkishstar

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by elegant-one
I just made a list like you did Audrey. Out of all the new collections coming out over summer, my list only includes 4 shadows, 1 lipstick, 2-3 tendertones,
1 slimshine, 1 nailpolish, but ALL of Dress Camp
smiles.gif
Wow, that's not so bad for a whole summer. But, I'm sure somethin else will creep onto that list
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I totally nixed all of my Dress Camp wants. Ahahaha. Those colors will not look good on me.
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Though the gold lipglass is sure tempting!
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I slowly started crossing some things off my list and made some things a maybe. And it really cut down my list of $137 to about $95-$123! It's a big difference.
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coachkitten

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

I agree with all of the above. My biggest problem is that I get in the "If I don't get it now then I will regret it later" mode. I have tried REALLY hard to get away from getting everything in an LE collection just to HAVE it. Like Blast O Blue lipstick! Why in the world did I think I needed a BLUE lipstick?

I am glad to know that others are feeling this way as well. I am going to try REALLY hard to stick to a MAC budget this summer. But I have to admit that I am a sucker for any eye shadows and cool based colors!
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We will have to keep each other on track!
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And PS....MAC stop making so many LE collections so close together!
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elegant-one

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

^Coachkitten - hahaha!

I already realized I forgot about Colour Forms & the Brush sets!
It would be interesting to look back in a few months & see how well we actually did. I agree with the LE stuff...there were some that I did miss and wish I had now.
 

darkishstar

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by coachkitten
I agree with all of the above. My biggest problem is that I get in the "If I don't get it now then I will regret it later" mode. I have tried REALLY hard to get away from getting everything in an LE collection just to HAVE it. Like Blast O Blue lipstick! Why in the world did I think I needed a BLUE lipstick?

I am glad to know that others are feeling this way as well. I am going to try REALLY hard to stick to a MAC budget this summer. But I have to admit that I am a sucker for any eye shadows and cool based colors!
smiles.gif
We will have to keep each other on track!
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And PS....MAC stop making so many LE collections so close together!
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Yeah, I hear it really helps if you plan a budget and try to stick to it. Even if you end up buying a few more things than your intended, it will still be MUCH less I would think than going in without a set budget in mind.
 

redambition

Well-known member
Re: How much is too much?

Quote:
Originally Posted by coachkitten
I agree with all of the above. My biggest problem is that I get in the "If I don't get it now then I will regret it later" mode.

i get like that if i think i like a colour.

so i buy it... but then i rarely (if ever) use it, and it sits in my palette or traincase, guilting me for buying it.
 
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