Need+ Want+ Value+ Emotion= Happy Shopper Squared!

As a shopper and retailer, I am constantly looking into new ways to motivate and understand the reasons that shoppers shop. What brings you to a store? What causes you to purchase and what makes you go weak in the knees-thereby igniting your emotional response to an item you want to buy?

Need is truly personal-if you need something, that sends you out on a mission-ie; the need for something. While you are there or on your way to your need based destination, what causes you to stop and look? Is it a sale sign? Is it a gorgeous feature of a product? Or is it a retail store that literally pops and causes you to inquire within?

Want is another thing entirely. I, for example, could be shopping for something I need and suddenly I am distracted by something I want. That's when the emotion part of the equation comes into play and I usually figure how to justify want over need. Do I really need another something or other? But I really want it! The answer to that, if you are me is YES!

Next up is value. Value and affordability sort of go hand in hand, so if I score a great item on sale, I am happy that I have acquired the item at a great value. Who wouldn't be? But items that are not on the 'great value' spectrum but score high on the want spectrum make a shopper stop and think before they buy. We reason and justify an expensive purchase which makes us evaluate the quality of the item, an important factor too. Value can make or break a purchase decision.

Last is the most influential of all variables in the equation. EMOTION! Shoppers are nothing if not influenced by emotion. Like the $1600.00 Valentino boots I saw on line. Lord knows I don't need them but I want them! The value is there in the quality and feature of the boots, yet the price makes me hesitate to click the BUY button. But it's the emotion that keeps me thinking about them-so much so that I haven't been able to clear that window on my computer. I keep going to that window on my iPad to look at them every few days, hoping I can x-out of it and go on without them...but I can't. My emotional attachment to boots- that aren't even mine- keep me coming back for more.

These are just a few observations on how I shop. Now I want to know how you shop?

So let's do this, I'm going to put up a poll on the side bar with some answers to see what your shopping habits really are! Take the poll and give me your opinion. You will really be helping me out and doing a bit of community service at the same time.

And if I've ignited a fire within the shopper in you, feel free to visit www.candybarcosmetics.com. 

Christmas In September

I've decided to start shopping early for Christmas this year.

I'm not, and I repeat, not going to get all caught up in the hype and the panic of the holidays and work and work and end up buying whatever I can for whatever the price at the very end because I haven't done anything. No way. I've decided to make a schedule for the coming weeks and pick up at least two things per week for my family. I think it would be nice to be "done" by early November.

Here's the thing. The internet has changed the way we shop. Every week I get 10-20 emails touting sales, 20-30% off offers clutter my email inbox, so much so that I hardly look at them anymore. So I've decided to start looking at the deals offered and start plugging away at the big old Xmas list now.

This is all good in theory, I just hope I can really stay true to my plan. Have you ever finished your Christmas shopping early, like super early? I'd love to know how you did it.

Today's Special: The Lust List

The high waisted black pencil skirt. A must have fall wardrobe staple! TIP: Order one size bigger than usual, as they tend to run small and fit skin tight.(and this is a bad thing?)

Rachel Zoe Lauren Leather Platform Pumps. I am DYING!!! These gorgeous babies have my name written all over them. BIG PROBLEM: They are SOLD OUT everywhere. Which makes me want them even more....

A nice wool pea coat. This gorgeous one is from Vivien Westwood is gorgeous and especially cozy for the crisp fall temps here in New England. Quite stylish too.

Amatriciana. Quite possibly the worlds most perfect food. I love me some pasta!

This gorgeous leather cuff from Uno De 50. Simple and edgy enough for everyday, this bracelet pairs well with any look for fall. BUY HERE: candybarcosmetics.com

Eve Lom Cleanser-Voted "the best cleanser in the world" by Vogue Magazine, this balmy cleanser emulsifies into a magical oil that cleanses, tones and exfoliates all in one step. Perfect for all skin types, the Eve Lom Cleanser is great for your skin's transition from summer to fall. BUY HERE: candybarcosmetics.com

A cashmere and silk scarf from Louis Vuitton. Every stylish woman knows that a touch of leopard adds just the right amount of style and class. At $895.00 this scarf may be a bit too pricey for everyone's budget, but I'm obsessed with it. TIP: Buying at top dollar means that it will last. At that price this may be the last leopard scarf you will ever need to buy. Like ever.

And last: eggplant colored nails. So many variations on the shades of eggplant, the experts predict that eggplant with be the hot color this fall for nails. TREND ALERT: Also look for Navy, Hunter Green and of course, black.

Now if my wallet would just cooperate, I could add all these glorious things to my wardrobe right now!

Today's Special: The Best $60.00 You Will EVER Spend

After a certain *ahem* age, a complexion product becomes a necessity for most women. The appearance of an even skin tone is the main reason that foundations for the face were created. Women need/want their skin to look it's youngest and best possible with minor effort. In my 20's I got by quite nicely with a tinted moisturizer (aka:BB Cream today) and a bronzer.  After 40 what I realized is that I was missing out on a most magical product. Why had I wasted so much time avoiding foundation?

I know exactly why. I hear the reason almost every day in my store. Foundations got a bad rap for years because of one simple thing. Everyone remembers a girl from high school that always had that tell tale line of demarcation at her chin. Definition: her foundation was too dark for her skin tone which resulted in what we call "floating head syndrome". Two dramatically different tones from head to neck. And if that wasn't enough to make you swear to all that is holy that you would never look like that-said girl from high school ALWAYS wore a white shirt that left a foundation smear all over the collar. Amiright?

Women always say, "I don't wear foundations because I don't want anything heavy on my skin."

I get it-believe me I do because I feel exactly the same way. But trust me when I tell you-foundations have come a long way since the days of that girl from high school. Somebody must have clued the major brands in on this syndrome because technology has perfected the product into simple, subtle, beautiful and LIGHT WEIGHT foundations for all skin types. Matching to your own skin can be tricky but mastered using a simple swatch test at the counter. Once you have chosen the perfect formula for your needs, choose three colors that you think are close to your color and swipe them in a stripe next to each other on your chin. Blend in until you find one that disappears. This is the winner!

Vincent Longo has created one of the best foundations on the market today. Water Canvas Foundation is a creme to powder foundation like no other-and here's the crazy thing-I'm not recommending this as your only foundation. I am recommending this for finishing areas and for touch ups. This product is the most perfect compact foundation to carry in your purse. And it's simply the best $60.00 you will ever spend.

I know you are thinking 'She's crazy! I'm not spending $57.00 on a foundation to carry in my purse.' My response to that is once you try/buy/fall in love with this product you will agree with me. I apply my regular foundation (Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Fondation) with a mineral powder and bronzer for the day-then I use the Vincent Longo Water Canvas around my eye area (on the lid and under the eye area) and my nose and chin WITH MY FINGERS. Yes ladies-I use my fingers.  Can you believe it? I'm not recommending you use some $20-$35.00 tool to apply this product. The fingers that God gave you are the perfect tool to apply this product flawlessly. One to two swirls (do not dig) of your finger over this creamy, pliable product applied to the face is damn near perfect. And here's the BEST thing about Vincent Longo's Water Canvas Foundation, use it mid day, with your fingers for a touch up around the eye area, nose, cheek and chin area and blend outward for the freshest, most flawless touch up EVER!!!!

Call me a liar.
Call me whatever you want-but I challenge you to not try this product and love it.
It's the anti- "Floating Head Syndrome" product for the most curious foundation lover.

SHOP VINCENT LONGO WATER CANVAS NOW
These are the most popular colors:
Bisque #5
Warm Beige #6
Sandy Beige #7
Golden Beige #8

It's A Launch Party!

Hey Bloggers! Happy Friday!

I've been super busy with my new project. I have launched my online store!!!
I'm giddy with excitement about the launch of my new website: www.candybarcosmetics.com. 

To celebrate, I'm throwing a launch party! Shop at www.candybarcosmetics.com till August 6th, 2014 and take 30% off your purchase! Now you can Find your Candy Bar Style wherever you are!

Click on the links above now and join the party!
Have a great weekend and be sure to Find your Candy Bar Style on line!

On Line Vs. On Body

I had an interesting experience yesterday that somewhat renewed my faith in the fact that "brick and mortar" shops are still a viable entity. Without getting too much into that debate, I'll tell you what happened first; I will be going away this week, to a warm destination and I needed a few things. You know, I need a new this and a new that, and because all I ever do is work, I thought "why not shop online?"

Yesterday at 7am I was clicking and clacking away, looking at bathing suits, tops and jeans, but I was having a hard time picturing myself in anything I saw on the computer. I was also having a hard time coming up with search terms for clothing items. How to you search "when I see it I will know" for cute spring fashions? Needless to say, my hour long internet shopping search turned up nothing...(so not like me)

It was then that I knew a trip to the mall was what I needed. I got into my car and headed to the mall on a rainy Sunday. Two hours later, I emerged somewhat victorious! I had covered two of my three major fashion categories and the third one I will handle today at another store where I can peruse the selections, touch the fabrics and try them on. Wow! Who knew it could be so convenient?

The online vs. brick and mortar shopping debate is one that I know only too well. Soon I will be launching my own online shopping store because I understand that I have to embrace the online shopping experience to keep my business relevant, but I think I just proved to myself that online shopping does not negate the in-store experience. It only enhances it! Yes, online shopping is the wave of the future, but what about when you aren't quite sure what you are looking for? What about inspiration? What about the smell of the leather, the feel of the fabric, the perfect pop of color on your lips or the way it sits perfectly on your shoulders? What about the 'cash and carry' effect? This was a learning experience in more ways than one.

I would be interested in what your shopping habits are when it comes to online and in store. Tell me how you like to shop.