Your makeup collection is as good as your shopping skills, and yes, there are mistakes you can make while buying your glam goodies as well. Given that you spend a considerable amount of your savings buying quality products, it is important to plan out your shopping day instead of impulsively buying products based on reviews, endorsements or marketing campaigns. Avoiding these mistakes will make sure you are getting the most of your money and buying products that help you create flawless makeup.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid while buying makeup.
- Mistake #1: Choosing the wrong colours and shades
- Mistake #2: Buying the wrong formulations
- Mistake #3: Being careless about the support items
- Mistake #4: Ignoring the ‘Use by’ timelines
- Mistake #5: Not learning more about the product
Mistake #1: Choosing the wrong colours and shades
Makeup colours and shades are formulated with much thought for a reason. Your skin’s undertone plays a major role in helping you decide which foundation or lipstick shade will flatter you the most. Sample foundations, blushes, eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks before you buy them. You can test foundations on your neck and swatch lipsticks on your wrist to find your perfect match. Also, make sure to sanitise them and not use the testers on your skin directly.
Mistake #2: Buying the wrong formulations
Similar to colours and shades, makeup textures and formulations are also important to consider while purchasing makeup. Take your skin type into account while buying products — oily skin types benefit from powder formulas, while dry skin types can indulge in rich creams and oil-based products. Picking the right formulation will also decide how your makeup looks in the end — dewy, matte or natural — so it is crucial to get it right.
Mistake #3: Being careless about the support items
Makeup essentials like primers, setting powders, setting sprays and even baking powders (makeup, not cookies) are often skipped or forgotten about while buying makeup. Make sure you pay equal attention to them and consider their texture, formula and finish as well. These products extend the wear time of your makeup look, thus making them an absolute essential.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the ‘Use by’ timelines
Grab the closest makeup product next to you and check the label for a little open can sign with a text like ‘12M’(12 months) written inside. This sign indicates how long a makeup product can be safely used after the product’s seal is broken for the first time. It is not enough to just check the expiry date before buying, but it also gives you a fair idea of how quickly you will have to use up the product once you open it.
Mistake #5: Not learning more about the product
Makeup products are more than just colours and textures; they also come with proper specifications. Ask questions like whether the product is waterproof or what kind of coverage they provide. Ask a staff member to list out all the product specifications for you to make an informed decision.
Written by Sumona Bose on Apr 01, 2021
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!