How To Avoid Post-Purchase Guilt.

   If a heavy weight of guilt and regret after shopping is something you're familiar with, than this post is for you. I, being myself a beauty addict, completely understand how hard it is to stay rational when you see all those beautiful colors and pretty packaging. All those things are made to be tempting. And I'm proud to say that I've found ways to fight that temptation. Or at least contain it to a budget-safe level.

So here are my tips on how to avoid that post-purchase guilt:

1. Set a strict budget. It's a first step towards eliminating overspending. Depending on how much you can afford to spend on beauty products, set a specific amount of money you allow yourself to spend per month. For example, $150. And your goal is not to spend a dollar more under any circumstances. No excuses like: "but they came out with this new, one-of-a-kind collection", no "but there was such a huge sale I couldn't miss it for my life!”. Once you accept this as a fact: there's only this amount of money I can spend, you'll find a new, deliberate simplicity to your beauty shopping routine. 

2. Swatch it / ask for samples. Don't be shy and just ask for a sample of any product you're interested in. These days it's not a problem at all, and almost every single beauty product can be tried and tested before a customer makes a decision to purchase it. If it's a makeup item, swatch it on your hand, swatch it on your face, and make sure you're really fond of the effect that the product gives you.

3. Give it some good thought. After you you've tested a product, leave the store and take a look at the swatches under a different light. Go home, and if, a few days later, you are still sure that this product is exactly what you need, feel free to buy it. There's only the slightest to no chance that you won't be happy with your purchase after using this method.

4. Do some research. Aside from swatching and sampling, you can look up your product online, along with other people's reviews of it. Yes, beauty products work differently on different people. But you can significantly lower your chances of buying something that turns out to be surprisingly bad, or below your expectations. For example, if a product has the majority of its reviews saying that it has a bad smell, that it caused irritation, or that the pigmentation is weak then you probably should reconsider buying that product. 

5. Make a wishlist. Most websites for beauty products have a button saying "add to my wish list". Aside from showing the retailers what products their customers are interested in, this feature also helps you to keep track of things you like. The wishlist will become your best friend once you start considering these products in relation to your budget, you might just notice how many of them you don't really want that badly after all.

6. Make a shopping list. That's right, just like you make a grocery shopping list to avoid buying things you don't really need, making beauty shopping lists works just as well. When you go to the store with a number of products in mind and do not deviate from it it lowers your chances of impulse purchases. And at that time when you pass by a product that catches your eye but is not on your shopping list, you can pat yourself on a shoulder for spending your money rationally and keeping your impulses in check. 

7. Buy it online. This is one of the most effective tips of all. And the reason for this is that it really helps you to choose wisely. When nobody is standing behind your back waiting for you to move along or finally put something into your basket, when nobody is telling you how you absolutely cannot live without this magical, one-of-a-kind-especially-for-you-$200 face cream, then you can avoid impulse purchases that you will instantly regret. In the comfort of your own home, on the sofa with a cup of delicious tea and no rush, your mind and judgement are unclouded. And that, my friend, is a key to a guilt free shopping.

8. Just buy it anyway.  Just wait a minute before you start blaming me for giving you bad advice. Just think about it. Is there one outrageously overpriced product that you catch yourself eyeing and coveting month after month beyond any reason? Do you want it that badly that not having it upsets you? Will that product make you happy? Can you afford it? Is it within your "beauty budget"? If the answer to all those questions is "yes" than just go out and get that product. You shouldn’t feel guilty for buying things that make you happy. Even if it's that $200 moisturizer (if you can handle putting something that expensive on your face). But if it's something outside of your budget, you probably shouldn't be obsessing over a beauty product that expensive. Deciding between a week’s worth of food or a face cream is not really a choice.

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