Yesterday after a tough day at work, I decided I needed some desperately needed retail therapy. While some get relief through a cocktail and others with “comfort food”, for me a sense of calm comes from buying something - anything really. We seek these “comforts” to help lessen our mood or anxiety. My “comfort buys” can be anything – a trip to Central Market or Target is just as much enjoyable as a trip to BCBG or Arden B. “Comfort buys” just need to be pretty, exotic and something that I enjoy.
My “comfort buys” yesterday were a beautiful selection of unmentionables at Victoria’s Secret - $148 to be exact. But, they are beautiful. And, I admit there is a natural high that comes with retail therapy. Admiring the VS undergarments (I’m trying not be crass since I know little sisters and cousins maybe reading this as well), the trims, the details, the styles and then finding the one that makes be feel sexy, but not trampy and then finding the matching bras and walking out with the pink VS shopping bag….a natural high that Reese’s peanut butter cups barely come close to. I really, truly love how shopping makes me feel.
I wasn’t thinking of my budget, my bank account or the falling US economy when I gave my debit card to the male associate (which was a little weird as he folded my cheekies). Rather, I was thinking “Wow! What great pieces! I love everything I got! It’s all so sexy and cute! I’m so embarrassed that this strange man knows what I’ll be wearing tomorrow!” After I decline the VS credit card, I pass my debit card over the counter, I enter my pin code, and I’m asked “Yes or No. Is $148 the correct balance?” My heart skips a beat, I glance at the pretty VS bag with my pretty cheekies and bras and hit the ‘yes’ key. I closed my eyes, accepted my receipt and walked out the door with the pink VS bag. Well, at least I’ll feel pretty and sexy when I’m in the poorhouse.
The current state of the economy has led to an increase in unemployment, companies filing for bankruptcy, mortgage crisis, and economies seeking for federal bailout assistance. (In fact, I read this morning on cnn.com that the adult entertainment industry - a.k.a. the porn industry - is also requesting for a $5 billion dollar bailout from the federal government because they too have been impacted by the global financial crisis...really?? Come on!!).
The financial crisis is so deep that there has been a drastic decrease in womens’ clothing purchases. The sales figures from the past holiday shopping season has reported that women’s apparel retailers are reporting same-store decreases anywhere from 7-12%. In fact, Cache has been rumored to shut down stores across the US because of these figures.
All this made me think, how do desi fashionistas keep their Tashaan during times of recessions, budgets and bankruptcy? First and foremost, I believe that shopping for Tashaan can only be done after all bills have been paid and a certain amount has been set aside for savings and 401Ks. It is ideal that Tashaan shopping is done after developing an investment portfolio.
Now that my I made my public service announcement, here’s the important stuff. I’m going to give you some tips and guidelines on how to build your Tashaan during the current economic times. Every desi fashionista deserves to feel confident and beautiful of her look. And, this does not mean that you can only shop at boutiques or designers. It’s more about being a savvy shopper for your Tashaan; knowing where to splurge at the Galleria and when to save by shopping at Target.
First, your make-up case, what are the products that you can splurge or spend on. Do you need to spend $18 on a blue eyeshadow?
Second, a list of essential closet/wardrobe staples that every desi fashionista must own. I’ll even include a list of items that you should splurge on and what should be a bargain buy. Do you need to purchase a $200 black satin ruffle coat?
Third, bargain shopping secrets. In this entry, I will include how to shop in your current closet, who is going to become your best friend and secret Tashaan weapon and how to shop for bargains (yes…there is a science to bargain shopping).
I found the following tips for savvy beauty shopping at ABCDlady.com. To see the full article please go to their website. Below, you will find the main points of their article.
1. SAVE on daily cleanser by looking at your drugstore. The purpose of a cleanser is to surround dirt, grime, oil and other leftover product particles on your face, loosen them and make them easy to remove. Non-foaming cleansers (usually cold creams and lotions) are the least harsh on your skin. If you are acne prone, look for cleansers with salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide, two ingredients known to combat acne effectively. If you have sensitive skin like me, then it's best to spend on a cleanser that works for your skin.
2. SPEND on moisturizer. Look for ingredients like hydroxyl acids to help with the exfoliation of dead skin cells, niacin-amide to help with natural oil production to combat sun spots or blotchiness and glycerol, which is effective in helping water and other ingredients in the moisturizer penetrate into the skin. Some drugstore brands have conducted studies that show their products are just as effective—or sometimes, even more effective!—at providing hydration for thirsty skin. The best way to SAVE here is to look for some double action: let your moisturizer double as your sunscreen by finding one with SPF 30 or higher!
My “comfort buys” yesterday were a beautiful selection of unmentionables at Victoria’s Secret - $148 to be exact. But, they are beautiful. And, I admit there is a natural high that comes with retail therapy. Admiring the VS undergarments (I’m trying not be crass since I know little sisters and cousins maybe reading this as well), the trims, the details, the styles and then finding the one that makes be feel sexy, but not trampy and then finding the matching bras and walking out with the pink VS shopping bag….a natural high that Reese’s peanut butter cups barely come close to. I really, truly love how shopping makes me feel.
I wasn’t thinking of my budget, my bank account or the falling US economy when I gave my debit card to the male associate (which was a little weird as he folded my cheekies). Rather, I was thinking “Wow! What great pieces! I love everything I got! It’s all so sexy and cute! I’m so embarrassed that this strange man knows what I’ll be wearing tomorrow!” After I decline the VS credit card, I pass my debit card over the counter, I enter my pin code, and I’m asked “Yes or No. Is $148 the correct balance?” My heart skips a beat, I glance at the pretty VS bag with my pretty cheekies and bras and hit the ‘yes’ key. I closed my eyes, accepted my receipt and walked out the door with the pink VS bag. Well, at least I’ll feel pretty and sexy when I’m in the poorhouse.
The current state of the economy has led to an increase in unemployment, companies filing for bankruptcy, mortgage crisis, and economies seeking for federal bailout assistance. (In fact, I read this morning on cnn.com that the adult entertainment industry - a.k.a. the porn industry - is also requesting for a $5 billion dollar bailout from the federal government because they too have been impacted by the global financial crisis...really?? Come on!!).
The financial crisis is so deep that there has been a drastic decrease in womens’ clothing purchases. The sales figures from the past holiday shopping season has reported that women’s apparel retailers are reporting same-store decreases anywhere from 7-12%. In fact, Cache has been rumored to shut down stores across the US because of these figures.
All this made me think, how do desi fashionistas keep their Tashaan during times of recessions, budgets and bankruptcy? First and foremost, I believe that shopping for Tashaan can only be done after all bills have been paid and a certain amount has been set aside for savings and 401Ks. It is ideal that Tashaan shopping is done after developing an investment portfolio.
Now that my I made my public service announcement, here’s the important stuff. I’m going to give you some tips and guidelines on how to build your Tashaan during the current economic times. Every desi fashionista deserves to feel confident and beautiful of her look. And, this does not mean that you can only shop at boutiques or designers. It’s more about being a savvy shopper for your Tashaan; knowing where to splurge at the Galleria and when to save by shopping at Target.
First, your make-up case, what are the products that you can splurge or spend on. Do you need to spend $18 on a blue eyeshadow?
Second, a list of essential closet/wardrobe staples that every desi fashionista must own. I’ll even include a list of items that you should splurge on and what should be a bargain buy. Do you need to purchase a $200 black satin ruffle coat?
Third, bargain shopping secrets. In this entry, I will include how to shop in your current closet, who is going to become your best friend and secret Tashaan weapon and how to shop for bargains (yes…there is a science to bargain shopping).
I found the following tips for savvy beauty shopping at ABCDlady.com. To see the full article please go to their website. Below, you will find the main points of their article.
1. SAVE on daily cleanser by looking at your drugstore. The purpose of a cleanser is to surround dirt, grime, oil and other leftover product particles on your face, loosen them and make them easy to remove. Non-foaming cleansers (usually cold creams and lotions) are the least harsh on your skin. If you are acne prone, look for cleansers with salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide, two ingredients known to combat acne effectively. If you have sensitive skin like me, then it's best to spend on a cleanser that works for your skin.
2. SPEND on moisturizer. Look for ingredients like hydroxyl acids to help with the exfoliation of dead skin cells, niacin-amide to help with natural oil production to combat sun spots or blotchiness and glycerol, which is effective in helping water and other ingredients in the moisturizer penetrate into the skin. Some drugstore brands have conducted studies that show their products are just as effective—or sometimes, even more effective!—at providing hydration for thirsty skin. The best way to SAVE here is to look for some double action: let your moisturizer double as your sunscreen by finding one with SPF 30 or higher!
3. SPEND on foundation, concealer and powder. Your foundation and concealer have to match your skin exactly! You don’t want to be that girl in photos whose face is clearly a different color than the rest of her! At a department store or boutique, you can test different foundations, concealers and powders to see how they work with your skin tone.
4. SAVE on eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. Eye makeup should be replaced every three months, and spending lots of money on makeup products with very short shelf life is rarely a good idea! Department store and boutique eye shadows are often more finely ground and can have more expensive ingredients, which is why they sometimes blend better or appear less chalky. But for trendy shades of eye shadow and eyeliner, it is definitely worth it to SAVE and pick up your favorite color of the moment from the local drug store. Old mascara can get clumpy and germy quickly. Replace your mascara every three months to keep it at its performance best! If you can’t shake the need to buy your eye makeup at the counter, try to stick to classic basics when you SPEND. Buy colors you love and wear regularly in individual pots, instead of investing in a palette that is more expensive. You’ll be paying for colors you won’t use or wear.
5. SAVE on lipstick and lipgloss. Glosses and lipsticks don’t last more than three months, and color trends don’t have a lifespan much longer than that anyway. Do yourself a favor and SAVE by picking up your glosses and lipsticks at the drugstore. You can try out more colors, won’t suffer buyer’s remorse when this season’s color is just not right for you and can replace colors easily without guilt. If you must SPEND to beautify your lips, stick to the same tips as with eye makeup: buy classic colors that you wear regularly, and not something too trendy that you may only wear once or twice.
6. SPEND on blush. The first rule of blush application is blend, blend and blend! More expensive blushes are more finely milled and, like powders and foundations, blend better with the skin. Department store lines also have a wider range of colors to choose from, so every skin tone can find the perfect blush.
What make-up products do you splurge or save on? Post on the blog or email me at desigirlhouston@gmail.com
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