Will the cost of living crisis stop you buying premium beauty brands?

[TheOGCCL]

Just wondering whether brands like Nars or Trinny London will suffer, or whether people will still spend up to £40 on a tinted moisturiser?

Of course it depends on your individual financial situation but I think many of us are going to notice inflation in one way or another. Often these sorts of items are seen as treats.

I'd probably prefer to cut out something else to make sure I can have my favourite products but it might stop me randomly experimenting with new stuff (rather sticking to tried and tested and something I know I will use up completely).

I never have, except decent perfume. And I'll carry on buying that.

Hopefully I’ll still be able to buy my tried and tested favourites but I definitely won’t be buying treats anymore. I used to love a new Chanel lipstick. It was such a lovely treat, but that’ll be a thing of the past now.

I've increased the gap between hair cuts to around 5 months, so only around three per year, with no colouring or other treatments. I've also stopped going for pedicures and manicures, and wearing makeup unless I've got important meetings at work.

Instead I've tried to improve my skin and hair, eating better, drinking more water and less booze, fewer sugary treats. I'm staying with my moisturisers (Medik8 and Khiel's) although they are very expensive, because I think they make a difference, and also last quite long. A few months ago I had some laser treatment on my face (to remove redness), which although a big investment, has made me much more confident to go make-up free (and think it will save me money in the long run).

I probably have more than enough makeup, but may buy an extra tube (Chanel foundation) just in case the price goes up by a lot.

I've been having a clear out and found enough make up/skin care to last a while

I’ve also started colouring my hair myself. I only ever had an all over dark brown to cover a few greys anyway so it’s ok. I’ve also already swapped Clinique take the day off cleanser for Body Shop camomile cleanser and Clinique moisturiser surge for Avene hydrance gel.

It won’t stop me buying things, but I am changing my behaviour. For example, I used to buy makeup and toiletries to make me feel better, like comfort eating.

I’ve spent the past 3 months whittling down my stash. I don’t need 4 mascaras, or 3 types of hair serum. I’m using it up, then replacing it with 1 decent brand. So, not buying cheaper, but better stock control.

I’m on holiday at the moment (UK). I brought 3 toilet bags of toiletries to use up. I’ve been pampering for 1 hour every night; hair removal, body scrubs, bubble baths, body lotion, hair treatments, face masks an pedicures. I’m going to look fab lol. 😝

I'll still use them but make sure I pick them up when it's 20% off at John Lewis, etc rather than buying them from wherever at full price because I've run out. Bit more planning will save me a fair amount of money over the year.

Also, save your empty beauty bottles (non aerosol) and take 5 in to get £5 off in John Lewis if you have their loyalty card. I wait for 15-20% price match and take the recycling in at the same time. Absolute bargain!

i still buy high end products. I will cut down a but for my clothes shopping though

Are you me?
My dad mocked my TK maxx soap stash. Then covid appeared. He hasn't mocked since
I've actually got shelving for my storage

If you want to save money, I’d urge you all to go through your cupboards first. Many of us are duped into end of aisle bargains and other offers.

I’ve done this recently and have had no need to replace most things. Also, have a clear out. If you aren’t going to use something donate it to the food bank which are running low, or charity shops which are going to have increased demand.

It’s now time to cut back, but also consider others.

Agree with above.

I created a stock drawer into which I gathered all my forgotten about cosmetics, new and partially used but then left.

Now, everytime I run out of something, I must consult the stock drawer first. If I have another or something that will do (even if it's not my favourite variety) I use that up first. It's amazing how long it's lasted me - there are some things I've not bought now for about 3 years because there's always another to use

@PilatesPeach I use Immortelle. I look for brand new on eBay. Also try www.allbeauty.com. L'occitane voucher codes come up on google search for the L'Occitane website. I got 20% off last month. Every little helps!

I stopped buying premium skincare/make up once I had dd (main reason due to the pandemic & wanting to save more money)

I did ALOT of research and found great alternatives, that are much cheaper. The Ordinary/Inkey List/boots own brand/Nivea and Aldi for skincare. Make up wise, I found a tonne of dupes and honestly, many do the same job (some better)
Elf, Nyx and Revolution are all great, also Beauty Bay own brand.
The quality of high street make up and skincare has really improved over the last 5 years, imo.

More then 2 years later since switching brands,, my skin looks and feels great so I’ve come to the conclusion that many cheaper products work just as well as the more expensive ones.

I think it’s a very individual thing and depends on your skin type/sensitivity and how you apply make up too.

Yes good idea

I’ll be cutting back on high end purchases for sure. Money’s ok at the moment but interest rates are going up in the near future, so we’re putting every possible penny into mortgage overpayments.

The high-end beauty stuff I’ve got already will last me a good year or two (perfumes and lipsticks mainly) and for the rest I’m happy with high street brands. I might cave in and get another Chanel perfume for Christmas

Happy with my wardrobe and accessories, so I won’t be making any purchases of those either until we feel a LOT more financially comfortable.

Its going to have to but I absolutely adore the new chanel quads coming out so I'm going to have to resist

Step away they are £48 (and the spongey applicator look a bit shit )

Are you convinced

The spongey applicators are shit aren't they! And as soon as you use them the embossing rubs off but oh they come in a tiny tweed pouch.

But yes. I shall step away!

I won't be as tempted to try something new. I'll stick with the products I'm certain about, but post pandemic I'm quite paired back already!

I'm trying to use up all the bits and pieces I have already. And then happy to go with cheap cleansers and moisturisers, mascara and lipsticks as I don't find a big difference.

I'll still buy Charlotte Tilbury foundation and Lumene watercolor blush and purology shampoo and conditioner.

Luckily no grey hair yet in my late 30s, but that will start costing a fortune a some point when I need to get it coloured. For the moment I'm low maintenance.

Chanel and Nars will weather the storm fine. It’s the smaller brands that are going to struggle. They just won’t get the coverage in the press and even if they did no one will be interested in cleanser that costs £35.

Who is going to sit and watch influencers do their skin routine when many people can’t afford to run their own showers? I know there’s an argument that people like escapism but I can’t help feeling that skincare had its moment during the bored lockdown days when disposable income was still a thing.

I'll stick to Trinny tinted moisturiser, it's the only make up I've continued to buy over and over - Lasts for ages. I'd like to continue the cleansing balm but realise it's an extravagance so will hopefully, find a reasonable dupe that doesn't set my rosacea off. I also subscribe to Skin and Me but again that lasts for ages so may change my subscription to once every three months. I bought Aldi mascara for 3.99 and it's great so a keeper if they have it in stock next time I'm in I'll buy another.

I reckon Urban decay must be struggling it's always deep discounted

Most of my beauty stuff is high end, I use what works for me and my very finicky skin. I won't stop buying my regular skincare and makeup products but what I will cut back on is what I try - I'll stick to my familiar tried and tested rather than let's see what this is like. My usual brands are Clinique, Bobbi brown and hourglass.

Perime I used to have rosacea and I found the best thing to cleanse with was a plain unscented oil and muslin cloth. Grapeseed or, if I’m feeling more extravagant, jojoba. But really the £4 bottle of grapeseed works just as well.

Doesn’t have the heavenly scent of the Emma Hardie balm I used to splash out on, but is very soothing and effective.