Simmer Down Now

My dear friend, Joyful Radiance called me out last week. She referred to me as a MAC junkie. Truth be told, she is spot on. I love MAC cosmetics and Mac (Apple) computers. I was rather perturbed when Steve Jobs announced that there will be a delay in the new MAC OS X, Leopard. I will be finished with all my classes by then, which is probably a good thing because this delay will give me the impetus to sign up for business school sooner than later. Hey discount is my middle name. 😉

Back to this MAC junkie business. My name is Mix Maven and I am a MACaholic. I do not like every product the cosmetic company makes, but I enjoy a lot of the products. I decided to catalog my beauty items on a spreadsheet. I will not say how many items I have, but let’s just say I should be doing make-up artistry on the side.

I believe in self-awareness and I, first, noticed the problem when I found a certain website. This lovely website is a MAC and beauty resource. I have learned so much that I had to go back to the MAC store and purchase all those things that I had missed out because you never know when you are going to see the scary triangle, which means that a regular product is being discontinued. For example, I would never think of buying the Vanilla pigment (oooh that color is divine), Vex eyeshadow (great crease color and can morph into a new color when blending). [Note to self: stay on track, Mix!!]

What I have realized over the years, and especially in this case, saying no or denying myself wants can be the best thing to do. I am not saying we should go forth today and never purchase anything we want again, but I am saying we need to be mindful of why we want to make these purchases. What I know is that I am going to have let the C-Shock color story cup pass from me as well as the special items that will be at Nordstrom because I really want a few items from the RushMetal and Flashtronic color stories. (Note: the operative word few.) I have missed out on several color stories, but what can I do. Sometimes, we have to back away from the proverbial buffet of life because there is always going to be something new and better. Author Amanda Ford (2002) sums it on page 173 of Retail Therapy: Life Lessons Learned while Shopping,

It is so easy to get caught up in the moment, to think that the item you are admiring is the best thing you have ever seen and that if you don’t buy it right away you will never find something like it again….. I found the best thing to do when making any decision, big or small, is to slow down.

Sometimes slowing down means that the answer will be no. And another thing, always swatch make-up before purchasing because I have learned there are so many colors that can be created. This practice will curb unnecessary purchases. There are sites that showcases swatches and allow users to compare with similar color of various brands. Now, I only purchase 1 of a product because some of these products can last forever, which is why I love the MAC pigments.  I stay away from products that I do not use regularly and products that I do not have an idea on the purpose. Currently, my goal is stay away from duplicates.

I want to hear your retail therapy stories. Leave a message in the comment section or e-mail [email protected]

Live Triumphantly,

Mix Maven

PS

I still want the MAC gift cards as a graduation gift. 😉

I want to give a birthday shout out to Mr. Mix Maven.

Reference

Ford, A. (2002). Retail Therapy Life Lessons Learned while Shopping. Maine: Conari Press.