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

[CrimsonQuill157]

Thank you ladies, i still haven't really taken it in or accepted it yet, it just seems very unreal. The Vacation is to hopefully see the Northern Lights, its on her bucket list, she won't have time/be well enough to do everything she wants too, so she has delegated them out. She is doing some but she has only been given about 8 weeks so she is getting married in 4 weeks and doing the ones that are most important to her. The hype used to get me everytime back when I first collected MAC, sometimes it still gets me now, but avoiding the collection threads helps me enormously, if the colour story doesn't illcit a reaction at that stage I should be able to pass. I wanted TF nude dip but I have somehow managed to skip. This is where you inventory should help, add more categories so sort the lipsticks/eyeshadows into colour families etc, then you can see which areas you perhaps are over saturated in ? Do you have products categories you don't where very often. i.e. I very rarely wear bronzers so I know not to buy to many as they won't get used! Counter shopping is better for me too, swatching things side by side and trying things on my face really help me not buy duds! I sorted my lipsticks again at the weekend into colour families....I now know I definitely don't need any more pink lipsticks, in particular bright bold pinks! I think really knowing and understanding what you already have helps you control the spread of the stash in a more managable way! Thank you Pixie x I am really enjoying the purge these days, I am finding it satisfying to spend an hour getting rid of things that just don't work, although I seem to be purging more drugstore items than high end at the moment!  Ugh indeed Shellygrrl x Photographing it is a really good idea, particularly on your phone so you have the reminders out and about with you when you are shopping.

I am so sorry about your friend.

 

[veronikawithak]

[@]charlotte366[/@] I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.. I hope the time she has will be filled with love and happiness. Definitely puts things in perspective. [@]SassyWonder[/@] Welcome to rehab! I felt exactly the same way the past couple of years. Things got stressful and I turned to buying things to compensate. I would echo everything everyone else has said! Such great advice. I would also add that if you feel comfortable about it, it might be a good idea to talk to your husband about how you're feeling too.. just to let him know what's going through your head. Or even a close friend. I told my SO that I was feeling a bit out of control with my buying habits and he's been very supportive. It helps if you say what you need from them too.. for example, I told him that commenting on my purchases makes me feel guilty sometimes (even though he doesn't mean for it to come across that way) and that makes it worse. So he knows not to say things like "I thought you were going to slow down on buying.." Just knowing that he knows I've been trying to cut back has made me better about purchasing because I feel more accountable. I don't want him to see all these boxes coming in and think I'm not following through.. and when I do get something I can proudly open it in front of him and show him the 1 or 2 items I got. Just the little things like that help too.

 

[kerry-jane88]

So I got my birthday money, So far for September I've got: Bareminerals matte foundation fair Bareminerals matte foundation fairly light Bareminerals ready viel light Dr hauschka mascara aranthacite pearl Dr hauschka powder compact Sigma brilliant and spellbinding palette Tom ford Softcore Cheek Duo Tom ford nude dip quad Hmm that's quite a lot :/ Though at least at one of the bareminerals foundations will be returned as I've ordered two for shade comparison and maybe the veil too if I think it will be too dark and if the dr hauschka translucent powder suffices. They seem to have reformulated msfn to have more crap in it basically, pretty sure it never had dimethicone in it before etc, So I've been stumped as to what to use as an alternative so thought I'd go for bareminerals.

 

[lyseD]

I Back 2 MAC'd for two lipsticks today -- Cream Cup and Brick-o-la. BOL is very different from what I usually wear but I thought what the hell, it's free.

 

[Yazmin]

Thank you so much for the support. I don't have anyone I can talk to about this who really understands. I have been putting off going thru my stash because I know I will add up all the money spent and get upset. Most of my items I have never used or barely swatched. I have a few more boxes from Mac, Sephora and Ulta coming. I'm thinking about returning them. They were impulse buys. If I see a review or pic I "need" it NOW! I almost bought the Makeup Forever Anniversary box today but the price stopped me. I knew my husband would be furious. I think all this came about when I was diagnosed with MS. When my body feels yucky make up makes me feel normal. I am going to make myself go thru my things this weekend. I'll be hanging out in here and I'll update when I'm done. Thanks again. I feel better!

If it was an impulse purchase, return it, don't make the problem any harder to deal with when you have just made the first crucial step!

Then go through that stash and do a full inventory, its tough but you need to know extactly whats there in order to deal with it.

Stage 2 is to start condensing out the things that you don't like or don't work for you. Put anything you aren't sure about in a seperate box to start with and store that box in your wardrobe for 4-6 weeks, if you haven't missed the stuff in there or reached for it in that time frame it can go! If things are recent purchases you might be able to still return them if they are Sephora and you are in the US, do this, it makes sense.

Also if there is anything like BU's or new untouched items BNIB etc that are not hero status or you might never get round to using, sell them now.

Money from any returns/sales of new products, either use it to pay off debts if you have any or put it in a seperate account and put it towards something meaningful for you and your other half to enjoy together, memories and experiences outway material items!!!

Post the results of your inventory here, it helps us all and then we can support you. Its also a good idea before you do the inventory to do a list of how big your ideal stash would be, we can then come up with suggestions to help you work towards it! Its a long road it doesn't happen overnight and there will be hiccups along the way, but there are many fun challenges you can do to really get to know your stash and what you want to keep and what needs to take a hike!

Once I get a longer break between my work offsites, I plan to tackle my collection and weed out the backups and other items that won't get the love they deserve from me. I find myself becoming more scrutinizing and placing even more priority on quality products. I still haul from MAC, but it's becoming less and less as time goes. I'm getting so weary of the LE hype. I still get caught up in it at times, but I'm so weary of it. I know that if an LE product is around long enough for me to see it in person, the higher the chance that it won't come home with me. I can see that I tend to buy more when buying blind because I don't want to risk missing out on a product that I may really love, though logically I know that a dupe is or will be come available at some point.

There's such wonderful support in this thread and I know we'll all get there. We can't give up!

 

[mel33t]

Alright ladies, I need your help. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling absolutely overwhelmed by the upcoming collections and I'm limiting myself to spending $500.00 from September going until the end of the year on makeup, skincare, and anything else I might need. This includes basics such as moisturizer, face wash, mascara, etc. and any repurchases too. My concealer and eye brow pencil are both running low and I'll have to repurchase soon.

So I've decided to make a list for the fall / holiday collections and STICK TO IT!

Here we go!

MAC COLLECTIONS:
Brooke Sheilds: $100
1x lip gloss
15 pan palette (I'm not sure on this... but it's something I would reach for all the time)

RHPS: $35
Sin
Frank N' Furter

PG: $35
Berry Lipstick (this is also a maybe, it's beautiful, but I'm not sure about the price)

Matte Lip:$95
Damn Glamourous
La Vie En Rouge
All of the pro longwear blushes

Hoilday: $50-$100

need more info.

OTHER MAKEUP COLLECTIONS/BRANDS:
Hourglass Blush Palette $60
Lorac Mega Pro $50
Possible Too Faced palette ???

TOTAL END OF YEAR SPENDING : $475.00

Doesn't leave me much room to change but I really don't want to spend a lot this year on makeup. I've been doing really well lately with the past collections, or so I thought, but things can really add up. The big collection for me this year will be the Matte Lips (I have to get those blushes, I know it's bad but they're too pretty for me to pass up). Maybe I won't get the hourglass one and just pick up Mood Light instead?

Hope you guys have a great weekend and are able to stick to your lists!!

 

[Ajigglin]

You could drop Sin from your list and get it in regular packaging later on. It would save you a little bit.

 

[veronikawithak]

[@]mel33t[/@] something that really helps me is to write down all of the color descriptions and then check out my stash to see how much I already have that's similar. For example you could sort your wishlist by lipsticks, blushes, lipglosses, and eye palettes. Then write next to those categories what your total inventory numbers are. Next go down the list and write the closest sounding items you already have and their color description, plus the number of similar items you already have. You might find that you already have 5 coral blushes but only 1 neutral eyeshadow palette, so you could drop one of the blushes. Also it helps to see how much has been used. You might see that you have 3 purple lipsticks but none of them even have a dent. Prioritize what you LOVE (blushes it sounds like) and cut down on what you're unsure of. I find that my gut instincts about what I'll love and use are 90% right and I usually only make purchasing mistakes now when I get swayed from my original decision by chatter. Reviews on product quality might help as we get closer too.. like maybe the Brooke palette is chalky or the PG lipstick is patchy? Also that PG lipstick is so pricy.. I feel like you could buy a really high end lipstick for that. I know some people want it for the packaging/designer name, but do you? If your instincts are saying it's too much, go with that! Hope that helped! The fact that you're planning ahead now to stick to a price limit shows amazing progress! So happy to see you doing so well. Keep it up, you got this! I'd love to see you get to the end of the year and either meet or be slightly under your goal!

 

[mel33t]

Thank you both for your help!! I'm thinking of dropping RHPS all together and buying Sin. For Prabal I really just want the berry tone, but you guys are right, once swatches are out we will have a better idea. Just starting early. :stars:

 

[veronikawithak]

Thank you both for your help!! I'm thinking of dropping RHPS all together and buying Sin. For Prabal I really just want the berry tone, but you guys are right, once swatches are out we will have a better idea. Just starting early. :stars:

So smart to start early! I can't wait until more holiday set info is out so I can start finalizing things. Particularly waiting for Bite & Buxom lip sets.

 

[Mazi]

are the pro longwear blushes from the matte collection permanent?

 

[CrimsonQuill157]

are the pro longwear blushes from the matte collection permanent?

Yes.

 

[VAL4M]

I'm really trying to use during the weekend products that I'm not confortable using, mostly cream and loose powder. And of course rotate my stuff. I have no problem ''shopping'' my stash and I know every product that I owned but still some products need more love.
So here a little eye of the day (not face because with the pregnancy i'm having really bad breakout!!! )
Eyes:
So cream as based is Benefit Birthday suit,
on my lid Lancome Color Design Infinite Eye Shadow in 503 Electrifying Sparkle,
on the crease and eye socket Guerlain L'instant d'un rêve
and as the highlighter on the eyebrow Guerlain l'instant d'un baiser.
In there outer crease MAC club.

Cheeks Korres 15 Natural and highlighter MAC RIO.
Lipstick (Not show) Dior Rita Beige.

 

[PeachTwist]

Skipped Simpsons & A Novel Romance.

Gonna try to skip Artificially Wild but it'll be more difficult.

Hopefully I'll forget about it and miss the launch -- it'll make up my mind for me, haha.

 

[Audrey C]

I think the most helpful thing to do when you're caught in a compulsive buying cycle is to try to eliminate the triggers. For me, that meant unsubscribing to the many tempting e-mail lists that flooded my inbox with product launch and sales information. I will never miss what I didn't know about, and neither would you. If you've been gorging for a year (something most of us here have been guilty of, including me) then you already have more than you possibly need. I've purged a ton of products over the last year and I can't tell you how many BTM items were nearly new. Why? Because I'd bought them in the first rush with everyone else, and many of them just weren't right for me.

With absolutely no disrespect to the many lovely ladies on this thread who absolutely are great about providing support, I think that not haunting Specktra (or any of your other favourite makeup sites/blogs/channels) at all would be the most helpful. Sites like these keep makeup top of mind and keep us right on top of what's coming out. An example - I've just seen pics of Vice 3 and I'm certain that I'll purchase it. Since I have nine (9!) other large e/s palettes there's no question that I don't need more for the next decade, but I'll get that. If I hadn't been on the site, I'd have remained blissfully ignorant. Sometimes that's the only way to keep ourselves from rushing to fill a 'new, shiny, must have' craving.

I understand only too well how seductive the allure of makeup is; it's something that we all struggle with here. But it is not worth blowing your marriage up over. If your husband is becoming concerned/angry/resentful I think you need to take that very seriously. Money conflicts are a primary divorce trigger.

It will be very hard to stop. Limiting your exposure to temptation is important. An alcoholic doesn't get better hanging our in a bar. You've gotten some great advice about doing an inventory; that's a real eye-opener. Bring out all the hidden bags and unopened stuff. Return what you can immediately - that's cash back in your pocket or off your credit card balance. See how much you can sell. Be honest with your husband that you can see that you've gone overboard and that you're going to work hard at change, but that you think you have a bit of a problem and might need his help. Maybe set some small goals together (no purchases for one week or two, asking him to look over your online credit card/bank statements to keep you honest, agreeing on a budgetary amount that you can both feel good about ($50 a month to be spent only if you've not slipped, etc).

My inventory has been really helpful. I have all my products listed on it and sorted by product type and then colour. No cheating. I have given each calendar month a different colour and change the font colour as I use each item. That was really helpful to me in identifying products I just never use. At the end of the summer, I got rid of a crap ton of stuff. I admitted that I don't like using very pigmented blush that I have to meticulously apply three grains of for it to work. So out they went, and I let myself have a couple of light, natural shades that I know I'll wear to death. I could probably do one more purge, but I'm going to see what I reach for over the fall as the weather changes before getting rid of the last few items I really don't use.

I won't wish you luck, because what you need is determination and resolve.

 

[SleepingBeauty]

@charlotte366 Very sorry to hear about your friend.

News like these are shattering, especially at a young age. I hope the two of you get through it somehow and that you'll be able to support your friend.
Screw this, seriously. Humanity has found cures for so many diseases but cancer truly is a son of a b*tch.


On a brighter note: I bought the Pro Longwear lipstick Soft Shell (I know it's often called Soft Sell but I refuse to call it like that - does Soft Sell even make any sense? I'm not a native speaker so maybe I'm missing something) and I did buy Fun Ending from A Novel Romance - however! I felt really guilty because I was doing quite good and I have other projects I'm saving money for, so I decided to sell it BNIB. I could've returned it but at the store all of the the sales assistants know me which would've made me feel kinda awkward. Soft Shell, on the other hand, I'm gonna keep cause it's an awesome lipstick! It's totally underrated.

 

[Maris Crane]

I have to admit: I hauled today, But at Shoppers if you cashed in 95 000 Points, you got $220 worth product. However, I have scatched off several things on my September Shop My Stash List, so I'm relatively pleased. But I picked up...

Dior Skin Nude Tan bronzer in #001 Honey. I have less than 1/4 left of my NARS Irresistiblement *sniff* and it's been OOS on Sephora and Murale's sites. I've been interested in trying a new one anyways, so I don't feel too guilty.
UD Double-Ended Naked Flush brush - it's got an angle brush and a little flat one on each side.
Lancome Eye Lash Curler - I hate the Revlon one I have.
UD Single Shadows in Scratch, Naked and Twice Baked. I've hit pan on Naked in N1 and figure I'll get a good use out of the single too.
L'Oreal Voluminous CB mascara.
Rimmel Exaggerate eyeliner in that nude shade.
Benefit Brow-Zings! in 01 Light - ol' faithful.

I think I'm done for the rest of the month. TBH, there's nothing else I really want - I'm really enjoying making a list for each month and trying to use everything once. Providing I stay out of the makeup stores, I'm hopeful for making progress!

 

[kerry-jane88]

I'm going to return my tom ford nude dip quad. I came today in the post but I've not even.opened it as I'd only get finger prints all over it. It's a lot of money for an eyeshadow palette by anyone's standards, im just worried it'd be too shimmery even for me. Plus, if I want the shimmery brown nude look I could near enough dupe with what I have in mac shadows. I'm also thinking I like the look of the mac holiday palettes, the taupes and face palettes,which would have more colours and be much better value. Help me out here ladies I'm nearly there I just need an extra push!

 

[veronikawithak]

I'm going to return my tom ford nude dip quad. I came today in the post but I've not even.opened it as I'd only get finger prints all over it. It's a lot of money for an eyeshadow palette by anyone's standards, im just worried it'd be too shimmery even for me. Plus, if I want the shimmery brown nude look I could near enough dupe with what I have in mac shadows. I'm also thinking I like the look of the mac holiday palettes, the taupes and face palettes,which would have more colours and be much better value. Help me out here ladies I'm nearly there I just need an extra push!

*push* sounds like you've convinced yourself already! Too many great things on the horizon to settle!

 

[Yazmin]

Help me out here ladies I'm nearly there I just need an extra push!

See if you can sell in in the Clearance Bin. I know there were several ladies, maybe even one or two in the UK who are looking for it. Check out the Tom Ford thread.