What are three things you've learned about your preferences that have helped you make better purchases?
I’ve learned that I like to build up my blush, so I know that the types of formulas I’ll reach for and use on my own accord are ones that are buildable and very blendable (because I don’t like to spend too much effort blending out cheek colors). I like wearing a billion colors at once, so one-and-done cream eyeshadows, while lovely in theory, are just not something I end up embracing so I make sure to pass on cream/liquid products quickly rather than hold on, even if I love the color/finish. I’d rather reapply a lip color than wear drying formulas on the regular–I can tolerate it once in a great while, e.g. when I really need the color to last 8+ hours (which is very rare) but not frequently.
— Christine
1. no matter what the trend, I do not like matte lipsticks (liquid or bullet), nor do I think they look attractive
2. I’m not willing to have to “work” at making products work for me
3. I can’t think of a specific 3rd choice but once I see those of others here, I’m sure I’ll figuratively smack myself in the head and go “oh, yeah, THAT too”
Because I’m oily I pass on cream, mousse, cushion, stick foundation or any labeled dewy or luminous. I know I won’t like it and it’s not meant for me. This current trend of sweaty looking, glass skin is a major no go. Lit from with in is fine. Highlight in a few select places is OK but all of this shine is too much for me. It’s a pass too on all of the cream blushes. Not for me!
Clear skin is more important than cutesy jar packaging that smell like a garden botanica. I know what should not be in skincare and how it should be packaged to be effective. A lot of things are hyped up as being magical or clean but the ingredient list says another story and I will not change my mind. A lot of essential oils are mere fragrance and harmful to your skin. Denatured alcohol is a major No. My acne was gone when I eliminated it from my skincare and I won’t go back!
I save my money when I’m realistic about who I am and stop making purchases for a person I want to be. I’m too old for that. It’s not say I don’t still go our of my box once in awhile but I’m just realistic about it. Take for ex the Amor Eterno collection from Melt from Dec. I wasn’t crazy about the Vida palette. Another yellow warm palette. Ok, easy pass. But the Muerte really caught my eye. And I have no doubt the quality is amazing. Swatched it in store and it’s super smooth, high pigmented etc. Such a unique color story but I know me, I won’t wear it. It’s too expensive imo for a one shadow look or to lightly buff along the lashline to make it more “wearable”. I haven’t seen a good look with it online. The look everyone does with red in the crease and green on the eye, I find hideous, no offense to anyone. I know it will sit in my collection bc I won’t know how to wear it, be afraid to wear it or am waiting for the right outfit to wear that palette. As much as I think I’ll one day wear it for when I want a bold look, I won’t ever wear it for that. And I don’t believe in collecting cosmetics. Don’t need a bunch of degrading cardboard and moldy eyeshadow sitting in a closet lol. So I left it in the store for someone who would give it more love and that’s ok. We get caught up in the want to want and we can rationalize most everything in our mind but sometimes we just have to tell ourselves No, don’t need it, won’t use it and it’s rough but I’m better off for it!
I absolutely loved the inspiration and cohesiveness of the Amor Eterno collection and I had the same struggle with Muerte palette, but in practice, I knew I would never wear the colours. I wanted it badly tho..
I bought the Muerte palette specifically for the “red” half, and given the size of the pans, I was able to justify the cost, especially given how often I use that color family. As for the “green” half, I figured I can still work with them, especially if I bring in some neutrals, so they will at least get some use. I’ve also seen a few people use just the greens, and am a bit inspired. The thought of using the reds & greens together just never crossed my mind, and while many have done some gorgeous looks, the pairing just doesn’t suit my aesthetic…
Wow, the palette is too expensive for 3 red shades. That’s like $18 an eyeshadow. Nah, that’s totally the opposite of my thinking. If I have to bring in other palettes to male it work, then yeah it’s too much for that hassle and truth is, I wouldn’t do it. Sometimes I think we want things to want things. I needed to be realistic with myself. I am done with the justification game. I’m OK letting this one go. It’s pretty and I’m glad you and others like it. But it’s not for me. I’ve wasted too much money going after the latest hyped up keeping with the Jones game and I’m happier just doing me and having an eclectic curated to me collection?
I look at how well the makeup product is removed and if it has left any remnants such as staining or skin reactions. Related to this, I look at how easily the makeup product applies and blends, because I don’t want to blend very much especially if there’s a risk of staining or similar issues. So basically, besides looking at performance and how flattering the particular product is to me personally, foremost in my mind is its aftereffects. I probably sound like an oddball but I just can’t afford to mess up my skin.
Excellent point, Kitty. I have been going through this with Sunscreen. I finally found a facial sun product which goes on smoothly and removes easily with cleanser at the end of the day. Duh, Shiseido. It has always been an unsung hero amongst brands for me. Major bonus, so far no bumps!!!!
I really wish I learned my preferences sooner and faster to save me money over the years! Here are my Top 10:
Cheeks:
1) I prefer my blush sheer and only in the pink family (pinky-corals are okay as my day blush); 2) I’m not picky about highlighter as long as it’s bright enough to be used in the inner corner.
Lips: 3) Only in the red and pink families, again, pinky-corals are okay for when I don’t want bold lips (I’m neutral but I think I must be slightly cool leaning).
Eyes: 4) Cream shadows that come in pots always crease on my hooded lids; 5) I prefer my glitter in tube form (Stila Glitter & Glow, etc); 6) Also the same with liquid (cream?) shadows because they “set” more firmly vs pots; 7) I need a shimmery lid or top with above.
Palettes:
8) I hate cardboard or bulky packaging (cardboard outer but with the pans set in a plastic inner is okay), asymmetrical layouts or pans 9) needs to be cohesive and 10) I hate mix-mediums (creams inside a palette or CP’s pressed glitter).
Whew, hopefully that’s not too wordy!
1) Oil free anything does not work for me. I have tried way too many products and ended up having to give them all away. To get a matte look, I just need to use a moisturizing primer under a matte foundation. I produce way less oil that way. Odd but it works!
2) follow my intuition! I fall for the hype in a lot of situations knowing that a particular product won’t work for me. Now, I try to be more practical about if or when I would use a product before purchasing.
3) I also do not support brands that think of darker complexions as an afterthought. This may be a trending topic as of late but I had already stopped giving my money to companies that left me out of their marketing plans. While I am glad that some have hopped on the diversity train, I stopped trying to make fetch happen years ago.
Would you be willing to share what moisturizing primers you use?
1. I do not look my best in colours situated at either end of the warm/cool spectrum. I do not suit overly bright or saturated colours either as I have moderate to low chroma.
2. I have maturing skin and cannot wear makeup applied in the same fashion I did 10 years ago. My tastes and habits have really been up in the air for the past year while I experiment and find my new normal. You would think this would generate a lot of experimental buying, but for me it has had the opposite effect. I am less certain of what will work so I spend less and do more research prior to buying.
3. Knowing my root skin tones happy neutral colours. I wasted a lot of effort and money on basics which do not suit my skintone. I have figured out my sweet spot and I use products in my zone as a guide for future purchases; not to duplicate, but to round out. Using the Temptalia swatch function because sometimes our eyes trick us depending on what something is paired with, etc.
My three lessons learned that now save me lots of money are:
1. Light shimmer is fine on lids and lips; heavy frost or glitter is tacky looking on me as I have not been a teen for some time.
2. Only sheer or moisturizing bullet lipsticks or lip crayons work for me. Gloss is too sticky and messy, and high shine on me translates into greasy. Anything not sheer or moisturizing is uncomfortable and unflattering.
3. Go out of my comfort zone of colors only with drugstore products to avoid expensive experimentation.
1) I’m not patient enough to make problematic formulas work for me. If I can’t get something to work by about the 3rd try, I think that’s enough. It’s probably not going to work on the 40th. I am not going to hate pan something, the money was already lost the moment I bought it.
2) While my skin is oily, matte face products don’t really do it for me. I end up with areas that look dry only to have them pop back into being oily a few hours later. If it’s all at least somewhat dewy/luminous it wears out more or less the same, if that makes sense.
3) I don’t need liquid foundation, and I hate concealer. I accept my skin the way it is. I have rosacea and the areas on my cheeks with the broken blood vessels and redness aren’t easily covered up without a lot of base product. Since I’m oily I have large pores in that area. This leads to a polka dotted, cakey mess that is very unattractive. Instead I’d rather use a tinted moisturizer, Korean BB or tone up cream to even it out a bit.
“I am not going to hate pan something, the money was already lost the moment I bought it.” Great words of wisdom: will remember!
1. There’s a pretty big list of products types I just don’t wear (ie lipgloss, liquid eye shadow). So no matter how pretty they look, how good of reviews they get, or how many people absolutely love them, I know if I buy it I’ll never use it.
2. I don’t want to have to work at making products work. I wear makeup for fun, and if it’s frustrating or time consuming to apply it isn’t fun!
3. I have sensitive skin so ingredients are super important. I don’t buy from brands that charge $35+ for a product that uses super cheap ingredients, I don’t buy from brands that are shady about their ingredients lists, I avoid products with tons of essential oils, etc.
While of course I love makeup, I’m also not interested in making things work if they don’t fit in my routine. I don’t care if a foundation look awesome if I blend it 10 times counterclockwise with a brush and then finish with a sponge with a specific pressure and level of moisture (big exaggeration off course); I just want to slab in 1 minute on my face with my fingers.
I like subtle highlight, so nothing too bright or metallic, and I’m about half a century past glitter.
I’ve aged out of matte liquid lipsticks or dark colors in any formula. My lips and face need light to medium shades, bright can work, and best if they have some sheen.
Still working on this, but I’m trying to separate my ‘ooh that color/finish is so pretty’ from how it would really look on me – many eye-catching products are just too intense for my skin and coloring.
1.) Learning that I have a specific range of shades that flatter my coloring best. Actually, we all do. Mine is that warmer tones look best on me, but this includes ones that some may at first think are cool tones, like teal, sage green, purple. All of those do have warmer hued versions, though!
2.) That other than having to wear them under my covid-19 mask, I am generally NOT a fan of dry-down liquid matte lipsticks! The only exception has been the lone MAC Retro Matte Lipstick I own in Siempre Selena. It is oddly comfortable for me? Idk, but it works out!
3.) At 61, I still dig a glossy lip!
The first point is definitely a very important one. I personally don’t do for example yellow and orange toned eyeshadow… those years of almost only warm red toned palettes made me cringe. 😆
I have a very difficult complexion and few eyeshadow, blush and lipstick colors flatter me… I heavily relieved on in store swatches for purchases… but won’t see me soon at a cosmetic counter either…
I don’t really like matte foundations even though at times my skin can sit a bit oilier. I really like that natural skin look so tend to steer more towards a satin or luminous finish.
As much as I love the idea of a cream blush, I just can’t get on board with it. I hate that tackiness on my skin and hate the idea of either my hair sticking to it or it rubbing off on clothes or someone! (I did however order a nudestix matte bronzer stick, so maybe it’ll be an exception)
I just don’t need a primer nor tend to reach for it. I’ve bought some in the past, but after I finish using them up, I won’t repurchase anymore.
Only three? ? It’s hard when you’re so opinionated and picky like me.
The major thing that impacted my purchases is that I prefer a minimal collection, having too many options gives me decision anxiety and occupies a space I just want clean and simple.
So when you own one foundation, one concealer, 15 eyeshadows, 4 blushes, 6 lipsticks, one brow pencil, one mascara and so on… you really make every purchase a big decision. I really like documenting each purchase to make sure what enters as my sole item in that category or color is worth it.
The second thing I learned about by preferences is that I will pay extra any time even for the smallest improvement. I don’t do drugstore dupes just because it works. Don’t get me wrong, NYX has amazing brow pencils for example, but I will buy any time the Hourglass brow pencil just because it’s just slightly better.
Third, I don’t like dewy, glow, creamy and shimmers on my face. Foundation needs to be a natural mate and at least medium coverage. I don’t do highlighters at all, maybe an illuminating barely visible powder. I won’t use cream blush or eyeshadow. There’s no metallics in my collection. The shimmer in my blush and eyeshadow needs to be the most subtle.
But there are many things that impact my purchases, for skincare for example I switched almost completely to brands that allow Terracycle recycling, because I want to be more sustainable. Hope to be able to make this transition for make-up soon… I was relying somewhat on the back to MAC program… but a pandemic happened.
The three things I have learnt about my preferences that have informed my purchases are:
1. Read the reviews on this blog for eyeshadows and lipsticks to ensure that I am purchasing high quality products in the shades that I know I will wear – no pinks, reds, oranges, matte eyeshadows, glittery numbers, pastel shades and black/white shades.
2. I have realised that I don’t like matte lipsticks, lip glosses, lip stains, highlighters (often the goldy sheens turn yellow on my cool toned complexion) and bronzers.
3. Matte foundation – porcelain, with pink undertones. No dewy, illuminating kind of foundation would suit me – I would just look like an oily grease pot. I prefer my blushes to be fairly matte as well.
This is an interesting one
1. I do not like a wet mascara if that makes any sense. And I prefer travel size mascaras to normal size. Easier to use and dont dry out to fast.
2. Dont f w ur skincare when its working. Change one thing at a time.
3. Huge palettes are not for me. I tend to gravitate to the same colors and just dont have a lifestyle/job that supports crazy eye makeup.
4. If i dont like it or it doesnt work i have no shame in returning.
5. I never match my foundation properly if i dont try it in person.
6. If im gonna go to the trouble to put on a highlight i want it to b impactful/have a wow factor.
So first is color choices. Like for lips and blush. For lips, I stopped buying bold colors because I prefer applying and wearing bold eyes. While some look beautiful in overall bold looks, I feel swallowed up. I occasionally do mute eyes, but not enough to justify more than a few bold lip colors imo. And for blushes, I find I like sheered out red or orange and muted mauve shades best. I like other colors in the pan, but it’s not what I reach for.
Next is finish. I find luminous, dewy finishes beautiful but I’m oily and these products don’t last more than like, 3 hours on me, max. Unless I powder and blot, which defeats the purpose. I’m not an ig makeup person, so it’s not really worth buying for myself. But if it’snot foundation, I prefer sparkling, (eco friendly) glittery, shimmery finishes for most makeup products so why buy a bunch of matte eyeshadows when I nearly always wear shining shadows?
Last is finally figuring out what product textures I like working with. I love the look of matte lips, but most matte finish lip products are painfully drying on me and require so much prep and aftercare; I just skip those now. Cream face products take too long to use up at the rate I use them (unless it’s like, a highlighter that I can use all over the body) so I tend to skip those too.
1. Just because they sell primer doesn’t mean you have to use it.
2. Cream eye products don’t work on my oily eye lids.
3. As I am aging, less is more.
mine are mainly about lip products:
1) i love those colour changing balms eg. lipstick queen but realised they tend to leave an ugly ring of colour around the edge of the lips. tossed them all out.
2) i will always go for bullet than tube or tub lip products. but the balms i like mostly come in tubs (by terry, fresh) ?
3) mid to sheer lipsticks are just more efficient for me to swipe and go. pigmented lipsticks or liquid lipsticks require a mirror, steady hands and lipliner. too much trouble! and even after all that, they may not even wear well! ??
I’ve learned what color looks best with my green eyes & if it pulls too red I look ill.
Not to make impulse purchases on L/S or L/G because I probably have or can make a similar color
Using e/l under my eyes make the look smaller
1. I don’t like dewy or luminous foundations or setting sprays on me. I have oily skin, and I think these finishes accentuate that and don’t last as long as more matte products.
2. I don’t care for subtle highlighters. I prefer more highlighting/strobing and less contouring.
3. I’m an alternative makeup gal at heart, and I still am happiest when ordering indie brand products.
1) If I don’t see the full ingredient list, making sure that my allergenes are not on there, I don’t buy it. Too many products had to end up in my bin in the past cause I realized top late that there might be some nut-derived oils in there or beeswax/honey. No matter how gorgeous something is, without the ingredient list, nope. No guessing.
2) Nobody forces me to wear foundation (or makeup in general), foundation is just not a thing for me. Due to my freckles, it’s always a hassle to figure out if I should match to my neck/body that is very light, or my face that looks darker cause of the freckles, it just never ever looks good. My skin just looks great with the right moisturizer and powder combo with some concealer here and there, no need to add one more product.
3) I should look at reviews for eg. swatches or news, but I shouldn’t assume that eg. that mascara or eyeliner will last for the same amount of time on me as on the reviewer. Our skin just differs sooo much. I always just walk around with swatches on my hand or go work out in a specific product if I want to test performance before an important event.
1. Eliminate irritants: essential oils and fragrances won’t do anything for skin anyway. Volatile silicones tend to irritate my skin so I also avoid those–and this significantly limit the types of primer, base, concealer and remover I can use.
2. If you have super sensitive skin areas and you can make your budget work it, sometimes it’s better to spend a bit more upfront and going straight for the thing that works instead of shopping around and possibly end up not only ruining your skin (and then need to find products to fix it) but with a bunch of products you can’t even wear. For example, Nars Audacious lipsticks and Pat McGrath Luxetrance are the only lipstick formulas still sold on the market that feel completely comfortable on my lips–but they’re pricey. Everything else irritate my lips unless I first put on a protective layer of waxy lip balm and lip liner first–and reapplying is tricky. Finally, to drive the point home, with the money and frustration spent on finding affordable alternatives and fixing up my lips, I could have just bought the lip colors I wanted originally at least three times over. I’m done ruining my lips–if I can’t afford it, just not going to wear lipstick. If I can afford it, treat myself.
3. Buy things you’ll definitely use–do not buy things you can’t realistically see yourself using. I have palettes sitting in my vanity that I have never used on my eyelids. I should have returned these palettes when I had the chance but here they are…still waiting to be used. As much as I love working with color, the truth is, putting together eye looks is a hassle for me bc of how nearsighted I am. I prefer wearing glasses over contacts and I would have to put glasses on-and-off at least thirty times to get the look I want. Not to mention my eyelids can’t handle eyeshadow everyday.