Makeup Collection Advice!

Aug 22, 2011

Melissa S.

So i am basically a beginner with a small makeup collection. But its really frustrating because when i go on youtube to look at other peoples makeup collection girls have so much, and i get kind of jealous. And now its like an obsession! i want to buy everything, but i cant really afford it. and my main problem is, i like higher end products, like sephora, mac, benefit, ect
how long did it take you guys to get where your makeup collection is not? any advice?

Aug 22, 2011

Courtney A.

You can only get what you can. Don't stress over it, it's not worth breaking the bank over. And don't think that you have to spend a fortune to get decent makeup. Research some drugstore products, and every once in a while splurge on something more expensive. It's not healthy to obsess over it....
It took me a long time to accumulate as much makeup as I have and my collection is by no means enormous. 

Aug 22, 2011

Melissa S.

thanks a lot Courtney, i usually enter giveaways and stuff, but i am still hoping that i can win something so that i wont burn a hole in my mom's pocket ,and the money that i save, thanks for your advice i really appreciate it!

Aug 22, 2011

Korie S.

Only buy what you really need at the moment. You can always opt out higher end products for drugstore products because some of them are just as good. Do some research to see if some of the higher end products are even worth buying, thats what I do. I honestly don't have a lot of high end makeup products because they do end up emptying my wallet haha but if I feel like that product is worth it, I'll go ahead and buy it. 

Aug 22, 2011

Rai C.

I wouldn't go around buying makeup with merely the purpose of getting or wanting my collection to look like others. 

Aug 22, 2011

Melissa S.

Ok thanks

Aug 22, 2011

Kat L.

I find somethimes that the QVC or HSN kits to be pretty awesome for trying new brands. You can sometimes get 7-8 products for the retail cost of one or 2. Not only does that save you money, but if there's a must have product that you already like, it's worth the extra couple of bucks to get the rest. Just be careful of shipping, cuz sometimes it's crazy high.

Aug 22, 2011

Lex R.

Sometimes you have to be practical with purchases. Especially when it comes to make-up because they all have a use-by date and if you keep buying and buying, it's doubtful that you'll be able to use them all anyway. So buy what you need. It's not worth it being broke just so you have a collection comparable to the ones you see on YouTube.

Perhaps you can splurge on a few things like a good foundation, brushes and such when you have the cash and then explore the drugstore brands. There are some great things you can pick up there.

And to answer your question, I always TRY to keep my make-up collection streamlined to just a few boxes otherwise I know I'll just end up chucking them in the bin when they reach their bleargh-date.

Aug 22, 2011

Leslie H.

When it comes to starting out, and even maintaining your makeup collection, it's important to research a lot and figure out what you need as opposed to what you actually want.

Remember that you can usually return makeup products to most drugstores and Sephora if they didn't work out for you, AND that makeup does have an expiration date so having too much and not being able to use it all is also a waste of money.

Aug 22, 2011

Jackee M.

Don't worry so much about having a huge collection. You have to keep in mind that products will go bad and will need to be thrown out. If you have a huge collection, chances are you won't use all of the items. Trust me! I know! LOL!

My collection is ridiculous (I've been collecting for years), but as a result of having a large collection, there have been new products I've had to pitch because they were gross/old.  

Aug 22, 2011

Melissa S.

thanks a lot guys your advice has really helped, i think that i will save my money for other necessities and use the makeup that i have or stick to drug store brands 

Aug 22, 2011

Tree M.

If you love MAC makeup, be sure to back to mac the products that you use up! That's a great way to get free makeup, also just like everyone else don't buy makeup just because you want to have alot of makeup! I've been building my collection for years! But I know what you mean that buying makeup is an obsession!
Ever since I started doing youtube videos I've been buying alot more products just so I can review them and compare them with other products. But instead of spending money on alot of other things, I rather spend my money on make up! (:

Also, I'm currently having a giveaway of Urban Decay's Primer Potions! I hope you enter! (:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFF9pPkVi7M

Aug 22, 2011

Samantha G.

i'd look into doing value sets or palettes

Aug 23, 2011

Samantha G.

totally agree with you lisa. besides, when your collection gets bigger, you tend not to finish things quickly so having a full size isn't always the best- you usually get sample sizes in sets which is nice. you dont feel like you end up with like 50 concealers lol

Aug 23, 2011

Melissa S.

thanks alot guys and Tree M, yes i entered the giveaway i hope that i can win 

Aug 23, 2011

Soma S.

I felt the same when I first started, and in two years - my collection exploded... =/

I learned to shop at CCO's, swap with people on MUA, find online coupon codes and wait for anniversary sales, found discount wholesale retailers, shop QVC [their sets are such great values!], shopped blog sales, AND my FAVORITE piece of advice EVER:

Every December/holiday season, there are ginormous gift sets that are put together by companies and they're your best bang for your buck. I purchased the MUFE Rock For Ever train case last year for about $350, and even though that was a lot - the entire contents were valued at over $600... so I saved a LOT on products I really liked and ended up using.

Plan your purchases and time them right... also, make sure you're buying what you know you'll really be interested in using and it will work out for you! Hope that helps!

Aug 23, 2011

Melissa S.

thanks Soma, ahh i just want to buy everything and try out new products, i really like NYX products, but i cant buy a whole bunch of things at once even though i wish i could. i am crossing my fingers for giveaways that i entered

Aug 23, 2011

Samantha G.

definitely shop cherryculture for nyx- not ulta. you can find them pretty cheap on there :)

Aug 23, 2011

Soma S.

Hautelook.com, Ruelala.com and Ideeli.com have NYX sales from time to time.  =)

Aug 23, 2011

Melissa S.

im going to save my money to buy at nyx, when do they usually put sales on their site? 

Aug 23, 2011

Soma S.

If you become a member, they'll send you email alerts of their daily sales.  =)

Aug 23, 2011

Melissa S.

okay thanks, i need to wait for a sale cause before i only got a few items like 7 of them and wasted 54 dollars ! 

Aug 23, 2011

ashley h.

i would say i have a medium size makeup collection. & in all honesty, i probably didn't pay retail for 90% of it. always watch for sales. i highly recommend nouveaucheap.blogspot.com. she posts the weekly drugstore sales, any other awesome deals she finds, & she keeps an updated list when CVS has their big markdown sales (50-75%) off. plus she'll post if a website is doing freebies, etc. definitely a blog worth checking out.

don't forget dollar stores & big lots (if you have them) for elf/discounted make up. 

Aug 23, 2011

Melissa S.

thanks Ashley <3

Aug 23, 2011

ashley h.

you're welcome sweetie! <3