I’ve been doing most of my shopping online for going on a decade now, but I think there have been improvements to make it a better experience/more knowledgeable experience from a general shopper point of view.
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For the most part, yes. I’ve been buying online for a long time. I’m still wary of buying from newer brands if they’re online only, so I wait awhile for reviews to come out.
I really don’t enjoy shopping for cosmetics online, unless it’s to replenish something I already like and use and that I’m close to finishing up. A large part of my enjoyment when shopping for cosmetics (or anything, really) is in trying it for myself, seeing it for myself and seeing if it suits me (and I don’t know how anyone buys shoes online….I wear anything from a size 6 to a 7.5…)
Agree with everything you said 100%!
Yes, because I think most companies have improved their customer service and you can either receive a refund or a replacement product.
I feel confident with shopping online because nowadays I mostly repurchase the same products again and again. And because with time and experience I’ve learn how to interpret reviews, product descriptions and photos.
The flip side is that while I like swatching products in store and discussing makeup with in store artists, I never enjoyed the process of actually shopping in store. 😅
Only after seeing swatches and reviews! Especially if those are on similar skintones and/or eye color (for eyeshadows). Otherwise, I still love to go in person to check them out and swatch them on my arm.
Yes and no. For eyeshadow, it’s fine. For cheap brands, why not. For anything expensive or foundation-contour-etc, no.
I moved from a major metropolis to a town 2-5 hours away from real retail variety. So shopping online is a necessity, but I don’t like it. My undertones are cool-neutral and a pain to match, outside of white and gray. Plus, they’re not a priority for brands. (“Our new seasonal launch is warm, gold, and golden warms with accents of warm golden gold.” Ugh, nevermind.) I go online to research, then make semi-annual trips to test my shortlist. It’s a pain.
When I’m honest with myself – yes. When I let myself be swayed by promo pics WITHOUT looking for real life swatches and a review…..no. (Oh RdF, you really get me with your aesthetic even though your “clean” formulas with their highly irritating essential oil additions irritate my eyes Every. Damn. Time. A proper burn with swollen, red lids that itch and sting.) Sometimes I just want to believe something is awesome even when I know better, but if I’m actually critical I can avoid most pitfalls.
I only buy skincare and essentiel oils online (I have sensitive skin and always buy the same things).
I’ve had some mispurchases in terms of colours (mostly lipsticks), so I avoid buying these things online.
I’ve been shopping online for the past five or six years and I prefer it to in person shopping. I find when I shop in person that usually what I want is not in stock and I have had better luck online.
I don’t enjoy the hustle and bustle of in person shopping, either so sitting down with a nice cup of tea and hunting around the website suits me.
I’m pretty confident. I’ve bought from most retailers and some indies with no problems. I do think some companies provide better (truer) promo pics and I usually wait for Christine’s reviews…usually. There are brands I’ll buy from before checking here just because of past experiences.
I generally feel reasonably confident about shopping online for beauty products and often do so. When the beauty items have been reviewed here, then I comfortably know what I am getting – the quality, the pigmentation, the colours/swatches and the overall ratings take the hard work out of guessing if this would suit. So many brands are still unavailable here, so I do have to order online.
The only products I really prefer to see for myself are foundation – as I do like to check if the shade matches my skintone regardless of the descriptions on the websites.
As for clothes, shoes etc – I never, ever shop for those online….
I buy most things online, skincare, makeup though I agree that foundations are difficult to match online, but then so they are in real life. I don’t know how many times I’ve been mismatched, but then IRL I always ask for a sample that will have enough product for a few days.
I generally only buy makeup that’s been reviewed here, so I feel quite safe. Prior to finding Temptalia I did get some not so good stuff, but it happened when buying in person as well. Swatches on hand or arm aren’t always reliable, at least in my experience.
I buy clothes, shoes and dog food as well as most everything for the dogs use online. I think the only thing I always buy in person is groceries, not that I enjoy going to the supermarkets, but I do want to pick the best looking apples, pears and so on, and what I think is best may not be what a sales person thinks is the best choice.
Shopping online has been my standard practice for years already so that hasn’t changed any. If I’m uncertain about something I tend to do a lot of searching for swatches and reviews before I make a purchase. Only if it’s something I really need and can’t find info on it might I consider going into a store.