As the economy is slowing down and recession is making us cut bank on our spending, as we are being extra careful with our jobs, and finding ways to earn more and save more despite the gloomy atmosphere, recession and beauty products are just one different story. As my last entry about beautynomics goes, as the economy goes down, lipstick sales go up!
With this, L’Oreal, the number one beauty company in the world, in its 100th year, commissioned an international survey of 4,000 women in 5 countries including the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In each country, 800 women ages 15-65, who use makeup, were asked about their cosmetics products and usage.
The statistics and results are just as interesting, just like men wonder why women would act like this, or like that. Here ya go, with my notes included :
Working for a living:
Nearly half of U.S. women believe wearing makeup gives them an advantage at work and makes them feel more in control.
The majority (82%) of U.S. women surveyed believe wearing makeup makes them feel more confident in general, and even more (86%) believe that wearing makeup improves their self image.
It’s true, it’s true! The more polished I look, the more confident I feel about myself, thinking that I can do anything at work. Makes me feel great.
Beauty is recession-proof!
You can’t take my makeup away from me! 9 out of 10 women in the U.S. and Europe reported NO change in makeup usage despite the economic crisis. 89% of U.S. women have bought makeup in the past 6 months and 84% haven’t changed their overall makeup habits despite more difficult financial times.
Why should we? During hard times, we need not drag ourselves onto that misery. We need to rise up, and keep a positive outlook in life – and that definitely starts within us! If applying makeup makes us feel better, then that’s a great start.
Au naturel. The survey found that 4 out of 10 U.S. women are wearing more neutral shades and a more natural makeup style than before the recession. Further, since the recession started, 43% of U.S. women claim their makeup looks more natural versus 31% of women in Europe.
Au naturel is my style. I’d sport an au naturel look any time *smiles*
Other interesting trivia :
* Even with the recession, the three most popular makeup items on which U.S. women rely the most remain lipstick, mascara and foundation.
* Hair today, Gone tomorrow? When it comes to saving money, 63% of U.S. women have not cut their hair to make it less expensive to maintain.
* During a recession, women look to makeup to brighten their looks…and their day!
* Even during recessionary times, 72% of U.S. women believe that wearing makeup cheers them up and makes them feel better about life. Supporting that fact, 1 out of 4 U.S. women surveyed said they bought a new makeup item to cheer themselves up during this recession.
* Nearly 40% of U.S. women changed their hair style to cheer themselves while 1/3 of women in the U.S. and Europe have changed their hair color for the same reason.
* Paint me a picture. U.S. women are twice as more likely to polish their nails to cheer themselves up than are French or German women.*
* U.S. women aged 50 and older consider mascara their best makeup weapon
* European women aged 50 and older choose to arm themselves with lipstick
* Americans and Italian women aged 35 and younger choose eyeliner as their weapon of choice
* French and German women ages 35 and younger arm themselves with mascara
So, what do you think? I think that beauty products are confidence that come in bottles, tubes, and in compacts. I think, in hard times, I can always let go of some small luxuries I indulge in – but never my makeup, and well, food. You can never, ever take away my basic set of skincare and makeup that includes the following ( just let me share ) :
My skincare non-negotiables :
1. A decent facial wash. I love Obagi’s facial wash for oily skin. Works like Cetaphil, but for oily skin.
2. A decent toner. Clindamycin, Erythromycin – I get mine from Katejones.com
3. A moisturizer and sunblock in one – Nu Skin has it. In times of scrimping, I’d go for this, and skip my night cream.
4. Eye Cream. Gosh, I don’t want to grow old! Nu Skin also has a good one.
5. Intensive Lip Treatment – Suisse has the best, I cannot live without chapped lips
6. MaMa Lotion – my only saving grace that prevents me from having breakouts
7. CURE Aqua Gel – Keeps my skin looking fine, and beautiful, by gentle ( gentle, is an understatement! ) exfoliation for maintenance.
My cosmetics non-negotiables :
1. Primer – Silicone-based, please. I’ll keep All Matt by Make Up For Ever amongst my loot.
2. Mineral Foundation – be it loose or pressed, I just need this.
3. Mineral Concealer – if worst comes to worst, I pick a yellow colored concealer to brighten my undereyes and correct redness.
4. Finishing Powder – For oil control
5. One peach and one pink blush for that glow of health
6. One really pigmented lipgloss, perhaps from MAC
7. Eyebrow Pencil from Artdeco if things don’t allow me to splurge too much, I’ll just sharpen and sharpen and perhaps hone my drawing skills ( byebye MUFE Eyebrow Corrector just in case haha! )
8. Blinc Kiss Me Mascara – Just because I cannot use anything else, this is perfection in a mascara tube.
9. Eyelash Curler
10. Mineral Eyeliner with sealant - so I need not worry about gel or liquid eyeliners drying out, so I can just use them as I need them.
Wow, even in hard times, that’s still alot! But then, it’s me! I will fail to function nicely if I don’t have these. If I don’t function well, then how am I supposed to work, and move on? These non-negotiables, thinking about them, are my driving force to aim higher and keep a happy outlook in life. They make me smile, they keep me sane ( I hate starting at my zit in front of the mirror, but I love staring at a clear face ), so it all explains how girls cannot give up beauty stuff just so easily.
How about you? What are your non-negotiables?
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I loved reading your non-negotiables!:)
I’ve been following your blog for a long time and I know you have oily, acne-prone skin as well (but it doesn’t look like it). Could you tell me what your skin care and makeup routine is in the morning? Do you apply both sunscreen and primer?:) TIA.:)
Oh, and also, what’s your favorite mineral foundation?
Hi Miss Soapaholic!
In the morning, I usually wash my face using a mild facial wash ( I’ve been using either PCA Skin or Obagi lately ), then use toner ( Clindamycin ), and then moisturizer with sunblock ( Myra E or Nu Skin ). I apply primer only when I apply makeup in the morning
Take advantage of the time in the hot shower, while facial pores are open, to scrub off impurities, and seal off with toner.
My favorite mineral foundation, I have to be biased, is Monave Mineral Foundation ( Concealer Foundation, rather ) – I have it in Hyeyeon, and Saturnina. I also LOVE Colorescience’s Pressed Mineral Foundation. 
i’m not as big a make-up addict as many women, but i find that i do have a few non-negotiables too: concealer, powder, mascara, lip gloss. foaming facial scrub, sunblock.
I liked this article alot. I think women are smart cause they dun let the bad times, affect the way they look. As long as you shop smart and wisely, I believe you can still look good and presentable.. looking good is a confidence boost too
We all need that during hard times!
I agree. I just don’t feel comfortable walking out the door with blemishes and redness! I won’t leave the house without my concealer and foundation + mascara at the minimum! Great info on that study though…
~ Van