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

[ma146rina]

And as for Tom Ford, like I said, I won't even go there! At those prices, people would be better off investing in some good jewellery instead. How good could any makeup be, really?

lol that's so true, before my low- buy commitment i was with my mom in a department store and she wanted to get me a gift for christmas, so i went to the Burberry counter, stayed there for an hour, swatched EVERYTHING and i honestly couldn't find anything i wanted. I don't get the hype either. Everything looked so boring.
I must admit though that i would like to get a TF blush, but yes the prices are insane and i have spend already too much on makeup to splurge on something that expensive. Maybe if i only owned 2 blushes and i knew that i would finish them eventually, otherwise having it on rotation with my other 45678 blushes to me makes no sense.

 

[veronikawithak]

I mentioned the whole Tom Ford situation, A) I can afford to splurge on a Tom Ford lipstick without breaking the bank and I have a couple and B) people are in the low buy thread for different reasons. My reason has little to do with finances more to do with excessive amount of makeup that I possibly can't use up before it expires or in my lifetime. I'm on a quality over quantity journey and I want products that give me bang for my buck. So I don't think anyone was encouraging anyone to go outside the budget and buy more expensive makeup but pointing out that collecting makeup just because it's cheaper doesn't crib the urge to over spend.

I'm on the same journey.. My problem was purchasing something based on hype, using it once or twice, and then moving onto the next. My personal reason for joining was to get more use out of the products I do have and love, ditch the ones I realize didn't work for me, and hopefully get to a point where I eventually use one item up completely before buying new. To do that I need to buy way more selectively and this thread has already been my lifeline this year!! Everything I've purchased has become a regularly used and well loved product. In that way, I feel like I've already won.

I love that we can all come together for different reasons but still be encouraging and supportive of each other.

 

[Rainbunny]

lol that's so true, before my low- buy commitment i was with my mom in a department store and she wanted to get me a gift for christmas, so i went to the Burberry counter, stayed there for an hour, swatched EVERYTHING and i honestly couldn't  find anything i wanted. I don't get the hype either. Everything looked so boring. I must admit though that i would like to get a TF blush, but yes the prices are insane and i have spend already too much on makeup to splurge on something that expensive. Maybe if i only owned 2 blushes and i knew that i would finish them eventually, otherwise having it on rotation with my other 45678 blushes to me makes no sense.

lol that's so true, before my low- buy commitment i was with my mom in a department store and she wanted to get me a gift for christmas, so i went to the Burberry counter, stayed there for an hour, swatched EVERYTHING and i honestly couldn't  find anything i wanted. I don't get the hype either. Everything looked so boring. I must admit though that i would like to get a TF blush, but yes the prices are insane and i have spend already too much on makeup to splurge on something that expensive. Maybe if i only owned 2 blushes and i knew that i would finish them eventually, otherwise having it on rotation with my other 45678 blushes to me makes no sense.

Yes, you made my point about TF much better than I did. If you already have a lot and want to cut back, to me it doesn't make sense to start in with super HE now. It's unlikely that we have too much stuff because so much of it ended up being unwearable/poor quality, so I suspect the quality argument is a rationalization to justify an impulse buy. Not in every case, of course, but often enough that we should be wary of our own thought processes. If one has a small amount of makeup and is dissatisfied with their results after making a good faith attempt to use the products they already have, then, sure, maybe quality is a issue. I suspect Pixie's strategy of setting a reasonable limit on the number of items will be the most successful because it allows for the desire to buy something every once in a while but still contains the overall costs. It's more sustainable in the long run. I just think it's pretty unlikely that someone will buy a perfect, super-expensive product and cut out most other purchases for an extended period of time. It's not impossible, but it's not likely.

 

[Kaori]

I suspect Pixie's strategy of setting a reasonable limit on the number of items will be the most successful because it allows for the desire to buy something every once in a while but still contains the overall costs. It's more sustainable in the long run. I just think it's pretty unlikely that someone will buy a perfect, super-expensive product and cut out most other purchases for an extended period of time. It's not impossible, but it's not likely.

I agree
Quality over quantity for sure but not if it makes you spend even more just because you just love shopping. I think setting firm $$ budget may be then better than setting item limit.
But I still wouldn't go to TF or Serge Lutens price point when I can get same quality from Chanel, Armani, Dior, Estee Lauder, you name it. From marketing point of view the only reason they put such high prices is to make them 'look' better than the rest, more luxurious, etc. and not because the quality is better~ And I really dislike this marketing style, so for me it's out of question...

 

[ma146rina]

I suspect Pixie's strategy of setting a reasonable limit on the number of items will be the most successful because it allows for the desire to buy something every once in a while but still contains the overall costs. It's more sustainable in the long run. I just think it's pretty unlikely that someone will buy a perfect, super-expensive product and cut out most other purchases for an extended period of time. It's not impossible, but it's not likely.

Exactly! definitely not a makeup addict

 

[Rainbunny]

And I'd be worried about developing a price point tolerance. Once you buy a $50 lipstick, it gets easier the next time . . .

 

[veronikawithak]

I suspect Pixie's strategy of setting a reasonable limit on the number of items will be the most successful because it allows for the desire to buy something every once in a while but still contains the overall costs. It's more sustainable in the long run. I just think it's pretty unlikely that someone will buy a perfect, super-expensive product and cut out most other purchases for an extended period of time. It's not impossible, but it's not likely.

I don't know.. Since buying the HG highlighters and blush I am way more selective about similar products. I've already passed on PT which I really wanted at one point, and I've been unimpressed with a lot of other products since then. I no longer feel the need to "try out" different items to see what works for me because I really like the effect I can create with the items I already have. That strategy seems to have worked for me just fine, and I haven't been buying a bunch of other HE products either. I think the item limit is a great strategy too.

Of course it's different for everyone though! If someone isn't in the mindset where they can be satisfied with one quality item for a certain period of time, then maybe it makes more sense to spread out a few lower quality items. For me that just wouldn't work at all! I'd continue to crave the rush of purchasing often, and I'd still want that HE item. I'd much rather invest in a select few items that I've really thought about and go "cold turkey" for the rest of the time, in order to take a break from that shopping craving. That's just what works for me. I agree that we should be aware of our own thought processes and I'm glad what you're doing is working for you too!

 

[User38]

oh yes, quality over quantity. But in reality, I mean our reality of immediate gratification and entitlement, do we think we "need" to treat ourselves or be treated by others to products which are considered luxury.. sometimes yes. So we come here and read about all the latest MAC products, Chanel, Dior -- we all have access to the internet and see some girls who cannot even enunciate certain words are You tube "gurus" who can do their makeup and do it beautifully. And we get hooked.

it's now part of our culture. That is why the level of CC indebtedness is now astronomical. That is why the housing market crashed and houses were just abandoned.

We don't know how to save and that's a sad comment on our society in general. We want it all - and we want it now. The middle class is still hurting from the financial mess we ourselves created. Turns out that "greed" was not good. So, essentially, some ladies should only be able to afford 1 TF lipstick a year if that is their wish, or 3-4 WnW or Revlong lippies a year. It's personal choice.

but I am glad to see that some are coming to terms with reality.

 

[User38]

And I'd be worried about developing a price point tolerance. Once you buy a $50 lipstick, it gets easier the next time . . .

Lol.. no it doesn't. I can buy a TF lipstick, and a Sally Hansen nail polish in a heartbeat. I don't feel entitled to any of it really. There is no such thing as price point tolerance - it's just supply and demand. But, if a person has been allowed easy access to credit and thinks it's her entitlement then she can easily (mentally) build a price point tolerance. It's all in self control.

 

[myfavoritePA]

Quote: Originally Posted by HerGreyness oh yes, quality over quantity. But in reality, I mean our reality of immediate gratification and entitlement, do we think we "need" to treat ourselves or be treated by others to products which are considered luxury.. sometimes yes. So we come here and read about all the latest MAC products, Chanel, Dior -- we all have access to the internet and see some girls who cannot even enunciate certain words are You tube "gurus" who can do their makeup and do it beautifully. And we get hooked.

it's now part of our culture. That is why the level of CC indebtedness is now astronomical. That is why the housing market crashed and houses were just abandoned.

We don't know how to save and that's a sad comment on our society in general. We want it all - and we want it now. The middle class is still hurting from the financial mess we ourselves created. Turns out that "greed" was not good. So, essentially, some ladies should only be able to afford 1 TF lipstick a year if that is their wish, or 3-4 WnW or Revlong lippies a year. It's personal choice.

but I am glad to see that some are coming to terms with reality.

This is so true. Sometimes I think that the best way to get over my makeup addiction (or consumption addiction in general) would be to do overseas mission work for a while to get some perspective and learn to be thankful for what I have. It's easy to get swept away in the rush of consumerism when everywhere you look, there's some ad, person, blog, or the like enticing you to *buy buy buy*.

And yet I continue to buy massive amounts of makeup (gave into the Urban Decay F&F sale today, for one).

 

[myfavoritePA]

I'm on the same journey.. My problem was purchasing something based on hype, using it once or twice, and then moving onto the next. My personal reason for joining was to get more use out of the products I do have and love, ditch the ones I realize didn't work for me, and hopefully get to a point where I eventually use one item up completely before buying new. To do that I need to buy way more selectively and this thread has already been my lifeline this year!! Everything I've purchased has become a regularly used and well loved product. In that way, I feel like I've already won.

I love that we can all come together for different reasons but still be encouraging and supportive of each other.

I'm with you!

 

[User38]

This is so true. Sometimes I think that the best way to get over my makeup addiction (or consumption addiction in general) would be to do overseas mission work for a while to get some perspective and learn to be thankful for what I have. It's easy to get swept away in the rush of consumerism when everywhere you look, there's some ad, person, blog, or the like enticing you to *buy buy buy*.

And yet I continue to buy massive amounts of makeup (gave into the Urban Decay F&F sale today, for one).

don't worry myfavoritePA .. once you become aware of a habit, and you recognize it you are on the right road to correcting it! Hang on, and stay strong.

 

[myfavoritePA]

don't worry myfavoritePA .. once you become aware of a habit, and you recognize it you are on the right road to correcting it! Hang on, and stay strong.

Thanks! I have to say, it helps to have your voice and opinions in this thread because it's like a reality check. I love that you are allowing us to benefit from your experience in the beauty industry and just life in general!

 

[veronikawithak]

This is so true. Sometimes I think that the best way to get over my makeup addiction (or consumption addiction in general) would be to do overseas mission work for a while to get some perspective and learn to be thankful for what I have. It's easy to get swept away in the rush of consumerism when everywhere you look, there's some ad, person, blog, or the like enticing you to *buy buy buy*.
And yet I continue to buy massive amounts of makeup (gave into the Urban Decay F&F sale today, for one).

I feel exactly the same way.. It's almost like you need a therapist just to counteract the amount of advertising you're exposed to on a daily basis and bring yourself back to neutral again. That's part of the reason I love hanging out in this thread so much.. it's a nice counterbalance to the buying frenzy. We can be our own (and each others') therapists..

 

[veronikawithak]

Thanks! I have to say, it helps to have your voice and opinions in this thread because it's like a reality check. I love that you are allowing us to benefit from your experience in the beauty industry and just life in general!

Seconded!

 

[User38]

you are most welcome dear.. and, I bear good news (and bad too)

while we sleep, the bean counters at the major Cosmetics companies have all decided that prices are too low for the demand of goods -- and have instituted a price hike, almost across the board for all products.

this is good because we will be forced to maintain our budgets -- like forced diets. You should all know the cost of money is going up as Fed Reserve will probably raise rates a teeny tiny bit.. thus the market sell off (lots of technical gobbledegook) but it's all connected.

good luck to all!

 

[Kaori]

you are most welcome dear.. and, I bear good news (and bad too)

while we sleep, the bean counters at the major Cosmetics companies have all decided that prices are too low for the demand of goods -- and have instituted a price hike, almost across the board for all products.

this is good because we will be forced to maintain our budgets -- like forced diets. You should all know the cost of money is going up as Fed Reserve will probably raise rates a teeny tiny bit.. thus the market sell off (lots of technical gobbledegook) but it's all connected.

good luck to all!

I saw couple of the price hikes and ugh, makes me think harder if I really want inglot palette or not ~_~ Some products keep going up a dollar every year, which is more than the inflation rate! Such a bogus. Btw study showed women spend more money on beauty items during economic depression times lol

Quote: Originally Posted by HerGreyness oh yes, quality over quantity. But in reality, I mean our reality of immediate gratification and entitlement, do we think we "need" to treat ourselves or be treated by others to products which are considered luxury.. sometimes yes. So we come here and read about all the latest MAC products, Chanel, Dior -- we all have access to the internet and see some girls who cannot even enunciate certain words are You tube "gurus" who can do their makeup and do it beautifully. And we get hooked.

it's now part of our culture. That is why the level of CC indebtedness is now astronomical. That is why the housing market crashed and houses were just abandoned.

We don't know how to save and that's a sad comment on our society in general. We want it all - and we want it now. The middle class is still hurting from the financial mess we ourselves created. Turns out that "greed" was not good. So, essentially, some ladies should only be able to afford 1 TF lipstick a year if that is their wish, or 3-4 WnW or Revlong lippies a year. It's personal choice.

but I am glad to see that some are coming to terms with reality.

Agreed. It doesn't help when you literally HAVE to get a credit card to achieve good credit score =.= Nobody here looks favorably at you if you want to pay off your first car instead of taking a loan, so you can later have good credit score to get nice interest on first home loan *sigh* I'm very anti-CC but will have to get one(and keep paying it off on time) just to get good credit score so wont overpay too much on home-loan later... CC can be such temptation, feels like you have more money than you really have, so easy to get off the track

 

[PixieDancer]

Thanks!  I have to say, it helps to have your voice and opinions in this thread because it's like a reality check.  I love that you are allowing us to benefit from your experience in the beauty industry and just life in general! :kiss:

Third(ed) heehee But seriously I agree 100% ! We know you don't need to be here and are our little angel on our shoulders HerGreyness! I can't thank you enough for all the insight!

 

[User38]

Does everyone have a budget?.. I don't mean numbers per se .. but what percentage of your earnings go to your cosmetics purchases? It might help to actually see numbers and make decisions based on percentages which can be a bit more forgiving for a lapse in judgement..lol.
'
and yes, there is a "Lipstick Indicator" in economics .. it follows the Hamburger indicator which gives us a generalized view of inflation.

 

[PixieDancer]

Does everyone have a budget?.. I don't mean numbers per se .. but what percentage of your earnings go to your cosmetics purchases?  It might help to actually see numbers and make decisions based on percentages which can be a bit more forgiving for a lapse in judgement..lol. '  and yes, there is a "Lipstick Indicator" in economics .. it follows the Hamburger indicator which gives us a generalized view of inflation.

I did but it wouldn't hurt for me to revisit my totals now that I want to start preparing for career shifts and changes as I get older. I always reevaluate things like this around tax season... So NOWS the time!!! Thanks for the reminder.