Are Beauty Anti-Hauls Negative?

Disclaimer: I simply use Anastasia Beverly Hills as an example here. Whatever I say is applicable to most brands. ABH simply is the best known. No need to hyperventilate.

At one point in time, anti-hauls were very popular. Why? Because as collective makeup consumers, we were so over the over saturation of "similar" (same enough) products being released over and over again. And not only between different brands, but within the brand itself.

I do honestly think ABH palettes as a whole do not provide that much uniqueness from each other. On their own, they are beautiful. They perform excellently. But side by side you are going to find at least three or four "similar" (if not more) colours between each and every palette.

That renders those similar/dupe shadows useless. Because it is very likely you will not be able to use the dupes in a reasonable manner. I mean, Norvina and Sultry are neutral palettes with pop(s) of colour—although one is warm, and the other is cool. But still. I really think cool beige palettes are a bit of psychological manipulation.

If I, or anyone else, say that I am anti-hauling the ABH palettes because it is more practical and financially prudent to buy those pops of colour on their own rather than the whole palette itself, then that is not me being negative. That is me being pragmatic, honest, and constructive.

This also applies if I were to say that I am anti-hauling ABH palettes for the moment because I find their packaging lazy and non-innovative. Five palettes with velvet packaging? C'mon you have to agree that that is a bit too much.

These are facts. Facts have nothing to do with being positive or negative. You cannot change facts to suit your own perception or beliefs.

The point being is that anti-hauls are NOT inherently negative.

And I am so bloody tired of hearing it.

The fact of the matter is that the people who anti-haul can be negative. They put their own subjective opinion over being objective. And many times that subjective opinion does not even make sense.

Once these anti-haul beauty gurus get popular, it seems that the intellect in their brain shuts off and they go from critiquing to outright rude bashing.

Now don't get me wrong, many brands are deserving of it. But anti-hauling a brand vs a product are two different animals and should be kept separate.

No need to bash a good brand because of a product you do not like. But they do do it, and it just defines anti-hauls as being negative.

Now take the Huda Beauty, New Nude palette for instance. I bought this palette simply for the colour story (so in love with it). And I am very much enjoying it. And ironically, I bought it despite the packaging scheme not being my cup of tea, usually.

I anti-hauled her Desert Dusk (was it?) palette simply because I do not like people on packaging. Especially when said person's name is the brand name. I just find it super narcissistic. That, however, is a subjective opinion.

There are some exceptions to my dislike of actual people on packaging, like special/memorable occasions (Sipping Pretty by Kylie Cosmetics), or a dedication (A palette with David Bowie on it? I'd jump that bandwagon so quick, there'd be broken bones), etc...

Now does that mean people should not anti-haul products or talk about it if they choose to not to buy it for personal reasons? Definitely not.

At the end of day, whatever helps others save that coin, is always a good thing, because makeup buying, and especially collecting (something I am guilty of), is not a necessity for actual survival.

Having said that, it is the anti-hauler's responsibility when anti-hauling for subjective reasons that they:

1. Make it clear and explain/mention both their personal cons and objective pros for buying or not buying said product.
2. If ^ this is too much work, at the very least they should not bash the respective brand.
3. And most importantly, they should not force their own subjective opinions on others.

Now, when it comes to anti-hauling an entire brand, that is not as black and white. It can be, if done right. But it should be recognized that when one anti-hauls a brand entirely, it is both personal (subjective) and social (objective) at the same time.

What annoys me about brand anti-hauling is that, if you have anti-hauled a brand and made it obvious, maybe even made a video about brands that you have anti-hauled, then why bring up said brand in your every anti-haul video every time they release something new.

If you anti-hauled a brand, then you do not talk about it (over, and over, and over again).

That is why I think people need to start anti-hauling brands and products separately. A simple disclaimer stating that you will not talk about brands that you refuse to buy from without mentioning said brand is sufficient enough.

If I come to your video for a product anti-haul, then I am looking for a product analysis, not a brand analysis. Or vice versa.

Last but not the least, people need to stop confusing anti-hauls to anti-consumerism. Two different things, my friends. Two entirely different things.

Granted, there are also people who cannot understand the difference between constructive feedback vs actual negativity. But that's on them, as long as you do not seem hateful.

Happy Reading!

Follow me on IG: heeta.joshi

Au Revoir, Mon Ami!