Hi Everyone!

Today, I’m writing about backups. Do you buy backups of your makeup and skincare products or do you buy them as you need them?

Before I get started, I’m only talking about makeup and skincare (doesn’t include makeup tools). Only things that have an expiration date.

I consider a ‘backup’ as buying multiples of the same exact item in the same shade at once – 1 to use now, others to keep in your drawer for when you run out.

I don’t consider a ‘backup’ as:

• a similar item in the same category – having concealers from different brands. I have 5 concealers, but they all have different formulas and/or purposes (under eye, spot conceal)
• having another of the same item in a different shade – maybe you need two shades to match your skin tone
• having another for your makeup bag/purse – You have a pressed powder for your vanity and an identical one for your purse
• buying a new one when you’re almost finished – I consider this a ‘replacement’

Backup vs. Replacement

Backup – I have 1 NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in use and 2 others in the same shade in my makeup drawer for when I run out

Replacement – I’m almost finished my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, I will buy another Radiant Creamy Concealer OR I will buy a different concealer to replace it (i.e. Too Faced Born This Way)

I asked my followers on Instagram if they buy backups and the results were interesting. Last year, I had asked the same question and 60% said they didn’t buy backups, but the other day when I gave my definition, the majority DO buy backups.

52% said they DO buy backups

I am in the 48% minority and I DON’T usually buy backups. There were a few occasions where I did buy a backup of something:

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser from Costco – my mom bought so many of these because she once bought a value-size Garnier Micellar Water from Costco and then never saw it again. Just in case it happened again to the Cetaphil cleanser, she bought multiples. We both use it and sometimes I use it for my body, so we go through them fairly quickly
• 2-pack of Bioderma Micellar Water – it was cheaper to buy the 2-pack
• Last year, there was a 50% off sale on Smashbox.ca for the Primer Water, so I ordered 3 bottles because I got an additional 15% off my first order (a total of 65% off + Rakuten cashback!)
• L’Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Nude Lip Color in 370 J Lo’s Nude
• Tula, a skincare brand that I really liked, decided to stop selling to Canada. I didn’t know this until it was too late. I had bought 2 backups of their Acne gel because it was sold out so often. I’m sad I didn’t get a chance to replace my serum.

Check out my Hits & Misses review on Tula products (all purchased by me)

Some people are tempted to buy multiples of a Limited Edition item. When it first came out, I really loved the L’Oréal lipstick shade. I bought another because I thought it was limited edition. After being on the shelves for a year, I realized it was not. I have since finished both tubes and while I loved the shade, I don’t love the scent of L’Oréal lipsticks. I’ve since found another item that I love more – Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Lip Gloss (read my review).

I only buy replacements when 1) I know that I will be finishing the item soon or 2) there is a sale and I know I will finish before the next sale comes around. I rarely buy the exact item again, for example, I was nearly finished my Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil when the Sephora VIB Sale came around last year. So, I bought the Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil to replace it. I loved the Benefit brow pencil, but I want to try different pencils to see if there’s one I love more.

The reason I usually don’t buy backups:

• It’s easy to forget what you have when it’s tucked away in a drawer
• I’m worried they will expire before I get around to it
• I want to try different products
• They take up space in your drawers/shelves
• I don’t love anything so much that I need to have 2 or more in my collection

I think that buying backups traps you because you might want to try a new product that just launched, but you’ve got 3 backups of that one product. 

Do you buy backups?

Love,

Note: The majority of the items pictured are empties. The duplicates and triplicates were purchased as replacements.