Is the price of Beauty in Australia coming down?

A little while ago I wrote about Illamasqua’s “Fight for a fair beauty price”  which is the brand’s campaign to stop the disproportionally high prices Australian consumers pay for their beauty products in comparison to the rest of the world. This push is definetely justified, however this year alone a number of brands have reduced their prices to bring them in line (almost) with their international counterparts.

The latest to do this was Lancome – their “Love Lancome, Love our new prices” campaign see’s some of their best selling items reduced permanently by up to 30%. Currently these reductions are only on their Genifique, Renergie & Visionnaire products.

My pick would be the Genifique Serum 30ml – Down from $115 to $80.

Estee Lauder also recently reduced their prices on some of their foundations – all doublewear products were $68 will now be $50. The Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator has also been reduced from $105 to $80 (30ml)

Earlier this year, Mecca Cosmetica reduced a number of their brands Australian prices, most notably NARS.

Their blushes were reduced by 27% from $62 to $45. Sheer blow foundation was reduced from $99 to $68, with their illuminators, multiples, bronzers and eyeshadow duos also being reduced in price.

Other Mecca Cosmetica brands that saw reductions this year include Stila – with lip glazes reduced from $48 to $36 as well as their smudge pots which are now $32 instead of $43. Kevyn Aucoin Mascara (was $52 now $40), Perricone MD, By Terry, Nude and Dr Dennih Gross Skincare were also reduced.

Which brands do you want to see reduce their prices? I’m excited about Estee Lauder & Lancome getting on board – hoping this is a sign that we will see many more price reductions in the future!

Fight for a fair beauty price – Illamasqua’s Campaign

I’m hoping I don’t sound like a broken record but Illamasqua’s petition regarding bringing Australian prices in line with our international counterparts is something that ALL brands should be looking into, especially considering the positive reception it’s had here in Australia.

“Since we entered the Australian market we’ve been frustrated by the inflated pricing of cosmetic products compared to the rest of the world. For too long now, the women and men of Australia have been forced to pay extortionate prices for their beauty products. So we have a clear message:

We are making a stand against the ruthless global giants of cosmetics, who abuse the system by forcing customers to pay up to 61% more than UK prices. It’s entirely unjust that a woman in the UK pays just $24 for a lipstick, while a woman in Australia has to pay $40 for exactly the same product.”

You can find out more information here or sign the petition here. This year we have already seen a number of brands reducing their prices to become more in line with other countries, including Nars, Biotherm, Kiehls and more.

And while I really do think this is a good thing to raise awareness of, I’ve got to put on my sceptic hat just for a minute. Because really, if Illamasqua wanted prices to be equal, surely they could just lower their prices? And once they lower their prices, they’d be more of an incentive for competing brands to do so to stop themselves loosing customers to their then cheaper rivals?

The world, and the beauty industry is a complicated place!!

La Fête Nationale! Celebrating France on Bastille Day

I was lucky enough to visit Paris with my amazing dad and his partner for my 21st Birthday a few years back, and I absolutely loved it.

It truly is the most magical city, and although I did get robbed it didn’t put a dampener on such a fantastic two weeks – I just wish it was longer!

This is a bit of a picture heavy post as I had trouble narrowing down the photos I wanted to share!

We visited all of the sites, did a bit of shopping, ate a LOT, I spied Karl Largerfeld (the real one and a life size neon one) when I visited his photography exhibition and came home with a million amazing memories.

Have you been to Paris or is it still on your bucket list? Do you love it as much as me?! It really is just like in the movies!!

Also check out HiP Paris blog if you are a French lover or have plans to travel over there as it is an absolute treasure trove of information on things to see and do from a locals perspective!

And once again big love & thanks to my dad for the best 21st present everr x

Au Revoir!

Do you want to be left alone? Service as you like it with Clinique

I was reading a story recently on The Cut about Clinique’s new “open shopping” method that is being introduced in the US and rolled out internationally in a new bid to attract shoppers to buy their products in department stores.

We all shop differently, but I know 80% of the time I’m visiting makeup counters I just want to have a little browse and will ask questions if there is something I’d like to know. It is so rare that I’ll want to sit down with a salesperson or have them take me through things because generally I’m just not in the mood!

With Clinique’s new initiative they promise that if you are carrying one of their shopping baskets they won’t bother you, and different products and shades are out on display and not hidden in drawers so you can simply pick your shade and go (MAC may need to take note of this one!)

While I love the service makeup counters can provide I think this is a great way to reduce hassle when you just want to grab your product & go. They will also be prominently displaying prices (can they all do that??) and plenty of disposable applicators and samples on hand in case you want to try a product.

To me this sounds PERFECT and hopefully will be something adapted more widely within department stores.

Will this make you more likely to shop at a counter? Or do you like the one on one experience?

x