What influences your makeup purchases?

[jessie58]

I'm wondering what drives us to buy new makeup?

Do you buy because you're a makeupaholic, have to have it all shopper?

Do you buy the same stuff you've been wearing since high school, out of habit?

Are you influenced by the latest fashions and makeup trends?

Are you clueless and buy what the makeup counter lady recommends?

Are you influenced by commercials and ads?


I buy the same old, same old, since my high school days. I still wear cream blusher and since they don't even make it anymore, I mix my own. I still buy the same shades of plum shadows and light daytime lipsticks and deep evening shades that I've been wearing for 35 years. Old habits die hard.

[Stephanie]

Oooh! Fun!

Packaging and advertising is first and foremost for me. I'm slightly embarrassed to say this, but a product can pretty much suck as long as the packaging is really top-notch. EEK! I'm not a makeupaholic, nor do I have to have it all, but I'm addicted to pretty bottles and jars. :lol: If I find a really great product in a really great bottle, my day is made.

That said, I do have a very strong sense of loyalty (even if the packaging isn't all that great, as in this case). I've been using Lancome's waterproof concealor since my mother took me to an exclusive makeup artist workshop/party (it was a Mother's Day thing) when I was about 12 for my first real makeover. I have very dark circles though genetics and this is the only product that looks like real skin when it's on and is still opaque enough to cover them completely. I've tried other concealor brands ranging from drugstore to the top of the line and I just don't feel like anything compares to it.

I'm soooo not influenced by the latest trends. In color, that is. New ingredients are a whole different ballgame and I'll be the first to put myself up as a guinea pig. :lol: When it comes to color, I try to stick to classic and sophisticated which, normally, is an entirely different category than the latest "greatest." Trends are fun and I love to play, but I'm never comfortable wearing them out of the house. I admire people who have great technique and can actually pull off fun colors in everyday life.

I love trips to the makeup counter, but have no patience for bad information (which is normally just poor marketing training, but I run into it far more than I should). If the counter assistant knows her stuff, I'm an easy target and will spend far more than I should. I love new products and I love to play. :grinhappy:

[eiyela]

I think what has inspired my makeup most is the LHC! I would never have gotten around to trying MMU if it wasn't for that. Other than that, I just go for whatever strikes my fancy, I think. I've got pink eyeshadow, green, blue, purple, red, black, yellow...:happy: But I never look at fashion for inspiration, because it hardly ever suits me.

[Delila]

My makeup wearing habits tend to shift with the seasons or something. I'll wear the same look for ages, then one day, I'm tired of that and move on to something a bit new, and may not go back to the old look for a good long time.

I guess I do my shopping when I'm in a 'new look' phase, since I'm feeling inspired to try something outside my routine. Sample sizes tend to tempt me, as do makeup palettes that suit my skintones (they're few and far between, since most palettes contain a mixture of warm and cool shades, and I'm definitely NOT warm toned.).

Honestly, though, I haven't bought much that's new in recent years. I spent a good bit of energy figuring out which types of colors work for me (clear, translucent, cool tones) and which types of styles I enjoy, and now that that's pretty much done, my over all look doesn't shift much, beyond a move to matte from shimmer, or vice versa, or a move toward or away from red lipstick or a more natural YLBB shade.

I prefer not to wear my makekup the same way for decades. I realized at some point that I'd been wearing the same Clinique colors for almost 20 years, and realized that I much prefer to change my look from time to time. I guess it adds an element of play into my day that might not be there otherwise.

[avery]

I am a complete sucker for pretty packaging. Also, texture, scent and ingredients are very key for me. I usually do not follow color trends or the latest ingredients all the time, though I did try the made-for-stretch-marks-turned into-face-cream-all-the-rage-over-priced-but-ok-cream. I would have enjoyed it more had the packaging been a bit nicer and the smell more pleasant. :lafhard:

I do have semi-sensitive skin, so I have to watch out a bit.

I simply cannot walk by the annual "Best Of" issues of Allure and In Style without purchasing it and pouring over it all. Or if say, Kate Winselt (or some other goddess-y skinned beauty) swears by a product, I must confess, I will try to at least score a sample, before I plunk down a hunk of change. :innocent:

With face makeup, it's tricky for me to find exact matches. My face tends to be neutral/pinkish, while my neck and the body tend to be a bit golden. So, finding that correct blend is quite a task. I usually only wear concealer and powder, so this helps a lot. When I used to wear foundation it was cruel game. Thank God for MU artists such as Bobbie Brown.

Lippies are my passion. Lipstick, gloss, liner...you name it. I avoid anyting too warm or cool. Everything tends to turn hot pink on me or is way too orangey.

As far as application, I tend to be pretty classic. I do update but stay true to what works for me.

[physicschick]

What motivates my (very limited) makeup purchases is the thought that I might be able to figure out what to do with them. I've purchased some things because of LHC and other things because the person at the store explained them to me. I can successfully use only ~20% of what I've bought, due to ignorance, lack of coordination, and picking the wrong color.

If the "For Dummies" book series came out with a line of makeup, I'd probably be buying those. :)

--physicschick

[LittleFlower]

I try to buy out of necessity. Else I'd have tons of makeup floating around and not much occasion to wear it :ooh:

[summer-time]

I like what works for me, not all trends do. I prefer dark eyes and I only use certain shadows with just a line above the lashes- when I wear shadow.
Sometimes I have to find a new line of cosmetics because what I use will be discontinued. I tried Mac and Urban Decay but I didn't like either very well.
Now I'm looking at Manic Panic line, they also have nail enamel I'm interested in.

[KarenLynn]

A lot of the time, people give me make-up. I really don't know why that is. When I do buy it myself, it's either because I'm looking for something specific, or because I come across something that I really like. Still, I don't think I buy a lot of it. I do wear make-up daily, so I don't know how come I have so much of it still lying around. Honestly, I certainly wouldn't need to buy eyeshadows or lipsticks for the next decade. :lol:

[Carolyn]

I love make up and pretty much can't imagine life without it. Make up makes me happy. And besides I look SOOOOOO much better with it than without it. Packaging is very important. It can sway me one way or the other. It isn't everything but it does play a part. Even the names can influence me. That would be true especially with OPI nail colors. I'll buy a color just for the name. The saleswomen at the make up counters can often get me to buy products or more products than I would have. I have 100 times more make up than I need but who cares?

[curls2grow]

Had it not been for the raves about different MMU lines on LHC, I never would have trusted that MMU (any brand) was worth trying. That is really the only change in my makeup that was caused by outside influence. I might change mascara, eyeliner pencil, etc. temporarily due to getting a screaming deal, or trying to help a friend out who is a rep for a work-at-home line.

[kittcatt]

Price. I have to feel like I'm getting my money's worth. Like spending $20 for a tube of Lancomme mascara does'nt make any sence when I can buy a cheap Maybeline product that does just as good.
That said, I've tried samples of MMU and I'm totally hooked. But then I think those are well worth the money.

ETA:Gah! My mother just told me her Lancomme mascara is $45! I can think of many things better to do with $45.

[Unnamed]

I buy what works/most likely will work. Which for me, means I don't buy much as I'm on the pale side and foundation, blush, and lipshades can be a pain. I do, however, have quite enough eyeshadow and nailpolish. :ooh: Heh. I'd possibly own more makeup, but I never bothered wearing much as a teen--acne didn't want to mix with most of what I tried--and so I only wear makeup either for pictures or when I think about it as I've never had anyone comment to know if it looks okay or not. :purplex:

I'm not really into brands, going by ads or fashion, or *gasp* pretty packaging. High quality packaging will impress me, though. I hate buying stuff, so nope, don't buy everything in sight. And as most makeup lines don't have foundations light enough I never check out makeup counters. Certain colours, now, can get me to both oogle and, yep, buy. Especially purples and greens. :lafhard:

[bowie]

Definitely buy for necessity. I hate the mags. which say "gotta have this color for this season". I wear different colors than I did years ago. My coloring is different now. :calm:

[SchnauzerMom]

I wore the same brand and colors for years then I developed an allergic reaction and quit wearing make-up for a couple of years. I think I might like to start again but I looked at some of the prices and nearly passed out. Everything's gotten really expensive! Gonna have to start with just one thing at a time.

[teela1978]

I tend to be a sucker for packaging as well. I try not to keep too much makeup around in general because I rarely wear it (I tend to be a sunblock, mascara and lipgloss kinda girl) so my occasional splurge isn't too trying on my bank account.

I'm also rather cheap though. Even pretty packaging won't get me to spend too much on a makeup item. Unless I really need some retail therapy that day.

[Rain]

Lately, not a lot. Since switching to MMU, it's much easier to resist advertising and cute packaging of other products. I wait until Aromaleigh is having a sale and, if I have the extra cash, I go for it. As far as colors go, I usually stick within the same palette I've been using since I was 13 or 14. I've done experiments with other things and they just don't work. I'm not normal-colored.

[jeannie]

I buy only from necessity, and since I was in school I've considerably toned down the amount of makeup I purchase. When I started working I had several different mascaras, eyeshadows and blushes, and different color liner pencils to match my outfits as well as at least 6 or 7 lipsticks and glosses. Now I have only 1 eyeshadow, 1 liner, 1 mascara, 1 blush and 2 lipstick colors.

I like to keep things very simple and I freely admit that I'm really thrifty. Pretty packaging doesn't work on me, it might catch my eye but I won't buy them because those products always cost lots more than I'm willing to spend. I'd rather buy 3 or 4 of the same item from CVS or Rite aid than put down the same amount for one fancy item in the department store.

jeannie

[birdiefu]

There is no rhyme or reason to my makeup purchases. I hardly ever wear makeup anyway, but I still feel the need to buy it :parp:. I've purchased the cheapie stuff, mid-range cosmetics, and pricier stuff. Most of the time it's a spur-of-the-moment sort of thing. I really should just lay off the makeup, since the most I wear it is late at night at home during my 'me' time as I play around. I'm always afraid it will suddenly end up looking bad during the day out in public with no mirror, or that I will get a crop of zits.

[Buddaphlyy]

A good review from a magazine usually fuels my makeup purchases. Sometimes, I follow trends, but I use what I already have instead of going out and buying exactly what is recoomended. A lot of times, I already have it. I have a ton of makeup, but I hardly wear any. I just like having it because I'm a product junkie.

[Kitty]

I normally just buy everything I like! If it's new, I like to try it, or a new colour I think I may like. I LOVE clinique, but will by drugstore brands as well. I use clinique mainly for my moisturizers and cleansers, but the cheaper brands for eyeshadows and lipsticks.
Unfortunately I havent been splurging much lately because money is tight. But I still have my stockpile from before. I have a HUGE makeup case full!!! I just cant seem to ever throw anything out even if I dont use it very much.

I love makeup!!!

[Lady_Evalyn]

Well, my family just moved recently and there is a very nice mall nearby with a Sephora. We went in the other day and I had read about lip stains in a magazine a while back and asked one of the women working there about them. She showed me the stuff there and since my mother was in a good mood and willing to treat me to a 20$ lip stain that day, I got one of the bright pink Stila ones. It's kinda like a highlighter and you just color in. I have to find out if there is a way to apply it slightly lighter.

So, I'd say magazines, things I read/hear about, maybe word of mouth.

I'm usually not the one buying makeup though. My mother buys lots of Bare Minerals and got the foundation in my color for me, and I just use everything else she buys. She often buys pretty colors that are too light for her without layering them, and they often look good on me since my skin tone is so much lighter.

[mugglemomof3]

I'm influenced by what's on sale and what looks interesting to try. I've been dragged to all the MaryKay parties, feel sorry for the Avon ladies, and have on impulse stopped at the makeup counters in the department stores. I'll try anything once - and that usually applies to makeup too.

My tried and true must-haves: eyelash curler, eyeliner, mascara, powder foundation, and chapstick. I've tried almost every brand/make/model of these products and still have yet to find one I can't live without. Whenever I run out - I run to the closest place that sells makeup and buy whatever looks fun or is on sale.

[rossjen]

Do you buy because you're a makeupaholic, have to have it all shopper?
If you would have asked me this question when I was 14, I would have considered myself a makeupholic then. I bought anything that looked interesting, even if it did not suit me. I had a best friend at the time that was heavily into makeup, and I kind of went along with it to please her.
As the years have gone on, I lost interest in makeup. However, lipcolor still remained my vice, and I still have quite a few of them. (I am in the process of trying to use them up.)
What I have noticed the most is that I am becoming more selective, particularly buying more natural brands instead of chemical-laden makeup. So, I would say that I am reformed in a lot of ways. Aside from an Everyday Minerals trial kit, I have not bought makeup in nine months.

Do you buy the same stuff you've been wearing since high school, out of habit?
Definitely not. I wore really bright plum colors and purple eyeshadow in high school. I lined my lips with dark liner and filled them in with much lighter lipcolors. My makeup was pretty noticeable. To this day, I don't know why I chose to wear the items I did.
Now, I do not go near those colors, and stick to neutral shades as much as possible. I feel more comfortable with less makeup on, and also find bright/noticeable makeup overwhelming on me. I've gotten to the point where most days, I don't wear any makeup aside from a light dusting of mineral foundation and lipcolor.

Are you influenced by the latest fashions and makeup trends?
Unless you count the Mineral makeup threads on LHC, then no :) I don't read magazines and generally don't keep up with trends, fashion or otherwise.

Are you clueless and buy what the makeup counter lady recommends?
I have never bought makeup at a makeup counter, and probably never will. I much prefer drugstore makeup and natural cosmetics from the local co-op market.

Are you influenced by commercials and ads?
The few times I was influenced by ads, actually trying the product was a real letdown for me. I do read reviews about things that interest me though, and then decide wether I want to take the leap or not.