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

[kait0]

Really enjoyed watching pinksofoxy's eyeshadow declutter video. She was ruthless! And it was great. It inspired me to comb through my stash and get rid of stuff I don't enjoy. It was really overwhelming. I put together a bag for a friend so between that and the stuff that was tossed or added to my sell pile, I feel better. I just hate feeling like I'm being suffocated by all my stuff. So much clutter in my room, it's not nice. Something I want to achieve is not allowing my collection to grow, and work towards shrinking it. And to make that happen, I can't continue to buy things. For everything I buy, something needs to go. By the end of September I want to get rid of any excess items (make-up, hair stuff, clothes, etc), and go through my mac eyeshadow palette - as I never even consider using it, so it needs to go.

 

[PeachTwist]

The hoarder in me won't allow me to get rid of things yet.

I totally agree it's great to see pinksofoxy and other YouTuber's clearing out their stashes, but I'm just not at that point. I know I don't need and will never need as much as I have, but I think I "justify" it to myself because I don't splurge on anything else. I don't like expensive shoes, handbags, etc. There isn't anything big I need/want to save up for. I put money into saving's every month - two accounts - one shared with partner, one is my own - I also have Christmas I'm saving up for and buying things already and pay the bills/groceries. Thing is, I don't spend every excess penny on makeup, it's just what I like to do when I choose to treat myself.

I'm not too good at this low-buy thing yet, other than that I'm not buying as much as I was - which is good.

 

[shellygrrl]

I totally relate to this. I'm also very brand loyal with cosmetics. I don't buy any drugstore make-up anymore because I know I'll choose MAC over it when I'm deciding what to wear.

It's very strange, for me. I don't consider myself "brand loyal", but I did a little count yesterday to respond to a recent Temptalia Asks You post on which brand is most represented in your stash, and MAC by far has the highest representation in mine at the moment, with 40 products (Makeup Geek comes in second (14), NYX a close third (13)). Very strange, IMO.

What's in your Fall makeup bag if you're doing one?

I've never done a seasonal makeup bag. I tend to wear whatever I want year-round. Meanwhile, yay for sticking to just the Hourglass palette!

I'm not too good at this low-buy thing yet, other than that I'm not buying as much as I was - which is good.

And if not buying as much as you were doing is your main goal overall, that's all that matters! * * * Yesterday's FOTD... * Maybelline Fit Me Foundation - #110 + MAC Face and Body - White (It's official. I've fallen out of love with Fit Me. From what I can tell, I'm down to about half the bottle? I'll likely end up finishing it anyway.) * MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer - NW15 * MAC Brow Pencil - Stud * MAC Eyeshadow - Smut * Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - Transparent * NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base * OCC Cream Colour Concentrate - John Doe (used as a cream eyeshadow this time) * UD Smoked Palette -- Mushroom on mobile lid, Backdoor as a (winged) liner * MAC Blush - Pink Cult * MAC Lipstick - Feed the Senses Ended up forgetting to apply mascara. Heh.

 

[mel33t]

@veronikawithak A seasonal makeup bag sounds like a great idea. I'm already reaching for more bronze/golden shades and darker lips and blushes. I think I'm out of my "peach" phase. I usually rotate things in my muji drawers so I'm starting to pull darker blushes out and darker lips. I've been working on the "Five for Fall" and its disappointing to say that nothing got used up. Or even hit pan on, I'm technically giving myself until mid-October where I'll do another clean out focusing on lipsticks/lip glosses and eye products.

 

[veronikawithak]

[@]kait0[/@] I'm right there with you. My parents both had serious hoarding tendencies although not quite as bad as what you see on TV. One of my biggest fears is becoming a hoarder or shopping addict because it's just so overwhelming.. not only the feeling of loss of control but also the feeling of being mentally exhausted by the clutter. Since I moved out I've been trying hard to keep myself in check. It's not easy. But every time I get rid of a bag of stuff, I feel so much lighter. And whenever we have people over they always comment on how clean our place is.. it's really not.. we just don't have a lot of stuff! Best way to keep a clean house is to be more minimalist lol. The most important part for me is keeping all the stuff from coming in though. Still working on that. Good luck with your downsizing! It feels soooo good! [@]PeachTwist[/@] I justify my purchases in a similar way too. I don't smoke or do drugs. I rarely drink. I work hard so I feel like I "deserve" to treat myself. I have a few semi-expensive purchases in the clothing, shoes and purses department but I tend to buy 2-3 higher quality items per category to have over 5 years or so rather than having lots of cheaper items and replacing them every year. I think if you're a makeup artist or makeup is your one big hobby, it's more justified to purchase more. For me though, makeup is one of my peripheral interests. I mainly buy it to wear daily rather than experiment with different looks.. so it makes sense for me to only have what I love and use often. That way I can focus more on my main hobbies and on experience-based things that the man and I can share together. It can be easy to get caught up in comparing your journey to others, but all that matters is that you're meeting your goals and your expectations of yourself. If your bills are paid, you have savings and are contributing to your retirement and are able to do other things that you love with your family.. that's what really matters! Progress.. not perfection!

 

[Jennifae]

@veronikawithak, I need to start doing seasonal makeup bags. I tend to just put whatever I want (mostly essentials and products I want to use up) in my makeup bag. It'll be fun to switch up!

 

[Jennifae]

The hoarder in me won't allow me to get rid of things yet.

I totally agree it's great to see pinksofoxy and other YouTuber's clearing out their stashes, but I'm just not at that point. I know I don't need and will never need as much as I have, but I think I "justify" it to myself because I don't splurge on anything else. I don't like expensive shoes, handbags, etc. There isn't anything big I need/want to save up for. I put money into saving's every month - two accounts - one shared with partner, one is my own - I also have Christmas I'm saving up for and buying things already and pay the bills/groceries. Thing is, I don't spend every excess penny on makeup, it's just what I like to do when I choose to treat myself.

I'm not too good at this low-buy thing yet, other than that I'm not buying as much as I was - which is good.

I can relate. I'm a little bit of a hoarder myself so I'm having a hard time getting rid of things. I was only able to downsize my collection when I moved in May. I had to leave about one third of my collection with a friend. (That was not easy for me at all.)

I'm not too good at this low-buy thing either. I mean I was able to go on a no-buy in June and July, and I did pretty good with my low-buy in August and September, but I'm getting a little nervous about October.

 

[veronikawithak]

[@=member.php?u=85692"mel33t" url="/t/185789/resolution-low-buy-2014-who-wants-to-play/8970#post_2773210"]@veronikawithak A seasonal makeup bag sounds like a great idea. I'm already reaching for more bronze/golden shades and darker lips and blushes. I think I'm out of my "peach" phase. I usually rotate things in my muji drawers so I'm starting to pull darker blushes out and darker lips. I've been working on the "Five for Fall" and its disappointing to say that nothing got used up. Or even hit pan on, I'm technically giving myself until mid-October where I'll do another clean out focusing on lipsticks/lip glosses and eye products.

I've been starting to use darker colors too.. I just got Captive by B2M and I've really been enjoying it. I loved watching all of the Finish 5 By Fall update videos! I think I might do a Finish 6 By Christmas and make it a point to get through some more lip products.. Don't be too discouraged.. things take forever to use! Maybe start small next time and focus on things that are smaller or almost done. When you finish those it helps motivate you to continue.

 

[veronikawithak]

I love seeing how people store things so if anyone else is interested, here's how I'm keeping my seasonal/weekly makeup. I still have my Muji drawers but while I like them and they do look organized, it kind of looks "excessive" if you know what I mean. Since I live in a studio apartment I don't really want a ton of makeup to be one of the first things people see. I wanted a simpler, more minimalist aesthetic. I got these two wooden boxes from a local store here and I love them. I also have a smaller one that I keep perfume samples in. I'd like to find something for my brushes eventually, maybe a brush roll of some sort.

The box on top has my MSFN, bronzer, highlighter, and one blush.



Here's the inside of the bottom drawer - it has 2 lipglosses, 2 quads, 4 lipsticks, a brow pencil and clear gel, 1 eyeliner, 1 lipliner, and a mascara.



Now I can pretend this is my entire collection and bask in my minimalist ways while the rest of it hides in the closet.

If I get bored of anything or want to pull out something else, I can change it up.

 

[PixieDancer]

I love seeing how people store things so if anyone else is interested, here's how I'm keeping my seasonal/weekly makeup. I still have my Muji drawers but while I like them and they do look organized, it kind of looks "excessive" if you know what I mean. Since I live in a studio apartment I don't really want a ton of makeup to be one of the first things people see. I wanted a simpler, more minimalist aesthetic. I got these two wooden boxes from a local store here and I love them. I also have a smaller one that I keep perfume samples in. I'd like to find something for my brushes eventually, maybe a brush roll of some sort.

The box on top has my MSFN, bronzer, highlighter, and one blush.



Here's the inside of the bottom drawer - it has 2 lipglosses, 2 quads, 4 lipsticks, a brow pencil and clear gel, 1 eyeliner, 1 lipliner, and a mascara.



Now I can pretend this is my entire collection and bask in my minimalist ways while the rest of it hides in the closet.

If I get bored of anything or want to pull out something else, I can change it up.

WOW! It's like that drawer was MADE for the perfect amount of products to cycle through! Giving you some variety wo overwhelming you with too many choices.
I know what you mean about the Muji drawers looking "excessive" but for me, it helps to be able to see and quickly locate what I want to use. They have helped me (literally) visualize what I have. All I have to do before I hoard buy more makeup is look at those bad boys and it slows me down really fast!!
I try not to hide any of my makeup anymore... that kept me in denial way too long! It was "out of sight, out of mind" for me. It's neat to see how different approaches work for different people! Like we keep repeating.... "low buy" and "low buy goals" are different for everyone. And we all judge our successes (and even failures) differently. I think your comment about progress not perfection was so spot on!

 

[veronikawithak]

[@]PixieDancer[/@] You're so right about being able to see and use everything. I think if we had a separate bedroom I'd still keep it out. I was just talking to some of the non-makeup obsessed over the weekend and it made me more conscious of how much I have and what kind of impression it can leave having a stash of MAC/Sephora just sitting out. Just want that to not be the focal piece of someone's memory of me since it's right there when you walk in.

 

[kerry-jane88]

I like seeing what I have, but I have felt like my room is a shop and not a bedroom, so I'm making my space more homely and taking the focus off stashes and stashes of stuff. Did more clearing out yesterday and today, beauty and clothes too, feels good man!

 

[gabzillaa]

I'm so down for this, I'm done spending so much money on makeup!

 

[PixieDancer]

[@]PixieDancer[/@] You're so right about being able to see and use everything. I think if we had a separate bedroom I'd still keep it out. I was just talking to some of the non-makeup obsessed over the weekend and it made me more conscious of how much I have and what kind of impression it can leave having a stash of MAC/Sephora just sitting out. Just want that to not be the focal piece of someone's memory of me since it's right there when you walk in.

Oh I completely understand! I still feel weird letting anyone but maybe my sisters and mom into my bedroom (where my makeup & vanity are set up). The few times more casual friends have come in to get ready or hang out they always look at my makeup area w disbelief (and dare I say, judgement). Not that I care, but it does look & seem excessive to a lot of people. Even to me really. So I know I'd be more conscious about it if it was right out in the open like your set up. You want to feel comfortable in your own space! That's WAY more important than your makeup display!

I like seeing what I have, but I have felt like my room is a shop and not a bedroom, so I'm making my space more homely and taking the focus off stashes and stashes of stuff. Did more clearing out yesterday and today, beauty and clothes too, feels good man!

It really does! Good job hun! I keep going back for more purging too!

I'm so down for this, I'm done spending so much money on makeup!

Amen sister! I think we all shudder a little when we think of how much we spend on expiring products (ie makeup)! It could be better spent on... Well, just about anything else! Welcome! Glad you're joining us on our crusade!

 

[veronikawithak]

Oh I completely understand! I still feel weird letting anyone but maybe my sisters and mom into my bedroom (where my makeup & vanity are set up). The few times more casual friends have come in to get ready or hang out they always look at my makeup area w disbelief (and dare I say, judgement). Not that I care, but it does look & seem excessive to a lot of people. Even to me really. So I know I'd be more conscious about it if it was right out in the open like your set up. You want to feel comfortable in your own space! That's WAY more important than your makeup display!

Yes definitely! One day my man was casually talking about the fact that I have "like 40 lipglosses" - I don't, but to a man that's probably what it looks like - from MAC/Sephora. The girls that were out with us were like "MAC and Sephora.. more like Maybelline!" That was kind of awkward.. I guess I just forget that a lot of people, especially from small towns, consider those places to be way too expensive. I don't feel bad about it either but yeah. Just made me consider a different perspective and I don't want to invite that kind of judgement you referred to in right away haha On another note, Pinksofoxy put her last declutter video up today! So bittersweet! I am addicted to those videos and I can't wait to see an update on if she made it to her ideal collection numbers. There's also a ton of Finish 5 By Fall finales and Finish 6 By Christmas intro videos to watch.. yayyy!

 

[veronikawithak]

I'm so down for this, I'm done spending so much money on makeup!

Yes! Say it again! I'm adding up all of my spending this year (too much) and next year I'm going to try and cut it in half. Welcome!

I like seeing what I have, but I have felt like my room is a shop and not a bedroom, so I'm making my space more homely and taking the focus off stashes and stashes of stuff. Did more clearing out yesterday and today, beauty and clothes too, feels good man!

I loved this post.. that's exactly how I've been feeling too. Back when I started watching YouTube I thought I wanted a department store in my apartment basically, like all of the girls making videos. Now I'm realizing that I want more interesting & artistic features that have a story behind them. In everything really.. from perfume to cosmetics to clothing and decor.. I want it to be "me" - not the version of me that's trying to imitate a certain look from someone else. Once I get down to a weight I want to stay consistent with I'm going to do a huge closet overhaul again too. I have a lot of stuff I'm only wearing because it fits.. and a lot that I'm holding onto in case it fits again.

 

[jchait]

I have started buying less and less. I think once I obtained all my collectors items I have worn myself out a little bit. Yes I did get the LE WnW and Milani lipsticks, but I haven't been going after the big stuff. Which is awesome. But IF I did find MAC Playboy stuff, I'd buy it. Sometimes stuff happens lol

 

[ahoythere]

Hello Everybody!!!
It's been ages (months) since I have had the time to post anything here but I have still been checking in weekly just to get inspiration and hear about how everyone is staying strong against the ever constant tidal pull of makeup gathering.
I had a nice few months after moving from London to Los Angeles where I only had one large makeup bag of products to live off during the 3 months that it took for my shipping container to make it over here, and I learned that I was perfectly happy using that "limited" (still more than most women own!) amount of makeup. I had a Mac double palette with 15 shadows and 6 blushes, one Bobbi brown pot rouge, Aphrodite's Shell Bronzer, Camel Coat paint pot, a black liquid liner, my TFSI, one mascara, 2 lipliners and about 6 glosses and there were only a few times where I thought it would be nice to have a different, bolder, lipstick from my stash. My toddler chasing lifestyle rarely requires or allows for any real glamming and I rarely have the time to play with color the way I did pre-kid or when I worked at MAC. Hence I am trying to sell off most of my stash now. I thought I would be really excited when the shipment came and I had all of my loot back but instead it just gives me anxiety and a weird sadness to see all that makeup and I am ready to see a lot of it gone now.

However, I still struggle with wanting to buy new makeup all the time. My new Achille's heel is drugstore makeup (never really a draw when I was in the UK) and I find myself quietly dropping $15-20 almost every time I go to Walgreen's for something, and that adds up quickly! Its funny because I have been feeling quite proud that I haven't been as tempted by MAC lately, but honestly this is just because I HAVE PRETTY MUCH OWNED EVERY SINGLE ITEM THEY HAVE EVER MADE at some point or another and I found that I have now starting sidestepping towards other brands looking for my next fix. Such a junkie!!! But I am watching myself and I am slowly getting better, being more reasonable about only buying things that I will actually use SOON and OFTEN.

It is a journey.

XOXOX

 

[dodotheextinct]

Hello everyone,

So this past weekend was my birthday and I'm really proud of myself for resisting purchasing makeup. I even skipped the birthday gift Sephora gives out (because really I don't need anymore makeup).

I've started to put together a holiday list and looking at just the price sort of makes me go

Maybe because I haven't been purchased anything in a while but have the price of makeup gone up exponentially or is that my imagination?

 

[Alysse011]

Hello Everybody!!!  It's been ages (months) since I have had the time to post anything here but I have still been checking in weekly just to get inspiration and hear about how everyone is staying strong against the ever constant tidal pull of makeup gathering.  I had a nice few months after moving from London to Los Angeles where I only had one large makeup bag of products to live off during the 3 months that it took for my shipping container to make it over here, and I learned that I was perfectly happy using that "limited" (still more than most women own!) amount of makeup.  I had a Mac double palette with 15 shadows and 6 blushes, one Bobbi brown pot rouge, Aphrodite's Shell Bronzer, Camel Coat paint pot, a black liquid liner, my TFSI, one mascara, 2 lipliners and about 6 glosses and there were only a few times where I thought it would be nice to have a different, bolder, lipstick from my stash.  My toddler chasing lifestyle rarely requires or allows for any real glamming and I rarely have the time to play with color the way I did pre-kid or when I worked at MAC.  Hence I am trying to sell off most of my stash now.  I thought I would be really excited when the shipment came and I had all of my loot back but instead it just gives me anxiety and a weird sadness to see all that makeup and I am ready to see a lot of it gone now. However, I still struggle with wanting to buy new makeup all the time.  My new Achille's heel is drugstore makeup (never really a draw when I was in the UK) and I find myself quietly dropping $15-20 almost every time I go to Walgreen's for something, and that adds up quickly!  Its funny because I have been feeling quite proud that I haven't been as tempted by MAC lately, but honestly this is just because I HAVE PRETTY MUCH OWNED EVERY SINGLE ITEM THEY HAVE EVER MADE at some point or another and I found that I have now starting sidestepping towards other brands looking for my next fix.  Such a junkie!!!  But I am watching myself and I am slowly getting better, being more reasonable about only buying things that I will actually use SOON and OFTEN. It is a journey. XOXOX

I had a big move a few months ago too and experienced the same thing! I only had one of each product type with me for about 4 months. I kind of missed some of my stuff, but I also really didn't miss the "choice" of other products. It was pretty good for me because I saw that I didn't miss any blushes or bronzers at all. I was really happy with the two I had, which was nice. I also didn't miss highlighters. Those suckers were my biggest money pit. I use basically the same highlighter daily, but they're one of the prettiest makeup items IMO...so I constantly bought them. I haven't bought a highlighter or blush since the move! Let's not go into lipsticks and eyeshadows though. Baby steps haha.