August 18, 2016

Are You Guilty of Buying Makeup Because of Pretty Packaging?

pretty makeup

Today I contemplated purchasing the new YSL Mon Paris Eyeshadow Palette just because I loved the packaging. Are you gulty of buying makeup because of the pretty packaging?

I am.

At one time I wouldn’t think twice about purchasing something because it had pretty packaging but now I think it is a serious beauty crime.

Like many of you, I have so much makeup to get through! I’ll never be able to get through it all! I have one major weakness when it comes to makeup and beauty, I tend to buy things based on packaging.

I’m a book worm. I love to read! Anything, everything, if it has words on it, I’ll read it. I love manga, I love sci-fi, I love horror, romance, mysteries, YA, I’ve always been an avid reader. It’s funny because books are a lot like makeup in the fact their jackets and covers are a key selling point. Or at least for me that’s always been the case. I’m not saying that unappealing cover means the book will be a horrible read. Just the opposite in fact as some books have hardly any cover art at all yet prove to be the best reads of my life. But pretty, colorful covers do sell a book and they make you want to pick it up and read the description.

This holds true for makeup as well. If it’s pretty, you’re likely going to migrate towards it. That doesn’t mean the contents are always as good as the packaging but pretty packaging can be a huge rabbit hole to fall into. Beauty sells! We all love Milani but most of us will likely agree that the tacky gold plastic packaging has to go.

I am very guilty of purchasing makeup because it has gorgeous packaging. I’ve reigned myself in though and remind myself if I’m not going to use it, it’s absurd to buy it because it looks good. I’m not saying I’m completely cured yet but I do ask myself, “Do you really want this because you’ll use it? Or are you just being seduced by the packaging?” I know I’ll never wear the cool pinks and lavender shades in the YSL palette so, I buckled down and told myself not to buy it.

I dodged that bullet successfully! 🙂

I can’t say the same about the Bobbi Brown The Nude Library which thankfully sold out because I had serious issues saying no because the packaging was so chic.

How about you?

Do you regret some of your more prettier makeup purchased?

Do you sometimes indulge just because the makeup packaging is pretty?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Robyn Evans

    I saw the title of this and INSTANTLY was like – yes! I’m so guilty, even if I don’t like the product I don’t even regret it – makeup goes off, attractive packaging lasts forever.

  • Christina D.

    No, but I am guilty of the opposite: not buying a product because I disliked the packaging.

    Being a minimalist by nature, I hate bulky, purposeless packaging. There are numerous culprits across all brands, but TooFaced Holiday comes to mind in particular. I’ve even passed up on my favorite, Urban Decay, i.e. Book of Shadows are ridiculously wasteful IMO.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’ve become more of a minimalist in my older age. I hate tossing anything or at least I used to hate tossing anything! Nowadays, I’m always looking for ways to de-clutter! Hey sis, I think I fixed the issue for you with chrome! Can you navigate ok now?

    • Agona

      I’ve done the same thing. I’ve also de-cluttered on the sole reason that I found, after using a product, that the packaging annoyed me for whatever reason!

    • Jeanine Mcauliffe

      The morphe palettes are just so bulky and too big in my opinion. I sold my beloved 350 because of that very reason

  • Christina D.

    That is so thoughtful of you to even remember! Yes, I just tried and page 2 is loading without an issue. Now can you do something about Ulta? I still cannot order the item I have in my basket — the site will NOT let me check out! Called Ulta for the third time. They said the issue is with the item and free gift and don’t know when they will have it fixed. Hmmm…my guess is that it will be fixed when the $35 free shipping threshold expires (the item I want is exactly $35)!

    • Isabella Muse

      fantastic! Glad to hear it. I think it might have been my server cache plugin causing the problem! Sorry about that. UGH SORRY!! 🙁 I ended up not ordering anything at all yesterday because I was so busy! Glad I didn’t get a migraine with ordering and having issues with the GWP! ugh!

  • Use the shadows.

    Urban Decay palette Through the Looking Glass so pretty with bright pretty shadows, sigh. Had to get it, but I do

  • Hannah

    I’m so bad for this! The amount of money I’ve spent on pretty things is insane
    H x

  • Jay

    Oh, of course I am 🙂 BUT in my defense I’ve gotten much better about it! I’ll buy something that looks pretty if it also makes me feel good when I use it, even if the product inside isn’t a standout. I’ve bought quite a few Kiko limited edition products because of the packaging. And pretty mirror compacts–don’t even get me started!

  • VailValleyGirl

    GUILTY AS CHARGED!!!
    It can be so pretty that I don’t want to use it.
    I have a full unused stash of pretty packaging waiting to be used.
    Also, a lot of it is good deals that are pretty packaging too.

  • Susan

    While pretty packaging attracts me (thereby fulfilling its purpose), the contents have to be good and reasonably priced or I won’t buy. The new TF/KVD collab springs to mind as all flash and no substance.

    • Jeanine Mcauliffe

      I do wish there was a little more to it but I seriously gotta have it. I mean a ♡ that comes apart!

  • EliCaroline

    I remember as a teenager saving my money and buying the Hard Candy nail polish. I was wowed by the packaging with that little ring. The nail polish itself wasn’t better than any 99 cent nail polish I had at the time.

  • Jennifer

    I bought the YSL Mon Paris Perfum and the eyeshadow palette for the packaging. As soon as I saw your post this morning on the YSL palette I headed on over to Nordies.com and saw it and I was like mine, mine, mine from Finding Nemo. I have been going back and forth on the fragrance, so I bought that too. I know I will regret the fragrance purchase around Christmas time, as there will be gift set for sure. And I’m a sucker for the gift sets.
    Last thing I purchased for the packaging was the new Moschino Fresh fragrance. It looks like a Windex bottle. Love it.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha Jennifer 😀 good for you! I’m like that, I buy a fragrance and kick myself as typically it is around the Holiday or Mother’s day and a gift set comes out hahah! I love Toy and I’ve been meaning to add Fresh to my wardrobe but I smelled it while on vacation and I was like, Mmm do I need it? Ended up regretting not buying it as it was 20% cheaper plus duty free!

  • Allie

    Anything rose gold I am a sucker for. I got the Wonder Woman lipstick just cause I liked the packaging. I already have a ton of that color. I am thinking about getting rid of all my lipsticks and just keep the ones with exotic packaging.

  • brittany

    yassss! Me too. I’ve done this with certain items- Too Faced Sweethearts Blush, EOS lip balm, and thebalm and Benefit. I would buy the new Benefit brow line because that packaging is so unique and surprisingly held off. I’ve done this with certain nail polishes that have sleek bottles.

    I don’t know if this has happened to you, but I have even saved certain pretty boxes from products. I’ve actually save the boxes of the Sweethearts Blush, Buxom Lip Polishes, and Urban Decay Naked3.

    I totally understand how packaging does play an influence in what we buy.

  • Rachel R.

    I very rarely buy anything just for the packaging, especially if it’s expensive. Pretty packaging will catch my interest, and is a bonus.

  • Jeanine Mcauliffe

    YES YES YES!!!!! I also will not buy items if I don’t like the packaging. Example I really wanted the tarte gravey3rd girl palette until I saw the cover of it. Us females are crazy.

  • Deby

    I am more interested in the quality of the product than whether the packaging is bedecked with doodads. I like very understated sophisticated looking packaging that lets the product speak for itself.

  • Tracy

    I’ll let you guess… I own a couple of Jill Stuart things… 🙂 My NARS collection is my pride and joy because they align so neatly. But I also dont buy because of packaging. If it’s bulky, forget about it. I don’t even look at very large palettes, like BH Cosmetics. And except from Tarte Rainforest eyeshadow palette, which was too gorgeous to pass up, I don’t buy round shape palettes.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha likewise! my JS is def top of the awesome makeup packaging pile!

  • Deborah

    Yes! If something is pretty (packaging) then I notice it right away and I feel I have to have it. As for products, same thing. Shiny gets me every time!

  • Bren Owsley

    I used to be so guilty of buying for the packaging, but, like most of you I have enough makeup to last 3 lifetimes so I have really buckled down and only buy for the colors. Too Faced holiday packaging is so darn pretty, but I held off last year and am glad I did. I know wait for a few reviews before I purchase…..most of the time!!!

  • genevieve

    Sometimes I wish the brands would invest more in the quality of their products instead of the packaging….
    That said, I saw a recent photo of the new Guerlain Fall Eye Shadows and I was shocked at the tawdry packaging – they looked so DS to me. I was expecting a little more…luxe?
    As long as there is a sturdy case, the packaging can be annoying – where and how do you store it? Does it collect dust, fingerprints?

  • Mariele Storm

    “We all love Milani but most of us will likely agree that the tacky gold plastic packaging has to go.”
    *will love Milani’s chic-to-me packaging until the day i die*

    I feel you, Muse. Used to be reaaally bad about this – still pretty bad, but not horrid. But I don’t buy makeup much nowadays period. :’D I won’t lie tho – if there was a brand of vintage-styled makeup, like Besame without the price tag, or theBalm without the so-modern cheekiness, I’d have to buy a few pieces, whether I used them or not. :’)

    You know what /really/ gets me? Names! If it’s got “julep”, “Georgia” (especially Georgia peach), or “doctor” in it, I’m all over that. Makes me itch like an alcoholic in a bar. 😐 Don’t ask.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha right? It’s the worst packaging! haha interesting…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There’s a story there right? 😀

  • Chris

    Not usually but just last week I ordered the It’s a strike compact from Mac with the bowling pin powder design. It also helped because it was $16.00 At Macy’s. It’s so cute and my granddaughter is a serious bowlerso I ordered her one too lol.