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

[Buffy89]

I am also turning my thoughts to my aims for my wardrobe and cosmetic stash for 2015 following @veronikawithak 's post yesterday. Anyone else have any thoughts on 2015 ??

Although I've never been good at new year's resolutions (losing weight, going to the gym,...), I wanna take the chance to improve my shopping behavior even more. I'm about to write my Master's thesis and plan to start my PhD thesis in 2015 as well, so I'm quite unsure about what the next year might bring. The one thing I'm sure of is that saving money instead of splurging will be really good for me. I'll enjoy the stuff I own and I'll limit my hauling to a few useful items each month (not about ten as in the last few months...must have lost my mind back then). I wanna change my approach towards stuff so that I see makeup/clothes as consumables only and that I won't be afraid of damage/loss/using something up.

 

[Naynadine]

Well done! You give me hope for my plans for 2015 and my buying habits!

Well done!! that's really good!
I am still waiting for mine too, I think space nk had a delivery date of 1st Nov when I preordered, sometimes they come early sometime not

I am making it my last purchase of the year. I am spending the rest of 2014 trying to use up a few things in my project pan and testing and removing products that don't perform on me!

I am also turning my thoughts to my aims for my wardrobe and cosmetic stash for 2015 following @veronikawithak 's post yesterday. Anyone else have any thoughts on 2015 ??

Yes, Nov 1st.

I was still hoping they'd get it earlier. I also want it to be my last makeup purchase of the year, but not sure how realistic that is. If we get Chanel's holiday collection I'll have a hard time resisting that highligher, so I'm kinda hoping it won't be available online here (the holiday collection usually isn't).

 

[charlotte366]

Although I've never been good at new year's resolutions (losing weight, going to the gym,...), I wanna take the chance to improve my shopping behavior even more. I'm about to write my Master's thesis and plan to start my PhD thesis in 2015 as well, so I'm quite unsure about what the next year might bring. The one thing I'm sure of is that saving money instead of splurging will be really good for me. I'll enjoy the stuff I own and I'll limit my hauling to a few useful items each month (not about ten as in the last few months...must have lost my mind back then). I wanna change my approach towards stuff so that I see makeup/clothes as consumables only and that I won't be afraid of damage/loss/using something up.

I am not making resolutions but trying to continue the journey, much like you! Saving money is a massive motivator as I think my eyes have really been opened this year to how much I waste.

I am considering a project of no purchasing clothes or make up aside from essentials once they have worn up/been used up. Doing some research at the moment to see what I could realistic achieve! I have slimmed my collection down to mainly loves which I don't want to throw out so now I need to try to focus on getting some good use out of them!

 

[charlotte366]

Yes, Nov 1st.

I was still hoping they'd get it earlier. I also want it to be my last makeup purchase of the year, but not sure how realistic that is. If we get Chanel's holiday collection I'll have a hard time resisting that highligher, so I'm kinda hoping it won't be available online here (the holiday collection usually isn't).

I think sometimes if they get the stock arrive early they send it out to avoid a massive rush on release day, i wonder if hourglass is holding the stock back....its a shame as I am away this weekend with a friend and wanted to take it with me to play

 

[Buffy89]

I am not making resolutions but trying to continue the journey, much like you! Saving money is a massive motivator as I think my eyes have really been opened this year to how much I waste.

I am considering a project of no purchasing clothes or make up aside from essentials once they have worn up/been used up. Doing some research at the moment to see what I could realistic achieve! I have slimmed my collection down to mainly loves which I don't want to throw out so now I need to try to focus on getting some good use out of them!

At the moment, I'm slowly starting to make a wish list for christmas and I can really notice someting has changed. During the last years, I always wanted lots of stuff from Mac's holiday collection, but my current wishes are so much more rational. I'd love to get "normal" stuff such as books, DVDs, some household items, and makeup-wise, I only want staples such as powder or concealer which I would rebuy when empty. Living on a students' budget, a thirty-euro foundation definitely is a big thing (in contrast to my horrible splurging/wasting money) and I need to remember this and want to be thankful for getting the opportunity to get my staples as gifts. Besides, I always thought I treated myself nicely when buying makeup, but I totally forgot how relaxing it can be to sit down with a nice book and a cup of my favorite tea 'cause I've been super busy all the time. Must declutter my calendar/daily schedule to find some spare time and relax instead of trying to find "happines" in shopping. In general, I think the urge to buy stuff won't be as big when one's more relaxed.

 

[lyseD]

Have any of you heard of this before? Go to a MAC pro store for an hour and a half make up lesson -- $110. For the following $30 days you get 20% off your MAC purchases?

I never knew they did this. Hubby is off to Phoenix for a baseball thingy this weekend -- maybe I can convince him this would be a nice treat for me.

 

[Audrey C]

Have any of you heard of this before? Go to a MAC pro store for an hour and a half make up lesson -- $110. For the following $30 days you get 20% off your MAC purchases?

I never knew they did this. Hubby is off to Phoenix for a baseball thingy this weekend -- maybe I can convince him this would be a nice treat for me.

Wow; talk about winning on both sides. MAC gets to charge a large fee for a makeup lesson and then also benefit from increased sales. I see what's in it for them, but not so much for the consumer. We can get a makeover/lesson at any time for $50 that's refundable in product. That seems like a better deal to me; to make back $110 you'd have to spend $550 on product to break even. That's 11 $50 sessions which I would argue gives you more opportunity to learn.

As you can see, I'm not a fan of this idea. My biggest concern (apart from being fleeced) would be that I'm frankly underwhelmed by the skills of many working at MAC. I've had a couple of make-up applications on launch days done, and both times I came home and washed it off since I could have scraped the makeup off (we won't even talk about the lousy foundation match). I'd have to be really dazzled by someone's skill to pay them $110 bucks for a lesson. The 20% off would just make me feel like I needed to buy stuff to 'make back' the cost of the lesson. Obviously that math doesn't work; not only would I have spent $110, but 80% of the cost of items I don't need. Pass.

Er…sorry for completely trashing an idea you were excited about.

 

[DMcG9]

Wow; talk about winning on both sides. MAC gets to charge a large fee for a makeup lesson and then also benefit from increased sales. I see what's in it for them, but not so much for the consumer. We can get a makeover/lesson at any time for $50 that's refundable in product. That seems like a better deal to me; to make back $110 you'd have to spend $550 on product to break even. That's 11 $50 sessions which I would argue gives you more opportunity to learn.

As you can see, I'm not a fan of this idea. My biggest concern (apart from being fleeced) would be that I'm frankly underwhelmed by the skills of many working at MAC. I've had a couple of make-up applications on launch days done, and both times I came home and washed it off since I could have scraped the makeup off (we won't even talk about the lousy foundation match). I'd have to be really dazzled by someone's skill to pay them $110 bucks for a lesson. The 20% off would just make me feel like I needed to buy stuff to 'make back' the cost of the lesson. Obviously that math doesn't work; not only would I have spent $110, but 80% of the cost of items I don't need. Pass.

Er…sorry for completely trashing an idea you were excited about.

Thanks for breaking that down, Audrey. After I read the original post from lyseD I was wondering how much better or worse it would be compared to the makeover that you then pay $50 worth of product for. I was just too mentally lazy to get down to doing the math.

 

[Audrey C]

Thanks for breaking that down, Audrey. After I read the original post from lyseD I was wondering how much better or worse it would be compared to the makeover that you then pay $50 worth of product for. I was just too mentally lazy to get down to doing the math.

I can do math that pertains to money in my head any old time.

Seriously though, I think it would make sense for someone who wanted to learn something specific to set up an appointment to do just that. Want to contour? Get a session for that, buy a contour product and a blush. Want to increase skills at smokey eyes? A different session with a liner, an empty palette and a couple of shadows, etc.

Someone in marketing dreamt this up. Hm…how can we get someone to pay $110 for something we'll do free any other time? I know! Offer them a discount! Then they'll buy buy buy.

Fat bonus ensues, etc.

 

[Buffy89]

As you can see, I'm not a fan of this idea. My biggest concern (apart from being fleeced) would be that I'm frankly underwhelmed by the skills of many working at MAC. I've had a couple of make-up applications on launch days done, and both times I came home and washed it off since I could have scraped the makeup off (we won't even talk about the lousy foundation match). I'd have to be really dazzled by someone's skill to pay them $110 bucks for a lesson. The 20% off would just make me feel like I needed to buy stuff to 'make back' the cost of the lesson.

Oh no, it's a shame that "your" Mac people aren't really talented. The girls at my counter got great skills and they're super friendly as well...I know it is their job to be friendly and behaving rather like a friend than as a sales assistant will certainly enlarge the benefit they'll get. Although they wanna sell their products, they still give good advice and also admit that I should stay away from certain products (e.g. the brush kits).

 

[veronikawithak]

Totally agree.. just a marketing ploy and not worth it unless you plan to spend a small fortune IMO. Speaking of discounts.. I'm mentally preparing myself for the Sephora sale. I noticed they finally got the discount for the MUFE shadows on the Canada site now.. if it works with the 20% off code I don't think I'll be able to pass up getting a trio. There's also a mini Hourglass lip product I've been eyeing for $12. I already know I like the formula because I got a red one in a perk but I rarely wear reds so I'd like to try the other one. Other than those maybes.. probably a small Wen set because I've been wanting to try their cleansing conditioner. One thing that really put me off is Bite trying to sell their lip gloss minis for $15 each.. when they put out a set of 12 for 53 in April (less than $5 each). I know costs go down with bulk production but sheesh.. over a $10 increase per mini lipgloss is insane. That being said the mini matte lip crayons are looking appealing. Anyway.. nothing set in stone of course, just thinking about options and whether I really should be getting anything at all. I'm under my 5 item limit for October still which is great, and I've made enough selling off some unused things around the house that will more than cover everything I just listed. So we'll see. I always do better if I write out my plans ahead of time though.

 

[PeachTwist]

Anyway.. nothing set in stone of course, just thinking about options and whether I really should be getting anything at all. I'm under my 5 item limit for October still which is great, and I've made enough selling off some unused things around the house that will more than cover everything I just listed. So we'll see. I always do better if I write out my plans ahead of time though.

The MUFE discount doesn't apply with 20% off, unfortunately. Saying that, it's still a great deal getting a trio usually anyway. They're amazing shadows. I have 6 on their way to me from a previous order. I can't wait to touch them. Should be here by the end of the week.

 

[lyseD]

I've had the makeup application for product before at the Bay and they did a good job but it was less of a lesson and more them doing my make up. I would really love to improve my make up skills, especially working with my hooded eyes.

I definitely see your point about the product but I have about as much MAC as I can use so rather than get more stuff not to use the lesson might be more valuable to me in the end.

 

[Alysse011]

Totally agree.. just a marketing ploy and not worth it unless you plan to spend a small fortune IMO. Speaking of discounts.. I'm mentally preparing myself for the Sephora sale. I noticed they finally got the discount for the MUFE shadows on the Canada site now.. if it works with the 20% off code I don't think I'll be able to pass up getting a trio. There's also a mini Hourglass lip product I've been eyeing for $12. I already know I like the formula because I got a red one in a perk but I rarely wear reds so I'd like to try the other one. Other than those maybes.. probably a small Wen set because I've been wanting to try their cleansing conditioner. One thing that really put me off is Bite trying to sell their lip gloss minis for $15 each.. when they put out a set of 12 for 53 in April (less than $5 each). I know costs go down with bulk production but sheesh.. over a $10 increase per mini lipgloss is insane. That being said the mini matte lip crayons are looking appealing. Anyway.. nothing set in stone of course, just thinking about options and whether I really should be getting anything at all. I'm under my 5 item limit for October still which is great, and I've made enough selling off some unused things around the house that will more than cover everything I just listed. So we'll see. I always do better if I write out my plans ahead of time though.

That sounds like a good list to me! Very good choices. I am trying to put my list together as well. Since I've been laid up in bed the past couple days, the list is dangerously long lol

 

[veronikawithak]

The MUFE discount doesn't apply with 20% off, unfortunately.  Saying that, it's still a great deal getting a trio usually anyway.  They're amazing shadows.  I have 6 on their way to me from a previous order.  I can't wait to touch them.  Should be here by the end of the week.

Thanks for the heads up about that! I figured it might be too good to hope for. I'll pass on those until next year then. I'm curious about the Hourglass palettes too so I'll wait and see what I think about those first.

 

[veronikawithak]

That sounds like a good list to me! Very good choices. I am trying to put my list together as well. Since I've been laid up in bed the past couple days, the list is dangerously long lol

What have you got on it? You can tell us.. no judgment, especially about things you haven't purchased yet.

 

[veronikawithak]

Just talked myself out of buying 2 nail polishes.. I walked around with them until I convinced myself to put them back. That little time delay works. It's getting easier to say no to things every day.

 

[Maris Crane]

I hate to egg on or enable, but the promotion @lyseD mention seems like it could be a good idea if you timed it around when several collections you were interested in were coming out; or a nice gift (albeit, maybe an expensive one with the hauls after!) for niece or daughter if they were just getting into makeup and you wanted to make sure they were doing age-appropriate makeup or something.

 

[Alysse011]

What have you got on it? You can tell us.. no judgment, especially about things you haven't purchased yet.

Oh where do I even begin? I have shopping carts in multiple places... Sephora: NARS eyeshadow primer Josie Maran Argan Oil (repurchase) Perricone MD Chloro Plasma mask YSL Sheer Candy in Cool Guava Becca shimmering skin perfector in Moonstone Shiseido foundation brush Bumble and Bumble Pret-A-Powder I know I won't end up buying the B&B powder and the foundation brush. I really want to go for Moonstone now that they have the smaller/cheaper size though. Neiman's: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray - I have had this in my cart for a long time. And I would rather try this than the B&B powder. DSW: a pair of leopard flats - because they're on sale and totally practical, amiright Nordstrom: Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Liquid - probably won't get this since I want Moonstone more Some clothing items by ASTR - probably won't end up buying any of these either Jessica Simpson Caldas pump - I want to wait for the next double points day to pull the trigger and will possibly redeem a note to help out my bank account And there you have it! That's all :stars:

 

[DarylandCarole]

I haven't been able to catch up here yet, but I know several of you replied to my post about my cat Scully. I looked at my email when I was waiting at the animal hospital and I was so touched, and I'll read them soon. I wanted to thank all of you, though.she is doing just a little bit better but is not out of the woods because she won't eat. She hasn't eaten for 6 days now. I asked at the hospital about an IV and they said they only do that if the cat hasn't eaten for SEVERAL WEEKS. I don't think she would last that long as she only weighs 8 lbs. They did. However, see some things that my regular vet did not. They agreed that it was probably something in her mouth or throat like an ulcer or a lesion. They gave me pain meds for that and a stronger antibiotic. The problem with that is those things should be taken with food... They can make the cat nauseous. I have been so worried about her and busy giving medicine, etc. that I haven't even tried the few things that I got from the Holiday collection. I still love my make up, but this has really put it in perspective. I'm now in debt 700.00 from this and I think of the money that I might have if I hadn't bought make up. I could care less about buying anything else. Again, if you all can send good thoughts and/or prayers for my girl, I'd really appreciate it.

I've been out for the week and am about to catch up on the thread. But first, I need to whine (of course) I went to Mexico on vacation this past week and today I went to urgent care. Y'all - my face - I look like Hitch in that one scene where his face has an allergic reaction. Basically I used a different sunscreen the last day I was there and apparently my skin reacted with it and the sun only made it worse. My entire face is swollen and my eyes were almost swollen completely shut this morning. It is crazy! The doctor gave me a steroid shot and prescribed some medication. He said it will take a couple days for the swelling to go away. I'm also running a fever. I am feeling sorry for myself lol but it definitely could be worse (so I'm trying not to feel to sorry for myself)! Okay, now off to catch up on everyone else's life!

Is it better yet? That's the worst, it's happened to me a few times. I didn't leave the house until the swelling went down. My face has been breaking out like crazy. Every day there's a new zit. I assume it's stress from being worried about my cat. She is still not doing well and I'm having to force feed her, which I HATE doing.