Why Did I Buy That? 5 Tips To Avoid Unnecessary Beauty Purchases

This past Sunday I spent my morning going through my make-up stash and tossing out the old and the expired. Cleaning up made me realise how much make-up I have, make-up I sometimes don't even use because I simply can't get through it all. On top of that, I found some real "gems" that made me wonder what the heck was I thinking. I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes to looking back on beauty purchases and thinking how much money was wasted on stuff I will probably NEVER use. I'm talking about that purple eyeshadow that looked amazing on adverts but let's face it, we are simply not bold enough to pull off that look, or that super bright red lipstick you saw on your favourite Youtuber but it actually doesn't suit you at all.

Here is the truth: everything around us is designed to muddle with our mind, albeit not always in a bad way but think about it. Beauty counters are pretty and shiny, designed to get our attention and make us buy the product. Similarly, bloggers, even if not intentionally, review amazing products, share links where we can buy these and encourage us to give the product a try. And with this in mind, to avoid looking back and asking yourself why on earth you bought that beauty product, here are a few tips to not get caught out.

COUNTERS POSITIONING

Ever noticed how the more expensive brands are always better positioned at Boots for example? As soon as I enter the store I see Clarins, Chanel, Dior and the likes and that is because these high-end brands can afford to dominate the store entrances. The cost of being there, right at the entrance to catch your gaze, the gorgeous packaging and marketing campaigns, definitely mean a higher price tag. Which means if you're on a budget, you will often find the cheapest make-up counters at the back of the store and let's be honest, drugstore quality has improved dramatically these past few years so for better value that's where I head.

EYE-LEVEL APPEAL 

If you do choose to stop by the most expensive counters remember, products are often organised by price and that is to catch out the lazy shopper who cannot be asked to look down. You will often find the most expensive products at eye level and the most affordable range sits nearer your feet. I always make sure to look down there to see if I can find something similar for cheaper and avoid spending more when I don't have to.

ALWAYS ASK FOR SAMPLES

Most high-end brands offer try-before-you-buy samples so make sure you take advantage of that! How many times have I bought a foundation because it looked amazing in store but after I tried a few times it didn't suit my skin type at all. Clarins, for example, offer 1.5ml of foundation and 3-5ml of skincare for you to try before committing and, Esteé Lauder and N7 colour match you to the right shade of foundation as well as give out trial supplies. Albeit this won't always be offered, don't be shy and just ask; you could be making a huge save and avoiding disappointment.

THE PUSH

I've lost count of how many times I've bought something I didn't really need just because there was a 3 for 2 offer or because the counter assistant talked me into it. We have to remember that counter staff are there to sell, sell, sell and they usually get 1% commission of sales and have monthly targets they need to reach. As in any other industry, their job is to push products on us, whether these are their best seller or new releases. Which is why I've learned my lesson not to buy any new products without reading reviews, finding out whether it would suit my skin and/or is worth the hype. The idea is to always learn more before being talked into buying.

DON'T NEED? DON'T BUY!

Even if your favourite Youtuber/Blogger is constantly raving about that product and even if it looks really good, if you don't need it simply don't buy it! Ever since I started blogging, my wishlist has only grown more and more and that is because we are surrounded with temptations. With the lack of storage space, I've recently come to realise I don't actually need any more eyeshadow palettes because with the ones I have, I can already create any make-up look I want. I've also cancelled my beauty boxes because I wasn't getting use out of the products I was getting and it was such a waste of my hard earned money. Similarly, when in a store I try avoiding acting on impulse and picking up the non-essential items that are strategically positioned by the tills. If you do need something, write a list and make sure you stick to it, don't buy it if you don't actually must! 

I always keep in mind these tips; they are the key to making a successful beauty purchase! 

Do you have tips to avoid buying things you don't need? I'd love to know.

Thanks for reading beauties and have a nice week ahead!

xoxo