Why do we keep buying?

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4biddenxLustX I first started buying makeup because I had major self esteem issues and thought, "oh, this will make me look prettier and make everything better". I wont lie it did help a bit but instead of it being something I HAVE to do and put on, its become something I've come to actually enjoy because of the artistic aspect of it. Its so fun, I love it. It's become a hobby instead of a chore for me now.

Do I hear THIS!
When I was in my teens and twenties, many of my so-called friends constantly made "suggestions" on how I could "look better; you'll be so much happier if you do." They also found it necessary to point out what they considered my flaws; "You've got fat lips," "You need to contour your cheeks," "Oh, my god, you're too pale," etc.
It got to the point at which I felt literally terrified at the prospect of being seen without makeup, to the extent that I had very disturbing nightmares about not being able to get to my makeup.
Time and some truly appalling life experiences have matured me to the point at which I realize that my face looks fine without makeup, but makeup dresses it up a little, and is fun, besides.
I don't *need* makeup any more than I need my favorite fancy-schmancy sapphire and diamond ring, but both makeup and jewelry are fun and harmless, in their appropriate places.

 

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d n d I am a single mother who works hard 8 1/2 hours a day in the Social Services field. I spend so much time doing for others (not that I mind) sometimes buying one little eyeshadow or gloss gives me the little boost I need to thank myself once in a while.

I think it's healthy and appropriate to do something for YOU, at least once in a while.
It seems as though women, particularly mothers, tend to think, "The more I deny myself, the better I fulfill my role."
If you just give and give, and do nothing for yourself, ever, you eventually have nothing left, and then everyone loses.
A happy mother/worker is a better mother/worker, in my opinion.

 

[X4biddenxLustX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cno64 Do I hear THIS! When I was in my teens and twenties, many of my so-called friends constantly made "suggestions" on how I could "look better; you'll be so much happier if you do." They also found it necessary to point out what they considered my flaws; "You've got fat lips," "You need to contour your cheeks," "Oh, my god, you're too pale," etc. It got to the point at which I felt literally terrified at the prospect of being seen without makeup, to the extent that I had very disturbing nightmares about not being able to get to my makeup. Time and some truly appalling life experiences have matured me to the point at which I realize that my face looks fine without makeup, but makeup dresses it up a little, and is fun, besides. I don't *need* makeup any more than I need my favorite fancy-schmancy sapphire and diamond ring, but both makeup and jewelry are fun and harmless, in their appropriate places.

Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one whose felt this way!

I totally get you on the whole "suggestions" from friends and other people. I remember back in middle school when all the girls first started getting into makeup, we would all get together and do our makeup together in a group. I never ever got compliments. I got the whole you shouldn't wear this or that or it doesn't look good, when they wore there makeup the same exact way I did! Looking back, all I can say is what hypocrites!

All that talk from them made me even more insecure than I already was and I felt like I needed even more makeup on to feel and look ok to the rest of the world. For years I would never be seen out in the public without makeup on for fear of the world seeing the real me. So I'd spend a lot of time focusing on makeup and slowly got better and better at it and later on discovered MAC. I'm still learning not just about makeup and different techniques but about me. I've learned to be much more comfortable with the big nose and cheeks that I was born with and that those are things I can't really change and thats ok. I'm not saying that I have a huge self esteem now but it was much better than before and theres many things I still need to work on. And hopefully one day I will grow into a strong woman who is completely comfortable in my own skin and realize that even my flaws are beautiful.

But since last summer, I've actually gotten comfortable leaving the house without having any makeup on. Just some moisturizer and sunscreen and I'm ready to go!

 

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4biddenxLustX I totally get you on the whole "suggestions" from friends and other people. I remember back in middle school when all the girls first started getting into makeup, we would all get together and do our makeup together in a group. I never ever got compliments. I got the whole you shouldn't wear this or that or it doesn't look good, when they wore there makeup the same exact way I did! Looking back, all I can say is what hypocrites! All that talk from them made me even more insecure than I already was and I felt like I needed even more makeup on to feel and look ok to the rest of the world. For years I would never be seen out in the public without makeup on for fear of the world seeing the real me. So I'd spend a lot of time focusing on makeup and slowly got better and better at it and later on discovered MAC. I'm still learning not just about makeup and different techniques but about me. I've learned to be much more comfortable with the big nose and cheeks that I was born with and that those are things I can't really change and thats ok. I'm not saying that I have a huge self esteem now but it was much better than before and theres many things I still need to work on. And hopefully one day I will grow into a strong woman who is completely comfortable in my own skin and realize that even my flaws are beautiful. But since last summer, I've actually gotten comfortable leaving the house without having any makeup on. Just some moisturizer and sunscreen and I'm ready to go!

That's *awful*!
To be battered like that in MIDDLE SCHOOL, typically one of the most awkward and vulnerable times in one's life, must have been extremely traumatic.
It was in high school, and even following that, that I started feeling as if I were being constantly critiqued.
Of course, the people who made disparaging remarks about my appearance would follow their insults with hysterical laughter, so that if I objected, they could insist, "It was just a JOKE!"
Or "We're just trying to help you!"
When I look at photographs taken at that time, I reaize that the creeps were just jealous!
In a way, though, they did help me, though I know very well that was not their intention.
I tried so hard to look "perfect," in hopes of preventing citicism(not healthy, I know!) that I got to be very skilled at applying makeup and just generally putting myself "together," and those skills have served me well.

As for learning to be comfortable with myself without makeup, well, that took some doing.
That didn't even start coming about until a few years ago, when a sudden very serious illness forced me to spend four months in the hospital, where I didn't have access to makeup.
Instead of recoiling, people started telling me how pretty I was. Yes, while I was wearing NO MAKEUP!
Medical staff, who were not jealous and didn't think it was "fun" to put me down constantly, would compliment me often on my "pretty" eyes, skin, lashes, lips, etc. It was a revelation.
several times B, a woman from church, whom I'd known for a long time but who had never seen me without makeup, came to visit me in the hospital.
On one of these occasions, she remarked, "You're looking good; you've started wearing your makeup again!"
Carla: "No, I haven't!"
B: "Well, you're wearing lipstick, anyway."
Carla: "Nope."
B: "Lip gloss?"
Carla: "No."
B: "Blush?"
Carla: "No; no blush."
B: "Now, I *know* you've done your brows!"
Carla: "Haven't touched them."
Conversations like this got me started thinking that maybe I really do have a few things going for me naturally, and, glory be, maybe I didn't have to be wearing a full face of makeup to look good.

I do still wear makeup for fun, and when I want to look "polished," and, realistically, I do look better with makeup than without.
But, I will now go certain places, like to the neighborhood pharmacy for a flu shot, without makeup, except for maybe sunscreen and lip gloss.

 

[ms.marymac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cno64 Do I hear THIS! When I was in my teens and twenties, many of my so-called friends constantly made "suggestions" on how I could "look better; you'll be so much happier if you do." They also found it necessary to point out what they considered my flaws; "You've got fat lips," "You need to contour your cheeks," "Oh, my god, you're too pale," etc. It got to the point at which I felt literally terrified at the prospect of being seen without makeup, to the extent that I had very disturbing nightmares about not being able to get to my makeup. Time and some truly appalling life experiences have matured me to the point at which I realize that my face looks fine without makeup, but makeup dresses it up a little, and is fun, besides. I don't *need* makeup any more than I need my favorite fancy-schmancy sapphire and diamond ring, but both makeup and jewelry are fun and harmless, in their appropriate places.

Oh, I totally feel you on this. I've worked in the beauty industry in some way or another for 10 years. I remember one salon where my co workers were always reminding me of my flaws, and it got to the point where I started to feel bad about myself. You even see it in cosmetics. There is this pressure to look PERFECT at all times, and I think it can take a toll on people after a while. Some of us are happy to go without makeup, some won't be caught dead without it. I understand you have to look pulled together to represent a cosmetic company, but I have seen some brutal things when someone was not "up to standards". In in words of Forrest Gump, "that's all I am gonna say about that."

I have come to a screeching halt with my makeup purchases, I have it coming out of my ears, and once LE things are gone, I can't wear it to work anyway so why bother?

And I TOTALLY think cosmetic companies take advantage of women's poor self esteem. That's why when you go to a cosmetic counter (not just MAC), you need this and this and this to fix all of your "concerns".

 

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms.marymac You even see it in cosmetics. There is this pressure to look PERFECT at all times, and I think it can take a toll on people after a while.

That's another thing; perfection is simply not achieveable on this earth.
By anyone.
Many women never cease to amaze me with their naivete concerning what's elaborately staged advertising "theater," and what's reality.
For example, a friend of mine has sometimes expressed to me her disappointment that a cosmetic item "doesn't look on me like it did on the model."
Of course not! 1)My friend is over the age of 15, 2)My friend is not a model, and 3)That model was painstakingly photographed in a very controlled environment, while attended to constantly by a small army of highly trained professional photographers, makeup artists, stylists and who knows who else. The product probably doesn't even look like that on the model.

Many years before that, I remember a different woman, supposedly highly intelligent, showing me a magazine ad for, I believe, some variety of mascara.
"Look at that!" she gasped, indicating the model's impossibly long, thick, black, curly, perfectly separated lashes, "PERFECT!"
"Yeah," I said, thinking, "I'll bet they're fake; nobody's eyelashes really look like that."
I must admit, that doesn't stop me from trying.

Sometimes, with the aid of an eyelash curler, MAC Prep + Prime, and UD Skyscraper, and a lash comb, my lashes look almost perfect, but there's always, always a clump, or a glob, or a lash that sticks out.
But they look good, and that's plenty for me. :

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms.marymac Oh, I totally feel you on this. I've worked in the beauty industry in some way or another for 10 years. I remember one salon where my co workers were always reminding me of my flaws, and it got to the point where I started to feel bad about myself. You even see it in cosmetics. There is this pressure to look PERFECT at all times, and I think it can take a toll on people after a while. Some of us are happy to go without makeup, some won't be caught dead without it. I understand you have to look pulled together to represent a cosmetic company, but I have seen some brutal things when someone was not "up to standards". In in words of Forrest Gump, "that's all I am gonna say about that." I have come to a screeching halt with my makeup purchases, I have it coming out of my ears, and once LE things are gone, I can't wear it to work anyway so why bother? And I TOTALLY think cosmetic companies take advantage of women's poor self esteem. That's why when you go to a cosmetic counter (not just MAC), you need this and this and this to fix all of your "concerns".

I totally agree and it is totally concerns me too at the percent of people that will never be seen without makeup....That is so hard for me to understand....
Makeup enhances beautyl it does not make you into someone you are not...But to each their own I guess..I just couldn't imagine having to put makeup on everytime I decided to leave the house.

 

[CellyCell]

I'm really over the hype of collections and "shopping your stash" a long time ago... if I buy makeup, I buy it because I don't have it and I'll absolutely use it. I think I only bought foundation and mascara in the past 4 months just because mascara expires quickly and I'm looking for face coverage that doesn't break me out. I can't stress how much I don't like seeing the same type of blue MAC has came out with and someone buying it thinking it's different than the one before. When you apply it all and blend it out, it looks the same!

Anywho, my only reasoning why people buy makeup is because of forums, blogs, youtube - they all increase lemmings and raves about this and that product. You see a FOTD you like and want to recreate it, etc...

I dunno if I believe someone calling it an "art" thing, especially if all they look very simplistic in terms of application. Not pointing fingers or anything, I just think makeup to be considered art - I'd imagine Avant Garde or Drag-queenish looks... along those lines. But that's just imo.

 

[melliquor]

I love Mac and makeup but also have realised that I don't need to have everything. Since COC, I have hardly bought anything. I am really trying to cut back on the makeup that I buy because I have so much and don't use 10% of it. It is so hard though because everything is so pretty when it comes out and especially with the SE packaging... i usually want it all.

 

[X4biddenxLustX]

People can just be so cruel. But I did later on realize that those girls in middle school had insecurity issues of there own, BIG ones. They had to find fault in some innocent person and just pick her apart just to make themselves feel bigger and better. I just hope that they've gotten past that and aren't like that anymore. It's not a great way to go through life or to treat people. I've occasionally run into some old middle school classmates and a lot of them show amazement in a way that I had went from a geeky, shy and awkward girl to someone whose actually has some self confidence now (not that I'm still not working on things).

High school was much better though. Although, in the beginning I was still dealing with some major issues that still made me a bit shy around new people. So when I went into a new school with new people I was a bit intimidated and didn't do much talking. I did end up getting to know some good people though and they admitted that they didn't like me in the beginning because they thought I was some wanna be barbie and was stuck up because I wore my makeup a certain way and was quiet lol. Things did get alot better year after year though and I got more outgoing and comfortable. Still there'd be times where people didn't like me at first when they didn't even know me but later on getting along fine with me after getting to know me. I still talk to some of these people!

I wont lie, I use to be one of those people who had extremely high and unrealistic expectations with makeup. I've gotten pasted that though because you really can't expect any foundation out there to make you look as amazing as the model on the magazine cover thats been photoshopped to death. And no offense to any models but I've seen some on tv shows like the janice dickinson's modeling agency show and these people just look like ordinary people, nothing outstanding that sets them apart from us really.

 

[blindpassion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.A.C. head. I think it really depends on how you view make up and what purpose it serves for you. Personally, I like make up because it inspires creativity for me. Instead of painting, drawing, or sculpting, cosmetology is my art of choice. I spend a lot of money buying make up because I like to collect it, talk about it, experiment with it, and wear it! I don't feel bad when I buy a lot of make up, it's something that I enjoy, and everyone needs to have their "feel good" vice.

Couldn't have said it myself. I don't wear makeup to feel better about myself... 5 out of 7 days a week I wear no makeup at all, but for those 2 or 3 days of the week, being able to go to my makeup and CREATE on myself, is the greatest gift of all. Ive never been able to draw, paint, create, but I can do makeup... on myself, on others, I can make people feel good, that's why I buy more... thats why I use it.

Creativity is so important. Its my outlet.

 

[ruthless]

My rant is this

Several times a year MAC comes out with "collections" so you will run out and purchase this NEW shade of ...... simply because it comes in attractive new packaging.

Why should I run out and plunk my hard earned cash down on something that I feel is overpriced to begin with?

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE makeup. Redonkulously. I love it because really it's the only way I am half assed artistic, my lil bit of application talent. And I understand what quality is.

But buying and applying makeup isn't going to change the things about myself that I'm unhappy with. Yes, it makes me look made up and allows me to experiment with colour and evens out my skin tone, but it doesn't make me skinnier, my nose a different shape or my personality any different.

But is a mineral kabuki brush REALLY worth 55 dollars, o creators of MAC?? Somehow I think not.

There is no makeup brush worth 55 dollars, there is only a PERSON willing to pay 55 dollars for it.

So I'm being much more conservative with my purchases. Suck on it, cosmetics industry. What have you done lately to deserve my money?

Every time I go through the haulage thread, because yes I identify with the fun shiver of aquisition, I CRINGE at the fact you ladies are plunking this down on your credit cards.

 

[TISH1124]

^^ I agree to a point...I however will never finance makeup....If I can't pay for it via cash or debit card...I will not charge it by any means. That means I am paying far more than it is worth in the end.

 

[ruthless]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 ^^ I agree to a point...I however will never finance makeup....If I can't pay for it via cash or debit card...I will not charge it by any means. That means I am paying far more than it is worth in the end.

Agreed. Even if you pay the balance off right away you still get charged interest on your purchases (at least here you do. There is a big lawsuit over it)

 

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruthless I'm being much more conservative with my purchases.

Same here.
My income hasn't decreased, but I've cut my MAC spending down considerably the last few months simply because it has finally dawned on me that I. Have. Enough.
That's not to say that I don't still drool copiously over the LE collections.

BUT I no longer just unthinkingly buy whatever appeals to me. I replace staple items as needed, of course, but before I buy an LE item, it has to meet the following standards: 1) It has to be unlike anything else I already own (that rules out a lot of bright pink/fuchsia lipsticks), 2) It has to be a color that I know will look great on me (rules out any and all nude lipsticks, however popular and raved about they may be) and 3) It has to be something I know I will wear again and again, instead of just once or twice when it's brand new and "exciting."
This approach has cut my already fairly modest monthly MAC spending by about half.

But when I *do* buy makeup, I go for quality, so that I won't end up with a lot of "junk" items, just for the fun of buying.
Also, I've been trying to go less for the perishable color items like lipstick and eyeshadow in favor of "durables" like brushes.
I still have lots of fun with makeup, and I don't feel at all "deprived."

 

[User93]

I'm glad to see a thread like this. I say Im make-up addict and laugh, but it's not a joke. I do have enough. Im the person wearing a very simple make-up every day. I dont wear eyeshadow every day, just line my eyes. Why do I keep buying more? I think I believe aswell in the "shade-that-will-finally-make-me-super-pretty". Also, I somehow believe I will be a happier person having 3 new lipglasses around. In fact, I forget about them in 2 days. I forget is the best thing, cause most of the times I just regret.

I dont use all I have. But lately I actually felt less addicted. I've sold a lot of my make-up because I need some money. I do believe in MAC's quality. Those products are expensive for me, but I will still buy it - nithing works as MSF, blush, etc. But I gonna buy what I use. Or at least buy less!

 

[BEA2LS]

i did stop buying, i bought my first mac purchase of the year (hello kitty misc stuff) but it will probably be my last. i do have enough, more than enough.

 

[luvsic]

It's a little late, but OP I know how you feel. You just keep searching and searching for that one product that will make you just feel exquisite, like you can't get any better than what you are now with that special product on. That's how i feel at least.

I became obsessed with makeup for a while, and lots of MAC products while I could still afford them. I wanted all the brushes, all the lipcolors and eyeshadows, certain items from certain collections, etc. It never became enough. My beauty wishlist (Yes I was a nerd and made a list on Word) was literally over 300 dollars worth in products. Imagine if I had spent all that! I probably would have just wanted more the next day...it's a vicious cycle.

Someone was right to say the beauty industry does want us to feel inadequate, so we must buy their products to be one step closer to looking like the airbrushed, completely false models in their photos. It's a ploy I fall for a lot...even though I am level-headed about all of this, the irrationality inside of me always tempts me to just by that extra product.

I still feel undone when I leave the house without makeup. In fact, I was a little insulted when today my manager told me I needed more and that I should have put on more before I came to work. What, was my bare face too unpresentable to the world or something to just go bare? Other girls have come to work bare-faced and she never commented on how they needed more makeup.

Then again, I really do look like two different people with and without makeup on. I'm one of those "world's different" people.

Makeup to me for a very long time was like a safety net - I never felt my prettiest without it. Unlike other girls, I do not use it as a form of art, but more of a form of self enhancement. I used to use it as a form of art but never dared to leave my house with bright shadows or lip colors on for some reason. I just wasn't bold enough. I kind of lost interest in the artistic aspect of it, and now, I just use it for subtle looks for the daytime or a dramatic smokey eye if I want to be daring. Also, I am slowly trying to accept that once you feel confident and happy with yourself on the inside, the outside appearance will matter less and less. It's hard to wrap your mind around that thought sometimes, but I know if I just accept that looking perfect will never be possible, I can feel that much better about myself already. It is hard, but most definitely possible.

 

[jackie100]

I buy because I am always looking for that spectacular product that in the hopes that it will make me look and feel amazing but nothing ever does.

Sometimes I buy certain products because I see them on a certain individual who I think is gorgeous and I aspire to look them but that usually doesn't work either.

I actually don't collect makeup. I only buy things in order to enhance my appearance. I am not into the creative aspect of it at all, I will refuse to wear any colors which are unflattering on me no matter how cool or bright or funky, I will only wear colors/products which I feel make me look the best. It's pretty much about enhancing my features so that I will feel confident and better about myself.

I use almost everything I have and I NEVER leave the house without makeup, not even to go to the grocery store etc...

 

[flowerhead]

At this point I know my favourites and I stick to them. It just took a while to find my favourite products, so I bought a lot of things to try out I don't buy much makeup other than to replace staples.
I avoid the LE hype, because if I really like something I'll want to buy it again when I run out. What annoys me is that MAC releases superior LE collections like the Mattenes, but doesn't update it's regular line. It's a bit cynical.