The Pain of Shopping for Replacements

Do you really need another tube, bottle or jar?

Hello, Gorgeous!

There are many statistics out there about how many billions of dollars are spent on cosmetics annually (The US Beauty Consumer report for 2023 averaged consumers spending $94.36 billion). There’s a lot less info about how much of that money is spent on replacement products.

It’s no secret that I love cosmetics. I’ve just become more careful about the ones I replace.

Think before you replace

Before you buy that replacement item, take stock of whether you really need it - or really need it yet.

I recently spotted one of my favorite moisturizers (Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream) on sale. Before I could stop to think about it, I ordered two jars. Only afterward did I go check in my beauty fridge* where I store favorites and saw that I had two unopened packages. I lie. I actually have four jars and an eye cream. Yes, I am ashamed, but I hope it gives you pause before your next shopping spree.

Some more food for thought before you buy a replacement item:

• Has the formulation changed/will the formulation change? There’s no worse feeling than stocking up only to discover the product is different than you recall. If you’ve read that a product will be updated soon, wait until the pro reviews are in before buying. That said, the updated Shiseido Benefiance eye cream is incredible.

• Do you have enough product for right now? If you’re panicking prematurely, don’t. If you have enough product to last for a while, set up a reminder for sales, gifts with purchase or twofers. The pain of restocking your favorite won’t be as intense.

• Is there a product you’ve always been curious about? Before restocking on your faves, try to find a travel or sample size of a product you’ve always been curious about. In this way you’ll know if you love it or hate it or are eager to go back to your tried and true product.

• Have the seasons changed? If you’re out of your favorite heavy duty moisturizer but it’s nearly summer, you can wait before stocking up again. And keep an eye out for deals while you’re at it.

• Are you planning a trip? You never know the kind of deals you might find at the duty-free. Also, if you’re traveling abroad, drugstores and chemists have loads of incredible products that might be fun to try for a change.

Have I missed anything? And what makes you replace a product when it’s used up instead of trying something new instead? Let’s meet in the comment section to discuss!

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋

*Yes, I really have one and it’s red.