Recently while shopping online, I found myself struggling to recall the last time I found myself in a beauty hall with a purpose - a trip to source a very specific item, rather than just stumbling around wasting an hour or so and seeing what is new. Rather I tend to spend more time than I care to wish online, trying to track down whatever beauty product that I simply "must have" without ever as much as seeing it in person.
That alone is a huge problem, if said product has wormed its way into my affections via Instagram there is no telling of what filters it has been ran through to make it a little more photogenic - not that there is anything wrong with that, a pretty photo stream is what the people want (it gets them going) but when your Instagram find arrives in person, you may be a tad disappointed. This of course is also the reality with online stores - professional lighting and staging can alter the final result but deep down we all know this and most likely will hit Google for more candid photos; that's not to say I've not bought palettes and the likes without such levels of make-up detective work because I have (see my Hourglass collection). Blind buying - as we like to call it - has caused me more beauty heartbreak than when I found out I'm allergic to cocoa butter and as such half of Lush and yet I keep coming back for more. Rashes and all.
Weirdly I am more hesitant to order from brands that offer no physical premises (or at least in the UK anyway) such as Colour Pop, Kat Von D and Kylie Jenner which makes no sense whatsoever; my logic is that in the very least with other brands, I know that if something does go wrong, returning the item is slightly more straight forward. In my experience, it isn't typically the shade of the item that I have purchased with next to no thought that disappoints me, rather it tends to be the finish or the overall texture. A photograph can very rarely hint if a lipstick will leave my lips parched and flaky after two applications, or if my must-have highlighter will feature chunky glitter that will find a new home in my already obvious and enlarged pores. Three words: no thank you.
No I don't really need, a brick and mortar store to sway me into purchasing my next matte lipstick but wouldn't it be nice to have the option? If there was the choice of being able to drop-in to a shop on the high street and swatch until my heart is content, I'm almost certain that if that was case my hauls would be that little bigger? And yet not so long ago I ordered basically one of every shade from the Colour Pop range so really my opinion counts for next to nothing.
I am interested to read what your view is on blind purchasing make-up? Do you need to try before you buy, or do you like the thrill of the unknown so to speak?
In South Africa we don't have many international brands, so most of the time I have to google images and order online. I can't say that I have ever been majorly disappointed though.
ReplyDeleteI tend to buy more online, especially more high end products, just due to feeling a bit intimidated by counters! I do buy less online from overseas and high street stores than I used to, though. I know what works for me now so am less willing to waste money experimenting with things I'm not 100% sure on. :)
ReplyDeleteI always do online research before purchasing anything! Normally, I look for people's opinions on makeupalley and YouTube as well. I just want to make sure that my money will be traded for something thats worth it. But sometimes being adventurous when buying makeup can be exciting, though (especially if the item can pleasantly surprise you!)
ReplyDeleteLove from Indonesia,
nnsabrina.blogspot.com
I am SUCH a careful buyer, it doesn't matter how many swatches I see online the chances of me buying it without seeing it first is so small. The only one I can think of recently is the MUG shadows, and that was after HOURS of looking at swatches online lol. I am just terrified of not liking something. I really struggle with online shopping! But let me loose in a department store I am f*cked. I would buy anything if its sparkley or looks good. lol
ReplyDeleteI would really recommend watching countless youtube videos, checking pintrest and reading a lot of blogs, and no impulse buying, think it over first!
My next online purchase is going to be Jeffree Star, as much as I hate blind buying, I love him and want them all haha
http://www.makeerinover.co.uk
the shades of the tarte blushes are so pretty xx
ReplyDeletecristynottingham.blogspot.co.uk
I do kind of need to try before i buy i hate ordering online then realising i hate it when it gets here
ReplyDeletewww.beautyandtheboy.com
I mostly buy from sephora, and it always has reviews. And thats how I try new products
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myhappynook.com
I try not to buy products unless I have heard amazing things about them and I have been wanting to pick something new up in that category, because as a student I hate wasting money on things I don't end up loving!
ReplyDeletenueyork.blogspot.com
I do like to read reviews, swatch and look online before committing - I hate wasting money on something so test and research always!
ReplyDeleteLauren x
Britton Loves | Lifestyle Beauty Wellbeing
I do a mix of both to be honest - it really depends on how spendy I'm feeling! I love reading blog reviews and googling swatches, usually that alone is good enough for me to blind buy something
ReplyDeleteI Z Z I S A U R | a beauty, food and lifestyle blog by Izzy