Hey friends! For beauty lovers, some of the most notable things about cosmetic products during the holiday season are holiday sets, collections, and limited edition products.
On one hand, limited edition products especially around the holidays can be pretty exciting. These releases often include totally new colors and products as well as creative packaging setups that are more unique than what a brand typically releases.
On the other hand, limited edition collections and products are frustrating. Often times, things sell out so fast that you never stand a chance of getting a hold of them. These products can also be quite difficult to find especially if you’re looking for drugstore items. Limited edition products seem to create this annoying, ridiculous frenzy that can leave you feeling disappointed, like you’ve missed out on something you were really looking forward to.
And as a beauty blogger, I often find myself thinking that I’d really enjoy a particular limited edition product and could create fun looks to share, but what about when it’s gone? I always feel iffy thinking about sharing a bunch of posts about something people can’t even get!
So that leaves me wondering….
- What do you guys think about limited edition products?
- Do you love them? Hate them?
- Are they exciting? Frustrating?
- Does your position as a beauty blogger influence your purchasing decisions?
- What are the holiday sets/limited edition products that you find yourself lusting over?
I’m curious to hear your thoughts so please feel free to comment below and let me know what you think!
The Makeup Moth 
I’m sure that LE are made to boost sales. For customers there are two variants: 1)you see nice packaging of LE and you can’t live without … you think OMG how pretty it is and so on; 2) it makes you feel a little unique having a LE product. Ok.. very rare variant.. It’s really awesome LE..shades,packaging, unique product!!! Sometimes LE palettes combine few cool products and you fell for it and you buy it because it’s a good combination, even if you don’t need it. It makes you hunt for this LE products and you feel a need to buy them as soon as you can as they are LE. You have an opportunity to try and have something what most people won’t have. Sometimes LE products are really unique, shades,texture,etc. Other times it’s just a product in a cool packaging. I like lots of LE packaging but I don’t own any product like that. I didn’t see for now any extremely unique shade of lipstick or nail polish in LE. The only cruel comnpany I know is Urban Decay. Sincerely…Their Vice palettes are totally unique in a range of their products. To buy each shade separately is very expensive, Vice palettes usually includes very beautiful bright shades and few neutral which makes their palettes very attractive. I loved Vice 2 but I didn’t have opprotunity to get it . As I read beautyblogs and I blog by myself..I think that to post reviews on LE when noone have opportunity to buy it is useless. It’s not a review any more as reviews are written to help other people with purchase..it’s just a post showing “Look how pretty it is”. Like showing a bracelet or ring from you local store. Something nice to look at and that’s all.
LikeLike
Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed answer! I agree with these points. So much is about marketing and creating that frenzy. Luckily I dont care about packaging so I never get sucked into that. I mean I notice if something has cool packaging, but all I that makes me think about is the fact that it WILL eventually end up in the garbage whether I use it up now or long after Im gone and that just makes me sad haha. I agree about Vice though…its the one thing from this year Ive been seriously contemplating! And I like seeing posts about the current limited edition things this season since you can still get them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If to look just at product and not to pay attention to packaging, most products are not unique and some LE even will look boring:/ The only plus if you don’t have a lot of makeup you can get nice sets with blush and eyeshadows together and other combinations, which is cheaper than buying products separately. 🙂 And yes..agree with you, now there are a lot of reviews on holiday collections which only appear in different countries, so this is interesting..you can find out whether actually you need it and it worth to spend on:)
LikeLike
Agreed! A lot of it is just the same or very sinilar stuff over and over to what a brand already sells. But thats true, sets like that are a nice deal since its all so darn expensive separately haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
LE items are sooo frustrating. It’s like a needle in a haystack. I’m currently lusting over the MAC holiday collection. Being a beauty blogger is gonna make me broke. This was an awesome post!
LikeLike
I agree! While they are fun, between the trouble it takes to find them, get a hold of them, and the crazy costs, it can feel like a challenge! And thank you, So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
LikeLike
I kind of love the LE products. I’m over the perfectly understandable frustration though and the thought that more amazing LE ones will be up soon always keeps me warm! 😀
One thing is for sure… I always choose carefully, even my LE loves! 😉 xx
LikeLike
Oh, that’s a good point. I don’t think limited edition things will ever stop coming out so there will always be something fun to look forward to! I do my LE loving from afar, but I’m thinking I want to splurge on some things once in a while 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all marketing. There is no ‘limit’ at all to be honest, but who would crave for something anybody can get anytime, anywhere, at any desired quantity?
LikeLike
Sure thing! Obviously these things create a sense of “need” in people 🙂
LikeLike
-What do you guys think about limited edition products?
For the business, I think it’s a great way to get people excited about new products and it’s a great way for them to make a profit in a short amount of time. As the customer, I get so excited when limited edition products come out!
-Do you love them? Hate them?
I absolutely love them! I am a sucker for beautiful packaging and companies tend to really glam up their limited edition sets. I also have a huge problem with buying limited edition things as soon as I can because I know it won’t be around forever!
-Are they exciting? Frustrating?
They are definitely exciting. I really like how limited edition products come out during the holidays. It makes me way more excited to shop for others and it allows myself to have way more options for what kind of gifts I want to get for others 🙂
-Does your position as a beauty blogger influence your purchasing decisions?
It’s definitely tough deciding whether or not I should make a tutorial or review on a limited edition product. I typically end up doing so anyways because I still know that there are a ton of people out there that do own the product and want to see how to use it. I personally like writing up posts and making videos about it because it’s also a personal diary for me. I get to remember how excited I was about it and see what looks I came up with 🙂
-What are the holiday sets/limited edition products that you find yourself lusting over?
I think I am done with buying limited edition products! All of the products I lusted over are already in my possession haha I was able to get my hands on the Urban Decay Vice3 Palette, the Lorac Cosmetics Mega Pro Palette, and the Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights! I’m sure I’ll find some other limited/holiday edition products I want once it gets closer to December haha
I loved this post, btw!!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, what a thorough and amazing answer!! You’re awesome 🙂 Great points too. Ive never really gotten into limited edition products, but the bug has kinda gotten to me this year! I think that’s a great point about doing the videos/posts. Sure a lot of people may not have it but there are many that DO! I know Ive posted about things (especially swatches) that may be harder to find because someone might search for them and that could really help people out! Plus as much as we want readers to enjoy the posts and what we share, it’s also about us having fun too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!! Some of my favorite posts to put up are of swatches and I feel like it helps a ton of people out! And just like you said, it’s fun for us to do, too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Even if I don’t need a review, sometimes I just need to see the colors. Plus nowadays people definitely have more options in terms of getting more obscure or limited edition products anyways. Or who knows when something might be released again 🙂
LikeLike
I’m not too hung up on whether spring is a limited edition or not. By the time it comes out here in Ireland most things will be long outdated everywhere else. Like the Vice 3 palette. It’s only coming out here next month. So for me is always a matter of do I like it or not. Then I’ll but it or not. And then I’ll write about it or not. Lol
LikeLike
Ah ok, didnt realize there was such a big difference in timing! That certainly makes sense when you’ve been seeing the product forever anyways! Thanks for your input 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to buy a limited edition product, but I’m always afraid I’ll fall so in love with it that I’ll be so sad when it runs out, because it won’t be in stores anymore!
LikeLike
Very understandable! I know Ive even gotten that feeling with permanent products, feeling like I want a backup! But then I think wow, I cant even think of a makeup product Ive used up within the last year haha
LikeLike
Sometimes companis discontinuevery good products lots of people love:)
LikeLike
Its a bummer when that happens!
LikeLike
I basically agree with what you said. It’s not fun to get caught up in a frenzy looking for something and then being badly disappointed when you can’t find it. On the other hand, I really like having something special that I really looked forward to getting. It’s a catch 22 really. But in the end, I love the newness of limited edition products so I’m a sucker for them 🙂
LikeLike
Agreed, a catch 22 is a great way to explain it! Definitely a balance of opposing forces. I don’t really have many (none that I can even really think of) limited edition products but for some reason this year I’ve felt more of an urge to get something a little special 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have quite a few limited edition things (i definitely have a tendency to get sucked into the hype) and im pretty pleased with them all but i try to stay away from lip products (i end up saving them so i dont use them all up and then…never using them) and stick with eyeshadows since its incredibly rare for me to jse an entire eyeshadow. So there are my 2cents 🙂
LikeLike
Gotcha! I think I’d actually be pretty similar to that. Eye shadows can last such a long time and I usually prefer to play around with eye looks anyways! I sadly often neglect even my normal stash of lip products so don’t really feel the need to go for too many more until I get my act together and start wearing them consistently 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a lot on my wishlist, but as I have gone into stores to look and swatch, I just found I wasn’t willing to spend the money. If someone gets me something for Christmas, I would be happy, but I have been more choosy than I thought I would be this year. The only exception has been the It Cosmetics Holiday Matte Eye Shadow Palette. I bought that one, mostly because I have a serious It Cosmetics addiction 🙂
LikeLike
Exactly how I feel! Even before doing any in person looking or swatching, I luckily haven’t been very sucked into much of anything for the holidays this year since overall I’ve become much more picky and more aware of making sure I’m getting stuff that’s really unique in comparison to what I already own.
Oh that sounds good! I haven’t seen that one around yet 🙂
LikeLike
Glad I’m not the only one who is choosy!
It is a really pretty matte palette! Bailey from Making Up the Midwest did a review and comparison video on the palette. It hasn’t been getting much exposure from other bloggers. It’s available only at Ulta.
LikeLike
Not at all! I find myself to be very picky now since getting too much stuff seems overwhelming. Plus my wallet likes that! Oh cool, I like her. Ill have to check it out 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, I know what you mean about Vice 3. Boy would I like to have it. I’m also enticed by the value that comes with some holiday sets. But, I also understand and commiserate with your frustration. What do we do? ;o)
LikeLike
There really are a lot of temptations! I’m not sure what it is about that palette, but I just feel like I would really enjoy all the colors! I keep mentally going through what I own already that’s similar haha. Ah the struggle 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow the I-already-have-similar-colors justification just doesn’t work like it should for me. I usually end up getting it anyway. Lol. Vice 3! 😣
LikeLike
Haha well thats totally understandable. It’s a nice thought it theory 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I personally love them…but I don’t stress that much about it, honestly. Most of what I tend to want is not the “norm” in the blogger world, I guess.
One of my favorite things in the world as a beauty blog reader is when the blogger offers you a dupe of the colors they’re using. Makes it seem a bit less painful when I can’t afford one of the big new palettes. hahaha
LikeLike
That’s great! The less stress the better. I totally relate to that more and more these days. Especially being cruelty free, most of the overly hyped stuff is not available to me and I’m finding that I’m wanting some more unique, less well known products lately anyways.
Oh that’s so true! I have very few of those big, fancy palettes most people have so I’m always about cheaper, more accessible alternatives haha. I need to make sure to put effort into doing that 🙂
LikeLike
I myself, never really get too hyped up about limited edition products. I never have and I think that if it ends up being something you can’t get your hands on you will just be disappointed. What if you like it so much and use it up but can’t buy it again? As a beauty blogger, I try to post about products that I enjoy myself and think the readers will as well and I like for the products that I do post about to be easily accessible to my readers and myself.
LikeLike
Great points! I think that’s a nice philosophy to have. It creates this crazy hype that could easily lead to disappointment and who wants to deal with that? That’s great. I try and do that at well. Or at least give some options and alternatives if I were using something a little trickier to find. Thank you for your thoughts 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so welcome! I really enjoyed your post! 🙂
LikeLike
Glad to hear it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been eyeing the Too Faced Everything Nice palette for its amazing value ($50-something for a full eyeshadow palette, 2 blushes, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter and brushes) On a blogging level, I’m a bit divided. On one hand, it doesn’t seem right to review a product that people can no longer get. On the other hand, as a reader, I enjoying reading about products that I’m never going to buy anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That does sound like a good deal. I don’t really have any limited edition things, but I’ve been feeling like I want to do a little splurge on something fun and a big bigger this year. That sounds just like me. I think it’s interesting to read about personally, but feel like if I wrote it, it wouldn’t be interesting or useful!
LikeLike
Great point! I want the same palette just for me even if I can only review it once or twice with a look but the point about reading about products you won’t buy is something I do too 🙂 Especially palettes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love LE products!! Other wise we get stuck with the same ol’ products and that’s no fun. My holiday edition list HUGE this year!! I will hopefully get them all posted once I get my hands on them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so true! Things are pretty routine otherwise. I’ve never really ventured in to limited edition products, but I’ve always wanted to get something a little bigger and special during this time of year 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And their are lots out there right now! Keep me posted if you pick anything up 🙂
LikeLike
Sure are. Makes it kind of hard to choose since obviously I can’t get everything 😉 I sure will!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is a tough question. I think it’s kind of pointless to share a look that is from a palette from 3 years ago, but you always spin it and do like a dupe post? However, as a beauty blogger I think LE palettes are not as much an investment in the blog as they are me 🙂 If I buy one it’s because I just can’t resist it and I loves it 🙂 LOL
LikeLike
That’s a good idea! Definitely a nice way to still use/share something while giving people options and alternatives. Haha, yeah that’s very true too! I personally can’t think of any major limited edition things I own so I haven’t really had to deal with that yet in relation to blogging. I agree that if I really wanted something it would be more about me than the blog too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person