Alex Hourigan
Hey chicks, I'm Al.
Sally McMullen
And I'm Sal.
Alex Hourigan
And this is Add to Cart, our fabulous little mini ep where we chat with our guests on all of their online shopping adventures. Today we are joined with Flex Mami, the icon herself, to deep dive into her crippling shopping addiction. That was me, that's me, it's not her, I'm lying.
Sally McMullen
You're projecting.
Alex Hourigan
I just need someone to comfort me with all my shopping spending. But anyway, let's jump into it. So Flex, thanks for joining us in the studio, babes. Hitting you with the hard hitting questions first, what are the three products in your makeup bag that are your go-to's and you cannot live without.
Flex Mami
I can live without all makeup. But if I had to pick my go-to it would be the Rimmel Kind and Free concealer. I like a light concealer, similar to the Kosas one, which is really light, really creamy. That's number one. Number two is Benefit Hoola Bronzer in Toasted. It's so good, it's good for a contour, good for a bronzer. And then number three, I'm going to say like my own lip gloss, which has not come out yet but I wear it every day.
Alex Hourigan
Oh my god, sneak peek!
Sally McMullen
Oh my god, exclusive.
Flex Mami
Yeah.
Alex Hourigan
So is this with Flex Factory or?
Flex Mami
Whole new brand.
Alex Hourigan
Oh my god!
Sally McMullen
That is so exciting.
Alex Hourigan
Gorg.
Sally McMullen
I'm so excited. Can you give us a hint on when we can expect for it to come out or hear some news?
Flex Mami
I don't know when it's ready?
Alex Hourigan
She says, I'm not telling you.
Flex Mami
No! If there was a date, I would tell you but I just, it's when it's ready, it'll come out. I'm not, I'm not fussed, I'm not rushing.
Alex Hourigan
What other products can we expect to see?
Flex Mami
There'll be a multiple, so a blush eyeshadow lip product. That's it for now. I'm only gonna release what I'd actually use.
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, I think as well sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming when brands launch or ranges launch and there's too many products. People can't afford to buy an entire range. And you're there being like, "Okay, wait, which one do I actually want?". And it's better to kind of, in my opinion, not that that's everyone's opinion but it should be, is like, you want to be able to if you can be able to purchase the whole range and try everything. So I like that approach to it.
Sally McMullen
Less is more.
Alex Hourigan
My bank accounts like, really? Like I know different.
Sally McMullen
Okay, what is the number one thing in your wardrobe that is an absolute must have that you would never throw away?
Flex Mami
These earrings.
Alex Hourigan
They are good. I was looking at them before. You were like talking and I was like, mmm.
Flex Mami
Yeah.
Sally McMullen
They're beautiful.
Alex Hourigan
Cost per wear at this point? They're free.
Sally McMullen
Where did you get them?
Flex Mami
They're from Christie Nicolaides, she is a Brisbane based jewellery designer. They are these brushed gold hoops with this huge dangling pearl coming from the bottom of the hoop. In addition to incrusted pearls throughout the hoop. It's opulent, it's beautiful, it's expensive. And when I first bought them, I intended for them to be a statement piece, pull out on every other occasion. Now I wear them every day. It's been like four years, they're incredible.
Alex Hourigan
What is the worst, stupidest or like silliest thing you've ever bought in life?
Flex Mami
I'm gonna say worst
Alex Hourigan
Okay.
Flex Mami
And surprisingly, it was designer. I bought these Loewe sunglasses, the campaign images came out, straight off the runway and I was like, you know what? it'd be nice to invest in a quote unquote good pair of sunglasses. Which is not really necessary because the same two people own like every single sunglass company in the world. And then you have independently owned ones, but like sunglasses can only be of like varying quality, either, like really terrible or fine.
Alex Hourigan
Yeah.
Flex Mami
So I bought them. I think they were like $800, I was like, this is so amazing. And then the next day I went to LA and I was walking down Melrose, went to some random boutique. And there they were, the knockoff fast fashion version selling for $10. And the knockoff version had so many different colours, so many different shades, it was giving. And I was like, this is ridiculous, I'm not doing this designer thing anymore. I will not be bamboozled into thinking that because it's expensive, it's unique. Not doing it.
Alex Hourigan
Or it's better. I think as well, that's the worst. Because when you're spending money on something like that, that's your hard earned money. And it's such a treat yourself moment and it's also a moment, I might be looking a little bit too deep into this, but it's kind of like this is a reward for all your hard work and it's quite a sentimental thing to purchase. And then to have that moment is such a kick in the teeth.
Sally McMullen
100%.
Flex Mami
Good learning experience, though because, like there's so much context, or subtext for the purchase. Like these are expensive, they're rare, they're unique. They're going to make me feel good. They're going to do XYZ, when realistically I mean, even holding the real version and the knockoff side by side I'm like, you can't even tell.
Alex Hourigan
Really? I was gonna say was there a quality difference?
Flex Mami
It wasn't like you like you were like, "Oh definitely if you feel the leather you can tell this is different". The only thing that was different is that the Loewe versions came with, obviously the logo that said Loewe, and then a beautiful glasses case, but you can buy a beautiful sunglass case from anywhere.
Alex Hourigan
Do you know what I think about all the time is how glad some people may be that they didn't buy the Gucci belt? Everyone was like, I need that belt. Everyone had it and now it's like the most cringe thing to have.
Sally McMullen
What are some of your favourite brands to shop with online?
Flex Mami
It sounds terrible to say, but I just don't go back to the same brands for the same experience, like I don't have brand loyalty. What I do actually enjoy is when you go into like an Etsy scroll, or you find like a random independent retailer. This cute little girl has opened up a cute little shop and you saw a little TikTok ad and little Shopify store. And that's what I love, that's really exciting. We feel like you're, when you're buying into something that you're like, oh, my purchase, my investment could change their lives. Or similarly, that changed my life as well that I find really exciting. Everything else I'm quite indifferent by, which isn't a bad thing.
Alex Hourigan
If a brand hasn't earned your loyalty, then they don't deserve it!
Flex Mami
Even a brand I use every day. Like let's say my phone, right? Like I've got two of them. And I'm still like, "Eh".
Alex Hourigan
You're there. Do more.
Flex Mami
I had to buy it? So I guess I have it now.
Alex Hourigan
I love an Etsy scroll. And like the vintage things you can find on there. They're very like, this is the one purchase for me like, I owm this one thing? I saw these like disco ball red cherries.
Sally McMullen
Oh, my God.
Flex Mami
Do we just all have the same for you page?
Sally McMullen
Literally!
Alex Hourigan
It was on TikTok and I was like, that will do. I was like, yes.
Sally McMullen
That's a need.
Alex Hourigan
I'm going through a disco ball phase at the moment. There's like, also like this pot plant. There's like a pot you can get for your plants with a disco ball. And I was like, I need you. Yeah, I'm going through an Abba moment, obviously.
Sally McMullen
As if that's not like your constant state of being.
Alex Hourigan
I mean, Sally shut up. And last but not least, what is your savvy shopping tip?
Flex Mami
Okay, it's a savvy shopping tip, but also an ethos. And it's like everybody should have a uniform. I think that people get shopping wrong, because they're going in raw every time with a new plan, based on a micro trend, based on what they saw on Pinterest. But I think that everybody needs the same three rotations of an outfit. Whether that's, you know, a little top, big bottom, whether that's a blazer set, whether that's wearing only neutrals, that's what you should stick to. And I know a lot of people use their clothing as an expression of themselves. But I think for how much we get it wrong, we need to create systems around it. Like just buy what works, or buy within your tax bracket, or buy within your ethics, or moral confines. Stop, stop spitballing.
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, I love that. It's such like a thing of, it's really easy, especially with TikTok to fall into micro trends and this mindset that you need to have multiple packages of online shopping coming a day. Because you're so overexposed. I actually unfollowed all clothing brands and fashion brands on my personal Instagram. Because I was like it's, it's putting me in that headspace of, this is a new trend, I need to buy it because I was seeing it from brands and I was seeing it from influencers. And I was like, and it was kind of putting the foot on the gas pedal of 'you're behind you need to shop more'. And then I unfollowed and I remember it was maybe Boxing Day? And Sal I was like, "Oh, are you gonna buy anything?". And I was like, I can't think of anything that I want or need. Whereas normally I'd be like, "Oh, I saw this on The Iconic and I saw this on Princess Polly", and it just took me out of that headset. Yeah, that's another free tip for.
Sally McMullen
Yeah! I think you can still express yourself within that uniform as well. But it cancels out the choice paralysis and you're just wearing what you want.
Flex Mami
Exactly. And you can never get it wrong. Because I don't think most people go into their wardrobe and think oh my god, all of this reflects me. All of this is perfect, timeless, you know, good for every occasion. No, more often than not you're like, "Oh gosh, it's not great, is it?
Alex Hourigan
Also shaking that 'I wore this dress to this event, had a photo in it, I can't wear it again'.
Flex Mami
Yeah, no, I hate that. I love an outfit repeater.
Alex Hourigan
Thank you so much for joining us for Add to Cart Flex, we learnt so much. It was such an insightful conversation about shopping. And if you didn't listen to our episode on Tuesday with Flex, we played Never Have I Ever, we had some lovely chats, peeing our pants, Edward Cullen.
Flex Mami
Yep.
Alex Hourigan
And oil and grime monster, that maybe Sal or I am attracted to. It's Sally.
Sally McMullen
You'll have to listen to find out.
Alex Hourigan
Bye!
Flex Mami
Thanks for having me.
Alex Hourigan
That was such an insightful online shopping conversation. I think that's been one of my favourite Add to Carts.
Sally McMullen
Me too.
Alex Hourigan
I love all of our Add to Cart episodes because it makes me feel better about my spending.
Sally McMullen
Absolutely.
Alex Hourigan
And I always get a good tip from it? As someone that's been a shopping journalist for literally five years, I'm like, "I know everything there is to know". No, I don't! And it's always just really nice. Good Energy.
Sally McMullen
Yeah.
Alex Hourigan
So we're gonna go on a little break for a couple of weeks, but we'll be back on the seventh of June. So it's only two weeks, don't worry.
Sally McMullen
Don't stress.
Alex Hourigan
We just need a nap.
Sally McMullen
The girls are tired! I've got nothing left to give!
Alex Hourigan
What more do you want? But we'll miss you and we'll see you soon.
Sally McMullen
Seventh of June, mark your cal. Bye chicks!
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
