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

[User38]

those are the jewels in the crown and rarely go on sales -- their production is limited to specific quantities per lot/item.

 

[ILoveMakeup84]

So today I used: Lorac Pro Palette: Taupe, Espresso, Sable and Cream Sugarpill: Mochi Tarte Magic Blush Mac Venus l/s I am having so much fun using something different each day and rediscovering products long forgotten that I might do the same for March

 

[veronikawithak]

Yeah, mixing own lipstick would cost much more than it costs the company and it would never be the same >.< I tried some of the organic lipsticks and ugh, completely different texture, too much of a clay taste etc lol But at least mixing own lip balms is cheap and easy!! Do you have any good recipe for DIY shaving cream and moisturizer? *-*

Yeah I haven't had much luck with the "natural/organic" products either. I also am hesitant to purchase them since they expire much faster.

For shaving I'm just using straight up jojoba oil right now! Works like a dream and keeps the skin soft. If I want my legs really soft I'll shave, then exfoliate with a sugar/sweet almond oil scrub that I mix, then shave again. Or use an epilator, exfoliate, shave. If you want a super basic/cheap moisturizer try pure shea or cocoa butter or even a light oil like grapeseed or sweet almond for summer! I read an article about a hand model who said her secret to perfect hands is applying sweet almond oil 30 times a day.. lol. Oh and her husband does the dishes of course.

 

[User38]

I work with a guy who shaves his head.. and he uses any conditioner and slathers his head and shaves it clean.. lol. He has the glossiest head I have ever seen!

 

[veronikawithak]

I work with a guy who shaves his head.. and he uses any conditioner and slathers his head and shaves it clean.. lol. He has the glossiest head I have ever seen!

I've heard conditioner works quite well too. I like oils personally since they only have one ingredient and they're natural. I would think it would be cheaper too since you only have to use a small amount.. but if you have conditioner you don't like for your hair it's a great way to use it up!

Quote: Originally Posted by ILoveMakeup84

So today I used:

Lorac Pro Palette: Taupe, Espresso, Sable and Cream
Sugarpill: Mochi
Tarte Magic Blush
Mac Venus l/s

I am having so much fun using everyday something different and I've rediscovered my love for products that I didn't remember I had, so this challenge rocks!!

I'm having a ton of fun with it too! I really look forward to seeing your daily looks, keeps me motivated to continue. I'm really excited that all my babies are getting used. I'll often use the same stuff every day and not spread out the love.

 

[elkaknits]

I have pigmented products, blush, es, powders -- which are over 8-9 years old.. and still in perfect shape. Pigments don't get contaminated easily and last for a long time.

what products must always be fresh: mascara, lip gloss (even these can be stretched for over 1 year +)

I agree the algorithms on that site are a bit flaky tho. I think common sense is what's needed to determine what is still good and feels comfortable.

Eh I just threw out 46 {maybe 48 but testing 2 glosses } products. That includes my daughters things which I told them we could go shopping this Saturday. For Them. I started with my eyeshadows and liners and blushes because I have so few of those plus I freak out at the idea of messing up my eyes in any way. I was sad to throw away my Dior ummm 5 thingie and my Shisheido duo but that is okay. Lipsticks I didn't throw away many. I have several from '07 that still smell vanilla-riffic but that is probably because they have never been used {b-ups} I did end up putting 4 products in my b2m pocket. I did throw away several lipsticks that I just don't wear at all. Lorac, Laura Mercier and Bobbie Brown... I have so many lipsticks there is no way I will get through them and some opened ones had turned so facing reality. My daughters have really old make-up because they tend to trade with their friends and snag from me instead of buying for themselves. It is not as if I don't offer to take them shopping.

Anyway I put the lipsticks that are wicked old into my to wear pile. I will cry when I finally run out of Wild Bout You, Budding Lust and Deep Attraction. Those are the oldest in my lipstick box. I had 5 Budding Lusts because I loved it so hard and had to throw one away... it was obviously bad just from scent but the other 4 hadn't been opened and still look/smell fine. Deep Attraction and Wild Bout You are basically the same color different finishes and I don't think there is a color match in the MAC line up. I also had to throw away my Nars Scarlet Empress which is a crazy favorite. I could tell when I put it on my lips that it tasted funny. Le Sad.

I still have to go through my Chanel lipsticks.... I know one of them is very old.... Rouge Noir from '06 I think but most of my Chanels are much newer so I am feeling safe with those. Just need to find that one and I will be done.

 

[Knope2012]

I have very sensitive skin and the only product I've found that I can use is the Kiss My Face Shave Lotion. It can be pricy, but I just buy four bottles at a time on Amazon so I only spend $20 a year. I've also been able to save a lot of money on razors by subscribing to the Dollar Shave Club. You get four blades for $6/month, which is a lot cheaper than I can get in store.

 

[elkaknits]

re razors... my husband actually swishes his in rubbing alcohol and then dries them. He went from changing out his blades every 2-3 weeks to changing them in 6 months. MONTHS. Not a typo. We have a friend who is a barber who told him that was the way to get razors to last. Works

 

[Knope2012]

re razors... my husband actually swishes his in rubbing alcohol and then dries them. He went from changing out his blades every 2-3 weeks to changing them in 6 months. MONTHS. Not a typo. We have a friend who is a barber who told him that was the way to get razors to last. Works

I'll have to try that! If I don't change mine once a week, my skin gets irritated very easily

 

[Audrey C]

Eh I just threw out 46 {maybe 48 but testing 2 glosses } products. That includes my daughters things which I told them we could go shopping this Saturday. For Them. I started with my eyeshadows and liners and blushes because I have so few of those plus I freak out at the idea of messing up my eyes in any way. I was sad to throw away my Dior ummm 5 thingie and my Shisheido duo but that is okay. Lipsticks I didn't throw away many. I have several from '07 that still smell vanilla-riffic but that is probably because they have never been used {b-ups} I did end up putting 4 products in my b2m pocket. I did throw away several lipsticks that I just don't wear at all. Lorac, Laura Mercier and Bobbie Brown... I have so many lipsticks there is no way I will get through them and some opened ones had turned so facing reality. My daughters have really old make-up because they tend to trade with their friends and snag from me instead of buying for themselves. It is not as if I don't offer to take them shopping.

Anyway I put the lipsticks that are wicked old into my to wear pile. I will cry when I finally run out of Wild Bout You, Budding Lust and Deep Attraction. Those are the oldest in my lipstick box. I had 5 Budding Lusts because I loved it so hard and had to throw one away... it was obviously bad just from scent but the other 4 hadn't been opened and still look/smell fine. Deep Attraction and Wild Bout You are basically the same color different finishes and I don't think there is a color match in the MAC line up. I also had to throw away my Nars Scarlet Empress which is a crazy favorite. I could tell when I put it on my lips that it tasted funny. Le Sad.

I still have to go through my Chanel lipsticks.... I know one of them is very old.... Rouge Noir from '06 I think but most of my Chanels are much newer so I am feeling safe with those. Just need to find that one and I will be done.

What a shame that so many items had gone off. Great reinforcement to avoid backups!

 

[Kaori]

Yeah I haven't had much luck with the "natural/organic" products either. I also am hesitant to purchase them since they expire much faster.

For shaving I'm just using straight up jojoba oil right now! Works like a dream and keeps the skin soft. If I want my legs really soft I'll shave, then exfoliate with a sugar/sweet almond oil scrub that I mix, then shave again. Or use an epilator, exfoliate, shave. If you want a super basic/cheap moisturizer try pure shea or cocoa butter or even a light oil like grapeseed or sweet almond for summer! I read an article about a hand model who said her secret to perfect hands is applying sweet almond oil 30 times a day.. lol. Oh and her husband does the dishes of course.

And the organic products can be so expensive to keep trying to find something that works! Most you can't even return =/

Thanks, I never thought of using jojoba oil that way! I bought two bottles and they are sitting around cos I never got around to use them. I'm allergic to so many things so so far the only thing working well as shaving cream was clay soap bar, but its a hassle to use

I tried some moisturizers with shea and cocoa butter and they are great for body but too heavy for face, I plan to mix my own later so I can use exactly what I want and for cheaper xoxo I bought some oil and beeswax after-shower moisturizers but didn't get around to try them yet, but I really have to before they get bad D: I think I overbought organic bath-items during last year sales >.<

 

[veronikawithak]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kaori
And the organic products can be so expensive to keep trying to find something that works! Most you can't even return =/

Thanks, I never thought of using jojoba oil that way! I bought two bottles and they are sitting around cos I never got around to use them. I'm allergic to so many things so so far the only thing working well as shaving cream was clay soap bar, but its a hassle to use

I tried some moisturizers with shea and cocoa butter and they are great for body but too heavy for face, I plan to mix my own later so I can use exactly what I want and for cheaper xoxo I bought some oil and beeswax after-shower moisturizers but didn't get around to try them yet, but I really have to before they get bad D: I think I overbought organic bath-items during last year sales >.<



Yeah I only use the 100% pure shea and cocoa butters (1 ingredient - yay!) and only for body. To cleanse my face I use sweet almond or jojoba oil. Then steam off with a warm washcloth or use them in the shower. For face moisturizer at night I use sweet almond oil with rosehip and a drop of tea tree oil mixed onto a cotton pad. For day I like argan oil (but I buy the cheaper stuff, not Josie Maran). The thing with oils for face moisturizing is that you need a very very very small amount.. like 3 drops for the whole face. If I put too much on I let it sink in and then blot the excess with a tissue.

Let me know what you think of jojoba for shaving! Hopefully that helps you use some up! To use up your jojoba you could also do hair masks with it, I like it for that also! I purchased too many bath/body oils and butters too lol. I'm using a tablespoon of shea butter in the bath once in a while and that's really nice.. it's like Lush bath melts but without all of the colors and fragrances.

 

[Naynadine]

One more item down: I was finally able to sell my Tendertone BU. It's a strangely good feeling to see my collection getting smaller, even if it's just one product at a time.
I'm waiting for my swap package, but I think it will take a while since it's coming from overseas. Both BUs of products that I like and know that I will actually use.

I'm glad to see that the swap thread is helping people to discover new items and reduce their stash at the same time. Go Team Low-buy!

I swatched all of my MSFs today and since my tolerance for shimmer is slowly getting lower and lower there are now some that I don't wear anymore. By Candlelight, Lust, Porcelaine Pink and Redhead. But I'm not ready yet to seperate them from their MSF family, I don't want to regret it later if I get rid of them.

Reading about the Mega Metal shadows in another thread reminded me of Dalliance, which I could've sworn I still had somewhere but I'm unable to find it. Maybe I already sold/swapped it and forgot about it? I'm starting to question my sanity, lol. My stash is not THAT huge, I should definitely remember.

I came across the Aloha Pigment stack from the Vera collection... I have never used it other than swatching it. It is gorgeous, but I don't really know what to do with it. Any ideas on how I could use it?

I also finally checked all my lispticks for ''snow'' and all of them are fine.

 

[ma146rina]

Yeah I only use the 100% pure shea and cocoa butters (1 ingredient - yay!) and only for body. To cleanse my face I use sweet almond or jojoba oil. Then steam off with a warm washcloth or use them in the shower. For face moisturizer at night I use sweet almond oil with rosehip and a drop of tea tree oil mixed onto a cotton pad. For day I like argan oil (but I buy the cheaper stuff, not Josie Maran). The thing with oils for face moisturizing is that you need a very very very small amount.. like 3 drops for the whole face. If I put too much on I let it sink in and then blot the excess with a tissue.

Let me know what you think of jojoba for shaving! Hopefully that helps you use some up! To use up your jojoba you could also do hair masks with it, I like it for that also! I purchased too many bath/body oils and butters too lol. I'm using a tablespoon of shea butter in the bath once in a while and that's really nice.. it's like Lush bath melts but without all of the colors and fragrances.

Great routine! i use butters and oils as well I have oily skin and use macadamia oil as a face moisturizer since it has a very light consistency and sinks in quickly

 

[veronikawithak]

Great routine! i use butters and oils as well I have oily skin and use macadamia oil as a face moisturizer since it has a very light consistency and sinks in quickly

Thanks! My skin has been so much better since I simplified things so much. I just need to work on the fruits & vegetables/water now haha.. I'll have to try macadamia some day! (When I get through the 7 I have now..

)

 

[User38]

I am a big user of oils too.. sweet almond is my mu remover. Jojoba and olive oil for night moisture over night creams.. lol. Hey, at my age I have to fight age like an old tigress.

 

[veronikawithak]

I am a big user of oils too.. sweet almond is my mu remover. Jojoba and olive oil for night moisture over night creams.. lol. Hey, at my age I have to fight age like an old tigress.

I'm in my 20s but I'm ready to fight now!

 

[myfavoritePA]

In an attempt to save money, I am trying to get by with a DIY brush cleaner for spot cleaning. I am currently using isopropyl alcohol + a few drops of dish soap, but I'm worried that this is going to dry out my brushes (especially those with natural hair). I have seen other DIY recipes that include a leave-in conditioner, but I'm really concerned about that potentially causing breakouts from the residue left on the brushes (I have very acne-prone skin and hair products seem to exacerbate breakouts for me). Can anyone steer me in the right direction here? Should I continue on the DIY route, or should I shell out the money for a store-bought spot cleanser? I don't want to ruin my brushes.

FYI I am using Dr. Bronner's to deep clean, if that makes a difference.

 

[myfavoritePA]

Yeah I only use the 100% pure shea and cocoa butters (1 ingredient - yay!) and only for body. To cleanse my face I use sweet almond or jojoba oil. Then steam off with a warm washcloth or use them in the shower. For face moisturizer at night I use sweet almond oil with rosehip and a drop of tea tree oil mixed onto a cotton pad. For day I like argan oil (but I buy the cheaper stuff, not Josie Maran). The thing with oils for face moisturizing is that you need a very very very small amount.. like 3 drops for the whole face. If I put too much on I let it sink in and then blot the excess with a tissue.

Let me know what you think of jojoba for shaving! Hopefully that helps you use some up! To use up your jojoba you could also do hair masks with it, I like it for that also! I purchased too many bath/body oils and butters too lol. I'm using a tablespoon of shea butter in the bath once in a while and that's really nice.. it's like Lush bath melts but without all of the colors and fragrances.

Where do you buy your argan oil? Is there a big difference in price between what you buy and Josie Maran? Any difference in purity? I've heard that cheaper oils are often less refined or pure, which makes me reticent to put them on my face, but maybe I am worrying for nothing?

I really want to try jojoba oil for shaving now! Great idea!

 

[veronikawithak]

In an attempt to save money, I am trying to get by with a DIY brush cleaner for spot cleaning. I am currently using isopropyl alcohol + a few drops of dish soap, but I'm worried that this is going to dry out my brushes (especially those with natural hair). I have seen other DIY recipes that include a leave-in conditioner, but I'm really concerned about that potentially causing breakouts from the residue left on the brushes (I have very acne-prone skin and hair products seem to exacerbate breakouts for me). Can anyone steer me in the right direction here? Should I continue on the DIY route, or should I shell out the money for a store-bought spot cleanser? I don't want to ruin my brushes.

FYI I am using Dr. Bronner's to deep clean, if that makes a difference.

I started using Johnson's baby shampoo recently and I like it much better than any other cleansers I've tried. My brushes have been great so far, actually seems like they're in better condition than the designated brush cleansers.. Can't comment on the long term effects, but I'm going to keep at it unless I hear otherwise.