What's the first thing you do with a new makeup purchase?
It gets sorted out into whether it’s something I expect to review imminently vs. soon-ish – the latter being less definite but in the next month or so!
— Christine
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SWATCH. I can’t resist the urge to get my fingers in a new product.
I’m the same way! I have to swatch it first!
I stare at it in admiration for a minute or so, then swatch it on my arm! If it’s a lip product, I might put it on properly and see how it looks. Once that’s over, I get to figure out where to put it in my setup. That may lead to some shuffling around and reorganizing (which is super fun for me, tbh).
I track in the spreadsheet I have for my make-up: I add it to the back-up list, I add the expiring date based on batch code, I delete the ‘buy back-up by month X’ for the entry for that type of product.
After that I just put it in my back-up section until I finish the current item and I need to start using this new one.
Oh, you are so organized. I applaud you 👏. And I’m jealous too, lol.
Get it to home safely if I purchased it in person! Next up, swatch it on myself/try it on. Thirdly, find it a “home” within the limited space still available around here.
I keep an excel file of everything I own so I log it into there because I’m a geek. lol After that I’ll admire how pretty it looks for a little bit before I start swatching and playing with it then find it a home in my collection.
I’m so impressed with everyone who has a spreadsheet for their makeup. I need to do this also..
I put in on. Rarely I’ll swatch first, but I’ve learned the swatches aren’t always the best indicator of how it will look on my skin. Sometimes, it will remain untouched for weeks until I finally try it on. Regardless, it also finds a home in my vanity either before or after I use it. Usually before.
I’m addicted to new makeup. It’s an obsession and a compulsion. I should really see someone about this. And also start that spreadsheet 🙈
Hi Valerie,
You might want to check out Makeup Rehab on Reddit. Lots of people seem to find it helpful in relating to makeup in new ways – anything from being more mindful to complete no-buys.
Also on Facebook there is a group called makeup use it up. It has lots of support and nice ladies working on using up and some are trying to purchase fewer products etc
Try it on my face immediately! (even if I’m already wearing makeup)
I love you geeks! Excellent effort on spreadsheets. We maybe able to have a mental color database, but expirations, etc., no way. You guys are to be congratulated.
It gets put into a space reserved for “new” makeup to be worn or as soon as I have time to play. Then it gets put into my very limited space for makeup. I love that people have spreadsheets, that would really help me, you would think being retired I would have a lot of extra time to do something like this! Nope! Maybe someday!
The first thing I do with a new makeup purchase – especially when it is a lipstick or eyeshadow palette, is try them out. The lipstick I wear the very first thing and the eye palette the next day.
I usually shop by mail, even pre-pandemic, so check that nothing is broken. Then swatch!
Swatch on my arm. I can’t help myself. I HAVE to see my eyeshadow in person and feel the texture of each shadow. Blush/highlighter is the same. Lipstick the same. Other cream products just get put into my vanity.
When I get a new makeup product I immediately set it out so that I can use it ASAP. If it’s a lip product I’ll put it on immediately. If it’s eyeshadow or liner I’ll wear it the next day when I don’t have any makeup on yet. First, though, I open it up, stare at it and admire it for a little while, choosing exactly which colors I’m going to use for a complete, planned look. Throughout the rest of the day I’ll go back to it, open it up, and look at it.
If an eye shadow palette I swatch the color(s) that made me get it in the first place. Then I think of a look that I want to try and make my wardrobe fit that look for work the next day, because I MUST use it!!
Swatch it on my arm is my first step with everything. Put it on if it’s a lip product, or if I don’t have much makeup on I’d add a new blush. Probably wait for another day to apply an eyeshadow/palette. Since Covid, (more time) I might swatch different combos of lip and cheek colors to see what looks good together.