Coping with Product Lust
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free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:09 pm

So I've been thinking about "product lust" lately -- how I fall deeply in love with new products (or products that I don't own) when browsing beauty catalogs, reading EDS reviews, etc. The pretty pictures, the enticing claims, the hope of brand new, beautiful skin in mere moments... And because I (like the rest of the world) am trying to reign in my spending a little bit, I've had to hold back from just going ahead and purchasing the next "miracle."

I was sorting out my vanity over the holidays, which also meant going through all my samples, many of which I didn't know I even had (or how to use them!) so I went on EDS to learn about them. Lo and behold, with all my samples there were miracles just waiting there for me! While I was at it, though, I decided to look at the old reviews that made me buy my daily-use products in the first place, and that's what I'm actually posting about: how reviewing the blurbs on my normal cleanser, moisturizer, etc. helped me to get "re-excited" about them. Just because it's not new doesn't mean it's not good. Smile

I enjoy the sensual pleasure of what I use normally (how it smell or feels good), but I'm always wondering if there's something better...

I'm sure people have figured lots of this out already, but it's just my two-cents about dealing with product lust, particularly when money's tight. I'm getting to fall back in love with all the stuff that's already in my bathroom! Don't just recycle, reread!! Very Happy

free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:26 pm

Yes! the big downer is that i have so much, it loses it potency before i have a chance to use it Crying or Very sad

free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:27 pm

Great topic, great post. I boxed up all my "didn't care for" products and ALL my samples and sent them off to a friend. Boy was there alot, more like GOBS of stuff.I took a bunch of creams and put them in a cleaned out 4 oz jar and am using that on my legs and arms. It's amazing how fast the products mulitply when one is on a gotta have mission. My spending overall has been cut way back but then along comes the STOP. Wink

free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:53 pm

I'm glad to have other ladies who know where I'm coming from!

Juliemarie, I have the exact same problem with too many samples, which I didn't know I had until I cleaned out my stash! I had to prioritize what I really wanted to try (based on reviews, or I'll admit, how expensive the original was Wink

). But of course using a different product everyday would just be counter-productive...

Sending to a friend is a good idea, Frodo. I need to cultivate more girly-girl relationships simply so I can give my products away! Laughing

Once I just posted the lot up on eBay, especially because there were a lot of perfumes, which I'm sensitive too -- at least they weren't being wasted that way. I've also done the same thing with misc. lotions; I use them on my body now. I think I joked on an earlier post that I literally use nine different moisturizers at night (face, body, lips, feet, hands) -- that's just ridiculous, or wonderful, depending on your perspective!

free skin care · Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:03 pm

What a great post, KBLang. I definitely can relate. It is so hard not to get caught up with the hype of the new miracle product or the latest raves on the forum.

I also had a ton of samples that I recently bagged up and shipped out to others.

I think a good idea is to try to stick with something for 6 months to see if the product will work or not. Most of the clinical studies done on products are a good 3 months long (and my skin takes longer to react that most it seems). That right there is helping me not buy any new products.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:37 am

Hi. very useful topic. I have trouble with wanting to go on to the next "great" thing. I realize sometimes it is because the product is not working for me or just is not very effective at all. and at times I think it is that the routine gets stale and I need to be creative in using different combinations. Also, where I live there is a huge difference in the seasons. I just don't want to use things that cancel each other out but I think I am finding a solution. Hard to know what to do with the things that I haven't finished..usually use on my chest.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:42 am

I have seen village life in India..and have experienced first hand how difficult it is for people to have necessary food and medical care for their family..and i am conscious of so many peoples in the world..due to wars, natural disasters,famine, lack of water,disease, etc. who are unnecessarily suffering and dying for lack of money to help them.

So....last fall I committed to myself that everytime i spent money on anything that wasn't essential for life..i would donate the same amount i had spent to a Cause that i felt desperately needed the money..

This really has made me consider, deeply, whether or not i'm going to make a purchase... because i am going to be spending twice what it costs..once for the item itself..and once again to the Cause i am donating to.

Personally, i wish i was 'free' enough to fore go the unessential item for myself altogether..and donate everything to those who are truly suffering..but i'm honestly not yet willing to give up ...that totally... my identification with the material world...so this is currently a good compromise for me..and one that allows me 'to live with myself' in these times...

and it is highly effective for me in terms of curbing my beauty product lust.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:51 am

What a terrific idea, jasminerosey! This is a wonderful way to be thoughtful about our consumption while at the same time supporting a cause that we believe in.

I grew up in a religious tradition that required tithing--the idea that you give ten percent of your income to the church. While I have moved away from that particular religion, we continue to to tithe by giving ten percent to various charities and causes. But I think I will add your one-for-one contribution idea, too. It will make me stop and think more before buying unnecessaries, and that's a good thing in and of itself.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:25 am

thanks flitcraft..for your generosity in tithing..because it is inspiring to me...and makes me consider wanting to donate even more than i do.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:49 am

Great post! I can definitely relate to this. It is hard for me to stop buying products. I already have staffed my fridge with creams ( I am not even talking about samples), moisturizers, etc and there are many other new products that I haven't tried yet. I always search for the best product that will work for me.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:44 pm

I appreciate your inspiration and example, jasminerosey and flitcraft. I'm impressed by the innovation of your donation system, jasminrosey! I think taking stock (literally and figuratively) of what we have is so important, even if it just leads to small changes or means we're more aware of and grateful for what we do have...

And yes, I think you're right about needing to "test" a product for 3-6 months, rileygirl. Patience is less of a virtue these days, but it has long term benefits! And if I really get antsy, I open a sample or start my re-reading. Smile

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:36 pm

You guys are inspiring! And helping me to reign in those "lemmings" for the latest and greatest. I swap my stuff at MakeupAlley.com. My rule is to not buy anything new unless I have tried it first by swapping. And to get rid of more than I take in...by donating to women's shelters or giving away.

Jasminerosey, your "buy-one-give-one" is a magnificient idea - and Flitcraft I respect that you tithe, it's such a wonderful old custom that is even more important in our world today.

free skin care · Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:06 pm

I am officially a product lust addict as well. I love trying out the new products that come out. It's so fun and I feel as though it's pampering ^^ My one splurge in life.

free skin care · Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:47 am

I've learned a lot in this forum, but I have to be vigilant in not giving in to all the excitement over the newest HG. With the economy like it is now, I think longer before buying, and I've only given in to one over-hyped product in the past year. Live and learn. I'm keeping it on the shelf in my walk-in closet as a reminder.

Quote:

I think a good idea is to try to stick with something for 6 months to see if the product will work or not.

Very true. In fact, I don't even like samples because with most of them, there's enough for one or two uses, and I can't tell anything from that except maybe scent and texture of the product. It takes several months to determine whether it's going to work for me.

free skin care · Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:24 am

It is a delight to have you; jasminerosey among us on EDS. Another good perspective and a willingness to share on a finer level. thanks....

Service and giving to others is what ultimately feels the best.
and realistically we do live in a material world so the ability to balance these things can take conscious choice.

jasminerosey wrote:

I have seen village life in India..and have experienced first hand how difficult it is for people to have necessary food and medical care for their family..and i am conscious of so many peoples in the world..due to wars, natural disasters,famine, lack of water,disease, etc. who are unnecessarily suffering and dying for lack of money to help them.

So....last fall I committed to myself that everytime i spent money on anything that wasn't essential for life..i would donate the same amount i had spent to a Cause that i felt desperately needed the money..

This really has made me consider, deeply, whether or not i'm going to make a purchase... because i am going to be spending twice what it costs..once for the item itself..and once again to the Cause i am donating to.

Personally, i wish i was 'free' enough to fore go the unessential item for myself altogether..and donate everything to those who are truly suffering..but i'm honestly not yet willing to give up ...that totally... my identification with the material world...so this is currently a good compromise for me..and one that allows me 'to live with myself' in these times...

and it is highly effective for me in terms of curbing my beauty product lust.

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