• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1772-1783
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• 2007

This study aimed to investigate differences in the purchasing patterns of and the levels of satisfaction with cosmetic products, and the method of disposing dissatisfied cosmetics for female university students among China, Japan and Korea. Survey was conducted with 1,200 female coeducational university students in Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul and 1,115 were used for the data analysis. Data were analysed by frequency analysis, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, chi-square analysis, analysis of variance, Duncan's Multiple Range test. The results showed significant differences in purchasing behaviors in China, Japan and Korea. Japanese students mainly got information through objective sources, while Koreans did so through human network. Regrading the evaluative criteria for basic care items, function and effect were the most important criteria for Chinese and Korean consumers and skin compatibility for Japanese. For color make-up, Chinese, Japanese and Korean respondents respectively cared the most on brand image, convenience of purchase and the current trend. Chinese tended to shop cosmetics at department stores due to store reputation, Japanese preferred supermarkets and pharmacies and Koreans shopped at discount stores for low price. The most influential human sources were friends and colleagues for Chinese and Korean, and models on advertisements and magazines for Japanese. Korean respondents displayed the highest level of satisfaction with cosmetics followed by Japanese and Chinese. As for the methods of disposing dissatisfactory cosmetics, Chinese were the most active in exchanging for other product; Japanese and Korean were not likely to use or throw the products away.