What I think about when buying from controversial brands

Whether it is that brands are exposed more quickly nowadays – social media gives everyone a platform – or that consumers are more conscious of what they’re buying – a lot of brands found themselves in the spotlight of scandals lately. I mean, there’s even a brand new instagram account dedicated to them! So, should you stop buying from controversial beauty brands?

Estée Laundry exposes the copycats, the fearmongers, the frauds, trolls and racists. We, as consumers, have seen beloved brands fall from grace again and again. For me, that means that I have to continuously draw the line. Am I ok with what brands do? Nowadays, with the quick rise of smaller brands to skincare or makeup stardom, we don’t see thoughtful marketing campaigns composed by a huge marketing department consciously anymore – but mostly, we see instagram pics and soundbites from the founders themselves. It has become personal.

Your money, your decision

decide better what to buy — Do I want to support brands with controversial business practices?

I started to think about where I personally draw the line. My money goes, in the end, not only to manufacturers, marketing, sales, PR, BUT in the end to founders and CEOs. Am I comfortable with that? For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s a comparable small company or a conglomerate like Lauder (for example). The argument that we don’t know about the CEOs of P&G, Lauder, L’Oreal and so forth is invalid: Because we absolutely can see what their brands are doing. You can totally decide that MAC selling in China is your tipping point, because you’re passionate about animal welfare. You don’t have to know about Leonard Lauder’s opinion on the matter.

But you absolutely can, on the other hand, decide on not buying The Ordinary any longer because you don’t want to support Brandon Truaxe’s racist comments. You absolutely can, as a consumer, vote with your feet, as they say. It just comes down to your beliefs and where YOU draw the line.

Think before you buy

should I buy from controversial brands — Hmmmm…

As you’re reading this, I assume you’re somehow interested in this, but I do get people who don’t want to think about heavy stuff when they’re buying skincare or makeup. I do. But I, personally, find it very hard to overlook some business practices and behaviours. They make me uncomfortable, and downright difficult to enjoy some brands when I use their products. But it’s a slippery slope, and I’m the first to admit that I’m not always following my own rules, or if I have a set of rules in the first place.

Tempted by a product from a sketchy brand? Ask this:

Scandal-free beauty brands — Scandal-free? Think again!

Do I really need it? – Is the product I’m tempted by a staple, maybe even a holy grail? Or is it something I saw somewhere – say, IG or a forum or YouTube – and now am convinced that I need it in my life?
If it isn’t a staple, but something I’m just tempted by, why not research a bit to find out if there’re alternatives? Why do you need exactly this one? There’re so many alternatives out there, and why not try out something new, or something from an indie brand? Educate yourself. Supporting small businesses or local businesses can be awesome – you’re boosting up someone who will be really thankful to you for giving them your business, instead of some mega conglomerate like P&G, for example.
If it’s a staple product, it’s hard to say no to buying it. Especially when it comes to skincare, nobody wants to ditch something that works for them easily, especially if the state of your skin is a battlefield. I understand. I’ve been there. But let me give you an example. Both Kat von D and Brandon Truaxe recently became people for me whose brands I don’t want to support any longer. I nevertheless still use their products, although with a mental groan every time I opened a bottle or used a pomade. For my own peace of mind, I decided instead to donate to organisations that promote and research vaccines (in Kat von D’s case) and anti-racism (in Brandon Truaxe’s). It’s easy – and I’ll include some places I found below.