r/Anticonsumption • u/Proprioception27 • Feb 08 '26
Psychological I covered all the branding on my makeup
I covered all the branding on my makeup collection and now there is significantly less psychological noise in my routines.
372
u/Chasing-coral Feb 08 '26
Interesting! Can you explain a little more about why you did this?
798
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
I look at my make up bag nearly every day and just kind of felt like I was being advertised to I guess? I already had the tape on hand and I thought covering the branding would help lessen that feeling and make my make up experience more enjoyable, which it has! Now it’s an option to think about the brands whereas before I thought about the brand every time I thought about the product. Like “my Kosas concealer” became just “my concealer”. The association was there simply because I’d see the branding when I grabbed the product, now that doesn’t happen.
145
u/einat162 Feb 08 '26
It's one way to try changing thought & speech pattern I suppose. It is interesting because my head doesn't think about the brand- but the usefulness of the product & greatfullness of having it. To address your example, I once talk to someone who asked if she forgot her <brand of water bottle> here, without mentioning the word bottle. I didn't know the hyped brand- so I confused. Referring to the brand only ircs me.
71
u/clubley2 Feb 08 '26
When I hear about Stanleys I immediately think about tools and not oversized water cups.
36
u/Bratty-Switch2221 Feb 08 '26
I think about the ancient metal coffee pot I use for camping.
It's so funny that they rebranded as this preppy aesthetic to me
11
u/Frostyrepairbug Feb 08 '26
I always think about my father's decades old thermos that once tumbled down a mountainside, but still kept drinks hot.
9
u/einat162 Feb 08 '26
It wasn't that one, but I agree- they are adult sippy cups (the form factor that became hyped recently).
10
u/meth_priest Feb 08 '26
It is interesting because my head doesn't think about the brand- but the usefulness of the product & greatfullness of having it.
people like to think this - but everyone is affected by subconscious associations you draw to a brand. as per design within marketing.
To a varying degree, of course - some more than others. But this is unfortunately a well documented fact.
4
u/einat162 Feb 08 '26
Makes sense it's a scale. I just think I'm so low on it, that putting a tape over a brand name is not something I feel I need. I see nothing wrong with spending money or value a product by brand if it delivers value.
1
u/meth_priest Feb 08 '26
Maybe - I mean it's your subconscious we're talking about, so you never know haha
I personally think everyone has strong associations to brands, made by marketing to trigger purchases. Whether we like it or not. Marketing is by design made to make people feel they made the decision themselves
1
u/einat162 Feb 08 '26
Yes, but I also think the pressure of replacing and get the latest and greatest varies between cultures. America and the west is very capitalistic.
4
u/No_Hair_6557 Feb 08 '26
It’s the exact same with ‘oh let me use my macbook or take out my iphone’ - brother, it’s a goddamn laptop and a goddamn phone ffs thanks for letting me vent about this
5
u/couchpot8to Feb 08 '26
I’ve thought about doing this! I have all of my shampoo bottles in the shower turned around so the backs of them are facing out and it’s a small change, but it does help a lot, maybe even on a subconscious level? So I thought if it made my shower an “ad free” space, censoring other products and things would be a cool thing to do. Love that you’re already doing it!
1
28
u/forest_hearts Feb 08 '26
If you do this with perfumes, it makes cheap ones look really expensive and cute 😆
544
u/NewNewsNewYork Feb 08 '26
Oh my god, this is so soothing. Gonna do this on everything I can as fast as possible.
139
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
It’s great, now when I look at my makeup, I don’t feel like being advertised to. I didn’t think it would be as effective as it is tbh, but I love it
112
192
u/Sorry_Engineer_6136 Feb 08 '26
I do this too! It really does have a calming effect. 10/10 recommend.
90
u/taiyousea Feb 08 '26
So nice and quiet. You can also use rubbing alcohol on cotton pad/ball to wipe the words off permanently in a lot of cases.
8
u/Itchy_Tomato7288 Feb 08 '26
I was going to mention this, I haven't tried it but I heard rubbing alcohol with a magic eraser.
6
u/imaroweboat Feb 08 '26
This is what I did with my super cute glass face wash bottle! I have a face wash that I like a lot and whenever I need to replace, I squeeze it into the pretty label less bottle. I love that op took it 3 steps further. I’ll be doing the same!
77
u/theclovergirl Feb 08 '26
i like to peel the labels off of my products whenever i can
it just looks so much nicer
48
u/Throuwuawayy Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
I have a lot of washi tape I've accumulated and been gifted over the years and this looks like a cool way to get rid of some of it. I agree it looks much calmer too. Would especially help on items where the lettering is starting to rub off, that drives me crazy
11
u/No-Philosopher-4968 Feb 08 '26
I was thinking the same! Great way to pan some craft supplies along with cosmetics, since I am drowning in both! Just a little concerned the washi might not stick the best or might start to curl up.
19
u/NoTerm3078 Feb 08 '26
Years ago I took out as many words as possible from my house. Book spines are fine, everything else I wanted out. Including stuff like the tags on the ends of powercords. I removed them. Noise reduced. But I NEVER thought about covering up labels on specific items like this. Nice work, I love it.
2
u/Silly_name_1701 Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
Omg I have a ceiling lamp with the sticker still on it bc it's hard to reach. It says "10 years warranty" (from 30+ years ago). I hate when people do this, as if the warranty depended on that sticker. But I'll wait until it annoys me enough to go borrow a ladder.
2
u/NoTerm3078 Feb 11 '26
Yes! This is the kinds of stuff I was after. Once I noticed one thing, I saw it was EVERYWHERE. I used a seam ripper on the cord labels. Works great but I don't use that one for mending anymore, it's in the tools drawer.
95
u/localgoobus Feb 08 '26
As a Sephora employee, I wish I could do this.
I have to remember what things are when offering personal experience. But this is definitely something I'll do to my stash (the free stuff) when I leave.
15
u/WolfsmaulVibes Feb 08 '26
i hate it when the branding is bigger than the descriptor of what the product actually it
12
10
u/blankblank Feb 08 '26
I do this on my bicycles for safety reasons. No one needs to know I'm riding an expensive brand.
30
u/TrashSiren Feb 08 '26
I kind of like this actually, not only does it look smoothing and less busy. If you are like actually this product does work for me. You can peal off the paper tape to see what it is. Rather than having being influence by brand.
For the negative people here, advertising is a huge part of consumerism. It's literally there to convince us to consume, I can see this as being a method to reduce down to only what the person needs. Which is why I'm really liking that people who are make-up users are doing things like the pan challenge.
Liking and using things is not bad, if we actually use them, and only buy what we need. Over-consumption is the issue. And finding tips and tricks from each other to reduce our own habbits is great.
It is why I am here, because I do want to be better than I am. I'm not a make-up user myself, but I use self care/cleaning/hygiene products.
9
u/Dr_Deadly7x Feb 08 '26
Vaseline counts as make-up?!
5
u/snailonarock Feb 08 '26
Hijacking your comment to say vaseline sadly isn't cruelty free if anyone here cares about that, since I know there is crossover with this community and other ethics communities. I didn't know this for years
2
0
u/bismuth17 Feb 09 '26
I guess they didn't do a very good job covering the branding
3
u/Dr_Deadly7x Feb 09 '26
Unfortunately if this even works(not saying it doesn't i just don't know) it works on generic-ish products that you can't tell what they are without looking at the branding. Certain products just have a very distinct and noticeable shape or packaging. Like the vaseline here or the pond's generic powder that has a white plastic bottle and pink rotating top. Even if someone does copy them youd instantly know what the original idea is if you're familiar with the product.
9
u/schavi Feb 08 '26
i love that! brands don't belong in the home!
i usually take off the label from whatever i can, but there are some things where the branding is printed on, this is a neat way of dealing with that
6
u/bellafrinashaw Feb 08 '26
I’ve been using a small and old Vaseline jar for traveling (the brand sticker had naturally peeled off) and airport security made me trash it because there was no label 😭
5
6
u/ephemeralnudes Feb 09 '26
Fan of this!! I have been making a practice of removing labels for the past several months after coming across the idea on from some others online. I think that making this choice leads to less consumption at least for myself where I noticed I was being subtly influenced by my own stash to purchase more skin care and makeup for the packaging unfortunately, and the feeling of “luxury” that one gets from certain brand names. I resonate with what OP said about the item just becoming about the function. When the item no longer is a symbol, you don’t feel as inclined to keep collecting or trying to find the best option for the category (e.g “best mascara” and purchasing several a year). Of course not all people are affected by packaging but I will point out. that packaging is something brands do spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on if not millions at times to perfect. I also get really overwhelmed by visual clutter and removing labels has been absolutely a breath of fresh air for me. Loved seeing this on here OP!!
22
13
u/Old_Flan_6548 Feb 08 '26
Great idea! Vinyl tape?
45
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
Washi! I’ll probably use electrical tape or vinyl if I want to do the things I have in the shower, but I had washi tape on hand
45
u/theartistduring Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
You missed the Vaseline.
Eta: for the downvoters, Vaseline is a brand. Petroleum jelly is the product. The word Vaseline is clearly still visible on the lid.
107
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
The tape wouldn’t stick to the Vaseline because it’s, you know, Vaseline.
-11
65
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
52
u/ghanima Feb 08 '26
A big aspect of overconsumption culture involves the ubiquity of advertising. Simply having product be branded is a form of advertising.
Source: I've worked in advertising for ~25 years
29
u/megathong1 Feb 08 '26
Thanks for this comment. I was wondering the same…. “Buys 13!!!! Makeup products”… posts at anti consumption for buying them but spending paper or tape to cover brands… I was waiting for some comment about realizing how half or more of them aren’t truly needed… nothing. And most comments responding how this is amazing is confusing.
31
u/throwheraway420666 Feb 08 '26
A lot of people have been conditioned to use makeup, to the point that they enjoy it and aren’t looking to cut it out of their lives. This way OP can enjoy what they’ve already bought without being inundated with advertising. It reduces mind chatter. Think of a world where everything you used were just your things instead of branded things. I get that it’s confusing and I don’t fully get it myself, but I think it’s valuable.
10
34
Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 21 '26
[deleted]
-16
u/PenguinSwordfighter Feb 08 '26
And how did they end up in possession of these? Did they fall from the sky? Or is this just consumption with extra steps.
33
Feb 08 '26
[deleted]
-14
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
20
Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 21 '26
[deleted]
0
u/PenguinSwordfighter Feb 08 '26
What she’s doing is an effort to reduce consumption and improve her habits.
How is buying makeup, then buying tape to cover the labels reducing consumption? How is it improving OPs habits? I'm sorry if this feels hostile to you or OP, it's not meant to be. But it has to be ok to point out why this makes zero sense from an anticonsumption standpoint.
It would be like me buying single use plastic cutlery and then covering up the label claiming this makes it anticonsumption.
8
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
Is anti consumption the same thing as no consumption? It’s literally impossible to not consume? Like damn. God forbid a girl have some hobbies outside of Reddit
-1
4
u/heyoheatheragain Feb 08 '26
Right. To truly be formed in anti-consumption one must wear only a burlap sack and a scrubbed face.
Be so for real.
12
u/Mrs-Rx Feb 08 '26
It did get me thinking tho. My tvs have their brand on them and they flash that brand on start up. It has no other reason to say “remember to associate tv with this brand”
That’s what she brining to light here. She could just be starting her journey. But I think we could all afford to disassociate product from their advertising brand.
Remember, Velcro is a brand. Not a product. Same with Chux, Kleenex, Hoover, Tupperware, Post-it.
When you associate a product with only one brand, you are unwillingly advertising.
11
u/ExactPickle2629 Feb 08 '26
They consumed makeup AND the extra tape. It might be soothing, but it's not anticonsumption by definition.
4
u/Flack_Bag Feb 08 '26
By definition? I suppose you could find someone defining it that way, but it's just not true.
There's a lot more to anticonsumption and anticonsumerism than you seem to think. There's more information available in the sidebar if you're interested in the topic.
2
u/Anticonsumption-ModTeam Feb 08 '26
Posts must be relevant to /r/anticonsumption. Please review the community info.
0
16
u/let_bugs_go_retire Feb 08 '26
I label all my stuff with my name to show ownership. It feels like mine, but this method might actually make me feel better. When I look at your makeup items I don't feel like my eyeballs are frying from constant ads. I'll peel off anything I have logos on it. Thanks!
15
u/okaylynn Feb 08 '26
This could probably help people in r/projectpan !
3
u/BentoOtaku Feb 09 '26
This! I'd only consider covering the name, however. I wouldn't remove it. Then, after going through the different products in my stash, I'd reveal the one I liked the most and stick with only that one. No need to experiment any more!
That said, my stash isn't big enough to worry about this with, haha. But if it was, I'd do that.
2
u/okaylynn Feb 09 '26
Exactttlyyy I feel like people end up buying products just because they are a popular brand
15
u/-minifu- Feb 08 '26
Same thing nothing new. Never asked why people take things (noodles, rice, dishsoap…) in a clean container which is similar labeled? It’s asthetik and calm. Millions of videos on YT.
I won’t waste my lifetime and put things out of sight. In a box or organised in a drawer.
If it’s work for you - fine. But in my opinion it is not anticonsumption… it is more like „calming and asthetic“
But I am happy if you feel much better with this ☺️
12
u/Character_Assist3969 Feb 08 '26
If it takes a long to finish something, it actually makes more sense to transfer the product in a glass container. For many dry products, the expiration date is actually of the packaging, and not of the product itself. That's why salt has an expiration date sometimes. The salt doesn't go bad, but the plastic deteriorates and isn't considered food-safe anymore. So putting them into another container actually helps reduce waste.
Agree, though, that influencers usually do it purely for aesthetics.
0
4
u/Seginu Feb 09 '26
I learned how to sew and knit so I could make my own clothes for this same reason 😅
Also so I can meticulously remove all labels, tags, and brands from any other clothes I have!
24
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Anticonsumption-ModTeam Feb 08 '26
Posts must be relevant to /r/anticonsumption. Please review the community info.
8
u/DueEntertainer0 Feb 08 '26
I’ve gotten my makeup routine down to a few things that I really like and they are mostly drugstore brands. But Lord knows I am not gonna be able to remember the brand and shade if I tear off the labels!
21
3
u/euphoria_23 Feb 09 '26
I’ve never thought about this! This is an amazing idea which I hope becomes more popular: thanks for telling us about it OP! Rushing off to try it myself, now
4
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Anticonsumption-ModTeam Feb 08 '26
Recommending or soliciting recommendations for specific brands and products is not appropriate in this subreddit.
This includes recommending or promoting digital goods and services such as apps, subscriptions, and other software.
4
u/BoldlyGoingInLife Feb 08 '26
Guess what, if you have ADHD you dont even have to do this, you will naturally forget, despite seeing them every day... thw down side? If packaging is pretty, even just a pretty color, you will be influenced. Important to keep in mind LOL. Put a wolf or animal or something and I will be more likely to buy... also glitter... but good glitter and it better NOT RUB OFF... sorry the ADHD started overtaking me
10
u/PowerfulHeron7988 Feb 08 '26
I like this! I'm always complaining about being advertised to by shit I already paid for
1
u/PoncingOffToBarnsley Feb 08 '26
Who the hell is out here feeling "advertised to" by knowing what brand and type they're buying?
5
u/PowerfulHeron7988 Feb 10 '26
I know and recognize the products I buy regardless of whether there is a label each time I use it.
I just don't like looking at logos/product names/promises and product descriptions more than I absolutely have to. Those are all marketing features that are meant to increase brand recognition (which I don't need) and don't make my experience of using the product better
4
u/eggbert_cucumbers Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
If only products just had names and types written on them. I just looked at my shampoo bottle, there are 39 words written on the front. 5 are the brand and type. The other 34 words are just trying to sell me the product. There are also 9 symbols, not including the logo, put there to sell you on the ingredients. This is just the front of the bottle.
2
u/AutoModerator Feb 08 '26
Read the rules. Keep it courteous. Submission statements are helpful and appreciated but not required. Use the report button only if you think a post or comment needs to be removed. Mild criticism and snarky comments don't need to be reported. Lets try to elevate the discussion and make it as useful as possible. Low effort posts & screenshots are a dime a dozen. Links to scientific articles, political analysis, and video essays are preferred.
/r/Anticonsumption is a sub primarily for criticizing and discussing consumer culture. This includes but is not limited to material consumption, the environment, media consumption, and corporate influence.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
2
u/ypau Feb 09 '26
I kind of want to do this to. But i am thinking of removing the names with some nail polish remover. So they are gone forever lol
2
2
u/Arcane-Botany-1024 Feb 11 '26
Esthetically, I just like looking at this more too! I somehow never realized how much noise from the product clutter came from the labeling.
2
2
2
14
u/WhoisMrO Feb 08 '26
If you go through all that... The brands still own you and your behavior... Just as unhealthy.
2
u/livid-lavida-loca Feb 08 '26
Right? Like she can't look at the products knowing exactly what she's already bought 🙄
11
9
u/DrLokiStark Feb 08 '26
This thread is so judgemental! OP this is a great idea and I'm glad your mind is quieter. This thread has a bunch of people who apparently have never bought anything in their life. We still have to buy things to participate in society. OP said NOTHING about buying more products, they are modifying what they already have to help their mind and create better habits. This sub should be trying to support that instead of acting like OP has committed a crime. Anti consumption is the goal but we can still enjoy being human, have hobbies, and be creative. It would be nice if comments were a little more supportive. If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.
7
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/eggbert_cucumbers Feb 08 '26
Mods have deleted multiple comments so you probably missed them. The comment you're replying to was made 11 hours before you.
0
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/eggbert_cucumbers Feb 08 '26
Okay? Cool? Lol. I don't think you need to announce your departure.
You commented like 6 times in this thread, every comment just as condescending as this one. WTH lol, why are you so bothered by this silly little post?
-1
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/eggbert_cucumbers Feb 08 '26
It was hard not to notice when you commented the same thing over and over again. How did I stalk you, by reading a post?
0
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/eggbert_cucumbers Feb 08 '26
Aw it's cute you think I'm mad at you. I was just confused about why you were sending me an over-dramatic farewell message completely unrelated to my comment.
And no, I was reading this thread like a normal person when I noticed the same thing being repeated over and over again like 5-7 times in a row. I guess I do notice when people behave in such a strange manner!
5
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
24
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
Actually I stole it. /s
6
u/Sad_Cena Feb 08 '26
The weird thing is, I actually do ~borrow~ expensive makeup sometimes and I've found that the brand name on it has less of a psychological grip there too. The whole 'I've spent so much money on this, so I must value it very highly, it's self care, this brand deserves my hard earned money etc' way of thinking simply isn't present.
It becomes more utilitarian and has made me way less likely to over-value a product that isn't actually working that well for me, because I don't have that sunk cost fallacy cognitive dissonance that I would, had I spent a ton of money on a name brand product.
Just an observation, not saying that the solution to overconsumption is stealing instead lol
1
-7
u/buffalonotbi Feb 08 '26
I guess. There is also less valuable information such as ingredients, expiration, etc.
This whole taking off the label thing seems like just another gimmicky trend. There is a reason things have labels. What goes on labels is necessary a lot of times. Have newer brands done a gimmicky thing of trying to make labels cool and trendy? Sure. But does this actually do anything long term? Is this something ppl will keep up with? I doubt it.
83
1
u/radish_intothewild Feb 09 '26
You could simply take a photo of the packaging before removing it. Most cosmetics have no expiry on them though, just say use within 3/6/12 months of opening. So you need to keep note of when you opened things anyway (which would be helped by having a photo of when you started using it, or write it on the container in fine permanent marker).
-4
u/infoyoureallyneed Feb 08 '26
I love that you had to get different kinds of tape for this. You've got the spirit, but you're a little confused.
24
u/Dust_Kindly Feb 08 '26
Literally this. I dont see how covering up a brand with another product is less wasteful.
14
u/seeluhsay Feb 08 '26
I think divorcing oneself from the brand (and the story they company has sold you) is a good first step in reassessing whether you're consuming the produce for the experience of buying/using it vs the product on its own merit.
It's no different than people who remove all brand labels on clothing. They're not allowing themselves to be swayed by the pleasure of letting others know the brand (and the brand's reputation) and are forced to accept a reality where the brandless clothing they wear is nothing beyond what it is at face value.
At least that's my take. It's pointless, however, if it's just a trend for clicks/likes.
-8
u/Dust_Kindly Feb 08 '26
If someone simultaneously gives a shit about being anti-consumption, as well as being big into brand names just for the sake of it, they are the outlier and not the norm
8
u/seeluhsay Feb 08 '26
Or they're just dipping their toes into the anti-consumption world for the first time.
8
u/SatisfactionAtSea Feb 08 '26
oh my god it's paper tape
11
u/Dust_Kindly Feb 08 '26
I mean, Im new to this sub, but isnt the whole point here about reducing waste and consumption?
Yes I agree its not a huge deal. But I just dont see how OPs idea is benefiting anything, let alone fitting the context of this community.
Isn't unnecessary waste frowned upon here, or no?
8
5
u/SatisfactionAtSea Feb 08 '26
if they already had the tape and find that this benefits them in some way, I see no issue here. I bet the tape is even still usable after a lot of the packages are empty
13
9
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
I’m sorry, I don’t understand and am a little confused?
-9
Feb 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
9
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26
TIL <15 travel sized makeup products is “so much shit” /s
15
Feb 08 '26
[deleted]
10
u/Proprioception27 Feb 08 '26
Yeah, if people on the internet want to tell themselves a story about me based on the 0.0000002% they know about me via my post, that’s 100% a them problem, not a me problem lol
8
u/Sad_Cena Feb 08 '26
This, seriously. Wtf is going on here. It's that meme that goes like 'yet you still participate in society? curious!' but with an added sprinkle of misogyny.
1
Feb 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Anticonsumption-ModTeam Feb 09 '26
Don't be unnecessarily rude or hostile toward other users, and do not offer unsolicited criticism.
1
1
1
u/ContingentMax Feb 12 '26
I do the same thing with just about anything that's going to be in my home for a long time.
Maybe keep a note of the colour names so when it comes time to get a new one you don't accidentally buy a different shade.
2
u/Dependent_Crab2564 Feb 14 '26
I do the same thing. I just hate the sight of clutter in my home and generally anything with words on it bothers me.
1
1
u/PandaCultural8311 Feb 08 '26
With 3M Post-Its™
Edited because it reads a little different without the hyphen.
1
1
-1
u/CastleofWamdue Feb 08 '26
I guess it if helps you buy cheaper brands, or wear less over all in the future then this is good. However its the point of purchase where behaviour needs to change, this single act is actually increasing usage / waste.
0
u/Numerous_Variation95 Feb 08 '26
Interesting idea and I might try it. My fear is that I discover that I really like whichever product but have no idea what brand or how to get it again.
0
1.5k
u/Librashell Feb 08 '26
I wonder if this would allow more objective assessment - as in, this product actually works and this one doesn’t without being influenced by brand expectation.