I'm 21 and a student. Inspired by the internet, I keep up with all the latest makeup trends and if there's something new I like the look of, I just have to have it. Lots of people love makeup but I think I'm spending a disproportionate percent of my income on it and I also can't leave the house without a full face of makeup on.
It all started as good fun but now I'm worried it's actually grown out of control. I feel ugly if I don't get the latest makeup. This is a serious question. Can you be addicted to makeup, both the buying and applying of it, and what do you do about it? (To that last question, I would like to spend less on makeup but I am not ready to give it up!)
LOL, I think that's called being in your early twenties... I did it too. When my money came in I'd think, man I got loads, and I'd go spend most of my allotted "fun allowance" in one day, on makeup usually. Then I'd find that I'd have to eat rather modestly the rest of the month. (Months always lasted longer than I thought when the money came in ;).)
Wanna do something about it? I say learn something about budgeting. Set up an envelope system, divide into four envelopes, one for each week or however it works out, and write the dates down... from when until when your cash has got to last. Also use cash, not cards, to keep closer track.
As for loving makeup, I'm sure that's OK, but feeling ugly... yeah, you gotta learn to love yourself with minimal makeup too.
If this habit of yours is interfering with your ability to pay utility bills and groceries (no, those do not include makeup, though they may include soap and deodorant), you may need professional help.
One thing to remember is that makeup does have an expiry date. You don't want to have to throw your stuff away without having used it, right? Not buying new stuff for a while will help you with that.
* Buying more even if you already have comparable products to meet your needs.
* You feel you need to buy more makeup or cosmetics to feel happy. You experience a buzz before and after buying makeup and a low when you can't.
* You sometimes buy the same thing you already have and don't even notice it.
* You always need a full face, whether you're throwing out the trash or going to a gala.
* You spend a very long time on getting ready.
* You have financial issues because of your compulsive buying of makeup.
It sounds to me like you might fall into this category.
I am quite sure there is no official diagnosis of "makeup addiction", but that list appears to me to be very sane. Basically, if something starts controlling your life to the point that it really has a daily impact, whether that thing is alcohol or anxiety or shopping or Facebook, you have a problem. It might not be a diagnosible problem, but it is a problem.
I recently advised a friend who confided that she believed she drank too much to try cutting down (the amount wasn't ridiculous to the point of cutting down on her own being unsafe medically), to see if she COULD. She decided on her own to do exactly that a few months later, and you know what? She has been off the alcohol for I think a month now.
She now attributes the drinking mainly to boredom and habit and has no desire to go back. This indicates that she was no alcoholic, but might have become one if she had stayed on that path. I think something similar might be going on here.
Say "no more makeup" (buying) to yourself and if it is not difficult, you're OK. If you can't keep your promise to yourself, and you buy anyway, then it might be time for some therapy.
Rosie
Hello, first of all I completely understand you! This is so usual for women, but I think that every time you want to buy something new, you should check if you already have it. Different brands have the same colors for example and you really don't need both. My advice is to start buying things you actually need, and then you will understand what makeup you need to buy, and what is just wasting money. I used to be addicted to makeup then I started buying clothes, I started buying all kinds of things for my hair, but then I realized something really important: I am beautiful. I'm not addicted to anything like this.
I don't use much makeup myself, but like I said, everybody's got there own peculiarity.
If you spend you spend so much money that you can't afford to pay the rent or eat any more, that is a different matter and in that case you should try and keep it under control and if you can't deal with it yourself, you will need some therapeutical help I think.