I am a big follower of news and current issues. My Twitter feed isn’t for everyone (as some of you have found out LOL!), because it really is a personal account, and I often run off on a non-beauty related tangent. But what with Twitter feeding me news, and my own personal experiences, I cannot help feeling the economic pinch. I speak for myself here in Malaysia – I do not profess to know what’s happening in other countries. This might not be true in a higher economic/income nation.
Basic things like prices of food have spiralled remarkably in recent years. Grocery shopping can be quite a challenge, and I know of people who struggle to make ends meet, much less have spare cash for savings or even luxuries. It is very sobering, in a country where resources are plentiful, but mismanaged. (Ok, no more politics)
When I first started being interested in beauty – skincare and makeup – over 15 years ago, I was earning quite an average basic income. Glam sounding job, but no high-flying salary to match. Yet, back then was when I started my beauty collection and experience – Dior lipsticks, Chanel blushes, Guerlain Meteorites. I was using Estee Lauder, La Mer and SK-II as my skincare. Estee Lauder ANR was my crack! They were expensive, but they weren’t prohibitively so. I wonder if it is also because the brands did not go crazy with new releases every 2 weeks. Things hung around a lot longer which made them more attainable after a spell; and for makeup, you had time to save up for the seasonal collections because there were maybe 4-5 a year.
These days, almost every brand launches a big collection one week, and 2 weeks later, launches a capsule collection. MAC Cosmetics went from having 1 new collection a MONTH to 1 new collection A WEEK. I understand the brand’s drive to increase sales – but what about for the consumer?
Rapidly rising local prices of beauty products
I have also noticed a marked increase in local prices of beauty products – makeup and skincare – in the past 2 years. This has come about for various reasons, political and economic, but we know what happens when prices go up. They never come back down, and if anything, they will only go higher. Every time I speak to a brand representative, and they indicate a price hike, I wince. Most products we are discussing are already pretty expensive to start with – how much higher can they go before they go out of reach? You only have to browse Sephora to know what I’m talking about. I can’t bring myself to buy half the things in there, because I don’t feel the prices to be commensurate with the quality.
PB – Are you part of the problem?
Many of you know and realise that I personally use and feature fairly pricey beauty products. I’d even say luxury products. You might then accuse me of being part of the problem. What may not come through is the fact that I’m very careful about what I use and feature, and I have my personal price thresholds that I won’t cross. I buy a lot of my own products, and I know how it feels to actually have to spend money, not just have things thrown at you willy-nilly, so you lose touch with reality.
But when I talk about an eye serum that’s RM880 for 15ml, or an eyeshadow palette that’s RM220 or even a powder that you can barely see on skin, like the Meteorites that weigh in now at about RM257 or so, I cannot help but feel a little disoriented. This is more so when I learned that a bunch of new foundations will cost over RM400. RM400 bucks for a foundation. That’s crazy! To be honest with you, I may blog about them, but it doesn’t mean I can justify telling you “Hey, buy this, you will see a miracle!” And I never will. I really get nothing out of it even if you do buy it. When I learned that my holiest of holy grails, Estee Lauder ANR is now RM400 a bottle, I was speechless. If I am affected by these sort of prices, how much more so is the average woman on the street?
I know my audience. You are mostly women (and some men) with jobs and in most cases, family. There may be some of you living in the lap of luxury, for whom money is no object, but for the most part, you are the everyday woman. How much of what I blog or feature might be relatable to you? Perhaps a small portion. Perhaps it gives you something to save towards, if it’s a product that’s really good and worth using. But how much of it is sustainable?
Mushrooms aren’t a substitute for truffles
I’ve had people tell me “PB, why don’t you feature more affordable products?” and the truth is that it’s hard, because I’ve had a taste of the good stuff. It’s like telling someone who eats truffles, to switch to mushrooms. It just doesn’t happen. Of course, if I start developing a taste for mushrooms, I’ll talk about mushrooms. But if truffles float my boat, I’m afraid it’ll have to be truffles or nothing.
Sometimes, I come across some amazingly affordable products that meet my stringent quality levels, and that’s when I tell you about them. Catrice Cosmetics come to mind almost immediately. Cheap and cheerful makeup that perform very well, with a very small price tag that is within reach of everyone.
But if you are truly a beauty afficionado, you will agree with me that Catrice is the exception to the norm. Even brands like Maybelline or L’Oreal Paris or Bourjois are hardly classified as “cheap makeup” locally. They are affordable, but they are by no means cheap, and the quality isn’t always up to par. I discount mascara because I don’t use it and therefore have no views on it, but I can tell you that if you want good mascara, look to the Japanese brands – they know their mascara.
Beauty is a luxury – but is it too much of a luxury?
Beauty has always been a luxury. We can only really think about spending money on potions and lotions and colours and powders, when we have that extra cash, after providing for our necessities and paying off our commitments. So, when you start to think about the co-relation between sticking to something that is of a certain quality, and the rapidly rising asking prices across the board that takes a larger chunk out of your income, I begin to wonder if beauty isn’t quickly becoming too much of a luxury item.
I can barely bring myself to pay for a bottle of EL ANR these days. How soon will it be before people start switching away from their regular brands, to something more affordable? How many people are cutting out products so they don’t have to use so many? Perhaps it’s already started. I’m told consumer brands (sold in pharmacies) are doing brisk sales. People ARE switching away, but at what cost to their skin, if it’s skincare?
I’m not saying of course that everything cheap is bad or sub-standard. It remains a fact that good quality ingredients cost money, and that will transfer to the consumer. I’m not saying also that all high-end products are good. Far from it. Some just ride on their name and celebrity endorsements.
Many skincare products I see in the local pharmacies, that are within easy reach of the populace, don’t live up to expectations, or are really not worth mentioning. The one brand I might be willing to stick my neck out for is perhaps, Olay because I’ve had good results using their products over the years, starting with Total Effects and then Regenerist. Hada Labo is another brand I’m willing to recommend (except for their cleansers which suck – and suck all moisture out of your skin) We don’t get the good French pharmacy brands, and the ones we do get, aren’t affordable here.
I won’t talk about Korean skincare brands because I personally feel that the affordable ones are, for the most part, very basic to be point of being too basic. If you haven’t used skincare before, it’s a decent place to start. But I wouldn’t use it for the rest of my life, because you just won’t get what your skin needs over time. You may disagree, that’s your prerogative. But when a brand engages the services of a high-flying popular K-pop/K-drama star as the face of their brand, and you walk out of the store with more freebies than products purchased (that’s always been the lure of Korean brands), it makes me wonder just how much their product is really worth 🙂
All I’m saying here is that in the current economic climate, and the rather uncertain economic future in a world gone butterly onkers, I don’t know how to justify some of the prices of products I tell you about – a RM400 foundation, a RM1000 moisturiser, a RM500 serum, a RM300 highlighter, a RM460 perfume… How are these not luxuries? How is beauty not becoming too much of a luxury? How are prices of beauty products spiralling beyond the reach of the everyday woman (or man) who just wants some decent skincare, or even makeup that doesn’t entail having to sell a kidney?
Your thoughts?
I just had to get this personal debate off my chest, but I’m not going to stop you know LOL As I said, truffles. I like my truffles and champagne and if I save for them, I get my truffles and champagne. I’m just a little more selective these days, and indulge a little more sparingly. But you can be sure that I’ll tell you that truffles and champagne are luxuries you can do without. Some day when I find mushrooms and sparkling juice that taste as good, I’d be sure to tell you about them too 😉 Have you started feeling the pinch already and are you switching away?
Paris B
“Locally, prices have gone up drastically, but pay hasn’t, so it works out a lot more expensive now than it did before.”
Very well-said there, PB. These days, I no longer enjoy walking into Sephora stores. They were never cheap of course but it was still manageable for me back then to get a palette in one month then a perfume the next month. But, with EVERYTHING being expensive these days, from a packet of nasi lemak to clothes, I had to really think twice before making purchases on beauty products; especially when a certain price isn’t justified. RM420 for a 50ml EDT?! God, have mercy on us!
Sadly, this is true. If we were a higher income nation, we probably won’t be complaining as much as we do today. Also food and necessities always come first, and with those prices also going up, it’s getting harder and harder to splurge on luxuries as often as we’d like to 🙁
Hey PB:) I just talked abt this last night with my yoga tutor. Nowadays, serum in HK cost over $1,500.
Where on earth can ppl get the money? Skincare and make up is so expensive now compared to few years back.
I have not use any skincare except oils, my skin have never been better. And I stopped wearing any foundations, powders hehe ( ok I am lazy and need my beauty sleep)
Yes beauty products is expensive let alone luxery
Hi Ange! How have you been? 😀 Gosh I can’t imagine that even you are feeling the pinch in HK! I mean, I remember that most brands were more affordable (if not exactly cheap) when I was there last and there’s such a wide variety of cosmetics brands. Sigh… if you are feeling the pinch in HK, goodness me, we are suffering! LOL Glad to know that facial oils are good for your skin – I love them too! And from what I remember, you don’t need foundation anyway, your skin was always quite good! 😛
It’s interesting that you brought this up because I noticed a 45% jump in skincare I use about 2 years ago. Six years ago, a container of Renova was $146 and today it’s $212. Thankfully, it lasts about 7 months, about $1/day, and I am willing to spend that much for what it does for my skin. Unfortunately Skinceuticals CE Ferulic has also increased significantly in price and at 80 cents a day maybe I should initiate a trial abstinence period to see if it is worth continuing. On the other hand, I spend too much on cosmetics, a lot of which goes unused, so I probably should cut back on that instead.
I’m actually fascinated that this phenomenon is happening not just here where I am, but globally. 45% is a drastic increase! Even though it’s over 2 years, that’s still significant. Incidentally, I had heard a lot about the efficacy of Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. There’s a site Cosmetics Skin Solutions that has a similar product at a much more wallet friendly price. Perhaps you could try that? I have tried a couple of their products before with varying degrees of success but my friends love their serums! 🙂
Things have definitely gone up in price. A few years ago Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion barely scraped $20 a bottle online. By the time they discontinued it this year it was almost $30 a bottle. Even the lower end Hadalabo lines are increasing in price outside of Japan. They are still reasonably priced within Japan. I guess this is why brands like Deciem’s The Ordinary is gaining so much traction. The low price, big results makes it much more attainable to everyone.
Oh yes, I’m actually chuffed about The Ordinary. Even if they aren’t as potent as some serums, it is wallet friendly enough to tide us between potent serums. That said, even other Deciem brands are affordable (except for some Niod products that are quite pricey) and they are effective, so it’s a good brand to buy into 🙂 Have you tried The Ordinary?
Yes, I do find luxury makeup becoming too expensive.
I have a Tom Ford lipstick that I purchased for $49 CAD at the time. Which was 3 years ago or so? Now it’s a whopping $68 CAD!!
It is so ridiculous how expensive makeup has become. And stupidly, people keep buying them. They’ll increase the makeup/skincare prices a bit, people continue to buy so they stay at that price.
I’m at the point where I will not purchase them full price. Only during the Sephora VIB sales or if they release a value set. It’s far too expensive for me to try and build up my collection.
OUCH! Goodness Joann, I didn’t realise that tremendous leap in price from Tom Ford! I have to say that I was making a local observation about prices going up, but the comments has shown me that it’s something that’s happening globally, and that it isn’t entirely justified in some cases. Case in point, the TF lipstick! But yes, there’s no shortage of people buying up all the newest and latest, especially if they’re limited edition, are there? As long as the demand is there, prices will just keep going up. Buying on sale is a wise move. In fact, that’s the best and financially smart move to make! 🙂
Wow! I thought it was just us here in Manila! But I guess it is true that the economy is crunching all of us. I agree that the best recourse is to still live within your means. But it’s okayto spend a tad on a few luxuries from time to time.
This may also be a call to stay beautiful & work together.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Bernice. It looks like it’s a global phenomenon, and not all of us can cope with that! I do wonder what these brands are thinking half the time, when the prices of new items are so high. I suppose they figure that people will still buy regardless! but yes, living within our means is so important. There’s no need to show off or to keep up – we just have to be sure we dont’ live in debt!
I like reading this post and I can totally relate to most of your points. I like my ‘truffles’ too 🙂
Btw, do u have any recommendation for good French drugstore brands? I’m heading there soon n would like to get my hands on them as the price in MY i.e. Bioderma cleanser is being hiked up too much. Thanks !
Truffle lovers unite! 😉 As for French drugstore brands, take a look at this post on City Pharma, which might help give you an idea. Bioderma is much more affordable. I’d recommend getting the Sanoflore face mist, if you like face mists. A fraction of the cost of Melvita (which is also cheaper in France than here in Malaysia) L’Occitane if you like it, La Roche Posay, Caudalie, Vichy, Avene, Nuxe etc. It’s quite mind-boggling and I’d safely say that almost anything you pick up from the French pharmacy will be decent. Have fun and erm… go crazy! LOL 😀 Don’t forget, if you spend over 176 Euros in 1 shop, you can claim VAT back, so be sure you compile your purchases properly 🙂
Thank you Paris for ur recommendations! Can’t wait to check them out 🙂
My skin apparently likes truffles as well which is a bummer since I’m a uni student with temperamental skin… It bothers me that a good bit of drugstore brands, even locally-grown ones, have items costing equally as much as middle to high end products but with varied results. I haven’t had many good experiences with drugstore brands, or Korean brands in fact, however hyped-over they may be.
Which brings me back to my dilemma of:
1. Do I save up to spend RM30-80 or so trying out a drugstore brand which may or may not work for me in the hope that it might be the one; or
2. Do I spend double, triple or even quadruple the amount on something I know will work (because I or someone else I know has tried it before) but I’m probably gonna cry over for days.
I’m trying to cut down my spending on makeup but it’s hard when late nights start to show. So for now, it’s a matter of prioritising what I need most and looking for products with several functions (tinted primer with spf comes to mind).
I was practically over the moon when my mum bought me a lipstick (Sephora’s own, which was pretty great) during the Black Friday sales since I’ve been suppressing the urge to get it and halt the “why are you so pale?” questions. Even then, I noticed some brands’ products were much cheaper about several months ago.
I’m making it a point to never settle when it comes to skincare though I’m feeling the pinch. Herbivore’s facial oils did make me die a little inside, since they’re very much out of the question for me. So, I’m cautiously making the switch to diy moisturisers, toners and such.
I feel you! As a student, I was much less diligent with my skincare, as I didn’t know very much about what to use etc. While I’d hesitate to say splurge, if your skin likes it, I’d also suggest trying to source similar or affordable products online. We don’t get a lot of high quality pharmacy/drugstore skincare products here in Malaysia, sadly. But if you can get hold of products from brands like Vichy or La Roche Posay, they are very good, with affordable price tags. Also, from what I can tell, brands like Cerave are pretty decent too , and don’t cost very much. In a way, you’re lucky, because these days, online shopping has made it easier to get brands from overseas that we don’t find locally, or that are more expensive locally. So, the trick is probably to shop wisely, and then you can enjoy the occasional (or even regular) truffle 😉
Oh my word, I have no idea how I missed your comment >< To be honest, I'd have been pretty clueless if it hadn't been for the Internet and it being populated with people like you to educate us – one post at a time. I've been looking up stuff, especially facial oils because it seems to really make my skin happy, online with a friend with pretty similar skin issues and needs. Thank you Paris!
I’m not into makeup, but very much into skincare. I used to buy many skincare products because of ‘I want it’ mindset. It was fun and exhilarating while it lasted. However, I stopped buying too many of it after I discovered I have skincare products that could (at least) lasted me for 2 years or so. I gave some away, threw out some and used up the balance. After that, I only buy what my skin needs. On the other hand, I still get excited whenever I see my favorite brands launching a new product or range, and there’s always the itch to splurge on it although I don’t need it. So far, so good, re my self control. Lol.
Oh tell me about always wanting the next new thing! Every time I read about a new serum or product with some new effective ingredient in it, I’m all over it! I’m trying to be much better these days but the eye will wander 😉