Responsible Beauty Buying

As beauty bloggers, we can sometimes get a reputation for being materialistic or encouraging excessive buying behaviours. Now while we might say you NEED the latest Nars palette, in reality you don't. At the end of the day, buying beauty products is a luxury, not essential no matter how much we feel we need it. As a consumer like many others, I don't make my purchasing decisions lightly, especially on a budget. So today I thought I'd share some ways to help you make responsible beauty buying decisions.


Here's a scenario: you've spotted a new luxury brand lipstick and you'd like to add it to your collection. Here's a few questions you should ask yourself before picking it up.

Have I read reviews? Sometimes we can get caught up in the idea of the product and all it's hyped up glory but if you're going to make a big purchase, you want to know if it's worth it. That's why blogs are great because you'll get a good range of opinions on said lipstick. However, just because your favourite blogger likes it doesn't necessarily mean you will. Read a couple of reviews from different people to see a well rounded opinion.

Does it fill a gap in my collection? All us beauty addicts can be a bit guilty of having multiple products in the same shade, we've all been there! Consider what makes this product different from what you already own. Does it have longer lasting power, different finish, a shade you don't already own?

Can another budget product do the same? Luxury doesn't always mean quality. Budget doesn't always mean poor quality. Over the past few years I do feel like the budget brands have improved the quality of their products so it's not always necessary to go for the more expensive option. Have a look around for dupes. Some luxury and budget brands are made in the same factory so more often than not, they're exactly the same product.

What is the cost in the long run? Something I like to consider is how much product am I getting for the price I'm paying. Using foundation as an example.. my £30 foundation will last 6 months where as my £10 one will last 1 month. In the long run, my luxury one works out cheaper. Have a look at the volume of product being sold compared to alternatives.

All in all, we're all allowed to treat ourselves every now and then but I do think it's good practise to ask ourselves these questions. Everyone has different ideas of what they view as affordable so it's good to take a step back from the hype and really think about what you're buying.

I'd love to know more about your decision making process and if you have any tips on how to buy responsibly. Leave your comments below!