How to survive a cosmetics warehouse sale
There is a Shiseido warehouse sale this weekend, starting Friday 5 October 2007. I used to be a regular at this particular sale because it was less popular, and I rather liked my finds there and I got great bargains.
I am sitting this sale out however, simply because the last one did not meet my expectations and I actually walked away with nothing in hand - quite unheard of in this shopaholic! Also, I’ve figured out that Shiseido as a brand, isn’t really for me so I’d rather save my money up for some other warehouse sale!
For all those planning to go, here are some tips I have for surviving a cosmetics warehouse sale, simply because when you have cheap cosmetics + women, you get total madness!
- Arrive early. When it says it starts at 10am, be there at 9am. You will find it easier to find parking, and probably find yourself at the front of the queue or near the front of the queue which makes it easier for you to enter the hall, find what you want and get out early too.
- Do not bring any bags. This is crucial. Bring a bag and you slow yourself down because you’ll have to bag it or leave it at a bag counter and there are instances of bags going missing or have things stolen. Just bring your wallet and mobile phone.
- Wear pants and comfortable shoes. You will be squeezing in the crowd. Believe me, you’ll thank me for this! I like to wear cargo pants so I can keep my hands free to grab stuff.
- Check expiry dates on sale products. There is a reason they are on sale. Skincare products and cream based cosmetics have a shelf-life of about 2-3 years only. Powder cosmetics have a longer shelf-life but if its too old, skip it. Your skin deserves better.
- Find out about the brands available before you go. Pop by a Shiseido counter to see what you’d like to get before you go. At the counter, you can ask all the questions you want and find out about the products in your own time. At the sale, no one likes someone who is picking up products and asking how to use it. The sales people are sometimes not trained beauty staff and they too maybe unsure of how to use the product. Also, there are a number of brands listed, so find out about them BEFORE you go.
- If you don’t know how to use it, don’t buy it. It’ll just go to waste because you have no idea how to use it, and that RM60 that you thought was a saving could be better spent elsewhere.
- Know your foundation colour/shade before you go. If you plan to buy foundation at the sale, check your shade at the counters first. You’ll save a lot of time and hassle by just telling the staff to get you the colour you want instead of trying to find a tester and making a snap decision at the sale itself. Remember, foundation is a tricky business and you cannot settle for anything less than perfect. Read these foundation tips on how to find your perfect foundation.
- Know your retail prices. If you don’t know your retail prices, how would you know if you are getting a bargain? Generally, the Shiseido brand is pretty expensive and their savings at the sale is substantial. However for the cheaper brands found at the pharmacy, sometimes, it might be about the same price were you to buy it at say, Guardian or Watsons during a sale.
- Try to pay by cash. The cash lane is usually shorter because most people use credit cards. So, if you bring a wad of cash and pay by cash you’d be out of the mayhem faster. Also, there was an instance when I was too early and the credit card machines were not yet set up - major madness.
- If you don’t think you’d use it or like the colour very much, don’t buy it. Not even if its the cheapest Shiseido lipstick you’ll ever buy. Trust me on this one.
These tips are based on my own tried and true experiences and apply not only to this Shiseido warehouse clearance sale, but to all cosmetics brands’ clearance or warehouse sales. I picked up these tips through trial and error and they have worked for me like a charm every time, saving me money and time! Have fun at the sale!
Sale promo picture courtesy of ShoppingnSales
We’re in the news!
OMG! I couldn’t believe this little site got feature too as part of my blogging interview with Ee-Tan which appeared in The Clove pullout of The Star newspaper on 3 October 2007. You can read the whole article for Blog Brigade online.
Thanks for indulging me in my narcissism. 
*basks in the fading light of fame*
When in Sarawak shop for Pottery
Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state on Borneo island is famous for a couple of things - pepper, native handicraft and pottery. I was in Kuching, Sarawak over the weekend and was thrilled to pick up some carved pottery lamps which I’d been wanting for a long time.
Actually, the first lamp I wanted was a fat lamp for a table in my entrance foyer. Nice lamps cost a lot of money so while I was in Sarawak, I decided to shop for one. I did get one I really liked at a pottery factory. This lamp cost me RM63 for the base and RM29 for the shade. I’d seen a smaller version at a souvenir shop in the city centre going for RM89 just for the base alone.
And since I was there, I picked up another much larger one for RM177 total because I liked the look of it. I’m not quite sure where its going yet but hey, who knows when I’ll go back to Kuching right?
So, if you are planning a trip to Sarawak, and you like picking up household stuff, try to get yourself to the pottery factories. Selection is awesome and so are the prices!
