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

[PixieDancer]

I failed already. We went to the mall because my wife needed more work clothes, and we needed to restock on a couple things from Lush. Unfortunately, Lush is right next to Sephora and L'Occitane, and since my wife wanted a new concealer and to get a present for her mother, we ended up going into both stores. I only bought one lipstick and one (full-size) perfume, though, so I guess it could have been worse. Maybe a no-buy was setting myself up for failure. I'm thinking about making it a low-buy instead.
There's no failing in low-buy! So come join us dear! We are all just fighting through the impulses and trying to recognize triggers and habits... Identifying the cause of over buying and impulse buying is really key to any long term success. Let us know how you're feeling and what goals you may have! We are all in this together!

Quote: Originally Posted by burghchick


I just saw your post. I hope that you're feeling better. I have been there re: feeling depressed. It makes you not feel like doing anything. Sometimes you do need something to brighten your day, and it doesn't sound like you bought too much. I think it takes awhile to find a balance between buying things you don't need/won't use and not allowing yourself anything nice. We all need things to look forward to and nice things that make life enjoyable. If we completely cut out shopping in general, then we look for something else that makes us happy. At least I do. I think (I won't say I'm sure I'm right) that I have to find things that bring me joy that don't bring problems down the road. That is easier said than done, though.
I'm trying for progress, not perfection.

I absolutely LOVE this phrase! You're doing great!!

 

[shellygrrl]

FOTD... * It Cosmetics YSBB CC Cream - Fair * MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer - NW15 * MAC Brow Pencil - Stud * MAC Eyeshadow - Mystery * Sonia Kashuk Brow Gel - Clear * NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base * MAC Eyeshadow - Copperplate (crease/above crease) * MAC Pigment - Blue Brown (used dry; all over the lid) * Makeup Geek Eyeshadow - Moondust (over the top of the piggie) * Makeup Geek Eyeshadow - Hipster (crease) * Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil - Zero (lashline) * BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara - Black * OCC Cream Colour Concentrate - John Doe (contour) * MAC Blush - Taupe (to set said contour) * NARS Blush - Sex Appeal (I have a feeling I'm going to be hitting pan on this pretty soon) * Revlon Colorburst Lipstick - Soft Nude I was inspired by a look by megsmakeupxo on Instagram, wherein she used Makeup Geek's Insomnia Pigment (a dupe for MAC Blue Brown). I didn't use the same colours, of course, but it did get me to pull out Blue Brown.

 

[DarylandCarole]

I just saw your post. I hope that you're feeling better. I have been there re: feeling depressed. It makes you not feel like doing anything. Sometimes you do need something to brighten your day, and it doesn't sound like you bought too much. I think it takes awhile to find a balance between buying things you don't need/won't use and not allowing yourself anything nice. We all need things to look forward to and nice things that make life enjoyable. If we completely cut out shopping in general, then we look for something else that makes us happy. At least I do. I think (I won't say I'm sure I'm right) that I have to find things that bring me joy that don't bring problems down the road. That is easier said than done, though. I'm trying for progress, not perfection.

I absolutely LOVE this phrase! You're doing great!! [/quote] Thanks, Pixie. I can't take credit for the saying, though. It's from Al-Anon. They have a lot of good sayings that help with all kinds of issues.

 

[Eggy Bread]

Anxiety and boredom are both big triggers for me, and I have a chronic illness that's caused me to be both anxious and bored quite often. I think the shopping got really bad during my last major episode because I was literally stuck in bed with my laptop for weeks. My crazy shopping hasn't stopped since I've been feeling better, though.

 

[Maris Crane]

I know I've fallen off the wagon, but if there's one thing in the No Buy/Low Buy I've managed now... when I do buy something new, and really make an effort to use it. So many times when I'd haul, I'd buy something because it was pretty, put in a drawer, and finally get around to using it months later. I love reading through this thread, especially if I see someone just purchased something I did impulsively as well, and how they've managed to use it. On the progress not perfection note (thanks, burghchick!) my checklist of things I've wanted to use AT LEAST once in the month is about 80% complete, I'm really making headway with my Bourjois and NARS bronzers, hit pan on Guerlain Blondes this month. I'll never be a minimalist and I'm disgusted by how much I have when I go over to a girlfriends' and see their stash, but I'm at least semi-happy with what I've done. I could be better, though. I have to say: the attitude of a certain person at a certain Tom Ford counter this week kind of soured me off hauling for a bit. And my FOTN, for kicks: skin79 Hot Pink Bb cream, with MAC Mineralise Loose. I used the VS Setting Spray and then went back with a bit of Neutrogena Anti-Shine in the t-zone since I have a long day. Hard Candy Glamouflage on redness and a couple of spots, Armani Master Corrector #1 for undereyes along with the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. Chanel Id'o in Mirage on lid. Since I received it on Monday night, I've worn it Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and last night. Maybelline The Nudes palette: I haven't used it too much. Nude milk chocolate-y colour in the crease, bronze in the first row in outer corners, matte nude-pink-beige on browbone, and shimmery gold-white in tear duct. Jordana Fabuliner in Black winged, with Neutrogena Healthy Volume Carbon Black mascara. Essence Beach Cruisers ombre blush in Spring Break Bourjois Bronzing Primer along with Benefit Hoola to just deepen/darken up my cheeks TonyMoly WP brow pencil #01 Revlon lip butter in Pink Lemonade and BE Buxom gloss in Celeste

 

[shellygrrl]

Anxiety and boredom are both big triggers for me, and I have a chronic illness that's caused me to be both anxious and bored quite often. I think the shopping got really bad during my last major episode because I was literally stuck in bed with my laptop for weeks. My crazy shopping hasn't stopped since I've been feeling better, though. 

You have done one important thing, though: you've recognized your triggers. Now you can make a goal to find something else to help you through your anxiety and boredom, that doesn't involve shopping.

 

[kait0]

I know I've fallen off the wagon, but if there's one thing in the No Buy/Low Buy I've managed now... when I do buy something new, and really make an effort to use it. So many times when I'd haul, I'd buy something because it was pretty, put in a drawer, and finally get around to using it months later. I love reading through this thread, especially if I see someone just purchased something I did impulsively as well, and how they've managed to use it. On the progress not perfection note (thanks, burghchick!) my checklist of things I've wanted to use AT LEAST once in the month is about 80% complete, I'm really making headway with my Bourjois and NARS bronzers, hit pan on Guerlain Blondes this month. I'll never be a minimalist and I'm disgusted by how much I have when I go over to a girlfriends' and see their stash, but I'm at least semi-happy with what I've done. I could be better, though. I have to say: the attitude of a certain person at a certain Tom Ford counter this week kind of soured me off hauling for a bit.

Sorry to hear about the negative counter visit. I get a little bit of satisfaction knowing I withheld buying a bunch of stuff from a rude salesperson!

 

[BriarRose]

I keep putting off and putting off and putting off posting in this thread again. My sole post was many months ago. A family member very important to me passed away not long after that. It has been a very hard 2014. When I'm stressed or upset, my impulse for years has been "buy and collect." I've been a collector of various things my whole life, and when I finally got in to makeup in 2011, the LE aspect of MAC kicked up my collecting side and transferred those habits to makeup. Not good when it comes to things like cream products, lipglosses, etc. I have been trying since early 2013 to cut way back on my makeup purchases. Sometimes I have better luck than others.

Back in December I set a tentative goal of no more than 2 items per MAC collection, with the exception being the mineralized collections which I could get 3-4 things (since I love mineralized products) and the Maleficent collection, which I put no item limit on (I'm a Disney collector first and foremost). Also set a goal of buying no more than 2 MAC lipglosses through the end of June.

I did really well so far mostly. Playland tripped me up due to the bright lipsticks and the bright casual colors (bright lipsticks and CCs are my weaknesses, MAC wise). The Osbourne collection really messed me up with low buy just because so many things worked for pale, cool me, when so many collections before it had royally disappointed me in terms of lacking cool products. Otherwise, I have met my MAC goals. I even surpassed the lipgloss goal, only buying one from Alluring Aquatic and receiving one as a gift from Playland. I've been so happy with that decision that I decided not to buy any more glosses the rest of the year.

My problem has come with other makeup brands. I've mostly avoided things like the CVS clearance sales like the plague and cut way back on LE Color Tattoos from Maybelline (a wise choice after I realized to my horror several of my open ones that aren't event that old are already dried out, while my older MAC paintpots remain perfect). But I've had trouble with things like the Kat Von D lipsticks and Urban Decay eyeshadows. I haven't gone overboard on the UD side, but I definitely did on the KVD lipsticks. I got 7 in a matter of maybe 2 weeks, which is just insane for me. That's what prompted me to return to this thread and set some kind of goal for myself for non-MAC products too because having boundaries worked for me there, and I don't want to just replace a "buying too much MAC" problem with a "buying too much of other brands" problem. So I'm going to try a low-buy goal for non-MAC products of no more than 2 items every two months. Whenever the holiday sets start coming out, that will be my exception and I'll allow for up to 2 additional items from that alone, not counting to my overall low-buy goal. I'm hoping that's workable, since I love holiday sets.

I am proud of myself because I didn't really think I could do as well as I did with the low buy goals. As bad as this year has been, I showed restraint and turned to other avenues (music, reading, and photography) to make me feel better rather than buying makeup. I just still need and want to do better on the non-MAC end, and I hope to not slip up with any of the remaining MAC collections this year. Two overbuys was enough. I'm figuring I should allow for two more though, because I can see from lists of what's to come that I will be skipping a lot of collections entirely the rest of this year because so much of it doesn't work for me. So I'm thinking if I go over, I can't go over but by 1 or 2 products a max of two times. I simply hate that I have so much stuff I don't have time to use, and some stuff that's never been used at all. I don't like to be wasteful. I want to use what I have and enjoy it.

I figured the other day that I would try a variation of what many of you have done, to use as many products as possible, especially neglected ones. I thought a fun goal for myself would be to do a 31 day challenge where I have to use at least 120 different products by the end of the 31st day. If I want to get an A+ from myself, I'll have to use at least 150 different products. I can repeat products, but they'll only count one time. I have a goal within a goal of using 50 products I've never used before. A lot of these will be eyeshadows from palettes I never got around to using, like the UD anniversary palette. We'll see how this all goes.

I don't wear foundation or concealer, and I don't wear mascara. I'm not going to count primers (eyeshadow primers or lip primers). So basically my options involve eyeshadows of all forms, eyeshadow bases, eyeliners, blushes, MSFs, CCBs, CCs, beauty powders, other various powders, lipsticks, glosses, and liners. Probably 80% of my collection is MAC, and I don't even know just how many things I have. I hope to find out by the end of this thanks to a spreadsheet. And also hoping to weed out products I really do not like and either give to friends or donate or something. And weed out products that need to be tossed too!

Here's what I've used so far. Just completed Day 2. I'll list the product, what brand and collection (if applicable) it came from in brackets, and then my impressions in parenthesis.

Day 1
Freak eyeshadow [UD's Electric Palette] (This palette is a very recent purchase and I've used it 3x already; LOVE IT)
Fringe eyeshadow [UD's Electric Palette] (LOVE IT)
Powersurge Kohl eyeliner [MAC] (My standard go-to liner.)
Legendary blush [MAC's Marilyn Monroe] (Still really like it, even though it's not pink, aka my favorite color for cheek products)
Lush Amber lipstick [MAC's Semi Precious] (Sort of like it; pretty color but very drying, like the older lustres tended to be on me. I can't believe I had never opened this. I thought I had!)

Day 2
Her Alter Image eyeshadow [MAC's Venomous Villains] (still LOVE IT)
Vile Violet eyeshadow [MAC's Venomous Villains] (still LOVE IT)
Powersurge Kohl eyeliner [MAC]
Just a Wisp mineralized blush [MAC] (LOVE the color; a pain to apply though; very powdery and easy to look like a disco ball; I think I need to try a different brush with this.)
Budding Love lipstick [MAC's Chen Man] (still LOVE IT; one of my all-time favorite non-bright lipsticks)

Totals
Days: 2
Different products used: 9/120
Products used for the first time: 2/50

I'm sorry this is so long! I thought maybe talking about my experience would help someone else, and help me too to talk about it. And I'm excited about this little project I'm taking on. I think it will be fun and enlightening. I'll try to update every few days.

 

[kerry-jane88]

Wow [@]BriarRose [/@] youve done so well! Really well done I'm sure most of us can relate to the feeling of needing to buy if we're upset or stressed, as the need for light relief and distraction is great when you're down. And we've all been there when we might have bought a bit more than we'd like on certain collections, though not to sound too enabling but things like where the Osbornes really worked for you colour wise, sometimes that's the way it goes! You get a year of personally unsuitable shades and then one big collection catches you by surprise! Your point about reeling in your spending on other brands really hit home for me, as I think that's been the bulk of my problem this year. I actually don't buy as much mac as I used to since the UK prices have increased each year, plus since I've been on this low buy thread I've been able to skip most of the limited edition stuff or at least be mindful of how many products id buy from a collection: one or two. But I need to apply that to the rest of the makeup I buy too! I think because most of the other brands I've been buying from don't tend to sell out of their seasonal collections it's worse as I'm much more likely to go back and buy stuff I'd skipped when it initially launched, if you get me? so thanks for your post as it's reminded me of what I wanted to be mindful of

 

[mel33t]

BriarRose amazing job! I think a big step is taking a loom and realizing what's going on. Don't beat yourself up about going crazy with Osbourne. Luke kerryjane said, sometimes a collection comes that just clicks with you. .... I'm absolutely dreading to go to work today. I'm still upset/angry about what happened last week. Its making me reevaluate my options, which sucks because I've only been there a year. Being an adult is hard. It sucks.

 

[veronikawithak]

I hope you're feeling better and in a more positive frame of mind, even if just a little bit!

Thank you for mentioning this video - I really enjoyed it and feel inspired to do some more de-cluttering, especially on stuff that should just go for hygiene/expiry reasons and can't be given away.

 

[Audrey C]

Hello ladies,

Just popping in to say hi to everyone; I'm not even going to pretend to read the 1200+ posts I missed. Hope everyone is doing well and is progressing on their low-buy.

Things have been fine on the makeup front with me. I've been tracking usage since April and did another big purge over the weekend. I said goodbye to enough products that each of my two daughters were able to pick two BTM freebies. I had almost a dozen legit empties and depots (free BTM e/s from Moody Blooms), but I basically tossed anything that I didn't use over the summer (except for certain fall lippies/blush).

If I have to fiddle with it to get it to work, or if it's a formula I just don't care much for? Gone. I have too many products I really love to bother storing ones I don't. If I haven't reached for them in five months, I won't miss them. I also trimmed my lippies; I had too many similar colours (Brave/Twig/Fast Play, See Sheer/Dreaming Dahlia, Crosswires) and I was forcing myself to cycle through them rather than just enjoy wearing my favourite. That makes no sense. I also got rid of all of the little sample l/g I've accumulated over the last year. They're just taking up space and distracting me from opening the aging full-sized versions I actually paid for in last Christmas' holiday sets.

I bought three e/s palettes while I was away on vacation with my family (two Sleek and one Makeup Revolution). I've already given away one of the Sleek (too sparkly for my tastes) and I'll have to see how the others fare. They were so cheap that I really don't care whether I keep them or pass them along to one of the many teens who drift through the house. Id heard great things about Sleek, but so far i'm not impressed. The palette I tried performed like what it is - a cheaper product. Great for my daughter, but I prefer a nicer finish.

I recently hit Rouge again, so I've obviously spent more than enough this year. While it's true that a fair bit of that amount is skincare/shampoo, about half of it was makeup. I'm not too disturbed about the total since I've spent very little on MAC this year.

I've definitely bought more than the ten products I intended to, but my collection is smaller than it was at the beginning of the year with the exception of e/s since I've added those palettes. I've got another few items that I might still say goodbye to, but I want to wear them a bit this fall to confirm that I don't want them. For example, I virtually never wear fluidlines since I've discovered UD 24/7 and Tarte Smoldereyes liners and I have eight of them open. They haven't dried out yet but I let a couple go this weekend because I know I won't reach for them. I'll probably trim those down further and just keep the couple of shades that I really love (Dark Diversion, Local Wares); I'm going to try wearing couple of the others as a wash of colour over the lid. If they don't get more use that way, I'm going to trade them in. I did the same with paint pots - I just kept two of them. I have four purple lipsticks and only occasionally reach for those, so I could easily go down to 2 there.

What I have gotten better at this year is only keeping products I really like; anything meh doesn't stay. This year, that included new items like UD Naked 2, a Clinique 8-pan palette, MAC Fun Ending blush (just got it today and it doesn't even show on me) and a couple of lipsticks as well as a bunch of items I bought a couple of years ago at the peak of my purchasing.

I don't think I'll set any more rules for myself; I'll just keep trimming what I have as appropriate and continue adding more selectively than I did in the past. The combination of those two things is leading to a more sanely sized makeup stash that I actually use. That's really what I wanted to achieve.

I don't hang around Specktra as much as I used to (amazing how much less tempting makeup is out in the rest of the world), but I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[veronikawithak]

@Audrey C I'm glad to see a post from you and so happy that you're doing so well! Totally agree about trying to cycle through things rather than just using your favorites.. I try not to keep dupes around as well. That's great that you were able to let go of so much!

I just recently pared down my stash again too and it feels fantastic. Between that and using things up I have enough MAC empties for 4 B2M items. I'm working my way through my products and with doing a No Buy July and limiting my purchases to 5 per month I'm starting to feel like I've got a handle on things again. It's a nice feeling!

 

[PixieDancer]

So nice to see some familiar faces around here @BriarRose & @Audrey C! Happy to hear of the successes! YAY! Make sure you keep us posted on how you're both doing!

 

[VAL4M]

Gave to my coworker two lipsticks MAC Strong Woman and Exclusive event. Both wasn't looking good on me, and at one point if you won't wear it why keep it! I did purchase two lipsticks from Novel romance and both are really looking good on me so every one is happy. But I have to stop buying over the internet, even if i'm happy with Good Kisser, i'v made a mistake when I order Yield to love I thought it was the brick red color instead YTL is a pink (still pretty) but not what I wanted. I will keep it but it just remind me that buying makeup with almost with a gun on your temple, that you have to pull the trigger as soon as it is up on the site, it juste make you buy thing you wouldn't if you take time to go at the store and actually try the stuff on. And let face it on your lips or cheeks sometime the difference is so little that it is not worth to purchased!

 

[DarylandCarole]

I know I've fallen off the wagon, but if there's one thing in the No Buy/Low Buy I've managed now... when I do buy something new, and really make an effort to use it. So many times when I'd haul, I'd buy something because it was pretty, put in a drawer, and finally get around to using it months later. I love reading through this thread, especially if I see someone just purchased something I did impulsively as well, and how they've managed to use it. On the progress not perfection note (thanks, burghchick!) my checklist of things I've wanted to use AT LEAST once in the month is about 80% complete, I'm really making headway with my Bourjois and NARS bronzers, hit pan on Guerlain Blondes this month. I'll never be a minimalist and I'm disgusted by how much I have when I go over to a girlfriends' and see their stash, but I'm at least semi-happy with what I've done. I could be better, though. I have to say: the attitude of a certain person at a certain Tom Ford counter this week kind of soured me off hauling for a bit. And my FOTN, for kicks: skin79 Hot Pink Bb cream, with MAC Mineralise Loose. I used the VS Setting Spray and then went back with a bit of Neutrogena Anti-Shine in the t-zone since I have a long day. Hard Candy Glamouflage on redness and a couple of spots, Armani Master Corrector #1 for undereyes along with the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. Chanel Id'o in Mirage on lid. Since I received it on Monday night, I've worn it Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and last night. Maybelline The Nudes palette: I haven't used it too much. Nude milk chocolate-y colour in the crease, bronze in the first row in outer corners, matte nude-pink-beige on browbone, and shimmery gold-white in tear duct. Jordana Fabuliner in Black winged, with Neutrogena Healthy Volume Carbon Black mascara. Essence Beach Cruisers ombre blush in Spring Break Bourjois Bronzing Primer along with Benefit Hoola to just deepen/darken up my cheeks TonyMoly WP brow pencil #01 Revlon lip butter in Pink Lemonade and BE Buxom gloss in Celeste

BriarRose amazing job! I think a big step is taking a loom and realizing what's going on. Don't beat yourself up about going crazy with Osbourne. Luke kerryjane said, sometimes a collection comes that just clicks with you. .... I'm absolutely dreading to go to work today. I'm still upset/angry about what happened last week. Its making me reevaluate my options, which sucks because I've only been there a year. Being an adult is hard. It sucks.

I have to agree with you! I hate those kind of work days. That's when I'd wear dark lipstick and give my "stay the fuck away from me" look.

 

[DarylandCarole]

I got my ANR things today. To be honest, my favorite thing so far is the Fluidline pencils. I got the brown and the blue and love them both. I'm so tired that I haven't tried anything else on yet. I think I have every lippie color that I need, because I didn't go crazy over these. I like them, but they're nothing unique. Also, I went to the mall today and returned something to MAC at Macys. I didn't buy anything else, which might be a first for me! I barely even looked around. And although I know I have a birthday gift at Sephora, I didn't go there. Tbh it was because my leg hurt so much. I had to limp through the mall, and it was just too tiring to walk any further. It's funny how pain can make you not care about anything else! All I want now is for the docs to fix whatever is wrong so that I can walk like a normal person again!

 

[Eggy Bread]

What I've decided to do is sell some stuff and use that money to spend on cosmetics. I feel better about doing that, and I already made $95 selling furniture I was just going to trash!

 

[Eggy Bread]

Also, I went to the mall today and returned something to MAC at Macys. I didn't buy anything else, which might be a first for me! I barely even looked around. And although I know I have a birthday gift at Sephora, I didn't go there. Tbh it was because my leg hurt so much. I had to limp through the mall, and it was just too tiring to walk any further. It's funny how pain can make you not care about anything else! All I want now is for the docs to fix whatever is wrong so that I can walk like a normal person again!

I hope your leg feels better soon. That must be rough.

 

[mel33t]

I got my ANR things today. To be honest, my favorite thing so far is the Fluidline pencils. I got the brown and the blue and love them both. I'm so tired that I haven't tried anything else on yet. I think I have every lippie color that I need, because I didn't go crazy over these. I like them, but they're nothing unique. Also, I went to the mall today and returned something to MAC at Macys. I didn't buy anything else, which might be a first for me! I barely even looked around. And although I know I have a birthday gift at Sephora, I didn't go there. Tbh it was because my leg hurt so much. I had to limp through the mall, and it was just too tiring to walk any further. It's funny how pain can make you not care about anything else! All I want now is for the docs to fix whatever is wrong so that I can walk like a normal person again!

Glad you're loving your liners. I remember you saying you're more an of eye product person so I'm glad this collection had something for you I hope you feel better soon and the doctor can do something for the pain or fix the issue.