Cosmetics Shocker!

SoCal Gal · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:00 pm Post subject: Cosmetics Shocker!

Just got back to Southern California from a lovely trip all around the southern part of the North Island, everything from Wellington to the tiny farm towns, and thanks to this wonderful forum I was pretty prepared for most things except......ladies, bring your cosmetics (make-up) with you if you use it at all! Stock up on loads and tear the packaging off so you will only look very high maintenance if anyone goes through your bags in Customs. Our very basic brand in the States, Maybelline, was priced at $25 for a simple mascara! U.S. brands of hair color available include Nice'n'Easy (Clairol) and Garnier, and they too are $25 a box! Sticker shock, wow! I've been reading a lot on here about the ladies planning to live in fleece and jeans down in their new homes in NZ, but even so, if you like a little lipgloss and blusher, bring them!!! Sticker shock and how!!!
My nickname on this board is kind of a joke, because I do live near the beach, but I am no Pamela Anderson wanna-be, so I really don't use a lot of cosmetics, but I do have my faves and I will be bringing extra!
Hadn't seen any post like this before, and thought someone may be interested.
Aloha,
SoCal Gal cool

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject:

OH MY GOD!!!! Eek

In that case bring plenty of sun cream too, especially spf30+ NZ is notorios for its high UV levels (being under the ozone hole)..and given the choice between war paint and skin protection choose the sun cream!!!

Maybe shes born with it?.....Maybe it's Maybelline? Laughing

Moorf · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:08 am Post subject:

LOL Karl the secret Maybelline user Laughing

I hate wearing make-up and was hoping to develop a rosy glow (as opposed to a car exhaust jaundiced UK-style complexion (anyone in London will KNOW about black-snot Laughing

)).

But by the looks of the Chch weather report it'll be broken veins that keep me rosy Eek

Don't they have their own brands in NZ? I don't want to spend the rest of my days asking for people to ship me stuff!! Plus, the local brands may have better sun-protection ?

SoCal Gal · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:52 am Post subject: Cosmetics Shocker

I am a firm believer of "when in Rome..." but the Maybelline cosmetics just jumped out at me, to be honest. All the other hgih-end European and Japanese brands are available there, but those are so expensive, I don't even use them here. Maybelline is very, very basic, so that's what surprised me. As far as manufacturing their own brands, I doubt it. Probably some good Aussie brands though. Again, that particular line of cosmetics was front and center in the store and if that was a basic brand at a basic price, well, that was really the shocker. As far as skin treatments and other lotions, I did not notice. There was a huge display of some other hair color brands that may have been European or Australian, but I do not remember their names. Prices definitely on par with the American brands I mentioned.
And, just as an FYI, the 2$ shops there carry the same awful makeup that teenagers sometimes start out with, all that glittery junk that doesn't last 5 minutes on. There must be a giant factory somewhere that supplies all the junk make-up to the world LOL! cool

michelle · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:00 am Post subject:

If you are coming from the US/ Canada you will notice a massive difference, if from the UK less so although its still pricey by comparison.

Stock up on moisturisers, basic toiletries etc, perfumes etc are also more expensive.

I am off to the States this weekend, going to "supermarket sweep" Target.

Oh Moorf, black snot, lovely, shall we add this to the how NZ will change my life, things I wont miss etc thread.

Michelle

Moorf · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:01 am Post subject:

SoCal Gal · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:09 am Post subject: Costmetics Shocker

Michelle - loved the supermarket sweep of Target!! Go for it, girl!
Personally, I hope to talk my hubby into a trip to Honolulu once a year to hit their Target, Wal-Mart and drugstores!
;-0 cool

michelle · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:21 am Post subject:

Might be making the same trip mysef, can cover the air fare in savings at least thats what I will tell my husband !

Am taking an empty suitcase this week as need to include 9 west, bed bath and beyond and all those lovely outlet malls.

Michelle

SoCal Gal · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 9:25 am Post subject: Cosmetics Shocker

And if you are lucky, there will even be pre-Labor Day sales! Labor Day is Sept. 6 this year, but we love any excuse for a sale! And you'll be sure to score on the "Back to School" sales! Best I can figure, ALL items are available as "Back to School", especially at Bed, Bath & Beyond for the college bound crowd. Have fun!!! cool

WannabeeKiwi · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

Methinks Karl spends too much time watching telly. How many men could quote that advertising slogan? Made me laugh Clapping

I have been working my may through the shedload of toiletries in my bathroom and refusing to buy anymore til it has all gone. Now wonderng if I should stockpile some for the container. Is it okay to put lotions / aerosols and bath stuff in with your packing.

Raeven · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:31 am Post subject:

Hi, SoCalGal,

Welcome back!!! And look what fantastic information you have brought us -- all we girlie-types (well, and Karl) are in such a ruckus!!! This is such good stuff, even though I nearly screamed like Karl when you shared it!!

Lil, no problem with regular commercial products, but no aerosol cans. Your packer would catch that, but no sense spending money on things you can't bring in.. Also, I'd be careful of any product with honey in its list of ingredients. Honey is one of the few completely prohibited items per MAF.

I'll be stocking up on it all, too, though I plan to wear makeup a whole lot less in NZ than I do here!!

Thanks again for the super information, SoCalGal!!

Tammy Fae Bakker... errrrr.... Rae

karltsmith · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject:

.....you know you can get Boots Botanicals and the No 7 range out here and AVON is alive and kicking at the day-to-day end of the market.... personal favourites "pour moi" are Givenchy Xereus, Xereus Rouge and Calvin Kline Eternity for men for /Mrs Tigger you cant go wrong with Givenchy Ysatis.....So thats it really our shoppng list for xmas presents complete.......pm me for a forwarding address nearer Xmas, all gifts VERY gratefully received!! Laughing

Just avoid those flowery, sickly, high note, sweet monstrosities such as Poison ...YUK TIGGERS DONT LIKE POISON and you'll be crusin!!! cool

nisse · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 31

michelle · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:05 pm Post subject:

To all the Americans out there, stock up on Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream you only pay about $12 duty free, here its about £15 dread to think what it will be in NZ.

The stuff is marvelous, its not a moisturiser but you can use it for chapped or dry skin, to strengthen nails, as a lip balm. In fact anything that might be caused by being exposed to the elements.

One downside is that it stinks !

Michelle

PS I don't work for Elizabeth Arden

Craig · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 8:26 am Post subject: Cosmetics shocker

whoo my first time - normally the husband keeps his eye on the forum Clapping

...what about buying cosmetics online? I know we can get bargains in the UK that way, but it depends on the shipping costs to NZ I suppose. Confused

I'm concerned I won't be able to get hold of my beloved "Dead Sea Magic" Hmmm