The other day, Marcella shared with me and the rest of the MBB-gang a Buzzfeed article on a rainbow highlighter, asking if we’d ever wear it.
Since I don’t even use traditional one-color highlighters that much, I said that I probably wouldn’t wear it, but it would be something cool to have.
Which got me thinking…
Am I a makeup collector?
Well, to a certain extent I undoubtedly am.
I mean, I’m not the type of collector that would get a product and never use it to preserve the design embossed on the pan. To me makeup is something to touch, test, and play with. So I guess that if I really got that rainbow highlighter, I would somehow use it, at least a few times.
But I definitely am a collector in the sense that sometimes (ahem… most of the time) I buy makeup products simply because I want to have them in my collection. Which doesn’t mean that I won’t use them. It just means that I don’t need them.
At this point I could go off on a major tangent and tell you that when it comes to makeup nothing is really needed. I mean, it’s not like makeup is one of the basic human survival needs, right? But when I say that I need something in relation to makeup what I actually mean is that I’ve finished a product, like mascara or foundation, and need to replace it.
Yeah, that’s what I classify as a need.
So, going back to what I was saying before, I often buy new makeup products even if I don’t need to replace anything, which I guess makes me a collector.
I’m pretty good at keeping my foundation, mascara, concealer, and highlighter stash very streamlined, but I definitely have more than I need in all the other product categories, with lipsticks being my most purchased items.
Please, excuse the rambly post, but I don’t get many chances to chat about these types of things in the real world. Well, I mean, sometimes I do tell my partner (AKA Mr. Page) about my makeup musings, but 10 seconds into my monologue, he starts staring into nothingness, and I can clearly picture a cymbal-banging monkey inside his head à la Homer Simpson.
So please, bear with me and tell me… Are you a makeup collector? Or do you only buy things you really need? And what’s your most purchased type of product? 🙂
jessica says
I saw that rainbow highlighter and it looks like my iridescent panpastels all stuffed into one pot. Not something I would wear, but I might paint with it. So if I had it, it would live in my art studio with all my pastels.
I collect Urban Decay, I guess, but even some of their stuff I don’t care about, like that Gwen palette. So Meh.
Carolina Braina says
I loved the packaging of that palette, but thought that too many shades looked way too similar.
Barb says
I’m definitely a collector and purchase things, mainly lip products and eyeshadow palettes, because of the brand or just because.
Carolina Braina says
After lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes are my second favorite category, but I TRY not to buy too many!
Aviva says
I’m trying to create a capsule makeup collection at the moment, with 1 amazing product from each category, but the way to get there is to collect lots of makeup and see what’s the best right? 😉
Carolina Braina says
Haha, exactly! 😉
Altea says
Quoting a character from Love Actually… “I don’t want something I NEED, I want something I WANT” and in my case this definitely applies to make up :). Almost to ALL make up, to be completely honest. Which specific type of product, you ask? Ahem… that’s difficult!!! Almost certainly eyeshadows, but also nail polishes (last check had them around 100), and to a lesser extent eye pencils/liners and coloured mascaras. I mean… I will probably have 20 different mascaras… which is not much compared to the number of eyeshadows or even lipsticks (probably the most neglected type of product in my stash), but, I mean… who on earth does need TWENTY different mascaras!?!? Ok, that probably makes me a hopeless maniac rather than a collector, right? But such a happy one 😛 !!!!
stalkthepostman says
Best movie ever!!! Love the quote – Def applies here ?
Carolina Braina says
Hey, if it makes you happyyy, it can’t be that baaaaad! 😉
Fancie says
Most definitely lol. Like you, I don’t collect makeup just to stare at it or frame it on my vanity but I do have the shiny new thing syndrome. I buy makeup I don’t need but plan on using. I have it really bad with lipsticks and highlighters but it stops there…..for the most part lol. I just can’t help myself. Collecting makeup is so much fun!
Carolina Braina says
For some reason I feel like I can skip highlighter, but I definitely have a thing for bronzer!
Becky says
Oh dear me, yes I am! I’m a complete magpie. I just see something shiny and pretty and then… It’s in my cart. Oops. That’s part of the reason I started blogging-at least then I can share the shiny, pretty things with everyone on the Internet!
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Carolina Braina says
And it’s also a nice excuse to buy new things! 😉
Amy says
At this point, I have an aversion to buying anything I won’t use. It looks dusty, outmoded, and uninteresting in a few years, as well as mostly unused, and I realize I’ve been had! Haha. As you can tell, I’ve gotten here through experience. That’s not to say I don’t “need” an unusual color or palette for a special occasion or different look occasionally, though. And a girl’s got to experiment. Gotta stay fresh!
Carolina Braina says
Experimenting is fun, you definitely can’t stop experimenting! 😉
Kiss & Make-up says
I am definitely a make-up lover, but I wouldn’t call myself a collector. I don’t buy something JUST to have it. Especially lately I’ve been trying to make smart purchases.
hanna says
I am totally a makeup collector. Really hoarder but I’ll pretend it’s collector.
Carolina Braina says
Haha! 🙂
LindaLibraLoca says
Hm, I never bought something just to have it in my collection, like a black lipstick, but I surely own more lipsticks than I could use up in several years and keep buying new ones despite that. So yes, I guess I am a collector. Or greedy. I think I will go with collector.
Carolina Braina says
Nah, definitely a collector!
Tatiana says
I am definitely a collector of lipsticks and nail polishes. I have way more of those than I need or will ever use. Trying to go through and eliminate some of the lipsticks and nail polishes, but it’s so hard when the colors are all so pretty. I’m pretty good with everything else, although the Dear Husband would disagree.
Carolina Braina says
Haha, it looks like they always disagree about these things!
Lulle says
Yes and no – I guess the sheer size of my collection automatically qualifies me for the collector category… but I always buy things to USE them, never to keep them on a shelf. I even stopped buying shades that are out of my comfort zone just because I don’t have anything like that in my stash (those never got any use).
Heather L. says
I am definitely a collector. I don’t “need” about 99% of the makeup I own, but I love all of it. I’ve got 5 IKEA units full of nothing but makeup, plus more “on display.” I try to cycle through and use everything, but I have to admit some of it ends up being neglected because I have so much. I love creative packaging – part of the “collecting aspect,” I feel, is purchasing things because of the packaging. In addition to wearing my makeup, I enjoy looking at it and “playing” with it. I will even buy items that I won’t be able to use in very many situations: I have several blue, green, and black lip products for example, and they are some of my favorite items in the collection! I don’t feel “ready for the season” unless I’ve picked up all of my favorite collections being released. When I had the time, I maintained a beauty blog, and I miss it terribly. I hope to have the time in the not-distant future to get it back up and running again.
Carolina Braina says
I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes even just looking at makeup, LOL!
kellly says
OMG that multi color highlighter is gorgeous! I am definitely totally a collector. I love cosmetics!!
Joyce B. says
I am trying to buy less but I am definitely a collector. Especially lipsticks and eye shadows. I’m always looking for the perfect color/texture. And just when I think I’ve found it, a new collection is released and they have something that looks promising and off I go to the store. I try not to talk to my hubby about it. He gets upset about all of the “thousands of dollars” of lipstick in boxes around the house. He has no idea how much I actually have. I need to buy less….
Carolina Braina says
I personally try to keep my collection somewhat streamlined because if I get too many things I feel like I can’t really enjoy them.
anusha says
I got enamoured by the world of beauty blogs only an year ago. .i used to be surprised wen ppl bought makeup for the packaging. .
But right now i’m lusting for lancome juicy shakers and chanel rouge allure lip gloss just for the packaging..
I’m collecting lipsticks for the shades too albeit only those suitable for everyday.. hmmm..somebody stop me! Yikes!
Carolina Braina says
I just got a Juicy Shaker just because it’s so pretty and different!
stalkthepostman says
Probably half of my collection sits untouched and unused, either on display or in storage! Some of it I’ve purchased for the packaging and some for the pattern on the product and I love it all! I make no apologies…to me, it’s like art and it’s there for me to enjoy and appreciate ?
Carolina Braina says
And you shouldn’t make any apologies! I like using everything I have, but I completely understand what you’re saying.
Mitzi says
Oh, my. Yes, I am a collector, and Sephora helps to enable my obsession, especially when they announce the launch of brand-spankin’ new stuff. 9 times out of 10 I don’t need any of the items in X brand’s new seasonal launch, but gosh, seeing all the pretty items lined up so enticingly….. le sigh. Must.buy.
Lately though, I’ve put myself on a makeup sabbatical. No purchases unless it’s in a color I don’t have (which pretty much rules out everything now lol) or a new formulation that, after reading all the reviews, sounds like it would be a great replacement for something I do own. We’ll see how long it lasts…. 🙂
Carolina Braina says
It’s a good resolution if you feel like you have too much. I hope you can stick to it! 🙂
Rachel R. says
Like you, I’m not a collector in the sense I buy items just to collect or to keep them pristine and just look at them. I absolutely do collect (HOARD) makeup, just because I love it all. I want all the pretty colors and finishes, and I go for pretty/cool/cute/nerdy packaging. I LOVE eyeshadow palettes of all kinds, so I have amassed a huge amount. I’m also 46, so I’ve been collecting a long time.
That being said, I don’t buy anything I can’t afford. I almost never buy something only for packaging. I don’t buy just to buy. I use what I buy.
Carolina Braina says
I don’t buy anything I can’t afford, either. My only rule is: don’t get into debt because of makeup! Other than that, if it makes you happy, then why not?
Susan says
I would also consider myself a collector, but only things I plan on using. I have never purchased something just because it was limited edition. My most overbought categories are lipstick, because I am always on the hunt for the “perfect” color; and eye shadows/palettes. Beauty blogs have fueled my obsession – I get to contemplate all the pretty things before they even hit the store, but on the upside, the “seen” to “store” lag gives me time to consider if I really “need” to add the particular item to my collection. Plus I have two Company Store outlets nearby, so I can often convince myself to wait a few months and see if the object of my desire shows up there!
Carolina Braina says
I often try to wait before I buy something, too, because most of the time the urge to buy it will have gone after a while.
Jenny says
One word: MAC
Erin says
I have few LE collector pieces but more because I just like them then for collecting. They get used.
Diana says
I DEFINITELY would call myself a makeup collector. I consider myself unable to resist the temptation to buy plum lipstick and nail polishes LMAO.
Agata says
I guess I am a collector. I have bought things before because they look cute but if something is cute, it also has to be something I’d actually wear! But I have way more makeup than anyone could ever possibly use. Some people like playing video games, some like buying designer shoes, some like buying makeup 🙂