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Lipstick or a cute little top?
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I just read this article about how lipstick sales go up during times of economic hardship and wondered if it was true of the folks here on the Beauty Brains forum.
Logically it would seem that the clothes are the better deal. They last longer. However, fashions change so quickly that even when something is still in good shape you can't possibly wear it.
So, what do you think? Are you more likely to buy an expensive cosmetic than a skirt or cute top? -
Funny you should ask. My co-worker (a guy) just brought in his new camera. He bought it because "I just needed to buy myself something." I joked that I feel that way a lot too and another co-worker (a woman) chimed in, "That explains why you have so many shoes." We agreed that, when "you just need to buy something", you buy shoes when you're feeling flush and lipstick when you're not because neither will ever make you feel fat.
I'd go for the expensive cosmetic. I follow trends in cosmetics far more than I follow trends in clothing. I've got enough of "the classics" already in my closet that I could go through an entire season without buying anything or just replacing something that's worn out but necessary (like a good white blouse or pair of black pants.) I'm not really a clotheshorse and I don't enjoy shopping for clothes so I don't think I'd miss getting new stuff that much. On the other hand, I'd have a really hard time not stopping by the Chanel or Laura Mercier counter and checking out their latest collection. If I really wanted to get the most bang for my buck, I'd get perfume. I usually wind up throwing out cosmetics because they've gotten old but I'll use every last drop of a perfume that I love.
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I saw this and totally believe it's true. It makes so much sense... except for the lipstick part. It seems lipstick isn't quite as popular as it used to be. But I bet cosmetic sales go up and women's clothing sales go down during recessions. I found that once I started grad school 2 years ago (aka became poor), I started buying TONS of makeup. I mean, I probably now have more than 15X the amount of makeup I had before I started my program. However, I buy far less clothing than I did before. (Now, this is probably also due to the fact that I can dress however I like now. And you know... it's actually interesting. I feel like it's totally fine to go out in sweatpants here whereas at home I probably wouldn't have done that.) Ahh, I digress.
Anyway, it makes complete sense to me that we buy smaller "splurges" in times of economic insecurity. I just imagine that lilpstick is no longer that one item. Perhaps cosmetics and skin care instead. -
I agree. Cosmetics first, then clothes. Great clothes don't do much for you if your face makes you look like a dog! Of course I'm older, so I do not look great (or fresh faced) if I go without makeup. If I was young, clothes might come first. I can't remember that far back, so can't say for sure ;)
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Lipstick doesn't always do it for me and clothes shopping usually depresses me because of the random way everthing is sized these days. I tend to go for a scented body wash or lotion because that makes me feel pampered.
I think I heard the lipstick story during the last US recession. And then around the holidays of those years there WAS a boom in bath and body purchases for the reason I just stated...a way to feel pampered without spending a whole lot of money. Little luxuries instead of price-y ones. -
I'm like most of the gals here. I don't usually let this known, but yes, I do hate my body, thus I hate hate hate shopping for clothes. (Don't worry guys.. I love food too much to not eat it! So er.. that is actually my problem.. I love food)
But.. my lips are cute, I have pretty eyes, so I will splurge on eyeshadows and lip sticks. I can never ever have enough, even when I'm dead broke, which seems to be always.
Clothes wise, I haven't really bought anything new for a really long time. I'd buy like a plain sweater or some cheap tops to wear to work, but that's about it. My mom ends up buying clothes for me since she hates how threadbare some of my nicer clothes have become.
Oh.. and I hate buying shoes too!!!! Nothing fits right, and they are soo pricey! That and uh.. I have flat + wide + short feet, making shoes that fit well really hard to find. -
Oh vey...don't get me started on finding comfortable shoes...I have to spend a fortune and I still get blisters when I travel and do alot of walking. I am taking a trip in November but I know I should buy shoes NOW to break them in well enough so that I can be reasonably comfortable whilst travelling.
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Oh, I absolutely LOVE buying clothes. Of course, I have those moments like everyone else when I'm pissed off because it seems like nothing looks good, but I LOVE new clothes. Unfortunately, new clothes cost more than a new eyeshadow (usually, that seems to be changing). If I just feel like I need to buy something, I go for cosmetics or a nice body cream. If I have a bit more money and haven't bought clothes in a while, I look for sales and coupons for sites like Victorias Secret and buy a few cute tops. I am also usually inundated with coupons for Express, which is always nice.
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Judy--maybe you're buying the wrong shoes?
My most comfortable pair of shoes were made by the following brands:
Okabashi
Ecco
One is absurdedly expensive compared to most shoes. The other is ridiculously cheap.
I prefer the Okabashis and I wear them daily in the summer. Because they're sandals, however, I rarely (if ever) wear them in the winter. I have both wide and flat feet, too, so it can be difficult to find shoes that work. -
No lipstick for me, I don't wear any!! I only own the ones that come with the "free gift with purchase"
Definitely clothes, workout clothes!!! Or sneakers!! my sneakers only last 3-4 months each, and If they are not super-cute I don't buy them (I am totally against white-sneakers, unless you never leave the gym in them) . And I cannot get enough lululemon tops/bottoms, anything!! -
Akurah, sadly I have GOOD shoes it is my feel that just have a tendency to blister at pressure points.
I have devised a bandaid system however that I apply to the pressure points and it helps except that when I am travelling I always run out of the bandaids and have to find WHICH store in which country sells bandaids. Sigh...
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Judy
have you tried the blister block stick? It works quite well, specially for sandals.
Sadly enough, after being to my orthopedic surgeon quite a bit recently, I bet is not only you Judy that tends to blister at pressure points. It is the cut of the shoe probably to blame, and fashion, not your feet. There shouldn't be any pressure points to speak off. I've been in a recent crusade to preserve my feet after I found out how bad in shape they were, and very few companies (besides the ones that make sneakers), make shoes that do not strain your feet in some way, even expensive theorethically "comfort" brands.
I've been tryinng every contraption to make my existing shoes better and avoid blisters, since I am not planning to throw away my stillettos. I think I can give a review of every possible way to get over painfull shoes by now, Insolia, every Dr Scholl's insert you can think of, foot petals, etc
But according to my doctor if it hurts in the store you shouldn't buy it and hope it "loosens up". However, most comfortable shoes look ugly, it is sad. You can try taking your shoes to a repair guy and strech them? maybe that will take the pressure points away?
We should start a thread on finding decent shoes and share our findings. We often misstreat our feet and forget they carry us arounf all day, all life and it is important to take care of them -
Hi Judy
have you tried Earth footwear? They have some really cute sandals and very supportive
as for me I just bought 2 pairs pair of nike thongs, I love flip flops but they are soo bad for arch support,, the nike ones are more substantial and also cute, usually more expensive but they are having a clearance sale right now
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