Share: do u stock up beauty products during sales?

Hey hey, the Great Singapore Sale has begun and are you ready for the dash? Actually, I started about a week ago with all the pre-sales and walked away with a bunch of hair products already. Well, I don’t usually like to stock up products but this is one category of goods that I’ll stock up during sales because these are products I use daily or frequently and they won’t go to waste. The other products I’ll stock up are body washes and supplements for my family. I mean, who can resist the savings right?

Stock up selective products
When I say stock up, I mean buying two or more of the same product. While hair products and body washes are okay to stock up for me but I will not stock up skin care products because I know they may end up unused and thrown away. My skin care products don’t get used up quickly and because I also like to sample new stuff so I’ve ended up forgetting some of my older purchases many a times. In the end, I wasted more than I saved! So at the most, I’ll just buy one but definitely not stock up. Anyway, there are more than enough sales each year to buy only when needed. I really prefer my skin care ‘fresh’ as anything left even unused for too long may have lost its potency. And between my pocket and my skin, I’ll choose to save the latter!

Mental checklist for stocking up
Due to the temptations associated with savings during a sale and the herd instincts that kick in, we don’t always think rationally. Here are some questions I usually ask myself when I’m thinking of stock piling:
– would I use this frequently enough to buy more?
– what’s the expiry date?
– will the product degrade significantly even if I don’t open it?
– is it easy to store the item?
– do I have space or will I end up stashing them away and forget them?
– have I still stocks of the item at home?

And believe me, even when I use this mental checklist, I can fail quite miserably. Like I just realized that I have two bottles of a hair product that are brand new and yet, I just added another two more. I have to make a mental note not to stock up this product anymore!

So ladies, do you stock up beauty products during a sale? Or maybe wait for a sale to buy your beauty items? Do you have must-buy items during a sale?

Comments

  1. mandy says:

    the only thing i stock is makeup remover for the eyes because i go through a bottle every 2 mths and oil blotters cos they dont expire.

  2. Alexandra says:

    I used to stock up on skincare products like moisturisers, toners, cleansers..but big mistake. Find that it loses it efficacy after some time. I prefer to purchase when I am almost done with it so that it is fresh. Now, I will only stock up on shower gels or shampoos:)

  3. espenine says:

    Nope, I dont stock up for GSS. There are plenty of options out there each time I finish my current skincare. I only stock up when I buy in bulk and pack up with me in my overseas work which lasts for months and months.

  4. Swati says:

    I have never stocked up like this but I have stocked up on loads of brands definitely and I am struggling to finish with them ?
    I have heard that Singapore sale is like crazy rush…does the sale apply on all the products in the market or is it like an exhibition…would love to plan my trip to Singapore during this time though it might be really crowded right now??? Does the same always occur at this time of the year or is there any winter sale too???

  5. stella says:

    i do stock up on body products and supplements, and some skin care, but like you, my skincare gets used up much more slowly, so i try not to have more than half a year’s worth of extra skincare lying around! i guess it helps that i don’t experiment all that much as i’ve found everything that i like to use, especially for skincare products!

    also, i realize there are sales so often, why bother? i’m not buying any this GSS as i’ve enough products till the end of the year :S i’ll probably buy some stuff during the year-end sales instead ?

  6. sesame says:

    Yeah true…always a sale around the corner. I don’t particularly buy during GSS…but I sometimes wait till there is a sale to buy stuff eg. Heliocare. I save $10 whenever there is a sale. ?

  7. sesame says:

    I don’t really get the impression that it’s a crazy rush but I suppose there are more promotions. Crowded yes, because it’s also during the school holiday. But it should be reasonably bearable. We don’t have winter sales but there are usually Christmas sales and whatnots during the year end.

  8. sesame says:

    Okay, stocking up for overseas trip is important as the country may not have the stuff you need. I used to be so particular about shampoos that I’ve considered asking people to send me from here. Haha…

  9. sesame says:

    Yup, same here. Used to buy some during sales but realized I ended up not using too.

  10. sesame says:

    Oh those that don’t expire are indeed worth stocking up if there are savings.

  11. pf1123 says:

    I stocked up too much that I can’t finish everything!!!

    Skin care – not exactly stock up. But I like to buy different things and apply as and when I have the issue. Like rotate whitening with anti-aging serums. Rotate anti-acne and whitening toners.

    Shower products – of course! I stock up various sizes of shower gels and shampoo for various duration of overseas trips.

    I am going to the US soon and I probably would stock up a lot of things from there. :))

  12. EcoBeauty says:

    I usually don’t but thanks for reminding me, hahaha… :p I will go and see what I could stock up on later.

  13. AtelierGal says:

    No I don’t, unless it’s a BOGO offer. These days besides impulsive buys, I want to be more sensible in my purchasing by getting what is needed.

  14. sesame says:

    Hoho…happy stocking! The prices are good with the low exchange rate now! ?

  15. sesame says:

    Heheh…buy buy!

  16. sesame says:

    Good for you gal! Exercising shopping discipline is always prudent! ?

  17. OSeñorita says:

    The only beauty product I stock up on is a hand and body lotion. I have dry skin so I stock up on it whenever there is a sale or even if it’s not on sale. I really buy big bottles and make sure I never ran out of it.

  18. Shelly says:

    Hi Sesame!

    I don’t usually stock up, even when there’s a sale going on lol. probably because i’m always open to finding better products to suit me. anything that’re cheaper and more natural are welcomed! lol. but nevertheless nowadays it is hard to pick out the right brand or know whether is it effective :/even the words of salespersons are kinda hard to trust meh.

    i realised though, that the costlier the products are, seriously does not mean it’s any good. i tried john master’s bearberry cleanser and serum for oil control…did no difference to my skin and i spent close to $100 -___- i got them from Bud’s cosmetics, have you shopped from there before?

    but anyway random question, have you ever come across this organic brand before? http://puritycosmetics.com.sg/
    i tried googling for it but i found nothing…

  19. angel says:

    I stock up my moisturiser and also facial mask. I used up moisturizer very fast about 1 tub per 1 or 2 months time??? well i still have 2 new moisturizer on hand. Lol.. And 4 is using!!! I can’t resisit facial mask, i buy when i see there’s sales!!! in tube or in pieces… and i can’t finish it. lol.. there is still 10 new tub of mask i not yet open.. ==” … more than 30pcs mask left!! Oh.. i’m sorry i’m a shopaholic.. lol

  20. sesame says:

    Your comment reminds me – I have a few hand creams that are unused and yes, I love buying new ones to try too.

  21. sesame says:

    I agree…cost does not equate to quality; formulation is more important and so is if that formulation suits your skin. Another thing to consider is internal health. I’ve found the latter to make more difference to my skin than using mere products.

    Oh the brand is 100% Pure. Have reviewed their shower product and hand cream but not used any others. Some readers did complimented about their foundation. I may want to give it a try but will take a look at the ingredients first.

    Yes, Bud Cosmetics was one of the first shops I featured here. I bought the 100% Pure products from them in fact. I’ve also tried John Masters Organics Serum and Moisturizer and have liked them.

  22. sesame says:

    30pcs masks left? You’re truly a shopaholic! But good thing these masks are based on per usage so you should be able to use them up quickly if you are diligent. ?

  23. angel says:

    Oh.. i think there is more. I forgot there’s 30 pcs more from Korea. Maybe add up would be 60pcs. Gosh!!! Haha… use it daily will finish in 2 month time. lol

  24. Shelly says:

    So it is true that the lesser the number of ingredients in the list, the better the product will be? still debating on this in my head lol.

    Currently I’m using EO Rose & Chamomile shampoo with French Lavender conditioner, while it didn’t make my hair any worse, I don’t see it improving significantly :/

    Nature’s gate shower gels are so lovely ? They really don’t strip off the skin!

    My current moisturiser is JASON Red Elements Daily Moisturising lotion, seems pretty alright. I use Hada Labo prior to it, but I think it’s really within my genes and the Singapore weather that my skin turn into an oil slick at the then of the day ?

    My facial wash is currently Avene Soapless cleanser, which is working on my skin fine except that the lady at Dragon D’Or (where I get almost everything) ‘warned’ me that Avene is really terrible for the skin.

    On that day, I just got my face threaded after being pretty irritated from the lady who kept badgering me to do facial/mask/etc. So my face was left all red and tingly when I went to Dragon D’Or. When the older lady saw my face she just said it was because of the cleanser I’m currently using and that my ‘internal system’ is fighting…I did inform her that hey, I just got my face threaded that’s why it’s red and peeling in certain areas.

    Dunno why I got kinda upset over it (the older lady’s remarks) + the after effects of the threading didn’t help, I had a mini breakout and had to be rescued by my facial therapist.

    Ugh, I’m even reconsidering to just finish whatever I’m using now and just switch everything to A’kin so that I don’t need to go to Dragon D’Or.

    I still remember last time I had another bad experience with them would be when I was a younger teenager I went there to seek for something to apply for my out-of-control acne and spent $30 (I was a secondary school kid with no job btw) on some ‘natural’ gel to apply on my skin. The very same older lady said it’ll work but meh, it made my skin worse. I had a reaction and it grew ever redder. Sigh.

    Ooh! I see, I tried googling it again and apparently it’s sold overseas too haha. Yeah…formulation can make or break the product, despite it being all natural and what not. Oh well, I just wish things weren’t so expensive so that I can try them out first before sticking to them.

  25. sesame says:

    I haven’t been to Dragon D’Or of late. I prefer to deal with the son and not the mother for she is kind of bossy to me. I think some other readers have similar feelings. And about her comments regarding Avene, I think it’s baseless. Avene is quite a good brand even though they use more chemical synthetics but I won’t use the word ‘terrible’. She obviously wants you to switch to natural/organic cos she is selling that. Tsk tsk.

    Yes, our internal system plays a role in the state of our skin but she was obviously not listening to you. I wonder if she is trying to sell you some supplements too.

    I noticed that some of the brands they carry are available at SuperNature https://www.vivawoman.net/2010/04/08/supernature-one-stop-organic-lifestyle-store/ but the problem is SuperNature seems to charge more.

  26. sesame says:

    LOL! Ah, don’t use it too excessively…maybe 2 to 3 times at most if your skin can take it. ?

  27. Jung says:

    Thanks for reminding me! Yes I do stock up whenever they go on sale. I usually do a calculation of how much I need, and buy accordingly. For instance the last 3-for-price-of-2 phyto shampoo promo at one retail shop, I regretted not buying more. The logic is- certain products have more holding power than others ; or brand loyalty I u may call it. For me, skin care stuff such as moisturizers or sunscreen, face masks and toothpaste have less holding power and I would tend to switch brands; and as such I would not stock up on these.

  28. Shelly says:

    Ooh! Thank you :> I’ll check it out when I have the time. Ya!!!!! I know right? She’s quite pushy -.- her son’s pretty helpful, but seemed to depend on the information on the packaging rather than explaining what the product really about. And of course, when I asked them whether it works on their customer, they’re pretty insisting :/ Oh surprisingly she didn’t try to sell me any supplements, she tried to push me some nature’s gate facial lotion to replace avene + some nature’s gate vitamin c moisturiser.

    Sigh, I’ve no choice but to finish all the products I have first before my parents slaughter me over the amount of money I spent on organic beauty products lol. I’m leaning towards A’kin next, or yuan soap for the face :3

  29. claire says:

    Hey ladies! Couldn’t help but noticing your converstation over here. I agree with you Sesame on the point on internal health!

    I have been using the john masters bearberry range(toner and serum) as well for almost a year. I still do have breakouts rather regularly ‘cos of hormonal issues and I love to eat and have close contact with family who have acne prone skin. Otherwise, usually, my skin would be clear.

  30. sesame says:

    I guess it’s quite hard not to break out once in a while. I had some minor breakout on my forehead recently…due to a lack of sleep.

  31. Tin says:

    My mom stocks up on beauty products! Especially soaps! She buys 3 kilos of soap, fresh from the factory so it would be cheaper. Lol ? She also stocks up on lotions, face creams and make up #k8SjZc9Dxk__#k8SjZc9Dxk
    No choice but to use them all. Otherwise, the money spent would be useless. ?

    But at least she learned her lesson! Haha. She now buys a kilo of soap ?

  32. sesame says:

    Haha…3 kilos of soap! That’s plenty! Good thing soaps don’t expire that quickly and do get used up fairly easily too. But it means less opportunity to try other stuff cos gotta try to finish them first. ?

  33. zoe says:

    Yap…i also stocked up on loads of things…from facial masks, makeup, skincare,etc…cant seems to stop myself. Haha…whole cupboard of products until my hubby also gave up

  34. Issa says:

    sometimes, i stock up on body products too because I use them everyday but not all the time because I like trying different brands too!

  35. sesame says:

    Same here…like to try different brands so sale is also a good excuse to buy new stuff. ?

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