Do you buy products because of greed or need?

[Kragey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAddSparkles Greed. No one NEEDS makeup (believe me, that would sound like fighting words to me too if I didn't understand the obsession completely ). It's not food or shelter.

My thoughts exactly. Also, I have a guilt complex, so that alters my thinking.

 

[Folie]

Based on who you're defining the terms, I do buy out of greed. I think a lot of people assume everyone has the same budget (or limits) they do or that everyone has a MAC counter (or any other brand/designer) or store near them. That's not always the case. I feel I have the budget to be "greedy" (not only that, I'm not married, I don't have children. So, it's not like I'm taking money away from other needs). I also am not close to a MAC counter. So, if a collection were to come out and say I buy all of the pieces, or most of them, I don't see it as greedy. If I don't like something, I can always return it and get a refund or if I don't like it in person I can regift to a friend. I don't consider that greedy. I'd rather be in a situation where I can return a product I dislike than be pining over not getting an LE item that I find appealing. As much I want to agree with the comment, no one needs make up. I don't think that's true per say. If you show up at certain jobs with not a stitch of make up (I'm taking the basics: foundation and some powder), it will be looked at negatively. I think needs vary based on people and their situation in life. Just as some people might say to me for example, I don't need a Chanel purse. That I could buy a say Coach purse for much less. Where I work, and live, I need a Chanel purse. I think it has to do with my situation and budget. I think people need to stop looking at others and saying what's a "need" and what a "want". Just keep your mind on your needs and budget.

 

[hello_kitty]

I certainly don't need 99% of the makeup I have, so I guess I buy because I want it.

The Hello Kitty collection was the worse, though. I bought most of it, and then ended up disliking most of the things I got from it. That was a learning experience, so now I make sure to try things/swatch and decide it it has a place in my stash. I don't get caught up in new collection hypes, I just get want I want and personally like.

 

[2browneyes]

This is a great thread! lol I can honestly say that the majority of my collection is out of want not greed, and certainly not need. lol When I think 'collection' I think just that....a good bit of a specific type of thing. People collect lots of things...stamps, coins, keychains, etc....I collect makeup

At least that's the idea that helps me sleep

 

[Senoj]

Occasionally it's for need. I still need a bit of things for my personal collection and mua kit but most of the time it's for greed.

 

[DarkGlamourXO]

I buy it cause wearing makeup makes me feel better sometimes, I don't need it though. I love pretty things and can't help being girly. I'd never put new makeup over something like a bill though, thats just stupid and greedy. My collection consists of shades I'd wear any day, I've learned to stop buying shades that I know I'll never wear.

 

[Becksabec]

I try to just buy things that I need, but every once in a while, I'll buy on impulse.

 

[Lebellabeauty]

I usually buy something if it's what I need or if it's an item I know that I will use and won't just sit around. It really does bug me actually when people have to go run out and buy at least 1 thing but usually more from each MAC collection just so they can say they have an item from the collection. Most of times when people buy all this makeup from all the different collections that come out, do they really need it? Most likely not.

 

[winwin]

For me it's mostly greed. I don't actually need any makeup.

 

[FiestyFemme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hello_kitty The Hello Kitty collection was the worse, though. I bought most of it, and then ended up disliking most of the things I got from it. That was a learning experience, so now I make sure to try things/swatch and decide it it has a place in my stash. I don't get caught up in new collection hypes, I just get want I want and personally like.

I learned this lesson the hard way also, but with the Fafi & Heatherette collections. I had the money, so I just splurged, and now I don't wear 99% of what I bought from it. At the time, I just had to have it though, but I regretted it pretty soon after. It's not that any of the items were bad, they just weren't practical for me (like Hollywood Nights and Melrose Mood). Since that point, I rarely buy from new collections. Let's face it, when you have so much makeup, there are only so many unique shades MAC (or any other brand) can make. Even if it looks different to my eye, I've learned to skip it because really, how much different does it look on the eye? Or to anyone else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkGlamourXO My collection consists of shades I'd wear any day, I've learned to stop buying shades that I know I'll never wear.

Yes, exactly! I now only buy shades that I know I will wear. Not those gotta-have-it-cause-I-might-wear-it-one-day shades, but those I know I can wear in my everyday life. Hot pink or red lipstick just isn't practical for me, neither is blue eyeshadow.

And to answer the original question, I don't need anything anymore. I really have everything I could possibly need & more. Definitely puts things into perspective when you realize that, and I don't buy but a couple of makeup items a month now, if that.

 

[reesesilverstar]

I'll say greed because we don't "need" makeup. I want it, I buy it, so it's greed.

 

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiestyFemme I now only buy shades that I know I will wear. Not those gotta-have-it-cause-I-might-wear-it-one-day shades, but those I know I can wear in my everyday life. Hot pink or red lipstick just isn't practical for me, neither is blue eyeshadow.

This is a very valid approach, but my trouble is that my tastes change occasionally.
For example, for a long time, I wore only gray, brown, or taupe eyeshadow, because I like the way those neutral colors work with my unusual bright green eye color.
But then (cue ominous music) I fell in love with Hypnotizing, from Love Lace, and decided that I need to start wearing more mauves and plums to make my eye color *really* pop.

I still wear the grays, browns, and taupes occasionally, but now in addition, I have lots of plums and mauves.
THEN came the matte kick, which, as of 10:16 a.m. CDT Monday July 12, I'm still on.
So now I have shimmery grays, shimmery taupes that are more gray than brown, shimmery browns, shimmery taupes that are more brown than gray, a couple of shimmery taupes that are an approximately exact balance of gray and brown, and a variety of shimmery whites, silvers, and golds for highlight.
I have a few matte taupes, grays, and browns, as well.
ALSO I'm accumulating a fair collection of plums, mauves, and purples, some shimmery, some matte.
My very latest obsession is with shades that are taupe-y, with just a splash of mauve or plum.
In this fairly small category, my favorites are Urban Decay Heist( matte deep purple grey), Urban Decay Illegal ( matte taupe-y rose), Stila Viola (shimmery medium/deep grayed mauve, similar to Hypnotizing and Shale, but deeper), MAC Shale (shimmery medium greyed mauve), Stila Tone (matte browned plum), MAC Style Snob (shimmery sliiightly brownish taupe with mauve), Stila Grace (closest dupe of Style Snob I've been able to find), Bobbi Brown Heather (matte taupe-y plum).
AACK!
I have tons of wonderful shadows, but only two eyes!

 

[tthelwell]

I'm sick and I need help!

I don't need any of the makeup I have but I want want want it! I'm a collector but I have been cutting back on the greed side as much as possible. So I don't get the backups like I would normally do and I don't buy products I definitely know I will NEVER use *ehem Marine Life*

 

[m_3]

Mostly greed. I have a problem of buying things because their pretty. I'm a packaging girl. If it's pretty I want it.

 

[ms. kendra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocolategoddes Ha, I wish I had the money to be greedy in the first place! When it comes to shopping in general, I usually have an idea of what product I need before I actually go out to buy it. I'm still trying to build my makeup collection but I'm sure once I get to that point where I have all my essentials, we'll see how greedy I can be.

This is me. I'm still building my collection as well, and at the beginning I was a little out of control until I realized that I was repeatedly buying the same shades, or colors that looked pretty but I wouldn't actually wear.

Then I sat down and really did a wishlist or "what's missing" from my collection. Now I stay focused and only buy what I need or back ups of my faves. I've become a huge skeptic of each new collection and try to wait until the hype dies down before making any purchases.

Besides, I don't just love makeup...I love skin care, nail polish, clothes, and shoes. So it's all gotta balance somehow.

 

[cno64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_3 Mostly greed. I have a problem of buying things because their pretty.

I, too, buy things because they're pretty, but my focus is whether they'll look pretty on me.
Sure, I'm influenced by the attractiveness of the packaging, but I wouldn't even consider buying an orange-brown lipstick, no matter how beautiful the container, because I know that color would look like crud on me.
Also, if the product itself really appeals to me, I'm capable of pretty much ignoring the packaging.
For example, I, like many, hate the UDPP bottle (because of its function, not its appearance) but the product is so great that I'm careful to never be without it.

 

[glamorjunkie]

I buy for greed. I need for no makeup. Seriously. I have so much and I get more every week. I got a call from Nordstroms the other day for their anniversary sale and the Dior counter called. Did I need no but I bought. I think I have to learn to control this. I will never use the amount of makeup I have....It is very hard....

 

[Dar]

Greed i just cant stop buying Make up its an addiction ...