Do you use your favorites often or sparingly?

Sparingly because I test new stuff most of the time, though I certainly use my favorite base and staple products (like brows, mascara, etc.) more often. I know that if I could, I would definitely wear my favorites more often than not. It’s one thing if I was almost done with a favorite that I couldn’t replace–then I might taper down usage–but until that point, use it or lose it!

— Christine

16 Comments

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Ana Maria Avatar

Since I only use one of each (except color), I’m using often the current owned products since I don’t have anything else. 😆
But with eyeshadows, lipstick, cheek products, I find myself always choosing my favorite shades.

Mariella Avatar

If they’re replaceable, I will use them more often than if they’re d/c’d or LE (like MAC Grand Entrance or Jardin Aires or Guerlain Cruel Gardenia). I suppose one of the exceptions is the LE MAC Sweet Sentiment blush. It’s so easy to use for me because it looks “right” for every occasion or situation (even going to the gym) – I always look better when I wear it. I’ll be very sad to finish it.

Deborah S. Avatar

Depending on what product I am addressing, it could be sparingly or frequently. For foundation and concealer, I tend to use one I like pretty frequently, if not everyday. For other products I tend to use them sparingly because I have such a big collection. So, I swith blushes, lipstick, e/s pretty frequently, if not everyday.

Gilad Avatar

I have too many lovely things that I’m trying to be fair to (having obvious favorites is bad form, I want them all to grow up happy….) – and I need to justify the money spent. So variety is the name of my game, whether something is an A+ or a B, I like feeling like I’m using my stash. Since Temptalia my purchases have all landed somewhere between very good and even better. Thanks Christine!

Stacey Avatar

Love reading everybody’s comments as I have a strange fear of using products up anc sometimes have a habit of purchasing back ups, please anybody’s tips & advice would be hugely appreciated 😀

Gilad Avatar

You might try checking the number of dupes something has/browsing the swatch section here to see how very replaceable the item will be when (if ever) you finish it. I like putting different lip products together to customize the color too – so you might have fun mixing what you already have to come up with something similar, or even better! I find I have more flexibillity and range when I think of makeup as raw materials (like ingredients for a meal) that are the tools, rather than a sacrosanct piece of art. eg. you’re the one making the creation. The creation is not the product you’re using. Does that make sense? Good luck either way :).

Stacey Avatar

Thank you so much hun this site has been a lifesaver for me I just love the dupes and swatches sections they’re such a huge help and this community is so lovely, even though most members are in the US and I’m from the UK and we don’t have as many releases as the US here and don’t have as many amazing stores such as Sephora, Target etc. The last Sephora I went in was in Barcelona and it was lovely 🙂

Genevieve Avatar

Sometimes I do use my favourites sparingly – like the Sultry palette because I know that I would hit pan pretty quickly on a few favourite shades. Otherwise I just use them up because there is always something new coming onto the beauty market that I like.
The hard one is lipsticks because they are often discontinued so quickly – which is why I have stocked up on my favourite CP lipsticks – Tea Thyme, Gallop, LA Lady and Foolish, as well as Maybelline’s Spice for Me.

Gamze Avatar

Very sparingly! Also with clothes. It’s a bad habit remaining from the childhood days when I had very limited access to clothes and cosmetics, I tend to keep them for special occasions afraid that I won’t be able to replace them once they’re finished. In my fifth decade in life, I’ve decided to change this because more often than not I find that a favourite product doesn’t look good on me anymore because the texture of my skin has changed (like powder eyeshadows) or that it’s gone rancid (I’ve just discovered that my beloved Chanel Pirate smells unpleasant).

Korinne Avatar

The only ‘special’ thing in my collection that I’m cautious with is my beloved Charlotte Tilbury Super Nineties lipstick because it’s a truly special product. Otherwise I feel like I rarely hit pan on my favorites because for some reason my favorites always seem to be jumbo sizes (Tan-Tastic) or products with endless bottoms (NARS Loves Me Not).

I’m trying to cultivate a collection of things I really love and use all of the time. I did buy flesh and fantasy when it was on sale during quarantine and I’m excited to use it.

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