Resolution "LOW-BUY" 2014! Who wants to play?

[missboss82]

So I took "inventory" of my stash and I must say I'm quite disappointed with myself. 77 Glosses 93 Lipsticks 52 Blushes 68 Eyeshadow Palettes 46 Singles Eyeshadows 12 MSF 12 Face Powders 4 Highlighters 9 Foundations 23 Shadow Bases I didn't even bother counting my eye liners. I have about 10 unopened mascaras and three opened ones. I wear makeup practically everyday, so I'm using products, but I will never ever use the amount of stuff that I have. My no buy seems necessary now :shock:

 

[Audrey C]

I didn't even bother counting my eye liners. I have about 10 unopened mascaras and three opened ones. I wear makeup practically everyday, so I'm using products, but I will never ever use the amount of stuff that I have. My no buy seems necessary now

None of our hands are clean with respect to quantities; counting and facing the real numbers is always helpful. I agree; time to use what we already have.

I have too much as well:

32 lipsticks (including the four I just ordered)
18 lipgloss (ten recently purchased are being stored in fridge)
10 lipliners
7 large eyeshadow palettes (2 Inglot 10 pan, 2 MAC 15 pan, Naked 2 & 3 and LM Artist)
5 duo eyeshadow palettes (3 NARS, 2 MAC)
2 quad palettes (MAC)
7 single powder eyeshadows
7 cream eyeshadows (MAC and Benefit)
7 MAC Fluidlines
12 eyeliner pencils
24 blush (20 MAC and NARS blush, 4 MAC large special powders)
11 highlighters (7 MAC MSF/EDSF, 1 Dior, 1 Benefit, 2 Hourglass)
5 face powders (3 MAC, 1 NARS, 1 Hourglass)
4 foundation (3 MAC, 1 Clinique)

While I maintain a spreadsheet, I wrote this down so that I can track whether the numbers decline over the next year. That's the goal!

 

[missboss82]

None of our hands are clean with respect to quantities; counting and facing the real numbers is always helpful. I agree; time to use what we already have.  I have too much as well: 32 lipsticks (including the four I just ordered) 18 lipgloss (ten recently purchased are being stored in fridge) 10 lipliners  7 large eyeshadow palettes (2 Inglot 10 pan, 2 MAC 15 pan, Naked 2 & 3 and LM Artist) 5 duo eyeshadow palettes (3 NARS, 2 MAC) 2 quad palettes (MAC) 7 single powder eyeshadows 7 cream eyeshadows (MAC and Benefit) 7 MAC Fluidlines 12 eyeliner pencils 24 blush (20 MAC and NARS blush, 4 MAC large special powders) 11 highlighters (7 MAC MSF/EDSF, 1 Dior, 1 Benefit, 2 Hourglass) 5 face powders (3 MAC, 1 NARS, 1 Hourglass) 4 foundation (3 MAC, 1 Clinique) While I maintain a spreadsheet, I wrote this down so that I can track whether the numbers decline over the next year. That's the goal!

Thanks Audrey. I figured actually looking at the numbers would help me to realize how much I truly have. I would much rather have your numbers than mine

 

[thefbomb]

None of our hands are clean with respect to quantities; counting and facing the real numbers is always helpful. I agree; time to use what we already have.

I have too much as well:

32 lipsticks (including the four I just ordered)
18 lipgloss (ten recently purchased are being stored in fridge)
10 lipliners
7 large eyeshadow palettes (2 Inglot 10 pan, 2 MAC 15 pan, Naked 2 & 3 and LM Artist)
5 duo eyeshadow palettes (3 NARS, 2 MAC)
2 quad palettes (MAC)
7 single powder eyeshadows
7 cream eyeshadows (MAC and Benefit)
7 MAC Fluidlines
12 eyeliner pencils
24 blush (20 MAC and NARS blush, 4 MAC large special powders)
11 highlighters (7 MAC MSF/EDSF, 1 Dior, 1 Benefit, 2 Hourglass)
5 face powders (3 MAC, 1 NARS, 1 Hourglass)
4 foundation (3 MAC, 1 Clinique)

While I maintain a spreadsheet, I wrote this down so that I can track whether the numbers decline over the next year. That's the goal!

ah I like this idea, I think Im going to do this when I get home!

 

[Ajigglin]

So I took "inventory" of my stash and I must say I'm quite disappointed with myself. 77 Glosses 93 Lipsticks 52 Blushes 68 Eyeshadow Palettes 46 Singles Eyeshadows 12 MSF 12 Face Powders 4 Highlighters 9 Foundations 23 Shadow Bases I didn't even bother counting my eye liners. I have about 10 unopened mascaras and three opened ones. I wear makeup practically everyday, so I'm using products, but I will never ever use the amount of stuff that I have. My no buy seems necessary now :shock:

I did this before with my lippies, which is my Achilles heel. 100+ lipsticks and 100+ glosses. Terrible. Everything else is reasonable. I have 5 MSFs, 2EDSFs, maybe 8 blushes, and a bunch of drugstore eyeshadows-Jane-that I never use. I know exactly where my addiction lies.

 

[LinenWhite7]

Here's my list: Two full face palettes 6 high end eyeshadow palettes 5 drugstore eyeshadow palettes 1 Mac Pro palette (3 Mac shadows, the rest is depotted drugstore single shadows) 14 drugstore eyeshadow quads/trios 5 baked eyeshadow singles 5 L'Oreal infallible single shadows 10 single shadows from various brands to depot 6 eyeshadow primers 2 paint pots 6 maybelline color tattoos 12 shadow bases/sticks 21 eyeliners 7 open mascaras, 6 unopened mascaras 75ish lipsticks (don't know how many are lurking in my purse) 19 chubby stick style lipsticks 35 lip glosses 11 lip liners 4 primers 8 foundations 2 tinted moisturizers 6 concealers 4 powders 7 bronzers 6 highlighters 2 translucent finishing/setting powders 1 Hourglass palette 2 blush palettes 30 blushes 2 facial sprays 3 setting sprays Goals: Shop what I have and enjoy it! Depot single shadows and single blushes and fill my two empty Mac Pro palettes. Watch tutorial videos and try new looks. Focus on diet and exercise and getting healthy in 2014. Make smart purchases using only cash.

 

[lyseD]

Just checked my list of purchases for 2013 -- 36 items (including foundations, concealer, brow pencil) not too bad.

Maybe my goal should be 24 for 2014.

 

[Glitteryvegas]

You ladies inspired me to count my stash this morning. WHEW. Categorizing is a huge job! I hope to do a spread sheet but I'm afraid I'll screw up the categories again. I wonder if I should list every product so I can keep track of usage, when it's finished, etc.
This list kind of left me in shock. One thing's for sure - I won't need another eyeliner or shadow until the end of time!
I contacted 2 ladies on the clearance bin to see if they wanted to buy two items that I have, so that's a start!
I look at this list and know that a lot of it is from this year. I discovered blog sales, which are so, so tempting. I also have been searching for employment, as I graduated from school this year, and honestly that has been intimidating I'm afraid I wont do well in my chosen career, or that I'm not suited for it/can't handle it. I also had an amazing wedding and I think I feel a bit lost, as planning took up a considerable chunk of time. It's time to rediscover hobbies!!! A lot of this has been emotionally buying and it has to stop. I had a really nice conversation with my husband last night and discussed my feelings. I'm feeling much better today and this list is helping to reaffirm my goals. Bring on 2014! Now it's time to go do my makeup

Lipstick - 28 (with 2 from PC order, backup of PP and Heroine)
Lipliners - 6
Coloured Lipglosses - 50
Regular chapsticktype glosses - 7 +
Lip Primer - 1
Single Eyeshadows/Pressed Pigments - 108
Eyeshadow Primers - 9
Brow Items - 2
Palettes - 12
Shadow Quads - 8
Cream Shadows - 12
Shadow Sticks - 4
Pigments - 35
Pencil Liners - 52
Fluidlines - 8 (backup of Deliciously Rich)
Liquid Liner - 11
Glitter Liners - 10
Glitter - 35 (including 8 I just bought)
Setting spray - 1
Blushes - 5
MSF/highlighters - 10
Pressed Powder - 1
BB Cream -1

 

[PixieDancer]

Just checked my list of purchases for 2013 -- 36 items (including foundations, concealer, brow pencil) not too bad.

Maybe my goal should be 24 for 2014.

Good thinking! I'm guessing 24 products is a realistic goal for you! Good Luck!!

 

[PixieDancer]

Just a reminder as we count-down to the final few days before FULL LOW-BUY MODE....

Pretty please keep enabling off this thread. It's ok to discuss what we've purchased and even discuss missteps so we can fully help each other. But lots of enabling goes on in the regular collection threads. You will get TONS of that sort of stuff there! On here, I'd like to try to limit that sort of talk. Trying to help each other think out purchases and make better choices. Discussing promotions and sales should be done on those specific threads to avoid accidentally enabling someone here. I know it's going to be tough to re-train how we communicate on Specktra, but on this thread specifically, I think it's SUPER IMPORTANT to be extra careful. Some people have expressed that they won't go on the collection threads to keep from being tempted and that they are happy to have this thread to come to for more realistic recommendations. I want to keep our goals and our thread on track and in focus.

If you haven't already.... write out your goal. As we have said multiple times.... Accountability is HUGE in accomplishing our low-buys! That's the only way we can keep each other on track. Perhaps even add your low-buy goal to our signatures and add "TEAM LOW-BUY" there too, so we can recognize each other on other threads to be conscious not to over-enable people we recognize are in this group!

BUY LESS. ENJOY MORE! is in full swing! 4 days to go!

 

[SleepingBeauty]

You know what - I think I will skip Magnetic Nude. Today I've bought two lipsticks and one eyeshadow and just now I ordered two other lipsticks my counter didn't have in stock today. I don't even know - I must have bought about 7 lipsticks this month.

I'm feeling really bad and I need to go on a no-buy in January. Well, I will pay for the order at the beginning of next month, but the rest of the month I have to stay away from all makeup. And to be honest, I like the Magnetic Nude collection overall but there's not a single thing I can't live without (even Morning Rose), so I will have to skip this in order to save some money for clothes for the upcoming spring.
The purchases today were totally unnecessary. I had wanted to take a look at Brave, Viva Glam 2, All that Glitters, Velvet Teddy, and Faux and because my counter didn't have any of them and instead of waiting for those to be in stock again got Craving, Hot Gossip, and Jest. Totally not what I had planned. Oh well.

 

[Kaori]

I had to take a picture of my 61 nailpolishes so that whenever I get lured by any clearance/sale, I just look at the picture and see if I don't have already similar color lol Since I mainly buy only pink, red and purple colors ^^; They are all still full since I bought majority of them this year >.< And one third are glitter polishes...
Next on my list is to take a photo of (opened) eyeshadow palettes, so I stop buying duplicate eyeshadows. And after are my lip colors on the list, I had almost nothing, then went crazy this holiday, and now I have too much, can't fit all my makeup into one traincase anymore Polishes so far still fit in one mini traincase, so they are good, but can't buy more until I use up some of them lol.

 

[missboss82]

I keep an inventory list of my makeup stash as well. It's actually what motivated me to start this thread! I went to add to some of my totals with a purchase I made and was literally confused and mortified at how completely out of control my makeup obsession had become! It's important to actually SEE what the problem is for you... and an inventory spreadsheet does JUST THAT! Good place to start!! I would you advise against a no-buy, as you're more than likely setting yourself up for failure as a true makeup lover. Maybe do like Audrey's doing and give yourself "x" amount of products total for the year. Make a list and keep track as you buy something so you don't accidently over-buy. I think 10 items is probably a good goal for you. Just trying to give you some advice to help you scale back and make better individual sales choices, rather than go on a cold-turkey no-buy that might fail and throw you back into full blown hauling. Hope that helps. Obviously, do what you feel is best for you!

Okay I will go with your suggestion of ten items for 2014, but ultimate

 

[missboss82]

I hit submit to fast, thanks for your advice and this thread.

 

[lyseD]

Ladies, do your limits include staples? Like mascara, concealer, etc.?

 

[ma146rina]

You know what - I think I will skip Magnetic Nude. Today I've bought two lipsticks and one eyeshadow and just now I ordered two other lipsticks my counter didn't have in stock today. I don't even know - I must have bought about 7 lipsticks this month.

I'm feeling really bad and I need to go on a no-buy in January. Well, I will pay for the order at the beginning of next month, but the rest of the month I have to stay away from all makeup. And to be honest, I like the Magnetic Nude collection overall but there's not a single thing I can't live without (even Morning Rose), so I will have to skip this in order to save some money for clothes for the upcoming spring.
The purchases today were totally unnecessary. I had wanted to take a look at Brave, Viva Glam 2, All that Glitters, Velvet Teddy, and Faux and because my counter didn't have any of them and instead of waiting for those to be in stock again got Craving, Hot Gossip, and Jest. Totally not what I had planned. Oh well.

Yeah that's a classic scenario,when smth is out of stock you end up buying smth else instead even if it wasn't on your list in the first place.I have stopped doing that,i prefer make the trip to another store and stick to my list. I think i'll skip MN too,nothing seems so special.I went overboard with Riri,i need to get back on track

 

[ma146rina]

Ladies, do your limits include staples? Like mascara, concealer, etc.?

No not for me,my limit is just for the collections,they're my biggest weakness

 

[DMcG9]

I joined this thread to read about the low-buy proposal a couple weeks ago even though I knew going in that this is exactly where I need to be for 2014. Count me all in because I need to start thinking sensibly about my finances as my health returns and I slowly regain the energy to take on my life goals again (finish my degree and get a job again), etc.
My low-buy won't really include staples but I will need to think more wisely about when and how much money to dedicate to those purchases (i.e. is it on sale, do I really need it at this VERY moment or can I finish up what I have already on hand, etc.).
As much as Specktra has helped keep me entertained this year, it is one hell of an enabling community (both a good and bad thing depending on your personal circumstances).
I am glad you started this thread, Pixie Dancer!

 

[honey b]

Ok. After my Magnetic Nude debacle I need to be accountable so my low-buy goal is to purchase no more than 3 items for any new collection that Mac comes out with and do my best to skip entire collections whenever possible. I'm only allowing myself one exception and that is the Maleficent collection (but hopefullyI won't find much that I like). I will go through my stash first before any new collection purchase to make sure that the things I do buy are unique to what I have and will skip any products that are even remotely close to something I have already.
Hopefully I'll be successful.

 

[KiKi Kontour]

i did good wit the new collections! i only got 2 lippies!!