Product reviews from people I trust that are favorable or else when readers are really interested in a new brand, then I might wing it – but it depends. A new brand at Sephora doesn’t make me as nervous about a bunch of drama behind the brand (certainly possible that there is, though), and the drama behind new/smaller brands absolutely convinces me not to try the brand.
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You do! ☺
First thing I factor in is how well it reviews, because if it’s utter crap, I’m not interested. Next is whether or not the products and shades offered interest me and would look good on me. Then, of course, what is the brand’s reputation? what do they stand for? what is their aesthetic? are there any serious scandals/ unethical behavior or business practices attached to it? Everything I just mentioned matters to me.
You said it perfectly!
Yes to all you said.
Positive reviews of people I trust orsometimes just the fact that I spot them when I am in the mood.
Reviews and comments of s/o who already tried it. Also presentation, packaging, price, company’s bio/info, etc.
In all honesty, a big factor is easy availability. I’ve said often in past that part of my enjoyment of makeup and skincare is shopping for it in person, trying it out in person so if a brand is only available online, it’s going to be out of the question for me. If a store in my vicinity starts to carry Jouer, for example (or Chantecaille or Armani, etc.) I will be in at the deep end with those brands but until then, they’re impossibilities with me.
It depends on whether it has good reviews and whether they have something new or interesting I want to try. For ex I really want to try the Juvia’s Place Saharan Palette. The color selection in the palette is gorgeous and I’ve heard so many raves of this palette too and the price is decent too. All of it is screaming buy, buy, buy!
See if it’s available on Hautelook. They started Juvia’s yesterday, but lots was sold out.
If a new brand comes out with something that really speaks to me, I’ll try it. I know it’s basic, but if a new brand has a warm toned eyeshadow palette, I’m more inclined to try the brand because I know that they have products that cater to me. I will also try a brand if a shade name reminds me of something. I tried (and fell in love) with Bite Beauty because they had a shade of their Amuse Bouche lipsticks that was the name of one of my favorite foods and one of my favorite drag queens (Kimchi). I would have never tried this brand if I didn’t see this lipstick shade name. I’m so happy I tried Bite Beauty because their lipsticks are phenomenal.
Good reviews from people I trust in 😉
I really like to be able to swatch in person if I’m trying a new brand (So I am more hesitant about purchasing online-only, or not easily accessible brands). But I can overcome that if there’s a great review from Temptalia! 🙂
Recommendations from people I trust esp. Temptalia. Availability, uniqueness/specialness to the offers.
If something appeals to me, l might try it. l don’t like a new collection where there is a lot of pressure to buy a ton of stuff simply because it’s new. That is a turn-off for me.
Positive reviews from the (few) bloggers/influencers/youtubers that I trust (you included, Christine). I’m more hesitant about indie brands than I am about brands in Ulta/Sephora, but I do try to branch out if I can tell their business is at least a little well-established. I also try not to delve into brands where there is some recent drama or issue with their products (not naming names).
If I see a product catches my eye, I usually check to see if you have reviewed it and what your thoughts on it were. If there are customer reviews on different sites, sometimes I will read those as well.
Good reviews
New and / or innovative product
Starter Kits
Samples / Offers
Reviews from people I trust, present company included. And if possible swatches, so availability somewhere other than just online.
Great question ! I learn about what’s new from store promos and beauty blogs ( especially this one). Then I wait for the reviews to come in* and then consider whether to buy. A lot of the most hyped products don’t get good
reviews. I consider myself very open to new brands because 90% of all brands are owned by Estee Lauder Co. or L’Oréal and I like to support smaller upstart brands. *The UD Naked Smoky Palette was 1/2 price at Sephora today. The first thing I did was look at the Temptalia’s review and decided to pass.
I trust your reviews and I also trust Lisa Eldridge because she’s amazing, and I also trust Sona Gasparian because she has the same type of skin as I do, so I know if a type of foundation or concealer works for her, it’ll certainly work for me. Ocasionally I also buy a new product if I’m at a store like let’s say Sephora and the sales person puts something amazing on my skin, that was the case two days ago. I was there with a friend and they put the Becca Sunlit Bronzer on my skin, I fell in love with it and got it right away.
Honestly you. I think you are very objective with your reviews and have found them spot on.
Then I have to like the product, it has to have colors I like and know I’ll use. I like cool tones on my eyes, I have branched out trying warm colors but as a rule my eyes look best cool for example.
I don’t have time to shop ordering online is great.
I love products that are nontoxic like Bite Beauty and the new sunscreens.
First I am intrigued by a new brand’s image that talks to me, nice packaging, interesting choice of colors. Then I’m convinced to try when I see swatches or photos of looks where the product looks like it would fit my needs and read positive reviews, from bloggers or consumers on retailers’ websites. Finally what triggers a purchase is the conviction that a product is a good value based on other people’s reviews and the price tag.
Or sometimes I’ll buy something new just because it looks pretty, to be honest!
Reviews from reliable and trustworthy source, you being one of them Christine. If it’s carried at Sephora or Ulta I will swatch and pick up a sample if possible to try it out.
The factors that make me try a new brand includes:
1. Having products that I am looking for, whether they be skincare or cosmetics.
2. Positive reviews of the products from sources that I trust.
3. The brand’s reputation, their philosophy and business practice.
4. Easily accessible products – I am just not willing to pay international shipping rates and I want to be able to see and test the products for myself.
5. Reasonable price for the product.
Somethign I needs or will use, Good reviews, and nice packaging
Quality.
If is an expensive item I check swatches in bloggers who have skin very similar to me also this page and Musingsofamuse. But honestly colors are things that make me fall into the flower like a bee! Mostly buy on impulse but from companies I already have tried things from. Sometimes unknown too. I actually avoid buying from some companies that are overly mentioned like Too Faced & Mac! Lol! I want to scream hearing them one more time will never purchase a thing from these but NARS and others I trust I will. I mostly have drugstore and doing well with my stash. Some put it down and they don’t know what they are missing! ? I think I have learned lots from social media by now so thankful for it! Thanks Christine for your wonderful page!
Temptalia reviews, ha!
Makeup: I feel like I’m kind of done with trying any new makeup brand, at least for a while. I don’t like returning anything, I don’t like buying to try, and I feel like my roster is full.
Skincare: I’m more open to trying new skin care products. I don’t really have any one thing that convinces me, but one thing that will usually deter me is a makeup company’s skin care product – I’ve tried Lancome, Chanel and a few others and it’s like there’s no . . . “there” there, it’s like it’s just perfumed cream. I don’t know of any quality makeup company that has a comparable skin care line and vice versa.
Haircare: I’ve been using the same brand (UNITE) for years, and just recently added in an oil (VERB, Sephora sale) . Don’t really need anything new, am happy with what I’m using.
Mainly the reviews on here or that of my daughters.
Good reviews from trusted reviewers; friends’ recommendations; interesting products and colors; good price; availability.
Ethics, color story, and price/value. It doesn’t have to cheap, it just has to offer good ingredients and performance for the price.