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

elkaknits

Well-known member
just popped in for some reading and these two quotes, that passed by my screen in the past 24 hrs, seem to go with the sentiment of past 2 pages:

[h=1]“To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."
- Bertrand Russell[/h]
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

~ Robert Frost

{for her grayness and her plodding on self ;-p}

much love to all you ladies
 

Alysse011

Well-known member
You guys, I've been doing so good! I messed up at the beginning of january and got sucked in the sales, and then I bought some pieces off ebay, just because, and I was just about ready to give up on my low buy. But ever since I've been good, and it's getting easier every day! What really helped my were my lists: I've made an inventory, and I keep a running list on purchases and money spent.
Yay good job! I just started keeping a list. It was step 2 after The Great Purge (official name). I was terrified to count the dollars I was spending on makeup because I knew it was absolutely ridiculous. Now I'm doing it and it's seriously so helpful. It was a hard pill to swallow at first, but I'm so happy I sucked it up and started. This is totally random, but how many foundations do y'all have/use? I am a base fanatic and feel as if I *need* a tinted moisturizer, more budget friendly foundation, and a couple high end foundations on rotation. Anybody else have this vice?
 

ma146rina

Well-known member
This is totally random, but how many foundations do y'all have/use? I am a base fanatic and feel as if I *need* a tinted moisturizer, more budget friendly foundation, and a couple high end foundations on rotation. Anybody else have this vice?
yes i'm a base fanatic too and i have 8 foundations on rotation,it's a lot but i can't help it, i'm going to try not buying any others in 2014:)
 

aradhana

Well-known member
Hello ladies just checking in after taking some time to catch up on the weekends posts. Nice to hear everybody's progress and general thoughts about consumption as well. Alot of interesting points have been brought up, and although there's really too much to respond to everything the things that really stood out to me right now were the idea of getting away from the 'fantasy world' that we are surrounded by, and also the idea that instant gratification of all our wants will not necessarily make us happy. We need to have dreams and hopes as well. (Maybe for other things than the perfect mlbb lipstick, but maybe not). A few years ago, before I got fully immersed in makeup madness, I already felt I had 'too much makeup'. (It was nothing compared to now, but still more than your average person.) To help myself keep my acquisitions in check, I use to remind myself that there was no product I could buy that was going to make me more beautiful or more desirable. Strange thing to say, but it worked. I managed to get through three years buying only mascara replacements, one eye shadow quad, one lipstick and a random drugstore multitasking cream product. I'm not sure what happened, but maybe it was the accessibility of makeup counters and drugstores near where I was living, combined with the increasing ease of online shopping and a little dose of boredom? Boom! I feel like I went back to my old ways and then some. I've been doing alright in my low-buy...one nail polish, one fluid line and a bunch of empty pro palettes to help me organize. Last night I depotted 16 eye shadows that had been floating around my makeup drawer causing major morning havoc... All cleared up! And it made me focus on those 16 shades and think about how much i love them...so i feel excited about incorporating them in this week's looks. Next week i'll be depotting blushes, and the week after large size shadows and pressed pigments. I've decided to include swaps in my purchases. So far I'm in the process of two swaps, and they've each cost me $17. I'm going to include that as part of my monthly spending on makeup. I feel like even the pro palettes, although they are organizational, I also would like to include them because I'd like to control my spending in general. I'd like to get to the point where apart from replacing my staples when they are depleted, I only purchase other makeup items occasionally, so that i can enjoy them as the luxuries they really are.
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
This is totally random, but how many foundations do y'all have/use? I am a base fanatic and feel as if I *need* a tinted moisturizer, more budget friendly foundation, and a couple high end foundations on rotation. Anybody else have this vice?
I am so attached to my inventory tables too.. I use them every day to record which products I've used! That helps me see what I am using regularly and it's great for my monthly challenge right now which is to try and use every product I have at least once. I always add every new item I get and the price. I'm currently keeping a totals column for the amount of $ I have in eyes, lips, cheeks, and face products. Whenever I add something in, it automatically updates for me so I can see the numbers and total cost of each category and then my whole collection as well. That keeps me firmly planted in reality!

As for foundations, I have 3 powder foundations right now.. 1 I am trying to use up because I don't like it very much. And 1 I do love and am almost out of (plus backup). I only have 1 liquid foundation. I think the most I've had was like 1 BB, 1 powder, 3 liquid (a lighter one and a full coverage, and another medium coverage I was testing out). My ideal would be 1 BB, 1 full coverage liquid, 1 powder. I think as long as you're going to use them up before they expire (and liquids expire faster), you should be fine. I've never considered myself a base fanatic though, so someone who is might want more!
 

Audrey C

Well-known member
I am so attached to my inventory tables too.. I use them every day to record which products I've used! That helps me see what I am using regularly and it's great for my monthly challenge right now which is to try and use every product I have at least once. I always add every new item I get and the price. I'm currently keeping a totals column for the amount of $ I have in eyes, lips, cheeks, and face products. Whenever I add something in, it automatically updates for me so I can see the numbers and total cost of each category and then my whole collection as well. That keeps me firmly planted in reality! As for foundations, I have 3 powder foundations right now.. 1 I am trying to use up because I don't like it very much. And 1 I do love and am almost out of (plus backup). I only have 1 liquid foundation. I think the most I've had was like 1 BB, 1 powder, 3 liquid (a lighter one and a full coverage, and another medium coverage I was testing out). My ideal would be 1 BB, 1 full coverage liquid, 1 powder. I think as long as you're going to use them up before they expire (and liquids expire faster), you should be fine. I've never considered myself a base fanatic though, so someone who is might want more!
I have one BB cream (daily wear), one tinted moisturizer that's a bit darker (will finish but will replace with a darker shade of the BB cream for summer), one almost finished F&B liquid foundation (will not replace since I like BB cream better) and one fuller coverage foundation (Matchmaster) that I almost never use and will probably BTM if I find a better replacement. For me, a couple of shades of a daily wear product and one more formal finish feels about right. If I found a great powder version for summer I'd be up for that.
 

veronikawithak

Well-known member
For me, a couple of shades of a daily wear product and one more formal finish feels about right. If I found a great powder version for summer I'd be up for that.
I need to find a new BB cream or something with built in SPF for summer. I used to use a Smashbox one but I just don't find the quality of their products to be where I want for the price.. They used to have this cream foundation compact that I loved and repurchased several times but of course they DC'd it.. I think I'm going to try the NARS tinted moisturizer since I really loved their foundation.
 

jennyap

Well-known member
So many great posts on this thread, I love that the conversation here is a bit deeper than your regular makeup thread! This: "I think the gulf between intention and actualization is sometimes huge and overwhelming" really resonated with me. It pretty much defines me long on intention, short on actualization - in so many aspects of my life. Every now and then I will get frustrated enough with myself to change (do something) for a while, but then I lapse back into my rut again. It's odd - in many ways I would class myself as an addict, but I also find it incredibly hard to create new habits. The thing about doing something for 3 weeks and it will become a habit? Ummm, no. OTOH, I've still not bought any makeup this year :) I do have some loyalty rewards that I need to use up as they will be expiring soon (need to check when exactly) so that will change, but that might just cover my FoF haul. I have bought a few nail polishes, but NP isn't part of my low buy. Although I've just realised that I haven't tracked those purchases, which I did mean to - bother. (And considering I averaged 15-20 NPs a month last year, the 3 or 4 I've bought so far in 2014 are a definite improvement!!)
 

jennyap

Well-known member
Quote:Originally Posted by veronikawithak

 
Love this, so much! I'm really trying to get to this point too. I used to just buy to try out things in my search for "the best" products of a certain category.. the "best" foundation color match, the "best" shade of each color lipstick for me, the "best" eyeshadows for blue eyes, etc. etc. etc. It never ends, because there will always be marketing that tells you something is the "new best." Among numerous mistakes I'm very happy to have found quite a few products that do really work for me and now I'm going to enjoy using them up before running off to the next "best" thing, because really an item that is only 5% better than the one I have is NOT worth buying it and leaving the old one to sit there and expire.. I've adjusted my standards to "great" and not "best" and that has made me (and my bank account) much happier!
 
I need to find a new BB cream or something with built in SPF for summer. I used to use a Smashbox one but I just don't find the quality of their products to be where I want for the price.. They used to have this cream foundation compact that I loved and repurchased several times but of course they DC'd it.. I think I'm going to try the NARS tinted moisturizer since I really loved their foundation.



I have - and love - the Dior Nude BB Creme. It's only SPF 10 though. Other than that, I have 3 liquid (2 drugstore, 1 HE) and 1 powder foundation. I never use the powder anymore, that's something I need to reassess whether I'm ever likely to use, my instinct is it could probably go and I wouldn't miss it. I'm not in love with one of the DS liquids (L'Oreal, I think) - it's a touch deeper and less pink than my favourite, so better for days when I have a slight tan, but the finish is meh. I want to try the YSL Touche Eclat, but I'll have to get rid of one the others first - 4 in rotation seems like plenty, as I don't wear foundation every day.
 

elkaknits

Well-known member
I am very sad that the Coygirl I purchased from Nordstrom last year when it was being D/c-ed apparently is over 3 yrs old. I have been inputting my information into that check your cosmetics thing and I have to say I believe their algorithm is off. I have about 8 smash box single color eyeshadows which I have been wearing my favorite almost finished for about 6 yrs. Umm they tell me they were purchased in '13! Impossible. Smashbox discontinued the single color pots by fall '11. Either way they are at least 4 yrs old and being pitched.


Since the coygirl and the shisheido duo are basically new {purchased in past year or two} I am keeping them. I don't care what that site says about them being ancient
 

NaomiH

Well-known member
I stepped away for the weekend and have tons of posts to catch up on! My sweet mom surprised me the other day with a MAC gift card, not sure if I should use it now and get some perm things I have eyed for awhile or save it.
 

Knope2012

Well-known member
I am in need of a new mascara as all my samples are out. My favorite is the Chanel Volume, but I really don't want to spend $30 on a mascara right now. Does anyone have a suggestion for a cheaper one that they've been enjoying?
 

charlotte366

Well-known member
Quote:Originally Posted by Alysse011


Yay good job! I just started keeping a list. It was step 2 after The Great Purge (official name). I was terrified to count the dollars I was spending on makeup because I knew it was absolutely ridiculous. Now I'm doing it and it's seriously so helpful. It was a hard pill to swallow at first, but I'm so happy I sucked it up and started.

This is totally random, but how many foundations do y'all have/use? I am a base fanatic and feel as if I *need* a tinted moisturizer, more budget friendly foundation, and a couple high end foundations on rotation. Anybody else have this vice?


Too Many is the answer to your question! Not sure if this is any help but this is what I have and what I am trying to condense it into and why? and also what I would repurchase. Estee Lauder Double Wear * Rimmel Wake me Up * L'oreal Nude magique Bourjois Healthy Mix (repurchase) Bourjois Healthy Mix serum Bourjois 123 * (repurchase) Bourjois Happy Light (repurchase) Nars Tinted Moisturiser * (Repurchase) Illamasqua Skinbase * MAC Face & Body Dr Jart Nourishing BB Cream YSL Le touche Eclat * (repurchase) YSL Youth Liberator Serum (repurchase Shu Uemura Noburu MAC Prep & Prime BB Balm compact Bare Escentuals Original foundation Too many i told you! The ones with an * are ones which have 50% or less remaining which I am concentrating on using up. Estee Lauder DW and Rimmel WMU will be finished before the end of Feb hopefully as there is barely anything left. I only keep 3 out and in easy reach at any one time at the moment, one light, one medium and one full coverage and I am using them till they are gone, before pulling another one out to add in the mix. All are less than 12 months old I think and the only one i think i may struggle to use is the MAC BB Prep and Prime balm and the Shu Noburu, cream compact foundations don't sit well on my skin and require quite a bit of work with a beauty blender to work. I do wear foundation regularly every day and shift between lighter and heavier coverages depending on my skin and what I am doing. I also find that one or two of these are my summar foundations when my skin gets a small amount of colour. I am relatively loyal to Bourjois in the drug store as the shade match is spot on for me. Rimmel Wake me up I love but is a touch dark, more my summer shade and the L'oreal was purchased to try the different formula to avoid splashing on the Georgio Armarni version. My Favourite, MUFE F&B I don't have at the moment, so I am working on finishing some up before I repurchase so that I can reduce the number I have down from 16 to 10. Which means I need to use up 7 before I can buy MUFE. Ideally i would have 1) MUFE Face & body - light coverage/water/heatproof 2) Bourjois 123 - dupe for ELDW on me - heavier coverage for bad skin days 3) YSL Le Touche Eclat - everyday buildable base 4) YSL Youth Liberator - full to medium coverage - posh events Maybe if I was being really naughty I would like to keep the Nars TM and Bourjois happy light or Healthy mix as well, but happy light comes up darker and I can only wear in the summer!
 

aradhana

Well-known member
I am in need of a new mascara as all my samples are out. My favorite is the Chanel Volume, but I really don't want to spend $30 on a mascara right now. Does anyone have a suggestion for a cheaper one that they've been enjoying?
I pretty much almost entirely wear drug store mascara, and have no qualms about it. I usually wear maybelline volume express falsies and falsies big eyes....I keep repurchasing because it works well and the price is right. ;) From mac I like their false lashes mascara. And mufe smoky lash.
I am very sad that the Coygirl I purchased from Nordstrom last year when it was being D/c-ed apparently is over 3 yrs old.  I have been inputting my information into that check your cosmetics thing and I have to say I believe their algorithm is off.  I have about 8 smash box single color eyeshadows which I have been wearing my favorite almost finished for about 6 yrs.  Umm they tell me they were purchased in '13!  Impossible.  Smashbox discontinued the single color pots by fall '11.  Either way they are at least 4 yrs old and being pitched. Since the coygirl and the shisheido duo are basically new {purchased in past year or two} I am keeping them.  I don't care what that site says about them being ancient
I don't know whether it was posted in this thread, but could you post the link to the checker?
 

MzBrownBeauty

Well-known member
Great blog post!! Honestly, lipstick and lipgloss never stay on me for very long. I'm either chewing gum, drinking water or coffee...lol! Drugstore lipstick is A okay with me.
 

kerry-jane88

Well-known member
I love all the points of view on this thread, it keeps me stimulated through my beauty journey! So I've hit my 4 beauty products limit for feb already, but im proud of myself so far. Managed to sell even more stuff on ebay and it feels great clearing out. My mantra atm is that theres a time on everything, so use what you love NOW :)
 

Anneri

Well-known member
Great post! I personally don't mind paying extra for things like packaging, innovative research & development, even advertising.. What really gets me is the owners of the company/executives making many many times more than everyone else.. I don't mind that they make more, but they make soooo much more it's ridiculous.
Exactly! I think it's important to keep in mind what you pay for - and only a small percentage is actually the product itself.
 
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