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

[Sandy072]

I did REALLY well with the new Holiday Collection launch! Ended up skipping ALL the lippies and glosses and blushes! HUGE accomplishment! I have taken that mini pigment set OFF my list as well.  Nothing SUPER unique there, and just not necessary in my huge collection. I limited myself to a couple of the Pressed Pigments that I KNOW I'll use for stage/work, as that's how I use the ones I have already.  They work really well for my stage makeup and are much easier to travel with than looses pigments and glitters.  Plus, I can write them off since it's a work/performance expense.  I also only got the unique duo-chrome affect colors that I don't have dupes for already.  So other than those, I skipped everything else!  This is honestly a HUGE milestone for me!!  In past years, the Holiday Collections always seem to destroy any goals of low-buying!  I feel really good that a big box of makeup isn't coming to my house that I'd feel guilty about within 30 days!  Think I'm going to treat myself to a new pair of staple, quality booties that I know I'll get a few seasons of wear out of.  MUCH better distribution of the makeup funds!

Go you!!!

Had to share a milestone with you all. Yesterday I finished my first full sized lipgloss EVER - a Cremesheen Glass in Deelight that I purchased this April. Every other lipgloss I've had I ended up tossing after a year because lipglosses are one of those products I like to be fresh.. but this one I used right to the last drop! One of my goals this year was to see how many products I could finish so I know what my ideal size should be based on how much turnover I have. It's looking like I go through about 4 lipsticks and 4 glosses per year. Considering that my preferred turnover time for lipglosses is 1 year and for lipsticks is 2 years, my ideal size should be 4 lipglosses and 8 lipsticks. Right now I have about 6 lipglosses and 25+ lipsticks (plus several minis) so I have some work to do over the next year. Of course there will be a few I don't completely use up, so I'm okay with having some random items like darker lipsticks that I'll B2M before they're completely finished, but with everyday products those are the numbers I'd like to work towards! I also checked in with my spreadsheet for my quarterly review and I've really cut down on my spending BIG TIME in the latter half of the year! I'll do a full breakdown in 2 months, but let's just say it's looking GOOD!

That's great! Love how technical you are about your stash! I've still been using the items I set aside to use for the past month and it is going very well! I've used things almost daily that have been neglected this past year like naked basics and bad girl gone good blush. Other things I selected for this rotation I've still barely used like nars sin. That means I do not need to buy another plummy blush since I don't use the one I have. I didn't pick out any lip products to focus on this month and I'm finding that I am overwhelmed most mornings by the options. I end up using something that's in my purse once I get to work. Yet I have picked up 4 lip products this month... I picked up the Bite mini double ended lipstick in musk/lychee at sephora for $12, a Lorac matte lip pencil (used kohls cash) and two wet n wild lippies at the drugstore. Soooo I need to figure that situation out. I am definitely someone on the quest for the "perfect" pink, nude, etc etc. and that's what gets me I think. I've been not into any of the LE collections and it seems you all are doing well with them. I did make the mistake of swatching the Lorac pro 2 and drooled over it's beauty but if I'm being honest I don't need any more palettes and should only buy pans of things I need. I also tried one of the new nars lippies on and Loved It ! But didn't buy it and went home and recreated the color with things I had at home. That's a small win right?? Stay strong w all the holiday collections and lines coming out ladies! I know there's a lot of sets out there.. Keep your eyes on the prize!

 

[Audrey C]

Had to share a milestone with you all. Yesterday I finished my first full sized lipgloss EVER - a Cremesheen Glass in Deelight that I purchased this April. Every other lipgloss I've had I ended up tossing after a year because lipglosses are one of those products I like to be fresh.. but this one I used right to the last drop!

One of my goals this year was to see how many products I could finish so I know what my ideal size should be based on how much turnover I have. It's looking like I go through about 4 lipsticks and 4 glosses per year. Considering that my preferred turnover time for lipglosses is 1 year and for lipsticks is 2 years, my ideal size should be 4 lipglosses and 8 lipsticks. Right now I have about 6 lipglosses and 25+ lipsticks (plus several minis) so I have some work to do over the next year. Of course there will be a few I don't completely use up, so I'm okay with having some random items like darker lipsticks that I'll B2M before they're completely finished, but with everyday products those are the numbers I'd like to work towards!

I also checked in with my spreadsheet for my quarterly review and I've really cut down on my spending BIG TIME in the latter half of the year! I'll do a full breakdown in 2 months, but let's just say it's looking GOOD!

I think tracking usage is very smart. Like you, I like fresh lip and cream products. I find MAC Lipglass go off very quickly so I no longer buy them. I am very fond of wearing a CSG over my favourite satin lippies like Brave and Kinda Sexy in the winter. I would say that I go through about 3-4 CSGs a year around 6 lipsticks (4-8, depending on the year and how new they were when I started). I go through more lippies now that I prefer softer finishes.

I have 26 lipsticks at the moment. That's not too bad, but I could go down a few; 20 is probably my sweet spot. I think I've come to realize that I really prefer everyday colours that are easy to wear. I don't do stage work, dislike brights and dark vampy shades (particularly mattes) are really aging on me now. I still have a few beloved reds (VG1 - been wearing it for 20 years, Deeply Adored, Studded Kiss, True Love's Kiss) but I've realized through tracking that I barely wear them. I'm going to see how they get used over the winter and decide if I really need them all. I've been reaching for sheerer, moister reds because they're more office/summer friendly. I wore Cherry Glaze (finished) and Ruby a lot this summer and am transitioning to Cockney (BTM) and Rusty. I also have Dare You and Hang Up (other BTM lippies) that are great darker cremesheens for the fall/winter. If I never reach for the matte shades or add a gloss to them, why am I keeping them? If I don't start wearing them more, I'll transition down to two shades; one deeper and one lighter. That's what I did with my purples (got rid of Heroine and Goddess of the Sea and kept Heavenly Hybrid and Feel the Pulse which were my faves).

The only lipstick I'm arguably 'missing' is a muted fall orange. I had NARS Autumn Leaves but that's done. I have Crosswires and Fresh & Frisky which are great summer shades but I'm less fond of them for fall; I got rid of my Hey Sailor orange this summer because it was brighter than what I really want. Orange is one of my most flattering shades and right now I'm getting by with Chicory liner and a bit of gloss; I was using Ravishing lip glass over it but it's gone now too.

MAC needs to launch a corporate friendly, non-bright, autumn orange so I can BTM for it.

 

[jennyap]

Quote:Originally Posted by Audrey C MAC needs to launch a corporate friendly, non-bright, autumn orange so I can BTM for it. 

 



I'd honestly say that Pander Me is filling that gap for me. It's matte though. In other news, I just found out that the Prabal lipsticks will be £36 here! That's more than Givenchy Le Rouge, Guerlain Rouge G, anything Dior, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Nars by a mile, almost anything else you can think of. It's on a par with Tom Ford (£37) and top of the range Lipstick Queen (£35) - in other words they are having a freaking laugh. That's strictly for the serious collector/addict and I'm not that so there goes one thing off my list straight away.

 

[veronikawithak]

@jennyap glad to see you around again. Really enjoyed reading your update!

Looks like you're on track to meet your item goal for this year! That's great!! I know I underestimated what my goal should have been so I've far exceeded it.. but I've managed to stem the flow of incoming items and I'll be setting a more reasonable goal next year.

As for the inventory.. I just do mine in Excel. I have a sheet for every category (eyes, lips, face, nails, etc.) with the brand name, item name, cost, date of purchase, color, and any other info and then a sheet for purged items, a sheet for finished items, and a sheet for items purchased this year and my low buy goals. I also have a current inventory vs ideal inventory sheet with item and cost totals. Then a wishlist sheet. Depending on what you want to use it for you could go more or less detailed.. but I've found Excel works really well for me.

@Sandy072 I know exactly what you mean about the "perfect _____" - that's one of my problems too. I'm working on using things up and being okay with the "perfect enough" items. It's an attitude change that's not really in line with the marketing trends these days.. but kind of necessary if you want to keep your sanity!

@Audrey C I think that's smart to get rid of some/all of your mattes if you tend to not wear them or gloss them up anyway. I've got several lipsticks that I'll be wearing over the fall/winter and then if they're not finished they'll be getting B2M since they'll be over 2 years old. Now that I've reduced the amount coming in that should really help me get to my ideal numbers much sooner. Hope you find your muted orange!

 

[Audrey C]

Quote: Originally Posted by Audrey C MAC needs to launch a corporate friendly, non-bright, autumn orange so I can BTM for it.

I'd honestly say that Pander Me is filling that gap for me. It's matte though.

In other news, I just found out that the Prabal lipsticks will be £36 here! That's more than Givenchy Le Rouge, Guerlain Rouge G, anything Dior, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Nars by a mile, almost anything else you can think of. It's on a par with Tom Ford (£37) and top of the range Lipstick Queen (£35) - in other words they are having a freaking laugh. That's strictly for the serious collector/addict and I'm not that so there goes one thing off my list straight away.

Thanks; that's a bit too pale for me. I think I just miss NARS Autumn Leaves. That was kind of bronzy orange and could be worn sheerer or built up. It's still available so if the lemming is still there in a few months I'll replace it. I'm just being cheap - I want a free MAC version.

 

[Jennifae]

I am sure they will appreciate your gesture and the products, regardless of them not being high end- bags of make-up means a good time for all!:haha: arty2: I'm sure you will be so relieved to see it gone and know it will actually get used.:bigthumb:

Thanks! They're gonna be brands I like (Revlon, NYX, Lorac, Tarte, UD, etc.) but have too much of and cannot justify keeping so I hope they will like them too. I liked them enough to buy them, but right now I'm trying to focus on less products (products I love versus products I just like). I thought I was going to have a hard time letting go of my stuff because I'm such a hoarder, but I actually feel good going thru my stash and setting a few things aside for my cousins. It's kinda therapeutic.

 

[jennyap]

Quote:Originally Posted by veronikawithak



As for the inventory.. I just do mine in Excel. I have a sheet for every category (eyes, lips, face, nails, etc.) with the brand name, item name, cost, date of purchase, color, and any other info and then a sheet for purged items, a sheet for finished items, and a sheet for items purchased this year and my low buy goals. I also have a current inventory vs ideal inventory sheet with item and cost totals. Then a wishlist sheet. Depending on what you want to use it for you could go more or less detailed.. but I've found Excel works really well for me.
I'm already using Excel but it's turned into a proliferation of sheets and no overall picture! The issue with my main inventory sheets (apart from being split in 2, and the non Mac being incomplete) is that I've been keeping each different product type in a different column. So powder shadows are in one column, EDES in another, each lipstick finish gets its own column, etc. I like to keep note of which collection each item came from too, so there's a lot of info to try capture. Purchase price is just in the sheet for my 2014 purchases. I'll have to play around I guess.

 

[Jennifae]

As for the inventory.. I just do mine in Excel. I have a sheet for every category (eyes, lips, face, nails, etc.) with the brand name, item name, cost, date of purchase, color, and any other info and then a sheet for purged items, a sheet for finished items, and a sheet for items purchased this year and my low buy goals. I also have a current inventory vs ideal inventory sheet with item and cost totals. Then a wishlist sheet. Depending on what you want to use it for you could go more or less detailed.. but I've found Excel works really well for me.

Excel is what works best for me too. :bigthumb:

 

[Audrey C]

I use Excel too. I just have one sheet with a column for each product type (lipstick/liners, lipgloss, eyeshadows, eyeliners, blush, assorted which include foundation, powders, highlighters, and finally brushes). Mine are sorted by brand. I don't list prices but change the colour of the type each month. October is orange; as I use a product, I change the colour of the text to orange. September was red (for apples, not that I'm anal or anything). I don't track the number of times I use an item, just whether I've used it or not in a given month. I make a concerted effort to rotate, so this method has definitely changed the way I decide what to use. This was very helpful in getting rid of excess products; realized that I was making myself reach for products that were essentially a dupe of something else I liked better. That made no sense to me, so I got rid of most of the second-class products a bit at a time.

I have matte red shades that I haven't worn since I started tracking in April, so I think that challenges my bias that matte red is my favourite lip look. It was my signature look for many years, but clearly that's changed.

 

[jennyap]

How do you all deal with palettes in your inventories? Where there are named shades, like with Mac, I've always listed each shade separately with a note next to it of which palette it is in, as I want to make sure I don't duplicate shades...

 

[Audrey C]

How do you all deal with palettes in your inventories? Where there are named shades, like with Mac, I've always listed each shade separately with a note next to it of which palette it is in, as I want to make sure I don't duplicate shades...

I list my MAC shades separately for precisely that reason. Same with Inglot. I don't bother with other brands because I don't buy singles from them.

 

[Buffy89]

Amazingly written. Can't imagine if I tried to write in another language.

Ooooh, thank you

It's quite a challenge for me to write in English, but I really wanna be good at it



Today I threw away all the little black MAC boxes/other packaging. Until now, I had kept those boxes to keep my products shiny and new-looking. But hey, I really want to consider makeup a consumable, so some little scratches on a lipstick bullet won't hurt me. And there certainly are some products that I've never touched because I couldn't quickly grab them. Now, my stash has lost some of its "collectible" factor and although I was a little unwell throwing everything away, it feels great now! But at the moment, I think I'm not totally ready for decluttering my stash. Some drugstore stuff I haven't used for, like, years might be easy to give away, but it's harder concerning my MAC and Chanel stuff. But as long as I stop hoarding new things, that's just fine for me.
Plus, I've noticed that there are so many dupes/almost-dupes in my collection. Berry-toned lipsticks suit me very well, but do I need Plumful and Heavenly Hybrid and Dish It Up and Chanel Esprit and Chanel Emotion? I don't. I even guess that all those people around me may not even notice a difference. And I've come to the conclusion that I won't buy any lipglosses any more, cause I never wear them because my hair gets caught on my sticky lips.

 

[tirurit]

Hello everybody, I must admit that I'm a long time reader, but now I finally had to join. For quite a few months, I've noticed that my collection is simply too large, containing too many products I simlpy don't use/cannot use in my everyday routine. Although I like wearing rather unconventional clothes (well, in comparison to my colleagues) and I surely love a smokey eye during daytime, there are soooo many things I own that just sit in the drawer and get old (bright lipsticks are my major weakness). Lately, I've even had a horrible argument with my mom (who is super important to me and whose opinion I highly respect...we're almost like Lorelai and Rory sometimes) about my overspending on makeup. I'm still going to university and although I have a job, I'm kinda dependent on my parents when it comes to rent/tutition fees/etc. So basically, I really don't want to disappoint my mom by buying even more senseless stuff.
I mostly buy LE items by MAC and it always felt as if I simply HAD TO get a few items from each collection, no matter how useful/dupeable they were. My biggest downfall was spending more than 300 Euros on A Novel Romance (plus products by other brands in that month), that's simply ridiculous.
I've always been a "collector" kinda girl, and I surely do buy things as an outlet for stress/sadness/etc.

Well, I KNOW that my stash is super big and I'm kinda bored by some of the old stuff in in (simply don't like some colors since my style has changed since, like, 2010). Plus, on low-buy I could easily save some money to go on some nice vacation.

In the last two weeks, I've read almost this whole thread, and now I think it's time to get involved in here
MAC's holiday collection is gonna launch soon, and before my eye-opening argument, I had simply wanted EVERYTHING and I guess I would have spent hundreds of Euros again. Now, I plan to buy about two items so won't feel like missing out, but to be honest, I don't need any new stuff (except staples such as foundation/powder).

Oh, and please excuse my clumsy English, I rarely get a chance to speak/write in English so I guess this is a nice way to practice my skills

edit: too many typos!

Willkommen!

Please feel free to hang out around here, as you will always find people you can relate to and that can understand the situation you find yourself in.

Personally I think we seem to kind of go in this cycle: we get into make up, one day we REALLY get into make up and we simply HAVE to have everythingomgthatissoprettyIwantthemall!!1! (marketing exists for a reason) and then we suddenly realize that we are surrounded by unused make up. Me? Just today I rediscovered Charmed I'm sure from the Marilyn collection!

So yeah this thread is a good way to save money for whatever reason you may have and perhaps reevaluate your own stash and enjoy it more.

And for me too it is a way of not loosing my hard earned fluency in a foreign language

 

[Buffy89]

Willkommen!

Please feel free to hang out around here, as you will always find people you can relate to and that can understand the situation you find yourself in.

Personally I think we seem to kind of go in this cycle: we get into make up, one day we REALLY get into make up and we simply HAVE to have everythingomgthatissoprettyIwantthemall!!1! (marketing exists for a reason) and then we suddenly realize that we are surrounded by unused make up. Me? Just today I rediscovered Charmed I'm sure from the Marilyn collection!

So yeah this thread is a good way to save money for whatever reason you may have and perhaps reevaluate your own stash and enjoy it more.

And for me too it is a way of not loosing my hard earned fluency in a foreign language

Thanks for giving me a nice welcome. Since I've been hanging around here/reading for a while, I've already got the impression that everyone's really friendly and supportive. I really like that there's no shaming in this thread and that you girls cheer each other up/celebrate each others achievements.
The cycle analysis is soooo true. I've had several "hobbies" such as Lush cosmetics/shower gel and body lotions/CDs/etc. and I finally break free from such behavior. I certainly will remember this when I'm tempted to buy new makeup.

 

[tirurit]

Thanks for giving me a nice welcome. Since I've been hanging around here/reading for a while, I've already got the impression that everyone's really friendly and supportive. I really like that there's no shaming in this thread and that you girls cheer each other up/celebrate each others achievements.
The cycle analysis is soooo true. I've had several "hobbies" such as Lush cosmetics/shower gel and body lotions/CDs/etc. and I finally break free from such behavior. I certainly will remember this when I'm tempted to buy new makeup.

I've long since known that I have a "collector" personality. If I like a writer, I will need to read all his/her books. The same with an actor or a music band or ... You see the pattern? So yeah it came as not surprise at all when I found myself "collecting" make up.

I make an effort to separate the hobby (appreaciating different make up looks, combinations of colours, products, innovations...) from the hoarding tendency

And you are welcome!

 

[Buffy89]

I've long since known that I have a "collector" personality. If I like a writer, I will need to read all his/her books. The same with an actor or a music band or ... You see the pattern? So yeah it came as not surprise at all when I found myself "collecting" make up.

I make an effort to separate the hobby (appreaciating different make up looks, combinations of colours, products, innovations...) from the hoarding tendency

And you are welcome!

Yeah, I must learn that LIKING something does not have to result in kind of an inherent obligation to POSSESS everything. For example, I lovelovelove Gwen Stefani's red lipstick look and her platinum blonde hair, but I kinda never wear red lipsticks (too extravagant for university/work, too "exhausting" when going out to dinner or clubbing...I hate fading lipstick that has to be checked and reapplied all the time. To be honest with myself, I like nice natural lip colors that fade evenly). In a nutshell, that means I should NOT buy several red lipsticks although I like the way they look on other women.

 

[Jennifae]

I cancelled my order for Sparks of Romance (Heirloom Mix) because someone pointed out that it had glitter (which I didn't notice in the swatches before). I should be disappointed, but I'm kinda relieved because I'm only getting 2 lipsticks (No Faux Pas and Salon Rouge). Yay low buy! ompom:

 

[veronikawithak]

I think I actually may be able to skip the VIB sale altogether.. I had planned on a NARS Audacious lipstick, the Naked 2 Basics palette and possibly a MUFE shadow. But I don't need any lipsticks right now. I'm trying to downsize as it is.. maybe next time I'll be able to justify it. I also want to wait for the Hourglass eyeshadow palettes to come out next year so I can see if I'd prefer one of them over UD. Ditto the MUFE shadow. If I can get one go-to palette that would be better for me. So after months of anticipation about holiday sets and imagining I was going to struggle to cut my list down.. I only ended up with the Hourglass blush palette and 1 MAC lipstick. Can I just cue We Are The Champions now?

 

[Jennifae]

I think I actually may be able to skip the VIB sale altogether.. I had planned on a NARS Audacious lipstick, the Naked 2 Basics palette and possibly a MUFE shadow. But I don't need any lipsticks right now. I'm trying to downsize as it is.. maybe next time I'll be able to justify it. I also want to wait for the Hourglass eyeshadow palettes to come out next year so I can see if I'd prefer one of them over UD. Ditto the MUFE shadow. If I can get one go-to palette that would be better for me. So after months of anticipation about holiday sets and imagining I was going to struggle to cut my list down.. I only ended up with the Hourglass blush palette and 1 MAC lipstick. Can I just cue We Are The Champions now?

That's awesome! ompom: I only have the Naked Basics 2 and a few Anastasia brow products in my cart for the VIB sale. I actually need some brow products because I just finished my Tarte brow pencil. (I will not be repurchasing.) I have the MUFE Aqua Brow, but I need something quicker in the mornings. I have the ELF Brow Kit too which I like, but I know I'm going to hit pan on it soon, and I'd really like to try Anastasia next.

 

[veronikawithak]

I only have the Naked Basics 2 and a few Anastasia brow products in my cart for the VIB sale. I actually need some brow products because I just finished my Tarte brow pencil. (I will not be repurchasing.) I have the MUFE Aqua Brow, but I need something quicker in the mornings. I have the ELF Brow Kit too which I like, but I know I'm going to hit pan on it soon, and I'd really like to try Anastasia next.

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blond is my favorite brow product ever. Once I finish my MAC one that's my only brow product left and the only one I'll keep repurchasing. I like the clear brow gel too but I think I'm going to try the MAC one next.