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

[ILoveMakeup84]

Yup, I was sent a "replacement" and the replacement was just as bad. It is ridiculous honestly. 

I don't know why MAC did that. The original PT is so pretty and unique and they came out with something so generic :/ They should've just called it something else to be honest...

 

[novocainedreams]

So now I remember why I am not too big on going into the store to shop..SA are sooooo good at talking you into things you never even had in your head to purchase!! I went in to Nordstrom's today to check out Perfect Topping and the MAC artist(of course a totally sweet guy) was showing my the new lipsticks and put Heavenly Hybrid on me, I was NOT planning on purchasing lipsticks, even though Dreaming Dahlia keeps dragging me in, but I let him anyways. Then I checked out PT, and even though it wasn't what I had first wanted(the original) I still bought it! I did get one with some nice lavender veining and chunks, but I wonder, if I hadn't gone in would I have gotten it at all? I somehow manage to feel guilty if I don't buy *something* from them when they are helping me! Oye! I did not buy the lipstick though. I still really like DD though, I know there are dupes(but more expensive brands) and for all I know they will probably make something similar again. I'm still contemplating the liners, and I am going to try PT on me, but if I don't 100% like it on me I will return it. It did swatch very pretty and smooth.
I know someone was talking about how much easier it seems to keep buying once you started, and i know for me that is so true. I definitely think it is somewhat of a chemical reaction in our brains(I am a therapist) and I know that *feeling* we get from buying is similar to an addict, when something makes us happy our brain releases chemicals, then we want to keep feeling happy so we continue to do what we did to feel good. Once you start it's hard to stop! I know once I stop buying stuff, after a little while it's so much easier not to want to buy anything, but it's like you have to get past those first couple weeks, or month. I do so well and then one little thing and I'm buying ALL THE THINGS! I'm staying on goal for the most part, not going past my spending allowance/list of what I planned, but it is definitely easy to go off track, hehe.

 

[User38]

I don't know if this is truly progress but tomorrow will be the first time I ever returned anything to MAC. I don't how many of you followed my "Perfect Beige Chronicle" in the Fantasy of Flowers thread, but in summary just know I got burned by two dud Perfect Toppings that MAC sent me. I'm saddened that things didn't work out for me but I feel kind of empowered that I am willing to take the loss and return a LE product. If this was last year, I probably would have kept the product even when it didn't work for me but for the mere fact that its "Limited Edition". By reading posts on here, I really came to a conclusion that this is MAKEUP not a COLLECTIBLE. I'm glad this thread was made, if it wasn't for the wise insight in here I would be sitting here with two dud msfs that I would never use. Thank you guys.

You should be very proud of yourself Serenity.. you stood your ground, Don't feel sad, there is a new product line full of lovely colours every month -- or so it feels like. Limited Edition is another con game -- it snares us into the game and makes us feel like we are missing out on something special. In truth there is nothing special about makeup. The best makeup artists in the world are totally creative and will mix, match and combine all different textures and colours and many times what we see in promo ads are not even the same products being sold.

think of the good things you have and have learned from this.. and since you know makeup is not a collectible, work towards getting your stash in the most usable and functional form for you. You are a very beautiful girl and very sweet too.

 

[Prettypackages]

Yeah... that's why I was telling you I went with the elfa from the Container Store. I originally wanted to order the Alex, but no IKEA store near me... and there was NO WAY I was paying that kind of shipping charge!

elfa 30% off runs through 2/11, if you wanted to take a look at it.

which elfa set up did you get?

 

[Naynadine]

I don't know if this is truly progress but tomorrow will be the first time I ever returned anything to MAC. I don't how many of you followed my "Perfect Beige Chronicle" in the Fantasy of Flowers thread, but in summary just know I got burned by two dud Perfect Toppings that MAC sent me. I'm saddened that things didn't work out for me but I feel kind of empowered that I am willing to take the loss and return a LE product. If this was last year, I probably would have kept the product even when it didn't work for me but for the mere fact that its "Limited Edition". By reading posts on here, I really came to a conclusion that this is MAKEUP not a COLLECTIBLE. I'm glad this thread was made, if it wasn't for the wise insight in here I would be sitting here with two dud msfs that I would never use. Thank you guys.

Good thing you returned them. I had to learn to do that too, like you, I usually would've kept the product, thinking it's LE and something special and that I will use it eventually. Nope. If I didn't like it from the beginning most of the times I never touched it again.

 

[PixieDancer]

Thanks, will use the balm with it, I hope I will like them, I prefer sheer colors, I like pairing lipsticks with glosses and prefer not-bold-lips =) And I LOVE sparkles

The lustre is supposed to be sparkly/shiney and not matte, isn't it? @_@

Not all Lustres are necessarily shine and sparkle... but they are more glossy and sheer, yes. SD definitely has a shine and frosty affect to it! HTH

 

[PixieDancer]

which elfa set up did you get?

I got the Medium 10-runner system in platinum. Check out this girls blog: http://weshouldmakeup.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-new-makeup-storage.html
It's what inspired me to try it! AND elfa's annual 30% off sale runs through 2/11!!

 

[Kaori]

awww man sorry...this is NOT the collection to see why folks love mac lol. I actually started getting mac cuz its cheaper than my normal becuz I started off with NARS and UD which I wish I didn't becuz my expectations are UP there

my shadow collection is more too face n ud vs mac shadows anyways becuz for me I've never or don't have anything better. I dnt understand WHY folks think mac's quad palettes are worth buying esp when it comes wit that gawd awful CARBON!!!! **shakes fist** im not sayin I dnt like ANYTHING wit mac but I've only started getting mac for the past 2-3 yrs n now im getting bored becuz I peep the game they playin. the prices go up but the quality doesn't. what will the BIG spring collection have in store??? hmmm

oi.. well, if it wont be so great at least I wont be tempted again so easily! XD

 

[Serenityy]

WoooHooo! Yay! Glad you love them! They were so darn PURTY!

Your goals are just that.... YOUR GOALS! It's great that you set them, but with all your enthusiasm to do well... you may have underestimated what was reasonable for you personally. There is no problem reassessing your plan. Just try to lock down a new goal so you aren't tempted to be all over the place and lose your focus! That's why I set a limit per collection. I know it could be a little too vague. But I WANTED wiggle room. Because I knew this was going to be damn hard for me! SO... do what's best for you! We are only here to support you hun! No judgement. No shame. Be proud that you are even attempting this! It's a HUGE step!!

THIS GIRL! THIS!! Love it!!

Good girl! Kick those poopie MSF's to the curb! Who wants to look at a product that let us down and be reminded how disappointed we were all the time!? Life's too short and there are WAY too many great highlighting products out there!
And LOTS of the thanks goes to YOU missy! I remember discussing this thread idea w you and you pushing me to do it! You promised even if it was just me and you... we would do this! Look at it now! SO many people are a part of this!! YAY YOU! YAY LOW-BUY!!!!

Not all Lustres are necessarily shine and sparkle... but they are more glossy and sheer, yes. SD definitely has a shine and frosty affect to it! HTH

Lol thanks girly! I was sitting here thinking how the Low-Buy thread has grown into a beautiful thing and reading everyone's stories and thoughts has made this year's resolution easy and enjoyable!

Another collection where I stay true in the end. My final haul was only 3 products. Bring on the rest of 2014!

 

[Rainbunny]

Well, I did go to the counter to see FOF today, and went over what I had planned to buy by one blush! Not great, but I guess not terrible, either, since I successfully fended off everything Nars this Spring as well as the new Hourglass blushes. Plus this is the good Spring collection for me, since I like sheerer lipsticks and colours, and am not very interested in anything else on the horizon so far. I did track the purchases, though, which is helpful, along with my Weight Watchers. With the latter, I tell myself if I really want to eat something I shouldn't, I can but I HAVE to track it. I've found that if I go over my WW points for the week, usually I still lose some weight, anyway, so the overall trend is good if not optimum. Don't let the perfect become the enemy of the good, and all that! ) My theory is that if I'm not perfect but I track, at least I'm putting some limits on myself, which is better than just letting myself do whatever I want, weight wise and money-wise!

 

[Debbs]

Thanks for all the kind words and support everyone! It honestly means a lot to me as the feedbacks validate my impression. I am one step closer today (found Violet Dusk quad @ NM) to forget about makeup buying this year. If it is a GC, store credit, rewards or notes, back2mac, birthday/holiday gift yes but other than that I am good. Making prior wrongs right, balancing out overcompensating and enjoying what I have so far. Not much but it is enough for me to be satisfied with. I only owned Raizin blush, Brunette MSF, maybe 2 lipglosses and a few random items less than 3 years ago and I was contented.

 

[Prettypackages]

No they are metal. Here's the girl's blog that motivated me to try this after I passed on the Alex. http://weshouldmakeup.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-new-makeup-storage.html
It's pretty inexpensive, and I can always use the storage system for something else if I end up wanting to go a different route with my makeup collection storage in the future. And at 30% off... I couldn't NOT at least TRY it.

sorry I should have kept reading.
I used to work there and have a few of these around the house. I don't know why I didn't consider them before.

 

[novocainedreams]

Since this thread is about buying less I hope it's ok to ask....do you know if you can B2Mac for LE colors, I realized I know I have enough eyeshadow containers for a lipstick I just always forget to bring them in, if I could get Dreaming Dahlia that way I think I might do it!

 

[PixieDancer]

Since this thread is about buying less I hope it's ok to ask....do you know if you can B2Mac for LE colors, I realized I know I have enough eyeshadow containers for a lipstick I just always forget to bring them in, if I could get Dreaming Dahlia that way I think I might do it!

Yes. In some cases. You are supposed to be able to B2M for any lipstick that's not in special packaging or Viva Glam. However it does seem some stores are not allowing it... Which is ridiculous & not the rules at all. So you don't waste your time, I recommend calling first and speaking to the store manager. You could also do a MAC live chat on their website and print out the correspondence. I had to do this once at my local counter. Once I took that print out in... I never had an issue again. They may try to make their own rules... But none of them want to get in trouble or reported for not following the rules at the end of the day. Better safe than sorry.... So take a few steps before rushing out to the store. HTH

 

[novocainedreams]

Yes. In some cases. You are supposed to be able to B2M for any lipstick that's not in special packaging or Viva Glam. However it does seem some stores are not allowing it... Which is ridiculous & not the rules at all. So you don't waste your time, I recommend calling first and speaking to the store manager. You could also do a MAC live chat on their website and print out the correspondence. I had to do this once at my local counter. Once I took that print out in... I never had an issue again. They may try to make their own rules... But none of them want to get in trouble or reported for not following the rules at the end of the day. Better safe than sorry.... So take a few steps before rushing out to the store. HTH

Thank you! I'll call my store tomorrow.

 

[iqaganda]

To keep my mind off of "gotta have it" state, looking through my stash and what i have works! And speaking of looking through my stash, i gotta do some purging so that I can b2m!

 

[Naynadine]

I did an inventory for my lip products, I counted the ones I use (or shoulduse more often from now on):

lipsticks: 15 MAC l/s + 2 in a palette, 2 Mattenes, 4 Chanel, 1 YSL, 1 Armani, 1 Nars (plus 1 BU)
glosses: 2 Cremesheen Glasses (1 full size, 1 mini), 1 mini Clinique gloss
balms: 1 Kiehl's lip balm, a bunch of Jack Black Balms, 1 mini Jane Iredale balm

I have quite a bit more that I never reach for, I guess it's time to either sell/swap or toss most of those. But I have some MAC lipsticks I can't let go even though I never wear them (Summer Shower, Yung Rapunxel, original CYY,...)

I think I might buy a new gloss in summer, I was so over glossy lips for the past 1-2 years, but I think for summer it would be nice to have one. I will use up the 3 I have and then get one from the Chanel summer collection or one of the Mineralize glasses.

 

[lyseD]

I went to MAC yesterday and was unimpressed with FoF, it was an easy skip. I did buy the CC cream in yellow -- it's fantastic by the way.

My SA gave me a sample of the Blue Brown pigment -- holy moley it is gorgeous, maybe the prettiest pigment I've seen. I'm adding it to my wish list.

 

[MissTania]

In all honesty, I bought 5. Yes, 5 Force of Love. The funny thing is, I was recently wearing it and turned to my friend and said "I love this lipstick so much! Thank goodness I have 5 of them!" We both burst out laughing hysterically. Just wanted to let you know that I am with you!

Lol, I have not found a dupe for Force of Love so I am happy I got 3! Did you get 5 all at once or go back for more? I bought 3 at once after testing it on launch day and only recently started using it again.
I see some similarities with Chanel l'eclatante (Rouge Allure Velvet 42) but it's more pink on moi- you might like it too

 

[Audrey C]

I've only backed up a few lippies and all but one of them was a mistake. Even though I really liked the colour, I find that I'm bored of it and ready for something new by the time I finish it. I'm down to a nub in Oh, Oh, Oh so that backup will be used, but I'm already bored of the two other colours I used to love (Glamourdaze and Apres Chic). Lesson learned - no non-staple backups. Ever.