11.11 beauty guides
Your 11.11 beauty shopping guide: what to check before you buy
11.11 is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and beauty is one of the most popular categories. It is easy to see why. A new serum, a favorite powder or a big bottle of body lotion are small treats that feel like a sensible stock up when a sale is on.
The catch is that beauty products are also easy to over buy. A cabinet full of half used bottles is a common sight, and some products end up unopened because they did not suit your skin or your routine.
This guide is a short routine for avoiding that. It is not a list of products to buy. It is a way to check anything you are considering, so the things you order are the things you use.
Start with what you already use
Before you open a single listing, look at what you already own. Line up your skincare, makeup and body care, and sort them into three groups: products you use every day and are running low on, products you use sometimes, and products you rarely touch.
The first group is your real shopping list. Replacing something you already love is the safest beauty purchase there is. The third group is worth a second look too. If you bought something and never used it, ask why. Was the texture wrong, did it irritate your skin, or did it simply not fit into your routine? That answer will help you avoid repeating the same purchase.
Know your skin type
Most skincare is made with a particular skin type in mind. Knowing yours makes every comparison easier.
Dry skin often feels tight after cleansing and may have flaky patches. Richer creams and gentle cleansers usually feel best.
Oily skin looks shiny by midday, especially across the forehead and nose. Lighter gels and lotions often feel more comfortable.
Combination skin is oily in some areas and dry or normal in others. Many people fall into this group.
Sensitive skin reacts easily to new products, fragrance or weather. Gentle, fragrance free formulas are a sensible starting point.
Normal skin feels comfortable most of the time, with little shine or dryness.
Every product page on Dewora lists the skin type near the top. If it says "Not confirmed", check the retailer listing before you order.
Read the label first
The three facts we put first on every product page are the type, the skin type and the size.
Type tells you what the product does in your routine: a cleanser, a serum, a moisturizer, a setting powder, a body lotion. Knowing where it fits helps you avoid buying two products that do the same job.
Skin type tells you who the formula is meant for.
Size tells you how much is in the pack. It is the easiest way to compare value between two products at different prices. A larger bottle at a higher price may work out cheaper per milliliter.
Then read the full ingredient list on the retailer page. Our ingredient list guide explains what the order of ingredients means and which ones to look for or avoid.
Patch test anything new
New skincare and makeup can be lovely, but your skin may not agree with every formula. A patch test is simple. Apply a small amount to the inside of your forearm or behind your ear, leave it for 24 hours, and check for redness or itching before using it on your face.
If you have a skin condition, allergies, or are pregnant or nursing, talk to a doctor or dermatologist before trying new products.
Plan around your routine
A good test for any new product is to ask where it fits. Does it replace something, or add a step? If it adds a step, will you really do it every morning or evening?
Simple routines are easier to keep. Our guide to a simple routine for every skin type shows how few steps you really need.
Think about shelf life
Beauty products do not last forever. Most have a small open jar symbol on the pack with a number such as 6M or 12M. That is how many months the product is meant to be used for once opened.
Before stocking up, think about how quickly you get through a product. Three bottles of serum may seem like a good deal, but not if the last one passes its use by period before you open it.
Compare within one category
Pick one category from your list and compare two or three products within it. Each category page on Dewora ends with a comparison table that lines up brand, type, skin type and price.
Start with Skincare for cleansers and serums, Makeup for face and lips, or Bath & Body for everyday body care.
Read the retailer page before ordering
Dewora does not sell anything. Every Purchase Now button opens the retailer's product page, where the final price, shipping and returns are set. Check three things there: the full ingredient list, the returns policy (opened beauty products often cannot be returned), and the delivery estimate if it is a gift.
Skip the pressure
Sale days are built to make you decide quickly. We do not use timers or stock warnings, and we suggest you ignore them elsewhere too. Keep a note of what you are considering and come back the next day. If it still fills a real gap in your routine, it is probably a good buy.
A five step routine
- List the products you are running low on.
- Note your skin type.
- Read type, skin type and size on two or three product pages.
- Check the full ingredient list and shelf life on the retailer page.
- Patch test anything new before using it on your face.
You can see this year's picks on our 11.11 page, with one product from each category and the label details laid out the same way. A shorter shelf of products you love is better than a crowded one of things you never reach for.
