topic Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to? in Insiders

Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

indylovesmakeup — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 02:51:53 GMT

I saw lately that Ulta shares dropped in value and sales were down. Obviously it’s a different store with a different feel from Sephora but now I’m wondering, are you buying/using less makeup and/or skincare than you did a year or two ago? Why or why not? Ulta blamed a lack of innovation in the market but I’m not sure if that’s fair. I find I am indeed buying less simply because I’m busier than I was a few years ago and I want a simpler routine. How about you?

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

lnum — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 03:08:33 GMT

@indylovesmakeup Great question! My reasons for buying less skincare are similar to yours, busy and wanting a simpler routine, also being able to tell what’s really working. I’ve been buying less makeup for the same reason, I know what I like and what works for me. I don’t feel the need to buy new to the market products and only do so when I run out of something. I also just think it’s all gotten so expensive and gimmicky, it’s a market oversaturated with things I don’t care for and I’d rather not waste my money when I can spend it on doing things rather than owning things. The most successful marketing for me is tying products to experiences, I’d be more willing to try something and understand the company, science, and logic behind it, plus a trial size to see if it works for me.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

SportyGirly125 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 09:15:56 GMT

@indylovesmakeup For me I'm buying the same amount in makeup and skincare. I love trying new products.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

suzyo — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 10:56:40 GMT

@indylovesmakeup I'm buying less makeup because I changed jobs and my morning routine has changed drastically. I have almost no time to get ready, so all I can do is throw on some under eye concealer. Sometimes I can throw on cream blush, but usually it's just concealer. I can't possibly get up any earlier- because I get up at 4:30 am. It just doesn't make sense for me to buy makeup that I can't wear 5 out of 7 days of the week.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 11:59:39 GMT

I think I've spent as much on beauty products this year as I always do. However ever since Ulta started using Lasership, I've stopped making any online orders. I only have a 25% success rate receiving packages allegedly "delivered" by those fraudulent crooks. I know it's unlikely but it would be hilarious if that was part of the reason for Ulta's lower projections.

Perhaps the product mix has something to do with it? Big ticket, high end skin care seems to be blowing up in popularity and Sephora certainly has a much better selection than Ulta.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

flamingolegs — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 13:37:40 GMT

I'm spending more on skincare and less on makeup.

There was an article in Retail Wire last November about Millennial's and brand loyalty. One key takeaway is that while they are very brand loyal, they are not at all   retailer loyal, and will shop around to different retailers to get the best deals on their favorite brands.

I feel that this is probably what is happening--Millennials are perhaps the biggest buying segment for retailers like Sephora and Ulta, but they are very willing to take their dollars elsewhere to get the best deals on their favorite brands. Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Shoppers Drug Mart, even the warehouse big boxes have gotten in on the health and beauty action. And the elephant in the room is Amazon whose profits continue to grow every quarter.

Jack Trout wrote a book called "Differentiate or Die" that was all about how companies need to figure out how to be just that much more attractive to the consumer, have a little hook that will keep them loyal. It is becoming increasingly challenging as the customer has increasingly more choices. One thing that the most successful retailers have learned is that they need to determine who their target market is. WalMart and Dollar General figured it out--their customers over all don't care about the shopping "experience" and only want the lowest price while department stores like Neiman Marcus and Barney's attract the consumer willing to pay a premium for exceptional customer service and "prestige" brands.

Sephora and Ulta are somewhere in between, which means they need to be attractive to all segments to remain profitable. Most specifically they need to attract and retain the loyalty of the mid-market--my friend who lives on $800 a month is never going to shop Sephora, neither is my friend who is worth eight figures and shops at the highest end stores. I think they need to work on the Rewards program and have a much larger selection of Rewards in all point levels in the Bazaar all the time.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

Asche — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:17:01 GMT

I find myself spending more on skincare over the past couple of years. This is primarily due to the fact I own such a ridiculously huge amount of makeup to the point it's almost overwhelming. Also, as I reached my mid-twenties, I opted to spend more money on good skincare that would help prevent ageing (as much as it can, at least). 😛

RE: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

Gemini619 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:24:04 GMT

I’ve been buying less makeup simply because I feel like I already have more than enough and I’m very satisfied with what I have. I still keep an eye online for the latest releases and sales though, just because it’s something I enjoy doing even if I don’t buy anything. As for skincare, I’ve never been a big shopper. I know what works for me and I stick to it. I’ll only purchase skincare if I run out of something.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

ShortErica — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:58:46 GMT

I've bought way more sheet masks than ever in my life. Last year 0. This year, hundreds. But that's mostly from TJ Maxx/Marshalls.

I've never been a big makeup wearer so I put myself on a no buy to use what I have. I have broken it once because I ran out of Mineral veil and really enjoy and use the product but that's it.

Skincare my purchases have been consistent to prior years but I try not to have as many backups or buy them a lot closer to when the product I'm using is near its end.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

tastelikewater — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 19:07:35 GMT

I'm definitely buying less of both skincare and makeup, and for different reasons. I have sensitive skin and mild rosacea, so I'm hesitant to experiment and risk a flare-up. While I'll sometimes add in a new product - right now I'm trying

and I'll try out new eye creams from time to time - I prefer to stick to the simple routine I've developed that works.

As far as makeup, I think a lot of it is fatigue. Maybe I've just been paying more attention, but I feel like the past year or so has been a constant bombardment of new releases, and I'm not feeling excited about most of it. This also coincides with me really honing my style; yes, that upcoming Melt Radioactive palette looks amazing, but I'm a Natasha Denona Biba kind of girl! I no longer want to buy things just to have them.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

GG84 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:42:29 GMT

I’m buying only what I run out of. In the beginning of the year it was a different story however my business expenses are astronomical as of late, so something had to give.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

ShannonAlexis — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:56:51 GMT

Using my first year on BIC as a benchmark - I am buying less makeup and more skincare than I used to.

Part of that may be because I am getting closer to 30, maybe also a little bit of product release burnout. Mostly I think it comes from knowing myself better. I know what kind of products and makeup looks I like, so there's less trial and error. In general I am trying to buy less of everything in my life - for sustainability and so I don't have to move it out of my apartment...

I think Ulta's sales will go up again soon. They have been introducing a lot of desirable brands lately and have very competitive sales/GWPs. They will have KKW beauty soon, which I think will be good for them since the only other place consumers can get those products is direct from KKW.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

newcarlee — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 16:12:08 GMT

Hi @indylovesmakeup, I got into skincare 3-4 years ago on a whim and purchased a lot of products in the 2 years thereafter to find things that work for me, including beauty box subscriptions. Now I’m on product overload and mostly shopping my stash. So, yes, I’ve slowed down my buying but nothing to do with product innovation.

Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

saritza — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 16:23:16 GMT

we just got to many makeup the last few years so people are not buying much skin care is more necessary and hair products and also perfumes but if others website's have better deal of course we will not shop at ulta or sephora. #lancome website have a lot of promo #urbandecaysite also #thebay good for perfumes #shopperdrugmaster with their points you get free products so they have a lot of competition they should make more sales and give more samples 🤣🤣🤣

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

fatimamummy — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 16:52:52 GMT

I’m buying way less makeup now because there is just so much hardly ever used stuff sitting in my drawers that I don’t feel the motivation to acquire any more. I’m still buying skincare frequently but have controlled the urge to keep buying new stuff without finishing what I’m using. Now If something interests me , instead of buying it right away, I file it to buy later when I run out of a similar product in my stash.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

greeneyedgirl107 — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 20:59:07 GMT

@indylovesmakeup This is a very interesting thread, and I enjoyed reading everyone's answers! I've bought less eye shadow palettes this year compared to last, but only because less caught my eye. Other than that, I'd say my spending has remained about the same.

One thing that changed, though, is that I've been shopping at Ulta more. Their rewards system is very attractive to me, and I didn't like that Sephora changed their return policy to 60 days. I just found out today that it has changed again to 30 days, which I think is unfortunate.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

221Katie — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:25:46 GMT

Ulta’s shares may be down because of the ongoing legal problems regarding the allegations of selling used makeup, they’re now facing their second class action lawsuit over this.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

sprocketta — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 21:43:37 GMT

@indylovesmakeup I would say I'm buying more skincare and less makeup. I'm definitely spending more on skincare since I've expanded my routine and the products I want are at Sephora and not Ulta. This is disappointing to me as I really prefer the Ulta rewards system.

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

Brutalitops — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 00:04:45 GMT

@indylovesmakeup I've actually been getting more into makeup (mostly because I have the income to indulge in it now) but my spending on skincare has been fairly consistent as skincare has always been a priority for me. That being said- like obviously I understand that there are differences in finishes and formulas and quality- but at the end of the day there are only so many combinations of pink-purple-brown-red shades (and fun colors or whatever) that are physically possible to create. And of those- there are only so many that I want. The same is true of pretty much everything else. Collectors aside, for people actually buying makeup to use it there's just not really much to innovate in that space outside of performance and at some point you hit a wall. There are some new releases I get excited for because they are things I don't already own much of or the packaging/ set/ colorstory is especially compelling and different enough from what I already own. However, I generally find myself pretty uninspired- it's just the same old colors and same old products I already haven't purchased just repackaged and/or rearranged. Makeup is just kind of repetitive by it's nature and eventually you hit a wall with increasing market share

Re: Curious: Are you buying as much makeup/skincare as you used to?

WinglessOne — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 00:18:27 GMT

@indylovesmakeup I’ve had to increase my skincare purchases within the past 2 years to find things that play nice with my changing skin. Products I’d used for decades suddenly stopped being effective or caused bad reactions. In some cases, I’m sure “suddenly” was really a storm that had brewed over many years and finally erupted. All those years of Origins Checks & Balances cleanser, for instance—my former ride or die cleanser—had gradually dried out my face until one day my skin yelled “NOPE, NO MORE OF THIS” and rebelled with painfully dry scaly patches. Thus began my search for a new cleanser. That’s how a lot of my skincare purchases have begun.

My most frequently purchased makeup item has always been lipstick, and that hasn’t changed much. Even though I’ve decluttered over 200 lipsticks in the last 12 months, I’ve bought some new-to-me formulas. Eh, I love to test all of the things. That’s why I plan to buy Pat McGrath’s upcoming eyeshadow palette: it contains some new formulas. I don’t need that palette and it won’t be cheap, but I wanna test it!

There are some items I’ve stopped buying mostly or completely, having realized I don’t need them. Examples: I’ve quit all liquid and cream foundations, and I recently decided I don’t need a separate vitamin C serum because that ingredient’s already in several of my current skincare products. Once I finish my current bottle of vit C serum, I won’t buy another one by any brand.