WHY I NO LONGER BUY MAKEUP: My No Buy & Relationship to Makeup // Ethics, Consumerism & Capitalism

[@ririjet361]

When i saw the documentary about how mica is sourced for all cosmetic companies, I stopped buying makeup I didn't 'need'. But it's conflicting as well, because the women and children that mine it, have no other source of income. Going down the rabbit hole of unethical sourcing just makes me more confused alot of the time. I wish companies would just exercise human decency towards their employees

[@emily45798]

Do you happen to remember the name of the documentary? would love to watch it!

[@laralikesmascara]

Wow that sounds fascinating, please share the name of you remember! It is a complex problem yeah, with fast fashion workers too - how do we support the people making our clothes/cosmetics if not buying the products they make? I don’t know the answer. It just comes down to the profit motive, if the employers can keep more of the money themselves why would they pay their workers a living wage?

[@ririjet361]

It's a Refinery29 video, I think the title is something like, 'The secret behind beauty products'. I found it here on KZbin last year

[@rebeccawhite5128]

Just shows there are no easy answers. Of course if we were in a position to help those women to find something else, for example, what did they used to do before Europeans came in and ruined their way of life?

[@marthelea]

I saw something like this as well, a long video by the wonderful Blair Zon (iilluminaughtii) here on KZbin. The title is "where your mica actually comes from"

[@liz54321]

I really appreciate that you don't just talk about your no buy at a surface level, that you dive deeper into it.

[@laralikesmascara]

Thank you!! I’m glad it’s helpful :)

[@martamarinomexuto1326]

Love that hair! 😻 I don't own a lot of makeup, but I am doing a three-month no buy to get more use out of what I already have and this kind of content is really helpful

[@laralikesmascara]

Yay I’m so glad to hear it’s helpful! Thank you ☺️

[@racheltran6761]

This video honestly reflects on why i started my nobuy but as an obsessive person who goes into a do it perfectly or not at all, it’s draining for me. It is not to say that we shouldn’t strive for it but at the same time, the thing i would like to disagree that you cant become perfectly everything so the criticism people have to do this or that as a checklist of “ethically good” is most likely impossible. Just something i wanted to admit is the realization that its ok if you’re not perfectly “ethically good” because over obsessing it is also a very dark path to go into and making mistakes is just learning about yourself. Great video though i like all the rationalizations of why you choose to do what you do. Keep it up, ❤️

[@laralikesmascara]

For sure, I can see how that would be challenging and make someone beat themselves up when they break their ‘rules’, which would be counter productive

[@marthelea]

I struggle with this myself a lot, and have come to realise that I need to have a few rules in place and not all of them. Implementing one brand elimination or deal breaket at a time. Being cruelty free for years has been easy for me as I've had a definitive list of yes or no on what to buy. But the list keeps growing. I do the same as Lara and do not count things I get for free from others, but try to use those things up more quickly as I still feel a little uncomfortable using those brands. But I think it's wise to pick a few moral codes to live by, because it's mere impossible to be a perfect human being. Coming from a perfectionist, it's definitely easier said than done, but it is a mindset I try to live by as best I can.

[@laralikesmascara]

@@marthelea yes absolutely! It's not possible to be perfect, especially not ethically perfect. The systems are the problem, not us :)

[@exomake_mehorololo]

Going through your and Shawnas videos from last year. You 2 are so inspiring and motivating to listen to. I'm again while prepping for no buy and contentment thinking about my makeup and skincare collection and what I really want of it and also what size it should be.. It's really important isn't it to understand how much and what you really need but it's not the easiest to work out I feel being surrounded by all the consumerism and hype... Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between our wants and what others show or tell us to want

[@marthelea]

This is exactly what I want from the beauty community, influencers and content creators. Influencing to buy less and not fall into capitalism. Thanks!

[@laralikesmascara]

I’m so glad to hear! And glad that more people are having these discussions

[@jessicaharrison4719]

I have to say, you have the most beautiful flat lay thumbnails! There are so many times I see your thumbnails and I think your products are so beautiful that I start to want them, so thank you for using those skills to help romanticize our own things. Because with your skills, you definitely could have gone the way of the average influencer and made money selling us things.

[@laralikesmascara]

Wow thank you so much!! I actually really struggle with thumbnails because it's usually a large palette that is used in the centre, and I only have 4 main palettes so they each get used probably too frequently 😅 I think the Valentine's Day roses really help in this one!

[@Livinroyalmakeup]

Good to see this type of content one in a while. Not feeling like I need or want something non- stop

[@laralikesmascara]

I’m so glad! Love that more people are talking about this :)

[@chelsearose7655]

I would love some suggestions for more YTers like you that are more mindful of their beauty and fashion! I hope that’s not rude to say. I love you and your channel and it’s just hard to find other people that are into beauty and ALSO are conscious consumers. ☺️ it’s really hard and no one is perfect but doing even a little is better than doing nothing at all.

[@laralikesmascara]

Some other Canadian KZbinrs who I love and watch are Shawna Ripari and Rebecca Morgan! Another good one is Love Always, Renee (she's on a no buy too). climatediva on Instagram is great for fashion inspo :) and ajabarber is the best!! She also recently wrote a book on consumerism that I can't wait to read :)

[@chelsearose7655]

@@laralikesmascara yesss! Thank you so much! It’s so good to have people not pushing me to buy more -but who love beauty and fashion. It helps me keep a no buy ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheALLYISLAME]

im on month 3 of my no buy!! thank u for the encouragement lara ❤️🥺

[@laralikesmascara]

Omg yay I’m so glad to hear it!!

[@EvelienHV85]

I’m so happy I found your channel, this aligned so much which how I feel. I just struggle applying it to makeup, so will dive deeper into your channel!

[@laralikesmascara]

Yay I'm so glad you happened upon my channel! Hope my videos are helpful for you :)

[@emily45798]

I really enjoy watching this video. I haven’t finished it yet, I only just begun. But, I agree with so much of what you’re saying already. My makeup journey started back in 2014 when I was in highschool. The haul mentality was then. I knew nothing about makeup so I was testing things out and just finding what I like. Fast forward to 2018, it was my most stressful year in college and I bought tons of makeup. I’m shades that didn’t even match me because “I wanted all shades” (glossier cloud paints) Now, I think makeup wise I only bought one lip gloss (minus the one mascara every six months) in two years. I don’t buy much makeup anymore. I have so much of it, and from an environmental standpoint, all of this is going to end up in the landfill. Abs that makes me sad. I’m trying to be more aware of items buy. Although it hurts how much waste I will have, I’m glad I’m aware of it now and doing better! Rather never coming to this realization at all. I’m glad I have your videos, and Shawnas videos to relate to in the consumerist beauty video world!

[@laralikesmascara]

Thank you for sharing your journey! Yup I think so many of us have had a similar trajectory because of youtube/influencers especially. I’m glad that people like these kinds of videos because I think 5-10 years ago there wouldn’t have been an audience for it!

[@emily45798]

@@laralikesmascara I agree! I’m glad there are need for these videos now. Because with new beauty launches every week, the beauty space is saturated now. Part of me wonders if it all grew too fast. I know makeup is a multi billion dollar market. But I feel like the popularity and 100s of launches a day is not sustainable. I feel like there has to be a downfall with some companies. I know we’ve seen Becca shut down which was surprising but I feel like something bigger would have to come soon

[@EmiMae0117]

I LOVE your videos so much. I have been on my no buy for almost a full year now! I'm so proud of myself. It makes ya feel good, ya know? Also, do you have a list of channels you recommend for similar content that you watch? I would love to follow more similar content creators. Thanks!

[@tianiortiz8529]

Thank you so much. Your content has definitely helped me with my low buy mindset this year

[@laralikesmascara]

I’m so glad to hear that!! I hope the low buy is going well :)

[@nadamrkaja2502]

Thank you for talking about it more detail! I’ve gone from low buy to currently a no buy until I run out of products I use on a daily basis. Which makeup brands do you like to use and support?

[@laralikesmascara]

Wow that’s amazing you’ve gone from low buy to no buy because I feel like it’s usually the opposite! I love Pacifica for skincare and makeup I haven’t really figured out yet because I pretty much have only acquired secondhand makeup for the last couple years 😅

[@nadamrkaja2502]

@@laralikesmascara Thanks! 😊 I get what you mean, I’m sure you’ll know over time.

[@poushalighosh4661]

Nothing against you, Lara, but I've also always found it unsettling when people treat higher end makeup as investments since they lose their resale value per se as soon as you start using them. One may choose to buy higher end makeup for whatever reason it may be but it's ultimately dust in tiny metal pans that expire within a few years. (I love makeup but it took me years to realize that a powder blush is essentially pink mud lmao that I'm willing to spend $20-30 on)

[@laralikesmascara]

I hear you, it's not the same with (for example) high end clothing, where something like a Chanel bag is often seen as an investment because it can be resold. I just find that if I have to spend more money on something, I'm likely to take a lot longer to think through the purchase - and I also prioritize making sure I'm getting my money's worth.

[@Iquey]

Makeuo has become such a fast industry. People do fet bored before their products run out and it's kind of sad. Either people could stop buying so much, or the beauty industry could create a new method of selling 3 days worth of makeup, like sample sheets that are biodegradeable, which people could use to get that aebse of novelty without hoarding more than they need.

[@linarem]

I started a no buy last year. My rules were: i only buy what i need. So if im on my last mascara i woud buy a New one. And my nobuy would stop around christmas. So i had around 1 or 2 weeks to buy a few products. But also on that i had rules. I broke my nobuy for a charlotte tilbury limited edition face and eye palette. I had fomo and was scared it would be gone with christmas (wich was true). After That slip up it went wel. Im now into my second year. I wanted to stop buying make-up because i have stress even thinking about what to use. And even wordse.. what gets neglected..

[@laralikesmascara]

you're doing amazing, yay for two year no buys!! Isn't it ironic that we sometimes end up buying stuff because we're stressed and it makes us feel better, but in the end the sheer amount of stuff we have just gives us more stress?

[@angeladesilva7913]

What KZbin creators would you suggest with regard to makeup consumerism? I watch Shawna R already.

[@laralikesmascara]

Sarah Rose and Rebecca Morgan are also great :)

[@rebeccawhite5128]

I don't want to support companies with poor practices NOW, but I also believe in rewarding companies that clean it up. If there's no possibility of redemption and forgiveness, for one, why should they change? For another, I'm not perfect either. Every generation thinks they are so superior to the last, but those who are not yet born are going to have things to legitimately look down on us for.. That kind of pride is a problem. What are our blind spots? Everybody's got 'em. But I'll reiterate, that doesn't mean I let everybody off the hook. I look for redemption. P.S. Your makeup looks great with your blouse.

[@marthelea]

I agree on giving brands and companies a second chance if they truly live up to their problematic past. I'm not for cancel culture unless remorse or improvements are shown. And what is all this for if not to keep brands and companies changing their ways?

[@laralikesmascara]

yes it would be great if companies improved as a direct result of people protesting their problematic behaviour - however I don't know how common that is. I know that people have been complaining about Hourglass's poor shade ranges for YEARS and they haven't really done anything. I'm sure there are other brands which have implemented changes of course!

[@Scr3amerrr]

Another great video! thank you for the shoutout too 🖤

[@laralikesmascara]

Yay thank you glad you liked!

[@janicecrosby1986]

What are you getting your doctorate in?

[@laralikesmascara]

I’m focusing on the social impact of documentary film :)

[@LL-ku8cr]

Ur pov is very interesting. Because buying second hand makeup to me is also seen as okay in my pov but wearing leather or anything directly made of the animal that is very obviously a problem in the industry makes me ill. Like, this fur coat or leather ur wearing once belonged to animal that was probably tortured just to get it. To each their own, of course.

[@laralikesmascara]

it definitely differs from person to person! I'm not saying my choices are the *right* ones, just explaining what works for me :)

[@shawnaripari]

i loved hearing your thoughts as usual, especially all the factors that contribute to your perspective. Your comments on critiquing capitalism (critique might be too light of a word) definitely hit home. In school it is perfectly normal to critique the hell out of capitalism, and just because of my field, a lot of folks have pretty decent understandings of communism too. I feel like the moment you say anything negative about capitalism people are like excuse me? Anyways, loved the video and I hear you about considering your influence on this platform. I feel very similarly.

[@maru45382]

Your hair is so pretty also the makeup. Interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing. Good luck with college. 🥰

[@laralikesmascara]

Thanks so much Maru!!

[@marport726]

One of my all time favorite videos 🥰

[@laralikesmascara]

Thanks so much!

[@Tyugrchf]

Love your hair❤️🥰

[@laralikesmascara]

Thank you!

[@Syeee]

hi lara! 😄

[@laralikesmascara]

Hi Syee!!

[@jjbear5258]

This is a very good video. I want to say that it is very important to dispose of makeup after a short period of time. Producgts collect bacteria very easily. I just want to share that a woman I knew went to an ophthalmologist for a bad problem with both eyes. The doctor asked her about her makeup and how old it was. She told the doctor that it was a number of years old. He told her to throw it all away because the makeup is causing her bad eye infections because of the bacteria. He said this is a problem with many of his patients. She said she never wanted to throw her makeup away because she spent a lot of money on it. He said her eye health is more important. So, she did throw away all her makeup, thank goodness, and had to use eye drops for a while to get rid of the problem and stop her suffering. So, everyone be sure to not keep makeup around for very long. Also, don't share makeup. You're passing on bacteria. I don't buy makeup any longer especially since this situation with this woman. I just go natural every day. If I have a special event coming up, I will buy makeup but only some basics and try not to spend a fortune on it. Then, if I don't wear it again after a couple of months, it all gets thrown out. Thank you for the good video.

[@laralikesmascara]

I definitely encourage people to be cautious with their makeup expiration, but the best before dates on most makeup products are somewhat exaggerated. In the case of secondhand makeup, most of the products I've gotten have been brand new, never touched before - and if it's something like an eyeshadow palette that's definitely not as risky to pass on to someone else. But again to each their own. I'm sorry to hear that you no longer buy makeup because of that but whatever works for you!

[@miiim]

Máscara should be changed every three months. Mine I keep it like for six. But the best thing you can do is to have one mascara container. And pass it to another one whxih you use daily. And wash it every a few weeks and let it dry. I do this and I waste no product and get use all of it

[@nd4856]

I’ll give you one good reason not to buy second hand. Dumpster divers. There’s a lot of them and they get makeup from dumpsters that is often expired. Check batch codes on the products to see if they are expired or not. Be very careful.

[@chelseagirl72]

Sorry, did I hear that right? You're Vegan but you wear leather and fur??

[@laralikesmascara]

Yes if items are secondhand! As I said I know this is personal and will vary by person.