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We all know about the Lauder Lipstick Indicator – in a recession women still treat themselves to little purchases. But that’s so last recession darlings because apparently this recession is all about more expensive, but quality, purchases – like foundation.
(Take our poll and tell us what your Lipstick Indicator is)
But is this foundation claim really true or is it all just marketing? For sure it’s marketing – the research was commissioned by L’Oreal. The cosmetic companies never stop telling us how well they’re doing despite the recession (read: Yawn, yet more Beauty Research for de Recession). It’s all getting a bit tired now.
The hairdressers are half empty, salons are deluging us with offers – they’re suffering. But is that because they raised their prices too high during the good times and now they must reassess what they’re offering? (They can start with their customer service – it costs nothing and for the most part it’s dreadful). Every feckin hotel in the country seemed to tack a shit spa on to its offerings during Tiger Times. Cosmetic companies are going to the wall ( e.g. Prescriptives; B Never To Busy To Be Beautiful) and offers and reduced prices are everywhere.
But the cosmetics industry is booming apparently. Or so they say. (Read: Is the Credit Crunch affecting the beauty business).
We’ve been discussing this for ages. When Beautienomics kicked off the day after the last budget we all discussed the changes in our spending patterns and talked about what we were doing differently because of the economic situation – and coming up to this budget let’s see how things stand.
So how has your beauty spending changed? Home hair colour instead of trips to the salon? Buying cheaper brands instead of the luxe ones you used to favour? Or are there one or two products you just can’t live without and will buy regardless.
Rate your recession beauty spending!
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I have definitely tried to think twice before buying bits of make up. I used to randomly pick up eyeshadows and lip glosses, whereas now I really think twice before buying something. I have an awful habit of not finishing things so am definitely trying to improve on that. I have to say though, I prefer to spend money on cleansers, moisturisers, shampoo etc as I have tried to find cheaper alternatives the past few months and realistically the more expensive stuff works best. So I guess the main lesson for me is to not waste money on the little things, but keep the investment in decent products that I know work for me.
Recently I was in LIDL/ADLI (can never remember which one there the same to me) but I was looking at the LACURA beauty counter and I purchased the 3.50e foundation. It has a finish similiar to tinted moisturiser only lasts longer. I would have sensitive skin and this is fine on my skin. I now use this as my work foundation and use my more expensive Bobbi Brown/Chanel foundation for the weekends/going out/special occasions. I would recommend it!!!
I just bought this:
http://eu.strawberrynet.com/skincare/darphin/hydraskin-light—salon-size–/47359/#DETAIL
Probably will be hit for customs but it’s still a massive saving.
Other than that my habits have not changed but then I was never a 13 lipgloss girl anyway.
I just bought this:
http://eu.strawberrynet.com/skincare/darphin/hydraskin-light—salon-size–/47359/#DETAIL
Probably will be hit for customs but it’s still a massive saving.
Other than that my habits have not changed but then I was never a 13 lipgloss girl anyway.
Oh yeah and should have asked in the post – are you doing more web shopping?
I always ask “do I REALLY REALLY REALLY need this” and make my decision according to the little voices in my head
One thing that i’m doing more is making myself finish things that i’ve bought. So that makes me think twice before buying something because i know i’m going to be stuck with it till it’s finished! Which is something i never used to do …
I’ve reined in a little bit on certain things, no random purchasing, but other than that not really. I do think salons here simply charge too much and I’m only going places now with special offers (hair excluded – only one place can be trusted so have to simply fork out, no offers from them despite the place being very quiet the lsat few times I was in) but then I was thinking through minimum wage and insurance and all that stuff and maybe, for some things, they really can’t afford to charge less than €20 for a manicure and so on. But facials and pedicures seem vastly overpriced a lot of places.
I’m probably spending more than I ever have – but only because I seem to have finally realised what quality cosmetics can do for you and how much better they look on!!
Saying that, I ALWAYS wait and try to get the best quality for the best price, whether that means shopping in Stansted airport when I’m passing through or waiting until CDwow have a sale (a couple of months back they had €5 off all cosmetics – which made their Benefit stuff extremely cheap – I’m talking €4 for brushes and €3 for eyeliners etc, and I got Georgia for €12.99)
I have just got my ClubWow voucher (after every ten items they average it out and send a voucher for a free 11th item – mine was about €7.50), so am saving that towards the BB Shimmerbrick, which will work out at about €15.
So yeah, I like my better quality makeup but I always want it for a superduper price!!
When you buy in England, you can practically buy the good stuff for just a couple of euro more than the cheapie stuff in Boots (over ten euro for a drugstore lipgloss people??!! I bought Clarins glosses for the same price in the UK).
Sevda – what’s a 13 lipgloss?
Littlelady – I have 2 lipglosses – one in lilac and one in baby pink but my friend had loads and loads. These are people who I call 13 lipgloss girls.
I still buy my usual Skincare that is Liz Earle but i now think a lot more about makeup products and am trying to use what i have up first and not make random purhases like i used to.
I used to get my haircut everytime i got my hair coloured but now do it every 2nd time and have def cut down trips to salons and look around much more for special offers.
I tried to buy cheaper skincare products but it wasn’t for me. Only when I went back to my trusted Shiseido did my skin sorts itself out. No point having nice makeup if your skin is in bits. I’ve tried cutting back on eyeshadow/lipgloss purchases and started buying the Tesco Babs Daly concealer and Rimmel stay matte powder and they are great! I still fork out for the EL Double Wear Light Foundation because I thinks its worth having a good quality base.
I just need to stop spending needless money on gimmicky things and palettes to cheer me up when I’ve had a bad day (which seems to be happening more and more often recently.)
Also, Swap Siopa is great – I have got lovely stuff in exchange for stuff that I didn’t want/use anyway so its practically free stuff!
sevda – oh ok!! sorry, feel a bit dense now, don’t mind me, I didn’t sleep last night!!!
sevda
I have way more than 13 lipglosses
I think I am trying to cut back – but in all honesty, I am way overspending and treating self to blow-dries etc… to perk me up.
I’ll be having a reality-check come January for sure.
I’m still buying as much beauty stuff as ever, I’ve cut back on shoes instead
I think I am a 113 lipgloss girl, oowww
Sevda- I am a 13 lipgloss girl. I am totally addicted.
Although I only have the end of one bottle of foundation and a new one .. so does that even it out?
Kirstie – you should take a photo of your beauty stash to show us – bet we’ll all die with envy!!!
Stopped colouring my hair altoghther, delaying visits to the hairdressers and trimming my own fringe!
I’m using everything up and trying to buy no more make-up except for replacing essentials like my Estee Lauder mascara and Doublewear foundation. Not willing to skimp on quality – I’d prefer to cut down on quantity and variety
I tried the Aldi pen concealer and I just don’t like it, so I’ll be sticking with Touche Eclat for now.
I’ve stopped buying palletes, because in reality I never use them as they as just too bulky to carry around with me in my handbag.
Started using a cheapie moisturiser at night with a more expensive Dermalogica Booster underneath. The Aldi day/night creams are perfectly adequate for this.
I have definately got into the “use it up” mentality, especially with things like shower gels, lotions and facewash etc.
I’ve cut back on the impulse make-up purchases – I’ve a drawer of nail polish and stuff already – I’m not buying any new ones unless I really like the colour and don’t have anything like it already. Same with eye & lip colours which I’ll end up getting bored with anyway! I’ve loads of nice stuff so I’m going to stick with using that for now. I’ll keep with the doublewear light though for going out make up but L’oreal true match is great for daywear. Got a perfect match for my skintone.
I’m a relatively recent convert to Kerastase and I’m not changing that, however, I only need to use a little and I buy on-line when it’s cheaper due to weak sterling etc. I’m using up with the skincare curently but when it’s gone I’ll be investing in dermalogica, albeit on-line.
Salons are overpriced, but I like an occasional facial. I’ll shop around for good value though. I probably have let my hair go longer than normal for a cut too – but it’s in good condition with the kerastase and I haven’t been going out much in November so next weekend is time for the chop!
I have the same voices as babaduck in my head! I’m currently consulting with them over the Becca palette…
I haven’t cut back on things I actually use (Aveda haircare, good skincare etc) as it’s worth spending the money on them and I do shop around online to get the best price. I have cut way back on the impulse buys, which too often leave me with unused bottles gathering dust in my bathroom. Basically if I have a product I love and know I will use up, I’ll buy it again no matter what the price as I know it makes more financial sense in the long run than the trial and error process of looking for something cheaper.
I definitely finish products now rather than abandon half used stuff in favour of the next best thing like I used to (unless of course they don’t suit my skin). I tried to be more frugal with skincare but you have to love what you are using as its part of your everyday life. I think I might have found skincare that I really love and as it is a bit on the pricey side I will just have to be more sparing with it.
I used to be a 13 lipgloss girl but now I’d rather be a 2 very nice lipgloss girl.
I finish products now. I have a little ‘extras’ makeup bag which I will go to before spending on new makeup. I do have to keep buying my basics tho – everytime I buy a necessity at the clinique counter I get into a conversation with the SA & pluck up the courage to see if she has any mini mascara’s – they almost always indulge me, and thats saves a small fortune when you ask for samples of stuff
I go into boots now and only buy shampoos, face washes, shower gel , body lotion etc that are on special offer so i am making huge savings there……..but i can never abandon my dermalogica mosturiser and armani foudations ……….
Neroli I tried that Aldi concealer pen as well. I thought it was crap. It looked so dry and flaky and my under eye area defo looks better without it. I have cut back. I always had a few foundations on the go and would chop and change daily as the mood took me. I use Chanel at the weekends and Estee Lauder Double Wear for work to beat shine. Now I’m down to one foundation and can’t justify (or rather my purse strings can’t) having a few on the go. I’m a 13 lipgloss / lippie gal also. Saw those Lacura glosses in Aldi but wasn’t swayed by the packaging at all. I’ve tried that Aldi day cream with Q10 but it smells naff.
Iv cut down on clothes to fund my makeup addiction! I hav stil cut back on makeup though. Iv startd buyin stuff online got fab dermalogica mask on adonis last nite- delighted with myself wait till d mother has 2 sign 4 another package though twil b short lived den! Im addicted to foundation so startd using the ones i have n blendin the colours! Also barbara daly has fab concealer and face lift. Also stockd up on armani foundation in duty free and perfumes.
Well, I am thinking much longer before I buy anything but, having said that, I have recently fallen into a trap of web-buying and went a bit crazy! That’s a one-off though and now I’m back on track
I am running out of my trusted and beloved Armani Precision Touch concealer and while I know I won’t be equally happy with it, I decided to buy Rimmel Recover one now. I just can’t afford spending 20 quid on a concealer at the moment, especially with Xmas approaching
sniff sniff.
I do try to use things that I’ve bought in the past – I’m not saying that I won’t buy new stuff, but I definitely cut down on it. I’ve never been so good about using up shower gels and shampoos in my life!
beauty salons should become a little cheaper in recessionary times, but I still buy buy buy, I try to look for stuff on cdwow beauty- good for cheap laura mercier and bobbi brown.. but i keep buying blusher,….argh!!and i want the new chrome bobbi brown, but it is hard to justify it at the moment!
Ah, forgot to say, I do buy cheaper alternatives of makeup bits that I’m not SO obsessed with. For example I recently bought a Collection 2000 waterproof mascara and it’s grand – I only paid 2 quid as it was on offer at Superdrug! It is a really nice mascara, it doesn’t crumble, which is my biggest grief with some mascaras, and I can say it’s almost as good as Maybelline’s waterproof Colossal which I adore. Only four times cheaper.
I looked around a fair bit for new pressed powder when I was running out of the Armani one, and found the Myface cosmetics one equally good for one third of Armani’s price! They are really almost identical, athough I’m not so keen on the iPod-resembling packaging. But hey, can’t complain
Sam McCauleys r doin fab offers on facials every month. Iv had 2 facials n d last 2 months more now den i did durin d boom!But that was a need as my skin was shockn i became 2 reliant on estee lauder doublewear which gave me lumps under d skin as too heavy 4 daywear n was tryin 2 many prodts
Tbh, it hasn’t made that much of a difference to my beauty purchases as I would already put a lot of thought and legwork into what I spend my (limited) funds on.
I consider my REN skincare to be a necessity. As is my Chanel foundation (my next one will be Dior). I’m prepared to pay for good foundation that works.
However, my Chanel and BB eyeshadows, for example, are a luxury but at the same time, I wouldn’t have bought them if I couldn’t afford them.
I’ve moved from:
Lancome mascara to Rimmel mascara – It’s not as lovely, but it’ll do.
Elemis skincare to Liz Earle skincare – I’m loving it.
Chanel nail varnish to Rimmel nail varnish- I’m staying with Chanel.
Instead of very fancy shampoos, I’ve moved to M&S shampoos. They’re grand.
My biggest cost cutting is facials and expensive body creams. But nothing is as lovely as Jo Malone, or Aqua di Parma. I think I will be going back to them. I’m buying five or six cheapies but they don’t fill the void of loveliness.
I am using things up and finding cheaper items on de web: I have def cut way back as am a total make-up addict…stock up on my Mac when mates are going to the US, have not bought any in Ireland in ages
I’m definitely assessing any “heavy” purchases!! Trying to use what I have and make the most of Boots!!
Make up wise, I think my biggest sin was impulse buying and getting stuff that didnt suit. I have however solved this by swapping it! It’s the best recession busting thing ever!!
Also buying on line makes quite a difference.
So to sum up I would say I’m way more savy!!
one thing ive never bought is spendy nail varnish – i got rimmel lycra pro in blue vogue at the weekend and its fab. unfortunately i also got a stomach bug & so i’m in bed with gorgeous nails! But, i’m not spending any money…
i’ve never paid out on facials and treatments – i only ever get them when they’re presents! But i do buy dermalogica & nice foundation, and i do have plenty of nice makeup – just not a huuuuge amount. i just try to buy online/airport/outside ireland.
I’m not all about sacrifice, just compromise – I’d much rather have the money for dinner out with friends and wear penneys shoes!
I’m also using things up – I make a list every month or so of everything more than half empty (face creams, shower gels, body creams, mascaras etc) and tick them off when they are used up.
It has not prevented me from spending but it has made me re-assess before buying more stuff. Another fragrance? When I already have 5 on the go that I love?
I do still splash out for LE items (BB Chrome palette) or long-coveted items (eve lom cleanser, which by the way is worth the price when compared to 2 cleansers, cotton wool, exfoliator, eye MU remover etc) and for cheap fixes a nail polish will do it for me.
I think I have finished off over 20 beauty items since Sept so not bad!
I’m trying to use everything up before buying new products. I’ve also swapped lots on swapsiopa, which has been brilliant
I try to use the web where I can, I use chemistdirect.co.uk for a lot of stuff – fav loreal mascara is only £8 there (and 32 solphadines are only £3.50!) Have used strawberrynet but never cdwow – is it any good?
Yes, I cut back too.
I am trying to use up the things I have before buying new products, which hasn’t been too much of a problem. I also stopped buying make-up I don’t need: for example I have been dying to buy a new blush for ages, but I have about 5 and they’re still just fine (none of them older than a few months) and they also suit my skin colour. Same thing with eyeliner, lipgloss, lipstick and eyeshadow. I only buy if something needs to be replaced or if I want something *really* new.
@rosey – Oh I could kill you! I’m going to spend a fortune on chemistdirect.co.uk!
I am a recent convert to more expensive make up products for the simple fact that they work so well! It started when a friend introduced me to Estee Lauder Doublewear foundation : )The only cheaper products I use are Rimmel eyeliner which is perfect and Maybelline Intense XXL mascara which is excellent.
Thanks Cailin for recommending CdWow for cosmetics. I am currently on the site, drooling over Bobbi Brown products and their cheaper prices : )
This year I started going to places like Brown Thomas and asking the Sales assistants to try the product on me before I buy it. Whereas before I used to buy cheaper stuff and not have a clue if it suited me and I would just end up throwing lots of stuff away. So I guess now I see make up as an investment.
I’ve cut back, definitely. Where I probably would have given away some small makeup samples, I use them up before I get a new tube of mascara (or whatever).
I also started going to Student nights in Peter marks and Tony & Guy for the aul highlights and trims. I also go up to NornIron to stock up on large bottles of Bed Head shampoo and conditioner(£11 for a 750ml bottle that is €27 down here)… that stuff last me for months and smells gorgeous.
I am definitely thinking before I purchase, and using up everything. Staying out of Arnotts and BT to try and avoid the impulse purchase of eyeshadows!
Sticking with my Matis skincare though it is one of the only things that I don’t flare up with. Have seriously cut back on facials which could explain why I had 3 spots one on top of the other last week (shudder!).
i think it is great that we are using up most things that we buy now..
it is something i never used to do, i had so much crap bursting from every available drawer in bathroom and bedroom! but that is a thing of the past..
over the last month i have used up every free sample i owned, samples of the moisturisers were used as night creams. Even my foundation samples are savaged! i have no more clutter that i used to look at and feel quilty about because i have used everything, am so proud of me:)
i only replace my cosmetics and skincare when they are used up, i still buy good quality day cream, face wash,foundation, touche eclait.
have bought the new loreal mascara the one with the mascara one end and the lash serum the other (cant think of name) but u know the one!
and its brill people have been suspiciously thinking that i have been wearing falsies on a daily basis.. used to use lancome, but wont be bothering buying it again in a hurry.
also just bought dr. organic pomegranate cream 10euro as i had ran out of my samples, i use it at night, it tingles a bit but i get over that.. dont know if i will get it again thou!
Ok, I know how this will sound, but no, I didn’t change my spending habits and I refuse to do so. I have to put up with so much crap due to our ‘current economic climate’ and other stuff in my life in general, that I think I’m spending more than ever.
The only thing I’m doing is I’m pooling most purchases until I can get them abroad, one way or another. Sometimes pestering friends to get stuff in the US, sometimes business trips, sometimes holidays. I reckon I saved a lot of money that way. Not as much as if I didn’t buy them in the first place of course, but I need them to cheer me up.
my biggest spending cut it’s in skincare. i used to have expensive face creams, cleansers, scrubs you name it.but now i just cleanse with dr bronner’s soaps and use organic jojoba oil or organic virgin coconut oil for moisturising and to be honest my skin is at its best with this really simple routine.i used to break-out all the time but now my skin is very calm and happy.i don’t dye my hair anymore, but this is because i want to revert to my natural haircolor. the same oils that i use for my face i use for moisturising my body.in the shower i use dr bronners soaps. i don’t buy as much make-up as i used to but when i buy i stil buy the expensive brands.you just cant skimp on quality when it comes to foundation, concealer, mascara and well.. just about everything else.i still spend money on haircare. organic shampoos and conditioners are expensive and i just dont want to put any sulphates in my tresses.i never spent money in salons because i could never afford it not even before recession, so i simply dont think about this
Have just spent a rainy sunday afternoon, having a clearout session for all beauty items. Amazing the amount of stuff i haven’t used in ages that was lurking in the back of the wardrobe.
I have gone on a recent spending spree but have invested in some quality skincare products and one or two beauty items that ive had my eye on for a while. Im telling myself that this will be an end to the compulsive buying, so am hoping it works. Will be pretty skint after the budget so am getting all my goodies in now.
Thanks for the discount websites- dr brill!! If onli i hadnt my x-mas pressies got
Still drs alz myself t buy4