Thread 2 – De-influencing thread: reasons not to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Starting Thread 2 as Thread 1 has nearly reached the comment limit.

For anyone new: this thread has a specific purpose. If you are considering buying something but deep down would prefer to save your money, post a link to the item. Other posters will help talk you out of it.

Humour and gentle mockery are very much part of how this thread works, alongside more practical points. Sometimes a light-hearted comment helps something click; other times it’s about noticing details that are easy to miss when you’re tempted.

Common tactics include:

• poking fun (so please don't post something if your feelings will be hurt by this)
• pointing out that you already own something that serves the same purpose
• spotting poor quality, flimsy construction or inferior fabrics hiding behind good photography
• questioning whether the item solves a problem that actually exists
• translating marketing language into plain English

What this thread is not:

• mocking people who wear the item
• ageist sniping (calling something “granny” is actually praise)
• cruelty for its own sake

The target is the thing, not the person.

The previous thread is here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5482885-de-influencing-thread-reasons-why-not-to-buy-things?latest=1

In it we covered a lot of ground including a sad tangerine skirt, another one that looked like it was tucked into your underpants, Gary Glitter shoes, saggy bottoms, air wraps gathering dust and lots of polyester at premium prices.

Also worth restating, based on Thread 1:
This is not a balanced debate thread. It is not “let’s hear both sides”. People who posted positive comments about items were, quite rightly, sent to the naughty corner. This is not the thread for that.

This thread is for people who want to be de-influenced, not gently nudged towards a purchase they already know they’re going to make.

If you’re hovering over Add to basket and need someone to say “step away”, post the link.
If you’re good at spotting polyester pretending to be wool, please contribute.

Thread 2 begins. Same format. Same aim.

Too hard, or too felt tippy and Im not deft enough/ too wrinkly for straight lines, or smudge and end up under my eye

Thank you! As I suspected...

That's annoying. Have you tried putting a line of face powder on first, with a cotton bud? That often stops smudging. It sounds like the VB ones aren't worth it anyway.

I'll give it a go. Prob end up buying face powder then! 😊

You can get translucent pressed face powder quite cheaply from Superdrug, even cheaper would be a pressed eyeshadow in your skin tone!

I don't even need to post on this thread to be de-influenced. I was looking at a top earlier and I just thought of the comments I would get if I posted it on here (all probably correct!) and promptly shut the page down!

That's a great result! 😁

They’re absolutely shite and regret every penny I spent on them. £1 would have been too much. The scrape off as soon as they get wet, and are not at all
glossy like the ads

It’s fine. Feels the same as the Lisa Eldridge ones and practically the same colours. It’s very glossy (doesn’t drag) if you like that, and doesn’t end up around my face. But, I don’t think it’s any different to the hundreds of other eyeliners I have. Unless there is a particular colour you want and can’t get anywhere else, I wouldn’t bother. Because it’s so soft and glossy, I think you use more than you would with a slightly chalkier texture like Jones Road (which lasts for ages and although chalkier, doesn’t drag the lid).

The best eyeliner pencils I’ve ever used are Zooeve, better than VB and £10 cheaper.

Don't bother with eyeliner. Instead, apply a neutral eyeshadow (my daily one is Mac Satin Taupe) over your lid with a small eyeshadow sponge applicator (better coverage than a brush - I use bamboo ones rather than plastic, but the ones that come with eyeshadows are fine).

Then, either using the same eyeshadow (for a subtle look), or a darker/more contrasting one, dampen the eyeshadow sponge very very lightly (I literally just run my hand under water & touch a damp finger onto the sponge tip). Stroke the damp tip across the eyeshadow, then use it to draw a line along your lashes, top & bottom (if you like to do both).

Dampening the shadow means it becomes more intense, & stays on forever. It's also less harsh-looking than eyeliner.

I've been doing this for decades - one evening I was watching something on TV where they were talking to a drag artist backstage, & they demonstrated that very trick & said they swore by it for eye makeup that wouldn't budge!!!!

Good technique, @EleanorMc67 👍

I'll try that, thank you!

Thanks for stopping me buying the black kilt. But now I am tempted by the one in Heather. Which is the colour worn by Claudia W and is even more expensive. It’s still stupid isn’t it. Even if I wear it once a week for eight months a year for the rest of my life (am 55).

@NoWeddingHats , the pleats will make the hips look wide and you won't look like Claudia in it. You'll also want knitwear and footwear to go with it so it will be even more expensive.

Really, no. It's very expensive and looks heavy and uncomfortable.

No! Because the Diderot effect will mean you also have to buy a sporran and a castle.

Yes the kilt might be heavy, that’s true. Whilst I don’t have hips and bum, I am a shorty so would not look great in that probably. 😭

I have never spent that kind of money on one item of clothing other than my wedding day. And it would probably make me feel sick and wasteful really.

Ha very true. And the sleeper train up from London costs a fortune too.

What I mean, to clarify further, is that if someone much younger than me said that an outfit was a bit grannyish then I wouldn't take offence at their wording - as my understanding of their use of the word (not mine) would be that they probably mean frumpy/old-fashioned/dated/not fitting, flattering or suiting someone well (take your pick). It mightn't be what I would say, but I don't think it's inherently rude or ageist.

Of course lots of grannies (or any older women, as not all will have children/grandchildren), are stylish. I know I am more stylish now than when younger, as I've gained a much better sense of what I like & what suits me over the years. I am, however, less fashionable.

I think we should acknowledge though that lots of women DO lose interest in "fashion" (& maybe even style!) as they get older (though maybe less so with those on the S&B threads!), as comfort, warmth etc come to take priority. And that's just fine!

On the other hand, "Granny Chic" is a flattering term that lots of younger women want to emulate ...

Really? Ok.
Saying something looks like a "granny outfit" is rarely complimentary, and usually pejorative imo.
So we'll just have to disagree on this matter.

Hello, fellow owner of badly behaved hair :) I feel for you as I have also spent a small fortune on trying to tame the frizz. Silk pillowcase sadly did not solve any of my issues and I also didn't wake up with miraculously smoother skin. I guess you could always cut eye holes in it and wear it over your head though until you get a chance to get your hair straighteners back out?

@MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned Do you have anything else around that is silk that you could put on your pillow instead to see if it turns out to be a miracle worker? I had a nightie that I tried it with and I couldn’t tell any difference in my hair.

It really works, @RanyaJerodung & @NecklessMumster !!! You can make it quite precise with a finer pointy sponge applicator, or smudgy.

Thanks 👍