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

[NaomiH]

Sounds like you're kicking some ass on getting your collection organized and weeded through, Pixie, that's awesome!

Welcome @liba and @MadTheologian!

I haven't had much time to really sort through things much, but I did decide to save the gift card my mom gave me and also managed to get rid of a few older drug store products I just plain didn't use for one reason or another. Next step is to go through my pigments, decide which ones I'm going to keep and press them.

 

[User38]

So I've been doing really well on my low buy. I only want to purchase items I know I need and will work for me. I don't get sucked in by hyped up items anymore unless I go in person and try them out on myself.kudos to me! Lol So now a question... There are lots if things I want that's coming out in spring collections.(even polish) especially some Mac collections in April. Even if I save, would spending $500 on makeup in April make me crazy?

don't look at the amount you spend.. look at in the percentage of what your earning abilites are. If you make 100K a year, $500 is a small percentage. But if you make 20K a year (gross), you might be on borderline territory for cosmetics spending -- obviously this depends on your whole financial picture which includes housing, food, utilities, insurance, car, maintenance, health, etc... these are the primary concerns everyone needs to take care of. Then, think of NOT spending and maybe saving some for a rainy day.

 

[Audrey C]

So I've been doing really well on my low buy. I only want to purchase items I know I need and will work for me. I don't get sucked in by hyped up items anymore unless I go in person and try them out on myself.kudos to me! Lol So now a question... There are lots if things I want that's coming out in spring collections.(even polish) especially some Mac collections in April. Even if I save, would spending $500 on makeup in April make me crazy?

I guess that would depend. I agree with Her Greyness that your income and other financial commitments are important factors. I think it also depends on whether it's a regular occurance, the size of your current stash and your goals. I spent more than that at Sephora during the 20% discount VIB sale, because I was stocking up on staples (for myself and my teens, including items like skincare and Clarisonic pads which add up in a hurry) and indulging in some holiday sets. I have no regrets, but I sure wouldn't want to do it all the time. I felt a bit crazy but I could afford it so I went ahead.

I might again this year (it's in my nature to stock up on staples I know I'll go through while they're on sale), but I'm buying low for the remainder of it to keep total spending at a level I think is appropriate. Makeup isn't something I'd save for; I consider it wholly discretionary so I'd only use some of my 'spending money' on it.

Only you can know for sure whether this is excessive for you.

 

[Yogirl]

I'll expand my lowbuy to Kindle books (I have about 10 unfinished), shoes, other clothes (think 3x before buying any) and stuff for my apartment.

 

[lipstickaddict]

I'll expand my lowbuy to Kindle books (I have about 10 unfinished), shoes, other clothes (think 3x before buying any) and stuff for my apartment.

Sounds like what I have done as well (well not with the Kindle books--haha--I am an English prof, so books are a necessity)! But in all seriousness, I am trying to de-clutter my life in general--makeup, dishes, "stuff" and am trying to make good use of what I already have (like the gazillion silk shirts that hang beautifully in my closet virtually unworn). It is so easy to get swept up with buying all the time, especially in the consumer driven culture we live in. It is great that you are re-evaluating things and trying to make wiser choices. I think that with time, you may find that you are a lot happier with the purchases you do make, and that you value what you have in a more meaningful way.

All the best with your low-buy!

 

[Yogirl]

Thank you Lipstickaddict, that's very kind!
I moved last year within Europe and sublet my old apartment. During this de-cluttering I realized that I have so much stuff. I love it but I have to take care for it and sometimes it binds so much money and energy.

 

[LinenWhite7]

I've been gone for a week and I'm 8 pages behind, but I wanted to jump in and say I just put away ALL of my high-end lipsticks. I'm on a mission to use every single one of my drugstore lipsticks to see if I like them enough to keep them. I always tend to reach for my high-end lipsticks, so I'm going to be ruthless and only keep the drugstore lipsticks I will actually use in the same rotation as my HE lipsticks.

 

[lipstickaddict]

Thank you Lipstickaddict, that's very kind!
I moved last year within Europe and sublet my old apartment. During this de-cluttering I realized that I have so much stuff. I love it but I have to take care for it and sometimes it binds so much money and energy.

I can totally relate! And the things we have in our lives, our "stuff", can really be hard to let go of sometimes! Personally since Christmas, I have been giving myself small goals to accomplish, so it doesn't feel so overwhelming (like going through a particular cupboard or drawer for example, and deciding what I will keep or donate). The point comes I think, when there is too much to take care of, and not enough space, because that can be overwhelming too! Hopefully, you will be able to identify what you value the most, and what you can live without. And a low buy is a good place to start!

 

[aradhana]

I received my Clinique blush today. It's loose in the pan and is spinning around when I try to apply it, so I contacted CS, waiting to hear back. I think all I can do is send it back. Not a big deal, but it takes a little of the fun and ''reward'' feeling away, since I'm on the low-buy and wanted this to be my only makeup purchase this month and was looking forward to it for a while. OK, I have a little question... I had splurged on a Jil Sander clutch. It was listed as a handbag on the site I had bought it from, but now I see it on the JS site listed as a makeup bag. I don't know much about fashion, so I was wondering if I looked stupid if I would walk around using it as a clutch?? Kosmetiktäschchen Für Sie - Accessoires Für Sie auf Jil Sander Online Store I mean, there's a model holding it like a clutch, but then maybe it's just to show the size of it. I could still return it (I paid way less than the price on the JS site, I could NOT afford that! But still it was a lot of $$$ for me.) I don't own any designer bags and can't afford a big leather one, so since I've been liking this zip top clutch style for a while I thought I'd invest in this one hoping I could use it for a long time. But if it really is a makeup bag I guess I would feel weird carrying around all the time. I am really liking it though and it was a good deal (compared to the original price). Someone help a fashion noob out, lol.

I think that's a clutch...in fact I don't think it looks very useful as a cosmetics pouch. At least not for your average person. Very nice clutch btw. I love jil sander...simple and clean lines...

 

[Calla88]

I'll expand my lowbuy to Kindle books (I have about 10 unfinished), shoes, other clothes (think 3x before buying any) and stuff for my apartment.

I could never do this, I have a ridiculous amount of books in my TBR pile both kindle and actual books, always need to have fresh material on hand! Now I am on a low buy for clothes , shoes and other random bits. Whenever I buy house stuff it is carefully thought out purchase except for towels I have an addiction to clean fresh and fluffy towels. The minute they look dingy or raggedy out they go.

 

[User38]

I could never do this, I have a ridiculous amount of books in my TBR pile both kindle and actual books, always need to have fresh material on hand! Now I am on a low buy for clothes , shoes and other random bits. Whenever I buy house stuff it is carefully thought out purchase except for towels I have an addiction to clean fresh and fluffy towels. The minute they look dingy or raggedy out they go.

me either.. I would rather not buy food but will never stop buying books

 

[User38]

sadly, yes.. many things I work on do not go into production due to price/ seasonality/ changes in management (lol) or economic factors not accounted for in advance.. so, I sometimes buy things that I have worked on in when they are in the prototype stage. No wonder I have a lust for buying beautiful packaging.. lol

I just wanted to add that the Beauty/Fashion industry is THE MOST difficult industry to work in, live with -- it's as bad as the cinema .. everybody is a beauty guru, a drama queen or a total hag... it;s just the nature of this animal. Creative people, those who create products, those who market (mass), those who dream up the concoctions we all want to use or look like, are highly touchy and not too feely... lol. Changes in management can happen once a day or once a month but it's an integral pat of the industry. One must not make enemies and if one does, one better be ready to be stabbed front face or in the back. Beautifully made products sometimes get trashed, because it's the whim of some creative director, or the head bean counter's feel it's too costly.. err, like less than 01 cent per item (please remember we deal with tens of thousands of product per item). So, the atmosphere which we work in can also contribute to our spending habits and our excesses. I know that's also contributed to mine.

the whole industry is always pmsing..

Think of Miranda Priestly

 

[Yogirl]

me either.. I would rather not buy food but will never stop buying books

I'm only on a lowbuy, I didn't stop completely

 

[Faith05Hope07]

don't look at the amount you spend.. look at in the percentage of what your earning abilites are.  If you make 100K a year, $500 is a small percentage.  But if you make 20K a year (gross), you might be on borderline territory for cosmetics spending -- obviously this depends on your whole financial picture which includes housing, food, utilities, insurance, car, maintenance, health, etc... these are the primary concerns everyone needs to take care of.  Then, think of NOT spending and maybe saving some for a rainy day.:tip:  

I guess that would depend. I agree with Her Greyness that your income and other financial commitments are important factors. I think it also depends on whether it's a regular occurance, the size of your current stash and your goals. I spent more than that at Sephora during the 20% discount VIB sale, because I was stocking up on staples (for myself and my teens, including items like skincare and Clarisonic pads which add up in a hurry) and indulging in some holiday sets. I have no regrets, but I sure wouldn't want to do it all the time. I felt a bit crazy but I could afford it so I went ahead.  I might again this year (it's in my nature to stock up on staples I know I'll go through while they're on sale), but I'm buying low for the remainder of it to keep total spending at a level I think is appropriate. Makeup isn't something I'd save for; I consider it wholly discretionary so I'd only use some of my 'spending money' on it.  Only you can know for sure whether this is excessive for you.

Thanks for the advice. I do save but I need to save more. I don't buy a lot all the time but sometimes I won't make any " beauty" purchases for 4-5 mths and then BAM! I spend $300 in minutes.

 

[lipstickaddict]

Thanks for the advice. I do save but I need to save more. I don't buy a lot all the time but sometimes I won't make any " beauty" purchases for 4-5 mths and then BAM! I spend $300 in minutes.

Tell me about it!

 

[User38]

Thanks for the advice. I do save but I need to save more. I don't buy a lot all the time but sometimes I won't make any " beauty" purchases for 4-5 mths and then BAM! I spend $300 in minutes.

I think we are all capable of doing things like that.. I know I am

I can totally go off the rails and then I am hung over... lol

 

[Naynadine]

Very nice clutch btw. I love jil sander...simple and clean lines...

Yes, I love this kind of style.
Thanks for your input, girls.

I'm going to keep it.

 

[Rainbunny]

I just wanted to add that the Beauty/Fashion industry is THE MOST difficult industry to work in, live with -- it's as bad as the cinema .. everybody is a beauty guru, a drama queen or a total hag... it;s just the nature of this animal. Creative people, those who create products, those who market (mass), those who dream up the concoctions we all want to use or look like, are highly touchy and not too feely... lol.  Changes in management can happen once a day or once a month but it's an integral  pat of the industry. One must not make enemies and if one does, one better be ready to be stabbed front face or in the back. Beautifully made products sometimes get trashed, because it's the whim of some creative director, or the head bean counter's feel it's too costly.. err, like less than 01 cent per item (please remember we deal with tens of thousands of product per item).  So, the atmosphere which we work in can also contribute to our spending habits and our excesses. I know that's also contributed to mine. the whole industry is always pmsing.. :haha:  Think of Miranda Priestly 

I imagine people are not at their best when there's so much pressure to create and produce on tight deadlines all the time. Especially in such a competitive atmosphere. The stress must be incredible! And buying things does sort of give you a release of tension effect, for some reason.

 

[PixieDancer]

Yes, I love this kind of style.
Thanks for your input, girls.

I'm going to keep it.

Goodie! I just looked at it and it's lovely! Definitely "clutch" status!

 

[veronikawithak]

I decided to keep track of all of my beauty purchases for the year (makeup, skincare, hair care, perfume, nail polish, bath & body, etc.). I was pretty surprised at the total only 6 weeks in.. I think I'm going to be pulling this up quite a bit to refresh my memory.. I'm also keeping a running list of all of the upcoming collections and items I'm interested in so I can plan ahead.