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

[Glitteryvegas]

Liba, you make perfect sense and I wholeheartedly agree. I actually really love MES and EDES. I tell myself that I will find time to use my pressed piggies but for some reason the time doesn't come. I used colors from Veronica-Spoiled Rich quad for the first time today. Using up my stash and falling in love all over again.

OHHH How I love Spoiled Rich. It's stunning!!! My mom bought me a second one and I kept it as a backup because I love it so much.

Used Naked 3 today - gosh it's so gorgeous on me if I do say so

Talk about falling in love!! I wasn't sure about it at first, as it's so neutral and that's not really my thing, but for me it's perfect.

Looked at my makeup this morning and thought WHERE THE HECK DID ALL OF THIS COME FROM!??? I kind of became overwhelmed at how many products I own, etc. There are so many goodies in there, it is like shopping anew sometimes! It will take me a lifetime to use everything up and then I became a little sad, because there's no way I can use it all up. So, making those smart decisions is more important for me than ever.

I didn't think I would do this, but I am going to add 2 out of 5 products to my outstanding total from my birthday binge. This means I will be down to 17 products left for the year. Not bad. This means I allowed myself 3 products for my 30th birthday on Sunday

YAY!

I've been reflecting a lot on this year and so many changes have happened for me. I got married, started my career, and unfortunately like @Naynadine, I have been struggling with some very close friendships (PS - your dream made laugh @Naynadine!). The last point has been particularly devastating for me and is still very raw and new. It is apparent that I have very few friends and I'm hoping my new career will help me establish new relationships with my peers that may blossom into friendships. All of these struggles and stressors play into my shopping/hoarding addiction.

The good news is that I look forward to learning new things every day now and I get to share my progress with all of you lovely ladies! xo

 

[Debbs]

Glitteryvegas, love your post esp about the new changes and forming new friends. I could get all long-winded expanding on all that but I will just say you are on the right path. I made my in-laws my primary friends so now I have to build and re-establish a few relationships. The next quad on my to use will be Bare My Soul Quad. BTW, very nice mom you have, reminds me a lot of my mom except that she has started to put her foot down when it comes to me and buying make-up. I tell her that everything is a swap now,lol (hard to dispute that as I really go to the PO more frequently) will see how long she will continue to believe me

 

[User38]

Those early mornings getting up has been a big deterrent as well. I couldn't see me and Two Face Glitter Glue at war after 5am in the mornings. You ladies are pros at putting things in the right perspective! @ Pixie, Glitteryvegas, Ajigglin. I think we have a solid group here.

Debbs, most of my days start off @ 3 am..

. Coffee runs thru my veins and only adrenaline keep me alive.. lol.

THIS is why I need to re-start my life... there is nothing glamourous about being a cosmetics milk lady.

 

[Audrey C]

Here's a partial copy of one of my posts in the Inglot thread that might be useful:

"I will list out some of my neutral favs...

395, 37, 337, 327, 405, 409, 397, 463, 344, 335

I like A LOT of the others, but I tried to narrow it down to my top 10 to make it more reasonable for you... HTH doll!"

Also... I HIGHLY recommend going with a palette no larger than 10-pan. Their palettes are extremely substantial. Heavy duty and very weighty. I was originally going to go with a 20 pan palette, but Shellcat advised me to go with the 10. And I'm SO glad I did. It's much easier to hold while doing your makeup. I think the 20 pan or bigger would've been difficult for me to hold onto and much more difficult to store or travel with. Just a little tidbit that might be useful for you.

I wouldn't advise you go crazy. Inglot IS great quality! And very cost effective! However, many of their shades are probably dupes of other shades you already have. So basically you'd just be collecting more shadows. I'd just get a few to try them out. But really try to evaluate your current eyeshadow stash before you go to avoid the impulse to reach for those shades you always love! As great as they are, they really will just be wasted money if you don't get shades that are unique to your collection that you will reach for often.

I know AudreyC semi-recently got some Inglot shadows, so she may be able to offer some good recs too!

I totally agree with Pixie on the no-larger-than-10-pan thing! I have two of those, and am glad they're not in one palette. Here are my two (purchased in December):


I bought the first ten in Times Square and the second online after spending hours pouring over swatches/reviews; I have ten matte shades and ten pearl/shine. I bought lots of mattes because I was deliberately supplementing my Naked palettes. Nice thought, but I ended up returning N2 and they've just confirmed that I like a little pearl (not glitter or strong sheen) on the lid. As a transition shade or for a pop of colour, matte is great. Otherwise...it's not my favourite finish. While all of the mattes look quite different in the pan, they don't on my eyes; I could have done with half of them.

My favourite neutrals from these palettes are 397 (nice highlight shade), 344 (transition colour), 402, 423, 34, 404 and 319 and 341 (if I have to include matte shades). I love 334, but it's not quite neutral. Definitely swatch these in person.

To be fair, I haven't worn these nearly as much as I should mainly because I've been disappointed in the matte shades when I was expecting the second coming. Even with primer, most of the light mattes are barely there (talking to you, 390) on my lids. Maybe they'd be better over a NYX Milk pencil. I really need to give them more of a chance instead of reaching for shades I loved right out of the gate. I've reverted to reaching for my MAC neutral 15-pan, N3 and the LM Artist Palette.

Their pearls, on the other hand, are gorgeous!

 

[Audrey C]

BTW, very nice mom you have, reminds me a lot of my mom except that she has started to put her foot down when it comes to me and buying make-up. I tell her that everything is a swap now,lol (hard to dispute that as I really go to the PO more frequently) will see how long she will continue to believe me

That sounds similar. My husband said (after bringing in yet another package), "I thought you said you weren't buying makeup for awhile?" I told him that I was swapping/selling (he's seen me take out packages too) and he couldn't believe that there's a secondary market for makeup.

My little daughter would actually be the first to notice. That kid knows EXACTLY what I have - if a new lipstick comes in, she'll spot it in my drawer within 48 hours. Guaranteed. She's uncanny. Then again, Bethany Moda is her hero and she's forever experimenting with her own stash in her room. I won't let her wear it out yet, but it's coming.

 

[Glitteryvegas]

That sounds similar. My husband said (after bringing in yet another package), "I thought you said you weren't buying makeup for awhile?" I told him that I was swapping/selling (he's seen me take out packages too) and he couldn't believe that there's a secondary market for makeup.

My little daughter would actually be the first to notice. That kid knows EXACTLY what I have - if a new lipstick comes in, she'll spot it in my drawer within 48 hours. Guaranteed. She's uncanny. Then again, Bethany Moda is her hero and she's forever experimenting with her own stash in her room. I won't let her wear it out yet, but it's coming.

This is so funny ladies - my hubs said the same thing (What's a swap?!?). Hehe. Glad you got your packet @Audrey C and that's so funny about your daughter, what a keen eye!

@Debbs Thank you for your response - I feel you! I recently re-connected with a friend and it feels great - cheers to our re-connections and new connections

 

[janette9687]

That sounds similar. My husband said (after bringing in yet another package), "I thought you said you weren't buying makeup for awhile?" I told him that I was swapping/selling (he's seen me take out packages too) and he couldn't believe that there's a secondary market for makeup.

My little daughter would actually be the first to notice. That kid knows EXACTLY what I have - if a new lipstick comes in, she'll spot it in my drawer within 48 hours. Guaranteed. She's uncanny. Then again, Bethany Moda is her hero and she's forever experimenting with her own stash in her room. I won't let her wear it out yet, but it's coming.

Aw that is adorable, I always wished I had an older sister that was more into makeup but instead I was the one that got her into makeup, shes not nearly as obsessed but her friends are def jelly of her stash. I think its great there is young girls like Bethany that girls now can relate to someone their own age.

 

[User38]

Maybe I should do some swaps.. ? have never ever swapped anything in my life..

side bar: I would be swapping for life

 

[PixieDancer]

Maybe I should do some swaps.. ? have never ever swapped anything in my life..

side bar: I would be swapping for life

*wipes droll off my face* YESSSSSSS PLEASEEEEEEE!

 

[Beautybuyer]

So I suck at low buying. I'm doing pretty good with mac. But then I go shop somewhere else. Like I'll be online window shopping for other stuff. That I think I do need for summer lol Or I buy the boys stuff and justify that it's shopping for them. Lol I can't be the only one

 

[PixieDancer]

I can't be the only one

You're not. But I'm getting better. Once I realized I was just displacing one compulsion for another, I stopped that pretty darn quick! When you feel like shopping, stop and go look at what you already have. Resist the urge to just buy for the sake of buying. WAY easier said than done. But I can tell you, it DOES get easier. But you have to actually put it into affect!

 

[Beautybuyer]

You're not. But I'm getting better. Once I realized I was just displacing one compulsion for another, I stopped that pretty darn quick! When you feel like shopping, stop and go look at what you already have. Resist the urge to just buy for the sake of buying. WAY easier said than done. But I can tell you, it DOES get easier. But you have to actually put it into affect! 

It's so hard! I see the new spring clothing collections and I'm like "oh I need that for the new season." Putting it "out loud" here makes me feel like I can just stop it though. Sometimes I write things and never post them here lol but saying it makes me feel like I should just stop

 

[PixieDancer]

Putting it "out loud" here makes me feel like I can just stop it though. Sometimes I write things and never post them here lol but saying it makes me feel like I should just stop

I COMPLETELY understand that! That's really how this whole thread even came about! LOL

 

[janette9687]

Maybe I should do some swaps.. ? have never ever swapped anything in my life..

side bar: I would be swapping for life
Swapping is so much fun! it def helps each other out, i feel better about getting rid of stuff eventho im trying to not accumulate anymore.

Quote: Originally Posted by Beautybuyer

So I suck at low buying. I'm doing pretty good with mac. But then I go shop somewhere else. Like I'll be online window shopping for other stuff. That I think I do need for summer lol Or I buy the boys stuff and justify that it's shopping for them. Lol
I can't be the only one

I been the same way with clothes ans shoes but im doing spring cleaning and plan to donate a lot. Its a lot easier here too becuz Japan thrift stores dont have american items so thats a plus!

 

[aradhana]

You're not. But I'm getting better. Once I realized I was just displacing one compulsion for another, I stopped that pretty darn quick! When you feel like shopping, stop and go look at what you already have. Resist the urge to just buy for the sake of buying. WAY easier said than done. But I can tell you, it DOES get easier. But you have to actually put it into affect!

i also find a lot of the time when i hang out with girlfriends we automatically just go shopping a lot of the time. sometimes it helps to make plans where we're automatically spending less - hanging at someone's house, having coffee or doing an exercise class or whatever. it helps to not be around the shops!

 

[Rainbunny]

I haven't been that good, either. I decided to break down and get the Petal Power blush from FoF, but then it was sold out at both the local Mac stores nearby. Rather than packing it in at that point, as I should have done, I bought Nars' Sex Fantasy instead at the Department store. And then I had a "quick look" at Sephora, and came home with the new Tarte palette! So I was worse in February than January even though I only started the low-buy halfway through January! But I do think overall I would have bought more without the low-buy goal, and I'm not very interested in anything else coming up so far this spring, so hopefully I will improve. I did use Temptalia's dupe list to avoid an e/s palette I was interested in by finding similar colours in my stash, though. I wasn't too thrilled with my results and initially thought maybe it was because the colours weren't exactly the same. Then I stopped myself, and realized that was crazy thinking, and it was a good thing I hadn't bought the palette as I wouldn't have been satisfied with it, either! The colour combination just didn't do much for me, and that was that! It also made me realize that often it isn't really the makeup you like so much as the image in the ad, which really just can't be reproduced. Those images just suck you in. So I learned the dupe list at least was a successful strategy, especially when I know I won't use up the colours I have. Why buy a new set of slightly different shades just because someone has thought to put them together in a palette? All I have to do is collect them from my stash, and give the new combo a try.

 

[PixieDancer]

i love the spoiled rich quad! purples are so nice for brown eyes!!
i have a hard time using my pressed piggies too...i always consider them to be too much trouble, but lately i am making the extra effort to use them...

my mom use to tell me i need to spend less on makeup, but i think she has realized that i just need to spend less in general...and she has embraced my love for cosmetics by gifting me makeup...!


my boyfriend did not seem to bat an eye when i told him about the swapping...he said he could see the logic in it. maybe inside he's thinking

LOL...

Quote:
i also find a lot of the time when i hang out with girlfriends we automatically just go shopping a lot of the time. sometimes it helps to make plans where we're automatically spending less - hanging at someone's house, having coffee or doing an exercise class or whatever. it helps to not be around the shops!

LOL @ "maybe inside he's thinking

" Who ever knows WHAT they're thinking!!??? LOL
And finding time to spend enjoying the company of our friends without spending is a great idea! Me and my bestie ALWAYS meet up at the mall. We tell ourselves that we're going to grab a bite at the food court and get a coffee at the Starbucks... but it ALWAYS translates into shopping! I told her a couple weeks ago that we needed to find a cozy little hangout spot where we could just sit and talk... like maybe an actual freestanding Starbucks! LOL We are gonna give that a go!
Quote: Originally Posted by Rainbunny

I haven't been that good, either. I decided to break down and get the Petal Power blush from FoF, but then it was sold out at both the local Mac stores nearby. Rather than packing it in at that point, as I should have done, I bought Nars' Sex Fantasy instead at the Department store. And then I had a "quick look" at Sephora, and came home with the new Tarte palette!

So I was worse in February than January even though I only started the low-buy halfway through January! But I do think overall I would have bought more without the low-buy goal, and I'm not very interested in anything else coming up so far this spring, so hopefully I will improve.

I did use Temptalia's dupe list to avoid an e/s palette I was interested in by finding similar colours in my stash, though. I wasn't too thrilled with my results and initially thought maybe it was because the colours weren't exactly the same. Then I stopped myself, and realized that was crazy thinking, and it was a good thing I hadn't bought the palette as I wouldn't have been satisfied with it, either! The colour combination just didn't do much for me, and that was that! It also made me realize that often it isn't really the makeup you like so much as the image in the ad, which really just can't be reproduced. Those images just suck you in.

So I learned the dupe list at least was a successful strategy, especially when I know I won't use up the colours I have. Why buy a new set of slightly different shades just because someone has thought to put them together in a palette? All I have to do is collect them from my stash, and give the new combo a try.

Even though you feel you didn't do your best... you're probably right... you've probably done MUCH better since consciously having your low-buy on your mind! Whether you think so or not. It sounds like you're really trying to use this thread and dupe lists to help you focus on your goal. It's not going to happen overnight. You WILL have setbacks and probably buy things you regret later. But remember you can always return things or just come here to clear your head and start again tomorrow! Whatever makes YOU feel better is what's MOST important. I applaud your efforts. They will pay off in the end!

 

[Naynadine]

OHHH How I love Spoiled Rich. It's stunning!!! My mom bought me a second one and I kept it as a backup because I love it so much.

Used Naked 3 today - gosh it's so gorgeous on me if I do say so

Talk about falling in love!! I wasn't sure about it at first, as it's so neutral and that's not really my thing, but for me it's perfect.

Looked at my makeup this morning and thought WHERE THE HECK DID ALL OF THIS COME FROM!??? I kind of became overwhelmed at how many products I own, etc. There are so many goodies in there, it is like shopping anew sometimes! It will take me a lifetime to use everything up and then I became a little sad, because there's no way I can use it all up. So, making those smart decisions is more important for me than ever.

I didn't think I would do this, but I am going to add 2 out of 5 products to my outstanding total from my birthday binge. This means I will be down to 17 products left for the year. Not bad. This means I allowed myself 3 products for my 30th birthday on Sunday

YAY!

I've been reflecting a lot on this year and so many changes have happened for me. I got married, started my career, and unfortunately like @Naynadine, I have been struggling with some very close friendships (PS - your dream made laugh @Naynadine!). The last point has been particularly devastating for me and is still very raw and new. It is apparent that I have very few friends and I'm hoping my new career will help me establish new relationships with my peers that may blossom into friendships. All of these struggles and stressors play into my shopping/hoarding addiction.

The good news is that I look forward to learning new things every day now and I get to share my progress with all of you lovely ladies! xo

Sorry you have been dealing with this as well.

It's great that you have a career (and congrats on the marriage!), I'm sure you will make new friends. Seems like you have an optimistic outlook on the future, which I think is the most important thing. (I am very bad at that though, lol.)

 

[moonzie]

Hey everybody! I haven't been around here for awhile, but I've been reading as much as I can over the past few weeks. I'm so proud of you all! It's unbelievably inspiring to see how many changes people have been making on a day-to-day basis. I've been buying some products during January and February, but I haven't been buying them the way I usually do. I used to look up collections, anxiously wait for them to show up at stores to swatch, and then I ended up buying whole sections of collections since makeup artists can really sell me the goods sometimes. Wash rinse repeat ugh. I don't fault them for it, but it's been really nice to sort of slowly peruse everyone's commentary on new products and then decide whether I actually want to buy something or not. I was all ready to throw down for Flight of Fantasy despite not being crazy about it. I waited out the initial flurry of excitement to see what the people who were uninterested/unimpressed had to say about the collection after they saw it in person. I thought about buying certain things for 2-3 weeks, and I didn't pull the trigger! I only ended up picking up Snapdragon and Chartreuse Bouquet. My birthday happened during the 1st week of February, so I got three permanent items that others seem to really love as a present to myself. It was so much more satisfying to play around with the smaller amount of new things I bought since I felt like I really got to work with the product more rather than having a huge swatchfest and putting everything into a drawer to be forgotten.

I've also been itching to dive into my ridiculous collection and trash old shizz that I've been holding onto for years and years. I was able to name almost all of the collections that I bought from, and I either got super excited to put stuff aside or had no problem throwing something into the whatever pile. I'm still talking about Styleseeker (aka one of my MOST favorite collections of all time) and All About Orange, and it was fun to come across colors from those collections that I haven't touched in a long time. I probably purged about one fifth to one quarter of my stash today, and it feels AWESOME. I'm so psyched to be downsizing since the rate that I'm removing things has greatly outpaced the rate I'm buying new stuff (which is taking me longer and longer to do these days). There's this travel bag of blushes that I've raided at least five or six times in the past four months. Every time I look in there, I'm getting rid of a few things. That bag used to be bursting with blush compacts, and now I can zip it up and shake the ones I have left around since it's so much emptier. It's great since I can actually use that as a TRAVEL BAG instead of a bloated "blush storage bag" liked I have been until now.

I'm excited to do another purge in a few days because I know I'll probably move out even more stuff and start organizing my stash better.

 

[Glitteryvegas]

Sorry you have been dealing with this as well.

It's great that you have a career (and congrats on the marriage!), I'm sure you will make new friends. Seems like you have an optimistic outlook on the future, which I think is the most important thing. (I am very bad at that though, lol.)

Thank you @Naynadine, it is just so difficult. I guess a good lesson here is that I have been guilty of ending friendships in the incorrect way, and now I am learning how important it is to 'man up' and discuss these things and end it well. These things are so difficult and there's such fine lines between vindication and vindictive behaviour. *SIGH* I find it hard to wish people well who have hurt me, but honestly, it's the only way. Having 'hate' in your heart only makes your heart full of hate, I guess. Living well is the best 'revenge' against anyone who has hurt me, and the only way to live well is to keep going with gusto!

It is hard to have an optimistic attitude, and if you were to ask people in person, they probably wouldn't see me that way - but the discussions in my head are so different often than what I am able to express verbally! I think when things are fall down around us, the only way to look is forward. Cheesy I know, but after so many struggles nothing else has worked - so this is a new way of thinking for me!