The Newbury Girl

Makeup Buying Addiction | How to Determine if You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Buying Makeup
beauty•makeup•wellness

Do YOU have a Makeup Buying Addiction?

February 27, 2020

Today’s post is certainly not the first time I’ve spoken about makeup buying addiction. And I’m positive that today’s post on makeup addiction will not be my last. However, it is necessary to shine a light on addiction to buying makeup and how to determine if you have an unhealthy relationship with buying makeup. Do you have a makeup buying addiction?

*Please note: I am not a mental health specialist, social worker, addiction counselor, etc. This article is based on my own experiences and online research. If you feel you have a serious shopping addiction, please contact a specialist.*

A Bit on My Background

In 2019, I developed an unhealthy relationship with buying makeup. Makeup buying became my go-to activity – whether I was happy, sad, anxious, or bored. However, I wrote about my makeup buying struggles in an earlier post. At best, I’m overly consumeristic. At worst, could I develop a makeup addiction?

I encourage you to keep reading if you think you may have a makeup buying addiction or if you have an unhealthy relationship with buying makeup. This post may help you to answer the question, ‘Do you have a makeup buying addiction?”

Makeup Buying Addiction | How to Determine if You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Buying Makeup

Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

First, what is shopping addiction?

Shopping addiction is an emotionally driven compulsion to shop uncontrollably. As with many other addictions, shopping addicts may experience an uncontrollable urge to shop that leads to an immediate, purchase-driven high.

Are there different types of shopping addiction? 

Shopping addiction can be generalized (i.e. addicted to shopping that is agnostic of category) or can be focused on a particular niche product category (ex. makeup, sneakers, etc). Additionally, while there are varying forms of shopping addiction, most shopping addictions are driven by some emotion.

Five main types of shopping addiction are commonly recognized:

  1. Bargain Hunters | Bargain hunters are shoppers who feel the need to buy items purely because they are on sale regardless of whether they need them.
  2. ‘Bulimic’ Shoppers | Buyers who constantly cycle through purchasing and returning products. In other words, these shoppers may “go on a spending bender” but later return much (if not all) of what was purchased
  3. Collectors | Collectors are shopping addicts who feel the to “complete” their collections, so they’ll buy all the items in a particular range of offerings
  4. Compulsive Shoppers | Compulsive shoppers feel the need to shop as a coping mechanism to relieve emotional strain or emotional distress.
  5. Flashy Shoppers | Flashy shoppers are not afraid to spend to buy items that will impress others
  6. Trophy Hunters | Trophy hunters are always on the search for the perfect product. For these types of shopping addicts, the hunt is part of the high

Personally, I would consider myself a compulsive shopper who makes purchases to alleviate emotional distress, particularly anxiety and sadness. Although I would not classify myself as a ‘bulimic ‘shopper per se, I do feel a sense of regret when I buy things and may attempt to sell items that I’ve never used or worn. 

Makeup Buying Addiction | How to Determine if You Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Buying Makeup

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Makeup Addiction is Shopping Addiction

As previously mentioned, shopping addiction can be generalized across all shopping or it can be specific to a particular product category such as cosmetics. Makeup addiction is very real. In many ways, our relationships with influencers have normalized the idea of amassing a huge makeup collection.

How often do self-proclaimed beauty addicts like myself lose all sense of control during a big beauty sale? How frequently do we hear regular consumers say that they purchased a “palette that they didn’t even like” because they collect that particular brand? Why do so many scalpers scramble to buy and resell limited edition collections?

Are there makeup addiction signs? 

According to PsychGuides.com, there are common emotional signs of a shopping addiction. From a makeup addiction standpoint, the emotional signs that you developed an unhealthy relationship may be:

  • Spending more than you can afford on beauty products
  • Buying beauty products as a reaction to feeling angry or depressed
  • Buying more beauty products as a way to feel less guilty about a previous shopping spree
  • Harming relationships due to spending too much on or shopping too frequently for beauty products
  • Losing control of the shopping for beauty products

How to determine if you have a makeup addiction?

Similarly to the above, I have adjusted the below self-assessment questions for makeup addiction. Answering yes to the majority of these questions could indicate that you have or are starting to develop a makeup buying addiction:

  1. Do you shop for makeup when you feel angry or disappointed?
  2. Has overspending on makeup created problems in your life?
  3. Do you have conflicts with loved ones about your need to shop for makeup?
  4. While shopping for makeup, do you feel euphoric rushes or anxiety?
  5. After shopping for makeup, do you feel like you have just finished doing something wild or dangerous?
  6. After shopping for makeup, do you ever feel guilty or embarrassed about what you have done?
  7. Do you frequently buy makeup that you never end up using or wearing?
  8. Do you think about money almost all the time?

Final Thoughts on Makeup Addiction

Makeup collecting (or hoarding) is something that began to take form with the rising popularity of social media influencers. Believe it or not, it is possible to love makeup and “collect” makeup without being addicted to it.

Your internal motivating reasons to purchase, the emotions you feel after buying makeup, and your finances will dictate whether or not your hobby has gone beyond a fun pass-time and moved towards a makeup buying addiction.

If you think you may be developing a shopping addiction or an addiction to buying makeup, then it may be worthwhile to take the time to analyze your purchasing behaviors. I will be sharing some of my tips for breaking makeup addiction in a future post.

Let’s connect on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’ | Influenster

Did you learn anything new reading about makeup buying addiction? Want to read more informative posts? Check out this post on how to reduce screen time or this article on social media toxicity.

What do you think about makeup addiction versus makeup collecting? Do you think there is a difference? Let me know in the comments below.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Comments

  1. Great, informative post! I think while living in CA I did have a bit of an addiction to skincare products. Different face mask, moisturizers, face washes and anything that would “make me” feel and look happy and relaxed. That was such a stressful time for me. Now I’m slightly addicted to coconut 🤍 and lavender 💜 everything, whether it works or not!

    Reply

    • after reading the various posts on shopping addiction diagnoses/signs, I def felt like I was on the borderline with my habits since I turn to shopping as a form of stress relief or as a pick-me-up, but I am hopeful that I’ll slowly relearn how to love beauty products from a healthy mindset.

      Reply

  2. This is so informative! I used to shop and shop and then return it all. Not make up. Clothing. I always felt that new clothing would make me feel better. I’ve definitely gotten better with it but still sometimes fall back into it. This is so important. Thank you for writing it.

    Reply

    • I’m so glad you found this informative – shopping addiction is def something that I feel gets trivialized in modern media or made light of from a brand side, but it is far more common than most of us realize. I used to work in retail and I’d definitely see people come in who displayed these habits.

      Reply

    • This was really informative to do research on – shopping addiction is so common / is often trivialized in media, so I hope that others will read this and understand it is very real for some people! and of course, some people shop and shop across all categories, while some people have certain areas of weakness (like with makeup or fashion).

      Reply

    • Learning about shopping addiction was really fascinating and informative. I really wanted to share this to potentially help someone who may have developed a shopping addiction (or might be at risk of developing shopping addiction). Makeup is one common product category that people might develop addictive habits towards, but it can def extend far beyond that!!

      Reply

  6. This is a good topic to write about! Especially since the media tends to promote spending money/purchasing products, it’s good to realize that it can become a problem. I’m generally pretty good at refraining from buying things, but I do find that I’m more open to purchasing things I don’t need when I’m stressed/not dealing with my emotions right.

    Reply

    • This past year, shopping really became a crutch that I leaned on way too heavily. While I don’t fit the mold of a shopping addict as defined by these parameters, I do still recognize I need to alter some of my habits!

      Reply

  7. This is such an interesting post. Whilst I don’t think I am addicted to makeup shopping or shopping In general I do think I have some tendencies sometimes & sometimes make purchases due to ‘collecting’ and also sometimes if I’m particularly stressed buying something cheers me up! It’s definitely something to be aware of as I don’t want to end up addicted and spending money I don’t have on beauty items! Xx

    Reply

  8. This is such a helpful, well-written, and insightful post, LP. I can definitely relate to a lot of what you shared. I also notice I tend to purchase when I’m bored and it’s impulsive. If I would have let myself think on it, overnight perhaps, I probably would have forgotten I wanted to make the purchase at all.

    Reply

    • Waiting is so huge – I remember the first time I did a total “no buy” I made a list of the things that I thought I ~needed~ but by the end of my no buy I had forgotten about 99% of the items!

      Reply

  9. Back in 2016/2017, I was in a really bad place mentally and as a form of ‘self love’ I started to buy more makeup. It started with small purchases and mostly only Kylie Cosmetics products every once in a while. But makeup felt like the only thing that made me happy and excited. I think this is where my makeup shopping turned into an obsession. I started buying products when I was anxious, when I was sad, when I was proud of myself, like every thing deserved makeup as a gift to make me feel better. I’m now at a point where I don’t need to buy makeup to feel happy again, I’m not even that excited as I used to be because getting a package is almost becoming normal lol yes this is bad. I feel like I’ve swifted from a completely compulsive buyer into a more Bargain Hunter and a Collector with still a slightly bit being influenced by emotions every now and then. You know I’m struggling with this makeup addicition and I do joke about it but it actually is kind of a real problem. I watched Hannah Louise Poston yesterday and this opened my eyes a lot. I did watch her before but it seems like it just hit me now lol. Oh well I need to stop rambling!

    Reply

    • Honestly, I know I say this all the time but we are so similar when it comes to certain beauty behaviors / habits…. I was the same way from like 2014-2016, and it wasn’t until 2017 that I started to watching my spending / relearn other coping mechanisms. However, once I went back to school and really began to invest in my blog, my spending spiraled out of control.

      I’m def more of a bargain hunter now too – if I can, I wait until something goes on sale since most products go on sale fairly quickly. There are very few brands I’m willing to pay full price from.

      I’m still not where I’d like to be with spending, but I recognize my flaws and am working to develop healthier habits when it comes to makeup buying habits…. even if it doesn’t seem like it (LOL). Also, Hannah really is such an inspiring lady – what phase of her project have you been watching? To this day, I still enjoy her No Buy content the most, but I enjoyed the project she did last year too… with her beauty budgeting.

      Reply

      • It’s good to know that we’re so similar when it comes to beauty habits, it makes it even easier to work on our habits together ❤️ I watched her No Buy content, especially the video what she learned from her no buy year inspired me a lot!

      • her No Buy stuff is literally my favorite – I liked the beauty budgeting stuff too (since she is so strict). This year’s project hasn’t resonated with me as much (b/c I don’t like decluttering just for the sake of decluttering). BUT she is still major goals when it comes to working on my habits.

        …. but on that note, have you ever watched Karen Harris? she is such a sweetie and is from the midwest US, but she’s been trying a Beauty Low Buy but has been more like us …. def showing the struggle of loving makeup and trying to be better but not being as strict as some others lol!

      • I just watched her latest update and it was honestly like a sobering reminder that I don’t want to get to the place where I’m buying so much makeup I don’t have money to spend on other things!

  10. I could see my mother in this so much. She has a serious issue with buying things cheap or discounted because she think she’s saving money. Most of the stuff she would never use. I have watched her buy foundation in the wrong color or multiples of the same thing because they were on clearance. She has gotten better as she’s gotten older. I have always leaned towards a bit of a minimalist mindset. While I wear makeup most days, all my makeup happily fits in my makeup bag. I’m glad you were able to realize this about yourself now and hopefully you can only buy what you will use going forward.

    Reply

    • Shopping addiction is way more common than we realize but it has become normalized or justified in society. Although I don’t fit all the signs of addiction listed in this post, I can recognize some bad habits that definitely could become dangerous if left unchecked. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment.

      Reply

  11. This post was very therapeutic to read as I’ve determined I definitely don’t have a makeup or skincare addiction. I love buying new products but I wouldn’t say I’m compulsive or have an unhealthy relationship with them. This is a very helpful post, though, and a great way to shine the spotlight on unhealthy addictions and I’m sure it will be a meaningful revelation to some

    Reply

    • Shopping addiction is such a difficult topic to address because in many ways society normalizes it, so I think it’s important to have these types of conversations! Like I’ve seen so many people on makeup have entire rooms full of beauty products that they never use, but buy simply to ‘collect’…. and I think YT has really made this feel ‘normal’.

      I don’t think I have an addiction, but I was def leaning into online shopping as a stress reliever way more often than I should have during this last year of school!

      Reply

  13. Great post, just what I was wondering about… How much is too much? I’m a collector by nature. Recently, I’ve stopped collecting random things, but I’ve started to purchase more makeup. I actually make my purchases when I’m in a good mood, rather than a bad one. I enjoy makeup from both a beauty perspective and as a hobby, and I don’t spend beyond my budget. However, the problem comes when I realize I will never, ever use it all. With all the beauty “influencers” and new products flooding the market, it seems normal to purchase large amounts of makeup per month, but in the end it seems rather wasteful.

    Reply

    • I’m in a similar boat to be honest – I purchase as a reward to myself but also as a pick me up when I’m down or stressed. I totally agree that makeup is a hobby and something to appreciate.

      I think “too much” is relative to each individual. I know my collection is excessive too some, but still less than others. For me, as long as someone is not spending beyond his or her means and their purchases aren’t coming at a cost to other things, I don’t think it has reached an unhealthy level. At the end of the day, we all have different hobbies and have to find a balance that works for us.

      I agree that overconsumption of beauty buying can lead to waste, but there are charities out there that will take gently used powder products. Also, my family and friends often benefit from my buys LOL. I’ve really been trying to finish up more makeup in my collection though so I’ve been tracking that through my empties and Project Panning posts!

      Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment btw.

      Reply

  16. Hi, what a great and intresting article! Followed you on Instagram! Let’s connect!
    I don’t know if there is any difference between collecting and addiction. I buy a lot of skincare and make-up, but I never spend more than I have, neither is my partner upset about it, but I do feel ashamed some times! I want to try everything I have, but it’s just not possible! I do receive PR sometimes. And I’m always on the hunt for the perfect pink as an eyeshade or the perfect serum to reduce my enlarged pores and some wrinkles. If you see social influencers creating fabulous looks, I’m always tempted on trying something new! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much – I followed you back! <3 I feel quite similarly - I don't spend beyond my means but I do feel guilt at my spending... especially since I use a spreadsheet to track everything coming in and out of my collection. For pink shades or palettes - have you tried the CP Ooh La La Palette or the Persona Pink Theory Kit? Those are two of my favorite all-pink palettes!! The Huda Beauty New Nude is my all-time favorite pink-toned palette though!!!

      I agree I am always tempted by influencers or blogging friends lol!

      Reply

  18. As an aesthetician, I understand this completely. Before I always had to have what was trending in makeup and use it maybe once or twice then hide it away never to be seen again. Now a few years later, I only use/have what I need to take care of my skin and enough makeup to enhance my features. Awesome job bringing attention to this matter!

    Reply

    • I’m glad to hear that I’m not alone in feeling like this – even though it may not seem like it to some, my purchasing in 2020 has slowed down compared to 2019 but it still too much. I’m really hoping that I’ll continue to slow down on my beauty purchasing.

      Reply

  19. Interesting to read, I definitely know people who are bargain hunters and compulsive shoppers. And I feel the issue is really real. While buying and collecting makeup or anything else can definitely be good and exciting, I feel there becomes a point where it can become too much.

    Reply

  20. This was so helpful! I rediscovered my love for makeup during this quarantine time, maybe because I have time more time in the mornings as I work from home, or maybe it was my was of stress relief. Anyway, I bought more makeup last 8 weeks than I bought in in the previous 6 months! I found your blog as I was looking for swatches of some product I was looking to purchase, but this post made me reconsider what I’m doing. Thank you!
    PS: When my recent online order arrived I keep only one product, which I wanted the most and sent the rest back.

    Reply

    • I’m glad you found this post helpful – it can be so tempting to make makeup or skincare purchases at the same rate (or faster rate than clothing, but it is so difficult to use up products entirely or to find a friend to give things to!

      Reply
Previous NABLA Dreamy 2 Palette Review | Italian Indie Beauty
Next Ranking my Single Eyeshadow Collection

Related Posts

19 Indie beauty brands to try in 2019

19 Indie Cosmetics Brands You Should Try in 2019 | Volu...
Yearlong Low-Buy Update #2 | Huda Beauty Neon Obessions & Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palettes

June 2019 Beauty Low Buy Recap
Bad or Rad | ColourPop Double Rainbow Super Shock Eyeshadow Kit Review and Swatches

ColourPop Double Rainbow Review
Project Pan | Pan that Palette 2018 | Will I Do It Again?

2018 Pan that Palette Introduction
%d bloggers like this: