POISONOUS LANGUAGE COMMON ON YOUTUBE | Hannah Louise Poston | MY NO-BUY YEAR 

The phrase that really gets to me is "I couldn't help myself". Every time I hear it I scream internally, "Please help yourself!!"

Whenever a guru says it's worth the money with luxury products they received in PR I roll my eyes. Anything is worth it if you received it (and most of your makeup collection) for free!

“I bought it for traveling”

One of my favorite things about you is that you are comfortable inhabiting the space of wanting/liking, but understanding that you don't need to own everything just because it's beautiful.

"You should stop what you are doing now and go and buy it" - I have heard this Soo many times !

"I love it so much, I already bought a backup" - as if you're going to use up that Omega Bronzer anytime this decade, Karen. When influencers don't take into account the fact that makeup expires, we are taught that we can accumulate things as if they will be worth anything in 10 years. The phrase irks me especially since it adds to the FOMO, because the thing might not be available if you wait, so hurry!!

Obsessed! I’m so obsessed with this new xyz! It’s the best I’m totally *obsessed*. It drives me insane, obsessed is such a strong, powerful, almost negative, word to me. I cannot recall a single time I have used it on an everyday basis. And I can confidently say I don’t consider myself “obsessed” with anything. Not in the way that it takes over my life entirely to where it is all I can think of, for days upon days. So when people throw this word around like it’s nothing, about the most minuscule things like lipstick, I am almost shocked. It always stands out to me and makes me question the person. I remember watching a video and it was, maybe 10 minutes long and I heard the word obsessed 6 times, minimum. It’s so commonly used, but it is something that still upsets me.

My least favorite phrase is “You need this.” Nope, I don’t need it. People have enough trouble discerning the difference between a want and a need as it relates to makeup. Sometimes makeup is a necessity-for drag queens, actors, people with disfiguring flaws that help them to feel normal; but most of us don’t need it. Wanting something is not the same.

Even the word ‘haul’, everyone in the beauty community knows what it means, but until I came here it was a negative word about moving a ton of stuff. It’s like they’ve given it a new meaning, for a while I used to love watching them, and now for me ‘haul’ represents excessive overspending in one category.

I always notice the “pick it up” euphemism for “buy.” It must be a requirement on YT because almost everyone I watch uses it. Also, referring to your makeup as a “collection.” A collection of items that will expire and become worthless makes no sense. Also “if you want to try it...” or “I love trying concealers” (or whatever). “Trying” is for a free sample, like a bite of Chick-fil-A on a toothpick. I don’t buy things to “try “them.

My pet peeve is a someone encouraging the use of payment plans by saying "I know it's expensive, but if you buy it from this company they have a great program where you can pay for it over 3 months." NO! Monthly payments are for your house, not makeup, which will probably be sitting in your drawer barely used and forgotten while your still seeing it show up on your credit card!

Gah I am feeling so personally attacked right now haha XD No but really, I do think I have said the phrase "if these are your colors...", but I think it's mainly about me trying to not step on anyones toes haha. This video is a great eye opener for any creator. I will have this in the back of my head

There are quite a few “poisonous phases” that seem to show up in some declutter videos. Things like “I don’t use this, but I love the packaging” or “I want to have the whole collection” or “I’m not using this now, but I might in the future” or “I need to have at least one colorful palette” or “this was limited edition, so I can’t get another” or “I don’t use this, but I like this one shade” It always bugs me because the point of those videos is to get rid of things. Not only are the products just going to waste in someone’s collection, but also it encourages other to hang on to things the don’t need and to in some ways promotes the idea that you have to have complete sets even if that means buying more thing you don’t really want. A product being limited edition is not a good reason to hold on to something that your not using. If you never use that colorful palette, you probably don’t need it. If you only like one shade, depot it and the pass one the rest. This type of language bugs me because i probably have I minor hoarding problem and I watch declutters to help me let go of things. It also bugs me when YTers recommend things they got in PR without knowing the price. It’s always a red flag when someone says “I’m not sure what this costs”.

This reminds me of discussions on the Makeup Rehab subreddit about the word "collection" for the makeup we own and how it can make people feel like they need to constantly add to it, want to save makeup and not use it up, need a wide variety of products, or actually own an entire product line, etc.

This may be a little bit of an unpopular opinion, but the phrase I can't stand is "It's good... for the price." I like keeping a very curated collection, so I don't want to buy something just because it's inexpensive. If it's really only the expensive options that are great, I'd prefer to save up for one of those products I'll really treasure, rather than just buying more of the cheaper items I really won't love, because then I just end up buying another, and another trying to find one I like. However, I understand that some people want cheaper options, but I believe that there are many inexpensive products with incredible quality, so those are the products that should be recommended instead of the new ones that are "good for the price." I think that that phrase feeds into the mentality of makeup being about continually buying rather than utilizing actual quality products.

My least favourite comment comes with declutters, when someone with over 100 palettes or lipsticks etc... says “I never reach for it.” If you own 100 palettes, you CAN’T “reach” for any of them often. Even if you rotate through them, you’re looking at over 3 months before you circle back. At that point, you’re probably using the ones you adore only a handful of times a year. And if you do use anything regularly, that means 90% of what you own goes to waste or is barely touched so it’s time to re-evaluate. Figure out cost per use and it will look a whole lot different than cost per product.

I hate when beauty gurus are making video like “best palette of 2018” or “best foundation 2018” in... a... March?.. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m honestly shocked this was “all” the poisonous phrases you picked up on. RU-vid feels like a nonstop commercial ad for products now! Your videos are sanity in a sea of crazy!!

HANNAH LOUISE POSTON THE GIRL SINGLE HANDEDLY CHANGING THE BEAUTY COMMUNITY AND CONSUMERISM!!!! I salute you!!! Absolutely needed to hear this today thank youuuuuu xoxo

And also, trying new lipstick or liquids eyeshadow - “now I need all other shades!” “It is a real game changer!” or “life changing product”

The packaging is to die for !!! I have heard it so many times and my eyes go rolling automatically. Cant help

"I know I have these colours a million times over in my collection, but I bought this palette just for this shade right here" -- this one always gets to me. I had a limited edition obsessed several years ago, but now I've realised that either 1. the quality isn't as good (it's all about cool packaging or an interesting concept or just putting someone's name on it) OR 2. it's going to be made permanent later or come back at some point in another form if it's THAT good because the company will want to capitalise on the hype and make all the money they can out of it. Omg the "bye-bye money" thing. It used to be that when I saw that hashtag it would automatically make me feel like I should give in to my desires and go for it, but now it makes me feel more sad than anything. I remember watching a Pat McGrath swatch video once where the girl mentioned her car got repossessed but she was fine with it because "at least she had this highlighter" -- breaks my heart!

Personally I really dislike the money with wings image also. Making light of overspending is not funny imo.

I really dislike when a grown woman put an expression of “ups! I did it again!” on the thumbnail of a haul video. I always think 👏🏼STOP 👏🏼ACTING 👏🏼LIKE A 👏🏼CHILD 👏🏼 The society already infantilizes us enough.

The one that bugs me, as someone of Indian descent, is saying that a product is 'universally flattering' or 'would look good on anyone' or that a lipstick is 'the perfect nude'. A lot of the time those products would be way too light for me. It reinforces the idea that makeup is made for light skinned people and that darker skinned people aren't worth considering. I was also going to comment on people saying that a product is 'worth the money' and you covered it beautifully. Surely whether something is worth the money entirely depends on what the particular consumer already has, what they like, what they need, and what their financial priorities are? Also, I am wearing an antique gold-bronze eye look today, completely inspired by you, and I feel so so good about it.

“You deserve it” is another one. Love your eye look and earrings, very festive

As a former linguistics student AND someone who spends too much money on makeup, I loved this video! Some more phrases that rub me the wrong way are 'must-haves', and 'if you haven't tried X what are you doing with your life?' -- I'm sure I don't need to explain why! I also get really irked when I see people justify a purchase by saying 'these are the colours I wear regularly' because all I can think is: 'why are you buying more then?'

"It's perfect for an event..." how many events do you go to?! "It looks beautiful on photo" ....How much of your life revolves around taking pictures of yourself?!

This video is perfect for you because you are also actually into writing and language... I NEEDED THIS VIDEO. Specially with all the sales emails this last weekend ...one of my personal favs from Sephora is when they send me an email saying “because getting a package is fun” makes me wanna throat punch them 🤦🏽‍♀️

"If you are serious about makeup..." "If you really love lipstick..." "If quality is important to you..." I feel like all of these statements go to identity and imply that if you aren't buying this item, then you must not be serious about makeup/love lipstick/value quality.

When I was little, like 4yo, I learned to say "I need it" when asking my mom to buy me a candy bar or something else in the store. It didn't work on her, but it's interesting how early I started to pick up on the difference between the word "need" and "want".

About the "if you can get your hands on it" I have adopted the notion that if the store/site i want something from doesn't make it easy for me to get the product - WHY IN HEAVENS NAME WOULD I WORK TO GET SOMETHING I'M PAYING FOR???!?!?!?!!!!! - so I will not buy from that place... Edit: why do er spend hours waiting in line to spend money? Especially at full price, horrible service etc😅

In addition to the words, it's the energy and excitement put behind them by the person delivering the message. There's a reason that Jaclyn Hill's favorites videos always sell out of her recommendations... Her delivery is always injected with an extreme sense of purchase urgency, lol. 👀

Mine are the holy grail items, the staple item, the product we all know by heart now. Hula bronzer, Better Than Sex mascara, the Modern Renaissance palette, Pillow Talk lipstick, Becca highlighters, etc. I have seen these items and determined I did not want them for myself (except the modern renaissance palette) so I didn't buy them. But then you see them over and over because they are great products but the beauty community kind of assumes as a given that you have it too. They start off my saying "And of course I will be using the ..." or "This is my holy grail item." After awhile I start to feel desire for something I had no real interest in before. I know that hula bronzer is too dark for me, I am not into powder highlighters, I think the pillow talk color is fine, I really don't like the Nars orgasm blush but I almost bought a mini of that with the Nars bronzer to try because they have been drilled in my head. I love it when gurus use the same products because I feel that when they use the same thing over and over again then that is the true test of if they actually do love a product, but it has that conflicting effect of me feeling that I need it as well. Along the same lines, I hate when a RU-vidr is reviewing a palette or product and say "This is just a basic eyeshadow palette and you probably already have these colors in your collection." My collection is tiny, I assume that a lot of people's collections are actually very small because makeup is just super expensive and even if you are a lover of makeup, it doesn't mean you will have the funds to have those colors in your collection. I hate when they assume that I already have something and then leave the review at that. I normally just have one item per category, sometimes two. I do have a lot of lipsticks (for me) but even still there is a good possibility that I can't dupe something. This in itself isn't the biggest problem with that statement. The larger problem is that triggers me to say to myself "I don't have this staple item, therefore I need to add this staple item to my collection." When a guru says "You probably already have this a million times over in your collection" and I don't have it, suddenly it is like permission for me to go get it because obviously it is common and everyone else has it as a basic makeup product. I almost convinced myself to buy a Naked palette because everyone beauty youtuber in the world has said that "You probably have this in your collection." I don't like the Naked palettes but I spent two hours debating if I should get Naked 3 or Naked Heat before reminding myself I don't actually want the palettes.

You can just say it. If someone has a huge junk drawer of unopened products and they’re buying more of a category they have a lot of, it’s not a need. Period. I honestly don’t even see a collection when I look at most people’s hoards here on RU-vid. A collection is curated and shows the personality of the wearer; all LE, a specific kind of packaging, etc. Most are homogeneous piles of makeup that’s been released in the last three years. I’m bored.

The phrase I detest the most is "this is to die for." I also think it's weird that they refer to their makeup as a collection, as if it will appreciate in value. "I need to add this palette to my collection."

“Good value “ usually used about sets of items. They are only a good value if you were already going to buy all the parts anyway 😄

Brilliant! I really liked this video! Another thing... First, they "sell" us the limited edition makeup and then... they declutter it after a little while! They say that they can't use it anymore on videos because we can't purchase it anymore and they forget that per their suggestion some people have bought that LE item and now what are they going to do about it? :/

“ I only bought this for the packaging “

As a veiwer of beauty channels it seems that we are often prompted to make an unauthorized purchase when so and so does a collaboration to show support. With so many people doing collaborations it would become expensive fast to purchase half of these collaborations. So, when I hear things reminiscent of 'get this pallet to show support' it rubs me the wrong way. Phases like this imploy coded messaged to encourage the unnecessary spending. Now I do want to be clear, I enjoy beauty channels and their ability to be entrepreneurs, however I need more of a reason than enjoying a channel to purchase something when I take into consideration everything you mentioned in the video.

Love the argument about the 'worth' of something.

I get irrationally (or rationally) angry when I read/hear someone say “my wallet is crying.” I understand feeling a desire so strong that somewhere in all of that clouded lust for a product, you feel you MUST spend to satisfy those cravings. But “my wallet is crying” is so irksome to me, that I could never get myself to say it or type it.

A teeny thing that it seems like absolutely everyonnnnne does (not just in the beauty/fashion domain of youtube) is declare a sponsorship or affiliation by saying something like [company] has "kindly" reached out/sent me something/agreed to sponsor/etc. It's such a small thing and so common as to be basically a figure of speech now but like you said, language matters, and in this case it feeds into the idea that giant corporations are people with feelings motivated by goodwill toward their consumers. Even a more ethical company is not interacting with content creators on a human level; they are a means to sell a product. Friends may give you a gift out of "kindness," but companies do not do so unless they have calculated that the net benefit will be for them.

I’ve got a test tomorrow, but I’ve also given up on trying to discern between my professor’s overinflated bs and actual medical science, at least for a bit. So here I am.

I love your intellectual approach to beauty community. I don't have much makeup, but I've been watching anti-hauls here and reading makeup rehab stuff on reddit and it acts in nice counterbalance for all review channels I watch. It also spreads further into the philosophy of my purchases. I've recently started a sewing school, so soon I know how to make my own clothes. I want to take more slower and minimalistic approach in all my consuming, and buy only things I really need. I almost bought an okay eyeshadow palette from Colourpop on cyber monday. But then I asked myself "Does this excite me?". you talk a lot about your feelings towards makeup and I like it a lot. I decided the palette didn't feel perfect for me and didn't excite me enough to justify the purchase. And do I NEED it? Definitely not. Thank you for your amazing channel!

I hate when they say its ok, not great, but good for the price. I want to buy something that is genuinly good ,not just good because is $5. Because then you are just waisting your money on mediocre products

thank you so much for making this video! I think one of the things that sticks out to me the most about consumerism especially when related to RU-vid culture is how “normal” it is to hoard makeup. Sometimes I find it hard not to have a little bit of judgement when it comes to people who have entire dressers of a particular item (especially something like eyeshadow palettes that take so long to use up), more than one person (or professional makeup artist!) could ever even dream of using in several lifetimes, even ignoring expiration dates. Then they do a declutter, and get rid of a bunch of stuff, but even in the video they talk about “now I have a bunch of room to fill up again!” It’s totally fine to have a diverse and beautiful collection, one that you truly make use of and appreciate, but most people don’t have the financial means to have a whole wardrobe full of makeup. I feel very fortunate to have been raised in a way where I’m wary of debt, considering I’ll probably end up dealing with student loans, but I know a lot of people just think massive amounts of credit card debt accumulated from shopping is normal. Beauty gurus who receive masses of PR obviously aren’t putting themselves in those financial situations, but I’m scared that the young girls watching them will forego saving and establishing a safety net for themselves in favor of accumulating massive amounts of makeup.

Consumerism is a way to keep the poor poor and make the rich richer it’s always been this way and that’s all most these youtubers live by!! They keep getting richer (on top of everything they are selling they get for free) while the consumer has no where near the bank account they do and they are the ones wasting money to buy buy buy !! I just don’t fall for it ...in fact it’s turned me off from even watching reviews all together because no matter what they say I’m not buying it unless I want it so even if it’s not as good as the 100 $ item if I like it I will try it myself you can’t trust people especially on the tube! Sorry rant over I’m just sick of seeing everyone zombies who feel they need to be told what to do

I hate when people say something that is ridiculously expensive is "worth the price" This specifically for natasha denona eyeshadows. Even if they are the best formula to grace Gods green earth, spending 130$ on a makeup product will always be a waste of money in my eyes.

Watching your videos reminds me so much of the intelligent, thoughtful conversations I had in college getting my fine arts degree. I'm an art teacher now in a public school so I definitely don't get these conversations in my every day life, but listening to you does being back some good memories.

What a great video idea, I cringe when I hear these things also and they are so so common. I think some of these started as a joke, like the idea of the website "shut up and take my money" but I think most of those things were so extreme that people didn't actually go out and buy them. Now I feel like people actually buy most of the things they want, which I don't understand how most people can afford. Long story coming, but you reminded me of something similar that totally broke my heart: In a comment on a RU-vid beauty video, someone said, "I am getting paid this week and I'm going to buy this for me and my daughters cause it sounds amazing" It just really hit me how important what RU-vidrs say is. People are in different situations, but when you misrepresent like something will change your life it can be very dangerous for people. I respect that you didn't bring up specifics and names cause that isn't the point and could take over the narrative, but let's just say this wasn't an eyeshadow palette or anything. I even brought up this story in a Reddit thread once and people responded with "people can spend their money however they want, you don't know" which is all true, but it doesn't mean people don't have a responsibility to their audience and to not lead them astray. It suddenly felt very predatory in this particular case. Thanks for the video and giving voice to this, Hannah! Also, you are getting into their heads, the idea of overconsumption suddenly comes in a cute, friendly and well spoken little red headed package 😀

I feel like its so easy to get caught up in all this buying and I'm hoping people will start seeing that it is not good to keep buying all these things it is already becoming more popular with no buys and panning and i am hoping that i can change my makeup habits around too

I recently heard Kathleen lights say that she had picked up SEVEN of her holy grail foundation when it got discontinued… She admitted some of them will probably be expired by the time she got to them all, But she laughed and said, but it’s OK!!! I literally almost unsubscribed lol. Another thing that drives me insane is when beauty people pretend that things don’t expire at all. They say things like I will never have to buy make up again!!! Hello… You’re not really supposed to keep powder over four years…

Love the comments on this video! My kind of people! Independent minded and strong 💪🏼

-"i am (literally) obsessed with it" and "i am a makeup fanatic/junkie"...being a junky and fanatic and being obsessed are really negative terms ouside the beauty community. they mean to be totally unreasonable, to be out of your mind, acting over the top or even mentally ill....since when it is cool to call youself that... -"what can i say i just love makeup" (after spending 300 dollar at sephora)...."loving" something is not synonymous to buying everything. i mean, i really like cake but i cant buy all the cakes of the world and eat them because it would makeu me sick. you can love something and enjoy it in small doses - "we all love ourselfs a neutral pink because its an everyday color, so thats a "no brainer" or "must have"... -the term "monthly favorite" or "holy grail" for something you used for like 2 months...if your favorites change monthly, then they arent true favorites but just the next best thing this month -"you can never have enough x"...especially used for said "eyeryday items" or very popular and trending products, like highlighter. well, i think you can have enough. even more than enough - "i think its adorable, who wouldnt?" or "how could you not adore this?" (kinda shames you for not being attracted to sth and have the urge to buy it) -"just buy it to support person x/ a charity/ the theme of the product to send a message out" -"its good for the price"...so that means, its not objectivly good. its just ok, under the preposition that i couldnt expect better because i wasnt willing to spend enough money for something actually good. jet, i should buy it anyway, because it isnt really really bad.

I just want to say that the growth of your channel is so exciting to watch. YOUR VOICE is so important & powerful. I love that you’ve brought this kind of thought & conversation about the no buy year and more discerning consumerism.

Collecting/over buying often is based in a type of anxiety. That being said..I really enjoy my collection and have very few regrets. I think it is also one of the ways I enjoy"girl time" and it's creative outlet for me. That being said..I am coming to a point of taking a time out and using up what I have. I can recreate almost any look with what I currently have. One other point..something that has me try new things.. is that eyeshadow/makeup really has improved over the last few years. I really enjoy the improvements in quality. What is turning me off is how many releases are pouring out all at once and how everyone is just coming out with "their own brand". The flooding of products really makes me feel like I.just don't care. There is so much constantly coming out..I feel like.."well I already have something just like that." I can't keep up any more. This is like on "I Love Lucy" ... when Lucy and Ethel were boxing up cakes that were coming out on a conveyer belt..at some point it came out so fast they couldn't keep up. Cakes just piled up everywhere. Yup..that's how I feel about makeup releases right now. ♡

I love, love, *love* this video. I've become so desensitized to this type of language and you have really brought that to my attention. Thank you so much!

excessive voracious consumerism is RAMPANT here on RU-vid....i stopped watching haul videos and youtubers who keep buying sooo much makeup and clothes....i mean how many dresses or eyeshadow does one person need??? this is a very unhealthy practice great thoughts you present here! thank you xo

You are the most well-spoken, articulate RU-vidr I have ever seen. I’m so grateful I found your channel to help me find new and smart ways of thinking about how I spend money on beauty (and other things) going into 2019.

Not really a phrase, but.......I used to LOVE panning videos and empties videos (don't worry, I still love yours!!) But it made me wonder: is the person's almost obsessive need to pan diminishing their enjoyment of the product? Would they go through that product as quickly if they didn't have such a large collection they felt they needed to reduce? I don't know, it just has been stuck in my mind over the last few months. Side note, do you ever wonder if some big name beauty gurus show empties for things they didn't actually use up? Like, they just got rid of the product itself and kept the packaging as a "love" as some sort of pr move?

I've definitely been thinking about this same topic a lot! I'm so glad you made this video articulating some thoughts that I haven't been able to put into words myself. Hope you're doing well 💕

This video is AMAZING! Everything you said here is SO true, and it's not just reviews in the makeup world either. This language comes out in everything and even in everyday life...it's just part of our culture. It doesn't make it right, but it does make it hard for people to truly understand the difference between wants and needs.

What a fantastic video Hannah! SO thorough, honest, intelligent, and thorough. Thank you for putting this out there. ♥️

If you watch some declutter videos, you will hear many more phrases and justifications for excess.

I’ve always wondered why you watch superficial BGs like Jaclyn Hill. I feel you’re too smart for her, unless you’re watching her/channels like hers purely in an ironic sense or for the entertainment value because she’s an absurd person, a caricature. I personally can’t watch BG after they make it big because their pages turn into bad B-roll of the very language you speak of. I would rather have a few things that I love, than a lot of things I like, or worse, feel ambivalent about. Thank you for bringing this conversation to the table. I’ve shared your video in a few groups I’m in. It’s important we distinguish between wants and needs and knowing what toxic language to look for is imperative.

So refreshing to watch you. You are very articulate and I appreciate how you seem to be going against the current. In a world where the makeup community is flooding is with how much we NEED all these products and how new releases are constantly coming out, we need more content like yours! I subscribed 👍🏽

I love that you've been having extra fun moments in your intro. They really make me happy! I'm actually pretty excited for what you're going to do next year! I have really enjoyed your channel (and this is the only channel I comment on regularly, I feel really comfortable here.) and seeing you grow as a channel, but more so as a person. It will be interesting to see how your new way of thinking will roll over into 2019. One month to go!

A subscriber of mine pointed me toward this video, and I'm so glad she did. Very interesting perspective, Hannah! I think that "influencers" of all sizes on all platforms need to be conscious of the impact our words have on our audience. That being said, saying "if you like the colors, I recommend buying it" or "if you can get your hands on it, I recommend buying it" is part of the natural review process. Part of what we do is recommend products. I agree that we need to be conscious of our words and make sure we really truly love something before recommending it, but a review without some recommendations, in my opinion, isn't really a review. The statements about colors and availability typically come with a lot of context, and in this situation, context definitely matters. I don't think any responsible reviewer would recommend buying something just because it has pretty colors or just because it happens to be available. I also see what you're saying with "It's worth the money." It's kind of like the way I feel about the word "affordable". What's worth it or affordable to me, may be very different from others. I've always felt, with that statement, "compared to similar products" was implied. But, I can't assume other people think the way that I do. I wasn't sure if I would agree with a lot of this video, but I did! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Language is persuasive.. look at the news.. it’s very deliberate, and very suspect on many levels. What we name things and how we refer to groups of people and situations can be very telling about the perceptions of the speaker. Listening is a deep art. Great content! It is imperative to find meaning in one’s own living, beyond things.. RU-vid Makeup channels are single handedly making the word ‘ANYWAYS’ a common term. Excuse me, it’s not a word. Geez. I do not appreciate the terms ‘wearable’, ‘must have’ and ‘affordable’.. different for each human.

I’ve been seeing some videos like this going around and this is SO GOOD. so important to make sure we are all aware of the information that we are being fed and how it can affect our mindset. Well thought out and put together, with some amazing talking points! Your voice is soothing to listen to 😊💕

This is a great video. Thank you for making it. I enjoy watching videos like this now that I'm focusing on only replacing makeup and skincare items.

“ look, the brand is offering ez pay”

I hate it when rich youtubers living in mansions joke about ''being broke'' and spending too much on make up. They are constantly promoting blind consumerism and a lifestyle that only 1% of people could ideally afford.

Duuude thank you so much for this video! Toxic language regarding purchasing habits has become so common. I watch a lot of declutters, and so many times the youtuber says something along the lines of what's still made so that we (the audience) can still buy it. But a declutter is all about paring down your collection and analyzing what you really need!

You are so inspiring! Thank you so much for doing these videos. They are exactly what I need to hear.

Whenever I’m talking about products on Instagram or wherever I try to be very cautious about the language that I use. It can be hard when I love a product and I’m enthusiastic about it but I don’t want to contribute to anyone’s over spending. I just want to give people perspective and enough information to figure out if that product would fit well into their collection or not.

I’m going to start a no buy 2019, I’m just going to watch this video whenever I feel like I want something. So you’re welcome for the future hundreds of views 😂

You're always thorough when you explain your points. I'm a kind of person that have feelings or thoughts in mind, but often time can't find words to describe or express them, so I think I learned a lot by watching your videos. Really appreciate your good and hard works on preparing all the materials for your videos.

This is so well thought out and articulated. Such an important topic and very timely given that we are in the middle of Thanksgiving sales and it's generally that time of the year when the consumer impulse is so strong. Overspending and makeup addiction take a real toll on many peoples lives, so I applaud you for having the courage to talk about how RU-vid might be contributing to this and for telling it like it is. xo

"I bought this for the packaging". Packaging, however beautiful or innovative, can't be the only justification of buying something.

Don't you think that by starting to accept PR next year will automatically affect all of this way of thinking that you've developed this past year and your whole life? Like it will be impossible for things to hold the same value that they once did once you start to receive free stuff? As much as "beauty gurus" try to keep in touch with reality, by saying things like "would I spend my own money on it?" It will never be the same as if they did have to spend their own money on it and if they weren't receiving all this free stuff along with what they are still purchasing. I'm not judging you, but I feel like it's impossible to lose touch! For example even with all of these gifts you've been given over the past few months, your collection has grown significantly when it otherwise wouldn't. And that's just with a few gifts! And even before you mentioned about having way more than you need, or could ever use, etc. And now you've significantly added to it. Just playing devil's advocate! I'm so curious how things will change for you next year! But also I must admit I'm a little worried that you will lose touch and this investment that I have in you sticking it to the man will fade :( haha I still love you though!

I love this video!! I will be more conscious of such statements, since you have inspired me to look at my (over) spending on makeup and clothing. I have so many expensive palettes that I haven’t even gotten to use because I constantly have more coming in. And I’m not even an influencer!! I’m literally running out of room. Thank you for this brilliant series/year. 💖

I stumbled upon this video on my explore page, so I have no idea what you normally do on your channel, I just wanted to tell you that you are very well spoken and it is very pleasant to listen to you :) Also, Ivery much agree on the toxicity of all these consumeristic phrases/comments! Thank you for speaking out about it.

The word “need” is extremely overused in general.

Hannah you are really starting a movement! I’m glad I’ve been on your journey from the start! First let me say, I enjoy Trendmood’s instagram very much and this is nothing against her personally because I know her job is to help promote products. But when she says bye-bye money with the emoji of the money flying away, I always say to myself, whose money? Not yours. You’re not buying it, you already got it for free to promote it. Lol! I have a good job and I own a house and I pay bills. I don’t like the thought of my money flying away like that emoji! That makes me cringe!

So true!!! Excellent video! 👏👏👏

this is definitively the best video I've ever watched about beauty related things and I'm not at all hyperbolic here. Thank you, first this is extremely smart and then you get together my two passions in life: language and make up. This is so interesting, I am enthusiastic about this video idea.

I don't focus on the phrases actually. I'm listening to the adjectives (NOT BUTTTERY fml haha) YTers use when reviewing a product. This was a fantastic video, I hope more influencers watch this and realize how their language can misguide consumers. Also, LOVE the eye look 😍

I've been more aware of this kind of languages on YT and IG, especially on IG when brands post memes that are supposedly funny but glorifies debt. It's awful and shameful. I get that's how advertisement works, but it's so blatant and downright toxic. On another note, I've been lusting the Huda Nude palette ever since it's announcement. It's the palette that I wished the Naked 3 was, and it is the palette I wish the Modern Renaissance was. I love the colours and textures in the palette, and I honestly don't have anything in that dusty mauve colour family. But even after decluttering half or my makeup, I still feel I have no room for it. I don't want it to just be another palette that I leave in the drawer. So until I make some significant progress on what I have, it will have to wait.

this was so interesting i love that you put this together!

I've just stumbled across your channel and I'm so glad for that! This video has struck such a chord with me. Thank you for making this content- so well-articulated!

LE doesn’t really do it for me either, but I feel a sting every time I see a YTer declutter something just because it’s LE. I wanna scream, “Just wear it if you still like it!” And I really hope they didn’t recommend it in the past just for that reason only to turn around and throw it out later 😕

Are you reading my mind?? I have been thinking over the past week about suggesting to you that you do a video about manipulative use of language on YT. My background and current work (which involves a lot of public writing) make me keenly aware of how powerful language can be -- especially in conveying unspoken meanings. Unlike you (;-), I'm constantly offended by how YTers use sales-y language in their chummy, chatty banter. I mean it starts right from: "*don't forget* to subscribe!" and keeps on going throughout the video where they pretend to be your bff (lol). Like you said, it starts from the industry which has made billions of dollars for its companies' owners by manipulating women's insecurities about their looks and and about aging, so we shouldn't be surprised when they use other trendy & duplicitous language to sell their products: "natural," "green," "clean beauty," "cruelty-free," etc. I think it's really good to draw attention to it, so thank you for making this video. (I can go on and on and on about this topic, so I'm going to stop here before I go off on tangents relating to politics, lol!)

Hannah, I never comment on videos, ever, but at 12:12, when you started to talk about bye bye money and how some women need the money just to stay safe, it really struck a chord with me, to the point I had to stop what I was doing to get a pen and my journal and write down, verbatim, what you had said. It’s a chord I’m grateful to be able to hear throughout your body of work on RU-vid. My whole life I’ve been privileged enough to have parents and then also a boyfriend who I knew would provide me with a place to live rent free, a cushion to fall back on, or a loan to tide me over if I (I’m ashamed to say) overspent (usually on makeup or clothes). However over the last half of 2018, a shift in the way I started to see the politics around me (I live in the U.K.), followed by a sequence of unexpected and horrible shifts in my personal circumstances made me realise acutely just how vulnerable I am, especially as a young woman of colour, without my own rainy day fund and financial independence. What I’m trying to say is thank you and that I’m so glad I found your channel when I did, just when I most needed it and a new way of thinking about money. I’m now on the path to consciously unlearning some of what I now recognise as very unhealthy and unsustainable spending behaviours. Thank you for putting out the brave, intelligent, considered content you do, in the open and exquisitely eloquent way you have, and long may it continue! ❤️

This video is a Gem. It is refreshing! Thank you for making it.

The one that really bugs me is the “collection” mentality. I mean it’s nice to have options, but when it comes down to it, what’s really the difference between collecting and hoarding? My mom has a collection of dishes we don’t ever use. One for each season. They sit around and collect dust. And at least they don’t expire like Makeup does. But it seems dumb whenever she spends money or someone spends money getting a piece for her because she has to complete the “collection”-especially limited edition. Ugh stupid 🙄

Yesss ! 👏 👏 👏 I stopped to hear all these hyperbole (I live for it, omg, so pigmented, It's so cute, sold out in 1 hour, I so want badly, ...) bla bla bla 😴😴😴. I am so done with all that.

Wise words girl! Totally agree with you.

I love the spirit in which you bring these critiques. This is a crucial perspective to put our into the RU-vid beauty world because the language and behavior becomes an expectation, a standard to emulate. Regarding specific phrases, I hear, “I need to buy more” referring to more shades of the same formula. Also I think, “If these shades appeal to you” is an interesting one because it strikes me as an attempt to moderate the you-need-everything approach. I do agree with you about the implications, though. Thanks for the thought provoking discussion.