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When you finish a product, do you replace it with the same thing or try something new?


When you finish a product, do you replace it with the same thing or try something new? What do you usually do (even if not always)?

I actually replace a lot of the products I finish with the same thing, just because in the rare event that I do finish something, it’s because I really, really love it.

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Jennie Avatar

I replace things like foundation and concealer, because my skin is too sensitive to experiment too much with that stuff. The only other thing I consistently replace when I finish it is Maybelline Full & Soft waterproof mascara. I always have that on hand, even though it’s not always the mascara I end up using (depending on the day).

Liz Avatar

A few things: mascara, m/u remover, lip liner & foundation. Everything else tends to be items I buy lots of in different brands like highlighters, shadows, blush & bronzer.

Bee Avatar

Hmm I definitely do both, but I lean towards buying something new, since I’m relatively new to the world of makeup and there’s lots of products I’d love to try.

dtan0914 Avatar

I agree! I usually will replace it when I completely finish a product because that means it did me well. Sometimes I throw out some things that dried up or didn’t finish because I didn’t like it, those items I won’t replace!

The only thing I don’t replace with the same item is foundation. I’ve finished a couple of them, but I feel like there’s so many new ones coming out a year that I have to try something different all the time! I feel like though the only foundation I’ll re-purchase when I’m done with it is MAC’s Full Coverage.

Ayesha Avatar

That’s true! Happens with me too! If I love a product enough to finish it completely, I do repurchase, but if it’s a higher end product and I can find a product cheaper with a similar result I’d think before repurchasing!

kate curry Avatar

For me it really depends on what type of product it is. Shower gels, body lotions, lip balms and such I never replace with the same thing because I am always dying to try something new. But skincare is a different story. I am very picky about what I put on my face and my face is very picky about what it likes so if I find something that works well I stick with it and keep replacing it with the same thing.

Jade Avatar

I often buy something else, because I’m a little bit “grass is greener” about cosmetics. I’ve never found any Holy Grail products. Some have come close, but I’m pragmatic – I don’t expect perfection, just a decent performance! I also find my wants and needs change fairly frequently. I rarely repurchase the same colours, but I’m quite partial to some product formulations – such as MAC Lipglasses and blushes – and will repurchase different colours when they run out.

Nicole Avatar

Mostly I replace the finished product with the same product. I love to use different mascaras and showergels and also lip products when I don’t like the color anymore.

Liz Avatar

Yes, if it is something I really like. I haven’t finished up that many products. I have purchased the same primer more than once (until it was discontinued), I have re-bought my HG mascara, and I repurchased a blush after I lost the original.

t_zwiggy Avatar

If I actually finish something (doesn’t happen very often) it means that I love the product. These are often my HG products and products I can’t see myself living without, so they get repurchased, no need to look for something else.

If I actually do want to try something else (say I just emptied a bottle of shampoo), I might buy a different one that seems interesting, but I will also buy a bottle of whatever I finished at the same time, just to be sure that I have something that I know works.

I never finish products that I don’t like, I can use it maybe twice, and then move on to the next product.

This is one of the reasons I don’t get the “project 10 pan” and those sort of things. If an eyeshadow is good enough for you to finish, don’t you want to buy it again? If you don’t like it, why force yourself to finish it? Why don’t you just throw it in the trash and buy something better?

Nicoco Chanel Avatar

See, I love Project 10 Pan purely because I have so many products I love, but I don’t use as often as I should – usually loose eyeshadows – or that are close to finishing anyway (or seeming like they’re about to go off), so it’s a nice way to make sure I use them without getting distracted, as I so often do!

Adele Avatar

I’ve never done a project pan myself, but I think a lot of the appeal is for people who have several very good products of a given type. If you have, say, five foundations you love but only one face, you might want to knock that down to one foundation you love without wasting the other great ones.

Nicoco Chanel Avatar

I nearly always try something new, unless I particularly love the product I’ve finished. I’m so drawn to finding out if there’s something better, it’s ridiculous.

ElKay Avatar

I rarely finish a product. I do replace my mascara with the same brand and try new. The only one I have close the end is a Chanel blush in mocha which sadly has been discontinued.

Joan Avatar

There’s a lot to be said for “Tried & True”. Once I’ve found my HG product I’m not interested in risking the expense for a product that might not work for me, or just not live up to the hype. I absolutely repurchase my basics and/staples.

Finn Avatar

It depends… if I’ve discovered a Holy Grail product then I’ll replace it with the same thing, but if not, I like to keep looking. It’s one of the best things about beauty — constantly searching for a better/more unique version of what you’ve already got! It’s an idealist’s medium.

Ani_BEE Avatar

It’s 50:50 with me. Skin and hair care products i switvh up most of the time.

Cosmetics I had no choice as in terms of foundation but to switch it up as my HG all get DC’d. lol Primers I tend to switch up on i finish a bottle and eye primers as well.

Tiffany H Avatar

It really depends on what it is that I’ve finished. If it’s a foundation or powder that I love, then I will replace it with the same thing. With products like mascara and eyeliner, I like to try new ones, so I won’t replace it with the same one.

Angie Avatar

The only thing I repurchase constantly is my moisturizer 🙂 and I used to be very very faithful to my Falsies mascara, until I got a sample of a Lancome one…oh I’m screwed. Other than that I like to swich things around, I’m a sucker for new “inovative” products.

Veronica Avatar

Basic products like foundations/concealers/mascara, sure. Once I find a product I really like from those categories, I generally stick with it. Everything else – no. I figure when it comes to thing like eyeshadows/blush/lip shades that there will always be something similar released down the line if I run out. 🙂

becca Avatar

I replace the things I love like my foundation and mascara. other things like eyeshadow, blush, and lip products i try new ones unless i find one i absolutely love.

xamyx Avatar

I used to switch it up when it came to certain products, but I’ve also found myself going back to the tried & true, such as black liquid liner, eyebrow pencils, and foundations. I also tend to buy backups of certain products.

I’ve found a skincare routine that I’m extremely happy with, so that won’t likely change any time soon. As for hair products, I pretty much change on a regular basis; I don’t have difficult hair, so everything pretty much works, and I really don’t put alot of money in hair products, as ingredients are pretty much the same across the spectrum.

Yumi Avatar

It really depends on how much I like the product, what’s new on the market, and what it is. For stuff like foundation and lipstick, I’m always on the lookout for something better. For stuff like setting powder, skin care routine, lip balm, I’ll keep repurchasing as long as I like it enough.

Jennifer Avatar

I like to try new things so I usually don’t replace with the same product (I don’t go through makeup very fast though). the only products I do replace are origins skincare. Origins is a wonderful brand.

Carole Eisemann Avatar

In the past, I used to try all different brands. Now that I’ve been using Bare Minerals (Bare Escentuals), but only the loose form of minerals, not the Ready, I won’t change brands ever again.

Nikki Avatar

I am by no means a product junkie, so when I find something that works exactly as I prefer, I stick with it. If I am not fully pleased with a product however, I will continue to look until I strike gold!

blueraccoon Avatar

A lot of times i’ll replace things even before I finish them, especially with skincare or conditioner or body wash, so if I actually finish a product it means I really really loved it and will probably repurchase. But with some things, I’m always looking for the next best thing. I change up my body wash all the time, and same with my conditioner. Makeup – well, I’m still new to this thing, so ask me in a year 🙂

Tyler Avatar

skincare – yes
on my 3rd bottle of Guerlain super-aqua lotion
2nd tube of Cle de peau Refreshing cleansing foam
3rd bottle of Kate Somerville Anti-Bac
Philosophy Power C Booster – yes.
1st purchase of Sunday Riley Skin Adrenaline & Cle de Peau Baume de Yeux.
Using samples of Guerlain super-aqua serum, armani regenessence

Color – it depends.
Foundation – I will certainly repurchase Armani Maestro. Already repurchased Guerlain LdP.
Eyeshadow – unlikely.
Blush – love Chanel’s european formula and will repurchase.
Powder Loose/Pressed- no.
Primer – no (have hourglass veil and not blown away).
Bronzer – YES; love my Tom Ford Terra Bronzer!!!
Eyebrow – Yes. Coconut Grove by Nars + Anastasia Brow Espresso
other stuff undecided about! thanks for the question Christine – good stuff to think about!

Susan Nevling Avatar

Sometimes I replace with the same and sometimes I try something new.
Diorshow black out Mascara is replaced w/ the same but I think it’s discontinued. OPI Waitress I would replace with the same. Same w/ Laura Mercier loose translucent powder.
Eye shadows have so many options I often try something new. Same with lipsticks.

Anne Avatar

The products I use up are mostly the ones I use daily–foundation, mascara, and eyebrow makeup.

With mascara, I’d repurchase one if I could find a brand that’s perfect for me, but I haven’t found one yet.

Foundation–there are several that look good on me, but I’m always hoping to find one that makes my skin look flawless.:) So I experiment. With the expensive ones I usually get a sample, which lasts a long time. With drugstore foundation I’m more willing to spring for a whole tube/jar/whatever, but then you don’t have much choice with drugstore makeup, do you?

Eyebrow makeup–I used up every speck of Benefit’s BrowZings, going through 4 or 5 whole compacts, until I discovered ELF’s Eyebrow Kit. As good as BrowZings but 1/10 the price (actually 1/5, because they give you only half as much, but still!).

Years ago, Lancome had a lipstick called Matte Neutrale, which was absolutely perfect for me. I don’t know how many tubes I’ve used over the years. I even had it duped by one of those companies that specializes in these things, but they didn’t do a good job. Now I rely on eBay. (I do use other lipsticks, though–lots of them!)

Adele Avatar

The only products I’ve bought multiple times have been mistakes or cheap essentials (mascara, pressed powder) to hold me over until I could find a better one at a desirable price. So I guess I would say that as a rule, I replace used items with something new. Still, there are a few products that I have yet to use up but will strongly consider rebuying when I do.

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