I did another Instagram poll asking if my followers saved or splurged on cleansers. This is referring to everyday cleansers (not makeup removing cleansers, balms, oils, etc.)
70% said they SAVE on cleansers
My daily cleansing routine:
AM: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – I like using the Cetaphil in the morning because it’s very gentle and doesn’t make my face feel dry.
PM: Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Clean Foaming Face Wash – I double cleanse with my makeup remover and then follow up with the Kiehl’s face wash.
Once I’ve finished my Kiehl’s cleanser, I probably won’t repurchase even though I really like it. I bought it on sale and I also bought the giant size which has lasted me a really long time. I’m still only halfway through after about 8-9 months of daily use.
I’ve tried cleansers like the Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser, Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser, Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. All of them were okay, but none of them are worth the price tag for me.
Last year, I splurged on a few different cleansers to test them out. I think I agree with the 70% to save on everyday cleansers. I’ve tried a variety of cleansers at different price points. There are a handful of higher ends ones that I didn’t mind, but I’d rather spend the money on makeup or moisturizers/serums.
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.
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.
Today, we have a 56% vs. 44% split on two cult favourite concealers: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer vs. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer! I will be talking about my personal opinions on the topics and sharing some of the replies I received from the Instagram poll I took.
These results only include the opinions of those who saw my poll on Instagram. The majority of my followers are from Canada, United States and Australia.
Age Rewind Concealer
Available at drugstores, Ulta
$12.99 CAD for 0.2 oz
Cost per oz: $64.95
10 shades + 6 new ones added
No added fragrance
Twist to dispense, sponge tip
Shape Tape Concealer
Available at Tarte.com, Ulta
$35 CAD for 0.33 oz
Cost per oz: $106.06
30 shades with different undertones
Fragrance added
Large doefoot applicator
Age Rewind Concealer
I used the shade Light
Pros: I enjoyed using the Age Rewind. It wasn’t too thick and it was easy to blend. You twist the tube to dispense the product. As you twist it up, the product is scraped clean on the sides of the tube.
Cons: Doesn’t have a wide variety of shades compared to other concealers. I feel like I used it really quickly because it’s a smaller tube of concealer. I didn’t like the sponge tip on top. While it was very nice to apply the concealer, I didn’t like that you couldn’t completely clean it and it would never be dry. It’s easy to pull off the sponge with a pair of tweezers though. I feel like I wasted more of it by twisting it. I would twist multiple times before any product came out.
I would buy Age Rewind again.
Shape Tape Concealer
Buying online is really tricky. I bought a shade that was way too light for me and it made my under eyes look gray. I bought the shade Fair-Light.
Pros: The big doefoot applicator was cool and I liked how it comes in a large tube. Wider variety of shades and undertones.
Cons: I was so excited to try it after hearing everyone rave about it, but it just didn’t work for me. I prefer a more natural looking concealer because I have dry under eyes. Shape Tape is way too full coverage for me. I was also surprised by how scented the concealer is because NO ONE has ever mentioned that it has a scent! Not only does it have a scent, it lingers. I swatched it on my hand one time and I washed my hands with soap and everything and I could still smell it. As you may know, I’m sensitive to fragrances in my skincare and makeup. I’d rather have no scent or one that won’t linger hours after I’ve applied it. Also, I think my eyes had a reaction to it. I tried using it as an eyeshadow base, but my eyelids got some red spots on them.
I would not buy Shape Tape again.
So, the 56/44 results were from a recent poll. A year ago, I took the poll because I needed help deciding which one to buy. I prefer a more natural looking concealer and I knew that Tarte Shape Tape was full coverage.
The results from my 1st poll were 50/50. I ended up buying the Age Rewind first because it’s more accessible to me. I eventually ordered Shape Tape on the Tarte website. I don’t know if it’s available in stores elsewhere, but there’s no way to test out shades at a store in Canada. As you can see from the swatches, I ended up choosing a shade that was much lighter than the maybelline concealer.
Here were a few replies to my question: Why do you prefer the Age Rewind or Shape Tape concealer?
creamier formula (shape tape)
excellent coverage, price is reasonable and quality is high (shape tape)
can’t find a shade match for age rewind (shape tape)
shape tape is more full coverage than I want and it’s too drying for under my eyes (age rewind)
That’s all I have for today! If you have any ideas on what poll I should do next, comment below!
Which concealer is your fave? Do you like either of these?
