February 14, 2011

Food for Thought: So Many Products, So Little Time

Pic was yanked off Google Images
I don't know about you but I get completely overwhelmed each time I walk into a Watsons' or Guardian these days. So many products! Which one should I try? Which one actually works? Alamak, why so expensive?! Eh, new Japanese product but why the writing all in Japanese punya wan? For face or for neck, I have no idea.

With all these thoughts running through my head, I usually end up looking around for the most familiar brand (hello, Nivea, Olay and Eucerin) and hug it like a security blanket as I high-tail out of there.

There is an economic theory or name for this particular phenomena where the consumer is so overwhelmed by choice, they just go with the product most familiar to them. It may not be the best product but it's the most comforting.

Am I the only one who gets beauty claustrophobic or do you readers feel otherwise?

Comment and share!

5 comments:

AskMeWhats said...

I feel the same, that's why I haven't been checking out much Watson's lately, been confused with so many new products coming up and I don't want to make any decisions! :)

Happy Valentine's Day ladies!

Paris B said...

Heh... I don't get that overwhelmed. If I'm "researching" I sweep past the regular familiar suspects and deliberately check out the unusual. However, if I'm in the market for something and the new products get too mind boggling, I just head straight for the tried and true :D

Connie De Alwis said...

I used to be hyped about new stuff coming in but the sudden wave of unknown brands is rather overwhelming for me. I'd take a look at them and I'd be interested but more and more of them are undifferentiated. Like how many hyaluronic acid lotions do we actually need? There's probably 5 or more in Watson's alone!

ksuan said...

Hi Eli!

I'm in complete agreement with you. These days, there's an almost Huxleyan feel to pharmacies in that we have become consumed by too much of the stuff we love. In this case, it's products!

Like the other ladies who've shared their thoughts here, I always end up gravitating towards old faithfuls and trusted brands in the end. My personal favourites, skin care wise, are the French brands - Avene, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, Uriage and Roc - they may be pricier than the Niveas and Olays out there, but I'm still a fan.

I wish, though, that French drugstore brands cost less in this part of the world... they were so much more affordable in Paris *grumble mumble

Eli said...

Nikki: I hope you had a great Valentine's Day!

ParisB: Lucky you! I love choice but too much choice gets to me when I am tired or sick.

Connie: Hear, hear. I keep seeing HA in everything these days and Watson's has been bringing in Japanese brands at such a whirlwind rate, my head can't keep up anymore.

Ksuan: Is it the Huxley theory? Thanks for that.

I have tried Avene and ROC -- lots of misses there and doesn't ROC make you think of the Republic of China? La Roche-Posay is next on my list... once I finish all those moisturisers in my cupboard.