Think Before You Buy

Today I wanted to touch on an issue I'm sure many bloggers have, and I'm including myself in that statement. This is the issue of 'Do I buy this?'

I'm sure that for some, before buying a beauty product, or indeed anything, this question may not even pop into their mind. I know that, in some cases we do question ourselves, and in others we don't. I'm not putting anyone down when I say that as I know full well that sometimes I meticulously scan over what's in my Boots basket, evaluating each choice, and other times I either simply cannot be bothered, or am just in such a money-happy mood, I frankly don't really care.

 

If you're reading this post as someone who falls into the 'I never look at what's in my basket' category. I hope today's post will help you become a slightly more stable shopper, an if you've already got this one nailed - I congratulate you *claps enthusiastically and bows attentively*.

 

I've been mulling this one over for a while, trying to compile a basic list of steps you could take when faced with the situation where you've realised you've gone just a bit mad in the cosmetics stands and I think I've done it. This is the 'Think Before You Buy' step-by step...

 

1. What have I already got? - Have I already got a product similar to this in my stashes at home? If so, how is it different? Or is it so similar, I can't tell the difference between the two? Do I like the one I've already got or would I like to try something new?
2. Have I already tried this before? Have you recently tried this, loved it and so want to repurchase? If so - go for it. But if not, think back - have you in fact already tried this but it was so long ago you've forgotten about it? Do you remember liking it or loathing it? If you can't recall any of your feelings towards it, perhaps it wasn't that impressionable...
3. What have I heard about it? Obviously you can't believe all the hype about products, but if it's a new launch, what feelings have other people had about it?
4. Will I make full use of it? Seems an obvious thought, but 1). If you've already got something similar, will you be reaching for this over what you've already got? 2). If it's something completely new, can you see yourself incorporating it into your routine?
5. Have I already thought/been planning to buy this? If ever since you've dyed your hair blonde you've been saying to yourself you need to buy some purple shampoo - do it. If the thought's never occurred to you before - it could just be an impulse buy and maybe you should go away and have a bit of a think about it.

So there we have it - five steps that I know to some may seem obvious, but to others it may just stop that unnecessary extra bottle of sparkly pink nail polish from making its way to the checkout...