Here comes a long post, I promise to not make it this long ever again but I need to write it down somewhere and keep myself accountable this year.
I've been spending so much on make-up these past years it's honestly horrible. I've decluttered many products over the years but I still have a million things. My problem is that I buy a lot of brands we don't have in my country online, and I can't return opened make-up. Plus I buy things to try, even if I know there's a chance I won't like it. That needs to stop!
2019 fail and resolution
Here's a fail: My 2019 resolution was to mostly buy replacements or a low buy, when possible buy only with a discount and to only buy from new collections from 2 brands (Chanel and Nars). I already gave in January 1st (I'm sure that's a record). There was a sale of 19% for 2019 so I thought it was an excellent opportunity to buy a backup mascara (the 3D Chanel one, I really liked the samples I used) and a replacement of the Chanel Soleil Tan Bronzer... Which I hardly ever used because I don't really like cream products, I just wanted to have a fresh one to have it. Then I fell for the new Nars eyeshadow palette and the Velvet Teddy collection. Combining this with the fact I bought a lot in December to "prepare" myself for the low buy...
So I'm here committing to a low-buy year from this point forward! I followed last years thread and you are all so strong! I'm hoping by reading this thread I can find some motivation to change my ways. I've read the reddit mu rehab for a few years but it's not for me, some people overreact there way too much for my taste so it only irritates me.
Here are some of my rules for myself:
- Stop buying when stressed or bored. Try to only buy things you can test out in stores and buy smart, do not fall for the millionth discount code. Take advantage if you need something but don't browse a site or store just to make use of it because it's "'the chance, too good to pass up, .."
- Don't buy cream products. Even if you think you're going to use them to be a cooler version of yourself, you will not use them. Must resist that Chanel Baume thing. You will not wear that glossy eye.
- If you end up buying something new, then the rule is: one in, one out. If you're not willing to part with anything then it's not the right choice. Only buy if it's special and if you know you will use it, not just to own it.
- Be honest and declutter the things you never use, don't keep something because of the money you spent on it. The money is spent, it's too late anyways.
- Keep rotating and if you find you don't want to use something, get rid of it. A lot of my collection ranges from 2-5 years old, and I want to get the most use out of it I can get.
- Foundation, mascara, eye primers, all type of eyeliners, concealers and face powders need to stay replacement only
- Stop buying for the packaging and look at the actual product
- keep a log of the cost of everything you buy make-up, haircare & skincare
Decluttering log
I loved the purge post of Twinkle_Twinkle, so will post mine here to remember to not buy again. I love declutter videos and kept off decluttering because I wanted to save it to make one of my own - but I need to be honest and face I'm never going to do that and just get on with it
Here is what I decluttered today, I still have ways to go but I couldn't get myself to part with more. I'm ashamed this is already such a long list.
- Anastasia BH Contour palette in light-medium
- Kat Von D Shade & Light (I was convinced if I bought this palette I would never want another palette again..)
- Bobbi Brown artstick in Pomegranate & Harlow Red (I don't wear these shades plus they smell really bad and have probably gone off)
- Marc Jacobs lipstick in Georgie girl
- Essence Velvet matte Lippencil in Peony star
- Anastasia BH Lipgloss in butter scotch (too light)
- Fenty original lipgloss (I hate the smell)
- Chanel Rouge Allure gloss in Super nude (hate the formula and it's a fancy tube but I hate you can't actually see the product)
- Nars audacious lipsticks in Julie, Dominique (I bought this knowing I would never wear it) and Anna. I don't really like the formula and prefer their other ones
- Chanel cream blush in Destiny
- YSL cream bronzer les Saharrienes
- Clinique blush in plum pop & berry pop (the original four were the first blushes I bought, I wanted the set. Sadly they never released more shades in my country, these were def. not mine)
- Burberry warm glow bronzer
#3 (this was a Youtube inspired purchase but I hate the Burberry smell and never use it). think my mom would like.
- Bobbi Brown blush in Berry
- The body shop bronzer in
#2 (I don't dislike it but I have a million bronzers and it's a bit too light. I have gotten use out of it though, but it's old)
- Bobbi Brown long wear Cream shadow in Praline and Slate (I hate the container, too tiny)
- Kiko brown eyeshadow in Wet & Dry. It's not bad but I have a million shades like this, I think my mom will like it
- Kiko sparkling trail eyeshadow stick in burgundy - again, think my mom will like
- Nars velvet shadow stick in Reykjavik
- Mac Paint pot in Camel Coat (dried out)
- Dior Fix it concealer in 001 and 200 (peach one)
- Smashbox contour & highlight stick set (3 pieces)
- Burberry cream contour stick
- Benefit what's app highlighter
- Estee Lauder Highlighter in Soft Pink (one of those cream stick designs like touche eclat)
- YSL face palette in Gypsy Opale (got this for the packaging and the way the product looks inside. never use it because it has some sparkles and I hate sparkles)
- Mac Sheer pressed powder in NC20 - save for Back2Mac
Used up
And here is a list of products I used up in the last year (apart from foundation)
- Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham khol pencil (black side is 100% finished, I'm tossing the nude because it's from 2016 and I have a backup waiting)
- nearing the end of my Bobbi Brown bone eyeshadow - only the edges left. I have others like it so debating if I should just toss it as it's a few years old. This thing will not end. Then again I keep powder products forever
1 product... What a waste!
I'm sorry to bore you with this long ass post but I'll try my hardest to resist temptation and when I buy to log and keep myself in check. I don't only feel sick for the money spent, but for all the landfill waste as well. Need to change those habits!
(eta: enters... too long a post!!)
I have long used Tretinoin and I firmly believe it not only helps with acne, but also aging / wrinkles. I am also a fan of CeraVe products: Foaming cleanser, Eye Repair cream and the Skin Renewing Cream Serum.
