Impulse Buy, Bye?

Like I said in my last post we'll be looking into the dispensers that all cosmetic products come in and their boxes or covers. Some, of course, as we all know are just the dispenser but the higher-end brands tend to truly box or package some of their products. We're going to start there. Start with the brands that attract us because of their dispenser and the box. I won't be writing a research entry today, though, because it's the weekend. We'll really delve into the issue in Monday's post.

I watch a lot of Youtube make-up artists. My fave is Jaclyn Hill, she had the best contour video I'd seen. As I was watching one of her "haul" videos I heard her say something along the lines of, I keep my new stuff in the boxes for awhile but since this one is hard to get out I'll have to tear it, aw! It reminded me of me. I keep all of my new products in the boxes for a little while. Depends on how often I use them. If I use them often they stay in the box less time and if I use them infrequently the products can stay in their box for months. I just love everything about cosmetics. Jaclyn Hill is also one of my faves because she seems to be a lot like me in that way. Maybe, she wasn't able to afford expensive stuff when she was younger or she tends to be a more frugal person, who knows, but she values what she does buy, especially, when it costs her more. The length of time my new products stay in their boxes is directly related to use and, most of all, expense. The more expensive it is the longer I want to protect it. Sometimes, I keep the box because I'm not sure about the product and want the option of returning it. Maybe it was an impulse buy but I ended up thinking I'd need it. Still I have to make sure because if anyone is frugal in this world its me. I will think and rethink a buy. Usually, I'll see something, go home without it, and if I'm still thinking about it 3 days later I'll return to purchase it. That goes for everything but especially cosmetics, unless, I went their specifically for it because I saw it online or in a video and haven't stopped looking at it online for the past week. So either way I give my purchases time but like everyone I do have my instances of impulse so I'll keep the packaging, in those case, a little longer not based on use or expense.

How long do you keep your purchases packaged?
Do you rip them open and throw the boxes away right away?
Do you ever really get rid of the box?
What do you consider the best packaged product out there? Dependent on practicality and beauty?

NYX, Chunky Dunk Hydrating Lippie swatches as promised. The 3rd from the right is Peach Fuzzy. 

Judging a Book by its Cover

This is another one of those entries where I let you in on my next study. We, recently, dealt with shade/color vs. naming conventions. I think that, that would be step two in purchasing any cosmetic brand (depending on the circumstances) so we are doing things a little backwards. Since I don't like to wear a lot of make-up one of the best parts about it for me is the packaging; look, texture, and thought put into each products exterior. It's definitely what attracts me to some products over others or repels me.

We're going to look at how the packaging of a cosmetic brand, product, line affects you, how practical the dispenser is, and the quality. Can we judge a "book" by its cover under these circumstances. Do we trust a product more if the packaging has more thought put into it? Would we rather pay less and get a lesser quality exterior? Is that why pans are available for purchase? How do pan palettes play into the whole packaging ordeal? If the palette is pretty enough do we not mind that we're just placing pans on the inside? Can we make the assumption that if one companies packaging looks like another that the shades will be duplicates, as well? For example, ELF has very similar holders to NARS and everyone knows that when you type in "Orgasm Dupe," ELF St. Lucia contour combo will appear. That seems like something to me or at least something to look into. 

Since this is a mini-post with my questions and ideas on our next foray into cosmetics I wanted to include a few images of the products I find to be the most beautiful; the ones that always call my attention even if they don't sell anything I'm looking for at the moment and/or aren't very practical. Also, I'll give you a few that repel me even though I know for a fact that some of their, actual, shades are very popular and well received. This will give you an idea of my thought process for my next series. 

Loves of my eyes life: 
Too Faced- all of their products are so feminine and old school. I don't know that some of their bottles are practical but they are pretty.

 

 

Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder

 

Amazing Face Liquid Foundation. Love this old-timey bottle.

Tarte Amazonion Clay- I absolutely love all of the look and feel of their products. Very earthy and simple but beautiful and natural.

Amazonion Butter Lipstick. I love this particular shades exterior but all of the designs are gorgeous.

Amazonion 12-hour Foundation. I love anything by Tarte with a "wooden" cap. 

 

 

 Repellants of my eyes life:
Urban Decay- I know their NAKED line is loved far and wide but their packaging usually repels me. For the price, I want something a little less "urban." 

Electric Eye Shadow Palette. The first item I've found semi-attractive. I wouldn't wear the shades though.

 

Revolution Lipstick. I just find this to be plain ugly or just plain. 

 

 

 

 

BareMinerals- I just find their stuff to be very plain. I always pass them right by, at Ulta, even though they're right in the front and I know their stuff is really good, or tends to be. I will say this, I do love their BUXOM line.

READY Blush. BORING, but apparently award winning. That little brush just reminds me of the cheap stuff. Not good.

 

Bareskin Foundation. I find the honey color of the foundation to be the most attractive thing about this. It could be sleek and simply beautiful which I think is what they're going for but its just not, not to me.

 Now you have a little idea of what we'll be delving into in the coming entries. Let me know what repels and attracts you based on packaging/exterior/dispenser.