Last week saw the release of a brand new cosmetics brand – Fenty Beauty. It launched at Sephora stores globally simultaneously, which I feel is quite feat for a brand, on that scale. But what really interested people was not so much the fact that it was a new brand, but that is was a new brand by singer, Rhianna, and that it boasted a wide and diverse range of foundation colours.
What did I do? I spent the weekend with family and relatives, and sliding down the pole at the local fire station LOL! And honestly, was I champing at the bit to head to a Sephora store to be the first to check out the new brand?
No, I wasn’t. Primarily, it’s because it’s permanent, which means I can check it out at my leisure. Granted, it may be after the hype dies down, and people forget about it. But I sometimes prefer to digest beauty news that way, because it then feels less hectic. Confession: I didn’t even know about its launch until a week or two before it was made available! 😛 Oops!
But what say you? Do you strive to keep up with new brands and releases?
I’m not saying that keeping up with the latest makeup brands, product releases and trends is a bad thing. Far from it! (Well, except for your wallet LOL!) I used to chase the newness, and I know how exciting it can be, to be there, right at the forefront of the action as you get that newest makeup palette in your hot little hands 😀
When makeup releases became more regular and harder to keep up with (and I got more careful with my spending due to various other commitments), I switched my attention to skincare. There I was, chasing all the new skincare brands and releases too. It’s an incurable disease I tell you LOL! 😀
Yet, I’ve stopped in the interim. Rather, I’ve forced myself to stop, and pause, and breathe. The difference for me, is that if I do all this chasing, I have to “work” at them for the blog. And that put paid to a lot of desire to keep churning out content on all this newness.
I do appreciate being fed the newness, because I’ve consciously stayed away from pursuing it, so I’m a little behind when it comes to news. I also enjoy playing with new things in my own time, exploring it and working at it at my leisure, instead of just rushing it out as news consumption. I know some people appreciate that, and you know, that’s what makes us all different 🙂
There is always that odd release I come across that intrigues me, or interests me enough to chase it for a while. But often, I tend to forget, as something else even newer comes along. I feel that it’s a bit of a vicious cycle, to keep wanting something new and something different; it fuels the short attention span that we now have, when it comes to the news. There is no more shock or surprise factor.
I was thinking about this because I’ve noticed that the Christmas (or more politically correctly known as “Holidays”) collections are starting to drop. It’s just September. This means that the blogs I follow, and my social media timelines will be filled soon, with people chasing all this newness, hoping to get hold of it for a “scoop”.
I’m afraid that as a consumer, I find this all rather tiring and makes me jaded. It’s hard for me to get excited about things anymore, which really, is my own problem. I shouldn’t be passing off that cynicism onto you LOL 😀
So, why don’t you instead tell me if you climb on your 4WD truck and chase the rainbow when it comes to new beauty releases and brands? 😀
What say you on this topic? Are you eagerly looking forward to any new products or launches?
Tell me if this gets to you too? Don’t let my views influence how you feel. I understand how it feels to be a new beauty junkie and wanting to try everything new out there. Oh, those days were exhilarating! 😀 But be careful not to burn out! Now, what are you anticipating? I’m actually looking forward to the new Hourglass face palette in their Holiday collection. Oh, and Chanel’s Libre collection for Christmas. I saw some pictures, and I’m in love with the muted, neutral look and beautiful red lips!! 😀
Paris B
Hanny says
There’s a Sephora at the mall where I usually buy my groceries, so if there are new launches I’d go over for a look. However, I realized that while I like to “chase” new releases, they don’t “wow” me anymore.
Just like Fenty Beauty. The powder highlighters were a bit ehh, because the glitter particles didn’t seem to adhere to the skin, but the cream products were nice. Still, it was a bit of an “ehhh” for me. I can live without it.
Also, Huda Beauty’s Desert Dusk palette dropped on Monday here in Oz and it was underwhelming as well.
I look towards Youtube to tide me over the launches until I can see them for myself, when that happens, I am reminded that I’ve regressed back to being a poor uni student and thus, am unable to afford them and thus, I walk away.
*Such drama* hahahahaa
Paris B says
Haha life has come full circle 😀 I do like catching up with what’s new but so often, when I see them in person, I’m underwhelmed. I think I’m just jaded overall. Takes a lot to actually hold my interest these days, especially when the brands are skipping my age group as a market and going for the younger crowd
LeGeeque says
Malas la ?. I struggle to follow trends because not everything suits me. So my response would be – if YOU blog about it then I’d know. Otherwise, I remain blissfully ignorant because I rely on you to filter out the crap for me and blog about only things worthy of my attention. ??
Paris B says
Hahha I like the idea of being a filter. I get to trap the nasties and only let the good stuff through! 😉
Rahainah says
I know I surely don’t keep up with the newness in the makeup world but only be fed news of it through Instagram feeds! I guess I’m getting tired already and overwhelmed of all the brands that trying to release new makeup products for whatever season that are coming. Surely I have stopped going after limited edition eyeshadow palettes because face it, I have other makeup palettes that still looks like new and some are still in their boxes– I’ve busted 2 new palettes out a couple of weeks ago just for the sake of I don’t want them to still be in their boxes! And mind you, I’ve own them for more than 2 years already.
I do have a soft spot for eyeshadow palettes and I do want to buy all the hyped up palettes if I wasn’t thinking straight. But after owning more than a handful, I have to stop myself and told myself that
a) I have a lot already
b) Is it limited edition? If it is, then don’t buy it full stop!
c) Is it permanent? Then it’ll still be there and keep on restocking, no need to get it now
And the last thing that I told myself is that I do want to buy at least one Viseart palette. Do I really think the palette I’m eyeing is any better than a Viseart? This last question always keeps me back on track
If I can go back to the time when I first started buying makeup, oh how many things would I change about how I spend my money on them. Yes, a bit menyesal that I bought so much and not all are that great. Aduhai…
Paris B says
Oh I hear you Rahainah, yet you remember right, how it was when you first got into makeup? It was so exciting and fresh and new and you wanted to try EVERYTHING! At least I did. But as you grow and experiment, you’ll realise that some things suit you and others don’t, so I think we’ll tend to naturally gravitate towards what we’ll use more often and enjoy using. I stopped buying colourful eye palettes for example, because I realised I stopped wearing colours, and started wearing neutrals. And really, there are only so many neutral colours out there 😀 I don’t even get my news on instagram. I think I’m not following the right accounts LOL! But then, I’m quite happy that way. At least when I come across something new, it’s a nice little surprise, and not a case of “Oh, I’ve seen it on IG and I’m bored by how many people have it!” 😀
Isabel says
I don’t even go to a new makan place with good reviews until the hype at least dies down much less get in line for new beauty product launches. Food > beauty thingies ?
I think it may be an age/maturity related issue. I’ve wised up as to what works best for me so I’m less inclined to want to keep up with trends. Also, there are other priorities to channel hard-earned funds to. Finally, if I’m being brutally honest here, I am jaded. It’s the whole “been there, done that” thing. Sigh … adulting is rather boring business eh?
p/s: Adulting totally includes sliding down poles. In case anyone is in doubt.
Paris B says
Haha, oh yes, adulting is about being discerning too! 😀 The thing is, there are those who do grow up, and realise that things go around in circles and that we have other commitments, and refuse to live in debt, and there are those who don’t 😀 Those who don’t, keep the economy going. The rest of us sit around looking and feeling jaded at “these kids” 😀
Margaret Cheong says
Don’t really look forward to purchasing newly launched items especially when I know the brand will reduce the price during promotion when the hype dies down. And drop off even more with year end sale or stock clearance.
Paris B says
That is actually a clever shopping strategy. I guess it’s a case of whether you can wait for it, and if you mind not having it while it’s new. Most of us don’t. But much to my surprise, many do! But hey, buying on sale is how I used to shop (and still do!) The days of nice cosmetics warehouse sales are gone, but there are still many good deals to be had now and again.
Margaret Cheong says
Those days, I will make a supermarket sweep if there is sale with my itchy hands but now no more after seeing the unused stash of cosmetics and skincare.
The is a caveat with sale….most products are nearly expired! And most probably the actives will lose its potency with time and irregular storage condition.
Paris B says
Yep, that’s why I stopped going to warehouse sales for cosmetics. Most of them are nearing expiry and it’s just not worth the savings if you’re putting ineffective products on your skin right?
Zulfa says
I love keeping up with the makeup trends and brands, but on a more academic approach actually. So, I do check on my fave blogs like yours, BBB, Temptalia regularly. And also the posts on Insta and such. I don’t go out buying a lot of stuff anymore but I really do like to know what’s coming. For example, I’m already keeping my eye out for the holiday releases. This is just eye candy for me.
Paris B says
I think I’m taking this approach too. Interested to see what’s new but it isn’t affecting my spending habits nor making me want to run out and buy them the moment they’re out on shelves. Nothing is worth queueing up for, IMO. On a related note, I was going to get the LE LV accessories, but they sold out of the item I wanted without telling me, and I decided I couldn’t be arsed to be put on any waitlist LOL. 10 years ago, I might though! 😛
Deborah says
I mentioned some time ago that I’ve been making the switch to natural, diy or double duty options to practice minimalism. That means cutting out a lot of *cough* overpriced and rushed *cough* releases too. They’re rarely are with the exception of the hype over certain (not all!) The Ordinary products. Methinks, the brands that take their sweet time and maintain certain ranges are the ones worth the occasional splurge on (Neal’s Yard frankincense cleanser, which I’m now making my best friend help me pick up in KL. Had a sample of it from when Mom bought their essential oils and it saved my face earlier week during a massive flareup. I’ve completely revised my opinion of pricey cleansers after this incident)
As it is, I’m more than happy to wait for a ton of reviews to read since I usually sit on a skincare/cosmetic decision for weeks to months before checking it out 😉 Saved me a lot of unnecessary purchases, imo.
Completely unrelated, but I don’t understand why people get so excited to hit pan on products. I saw a hint of pan on my trusty Hoola bronzer today and all I can feel is sadness ?
Thanks for the article and have a brilliant day!
Paris B says
Hi Deborah 🙂 I’m with you on the slow-and-steady approach. Often, limited edition products or those launched with a huge song and dance rarely live up to expectations. And I scoffed at expensive cleansers once before, but no more! I’m glad you found Neal’s Yard Remedies helpful for your skin. I actually forgot they existed for a while, coz they moved their store and I thought they closed down 😛 As for hitting pan, I think the excitement is usually most felt by those who have a lot of products in their stash. When I was using just 1 lipstick and 1 blush, hitting pan made me sad because it meant it was time for me to spend money buying another. But when my stash grew out of proportion to my use, it’s now become an achievement to even hit pan, because it means you love using the product and use it often enough to use it up 😀