I'm a researcher. I research just about every thing. Cars, electronics, clothing and of course, mah beauty products. Had the internets never been invented, I'm not sure how deep this issue would truly run for me, but the fact is, I constantly have all the info I need at my fingertips. And I use it. Partly because it's there and partly because I have an obsession with being as informed as I can about anything I purchase.
Once Amazon came on the scene with their costumer reviews, it changed the world of online buying and content. Suddenly people wanted information and reviews, from other internet wielding people. People who were unbiased and tell others of their trials and tribulations. The review sections of websites slowly became the new campfire. And I have definitely flocked to the flame.
I still have folders and folders of magazine rip outs of products or homemade concoctions to try from years beginning with 19. That was my research. It was a very crude form of trial and error compared to today. Now I go from website to website and app to app reading reviews and finding out how each item has fared in other lives before even purchasing it! It's a control freak's beautiful dream!
There are a few places I begin my research.
First stop is Makeupalley.com. This online community is great. Lots of tips and swatches and an excellent review board. Membership is free and they even have a smartphone app now so i can read reviews anywhere. A lot of my most prized products i read about on makeup alley in reviews for another product. People leave wonderfully detailed reviews and even give suggestions! So helpful! I also check Amazon, Ulta, drugstore sites, Sephora and as of recently, Birchbox. There are also so many great makeup and beauty blogs out there that give great info, but it's only one person's point of view and sometimes you're searching for something they don't have.
Last year I noticed that Sephora actually uses your membership number to keep track of all your purchases. It's as easy as a few clicks away to finding out what shade of foundation or lipstick you bought months ago! I love that feature because I'm so bad with remembering which I bought and which I just played with in the store for an hour.
The Sephora site also has a whole Community section. An interactive forum where anyone can ask and answer questions, share photos and ideas and even hear about upcoming events at Sephora. It's really quite genius! What I like the best is the Swatch Board. On The Swatch Board, they show you new makeup collection swatches, usually on a few skin tones. Soooo great!!! After finding out about this, very recently, I've been kind of obsessed with it. This is exactly what I need!!
Once Amazon came on the scene with their costumer reviews, it changed the world of online buying and content. Suddenly people wanted information and reviews, from other internet wielding people. People who were unbiased and tell others of their trials and tribulations. The review sections of websites slowly became the new campfire. And I have definitely flocked to the flame.
I still have folders and folders of magazine rip outs of products or homemade concoctions to try from years beginning with 19. That was my research. It was a very crude form of trial and error compared to today. Now I go from website to website and app to app reading reviews and finding out how each item has fared in other lives before even purchasing it! It's a control freak's beautiful dream!
There are a few places I begin my research.
First stop is Makeupalley.com. This online community is great. Lots of tips and swatches and an excellent review board. Membership is free and they even have a smartphone app now so i can read reviews anywhere. A lot of my most prized products i read about on makeup alley in reviews for another product. People leave wonderfully detailed reviews and even give suggestions! So helpful! I also check Amazon, Ulta, drugstore sites, Sephora and as of recently, Birchbox. There are also so many great makeup and beauty blogs out there that give great info, but it's only one person's point of view and sometimes you're searching for something they don't have.
Last year I noticed that Sephora actually uses your membership number to keep track of all your purchases. It's as easy as a few clicks away to finding out what shade of foundation or lipstick you bought months ago! I love that feature because I'm so bad with remembering which I bought and which I just played with in the store for an hour.
The Sephora site also has a whole Community section. An interactive forum where anyone can ask and answer questions, share photos and ideas and even hear about upcoming events at Sephora. It's really quite genius! What I like the best is the Swatch Board. On The Swatch Board, they show you new makeup collection swatches, usually on a few skin tones. Soooo great!!! After finding out about this, very recently, I've been kind of obsessed with it. This is exactly what I need!!
Example of a Laura Mercier swatch photo
I'm glad Sephora saw the need for something like this and really filled the void. This is definitely ahead of the curve as far as the online makeup retailers go.
So there you have it. Do your research! And use the Sephora site when doing so. Cuz they're making it pretty awesome!
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