As the year comes to a close and the Christmas sets and special releases start to make their appearance, it’s when I notice that cosmetics companies up their “pretty packaging” factor. I suppose they know what women want don’t they? They want something pretty and delicate and if it houses their favourite cosmetics, all the better!
Some other cosmetics brands instead, make cute and pretty packaging the norm. Many Asian brands tend to capitalize on this. Etude House ups the cute factor and Paul & Joe, Anna Sui and Jill Stuart packaging is very pretty. I often wonder if it’s an Asian thing. After all, nowhere else in the world does a cartoon kitty without a mouth and wearing a bow get that sort of devotion, other than here in Asia.
So I was curious if your cosmetics purchases may have been swayed, even by a little bit, by the pretty or cute packaging that they come in?
As for myself, I have to say that for the most part, I’m not. I do tend to go for sleek and simple packaging so “pretty” doesn’t really come into the equation for me. It also explains why I wasn’t into buying the Laduree Rose Petal blushes. Gorgeous execution, pretty packaging, but just not something I’d go for.
Ok, I lie. Maybe I’m a little swayed if it’s particularly pretty. I’m looking at you, Guerlain Meteorites Perles! 😛
I actually had to dig around in my stash before I actually found anything that might conventionally be swooned over for being “pretty packaging”. The Anna Sui powder case definitely falls under this category. It’s large, it’s got these delicate looking prints on it, and the box has FEET! I’m not sure where it came from but no, I didn’t buy it haha! 😀
I did buy the Jill Stuart blush however. It wasn’t the pretty factor that got me, if I’m to be honest. I just wanted it because the product looks good on. I got this in Hong Kong a while ago, and actually asked the SA “What are you wearing?” before making my decision.
So, other than the Jill Stuart and Guerlain Meteorites Perles, I don’t have many other cosmetics with conventionally “pretty packaging”. I may sometimes be gifted with them, but I don’t actively seek them out, nor am I particularly swayed to make a purchase just because the packaging is pretty or cute.
However, on the flipside, ugly, bulky or clunky packaging does turn me off. Case in point, Guerlain again. There was a special tin released for Sephora stores that I rejected out of hand because I found it ugly. Ditto the upcoming Guerlain Crazy Meteorites Perles. I was keen to add them to my collection, only to backpedal with a grimace of horror when I saw the tin. Here’s a picture I got off the Escentual blog.
But you see, what makes me recoil in horror may to someone else be considered “pretty packaging”. This is the strange grey world that art lives in, I suppose. It all comes down to perception and our standards of what may be “pretty and cute” and what is “ugly as sin”. I’m sorry Guerlain, but my wallet thanks you for your ugly packaging this round 😀
What say you? Does a cosmetic product that looks pretty and cute make you go “Take my money already!”?
For the most part, I’m not particularly drawn to buy a cosmetic product because of how pretty or cute the packaging may be. It is a bonus if it is. However, if it pains my eyes to look at it, then it may affect me enough NOT to buy it 🙂
Paris B
S. Drama&Makeup says
I have to admit that I love pretty packaging! I don’t think I’ve ever bought something just because I liked the packaging but it definitely made me want to buy something more. I didn’t buy some products because I didn’t like the packaging so it’s definitely something I keep in mind when I buy something.
Paris B says
Don’t we all, S! It makes us look twice or three times at a product and sometimes, even makes me consider if I want to buy it! But usually sanity prevails 😀
Love that pink says
Hi, I like the way your photos look. Did you do all the photo yourself? I came to yourself from blogger recommendation and I am your first visitor from Taiwan! I am a site on beauty as well, but I am more into skincare. I have that Jill Stuart blush as well which makes me want to say hi! visit my site and say hi!
Paris B says
Hi there yes, I take all my own photos 🙂 Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Denise says
It’s a plus, yes! I would definitely squee over it if it’s cute and pretty. But if the product inside is bad, or really, really not for me then sorry. I’ll pass.
Paris B says
The problem I’ve found though, is sometimes the product may be so pretty that we try to forgive how awful it is in performance. I have anyway. Making silly excuses for it. I’m glad I’ve grown up haha! 😀
Jyoan says
I think of pretty in a different way. Like Guerlain eyeshadow palettes and lipstick bullets and Estée Lauder palettes and even Chanel and Dior… All super pretty. For me, it sort of means well made and presentable at dinner and even meeting table (not that I ever whip out lipstick in front of other people, but still…).
Paris B says
To an extent yes, I will agree with you Jyoan. We all will have our perceptions and ideas on what “pretty” entails 🙂 I find Guerlain really pretty too haha but I’d consider it sleek for the most part and not conventionally pretty in a girly sense. I’m not even sure if I make sense haha!
Tine @ Beautyholics Anonymous says
Ahem. I’d say half of my makeup stash, if not more, are full of stuff that I bought just because they’re pretty and cute. Most ended up just there to look pretty 😛 I know! Waste money, right?
Let’s see, the Laduree rose petals blush, Laduree cameo blush, pretty much all the Jill Stuart and Anna Sui stuff I have, the Guerlain bebolas, any limited edition Chanels and Diors (still haven’t used the minaudiere Bea gave me. She’s going to kill me if she finds out :P), etc. Too many to list out! I truly am a sucker for packaging.
Paris B says
LOL Honesty is the best policy, Tine 😉 That said, so long as we aren’t sending ourselves into the poor house it’s really no one’s business to tell us we shouldn’t buy something pretty just because we love the packaging 😉
Carina says
Ahhh! I had that SAME reaction to that Guerlain Champs-Élysées tin. It is absolutely horrid, which is a pity because I think I’d love the product itself. Packaging isn’t really much of a dealbreaker/maker to me. I always sort of see it as either a beautiful bonus if the product is lovely and I’m keen on the packaging, or a real nuisance if the packaging is horrid and I love the innards. I don’t think I’ve ever purchased anything JUST because of packaging.
Paris B says
LOL! I’m not alone then Carina 😀 I was very tempted to get it for the contents too but then I told myself I’d have to look at that tin all the time and I wasn’t too crazy about that! (no pun intended hehe)
Victoria says
Pretty packaging does not really entice me to actually purchase the product. Sure, it would look really good in my stash but if the product itself is a disappointment, it would be such a waste of money. LOL. Does the Shiseido Camelia blush qualify as a pretty packaged product? If it does, it not only good to look at but the product itself is lovely to use.
On a separate note, I am about to purchase my first Guerlain Meteorites (in 02 or Teint Beidge) as I like the glow I get after testing it at the counter. I am not sure if there is any Christmas special edition for this product, so I should just go ahead and purchase it instead of waiting until December?
Paris B says
Ah Camellia blush. That one is both pretty AND functional. Best of both worlds 😀 As for Guerlain, the only Christmas edition is some rather pink shimmery balls, the pressed meteorites which are translucent and the Terracotta bronzer/blush. I’d go for Teint Beige for your first 🙂
xin says
i am totally a packaging person. LOL. re: laduree rose petals, hahahaahahah. but to its credit, it’s nice to look at, and it’s beautifully pigmented too!
Paris B says
Haha at least you’re using it, Xin! Imagine if you didn’t!
plue says
ditto on the Crazy Guerlain perles! i’m not buying this round because I think it looks rather ugly, rather than the high class/ classy sort of feel that I have always associated with Guerlain.
i am a sucker for pretty things, but makeup wise luckily I only limit myself to blush, and that if the blush would work on me. Otherwise, I’d go for practicality.
It seems like Guerlain is revamping/ reformulating their meteorites range in 2014, I know I read it somewhere but I can’t recall from where!
Paris B says
Haha yeah I don’t know what they’re thinking when they designed the tin. That said, it’s not affecting many people though so Guerlain still wins all around! It’s a good thing you know your vice LOL I too am usually suckered in by pretty blush but I’ve learned to curb it now. Guerlain Meteorites will be reformulated and the tin changed slightly in 2014. I saw some pictures online but haven’t got the details yet.
Emma says
Pretty packaging does make me want it more but cute is a turn-off for me. One reason why I’m generally not interested in Japanese/Korean beauty products is that, they are way too cute for my taste. All those fairy-tale like, girly packaging is just not my thing. Benefit packaging’s vintage-cute can sometimes work on me. I love simplicity, such as Lunasol, which is one of the very few Asian brands whose packaging I adore.
Paris B says
Hahaha *high5* Emma! I’m not into “cute” either because it’s just something that doesn’t sit well with my personality. I did go through a phase when I was interested in some Japanese/Korean makeup because of their cute factor but I’m glad it soon passed because the quality just wasn’t up to par. I do like the higher end Japanese makeup though. They know how to do “elegant” quite well and I’m a huge Lunasol fan too! 😀
lisa says
Not really. But, pretty packaging is a bonus. And the Guerlain Crazy Meteorites Perles actually looks kind of ‘crazy’ as the name implies with the neon colored, jumping alphabets on the tin.
Paris B says
You’re actually right about it looking crazy. I think that’s what they intended and they achieved that intention! Just not quite what I had in mind when I think of Guerlain right?
Audrey says
I am the same. I don’t seek for pretty packaging cosmetic products because to me, its the quality of product that matters (regardless splurge or affordable drug stores item) but as you mentioned, it is a bonus point if it’s pretty and it’s okay if it’s normal looking but never ugly. I am very reluctant to buy ugly packaging cosmetic products. It makes me feel like the company did not even bother to put in effort to make it look good or even decent looking.. lol
Paris B says
That’s a valid point Audrey. I can’t imagine it’s hard to actually make a product look good even if not conventionally pretty or cute eh? 🙂