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Hi.  My name is Nan and I am a beautyproduct-aholic.  There.  I’ve said it.  I am being upfront and honest about my problem or issues.  OK, OK – my addictions.

My addictions to beauty products started when I was very young.  It began with my discovery of mom’s eye brush and water-activated mascara.  I became instantly fascinated with the dark side – well, at least dark brown.  She had lipstick lying around, too.  Mothers beware!  You never know when your children are snooping and will stumble upon your secret stash!  It may be your own fault they become addicts.

Truthfully, I have been a beauty product/cosmetic addict for several years.  I have a cousin who is 4 years older than me so I idolized her – why?  She was the perfect age to be idolized and beautiful, continental, chic, with-it – especially to me as a young teenager.  I wanted to do everything she did and she had cologne and cosmetics I’d never heard of.  Hey, back then I was a dime store gal!

I am still in love with this one cologne she used to wear years ago that I loved only because she wore it.  And she knew things.  Things I didn’t know.  Secret things only certain women know about cosmetics.  My mom really wasn’t into cosmetics so I gleaned as much info from my cousin as I could.  She introduced me to my first real addiction: tube mascara.  My cousin was my first cosmetic pusher. You know, drug pusher? Cosmetic pusher?  I guess you had to be there.

Anyway, I am always studying about cosmetics and beauty products.  I read articles and learn.  I search for the best deals on the best stuff.  So imagine my dismay – or joy – at learning I’ve been duped.  Many women have been duped.  It is probably a conspiracy and it is an ugly one.  Most of the cosmetic giants think women are gullible and stupid.  Hey, people spend $30 BILLION dollars a year on cosmetics; the giants want your money.

The other day I was purchasing a product at a high-end cosmetics counter.  The sales clerk was chatting and let it slip who really owned their high-end brand (see below for examples).  She made a couple more statements that struck me as wrong, so I decided to do some research.  

I discovered these great books and a website: www.cosmeticscop.com.  Cosmetic companies must hate this woman.  She does consumer reports on beauty products and lets you know if they really do what they say they will, and especially if they are worth the money.  Imagine learning a high dollar product you are using is no better than your local discount department blank–mart store.  Did you know some low-end products are virtually identical to the high end products?  Or some products are first launched on lower-end shelves in your local blank-marts* and then turn up at the high dollar cosmetics counters a month or two later?

So many young women idolize movie and rock stars.  They long to be just like them and watch the documentaries and read magazines that fill them in on all sorts of details about their idol.  They may read this famous person uses a lotion that costs $250 an ounce or a facial serum that is $2,100—for three 0.5 ounce vials (1.5 ounces total), a 3 month supply.  I hope you find that last price as shocking as I did!  Especially when I learned what was in it – not much!

Anyway, here is a young woman who idolizes a star who uses high dollar products.  She wishes she could use this high dollar product just like her idol – but she can’t and it makes her feel less that good about herself.  Isn’t it funny our self-esteem can be caught up in something as stupid as the cost of face cream?  That if we can’t afford the high dollar stuff, there is something wrong with us?  

Here’s the real deal: this famous star isn’t very bright because this name brand she is using has the exact same ingredients as something the young woman can purchase at the marts.  All the famous star is paying for is a name on a bottle.  And now we know even that name doesn’t mean much since it is probably owned by another company!

After reading several articles by The Cosmetics Cop, I realized I need to change some choices I used to make.  I don’t want to support a brand that just might be mocking me by charging me WAY more than a product is worth.  Even worse is to purchase skin care that can’t possibly deliver what it promises - because no one can deliver that promise.  I used to think that was called a lie but I guess these companies play by a different set of rules than the rest of us do.

I discovered this one neat little brand a few years ago, E.L.F. (www.eyeslipsface.com).  Almost everything is a dollar ($1.00).  I also learned the best makeup remover that most top makeup artists use only cost a few dollars.  Single digits, not the double digit price of the higher end company.

While it is perfectly OK to purchase high end products – do it with wisdom and knowledge.  Some cosmetics and skin products don’t have in them or do what they claim - including enough SPF to protect your face from the sun and signs of aging.   To quote The Cosmetics Cop: “I don’t understand $5 for a cup of coffee either, but at least I know exactly what I’m getting!” JOY is being an aware consumer! L’Oreal owns Maybelline, Lancome, Helena Rubinstein, Kiehl’s, BioMedic, Vichy, Biotherm, Giorgio Armani Parfums, Ralph Lauren Parfums, Shu Uemura, Ombrelle, Redken, Matrix, Garnier, and La Roche Posay (Source: www.loreal.com).