As a makeup lover, I could have never imagined myself to say such a sentence. However, I often feel incredibly overwhelmed as I walk into a makeup store.
I used to love watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, as they are a great source to learn so many hints and tricks and was inspired by the different makeup looks. However, now, I feel bombarded by the massive hauls, beauty bloggers showing off their massive collection of eyeshadow palettes on YouTube and Instagram. The idea of content which involves unravelling boxes and boxes of a new warm-toned eyeshadow palette, which potentially has around 75% of the same shades as a palette another brand revelled a couple of months before is getting pretty difficult to accept for me and raises a couple of questions:
Are they really going to use all of that makeup? Do they only use it once for their “first review” video? Do we really need every single eyeshadow palette out there?
We really don’t need every single eyeshadow that is out there. We don’t need to buy another makeup palette when we most likely have something similar underneath the other heaps of boxes. We don’t need another lipstick just to waste another shoe sized cardboard box for one lip tiny product. We don’t need to spend £50 on a brow product when the exact same thing is sitting in Boots for £10 or less.
Makeup companies have been doing ‘big’ revels of new foundation ranges, concealers, highlights, eyebrow products, etc. every single month. On the one hand, the choice of products is great. However, for me, the excitement has faded. I remember being super excited about new Urban Decay Naked Palettes to be released, with different colour schemes and shimmers. We’re now going through a cycle of warm tones, to cool tones to rainbow palettes released by tonnes of makeup brands. Which makes me wonder: Where’s the creativity?
Makeup brands such as Glossier and Fenty Beauty have made makeup shopping a lot easier. Glossier, a brand that focuses on skin first, makeup second, have an easy-to-use makeup and skincare range. With one type of product of anything you need, you are easily able to create a flawless, naturally dewy look. Rihanna has won the makeup game by creating a vast range of foundation and concealer shades, and a variety of multiuse products; Trophy Wife is a great golden eyeshadow and/or popping highlighter.
Following pages such as @dupethat and @dupeboss on Instagram is a great way to find cheaper and more accessible alternatives for expensive brands and products on the market. You could find a lot of Makeup Revolution and Elf products which are the exact dupes for Kylie Cosmetics and more.
Although I have a very large collection of makeup and I promise I use every single product, one of my resolutions for 2020 is to be more thoughtful when buying makeup and not rushing to buy the latest eyeshadow palette because an influencer said so. When visiting makeup shops, do your research or pick up an old favourite lip colour that’s been at the bottom of your makeup bag for months. I find myself going back to old eyeshadow palettes and creating completely different looks to what I used to back in the day.
Let’s stop giving hundreds of pounds to the makeup industry and reuse and continue to love our current makeup products. You might end up finding a new loved makeup product right at the bottom of your drawer.