Why so stingy? 3 things that should be available to buy more often
22.1.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Natalie Hemengül
You can buy anything these days, can't you? Faaaaaaaaalsch! Despite the growing selection, a few dead beauty angles remain. Here are three that particularly annoy me right now.
I search and don't find. Paradoxical, given that I am offered more choice today than ever before. But in the beauty mass market, trends play a major role in shaping what is currently on the shelves. And that may not always be what you need at the moment.
And before you shout «indie brands!» in my face: Yes, smaller, independently run brands can be an excellent option if you're looking for something «unusual». However, customs duties, shipping costs and a generally higher (but justified) price can quickly go beyond your budget. So please let me do some hating here and take my words with a grain of salt.
Let's go.
Where is actually ...
... my perfect match?
The other day I was shocked to realise that I have never found a foundation that matches my skin tone perfectly. Although I sometimes get surprisingly close to the right tone, perfection remains out of reach. For me, foundations are and have always been a compromise between what I need and what the market has to offer.
I investigated the phenomenon and found my answer: my skin has an olive undertone. And it is chronically underrepresented. In other words: running to a counter without thorough research and hoping to find a suitable make-up? Forget it. No, I need to know which brands I'm going to turn to beforehand. I can tell you this much: There aren't many to choose from at the moment. But hopefully more and more? For example, Giorgio Armani is said to have added a few olive shades to its colour palette as part of the reformulation of its «Luminous Silk Foundation». Lisa Eldridge (the brand of the make-up artist of the same name) is also a good place to start.
... the fun with nail polish?
I'm not talking about bright colours or shimmering shades. There are plenty of those (albeit often in a very generic selection). I'm talking about wild sequins, little hearts, large holographic confetti particles, mini tinsel and so on. The playful stuff. When I was a teenager, you could buy them everywhere. Now that I have money, party varnishes are rare. What a shame!
... the drugstore selection of cool lip liners?
Remember my olive dilemma? Unfortunately, it also affects my relationship with lip colour. I'm on the verge of handing out flyers that say: «Wanted: contour pencils that don't look pink or orange. Preferably from the drugstore.» Legend has it that the seeker (i.e. me) still wanders the drugstore aisles and online shops confused today. Even liners that are described by the manufacturer as «cool toned nude» look far too warm on me when bought and applied. It's exasperating.
So that this article doesn't end on such a sad note, here's a ray of hope at the end: After several bad buys, I recently found one that fits my mould. One. The only one. A greyish mauve called «08 Gone Greige» from Maybelline. Mummy loves you.
Have you also been looking for something for a while and just can't find it? Share it with us. Who knows: maybe someone has a valuable tip!
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Opinion
This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.
Show allThese articles might also interest you
34 comments
later