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I have several blog posts on my (very happy to say) ex-shopping problem and how I got there, but I wanted to give you some actionable advice to mitigate the chance of you ending up with an insurmountable stash and a deep hole in your pocket.

While my shopping was ultimately emotion led, inexperience also played a large part. I love that I’ve found things that work for me, but perhaps I can shortcut your experimentation and save you some space, money and peace of mind.

 

Here are seven things to consider before you part with your cash:

 

1. Skin Type

Ah, skincare, the foundation before foundation. When I was younger, I didn’t have a clue about skincare. I knew I was very oily on my t-zone but that was about it. I’m pretty sure I washed my face with plain water, exfoliated it aggressively with St. Ives Apricot Scrub, and went for the first moisturiser that didn’t break me out. I never used SPF unless I was on holiday, and took my makeup off with cleansing wipes, followed by plain water again. Oh, and I definitely did not drink enough water myself. All this meant that my foundation never sat well on my skin. It would clog my pores, get cakey, slide off my face or look ultra dry. Instead of looking at my skincare, I tried lots of different foundations and powders, never being satisfied with the results.

How can you avoid this? Get researching online and assess your skin type. Are you oily, combination, normal, sensitive or dry? Then there’s subcategories such as dehydrated. Do you drink enough water? What’s your diet like? How’s your gut health? Invest in basic skincare that works for your skin type through trying samples (my favourite, Kiehl’s, have a great instore service). Only then can you navigate the array of base products on the market. Make sure to look for reviews from people who share your skin type, try a sample where possible, and you’re far less likely to end up with a product that doesn’t work for you.

 

2. Undertone

As someone extremely pale with a yellow undertone, there really wasn’t many base options for me when I first got into makeup. And while the range of products available now cover a wider spectrum of skin tones and undertones, I’d still say it can be tricky if you’re olive. And I’m still saying that as someone that self-tans, which gives me a lot more choices in every makeup category than if I didn’t. However, if you can work out your undertone (there’s lots of helpful information online) you’ll be in a great position to find base products that match you without a tonne of trial and error. And if you opt for sheerer, lightweight coverage, you can get away with a lot more if the undertone is right even if the depth is slightly off. As always, try and get samples first where you can, check reviews, and if you do end up with multiple products despite this, don’t be afraid play chef and mix for something custom made.

 

3. Individual differences

Yeah, those products might look great on that influencer, but do they have the same colouring as you, the same eye shape, the same skin type? While elaborate eye looks can look incredible on others, my hooded eyes get overwhelmed by multiple shadow looks and I’ve found this takes away from my eyes, rather than enhances them. Likewise, the majority of tinted moisturisers slide right off of my face and draw attention to my pores, so I look for ones that are oil-free (Laura Mercier for life!) What is your aim? For me, I just want to look like myself but brighter and feel pretty. You might want the same, or perhaps you want to look really grungy, or glam, or colourful…or all three depending on the day. Either way, if you focus on catering to your own face and preferences, rather than what’s trending, you’re less likely to be left with products that don’t work for you or that you don’t like on yourself.

4. Rate of Use

There’s makeup categories that I fly through and then there’s others that will outlive me. This means I’m happy to spend a bit more on a blusher (I’ve only completely panned a single powder one), but don’t want to pay out on pencil eyeliner (one lasts me a month or so) and mascara (three months before it dries up or starts irritating my sensitive eyes). In the same vein, there’s no point in having loads of something that I’ll never get enough use out of or completely finish. The more products we have, the less attention each one will get from us. Remembering this has stopped me from purchasing many times over and I hope it deters you too.

 

5.  Indiscernible Differences

Do you have a thing for peachy lip glosses? I know I do! Whatever your product, shade, or formula of choice, I bet you’re likely to buy it over and over again in different iterations. And while this is all well and good when you’re trying to find out what you like, before you know it, you’re overrun with products that look pretty much the same on your face. When you’re next drawn to something, take a good look at what you already own. Get it out, swatch it, try it on. Chances are, have everything you need.

 

6. Buy Cheap, Buy Twice

Now, this obviously depends on your individual financial circumstances and buying cheap might be the only option right now, but I’ve found that sometimes when I’ve tried to ‘save’ money by choosing a less pricey product, this has backfired on me and I’ve ended up being stuck with subpar purchase, going on to buy something else later. While there are some drugstore products that I think are as good or better than mid-high end (namely mascara and concealer), I’ve struggled to find decent dupes in other categories. I’ve wasted money on chalky eyeshadows, foundations that don’t last two hours hours on my skin, powders that are cakey, and my personal pet peeve - packaging that breaks! By investing in higher quality items, I’ve found I use less of the product itself (as I need less of it to show up and don’t need to touch up as much) and save myself money, and frustration, in the long run. While a higher price point is no guarantee of a superior product, I’ve generally found I’m much more satisfied with the quality of mid-range makeup.

 

7. Fantasy Self

You know, that glam girl that goes out-out, wears a wash of shimmery eyeshadow smokey eye, and matte lipstick. Who? Yeah, exactly. I go to the gym, the post office, the supermarket, and occasionally meet friends at the pub or the park. None of these locations have convinced me to deviate from my everyday makeup (well, at least not recently…). Your fantasy self might do intricate makeup looks but you’re time poor, have that clean girl aesthetic but the products would expire before you could use them up, wear a bold red lip but you don’t even like red that much really if you’re being honest. Whoever she is, she’s convincing you to spend money on products you don’t need and won’t use. You’re great as you are, don’t sweat it.

 

Have I forgotten anything? What have you learnt from overspending? Let me know over on Instagram!