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

[Ajigglin]

Heya Gals! Sorry if I'm striking up a random convo, but last night I did a full inventory (haven't counted new/BU items into the entire total).  I listed each product name and type and brand.  It took me about three hours or more.  THREE HOURS OR MORE.  It was kind of awful.  I feel awful.  I feel annoyed.  I showed my spreadsheet to a family member and she was in shock. She said that it was thousands of dollars worth (she's right).   Some colours I don't think I'll use.  I don't know what to do.  Clearance bin?  Give them away?  Some are basically brand new.  I have BUs of items that I'll never get to.  I think Clearance bin is a good start, but I can't expect to recoup what I've spent.  Oh ladies.  I don't know about myself.  Sometimes I think, how did this happen?  The answer is simple.  I was so unhappy.  I kept trolling ebay and buying tonnes of shadows, glosses....things I just didn't need.  Even this year I haven't done well so far.  I've spent a lot, especially on AA.   SIGH. I'm so overwhelmed.  I was going to go to IMATS but I think I'll skip it.  In fact, I think starting July 1st, I'm going to do a NO BUY for the rest of 2014. Ughhh.  Feeling overwhelmed and a bit ashamed.   Still, I'm going to a CCO tomorrow.  They don't have them in Canada (THANK YOU LORD!). I hope to pick up a basic item, like mascara.   Ladies, I could really use your encouragement.  It feels good to know that I'm not alone.   xo

No! Don't beat yourself up. Yes, you slipped up, but you've already taken the most important steps. You admit where you went wrong and you know why it happened. I would slowly go through your stash and sell or give away the items you don't need or want. Meanwhile, try and figure out an alternative activity for when you feel unhappy, or even better, see if you can address or even eliminate the cause of the unhappiness. Take it a day at a time. This all didn't happen at once, so it won't get fixed at once. To quote my fav gospel song, "we fall down, but we get up." It's the fact that you got up that matters.

Also, I miss @PixieDancer        

Me too. It's not the same around here.

 

[shellygrrl]

Heya Gals! Sorry if I'm striking up a random convo, but last night I did a full inventory (haven't counted new/BU items into the entire total).  I listed each product name and type and brand.  It took me about three hours or more.  THREE HOURS OR MORE.  It was kind of awful.  I feel awful.  I feel annoyed.  I showed my spreadsheet to a family member and she was in shock. She said that it was thousands of dollars worth (she's right).   Some colours I don't think I'll use.  I don't know what to do.  Clearance bin?  Give them away?  Some are basically brand new.  I have BUs of items that I'll never get to.  I think Clearance bin is a good start, but I can't expect to recoup what I've spent.  Oh ladies.  I don't know about myself.  Sometimes I think, how did this happen?  The answer is simple.  I was so unhappy.  I kept trolling ebay and buying tonnes of shadows, glosses....things I just didn't need.  Even this year I haven't done well so far.  I've spent a lot, especially on AA.   SIGH. I'm so overwhelmed.  I was going to go to IMATS but I think I'll skip it.  In fact, I think starting July 1st, I'm going to do a NO BUY for the rest of 2014. Ughhh.  Feeling overwhelmed and a bit ashamed.   Still, I'm going to a CCO tomorrow.  They don't have them in Canada (THANK YOU LORD!). I hope to pick up a basic item, like mascara.   Ladies, I could really use your encouragement.  It feels good to know that I'm not alone.   xo

Don't feel awful or annoyed or ashamed. What's done is done. :hug: If you know you're not going to use something, definitely offer it up in the Clearance Bin, or find someone you know to give them to. Everything else, start using. Select a few products and just use those for the next week, then rotate them out for something else. Or do one of the 30-day challenges. Just something that'll get you to use everything. If you have to stay away from eBay, do that. If you have to unsubscribe from brand or store emails, do that. Do what you have to do to get everything under control. We're here for you. * * * FOTD... * Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer * NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Siberia * MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer - NW15 * MAC Paint Pot - Painterly (undereye area, pre-foundation) * MAC Eyeshadow - Mystery (brows) * Maybelline Great Lash - Clear (brow set) * NARS ProPrime SPESB * UD Naked Palette - Sidecar on the lid (which I simultaneously love and hate - love the colour, loathe the microglitter fall-out), mix of Naked and Buck through the crease, Virgin as a brow and cheekbone highlight * MAC Eyeshadow - Brun (lashline) * Bare Minerals Flawless Defintion Mascara - Black * Benefit Hoola * NARS Blush - Sex Appeal * NYX Round Lipstick - Thalia * Buxom Lipgloss - Dolly So, UD Naked 1. After a month of using mostly that, I'm kinda "meh" about it. I like some of the shades in it. Others, I don't really care for. Hrm.

 

[Alysse011]

Hi everyone! I'm rejoining the no buy movement for the last half of 2014! :rasta: Congratulations to everyone who has a new job/has had success with their low buy this year. I'm excited to hop back on the bandwagon. I moved halfway across the country a couple months back so have had a lot going on, but I tried to catch up as much as possible. Did I miss anything big??

 

[shellygrrl]

Oooh, I should do my own Low-Buy status update. As a reminder, I chose to do a Low-Buy by type of product (and in some categories, a complete no-buy). From my original post...

Where to stop: pre-made eyeshadow palettes (I've got five -- three UD and two Sleek -- palettes to get through!), mascara (I've probably got enough to last till summer), eye liner (which will be easy, I think, as I don't use many non-neutral colours), lipstick (got enough colours for now), lipgloss (ditto), foundation (for now), concealer Where to slow down: lip liner (I've recently ordered another one after adding two to my stash; I've probably got enough for the moment!), single eyeshadows (I've got loads to get through; will buy only if it's a super-unique colour or something I consider an essential), brushes (will buy only to replace), blushes

Halfway through the year, it's looking like this... Where To Stop Pre-made eyeshadow palettes: Both my Sleek palettes are out. UD Naked 1 may likely be out as well. So I will be down to UD Naked 2 and UD Smoked. Meanwhile, no new palettes purchased. SUCCESS Mascara: I did repurchase one of the mascaras I had when I started (Prestige Total Intensity) and added a new one that I now love (Bare Minerals Flawless Definition). I think I'm good with those. SUCCESS Eye liner: I have one eyeliner that I'm either going to add to my Clearance Bin listing or just toss completely (Stila Smudgestick Waterproof in Peacock). I haven't used it in ages (the winding mechanism sucks, and I'm not as in love with it as I was then) and I have a different teal eyeliner that I'm looking to replace it with (UD Mainline, which is a darker teal and matte). Overall, though, I do need to use my liners more, in general. Lipstick: I did buy one lippie (Maybelline Shocking Coral), to fill a gap in my existing stash, and I've purged a few from my stash. I think I can call it a SUCCESS. Lipgloss: I've gotten rid of a few glosses, and no new ones have been purchased. SUCCESS Foundation: I did buy a tinted moisturizer a few months ago (OCC Skin Tint), which ended up going in my purge box, as I couldn't make it work. When that went out I bought a CC cream (It Cosmetics) that I do like and is, IMO, a nice addition to my foundation wardrobe. Concealer: No new concealers purchased. SUCCESS Where To Slow Down Lip Liner: I haven't purchased any new ones since the start. I am eyeing one at the moment, but I'm in no real rush to purchase it, either. Single Eyeshadows: I got rid of one (MAC Scene) and purchased one (MAC Copperplate). I have some that I'm eyeing to replace some favourite shades from one of my Sleek palettes, as well as a few others I think I will get some use out of. Brushes: No new brushes purchased. Blushes: Only one purchased (NARS Sex Fantasy). * * * And so for the second half of 2014... No Buy: pre-made eyeshadow palettes (because I know better now!), mascara (not until winterish), lipstick (I've got a pretty good collection), lipgloss (ditto), foundation (I like the rotation I've got going), concealer With Consideration: lip liner, single eyeshadows, blushes, eyeliner, brushes What To Use More Within Stash: pigments, eyeliners, come up with some lipliner/lipstick/lipgloss combos

 

[DarylandCarole]

Hey ladies, I've been MIA so just checking in & to see how everyone is doing with their low buys. I've done well I did get 3 items from Moody Blooms, 2 shadows & Wordly wealth. Now remember I said I was only going to get these items IF I GOT THE JOB! Yep, I got it lol, I feel truly Blessed, been there almost 2 wks, so with school trying to get adjusted to back working. ..ugh. And I got a office, so I'm thrilled. I've been spending on getting clothes to work in & have been wearing my make-up lol. Now, I did receive "Peaches & Cream" & "Bad girl, gone good". These were a awesome gift from my sweet friend @walkingdead. She great! I'll try to be on more. Cheers!

Congrats! So glad to hear that! I've missed you here, but it's nice to know that there was a good reason for it. It sounds like you're enjoying the changes in your life and that makes me happy.

 

[DarylandCarole]

Heya Gals! Sorry if I'm striking up a random convo, but last night I did a full inventory (haven't counted new/BU items into the entire total).  I listed each product name and type and brand.  It took me about three hours or more.  THREE HOURS OR MORE.  It was kind of awful.  I feel awful.  I feel annoyed.  I showed my spreadsheet to a family member and she was in shock. She said that it was thousands of dollars worth (she's right).   Some colours I don't think I'll use.  I don't know what to do.  Clearance bin?  Give them away?  Some are basically brand new.  I have BUs of items that I'll never get to.  I think Clearance bin is a good start, but I can't expect to recoup what I've spent.  Oh ladies.  I don't know about myself.  Sometimes I think, how did this happen?  The answer is simple.  I was so unhappy.  I kept trolling ebay and buying tonnes of shadows, glosses....things I just didn't need.  Even this year I haven't done well so far.  I've spent a lot, especially on AA.   SIGH. I'm so overwhelmed.  I was going to go to IMATS but I think I'll skip it.  In fact, I think starting July 1st, I'm going to do a NO BUY for the rest of 2014. Ughhh.  Feeling overwhelmed and a bit ashamed.   Still, I'm going to a CCO tomorrow.  They don't have them in Canada (THANK YOU LORD!). I hope to pick up a basic item, like mascara.   Ladies, I could really use your encouragement.  It feels good to know that I'm not alone.   xo

I agree with everyone else, don't beat yourself up so much. I have a strong feeling that you're not the only one on Specktra with thousands of dollars in make-up. Sadly it's not that hard to spend a 1,000.00 on make-up. Just recently I listed all of my purple e/s in an effort to keep myself from buying the ones in Moody Blooms. I was surprised by how many I have. It certainly made it easier to avoid buying more. It seems like a lot of people buy beauty products when they're unhappy. I know I have! We search for a way to cheer ourselves up, and buying pretty things does that for a short time. But now that you really, truly know that's what you've been doing and you want to change that, it will change. Being aware of what I'm doing and why has made it much easier for me to stop buying so much. The last time I bought a bunch of make-up just because I wanted something to make me feel good was before I joined the low-buy thread. Aside from listing what I have, Here's what I've learned from the wise women in this thread: -It will take me a LONG time to use up the make-up that I have - There is only so much make-up that one face can wear, therefore I really don't need ANY e/s, lipstick, lipgloss, eye pencils, blush, etc. the only things I will truly NEED again will be mascara, primer, foundation, and concealer. So if I try to tell myself I need anything else, it's b.s. - If I want something I need to be honest about why - I need to avoid collection threads if I'm trying not to buy from that collection - If I do subscribe to a thread, I have to be very sure I don't get sucked into "that looks so great on her, I need to buy that, too!" I make a list of what I'm getting from a collection and stick to it. - I also have to avoid getting caught up in launch day excitement. It's so easy for me to buy extra things just because it's finally for sale and my impulses take over. I'm not perfect, but all of these things are helping me be more of the person I want to be. Some day I hope I'll be so happy in general and not even want new make-up, but I'm not there yet. But that's why I'm here! I'm glad that you're here, too, and have been so honest with us. I think it probably helps a lot of people to read your post.

 

[mel33t]

Hey guys! So I was updating my 30 day lipstick/blush list when I saw I only had four more days to go! Whoo hoo!! I'm thinking I want to do another challenge in July. I want to do a four week challenge, starting this week, where I use one eyeshadow palette that I really haven't touched. I've listed the ones I want to use below: Week 1: (this week) Urban Decay Naked 3, I can't seem to decide if I like this palette yet. And I've had it since Christmas Week 2, July 7: The Balm Nude Tude Palette. It just sits in my drawer, haven't touched it in a while and I'm not sure I want it anymore. Week 3, July 14: Stila in the Garden Palette. I love the Stila palettes and use them all the time, but this one gets little love from me so I want to give it some more Week 4, July 21: Too Faced Boudoir Eyeshadow Palette. I really do love Too Faced eyeshadows but for some reason I don't reach for this guy often. My main goal in this challenge is to go through these four palettes and see if they're worth keeping. I tend to pull out palettes to use for the week anyway so this is just me forcing myself to use other ones that remain untouched.

 

[charlotte366]

Heya Gals! Sorry if I'm striking up a random convo, but last night I did a full inventory (haven't counted new/BU items into the entire total). I listed each product name and type and brand. It took me about three hours or more.

THREE HOURS OR MORE.

It was kind of awful. I feel awful. I feel annoyed. I showed my spreadsheet to a family member and she was in shock. She said that it was thousands of dollars worth (she's right).

Some colours I don't think I'll use. I don't know what to do. Clearance bin? Give them away? Some are basically brand new. I have BUs of items that I'll never get to. I think Clearance bin is a good start, but I can't expect to recoup what I've spent. Oh ladies. I don't know about myself.

Sometimes I think, how did this happen? The answer is simple. I was so unhappy. I kept trolling ebay and buying tonnes of shadows, glosses....things I just didn't need. Even this year I haven't done well so far. I've spent a lot, especially on AA.

SIGH. I'm so overwhelmed. I was going to go to IMATS but I think I'll skip it. In fact, I think starting July 1st, I'm going to do a NO BUY for the rest of 2014.

Ughhh. Feeling overwhelmed and a bit ashamed.

Still, I'm going to a CCO tomorrow. They don't have them in Canada (THANK YOU LORD!). I hope to pick up a basic item, like mascara.

Ladies, I could really use your encouragement. It feels good to know that I'm not alone. xo

You are not alone, many people on here have large collections and when we add up how much it cost we all get a shock!

The key thing now is to use the feelings you have and turn them into positive results!

Firstly when I started the process earlier this year I pulled out any BNIB items of BU's, list these on ebay or in the clearance bin, sometimes if they are rare and sought after you will get you money back and sometime you will have to take a hit. But I told myself if I left it in the drawer and never used it I had wasted the money completely where as if I sold it and got back 50% or 75% of the cost i would be in a better state than leaving it as it was and ignoring the issue.

Once you have done that re-assess your stash and separate out your absolute loves from the hates and not sures, then challenge yourself, you may re-discover loves, but if its not working for you get rid, either do bundles of used by brand on ebay (I find I get better prices and shift more on ebay this way) or try the clearence bin or try girl friends, mothers, siblings etc.

If it doesn't work for you cut your losses and move on.

6 months in I am making progress, its slow but but it is happening, equally though I am slowly re-couping some of the cash I invested and feeling better about my stash.

The key is to move forward and take those feelings you had and turn them into something positive!, identify what triggers you to spend and monitor what you buy and control those future purchases whilst condensing your stash into a size that you are happy and comfortable with.

Please also post your inventory - I posted mine 3 months ago and I am now re-doing mine and getting ready to sell some more on ebay again of stuff that survived the first cull but hasn't been used since so obviously I won't miss them. It helps to keep you focused and we can help keep you on the right path if you want us too.

 

[charlotte366]

@Glitteryvegas, you are definitely NOT alone. Taking the step to do an inventory is one of the most difficult and you did it!!! Take a minute to be proud of yourself for that and recognize your accomplishment of facing your issues head on. I would suggest religiously tracking your incoming items with that spreadsheet. I have a separate page just for 2014 purchases where I list every item I've bought this year along with price totals etc. It keeps me in check and I need to keep up with mine too.. I let it go for a while and the results were scary.

For decluttering.. I recommend that you go slowly. Start with things that you really don't like or that have expired or maybe are poorer quality. Toss what is not usable, sell new or LE items, and give away to family or friends. Once you've gotten rid of the things that you know you won't use, you can tackle the sheer numbers step by step until you feel comfortable. Take it slowly, because some people who go too fast start feeling panicked and bring more in to compensate. For me personally, one of the realizations I came to is that the money was already spent and I'd never get it back. But these items were sitting there making me feel bad just by their very presence and as a result, I was emotionally shopping even more. It's a vicious cycle.. letting go of some things definitely made my stash much more enjoyable and usable.

Thank you for sharing your experience and good luck with cutting down! We're all here for you!! Feel free to post your thought process as you go. There's no such thing as off topic here and I know I'd love to hear about it and I'm sure others would too! It's okay to feel guilt, disgust etc. Just make sure you turn it into something positive for yourself! <3

July Update:

So I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I could do to improve in the second half of the year and one of my realizations was that I failed because I made a lot of long term goals but I was lacking in concrete short term goals. I'm going to fix that by setting monthly and weekly goals along with planning how to reach them. For each goal I listed 3 negative actions (avoiding temptation) and 3 positive ones (replacing undesirable behaviors with better ones).

July - Buy 0 beauty products.
- Unsubscribe from all collection threads.
- Avoid passing by drugstores while walking home.
- Keep YouTube and blogs to a minimum.
+ Fill spare time with reading, walking, fitness, friends.
+ Wear makeup every day to remind myself how much I already have that I love.
+ Be vigilant about filling out spreadsheets and wish lists to make sure I'm on track.

Tomorrow I'll post my goals for Week 1!

Excellent ideas for July!

I am in the process of re-doing my inventory but it might be a couple of weeks before I finish as I am off on Holiday next week. I have selected some more bits to sell on ebay which haven't been used and I have decided to part with some things that survived the last round.

Money is a little tight at the moment so I plan to be on a no-buy for July and to try to sell the stuff I am not keeping anymore on ebay, ignoring what I paid for it I think there is quite a lot of money that I could re-coup back and I need to focus on saving that in my rainy day fund rather than investing in the new collections!

I need to focus on trying to finish up some bits that are close to being done:

• YSL Teinte Touche Eclat Foundation, less than 20% remaining, I need to finish up and not replace!
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer, nearly finished.
• Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Romance, I suspect a weeks worths of use will finish this one!
• Guerlain Shine Automatique in 261, a couple of weeks use i suspect but this is great for summer and top ups during the day so going to keep it on my desk and reapply instead of lip balm!
• Burberry mini Lipstick, there is so little of this left, it just needs finishing
• Clinique mini Chubby stick intense, not much left just needs finishing.

Therefore I am going to try to incorporate these items into my everyday look for now in an effort to finish them off.

Recently i have had a couple of slip ups, so once I have finished the inventory this month and sold the bits that I don't need anymore I will be monitoring my purchases for the rest of the year and keeping a running total.....I will be trying to stay as close to a no buy as I can while using up as much as I can!

 

[Naynadine]

Haven't posted much here lately... But I didn't fall off the wagon, I haven't pruchased any makeup lately. Just repurchased some skin and hair stuff. I'm pretty proud of myself for still holding on to my giftcards, it's SO tempting to just hit submit, since I have a bunch of things sitting in my cart that I'd like. But fall is looking scary, so many collections as well as new perm stuff from various brands, so I'm trying my hardest to be a girl until then.

I've sold and swapped some more stuff as well and feel really good about that. Yay for my stash getting smaller!

Also, Pixie says hello to everyone.

 

[NaomiH]

Haven't posted much here lately... But I didn't fall off the wagon, I haven't pruchased any makeup lately. Just repurchased some skin and hair stuff. I'm pretty proud of myself for still holding on to my giftcards, it's SO tempting to just hit submit, since I have a bunch of things sitting in my cart that I'd like. But fall is looking scary, so many collections as well as new perm stuff from various brands, so I'm trying my hardest to be a girl until then.

I've sold and swapped some more stuff as well and feel really good about that. Yay for my stash getting smaller!

Also, Pixie says hello to everyone.

That's great Naynadine!Good luck holding on to the gift cards!
and Hi Pixie! Hope you're doing well!

 

[veronikawithak]

Haven't posted much here lately... But I didn't fall off the wagon, I haven't pruchased any makeup lately. Just repurchased some skin and hair stuff. I'm pretty proud of myself for still holding on to my giftcards, it's SO tempting to just hit submit, since I have a bunch of things sitting in my cart that I'd like. But fall is looking scary, so many collections as well as new perm stuff from various brands, so I'm trying my hardest to be a girl until then.

I've sold and swapped some more stuff as well and feel really good about that. Yay for my stash getting smaller!

Also, Pixie says hello to everyone.

YAY smaller stash!! Good for you for holding onto those gift cards too! Fall is looking crazy.. I've been taking things off the list every once in a while. I'm going to try to stay at 5 items or less for each of the ANR and AW collections.

PIXIE. Miss her so much. Sending her positive thoughts every day.

 

[awickedshape]

Good ideas, ladies! It's very encouraging.

 

[veronikawithak]

Here's a great article on downsizing (it's about clothing but the principles can easily apply to cosmetics). I'm not affiliated, just a fan! http://recoveringshopaholic.com/do-you-have-a-closet-set-point/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+recoveringshopaholic%2FrExd+%28Recovering+Shopaholic%29 Lots of great ideas for gradually letting go of things rather than doing a major purge.

 

[NaomiH]

Over the weekend, I managed to clear out a few of my indie pigments from my stash and a few lip products. I still have a LONG way to go by way of narrowing down my piggy stash, but I'm glad I whittled it down a bit.

 

[raych1984]

I'm starting to slim down my makeup stash too. I'm buying a Helmer on Sunday and have vowed that my makeup collection should fit into there and no more!!

 

[Maris Crane]

It's been way too long since I purged. However, I've been making an effort to use new stuff I haven't even tested, as well as stuff I haven't touched in a while. It makes me sick and anxious to have to go through everything. So, just today's FOTD - at least some old stuff actually got some use! skin79 Hot Pink BB cream as a base (and I finished up my can, but have THREE backups of this. Unnessecary!), with the MAC Mineralise Loose in Extra Light buffed in the t-zone. I'm really enjoying this combination. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded, with MAC Aurora pigment (no dent in this... barely used it) on lid, with UD Laced (not Tease, my mistake!) & WOS from my Build Your Own Palette. BB Black Ink gel liner - I can't seem to not use it. Tarte AC blush in Adored; bought on sale and finally used today; Guerlain 01 Blondes bronzer. MAC Creme Cup lipstick & NARS Turkish Delight lip gloss.

 

[Paint&Ink Chick]

My main goal in this challenge is to go through these four palettes and see if they're worth keeping. I tend to pull out palettes to use for the week anyway so this is just me forcing myself to use other ones that remain untouched.

Sounds like a good idea. Now that I'm back to work I should try to wear more of my shadows too.

Thanks @burghchick. I am liking the job, everyone is very friendly lol

 

[Jaymuhlee]

So orange brights week wrapped up on Saturday and I posted all about it in the Theme Makeup thread with lots of pictures this round.

Day 22: Rimmel 109. Even though I like the color, I'll be getting rid of it.
Day 23: Revlon Kiss me Coral. Love this! Stays.
Day 24: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid in Electric Orange. It's out! I've finally come to terms with just not liking the Color Sensational line, which is unfortunate because I have quite a few.

 

[Prettypackages]

Hi Ladies, just popping in. (((HUGS))) To everyone who needs it. And congrats on your low buy successes!