Share: do you buy beauty stuff cos they are NEW?

I was reading some beauty blogs last week and was slightly amused because I noted a couple of them proudly proclaiming being the first to try some new products. Okay, perhaps blogging is slightly different because we usually strive to be in the forefront of new introductions but it got me thinking how brands do like to capitalize on the word “new” to attract consumers. Every new product that is launched will inevitably bear some sort of “new” logo on their label or on their promotional materials. Does something new really have more marketing pizzaz?

Early adopters
In the high tech industry, we use this term “early adopters” to describe those consumers who want to be the first to use a gadget. Think Apple fans queuing overnight to get their iPads when the product was first launched! I guess we can also use this term in the beauty industry given that there are increasingly more innovations and breakthroughs, whether it is in terms of ingredients or designs.

Something that is promoted as new attracts attention
Okay, granted that I’m a beauty blogger so chances are, I get to review new products anyway but personally, the word “new” is a bit of a cliche to me because I came from a place where this word was overused. However, something that is being promoted under “what’s new” in a web or retail store does get my attention. I will most definitely stop to check it out but I may not necessarily purchase it. I might purchase a new product in a brand I’ve been using but if the product is a brand new innovation or creation touting new technology or breakthrough ingredients, I usually prefer to wait awhile because I have this tendency to let the other people try out first in case there are any glitches or issues. Of course it also depends on the price point – if it’s cheap, then I might not think too much.

I’ll wait awhile
Like right now, I’m testing a new gadget that cost something like $490 and it’s pretty cool. In fact, I was all excited when I first learned about it. But would I have purchased it myself? I most probably would not do so immediately but wait awhile just to see. Let’s not be pretentious; the price point is high and so I do want to be certain that it works well to justify my investment right?

I’m less adventurous
But that’s just me. I’ve never been an early adopter even with high tech equipment or gadgets. I can even wait forever before making a commitment to them. Even though beauty products cost much less, but I’m still not too keen on purchasing a product just because it’s new on the market, with the exception of sunscreens maybe. And because I hardly buy makeup products, so I find this whole “newness” has little appeal for me.

Your say
So how about you? Are you excited about new beauty product launches? Does the word “new” get your adrenaline pumping and all excited that you must have the product no matter at what cost? Or you wouldn’t even bat an eyelid?

Comments

  1. Joyce September says:

    Skincare-wise, I prefer to wait for reviews before deciding if the products are worth my purchase. These days, whatever claims of trillion years of research don’t do it for me anymore. Makeup are a different matter, and so are new launches.
    Joyce September last post is: CLARINS | WhitePlus HP Trio

  2. Emily Chia says:

    I am a dare devil when it comes to skincare. I dare to try on any skincare but of course my skin got problem now because of my adventurous. ? Still healing in the process… ?
    Emily Chia last post is: SISLEY PROMOTION AT TAKASHIMAYA

  3. karen says:

    i will be excited on NEW season/collection of makeup and nail polishes.. lolz
    for skincare.. i will wait for the review before deciding whether i should try it out..

  4. MereMakeupManiac says:

    hearing about a new beauty product definitely stirs my interest. but i usually look it up to see if others have used it, their reviews and the product’s company background. furthermore, i consider if it’ll fit my profile (my skin type, etc.) and if can be tried on a counter, i will try it there first. i don’t rush into things just so i can brag about being the first to try it. that’s not only risky and potentially could be a waste of money but immature as well imo.
    MereMakeupManiac last post is: FOTDs using NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream & NYX Matte Lipstick buys

  5. lyn says:

    I don’t get products just because they are new but I do often fall for the “limited edition” hype. What can I say… I’m a lemming sometimes ?
    lyn last post is: Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence

  6. Paris B says:

    “New” doesn’t get me unless its something I’m already interested in but a new gadget gets me everytime. Used to pick up techy stuff all the time – laptops, netbooks, phones… but stopped when they moved too fast and too expensive ? Yes, I’m a (recovering) gadget geek ?
    Paris B last post is: Oh me! Oh Mia! My Clarisonic Mia experience

  7. xin says:

    i won’t buy something just because it is NEW, but if it’s something that i have been excited about even before it’s launched, i usually won’t hesitate to pick it up – be it gadget or beauty stuff

  8. Soos says:

    I can’t afford everything that’s out there. I was an early adopter of gmail bcs it makes sense – the utility. I need samples of foundation and cleanser – I’m always looking for affordable alternatives of these that WORK.
    Soos last post is: How to Add Fiber and Flavor to White Rice

  9. sesame says:

    I know…we all have our priorities and some things just make more sense than others to adopt early. No, we can’t be buying every new beauty products in the market; getting samples is a good way to try before deciding.

  10. sesame says:

    I’m guessing some hair and nail products might get you excited? ?

  11. sesame says:

    Haha…didn’t know you were such a techy addict. I’m quite “backwards’ with techy stuff…usually my hub will get them and I don’t care as long as they’re functional and don’t look like a dinosaur.

  12. sesame says:

    Okay, I can understand that. I was just thinking if I want to pose this question next time cos many brands are clever with “limited editions” too. It doesn’t help that many of these also look pretty. ?

  13. sesame says:

    That’s wise! I think this is most applicable with skin care stuff cos there could be new ingredients or a science breakthrough but it may just not work. And these innovations are usually not cheap so I’ll be darn to just lose money like that.

  14. sesame says:

    Okay, I can understand with makeup and yes, nail polish too. The former don’t get me much but yes, I might check out new nail polish collections too.

  15. sesame says:

    Oh you were? I guess sometimes we do get too excited because of the advertising and hype…I know my mom used to ask me about new products that were launched via ads too.

  16. sesame says:

    I can understand excitement over makeup items although I’m not so affected…but yeah, I guess we know that going all out for skincare can sometimes be detrimental for us and since there are tons of reviews on blogs and forums, it’s best to just reign in a little.

  17. Julia says:

    I completely agree with you here! Definitely waiting for reviews on most products, even inexpensive ones – sensitive skin has taught me so many lessons.

  18. Miggs says:

    I get excited whenever my favorite brands comes up with something new, but I never really tend to step outside of my beauty/skincare box when what I’m already using is working for me.

  19. Chris says:

    For me, it doesn’t have to be new, but I understand why some blogs do that. A lot of people search for reviews of new items, and if bloggers want to drive up their stats, they’re most likely to stay up to date with the latest skincare and makeup products. They want to be relied upon by their readers to offer the latest info on popular products.
    Chris last post is: Blog Sale #1!!!!

  20. CherieJolai says:

    I agree with @MereMakeupManiac in knowing that others that are similar to me has tried the product, especially with hair. I have mixed hair, which is both sensitive to chemicals, and irregular in hair type. Seeing photos of results, and reading comparisons to other branded products are what get to the point of purchase. I read articles like these:
    http://www.typef.com/article/hair-conditioning-product/
    CherieJolai last post is: Fired from Being Single? How Stacy Did it

  21. sesame says:

    Ah…quite the same here then. I get excited about the brand I like launching new products too. But unlike you, I do try out of curiosity or for blogging.

  22. sesame says:

    I suppose you are right…it’s just funny how some of them would “boast” of being the first to try a product and it’s not like the product is a fantastic innovation. I find that amusing.

  23. sesame says:

    Yup, reading reviews and making a comparison would be good. I usually do that via makeupalley as there are lots of reviews.

  24. Nat says:

    I usually don’t go for a hyped up NEW product with a magic new ingredient (usually trademarked fancy name for 2 or 3 well known ingredients mixed togeter). It could be just a marketing ploy. Being a manufacturer myself and using my own brand mainly, I am still a product junkie, just can’t help it. So quite resently one of my customers was telling me about this new product containing “dragon’s blood” (hmmm) after thorough research of this magic ingredient, it turns out that it’s just another antioxidant, just not very known yet. OK, now, I am not so impressed and can’t justify the reason to charge $75 for this fauntain of youth. But generally I like to buy something new, particularly in color range. If it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, I would try it. With skin care it’s harder to impress me. What you see may not be what you get, so I always go through the ingredients, ignoring the description all together. And if marketing “blurb” doesn’t match with “the ingredients” I don’t buy it.

  25. Amanda says:

    The word “new” can never hook me up. Living in a highly commercial city for too long a time, I think marketing words like these have completely lost their charm for me. For me, result is way more important than merely being new. So, from the perspective of beauty companies, I’m not a good customer.
    Amanda last post is: My Biggest Beauty Mistake Might Be a Blessing in Disguise

  26. domncroxd says:

    i used to think that i needed to be at the forefront of everything new, but then i realized that it wasn’t financially feasible and part of my love for blogging is to share my reviews regardless of how long the product has been in the market. however, if i had more cash to spare, i’d definitely try to be the first to get the new items because i’m quite a sucker ?
    domncroxd last post is: We are now on Facebook!

  27. Swati says:

    Even I have seen many people striving to get the product first…there are people who love to be the first to try and put it on blogs to derive the satisfaction and give some spice to the readers which is also understandable if you look at it from a business point of view but I think it holds true more in perspective of gadgets but not so much in case of beauty products but yup some products do catch your eye and you really wanna try them as soon as they are launched!!! I do like to wait to know the reactions, though, and it generally so happens that the product I wanna try badly is never available coz its so highly in demand so it really never works out ?
    Swati last post is: Some Remedies for Dandruff {Reader’s Tip}

  28. sesame says:

    Yeah, gadgets and makeup…many would want to try those if they new. I find it hard to chase after new product although anything marks new does attract me eye.

  29. sesame says:

    Haha…that’s understandable. It’s always a novelty to try something new afterall…especially if the item is unique.

  30. sesame says:

    But you’re a wise one! I think the marketing exploit has made us more jaded towards such tactics.

  31. sesame says:

    Well, you have the benefit of more product knowledge than us because you are in the business. I don’t want to pretend but I’ll probably be intrigued by that product your customer mentioned although I probably wouldn’t purchase it. Dragon’s blood is a little scary to use…LOL. With gadgets though, I think I might still have that urge to buy something that is new and innovative. But I do exercise restrain and so will research some first. At least I didn’t fall for Clarisonic. Heh.

  32. xin says:

    nail stuff yes sometimes ? or debunking any myth even at my own expenses ? it is my interest
    xin last post is: Fun Designs but Nay Application: Nail Foil Sticker Review

  33. sesame says:

    Debunking myth? Haha…interesting. I see Xin as a CID (Cosmetic Investigative Detective) in disguise. ?

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