“Limited edition” is a catch-phrase in the beauty world, I’ve come to realise. Dangle this carrot before beauty lovers and before you know it, a whole collection has been snapped up; or queues have formed around the block. Oh yes, apparently this queue thing does happen. Then, some unscrupulous people hawk their finds on ebay, hoping to make a quick buck – Hey, I’ve done it back in the day. Yes, I made a pretty penny but it was too hard to keep up and too much of a hassle, so I no longer sell things online.
It isn’t limited to just beauty though. Last year, Louis Vuitton released an adorable print collection for Christmas, the Evasion collection. I wasn’t too taken by it, but I was curious, and stopped by the LV store to take a look. The one item I was most keen to check out was the mini pochette, but I was told that it was sold out and had been since its launch, where it quite literally flew off the shelves.
Now, LV isn’t exactly like makeup or skincare. It’s not something you can just go “Oh, I’ll take one of that, and that and maybe that, why not?” without melting your credit card in the process. Yet, it sold out very quickly everywhere, because it was a limited edition product (and probably because it was cute).
I most recently came to know that one of my favourite skincare products has now received the limited edition treatment as well! In celebration of the forthcoming Chinese (Lunar) New Year celebrations beginning on 8 February 2016, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II has been repackaged from its signature brown bottle, to a shiny golden bottle, packaged with a complimentary key chain with a Monkey charm, because it’s the Lunar Year of the Monkey! 😀
It’s probably no secret that I really enjoy using this product, and I have a bottle on stand by in my skincare at all times. I use a lot of products, but this one remains a mainstay simply because it works! And the thing is, I know this is a favourite serum for many people, and one of the bestsellers for Estee Lauder, which is why I was a little surprised and not a little amused at the creativity that came with this newest limited edition offer.
But are you generally attracted to limited edition items or packaging, especially for skincare products? 😀
Me? Generally I’m not, unless the limited edition item is so unique or attractive that I just have to have it. My weak spot are the Guerlain Meteorites, which I collect, so limited edition or not, I pick them up. Sometimes, I go weak at the sight of pretty, limited edition blushes, but in recent times, it’s not been a priority for me.
As for skincare, I’ve not actually come across many brands that do limited edition packaging for their products. Skincare is of course, something you will eventually use up and toss, and people will buy it for its efficacy as opposed to how pretty the packaging is, which is probably why we don’t see pretty limited edition packaging very often.
I know that SK-II does an occasional limited edition packaging for their signature Facial Treatment Essence, for festive seasons. Occasionally, Kiehl’s will also do a limited edition packaging for their signature products, in collaboration with designers or celebrities, and La Mer releases a special edition tub of Creme de la Mer for World Oceans Day every year.
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Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II 50ml Year of the Monkey limited edition packaging – RM371
But I believe this is the first time I’m seeing a special edition packaging from Estee Lauder for their skincare products. I do stand to be corrected however 🙂
If I were born in the Year of the Monkey (which I’m not, but which you are if you’re born in 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 or 2004) I think I’d be all over this. I mean, it’s a product I already use, and the limited edition celebratory packaging is pretty sleek, plus the keychain will last long after the serum is finished. I might be quite loathe to toss this golden bottle though 😛
Besides, Year of the Monkey aside, I also found out that despite the special packaging and keychain, it’s the same price as the regular 50ml bottle of ANR – so I think that’s pretty much a no-brainer right there if I were going to buy the serum anyway LOL! 😀
Are you captivated by limited edition products or packaging? Have you come across other limited edition packaging for skincare?
While I don’t think that limited edition packaging for skincare draws in the buyers simply on packaging alone, it’s also nice to have a little change on my dresser top. If I’m going to buy a particular skincare product, and if it were to come in pretty packaging, I don’t see why I won’t buy it! Well, unless of course it costs more, in which case, I won’t 😀 Now, are you planning to pick up this golden elixir in its golden bottle? It’s limited edition, you know 😉
Paris B
I have one as a gift but personally speaking, I’m not that keen to buy any limited edition skincares due to the packaging unless there are cheaper due to bigger quantity for limited time only. Speaking of stretching our ringgit… 🙂 that’s attracts me. I always buy my ANR from SG airport for the 100ml as it’s way much cheaper to get it from Msia. But Msia only have to offer only up to 75ml and occasionally 100ml accordingly to the BA.
Ooh when I was travelling more often, I used to pick up the 100ml ANR bottles too. Such excellent value! Sometimes, they even come in packs of 2 bottles. Burned huge holes in my wallet, but heck, my skin loved it! 😀
Yup yup, one time burned the wallet but can save in long run. Ha ha…understand that. I’m really looking forward for the 2 bottles but I think that is limited time only. Only available in June or July.
Gosh, I didn’t know there were special times when we can get the twin packs! LOL! Ok, that tells you I don’t travel very much anymore >.<
Ha ha, I don’t travel that often too but I remember I bought before and I asked the BA when there is a chance.
I really like ANR and if I was in the market for a new bottle for sure I’d like the limited edition packaging (especially at the same price) but for me as far as skincare goes, it’s what’s inside that counts. So I wouldn’t buy a skincare product purely for packaging. Makeup on the other hand, with limited edition shades….. Well I’d be all over that!
Haha I think limited edition makeup is most certainly the biggest way to make sure a collection sells out, and fast! Brands are climbing on that bandwagon like there’s no tomorrow LOL! I didn’t quite get the whole limited edition packaging for skincare as well. If I’m already a user, I’d say, “Why not?” but if I weren’t, I don’t think I’d actually buy a limited edition skincare item just because it’s pretty to look at 😀
PB!!!
PLEASE GRAB EL FUTURIST AQUA BRILLIANCE FOUNDATION!!! AND THE HIGHLIGHTER!!! I swear the highlighter knocked YSL out of the park!
LOL! Ok, I’ll take a look the next time I head out! 😀
I’m only interested in limited editions of stuff I love a lot, so this ANR2 could be a lemming.. they don’t sell it here sadly. Brands should only do capsule collections of their bestsellers and rotate that every so often. Keeps the fans wanting more 😀
They don’t sell this limited edition ANR in Belgium? Why the discrimination? 😛 Then again, it IS just about the packaging LOL!
It depends on the design. If it’s not to my liking, nah I wouldn’t bother. If it’s pretty, then I most probably would. I love the SKII FTE ones. I have last year’s and this year’s “lasercut paper” one. Beautiful!
I’ve seen the SK2 ones – very attractive, I’d agree. Thank goodness I don’t use the brand haha! 😉