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

[Glitteryvegas]

Does anyone else feel like they struggle not to keep purchasing things after they buy something? I got two items delivered today that I ordered back in January, both of which I'm super excited about and absolutely love. But then while I was at the drugstore picking up a couple of non-makeup staples I felt drawn to the new displays of summer lip products.. which I definitely don't need and probably would use once or twice and then toss because I hate the formula. I think I just wanted to prolong the excitement of getting new things.. which is not cute..

I didn't buy any makeup but it bothers me that I even thought about it.. 4 days into my 2 month no buy.. and with drugstore products that I knew I probably wouldn't love. I did buy another eos lip balm which is fine because I only had one. I also bought a few backups of my favorite cuticle oil pen that I told myself I'd get more of if they ever went on sale - and they were $3 off! I really don't like the feeling of wanting to buy something just to have something new to take home and unwrap.. lol. Hopefully after a couple of months off I won't feel like I want to go overboard when I make my next purchase..

I feel that! Sometimes it's better when I don't have things for a long, long time - but once I start buying, I feel like I can't stop the urge! "Cold turkey" is basically better for me personally - if I go near the display or into the store, it's so hard to resist. This month I'm going to go to CCO because we don't go to the States very often (once or twice a year) and I'm planning on buying a few products for my birthday as a treat Not counting on my low buy (I'm bad). Of course if there's nothing of interest then I'll pass
I guess the long and short of it is - I get what you're saying haha. Buying begets more buying!

 

[ILoveMakeup84]

If you choose to buy it, wait until theBalm has a 50% off flash sale or has it on HauteLook!

I will for sure!

 

[Rainbunny]

Okay, there must be a dupe for Naked Bud, right? I'm going through my spreadsheets, and one doesn't jump out at me. I think my dupe would actually be a gloss of some kind, because Naked Bud is sheer. Any thoughts?

Patisserie?

 

[Rainbunny]

Does anyone else feel like they struggle not to keep purchasing things after they buy something? I got two items delivered today that I ordered back in January, both of which I'm super excited about and absolutely love. But then while I was at the drugstore picking up a couple of non-makeup staples I felt drawn to the new displays of summer lip products.. which I definitely don't need and probably would use once or twice and then toss because I hate the formula. I think I just wanted to prolong the excitement of getting new things.. which is not cute.. I didn't buy any makeup but it bothers me that I even thought about it.. 4 days into my 2 month no buy.. and with drugstore products that I knew I probably wouldn't love. I did buy another eos lip balm which is fine because I only had one. I also bought a few backups of my favorite cuticle oil pen that I told myself I'd get more of if they ever went on sale - and they were $3 off! I really don't like the feeling of wanting to buy something just to have something new to take home and unwrap.. lol. Hopefully after a couple of months off I won't feel like I want to go overboard when I make my next purchase..

I get like that, too, but I suspect it's not just the excitement of getting new packages or getting a treat but more a way of filling you up or distracting yourself if you feel bored or maybe avoiding something you don't want to do or think about. E.g., Maybe you didn't really want to get back to the next task after you finished your errand, so the new display postponed that for a bit. It might be a good idea to identify what emotion you are feeling when you want to buy something, and then pick a better displacement activity, like a walk or playing the piano or taking a hot bath or something. Or stop procrastinating, if that is what's going on. Easier said than done, of course! But buying things does take off the edge, for a bit. If you are tracking your purchases, you could track how you are feeling, too, to see if there's any pattern.

 

[NewChick10]

Instead of me shopping for lipsticks to buy this month I have been looking in my stash for lipsticks to wear. I am currently wearing and loving Mac Kinda Sexy lipstick. I will wear this for a week and then Saturday I am going to pick a different color that I have not used yet and wear that for a week.

 

[veronikawithak]

Instead of me shopping for lipsticks to buy this month I have been looking in my stash for lipsticks to wear. I am currently wearing and loving Mac Kinda Sexy lipstick. I will wear this for a week and then Saturday I am going to pick a different color that I have not used yet and wear that for a week.

Awesome idea! I'm doing the same but trying to wear something different every day to rotate through everything I own. Once I'm done with that I think I'll go back to my weekly/monthly makeup bag.

 

[veronikawithak]

If you are tracking your purchases, you could track how you are feeling, too, to see if there's any pattern.

That's very true. I've been all about procrastinating for the past month or so.. I really need to get back on track.

 

[walkingdead]

Got my Muji drawers yesterday after work and since I'm not going to work today due to a snow/ice storm--going to organize my make-up.

 

[Ajigglin]

[@]Rainbunny[/@], I don't have that, either.

 

[MissTania]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jennyap
Then - my Juicy Tubes. Once upon a time these were all I wore on my lips. Most of these are old - in some cases ancient. They probably all need to be tossed to be honest. I did the sniff test on a couple of them after I took this, and threw them out straight away, but my sense of smell doesn't work for long. I'll work through the rest to see if anything is fit to keep, then I have to decide if I even want to.




I love Lancome juicy tubes, never on their own though I add them on top of a similar coloured thicker lipstick like a matte MAC Lipstick sometimes instead of reapplying and it revitalizes the colour and I love the high shine and the combo lasts very long. They are sticky and a pain when it's windy and your hair catches on them, but I find thinner glosses don't last long on me.

If you aren't already aware, this site is very accurate in my experience for checking how old products are: you just enter the batch code on the product (usually at the bottom of the juicy tube) so if you're not sure about how old they are this will help. I think only one of my juicy tubes has smelled bad and been tossed and I've had a few, some older than the recommended general 3 year shelf life.

http://checkcosmetic.net/

 

[MissTania]

Instead of me shopping for lipsticks to buy this month I have been looking in my stash for lipsticks to wear. I am currently wearing and loving Mac Kinda Sexy lipstick. I will wear this for a week and then Saturday I am going to pick a different color that I have not used yet and wear that for a week.

That's a great idea, we often buy from collections and get so excited, then use things only a few times and keep buying. I'm trying to make colours work by using different lipliners for example to change the shades to suit me better. I actually bought 3 Mac Force of Love lipsticks from Chenman and they looked like a horrid neon orange until I paired the lippie with a red lipliner and the colour is gorgeous and I know I will get through all 3 eventually and enjoy them.

 

[Audrey C]

I can't do the weekly/monthly bag thing, but I do make an effort to rotate through my stash. That's been helpful in allowing me to decide what products I want to keep and which I can swap away. I've been forcing myself to reach for colours I haven't worn in awhile since the beginning of the year; I've rediscovered some favourites that way and have accepted that some I just don't want to wear anymore since I now have better alternatives. So why keep them?

I'm not finding it hard not to shop; there's nothing in the upcoming MAC collections that tempts me in the least other than a single shadow that's being released in April. I have enough empties to BTM for two items; I can get two upcoming lippies that way at some point and I won't count them against my low-buy. I see that as the same as swapping or exchanging a product at MAC/Sephora; I haven't counted those either.

My total spending for 2014 is limited to the two Houglass Ambient blush that Pixie has mailed to me. I've exchanged a foundation at Sephora (Clinique for BB) but paid for the difference with a gift card. I'm thinking of returning Naked 2 as well; I've played with it a lot over the last week or so and just don't love it. I was going to swap it away but I may just take it back. I adore N3 and the Laura Mercier AP that I bought around the same time; no reason to keep a palette I know I won't wear.

So far I'm happy with how the year is progressing for me. The first item was a birthday gift that was purchased last year, but I counted it since my birthday is in January. I didn't pay for that. The next two are the blush; I really hope I love those. I've gifted a few things, swapped away six items and am getting four back (one will go to my daughter) and I'm in the process of selling three others. My collection is getting smaller, and that's what I wanted. I'm not after an absolute number, it's about limiting myself to a well-edited stash I enjoy.

Edit: Nevermind - I have a near dupe for the e/s. Absolutely NOTHING of interest.

 

[ILoveMakeup84]

I can't do the weekly/monthly bag thing, but I do make an effort to rotate through my stash. That's been helpful in allowing me to decide what products I want to keep and which I can swap away. I've been forcing myself to reach for colours I haven't worn in awhile since the beginning of the year; I've rediscovered some favourites that way and have accepted that some I just don't want to wear anymore since I now have better alternatives. So why keep them?  I'm not finding it hard not to shop; there's nothing in the upcoming MAC collections that tempts me in the least other than a single shadow that's being released in April. I have enough empties to BTM for two items; I can get two upcoming lippies that way at some point and I won't count them against my low-buy. I see that as the same as swapping or exchanging a product at MAC/Sephora; I haven't counted those either. My total spending for 2014 is limited to the two Houglass Ambient blush that Pixie has mailed to me. I've exchanged a foundation at Sephora (Clinique for BB) but paid for the difference with a gift card. I'm thinking of returning Naked 2 as well; I've played with it a lot over the last week or so and just don't love it. I was going to swap it away but I may just take it back. I adore N3 and the Laura Mercier AP that I bought around the same time; no reason to keep a palette I know I won't wear.  So far I'm happy with how the year is progressing for me. The first item was a birthday gift that was purchased last year, but I counted it since my birthday is in January. I didn't pay for that. The next two are the blush; I really hope I love those. I've gifted a few things,  swapped away six items and am getting four back (one will go to my daughter) and I'm in the process of selling three others. My collection is getting smaller, and that's what I wanted. I'm not after an absolute number, it's about limiting myself to a well-edited stash I enjoy. 

You are doing so well Audrey! I don't feel the urge to buy either except for those Ambient Light blushes lol They look so gorgeous!!

 

[Audrey C]

You are doing so well Audrey! I don't feel the urge to buy either except for those Ambient Light blushes lol They look so gorgeous!!

Thank you! They do look beautiful, but I'm a bit concerned because the colours doesn't necessarily look anything like what they do in pan and I ordered before there were swatches out. I got Dim Infusion and Luminous Flush; I'm not concerned that they'll look like each other, but it's hard to predict how they'll look on me.

Pixie, still waiting to hear how you like yours!

 

[charlotte366]

Quote:Originally Posted by Audrey C

I can't do the weekly/monthly bag thing, but I do make an effort to rotate through my stash. That's been helpful in allowing me to decide what products I want to keep and which I can swap away. I've been forcing myself to reach for colours I haven't worn in awhile since the beginning of the year; I've rediscovered some favourites that way and have accepted that some I just don't want to wear anymore since I now have better alternatives. So why keep them?

I'm not finding it hard not to shop; there's nothing in the upcoming MAC collections that tempts me in the least other than a single shadow that's being released in April. I have enough empties to BTM for two items; I can get two upcoming lippies that way at some point and I won't count them against my low-buy. I see that as the same as swapping or exchanging a product at MAC/Sephora; I haven't counted those either.

My total spending for 2014 is limited to the two Houglass Ambient blush that Pixie has mailed to me. I've exchanged a foundation at Sephora (Clinique for BB) but paid for the difference with a gift card. I'm thinking of returning Naked 2 as well; I've played with it a lot over the last week or so and just don't love it. I was going to swap it away but I may just take it back. I adore N3 and the Laura Mercier AP that I bought around the same time; no reason to keep a palette I know I won't wear.

So far I'm happy with how the year is progressing for me. The first item was a birthday gift that was purchased last year, but I counted it since my birthday is in January. I didn't pay for that. The next two are the blush; I really hope I love those. I've gifted a few things, swapped away six items and am getting four back (one will go to my daughter) and I'm in the process of selling three others. My collection is getting smaller, and that's what I wanted. I'm not after an absolute number, it's about limiting myself to a well-edited stash I enjoy.



Well done, a well edited stash you enjoy and use is the best thing, it is certainly my aim this year.

 

[charlotte366]

All the talk yesterday about huggables has be craving one badly now! Bad #teamlowbuy buddies! I nearly walked to the MAC counter in my lunch hour, but made myself stay at my desk for fear of going to MAC and hauling. I haven't been in MAC for ages so I fear it could result in a complete haul. I do have enough B2M's but I can't back to mac for a huggable apparently :-( I now need everyone to explain to me why I don't need a huggable lip colour, its a ltd edition formula so I shouldn't fall in love with it and I have enough lip products to go the rest of year without running out! Bad Charlotte!! STOP LEMMING IT! On another not I discovered my Clinique chubby stick intense in plushest punch today, have left it on my desk with a mini mirror and reapplied 3 times today, trying to make an effort to take my lip product of the day to work with me and to reapply so that I look polished for the whole day not just the 1st hour!

 

[NaomiH]

I can't do the weekly/monthly bag thing, but I do make an effort to rotate through my stash. That's been helpful in allowing me to decide what products I want to keep and which I can swap away. I've been forcing myself to reach for colours I haven't worn in awhile since the beginning of the year; I've rediscovered some favourites that way and have accepted that some I just don't want to wear anymore since I now have better alternatives. So why keep them?

I'm not finding it hard not to shop; there's nothing in the upcoming MAC collections that tempts me in the least other than a single shadow that's being released in April. I have enough empties to BTM for two items; I can get two upcoming lippies that way at some point and I won't count them against my low-buy. I see that as the same as swapping or exchanging a product at MAC/Sephora; I haven't counted those either.

My total spending for 2014 is limited to the two Houglass Ambient blush that Pixie has mailed to me. I've exchanged a foundation at Sephora (Clinique for BB) but paid for the difference with a gift card. I'm thinking of returning Naked 2 as well; I've played with it a lot over the last week or so and just don't love it. I was going to swap it away but I may just take it back. I adore N3 and the Laura Mercier AP that I bought around the same time; no reason to keep a palette I know I won't wear.

So far I'm happy with how the year is progressing for me. The first item was a birthday gift that was purchased last year, but I counted it since my birthday is in January. I didn't pay for that. The next two are the blush; I really hope I love those. I've gifted a few things, swapped away six items and am getting four back (one will go to my daughter) and I'm in the process of selling three others. My collection is getting smaller, and that's what I wanted. I'm not after an absolute number, it's about limiting myself to a well-edited stash I enjoy.

Awesome job so far, Audrey!

 

[NaomiH]

I really wanted a huggable, it's my kind of formula I like the balm lipstick hybrids but I didn't want to fall for a ltd formula. Ltd edition colours yes but formulas is a no no for me , bad mac !!! Still tempted but I have too many lipsticks, maybe by the time they are reprinted I might have used up a couple I already own!

I really kind of wish I hadn't caved and tried them because I am so in love with the formula and it of course is LE. I think I'm going to follow that model from now on because this being in love with a product and panicking over not having it anymore is no bueno.

 

[lyseD]

Added a few things to the Team Low Buy Swap Thread.

 

[Lisianthus]

If you are tracking your purchases, you could track how you are feeling, too, to see if there's any pattern.

You have great insight into buying behaviour. For me, I've found that I buy for 3 reasons. First, for novelty because I'm bored and it's fun to try out new products, even if the fun is temporary. I also buy because I feel down and use shopping as a pick me up. Finally, it's the high I get from purchasing the products I've been lusting after for a while. I also used to buy because I didn't want to miss out on hyped LE products but I've put a stop to that urge in the last few years.

It's a constant struggle but it helps now that I live in a small town far away from any cosmetic counters. So far I've been able to resist the lure of the drugstore and DH is keeping me in check with the internet shopping.