My go-to-lipstick at the moment is by Pat McGrath. Today (4th July), a matte lipstick costs US$ 39 in the USA and US$ 55 where I live. That’s a 30% saving: it’s cheaper for me to bulk-buy from the USA. Period.
And for me, it’s more than saving a quick buck: I pay for every product I review and refuse commissions, so you can imagine my skincare and beauty budget each year is the size of Haiti’s GDP.
Therefore, its no surprise that I monitor sales like a hawk!
Today’s blog is sharing my experience of WHAT to buy and WHEN.
Q1) Is the period around the 4th of July a significant sale event?
There are 3-4 major sale events in the USA and they offer varying degrees of discounts
Q2) What should I buy around the 4th of July?
Honestly, I have not seen many great bargains in the beauty segment, and these are probably more summer sales than 4th July specific. I like these products, which I know I would use or test.
Q3) What should you avoid?
Most of this is common sense, but most cosmetic purchases, especially around the sale, are impulse buys, so here is a gentle reminder of what to think of before your next purchase.
First, don’t buy make-up you have not tested in a shop, especially eyeshadows and lipsticks – it never goes well.
Second, don’t buy skincare products naturally sensitive to the environment. I am thinking of Vitamin C here, but the same could be said for Clean Beauty products.
For example, Tata Harper products frequently go on sale because they don’t have a long shelf-life and based on my experience as a formulator, I know such products can be sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Have you thought of the environmental impact of your purchase?
Finally, think of the environment. Beauty packaging is rarely sustainable and as a skincare blogger, owner of a skincare brand – I will absolutely be the first one to admit to this.
I find I buy less product now (even for testing) because at the forefront of my mind, I am aware at how beauty packaging simply pollutes our environment. Just walking into an American pharmacy with its rows of non-recyclable miniatures gives me the shivers.
Closing
I used to have real FOMO (fear of missing out) on skincare and beauty products. But the pandemic has changed the beauty industry: there are more brands to choose from, and if you look closely, there are year-round discounts/bundles. Can you blame me for FOMO, when some lipsticks cost US$ 100+??
Some of these are:
- Advent calendars: bundles of typically 20+ products that offer 50% + savings
- Bundles of products offered by online retailers
- Brands specifically offer discounts on their website. Huda Beauty, at any time offers a discount on a range of products.
- Beauty influencers typically have a 10% code on specific items that brands want to sell.
PS Why haven’t I mentioned Sephora USA?
The 4th of July discounts are ridiculously bad.