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

[veronikawithak]

I am not purging, I think I have a good amount of make up and just need to make better choices in the future so I don't end up with too many dupes.

I was curious though, are any of you worried that your new, smaller stash could encourage more buying?

I actually think it did completely the opposite for me!! Most of the things I had were just excess really. They were adding time and stress to my routine and I found I wore way less makeup because of that than I do now with a reduced stash! I have bought more things since then but only to try a new formula or brand (ex. my recent Hourglass/Nars purchases). Everything I've bought since purging I use on an almost daily basis!

I also found that it made me realize how wasteful it was for me to collect a bunch of makeup I didn't absolutely love just to get rid of it later and I never wanted to do that again. It makes me way more cautious about purchases.

However, everyone is different! If you're concerned about that, maybe start with your least favorite items and take small steps! If you find yourself purchasing way more as a result, you can try something else that might work better for you.

 

[Glitteryvegas]

YAY for you on letting go of that clearance bin lippie! The more that you say no to things, the easier it will be!! Ask yourself if you'll love the new item more than most of the products you already have.. like top 5 of that category for example. If it's not gonna be one of the best things you have, why get it at all?

THIS exactly!

When I went through my stash for the swap I was surprised at how many 'duds' I had (not the product - just meaning I either don't know how to apply it well, or it doesn't like me for some reason. LOL). It was eye opening for sure! I figured out that Mica pigments just don't do it for me - they don't adhere to my eyes properly, even with a primer. My hubby's cousin has started a beauty blog, so if my items don't swap in a few months I think I'll just give them to her to enjoy. She might have a use for my items if others on Specktra don't!

I've been making an effort to get my butt out of bed early and do my makeup. If I have all of this, why not use it? It takes more time which means less sleep, but I always feel better when I have my eyes done, etc.

You are right - the more you say NO the easier it is to pass on things!

Thanks for the support and encouragement ladies. I come here for daily inspiration!

 

[Glitteryvegas]

I think that's amazing progress! Congrats on coming so far with it already, I just know this year is going to change your life!

I got a lot more into reading last year and I loved it. I borrow almost all of my books from the public library and use Goodreads to track which ones I've read. Adding a book to my list fills part of that need to accomplish something without adding any clutter or cost to my life. I recommend it if you're into reading and struggle with the same things.

Spending your money on memories is one of the best transitions. One blog I've mentioned before that I love so much is theminimalists.com. Two guys in the corporate/american dream lifestyle quit their jobs and got rid of the majority of their possessions. Now they both do what they love and are so much happier than they ever were! It's a little extreme but an amazing story. They're doing a free tour and I can't wait to go see them this summer!

Are we kindred spirits?! I love these guys! And thanks to you, I just booked 2 tix for my city in Canada!

Thank you!!!

I will try GoodReads to keep track of my books this year - is it an app or something?!

 

[veronikawithak]

Quote: Originally Posted by Glitteryvegas
THIS exactly!

When I went through my stash for the swap I was surprised at how many 'duds' I had (not the product - just meaning I either don't know how to apply it well, or it doesn't like me for some reason. LOL). It was eye opening for sure! I figured out that Mica pigments just don't do it for me - they don't adhere to my eyes properly, even with a primer. My hubby's cousin has started a beauty blog, so if my items don't swap in a few months I think I'll just give them to her to enjoy. She might have a use for my items if others on Specktra don't!

I've been making an effort to get my butt out of bed early and do my makeup. If I have all of this, why not use it? It takes more time which means less sleep, but I always feel better when I have my eyes done, etc.

You are right - the more you say NO the easier it is to pass on things!

Thanks for the support and encouragement ladies. I come here for daily inspiration!


I feel the same way.. I had like 4-5 cream eyeshadows at one point but I never ever wear a darker shade all over my lid. I use my Painterly alone or under lighter eyeshadows and then a darker crease or outer corner color sometimes! I got rid of all of them and decided that I'll only buy one again if it's in a lighter color. And then I'll only get ONE and try it out to see if I'll use it all the time.

I'm very aware of how long things take to use up now and I only want to use the things I love every day. So if it wouldn't make it into my top favorite products, there's no need to get it. I'd rather use things that look the best on me every day than switch it up and look mediocre sometimes lol.

 

[veronikawithak]

Are we kindred spirits?! I love these guys! And thanks to you, I just booked 2 tix for my city in Canada!

Thank you!!!

I will try GoodReads to keep track of my books this year - is it an app or something?!

I think we are!! Hehe

They're so inspirational and a great counter-movement to the consumerism we're exposed to hundreds of times a day! I love the packing party and so many of their other posts. I can't wait to meet them. I watched a couple of their tour footage videos on YouTube and they were just amazing!

Goodreads is awesome too. They do have an app but I find the website looks better and has way more features! Definitely check it out. It's like Facebook but for books.. Bookbook was probably too annoying of a name. You can set goals on how many books you want to read for the year, and see your stats for each year of how many books and pages you've read. Super fun.

 

[aradhana]

Welcome @Yazmin and @Starlight77 ! So excited to have you both! This little group is growing day by day which I'm LOVING. I think a lot of us are realizing we have waaay more than we need or could ever use.. and it's not us who are winning.. it's the people our money goes to! The no-buy, low-buy, shop your stash, project pan, use it up, declutter, buy-less-enjoy-more movement is gaining so much momentum! ompom: I encourage anyone who is interested on the concept of why less is more to check out this TED talk. It's amaaaazing! http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html

I love ted talks! Thanks for posting!

Hi Ladies! How's everyone going?!  Things are going good over here!  I inquired about a lippy in the clearance bin but then I decided I didn't need it.  I'm going to let it go to a woman who will use and love that thing like it deserves! ompom: I've been looking at FOF and the Porenza (?) collections - thinking of one fluidline still and one or two blushes from the Porenza collection.  For my 30th birthday next month I might let myself have 1-2 items guilt free and not counting towards my low buy.  I was going to do 3 items but I told myself "Hey!  NO!"  We'll see how it goes - I might only get 1 item, but I will be visiting a CCO and we don't have these in Canada....I just have to tell myself "Practice restraint!"  The last time I went to CCO I only bought 3 items which was pretty good actually (based on previous splurges).  I'm thinking of checking out the HG Blushes but then if I want the Porenza blush too.....hmmm...do I need two blushes, esp. in such a short amount of time? Blushes take ages to go through, as discussed previously w/the posts about how long it takes to go through items.  That was very eye opening! So, yes, I had a rocky start but I think things will be only getting better from here!  :bigstar:   

I keep checking out the hg blushes too and I almost pulled the trigger on them this weekend. You are right about how long it takes to use them up... And from temptalia it's obvious I have more than one dupe for the ones she posted. So maybe i should just pull those out and use them instead!

I am not purging, I think I have a good amount of make up and just need to make better choices in the future so I don't end up with too many dupes. I was curious though, are any of you worried that your new, smaller stash could encourage more buying?

I was thinking last night after posting my swap list whether I really wanted my collection to get much smaller. I think the stuff I posted is definitely superfluous, so I won't miss it. Too many other items just like them in my stash already! I personally also like having a lot of variety in shades... So I won't go totally minimalist...so not likely to swap away most of my eye shadows. At least not yet!

 

[Serenityy]

I posted in our Low Buy swap thread! Thank you guys for coming up with the idea!

 

[veronikawithak]

I personally also like having a lot of variety in shades... So I won't go totally minimalist...so not likely to swap away most of my eye shadows. At least not yet!

You're welcome!

I definitely won't be going totally minimalist either, although I'd still like to decrease the amount I have and get to a point where I regularly finish or swap out most products by 2 years from their purchase date. Makeup is such a personal thing.. A stash that seems completely overwhelming because it's so huge to me might be completely overwhelming because it's so small to others! Lol.

 

[Starlight77]

You're in the right place for some real talk about makeup and all of its tempting ways!
Why don't you start by picking a few products to get rid of that you don't ever seem to enjoy when you use them... Or even ones you NEVER reach for and don't seem to mind! Sometimes getting that nice relieved feeling of letting go starts you on a great journey of truly being able to evaluate your collection and what (if anything) you may need moving forward. Once you truly realize you don't really NEED anything... it's SO much easier to curb spending on new products. Good Luck on your journey!

thank you! I feel safer in here than in the color collection threads LOL I have so many products that I bought online in fear i couldn't get them in person and than didn't like them. untouched, unopened still in boxes. I'm going to try and get rid of all of those first. I must say I only went crazy for archie's girls collection and bought almost everything but i also use it all, it's these smaller collections that i buy a lipstick or 2 than never wear them.

i still want cream soda from archie's girls. only thing i regret not buying. I will have to put some stuff up on the swap page and see if i can get one.

 

[Starlight77]

i DO want to bring down the amount of money i spend on makeup though, which will mean tougher choices:

• being honest with myself about the amount of use its going to get
• do i have something similar, if so how much does that get used
• is it going to suit me
• if it's a 'fashion' type product, can i get a cheaper dupe
• WHY do i want it, am i being influenced too much by advertising/youtube etc

this is what I have been trying to do as well on the last year of collections. It's been helping.. my biggest problem is the "do i have something similar, if so how much does that get used" because I buy the new one and never use the old. I am fortunate enough to avoid the trendy as I never wear them but the "is it going to suit me" is hard as most of the time it's a one shot deal to buy the colors before they sell out and I can't always run to mall to see them. <--- this should be my goal. I will not buy unless seen in person (if only i could stick to that)

Quote: Originally Posted by veronikawithak
Welcome @Yazmin and @Starlight77! So excited to have you both!

This little group is growing day by day which I'm LOVING. I think a lot of us are realizing we have waaay more than we need or could ever use.. and it's not us who are winning.. it's the people our money goes to! The no-buy, low-buy, shop your stash, project pan, use it up, declutter, buy-less-enjoy-more movement is gaining so much momentum!

I encourage anyone who is interested on the concept of why less is more to check out this TED talk. It's amaaaazing! http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html

thank you!! I have to focus on staying away from palettes as I could never in my lifetime go through what I have already and my love for lipstick is turning into a money pit as I have no idea the life expectancy of them but I bought riri woo in the all rose gold packaging for the packaging. i'll never ever wear it. WHY?!?!? LOL I still haven't even touched my Marilyn Monroe reds... this is my problem. I don't wear red ahhhh LOL I also have no problem buying 50 shades of pink lol i want those 2 pinks in the FOF collection :/

 

[Rainbunny]

this is what I have been trying to do as well on the last year of collections. It's been helping.. my biggest problem is the "do i have something similar, if so how much does that get used" because I buy the new one and never use the old. I am fortunate enough to avoid the trendy as I never wear them but the "is it going to suit me" is hard as most of the time it's a one shot deal to buy the colors before they sell out and I can't always run to mall to see them.

 

[kerry-jane88]

I know what you mean. I think it's sometimes you are buying the IDEA or CONCEPT of the colour/ collection, rather than being practical about a colour that you will really use that is flattering on you. For example, I am attracted to cool pink lipsticks but they actually don't look good on me, so by time I make them work, they are actually a different colour, anyway! Any type of red is the same for me-- as a rule, no matter what the tone, they just look like too much on me. If I am being truthful with myself, all that really works on me is pinky browns, rose shades, berry/ plum (but not too dark), and sometimes peach or corally pink. That's really it.

WORD! A lot of the attraction is the theme, the idea, the fantasy! But will I end up using the products in the way they are presented with such lovely collection pairings or fashionable face charts? Not likely. I hear you on colours you're drawn to but won't work; I've pulled so many orange blushes from my stash that just make me look daft. And mid pink lippies are a definate no!

 

[aradhana]

WORD! A lot of the attraction is the theme, the idea, the fantasy! But will I end up using the products in the way they are presented with such lovely collection pairings or fashionable face charts? Not likely. I hear you on colours you're drawn to but won't work; I've pulled so many orange blushes from my stash that just make me look daft. And mid pink lippies are a definate no!

I often end up carried away with the collection story and face charts and try to collect all the shades for a particular look. But probably i'd be able to make do with substitute products anyway...The overall effect is only partly determined by the exact shades...

 

[Alysse011]

I am not purging, I think I have a good amount of make up and just need to make better choices in the future so I don't end up with too many dupes. I was curious though, are any of you worried that your new, smaller stash could encourage more buying?

I have actually had the opposite result too! I purged my lipstick collection recently and it seriously is painful to get rid of a YSL lipstick. Realizing how much money I have totally wasted was a harsh reality, and it makes me really analyze before buying.

 

[vaisforluvrs]

I know what you mean. I think it's sometimes you are buying the IDEA or CONCEPT of the colour/ collection, rather than being practical about a colour that you will really use that is flattering on you. For example, I am attracted to cool pink lipsticks but they actually don't look good on me, so by time I make them work, they are actually a different colour, anyway! Any type of red is the same for me-- as a rule, no matter what the tone, they just look like too much on me. If I am being truthful with myself, all that really works on me is pinky browns, rose shades, berry/ plum (but not too dark), and sometimes peach or corally pink. That's really it.

Yes, so true. That's why I can't justify any more Melt lipsticks and I only own DGAF. I love the green color that is coming out but how often am I going to wear it? I can try to franken it if I really want something similar. I don't need it at all.

 

[Starlight77]

I know what you mean. I think it's sometimes you are buying the IDEA or CONCEPT of the colour/ collection, rather than being practical about a colour that you will really use that is flattering on you. For example, I am attracted to cool pink lipsticks but they actually don't look good on me, so by time I make them work, they are actually a different colour, anyway! Any type of red is the same for me-- as a rule, no matter what the tone, they just look like too much on me. If I am being truthful with myself, all that really works on me is pinky browns, rose shades, berry/ plum (but not too dark), and sometimes peach or corally pink. That's really it.

I am OK with my collection. I don't have anywhere near some of you guys but for me, I have too much. I really only wear cool pinks, rose shades and plumful kinda shades but now that I have tons in those colors I should stop but each collection whether Dior, Chanel, MAC etc the new ones are always nicer than what I have so it's never ending. lol How long are the life expectancy of lipsticks? I stopped buying glosses because I just seem to collect them and not wear them. I know I have eyeshadows from 7-8 years ago that still look and smell brand new so at least those I don't mind buying but I still need to cut back.

I also need to give away most of my drugstore makeup as I do not wear any of it because I will always reach for high end first. Luckily I stopped buying for almost a year now but still just sits there. I can't reach for a Revlon lipstick (even though I love them) while I have tons of Chanel, Dior and YSL going bad in the same pink shades lol

My personal goals this month:
1. Go through all my stuff & sell/swap anything NIB and sell/swap anything swatched but never worn. No matter how much i want to keep for that one day possible use.
2. Make a bin of everything I don't use and try to use them. If I don't use them in a month, I'll weed out the bin again and again until empty.
3. Get rid of all drugstore makeup that I buy and never use
4. Not buy anything until I do those things above to give me motivation. (after FOF collection but i'm only getting Perfect Topping which i have always wanted and 2 lipsticks)

 

[PixieDancer]

I am OK with my collection. I don't have anywhere near some of you guys but for me, I have too much. I really only wear cool pinks, rose shades and plumful kinda shades but now that I have tons in those colors I should stop but each collection whether Dior, Chanel, MAC etc the new ones are always nicer than what I have so it's never ending. lol How long are the life expectancy of lipsticks? I stopped buying glosses because I just seem to collect them and not wear them. I know I have eyeshadows from 7-8 years ago that still look and smell brand new so at least those I don't mind buying but I still need to cut back.

I also need to give away most of my drugstore makeup as I do not wear any of it because I will always reach for high end first. Luckily I stopped buying for almost a year now but still just sits there. I can't reach for a Revlon lipstick (even though I love them) while I have tons of Chanel, Dior and YSL going bad in the same pink shades lol

My personal goals this month:
1. Go through all my stuff & sell/swap anything NIB and sell/swap anything swatched but never worn. No matter how much i want to keep for that one day possible use.
2. Make a bin of everything I don't use and try to use them. If I don't use them in a month, I'll weed out the bin again and again until empty.
3. Get rid of all drugstore makeup that I buy and never use
4. Not buy anything until I do those things above to give me motivation. (after FOF collection but i'm only getting Perfect Topping which i have always wanted and 2 lipsticks)

Great goal list! Stick to it and you're on your way... just like that!! WooHoo!

 

[veronikawithak]

After seeing swatches, I may just get away with ONE item from Fantasy of Flowers (Rose Lily).

 

[Naynadine]

After seeing swatches, I may just get away with ONE item from Fantasy of Flowers (Rose Lily).

Meee toooo!

Isn't that a relief? Just PT for me. Well, and I'm still fighting the urge to get BUs of it & SR. But I think I can be strong.

 

[Serenityy]

Just 3 items from FOF for me! I am so surprised with myself.