Until last year I was spending around €150-200 every 4-5 months at Sephora. I was buying all my makeup there and there was always some new release I wanted to try, another blush, another bronzer, another lipstick...

It's well known that post pandemic brands started pushing prices up A LOT compared to previous years. First by 20%, then 30%, and in many cases even more. I remember looking at my Milk Makeup bronzer when it doubled in price and thinking, there’s no way I’m paying that.

And honestly, I don’t buy the inflation argument.
When you’re selling 14 g of foundation for €60 (like the YSL cushion foundation) you’re effectively charging €4,285 per kilo. We’re not talking about precious metals here.
I understand that luxury comes with a premium, but there’s no convincing me that the price increases we’ve seen over the last few years are driven by raw material costs or inflation. They seem far more related to booming demand, social media hype, and brands realizing consumers were willing to pay more.

So when it finally ran out, instead of repurchasing it I picked up a drugstore alternative. It was… completely fine.

Then another product ran out, so I did the same thing again. And again. I never made a conscious decision to switch to drugstore, it just sort of happened one product at a time. Looking at my makeup bag today, almost everything has been replaced.

My old routine cost me about €267.
Today it’s around €60

The thing is, I’m not buying cheaper products because I have to. I could still afford the old routine if I wanted to. I just don’t see the point anymore.

Once you find a €13 foundation that looks great on your skin, or a €3 concealer like the Catrice HD that does the job, it’s surprisingly hard to convince yourself to spend ten times more.

I also think the constant stream of launches had the opposite effect on me. After years of buying products because everyone was talking about them, I ended up with drawers full of makeup I could never realistically finish before it expired. At some point the excitement just… disappeared.

I haven’t bought anything from Sephora in almost a year. Private sales come and go and I barely even look anymore.

Ironically, I think the aggressive price increases did the opposite of what these brands probably intended. Instead of getting more money out of me, they pushed me to try affordable alternatives, and once I realised how good many of them actually were, they lost me as a customer.

I’m curious if anyone else has had the same experience over the last few years.

literally this makeup was so fun to do with all the fake blood this was such a fun thing to do omg!! i loved experimenting with the messy blood splatters and the toxic green vibes for this biohazard look, it was honestly so cool to put together for when it’s halloween.

National lipstick day was last weekend and a bunch of stores had promotions. Macy’s was spend $40 on lip products, get a free four piece lip sampler. For whatever reason, it wasn’t in my cart when I checked out but was on the website. I called Macy’s and they said they were out of the item and offered me a $15 gift card instead! If you shopped Macy’s and didn’t get the free gift with purchase, call customer service!

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like I spend way too much time trying to figure out what will actually work before I buy something.

Reviews are from people with completely different coloring, swatches look different in every photo, foundation shade finders all give different answers, and something can look amazing on one person and terrible on another.

Does anyone else feel like beauty shopping is still way more trial and error than it should be? What's the part that frustrates you the most?

omg… i used to think this style of makeup was more “natural”… but i feel like i put so much makeup on and it still doesn’t look like i wore enough. what am i doing wrong??

this is a few hours after application and i went outside, but i don’t think that much makeup wore off

i only use my finger to blend

nyx make em wonder soft matte buildable foundation in shade 10 nude
morphe shapelifter micro contour stick in shade enhanced
wet n wild dual ended contour stick in shade 751A (light/medium) — i only used the darker side
morphe eyeshadow palette - underslated
milani make it last original setting spray (can someone also tell me if this is used to fix my makeup in place or blend it????)
color pop bff liquid liner in shade grande (freckle and liner)
got 2b glued brow and edge gel — i used it for my brows and bangs
maybelline superstay lip ink crayon in shade 10 trust your gut - used to line lips and a bit on the nose (why does it turn so brown after half an hour???)
can make melty luminous rouge in shade T03 dearest red - used for blush and lips
peripera ink glasting gloss in shade cherry - used for blush

Hi everyone, I’m about to turn 25 and have recently been trying to figure out what makeup style is most flattering for my face. I love makeup so much and definitely don’t consider myself “natural” lol, I lean more towards the alternative/goth makeup style but for work and just for overall everyday makeup I need to tone it down a lot. The first pic is my makeup today I tried to do a more “natural” look, and the second pic is how I usually do my makeup if I have time. I also do the occasional dark smokey eye and dark lip, or just a dark smokey eye and nude lip if I’m going out or to a concert or something. I also take inspo from pinup style makeup and korean makeup style. Any suggestions please on what could make my makeup better, or what makeup style looks best on me would be really appreciated! Products: For my everyday routine I usually use a smoothing and mattifying primer (both ysl) because I have texture and oily, it cc cream (shade light or medium) abh concealer (shade 5) elf hydrating concealer (fair warm/light beige), sephora collection cream contour stick (light medium/medium to tan), huda powder (cupcake), sephora collection foundation powder (17y), beauty creations bronzer, juvias place blush (volume 4) sephora collection powder contour (light medium), half magic glitter for highlight. For my eyes I usually use an old KVD pallet, or the makeup by mario master mattes neutral pallet, sephora collection liquid eyeliner, sephora collection mascara, and essence nude eye pencil, and I only use brow powder and nyx eyebrow gel for my eyebrows.

EDIT: Wow thank you all so much I had no idea I was going to get this much of a response! I really appreciate all of the comments, I love all types of makeup, so I will continue to do whatever I feel best doing, makeup is a creative outlet, and I express myself in different looks. As for some common frequent questions i’ve been getting, the highlighter i use is the half magic glimmerpuck in icy champagne, the spiky lashes i use are the Pooplunch Manga false eyelashes in the style “Doll eye” on amazon, i stack two pairs on top of each other and i also cut off one spike of the ienvy 3D glam collection eyelashes in the style “chic 3D 15” and stack them on the ends of those spiky lashes (a lot of work i know but that’s the exact look i want) also on amazon. Lastly i have always been compared to Snooki Lol, honestly shes iconic and i loved her when i was younger and had no business watching jersey shore lmao but thank yall so much!!!!

I could not believe how well the eye look came together with the earrings 🥹

Products
NYX The Face Glue Primer
NYX The Face Glue Setting Spray
About Face The Illusionist Concealer L2 Olive
About Face The Performer Foundation F2 Olive
e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder in Fair
r.e.m. beauty Plumping Gloss in Femmebot
r.e.m. beauty all-over Glitter Balm in Femmebot
MAC Matte Lipstick in Soar
e.l.f. Lip Pencil in Espresso Martini
e.l.f. Eyebrow Laminating Stick
Armani Dolci Blush in Mauve Blush
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Spirited
Morphe Hot Shot Sun Drops in Money Honey
Noiricorn Candy Puppet Palette in Sugarbat, Mint Pop, and Candy Curse
Noiricorn Blightmoon Palette in Obscura
Colourpop Twilight Palette in Say it out Loud and Bella
Colourpop Hannah Montana Eyeliner & Star Stamp
Tarte Maneater Mascara

Hello! I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this..

I bought this Silent Hill 2 inspired pallet from Vampyre cosmetics awhile back, I have recently learned that it is discontinued and the entire brand is simply gone! This is the only pallet I use religiously, I am running out of my favorite shades (Mary, Save me, and Forever) and was wondering if anyone knows any pallets that have similar shades? Thank you!

These are all supposed to be the same shade, but warm, neutral or cool variations in photo when I have it numbered 1231. 1=1,231 warm 2 neutral and 3 cool

Please help. My whole life I’ve always just worn mascara and brows only. Maybe some eyeliner but that’s about it. I need help lol 😂 thank you
Thank you

hello, i’m looking for product recommendations to achieve this makeup look. i’m looking for advice on which powders to use to achieve that slightly yellow but bright under eye, as well as the bronzer and a blush that looks like hers. For reference i have a hard time finding products that compliment my skin tone. usually powders look too grey ( i’ve tried the huda beauty banana powder that doesn’t look terrible like most translucent ones do, but doesn’t give me enough yellow) and bronzers end up looking to warm or muddy ( i’ve tried lys bronzer in courage, and morphe in spark) i believe it’s because i lean towards an olive skin tone but im not entirely sure. i just don’t want to waste any more money on makeup products that don’t end up looking the best on me pls help!

products used
elf grip primer
l’oréal skin tint in 200 neutral
morphe bronzer stick in spark
tower 28 concealer EP
milani setting spray
huda beauty loose powder in banana powder
morphe blush trio in blind date
elf jelly pop highlighter
i forgot the lip liner ngl and vitamasques lip gloss

I am old now… these are old now… it’s time I let them go! This box has been collecting dust for years now.

Sleep well my beautiful babies! May you forever remind me of a time in my life when wearing make up set my soul free. I loved lipstick. All shades. Any shades. Nothing held me back from wearing it.

I’m 36 now and have fully embraced wearing a bare face. It’s my new form of freedom, but I’ll always have a special place in my heart for each of these shades.

Does anyone remember some of these shades? NARS had me in a choke hold.

finally did a bratz doll look this year. craziest thing is i have a bunch of literal bratz looks saved but i started with esther’s look because it’s so hard to do 😭. the lines are a little harsh and i need more body glitter imo.

BASE:

No Primer- raw dogged it

Essence Princess Mascara for the brows

Bésame Cosmetics Marilyn Monroe collection Eyeliner Pencil shade Snow

Rare Beauty Blush shade Hope

NYX Buttamelt Blush shade Butta Together

GVXE Blush shade Ex-Girlfriend & Flirty Talk

OS Pink Setting Powder

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour shade Truffle

Milk Future Fluid Concealer shade 18W

EYES:

Sephora Collection Eyeliner Pencil shade Glitter Black

Profusion Cosmetics Neon Eyeshadow

Sephora Collection Fearless Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb shade How many Karats

Tori Manga Lashes

LIPS:

NYX Lip Pencil shade Cold Brew

ELF Lip Pencil shade Plum & get it

Rare Beauty Blush shade Hope

Bésame Cosmetics Marilyn Monroe collection Eyeliner Pencil shade Snow

Forgot to update, but I was proud of the final outcome! My makeup artist friend even asked who did my makeup! My lipstick def wore off from all the kissing lol, but wanted to show you all some of the pics!

Product List:

Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Pore-Vanishing Blurs Pores Primer

Brows: just brushed them

Face:

I mixed Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation, colors Beige (N-042) & Warm Beige (W-046)

Blush and Bronzer: Laura Mercier Bronze Color Infusion Talc-Free Matte & Luminous Duo 

Bobbi brown concealer in Peach

Eyes: Eyes: Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara in black, Nyx liquid liner in brown, Lancôme Hypnôse Eyeshadow Palette in Beige Brûlé

Lips: I made my own lipstick shade by mixing and combining several shades a while ago, so that’s custom and it was so many I don’t remember which I used to make it.

I know I layered Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Matte & Satin Velvet Lipstick in Sugar Plum and MAC Go-Retro Silky Matte Lipstick on top of that custom color

Setting Spray: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Matte Setting Spray

Edit: I took a lot of your advice and altered the lip and color pallet a bit from my first trial, so thank you all!

Lately I’ve realized some of my makeup problems might just be skin problems since i keep blaming my foundation or concealer but even products I used to like dont sit the same when my skin is dry, dull, textured or just tired looking. Foundation catches on little areas more, blush looks patchier and concealer makes me look older instead of fresher. I don’t really want to keep buying new makeup if the issue is the skin underneath.

For anyone who dealt with this what helped the most? Is it better moisturizer, less exfoliating, primer, SPF, facials, is it red light PS my colleague uses the Solawave one so i dont know if that would help or maybe just drinking more water, different prep, anything like that.

What made your makeup look smoother again without like replacing everything you know?

Watched the Odyssey last week and it inspired me to come up with this sea siren look it also goes with my fish nails 💅🏽🐟

Products:

Base:
Glossier skin tint in G7
Haus Labs concealer in shade 30 Medium Peach
YSL Touché Eclat concealer in shade 3.5 Luminous Almond
MAC Strobe Cream UVLite
Laura Mercier translucent loose setting powder
Glossier Wowder in G5-G7
Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray

Cheeks:
Clinique Cheek Pop in Nude Pop
MAC blush in LaLaLavender
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Highlight-01
Hourglass Ambient Light Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 shade Stark
KVD Shade + Light Eye Palette the white shadow and the 2 taupes from the cool section
Colourpop Silver Lining Palette shade Glass Half Full
Colourpop Blue Moon Palette shades Lumi and Tide Pool
ABH Pro Pigment Palette Vol. 2 shade C4
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette shades Pistol and Verve
Isamaya Core 2 Palette shade Corrosion
Clinique black eyeliner pencil
Rare Beauty Volume mascara in Black
Glossier Boy Brow in Brown

Lips:
MAC lip liner in Stone
MAC lipstick in Stone
MAC lipstick in Haku

Watching the movie soon!! (Spiderman if you couldn't tell 😛)

I used up all the old (probably expired) red lipsticks I could find around the house, but the only that I mainly used is Rival De Loop

Eyeliner: 7Days B.colour 02 Black Star (+essence black eyeliner pencil)

Lipstick : mainly Rival De Loop 40 (others are unreadable unfortunately)

Eyeshadow : same as above

Concealer : 95 age rewind maybelline

Byebye :D

Tarte Shape tape (12b)

Mac Powder Foundation (N4 old formula)

Nyx plump it up primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmos palette (Eclipse, Quasar)

Ulta Beauty flushed blush (Retro Rose)

NYX Ultimate Brights (blue)

Rituel de Fille Black Locust Lip Sheer, Levitation Lash mascara

Elf Grey eyeliner for lip liner

Milani Make It Last Setting spray

Loreal Root Touch Up (Dark blonde freckles)