Resolution LOW-BUY 2018

[VAL4M]

So i decide i want to do a project pan 18 by 2018 and another pan that palette. I’ve tried 2 years ago to do a pan that palette with 4 small palette 2 were Lancome, 2 were Dior. I still have those, i should purge them but i can’t it wasn’t a total fail but let just say i only finished 1 eyeshadow in one of the palette. I still use one palette une eyeshadow i use it as a blush and another one as contour still hoping to finish those suckers! I also finish 3 lipsticks in 2017 so i know i can do this. Any one is up to the task?
So here my products i want to finish this year

 

[shellygrrl]

Had to re-do my Sephora order because I messed up behind the scenes the first time. Sigh. So the stuff I ordered will be here tomorrow instead.

Yesterday's FOTD...

* MUFE Ultra HD - Y205
* Bobbi Brown Corrector - Extra Light Bisque
* MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer - NW15 (now set aside for Back 2 MAC)
* Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
* Cinema Secrets Ultralucent Setting Powder - Colorless
* Bobbi Brown Downtown Girl Palette -- Cool Brown (used for brows)
* MAC Prep and Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
* MAC Paint Pot - Tailor Grey
* wet'n'wild megaplump Mascara (tried it again on the upper lashes; liked it a bit better than I did previously. Maybe it's one of those where you need to use it once or twice before it's good?)
* NARS Blush - Sex Fantasy
* MAC Lipstick - Fanfare

 

[veronikawithak]

I just got back from a few days by the ocean. This photo is our view from the patio of our room. There’s a private path down to the water. We turned off all social media and only used our phones for photos and navigation. It was an amazing trip and something we’ll be thinking about for many years!

The last few Uber Frugal Month emails have been mainly about saving money on groceries, spending time with friends doing things that don’t cost money, and changing our mindset by ditching excuses.

The email from day 13 really resonated: You look good (and spending money won’t change that)! “Raise your hand if you’ve ever bought clothes/makeup/hair treatments because you thought you needed to improve your appearance and/or thought something was wrong with the way you look naturally.”

*raises hand*

I could probably go through my MAC & Sephora purchases from 2011-2016 and tell you exactly how I was feeling based on the purchases I made. They were 90% because I didn’t like the way I looked, was stressed and using shopping as a coping mechanism, or wanted to fit in and feel like I was a part of something.

This email and my trip just reinforced what I’m working toward: beauty from the inside out, and experiences > things. I didn’t buy a single thing while I was there (other than alcohol and food of course), but I felt the best I have in a long time!

 

[VAL4M]

Ok so here how my brain works i see the new MAC collection Padma Lakshmi and of cours the 70s something eyeshadow quad is sceaming my name and my first instinct is buy buy mine mine mine. BUT with me really wanting to reduce my spending. Decide to shop my stash and here what i find
one is mostly colourpop and the other is with burberry

CP chic happens (from the $aucy)
CP Wake up Call
CP Razy (from the $aucy palette)
and the light green is Guerlain Coup de foudre quad

Here i have
Almond
Rosewood
Midnight Plum
Khaki

i think the light green in the Guerlain quad is probably closer then the MAC quad (the future will tell but base on the picture) but again it make me see that if i purchase the MAC quad it will not add something “new” to my collection but more of the same!

 

[shellygrrl]

Yay for shopping your stash first, VAL4M!

FOTD...

* Anastasia Stick Foundation - Porcelain
* Bobbi Brown Corrector - Extra Light Bisque
* NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Chantilly
* Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
* Inglot AMC Brow Liner Gel - 18
* surratt beauty Expressioniste Brow Pomade
* MAC Prep and Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
* Bobbi Brown - Downtown Cool Palette (Cool Grey on the lid, Grey through the crease)
* Makeup Geek Eyeshadows - mix of Sand Dollar and Baby Face
* Clinique High Impact Mascara (top lashes)
* wet'n'wild megaplump Mascara (bottom lashes)
* The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder - 02
* NARS Satin Lip Pencil - Rikugien

 

[fur4elise]

for shopping that stash!!!! [MENTION=79469]VAL4M[/MENTION]

 

[shellygrrl]

FOTD...

* mix of wet'n'wild Photofocus Foundation - Porcelain + NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Chantilly
* Bobbi Brown Corrector - Extra Light Bisque
* Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
* Cinema Secrets Ultralucent Setting Powder - Colorless (mainly to set my eyeshadow primer)
* Inglot AMC Brow Liner Gel - 18
* MAC Prep and Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
* Bobbi Brown Downtown Cool Palette - Grey (lid) + Brunette (lashlines)
* Clinique High Impact Mascara
* MAC Blush - Next to Skin (as a contour)
* Makeup Geek Blush - Main Squeeze
* MAC Lipstick - Blankety
* NARS Velvet Lip Glide - Unlaced

A few notes on the NARS concealer: it doesn't crease on me under the eyes, which is great. It has good coverage, also great. It is more on the matte side, and it is (wait for it!) a bit too light for my liking. So I'm now looking for a concealer with a little less coverage to mix in that's also a little darker but the same undertone.

 

[aradhana]

hello all. Joining you all for the low buy this year!

I really enjoyed reading everybody's posts so far. Much of what was written resonates with me.

I definitely have way too much of all makeup products. I think I could probably get through all of 2018 without buying any makeup - only purchasing skincare, hair and bath products when i run out.
But so that I dont cave due to cold-turkey, I will probably be better off to set a monthly budget. So I'll say $100, and try to go under that wherever possible.

I'd like to pay off some student loan debt, and I was hoping to put away a little bit of money to purchase a good sewing mannequin at the end of this year.

val4m - i like your idea to shop the stash for the padma lakshmi products - i should try doing that also, and maybe look for some palettes i can work on using up.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Yes! Shop your stash!! And use up a palette. I find stuff I forgot I had. As I use them again I realize that they are really great. Always onto the new shiny thing I guess.

 

[aradhana]

Yes! Shop your stash!! And use up a palette. I find stuff I forgot I had. As I use them again I realize that they are really great. Always onto the new shiny thing I guess.

yes! i recently got two new muji organizers. when i filled them up and re-organized a little, i re-found some things i had kind of forgotten about. i like the shallow drawer format because i see everything more easily...but sadly i need a lot of these organizers if i want to store all my makeup this way!

i'd really like to find a better way to store my mac eyeshadow/blush palettes (the large ones with 15+ shadows)...right now they are in the top drawer of my malm dresser and the weight is making the drawer bottom curve precariously!

 

[aradhana]

Ok so here how my brain works i see the new MAC collection Padma Lakshmi and of cours the 70s something eyeshadow quad is sceaming my name and my first instinct is buy buy mine mine mine. BUT with me really wanting to reduce my spending. Decide to shop my stash and here what i find
one is mostly colourpop and the other is with burberry
View attachment 62906
CP chic happens (from the $aucy)
CP Wake up Call
CP Razy (from the $aucy palette)
and the light green is Guerlain Coup de foudre quad

i also really want that 70's palette, so i looked through my collection...my shades end up looking a little clowny - i might replace the purple with a more subdued shade and try to find a replacement for cupcake that is more rosy.

vibrant grape
statuesque
dear cupcake
aquavert

 

[VAL4M]

i also really want that 70's palette, so i looked through my collection...my shades end up looking a little clowny - i might replace the purple with a more subdued shade and try to find a replacement for cupcake that is more rosy.

vibrant grape
statuesque
dear cupcake
aquavert
View attachment 62987

Do you have MUG Tuscan sun? it might replace your pink shade

 

[Alysse011]

Hello everyone! I have been silently lurking but haven't posted my goals. I have them written in my bullet journal though and also set up a Habit Tracker page in the journal to keep me focused. Anyways, it has officially been over a month since I have made any purchases, so I am here to celebrate that. I was VERY tempted by the new YSL Touche Eclat tinted moisturizer, but I'm passing since I have a foundation I am in love with already. I cannot imagine it would be any better, and I don't need another foundation or base product right now.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Yay! for not spending for a whole month and resisting the new foundation. Stay strong. It’s great that you have one that works for you...no need then to search for a new one (at least not for now.)

I’m running low on my favorite B.B. cream that isn’t available anymore. So I’ve gone back to some old foundations I had before trying to figure out if I can use them now. Some are not the right shade or are too thick and look too heavy. I may try applying them with a beauty blender to give them one more chance. Trying so hard not to buy anymore foundation.

 

[aradhana]

Do you have MUG Tuscan sun? it might replace your pink shade

sadly no...i had to google to know what MUG is it does look quite pretty.

i ended up replacing the pink with 'girlie', the beige with 'modest tone', and the purple with 'creme de violet'. it will do for now till we see swatches of the actual palette, but now that i am seeing the approximate shades together, i am lemming the palette less!

 

[aradhana]

Hello everyone! I have been silently lurking but haven't posted my goals. I have them written in my bullet journal though and also set up a Habit Tracker page in the journal to keep me focused. Anyways, it has officially been over a month since I have made any purchases, so I am here to celebrate that. I was VERY tempted by the new YSL Touche Eclat tinted moisturizer, but I'm passing since I have a foundation I am in love with already. I cannot imagine it would be any better, and I don't need another foundation or base product right now.

that's awesome! over one month!

 

[VAL4M]

FOTD
Pan that palette and project pan 18 by 2018 edition
- Paul and Joe primer
- dermablend camo foundation
- Guerlain powder
- Edward Bess powder in Capri
- Lancome quad for the blush and the contouring
- Benefit cream highlighter
- Nars Albatros highlighter

eyes
-Mac metal eyeshadow in Dalliance
-Both Lacome palettes
-Juvia’s place Saharan II palette
- pupa eyeliner as based
- makeup studio eyeliner in forest green
- NYX liquid eyeliner in black
- Tarte mascara

lips
- Lise Waltier lipliner in Sangria
- Dior creamy lipliner in gold

 

[shellygrrl]

FOTD...

* MUFE Step 1 - Smoothing Primer
* Bobbi Brown Corrector - Extra Light Bisque
* wet'n'wild Photofocus Foundation - Porcelain
* mix of NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Chantilly + Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer - Warm Beige (had a sample sachet of this from when I got my Downtown Girl palette...more below)
* Kevyn Aucoin SSE - SX01
* Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
* Inglot AMC Brow Liner Gel - 18
* MAC Prep and Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
* MAC Paint Pot - Camel Coat
* MAC Paint Pot - Tailor Grey
* Sephora Contour 12-Hour Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil - 5th Avenue
* Clinique High Impact Mascara
* wet'n'wild megaplump Mascara
* MAC Blush - Next to Skin
* The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder - 02
* NARS Satin Lip Pencil - Rikugien
* NARS Velvet Lip Glide - Unlaced

So, the BB Instant Full Cover Concealer. Warm Beige practically looks orange against my skintone. I did a few dots of this under the eye, along with a few dots of my NARS concealer, then blended them together and in with a brush (MUFE 174) and pressed it in with a finger as well for a little extra blend. Was a little more successful with the left eye than the right. Not a bad combo, but... meh.

 

[fur4elise]

Hey Ladies!
I wanted to sneak in this post before the first Low/No Buy Check-in of 2018.

Trip Blah Blah ~
We got back from our trip late evening on January 13th. Sigh…all I can say is “re-entry” was hard!
I went back to work on Monday the 15th and literally have had no time to breath until just about now...lol. About day three back to work, I was thinking I already needed a real vacation. Our trip truly was travel and business, and not our usual relaxed, disconnected vacations. Just want to insert here, we are all-inclusive resort vacationers! One destination, unpack once, get settled in and do nothing but relax! Usually our vacation does not include a jam packed, fixed time agenda. That being said the trip and cruise (5 night) were really good for Bossman’s company and for us as a married duo. It’s just that we were on a fixed timeline with just about every minute scheduled. Definitely not relaxing…when you have to find moments to try to relax.

Highlights:

Our suite ~
I shared pictures when we boarded the Brilliance of the Seas…It was super nice, very large and kind of chi-chi! And pretty much the reason we went on the cruise. Last cruise we were in a smaller suite and it was a bit tight...This was the polar opposite. Our room attendant was super friendly and took good care of us!


I went snorkeling! ~
The vendor planned an excursion for us when we docked in Cozumel, a catamaran trip to snorkel and visit a private beach...and of course there was booze in the offering. Hubs and I do not drink during the day, even on vacation, so it was super fun to watch everyone else imbibe. I was never a water baby, so the snorkeling thing was a little scary and exciting. It was my very first time! And I loved it! I even took along our GoPro and filmed some fish underwater. Needless to say, the next time we go to Mexico for a long trip, we will be bringing snorkeling equipment.


Formal Night Dress Up! ~
The vendor chose “Great Gatsby” for the formal night theme. So I had plenty of time to plan and put together my costume. As you see the man, did not wear a costume. But we did buy him a jacket and had it tailored...essentially I have to do this with all of his clothing. I actually think he looks spiffy, even with his sneakers. Speaking of costumes, if you are ever in need of a 1920's / Great Gatsby dress, I ordered mine from Babeyond on Amazon. It was super inexpensive, but high quality! The dress was surprisingly heavy due to the amount of beading. Our group was the only one on the ship who dressed up like this, so we got tons of attention and compliments. Lots of fun that night!


The Food ~
The food was surprisingly good. The last cruise we went on, it was not good! So, our expectations were set kind of low. However, every meal we had was pretty good. We only ate at the buffet 2 times. Lunch in the dining room was always tasty. The dining room at night was a bit hit or miss, but usually something from each meal was spot on. My absolutely favorite meal on the ship, was in one of the up-charge restaurants, Izumi. Sushi baby! We love our sushi! It was very very good!


The last highlight was post-cruise and during our last full day in Tampa. Hubs decided we should go to Busch Gardens and ride roller coasters! This coming from a man who is actually not fond of heights...It was a blast! We rode all of them...and let me say it was so much fun and funny to listen to my serious, muscle bound husband hooting and hollering.

So that about sums it up...it was kind of fun recalling what we did...and ultimately we did get away and have a good time. In fact, we have been focusing more on shared experiences of late...I can say we old marrieds are in a pretty good place right now.

This last image is my favorite of the whole trip. Hubs took it on the last evening. It made me think of your picture @veronikawithak.

 

[fur4elise]

Low Buy Check-In ~ January 2018

Happy February 2nd! Happy National Wear Red Day! Happy 6 More Weeks of Winter/aka Groundhog Day! (Thanks a lot Puxatony Phil!)

Purchases:
Ulta litre sale – (1) Nexxus Humectress Conditioner. I have long, fine, wavy/curly hair. I find it best that I only wash once a week and co-wash once a week. I still have almost 1/3 of my Nexxus Therappe Shampoo litre left from last year’s stock up sale.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum (2) and Eye Cream (1) –This was a great deal I could not pass up. I had $10 in coupons and both items were on sale at my market. Being on budget, I thought it smart to stock up now. This should get me through to mid-Spring. I have long liked the face serum, but stopped using it in favor of the Ordinary Buffet. I am not sure the Buffet was really doing anything for me and it is always OOS. The CeraVe is a bit creamier, emollient and over all I just like it better for my morning regimen.

Eternity EDP 3.4 oz bottle from eBay. @VAL4M ~ I did visit fragrancenet and you are right: good pricing but having to pay for shipping . I ended purchasing from an individual seller on eBay. What I do is buy from an individual and not a “store” to be sure I am buying an authentic bottle.

Revlon Gold Series Diamond Nail File – A handy nail tool on clearance.

Total spent for January = $67.72 - 30% of amount spent in January 2017.

Gave Away /Disposed Of/Used UP:

Gave away: Nothing this month. Oh, wait…I had a bath set gift. I am kind of particular about my bath & lotion products…due to the ph of my skin, things can turn “sour” and stinky, so I use very basic, unscented products. I passed it on to one of student workers.

Disposed of:
L’oreal Lash Paradise Mascara – Time to replace. Already had a back-up tube. I washed the spoolie from the old tube to comb out lashes. It’s a thick formula and I hate clumpy lashes!

Paula’s Choice Salicylic Acid – Old bottle with about a 1/3 left, time to toss it. I have been using my P50 1970 Lotion and Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner. I may add the Ordinary 2% Salicylic Acid into rotation. I am still figuring out which direct acids work best.

NYX Liquid Liner; Smashbox Limitless Liner

Living Proof Frizz Styling Spray – Mostly empty, didn’t reach for it.

Used Up:
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser – Opened back-up tube; Will need to replenish.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum (mentioned above) – Replenished.

the Ordinary Glycolic Acid – Opened back-up; Will need to replenish.

Will Dispose Of:The usual round of mascaras.

On The Horizon:
Nothing makeup wise! ~ Meaning I am #shoppingthestash2018 or #shoppingmystash2018 and quite happy doing it. There is nothing pressing, that cannot wait until the spring VIB sale and/or Ulta coupons.

Hair Styling – OGX Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum; OGX Coconut Curls Frizz Defying Curl Styling Milk ~ I really like this brand and the drugstore price point. I can usually get it BOGO 50% and if I purchase at Ulta I can use an additional coupon.Skincare replenishment ~ I noted products above, but I have time to order single backups. With the Ordinary, I like to do one order that covers all that I need and I order directly from them versus an alternate retailer.

Non-beauty/Fitness ~ So, I know @VAL4M is a runner. @elegant-one both runs & bikes…I wonder if she is a tri-athlete at heart? To quote @veronikawithak “…This year I need to work on skincare - from the inside out! I'm talking actually drinking enough water, eating more fruits and vegetables, and exercising!...Lesson: Beauty comes from the inside out! Take better care of my body rather than relying on skincare and cosmetics so much.”

Me...I am a natural bodybuilder, semi-retired, competitive…but I still do cardio/metcon & weight train seriously and consistently. I may compete again this coming September, but I don’t want to put too much energy into talking about it yet…I don’t want to psych myself out of the possibility.

~ Any who, my last pair of Bluetooth wireless headphones just died and I need a new pair…music and training go hand and hand for me! I love moving it to some kind of upbeat music!

I am also due to replace my gym bag. I carry all my training gear in (e.g. belt, gloves, straps, water bottle, training journal, iPod & headphones…) with me while in the gym. It will probably be a Kipling bag. I love how lightweight their bags are as well as styling, details and how they stand up to wear & tear.

New Category! Favorites of the Month :
Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Jezebel with with Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Retro Rose Gold layered over it. I find if I apply a thin layer of the glitter formula over the cream (as if it’s a primer) I do not need to use glitter glue. Plus I am loving everything rose gold right now!

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in shade Backseat in combination with Fenty Starlit Hyper-Glitz Lipstick in Supermoon . If I am feeling extra I add a little Fenty Cosmic Gloss in Spacesuit on top.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This replaced the Bite Agave Lip Mask. I had a serious bout of super dry and chapped lips come November (season change for sure) and the Bite could not resolve it. The Laneige did!

Random Blah Blah:“The force is strong with the clearance…”

However, I am stronger! Solidly resisting the clearance areas, in retail stores and online! LOL! It's kind of awesome, how we can change our desires by changing our mindset. Now that I have a plan, set a budget and put it out there, somehow it is easier to stick with it.

Wishing you all a great weekend! x0x0x0x