Some people quit smoking or other vices cold turkey, and others are more successful slowly trimming consumption over time. There isn't a right way to cut back; the most important thing is that an individual recognize what's likely to work for them and take positive steps towards reaching their goal. When I'm trying to lose weight, I go to Weight Watchers because it's about moderation, not deprivation. I've chosen ten as my number because I've just bought a lot and I have a good base of the items I use a lot in front of me. I know I'll use more than ten products over the next twelve months. Every year, I go through four mascara, at least a couple of blot powders (particularly in warmer months), a setting powder or two, a couple of foundation products, a couple of face primers, at least one eye primer, a couple of lip liners (I have quite a few in rotation and they all get used up over time), at least that many eye liners, on average one cream shadow, at least four lipgloss and at least 3-6 lipsticks get finished. I wear blush, eyeshadow and highlighters every day and it's harder to measure that usage, but I've hit pan on one blush that I bought in 2012, am about to on a second and have dips in two or three more. I replaced all my eyeshadow over the course of 2012 and 2013 and I have deep dips in favourite shades. I'll hit pan over the coming year on several. If I only has a single quad, I'd easily finish at least that. I conservatively finish 25 products a year. I chose a smaller goal because I backed up quite a few staples during recent sales and because I have enough lip products, eyeshadow, blush and highlighters to get me through the year. I'd like to start getting through my blush and eye shadows more quickly, so I'm not planning on buying any of those. I just bought five palettes of 10-12 items; I should be good for 2-3 years at least. I could have set a goal of zero other than staples and I would have had more than enough to get by, but as a makeup lover I know I'll fall in love with a few products and that's ok. The odds of me not succumbing to at least one special powder is virtually zero. We all have different usage patterns and are happy with stashes of various sizes. For me it's not so much about saving money, because I'm already a saver, but about generally reducing consumption and the 'stuff' in my life. Sometimes less is more. I've been decluttering closets and the garage as well. Goals are personal and that's as it should be. As an aside, my mother bought me a trio of Tarte eyeliners for my birthday today, does anyone think it's cheating to not count those? I was thinking of ten items I bought and selected. My little daughter helped her pick these and they're both pleased with themselves. I know I'll use them even though I don't strictly need them and I wasn't about to hurt any feelings. Instead of makeup, my big Christmas/birthday indulgence this year is going to be an automatic espresso/cappuccino machine. They're ridiculously expensive but I can rationalize buying one with all my gift cards subsidizing it. So that's the first positive outcome in 2014 made possible by NOT buying makeup. What will yours be?
