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

[mel33t]

So, I'm not on a strict low buy, but I'm getting to the point with my collection where it's time to be very smart about what to get going forward.

MAC's been improving certain products lately, like light colored standard blush, that I used to easily avoid, because I never liked the texture. Well, now the texture issues I had have been fixed and I can see myself wanting to buy new blushes that I already have similar ones in other formulas. For example, I always loved Mineralize blushes for the way they sat on my skin, but now that the standard blushes are starting to do the same thing, plus last longer - do I ditch all my MBs and buy dupes in the new formulas, just skip the new ones for a while (there's so little chance I'll ever hit pan on a lot of my MBs - they last forever.

Up to now, I've just mostly been resisting. Sharon's blush was better than Lovecloud, but I skipped it, because I DO have Lovecloud and others and don't even wear them very frequently of late. Same thing for the new hot pink blush from Moody Blooms. It's seriously gorgeous and applies like a dream, but I have a couple of hot pinks and I only wear them in the summer and certain evening looks, so SKIP (I'll be thinking about it, though. lol)

There are only 3 blushes I'm interested in in the fall collections (the beige one from AW and the two from ANR) but hey, it's not like I don't already have a few really nice neutral blushes - Bareness and At Dusk are closer to hitting pan than pretty much any of my other blushes, since my heavily used MBs still are going strong.

So what do you all think? Get rid of perfectly nice MBs because new, improved formulas are on the way? Resist similar but better ones? Keep everything and worry about it another day? I don't have as many blushes as I do lipsticks, that's for sure, but I really don't need the pile to grow bigger right now. Even still, I do love my "new & improved" - I've been wearing Pleasure Model EDB lately and it's been PERFECT (it wasn't this perfect when I first got it when I was paler). I had similar, but none of the others look as good and that is the god's honest truth.

dilemmas, dilemmas - looking forward to everyone's feedback!

I would say skip the blush for Moody Blooms. Definitely. There are a lot of permanent colors like it from different brands and if you have something similar - it's not going to be that unique.

For the other ones, wait on the on swatches to be 100% sure. Since going through my collection I'm much more aware of what I have and you may already have something similar. Just because they're new formulas doesn't mean you can't get the ones you have to work for you!

I would keep the old blushes and use them. Why get rid of something that you liked and used? I would try to resist the similar ones as much as you can, I know that's really difficult to do and as a self proclaimed blush hoarder my advice may not be the best. But I'm not touching Moody Blooms which is a huge accomplishment for me. I am skipping everything in that collection. ANR may be a different story but again it depends on swatches.

EDBs are a completely different finish in my mind. I think those are worth the splurge.

My best advice would be if you see something you really want... from the swatches of course. Just back away for a day or two and come back. Really think if you want it. If you do, then go for it. There's no harm in one more blush - it's only when it's one more blush every other week.

Good luck!!

 

[mel33t]

BTW ... I started to make my makeup inventory Excel sheet.
This is going to be quite a daunting task. The tallys stand below!

Primer: 4
BB Cream: 3
Foundation: 9
Concealer: 3
Powder: 2
Setting Powder (i.e. Hourglass): 4
Bronzer: 15 (But two of those are sample sizes)

... Highlighters and MSF's are next on my list. Oh boy.

 

[veronikawithak]

Thanks @liba ! Like I said, I'm kind of interested in the collection so all of the colors sound nice right now. I'll be bringing the number way down and since it's only June and the collection doesn't come out till October, there's plenty of time for that to happen! This is just my first round of "ALL THE THINGS!"  The more I look at Icon, the more conflicted I get! Not sure how brown it'll pull on me but we'll see come September when I can test it in-store. I'm also kind of interested in Tanarama thanks to @veronikawithak ! And I know buying for LE packaging is the worst! But if it's adorable, I just might not be able to help myself. I love The Simpsons and I only have two MAC blushes (gasp!)

Didn't mean to give anyone lemmings for Tanarama! So sorry if I did. I just thought it'd be nice to have one frosty layering color rather than buying multiple frost lipsticks. It was my low buy way of skipping Icon and whatever frosts come out in the future if I can dupe them at home by mixing.

 

[charlotte366]

BTW ... I started to make my makeup inventory Excel sheet.  Keep at it ! This is what I did and I am re doing mine at the weekend to see how it's moved after 3 months,

 

[Jaymuhlee]

Didn't mean to give anyone lemmings for Tanarama! So sorry if I did. I just thought it'd be nice to have one frosty layering color rather than buying multiple frost lipsticks.

It was my low buy way of skipping Icon and whatever frosts come out in the future if I can dupe them at home by mixing.

Not at all! I'd just never heard of it and it looked pretty. I've added it to my to-swatch/potential B2M list.

 

[Jaymuhlee]

You're lucky to have a store nearby so it's easy to try things on first. That's seriously the best way. I always buy in-store, and have gone only to the same store for years and that really pays off…everyone knows me and takes really great care of me and getting LE products is never a problem, since they know they can count on me to buy everything I say I want and will do stuff like wait to get my things until after the release, if it'd help the store's sales figures for an event instead. I've made some great personal friends too, who I hang out with socially and that's been the best part, 100%.

Try Icon in person - it's been a long time since I've seen it in person, but if I recall correctly, it has more depth of color to it compared to Tanarama - you see more contrast between the rich base color and the paler highlight of the frost, so it makes the lips look more volumetric. Tanarama is more all of one color, between the base and the frost, so it's a bit flatter looking. It's also a bit cooler too, if my memory serves me. I always like Tanarama in the tube, but never cared for it enough on my lips to buy it. Icon is a stronger look, if the color works for you. I used to borrow Icon from a friend a zillion years ago, but it was during my era of not wearing much makeup.

So helpful, thank you! If I can pull off Icon I'll be glad because it sounds like a great shade. Only recently have I started getting into frosts so they're all very new to me. New, and slightly terrifying lol.

Also, it's awesome that you've been able to build those relationships. My store has had pretty high turnover over the years but I'm glad to be able to recognize some faces. Maybe one day I'll have my own MAC bff.

 

[veronikawithak]

So, I'm not on a strict low buy, but I'm getting to the point with my collection where it's time to be very smart about what to get going forward. MAC's been improving certain products lately, like light colored standard blush, that I used to easily avoid, because I never liked the texture. Well, now the texture issues I had have been fixed and I can see myself wanting to buy new blushes that I already have similar ones in other formulas. For example, I always loved Mineralize blushes for the way they sat on my skin, but now that the standard blushes are starting to do the same thing, plus last longer - do I ditch all my MBs and buy dupes in the new formulas, just skip the new ones for a while (there's so little chance I'll ever hit pan on a lot of my MBs - they last forever.  Up to now, I've just mostly been resisting. Sharon's blush was better than Lovecloud, but I skipped it, because I DO have Lovecloud and others and don't even wear them very frequently of late. Same thing for the new hot pink blush from Moody Blooms. It's seriously gorgeous and applies like a dream, but I have a couple of hot pinks and I only wear them in the summer and certain evening looks, so SKIP (I'll be thinking about it, though. lol)  There are only 3 blushes I'm interested in in the fall collections (the beige one from AW and the two from ANR) but hey, it's not like I don't already have a few really nice neutral blushes - Bareness and At Dusk are closer to hitting pan than pretty much any of my other blushes, since my heavily used MBs still are going strong.  So what do you all think? Get rid of perfectly nice MBs because new, improved formulas are on the way? Resist similar but better ones? Keep everything and worry about it another day? I don't have as many blushes as I do lipsticks, that's for sure, but I really don't need the pile to grow bigger right now. Even still, I do love my "new & improved" - I've been wearing Pleasure Model EDB lately and it's been PERFECT (it wasn't this perfect when I first got it when I was paler). I had similar, but none of the others look as good and that is the god's honest truth. dilemmas, dilemmas - looking forward to everyone's feedback! :specktrarocks:

I'm kind of having the same dilemma right now.. I'm really loving my Hourglass blushes and Chanel cream blush. I reach for those 3 all of the time. Formulas that aren't as great tend to sit there and I have to remember to rotate them.. I'd be interested to hear what other people think too! My first thought is to pick one of your staple colors and get that shade in a new formula. You could do a 1 in, 1 out rule and get rid of your least favorite when you bring one in. Or you could pick your top 1 or 2 favorites and get rid of the rest in that shade. I think it's worth it to get some new tech.. but only if you feel like you'd be sacrificing wears to shades you don't love over ones that you really do. You could gradually work through your stash that way over time rather than replacing things too quickly and maybe regretting getting rid of something. I find gradual changes work best for me. My take on low buy for myself personally is that I want most of my stash to be my absolute favorites from any given category so I can wear my favorite things every day. Which is why I want to be more selective and keep my numbers low. But I know everyone's got different goals. Would be interested to hear opinions on this as well.

 

[liba]

So helpful, thank you! If I can pull off Icon I'll be glad because it sounds like a great shade. Only recently have I started getting into frosts so they're all very new to me. New, and slightly terrifying lol.

Also, it's awesome that you've been able to build those relationships. My store has had pretty high turnover over the years but I'm glad to be able to recognize some faces. Maybe one day I'll have my own MAC bff.
Frosts are great for making your lips look full! Considering we mostly have been seeing nude frosts be released, it's like any other nudes - some shades will be a heck of a lot better on a person than others, so there's always that to consider. I skip a lot of MAC frosts, but the ones I buy, I really love and use all the time, like Warm Companion

Quote: Originally Posted by veronikawithak


I'm kind of having the same dilemma right now.. I'm really loving my Hourglass blushes and Chanel cream blush. I reach for those 3 all of the time. Formulas that aren't as great tend to sit there and I have to remember to rotate them.. I'd be interested to hear what other people think too!

My first thought is to pick one of your staple colors and get that shade in a new formula. You could do a 1 in, 1 out rule and get rid of your least favorite when you bring one in. Or you could pick your top 1 or 2 favorites and get rid of the rest in that shade. I think it's worth it to get some new tech.. but only if you feel like you'd be sacrificing wears to shades you don't love over ones that you really do. You could gradually work through your stash that way over time rather than replacing things too quickly and maybe regretting getting rid of something. I find gradual changes work best for me.

My take on low buy for myself personally is that I want most of my stash to be my absolute favorites from any given category so I can wear my favorite things every day. Which is why I want to be more selective and keep my numbers low. But I know everyone's got different goals.

Would be interested to hear opinions on this as well.

I keep my makeup buying down by sticking only to MAC - I don't even let myself look at Chanel. I'd buy Chanel in the past, when I hardly every bought makeup, but buying it regularly, I've stuck to MAC as more fun and a much better value. Since MAC prices have crept up so much over the years, it's harder to continue to treat it like throwaway makeup, sadly. I still think one of the things that works most for me right now is understanding that a lot of makeup I will buy will be for fun - use it for maximum impact for a season or a couple of years then let it go and move on when it's not unique or exciting or flattering anymore. So, no BUs and no holding on to things that aren't being used any longer. Then, when the new tech comes down the pike, being able to separate out a color that isn't that unique and will be back again in another version vs. a color that's beautifully unique, very flattering and also in the new tech.

 

[veronikawithak]

I mostly have EDBs and MBs, with much fewer standard blushes. I also have more bright and/or strongly pigmented blushes, since I'm much more picky about neutral blushes and their texture. Thankfully, I'm pretty picky about blush just in general. :sweat:  I do have a feeling I may eventually just face facts and ditch my older blushes in favor of newer ones, if they're all going to be like Cheeky Bugger and the Moody Blooms pink one going forward, because they are SERIOUSLY a giant step forward - easier to apply, more natural looking, long lasting. I love MBs, but if it's an end of an era, so be it.  I AM a lucky dog, in that I usually see collections in person in advance and there's nothing like trying things on, when it comes to buying makeup. I would stop buying it all together if I couldn't try before buying.  Frosts are great for making your lips look full! Considering we mostly have been seeing nude frosts be released, it's like any other nudes - some shades will be a heck of a lot better on a person than others, so there's always that to consider. I skip a lot of MAC frosts, but the ones I buy, I really love and use all the time, like Warm Companion I keep my makeup buying down by sticking only to MAC - I don't even let myself look at Chanel. I'd buy Chanel in the past, when I hardly every bought makeup, but buying it regularly, I've stuck to MAC as more fun and a much better value. Since MAC prices have crept up so much over the years, it's harder to continue to treat it like throwaway makeup, sadly. I still think one of the things that works most for me right now is understanding that a lot of makeup I will buy will be for fun - use it for maximum impact for a season or a couple of years then let it go and move on when it's not unique or exciting or flattering anymore. So, no BUs and no holding on to things that aren't being used any longer. Then, when the new tech comes down the pike, being able to separate out a color that isn't that unique and will be back again in another version vs. a color that's beautifully unique, very flattering and also in the new tech. 

Good point! I didn't mean to sound like people should buy more HE makeup. I only have 1 lipstick and 1 blush from Chanel and they're both in neutral everyday colors that I can use for any season or occasion. More fun or seasonal colors I go with MAC usually. I just meant that my best textures and colors are the ones that get used over others so I can see why you would want to trade up for new tech! And I think you should! Maybe not a complete overhaul all at once but over time replace things gradually. I like your style with wearing things for a while and then letting them go.. it sounds like a very relaxing and less forced way to play with makeup. I've been doing that a bit more lately with some fun colors and it's been a great experience.

 

[lilinah]

I bought 3 DS items for my trip to Bali, that way I won't feel bad if something happens to them: a dark red lipstick for concerts, a dark brown eyeliner, and a champagne frost eye shadow. The lipstick was more than half the price of a MAC lipstick - but a Chanel is 2x the cost of MAC. So while I don't think of MAC as "throwaway", it's still darn moderate, even with price increases, because pretty much every other brand is raising prices.

 

[liba]

I like your style with wearing things for a while and then letting them go.. it sounds like a very relaxing and less forced way to play with makeup. I've been doing that a bit more lately with some fun colors and it's been a great experience.

I just stick to one brand to keep things simple. I've always preferred MAC overall, since when they opened their first store in L.A. - best combo of price and fashion forward concepts. It used to be all the really high end brands were much, much more conservative about the colors and products they offered, with maybe one really cool and unusual thing sprinkled in there every year or so, while MAC and then UD were really pushing the envelope. Now, Chanel and a few other brands are serious about pushing new trends, so it complicates things, to say the least I just sit on my old fogey butt and avoid the department store makeup counters and Sephora. I know I miss out on a few really cool things, but I'm fine with that tradeoff. MAC keeps me plenty busy as it is. As someone who spent years out of the makeup loop, the easiest way to low-buy is plain old ignorance and not keeping up with all the cool stuff that's out there.

I can't say my casual attitude is going to save me money, that's for sure. It saves me a lot of stress about BUs, finding storage for the clutter, and so on. It also has been making it easier to skip certain things, while making it harder to skip others. I do dress up and go out and wear funky makeup a lot, which is easy to do in L.A. I've found that more girls are wearing lipstick + eye makeup now than even a couple of years ago - the style is definitely getting more makeup-positive in this city. It used to be you'd go out and half the girls maybe just had a little eye liner and that was it. It was frankly kind of boring, hehe. Was just out last night at a pretty casual place down by the beach and almost all the young girls had groovy makeup on and it did my heart proud. Good for them!!!

 

[Sandy072]

I just stick to one brand to keep things simple. I've always preferred MAC overall, since when they opened their first store in L.A. - best combo of price and fashion forward concepts. It used to be all the really high end brands were much, much more conservative about the colors and products they offered, with maybe one really cool and unusual thing sprinkled in there every year or so, while MAC and then UD were really pushing the envelope. Now, Chanel and a few other brands are serious about pushing new trends, so it complicates things, to say the least I just sit on my old fogey butt and avoid the department store makeup counters and Sephora. I know I miss out on a few really cool things, but I'm fine with that tradeoff. MAC keeps me plenty busy as it is. As someone who spent years out of the makeup loop, the easiest way to low-buy is plain old ignorance and not keeping up with all the cool stuff that's out there. eace: I can't say my casual attitude is going to save me money, that's for sure. It saves me a lot of stress about BUs, finding storage for the clutter, and so on. It also has been making it easier to skip certain things, while making it harder to skip others. I do dress up and go out and wear funky makeup a lot, which is easy to do in L.A. I've found that more girls are wearing lipstick + eye makeup now than even a couple of years ago - the style is definitely getting more makeup-positive in this city. It used to be you'd go out and half the girls maybe just had a little eye liner and that was it. It was frankly kind of boring, hehe. Was just out last night at a pretty casual place down by the beach and almost all the young girls had groovy makeup on and it did my heart proud. Good for them!!! 

I like your reasoning on back ups - everything comes back again eventually, or goes out of style before you'll use it up anyway. Not backing up means more room and money,and less guilt when picking up a new fun trendy thing. For your blush dilemma... I feel like if you know you will use and enjoy the new blush more than the similar one that you already have, then buy it. Might as well love what you have, and if the older neutrals aren't getting much love because the formula isn't as great, then at least the new ones will get used!

 

[PixieDancer]

Sorry I've been MIA a little. Had some tough news delivered that I'm having a difficult time dealing with.
Please know I'm reading all your posts. I am truly happy to see everyone doing so well. Good Luck to you all.

 

[Maris Crane]

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but Revlon seems expensive to me at times. I won't buy at the drugstore unless it's on sale or I'm getting bonus points. lolz! But anytime I hit up a Tom Ford counter and am lucky enough... lord, hold me back.

 

[Dolly Snow]

Sorry I've been MIA a little. Had some tough news delivered that I'm having a difficult time dealing with. Please know I'm reading all your posts. I am truly happy to see everyone doing so well. Good Luck to you all.

I hope you are ok Pixie! My thoughts are with you!

 

[NaomiH]

Sorry I've been MIA a little. Had some tough news delivered that I'm having a difficult time dealing with. Please know I'm reading all your posts. I am truly happy to see everyone doing so well. Good Luck to you all.

Hope you're well Pixie and that everything works itself out for you soon. Huge hugs, tons of kisses and happy thoughts are being sent your way. :hug:

 

[Maris Crane]

I just stick to one brand to keep things simple. I've always preferred MAC overall, since when they opened their first store in L.A. - best combo of price and fashion forward concepts. It used to be all the really high end brands were much, much more conservative about the colors and products they offered, with maybe one really cool and unusual thing sprinkled in there every year or so, while MAC and then UD were really pushing the envelope. Now, Chanel and a few other brands are serious about pushing new trends, so it complicates things, to say the least I just sit on my old fogey butt and avoid the department store makeup counters and Sephora. I know I miss out on a few really cool things, but I'm fine with that tradeoff. MAC keeps me plenty busy as it is. As someone who spent years out of the makeup loop, the easiest way to low-buy is plain old ignorance and not keeping up with all the cool stuff that's out there. eace: I can't say my casual attitude is going to save me money, that's for sure. It saves me a lot of stress about BUs, finding storage for the clutter, and so on. It also has been making it easier to skip certain things, while making it harder to skip others. I do dress up and go out and wear funky makeup a lot, which is easy to do in L.A. I've found that more girls are wearing lipstick + eye makeup now than even a couple of years ago - the style is definitely getting more makeup-positive in this city. It used to be you'd go out and half the girls maybe just had a little eye liner and that was it. It was frankly kind of boring, hehe. Was just out last night at a pretty casual place down by the beach and almost all the young girls had groovy makeup on and it did my heart proud. Good for them!!! 

That's one thing I like about Chanel & NARS though - at least when something's promoted in a collection, it's permanent, so there isn't the same rush and whoosh! to get things right away with MAC or even Maybelline for that matter. I noticed in flowerbomb31's haul, everything she bought apart from the two Glossimers was going to be made perm. That's helpful when you need that time to ruminate before you buy or splurge on a whole collection.

 

[veronikawithak]

I just stick to one brand to keep things simple. I've always preferred MAC overall, since when they opened their first store in L.A. - best combo of price and fashion forward concepts. It used to be all the really high end brands were much, much more conservative about the colors and products they offered, with maybe one really cool and unusual thing sprinkled in there every year or so, while MAC and then UD were really pushing the envelope. Now, Chanel and a few other brands are serious about pushing new trends, so it complicates things, to say the least I just sit on my old fogey butt and avoid the department store makeup counters and Sephora. I know I miss out on a few really cool things, but I'm fine with that tradeoff. MAC keeps me plenty busy as it is. As someone who spent years out of the makeup loop, the easiest way to low-buy is plain old ignorance and not keeping up with all the cool stuff that's out there. eace: I can't say my casual attitude is going to save me money, that's for sure. It saves me a lot of stress about BUs, finding storage for the clutter, and so on. It also has been making it easier to skip certain things, while making it harder to skip others. I do dress up and go out and wear funky makeup a lot, which is easy to do in L.A. I've found that more girls are wearing lipstick + eye makeup now than even a couple of years ago - the style is definitely getting more makeup-positive in this city. It used to be you'd go out and half the girls maybe just had a little eye liner and that was it. It was frankly kind of boring, hehe. Was just out last night at a pretty casual place down by the beach and almost all the young girls had groovy makeup on and it did my heart proud. Good for them!!! 

For sure! I tend to mostly stick with MAC but venture out for a few fun things like the Hourglass powders, Bite lipsticks or things like foundation where I don't have a shade match in MAC. Ignorance is definitely bliss when it comes to not overspending! I've noticed a spike in purchases since I started following MAC/Specktra again but fortunately not many things from other brands catch my eye. And I have enough colors now that I can be more selective because I'll have something similar. I wish people were more adventurous with makeup where I live but sadly not. It ends up making things easier for me though. I only tend to do adventurous looks a couple times a week so I know to keep that part of my stash to a minimum.

 

[PixieDancer]

Hope you're well Pixie and that everything works itself out for you soon. Huge hugs, tons of kisses and happy thoughts are being sent your way.

Thanks girls. I appreciate the love. Truly.

 

[veronikawithak]

Sorry I've been MIA a little. Had some tough news delivered that I'm having a difficult time dealing with. Please know I'm reading all your posts. I am truly happy to see everyone doing so well. Good Luck to you all.

So sorry to hear that Pixie.. we'll be thinking about you and sending positive thoughts your way.