hi everyone, special announcement: I'm a moron, the NARS concealer costs roughly six cents per day and the imaginary drugstore one would be costing about one and a half cents. Overall reasoning still holds. BAD AT MATH GOOD AT GRAMMAR
You can't be perfect at everything ;) I love that you're always giving us something to think about. Recently for me since I've started watching you: 1. What do I need in my collection to be okay with the concept of a year long no buy, with the exception of replacements 2. Storage and not overflowing my space with an excess of new product 3. Not over indulging in "treats." It is true that an overly large amount of treats makes it less special. If I had cheesecake every day it would not be nearly as delightful to eat. If I buy things in excess I get overwhelmed and dont enjoy what I have because I feel guilty that I'm continuously buying more than needed and not putting what I've bought to good use, even if I don't intend to pan it.
Ive always said that I never care about the amount of product you get in a palette because it only matters for products you actually go through and need to buy another one after. People stress the amount of eyeshadow, amount of blush and grams here and there and IT DOESNT MATTER haha :P Only if you only have one of that type :)
It's like when people talk about how buying in bulk is a better deal in the long run. Well, it's not a better deal if i can't afford the initial "investment" in the first place.
Yes, but it really DOES matter when it comes to something like brow pencil! This is what I didn't understand before. I'm so glad I can see it more clearly now!
One realization I have come to recently is to not get sucked into the advertising of lifestyle brands. Brands like Mally Cosmetics and Glossier are not just selling a product, they are selling a whole aesthetic. I will replace products like mascara and brow product with Drugstore brands that don't evoke an emotional pull. If I feel that yearning for a certain lifestyle, I will consider that a red flag and not buy that product.
You’ve basically said what I’ve been thinking for the last 6-7 years. I’m sooo glad I’ve put the brakes on my frivolous makeup purchases and I really hope your video hits home for alot of people because for reasons unknown we are living in an age where owning boxes and boxes of makeup in each category are celebrated. Three cheers for all that makeup just sitting there degrading and expiring!!! (😒) When I see some comments on makeup collections like “OMG your collection is life” “omg when I grow up I want to have a collection like that” “OMG I’ve died and gone to heaven” I just roll my eyes to the back of my head till they’ve fallen out. When did having copious amounts of makeup become inspirational?!? There’s more to life than makeup ffs🙄
Maybe it’s all part of growing up (not just age but mentally aswell) and it’s a phase people go through but I read a lot about waste , hyper consumption and global pollution and I just feel it’s time for people to open their eyes and see what we are doing to the planet (sorry for my rant lol) A very enjoyable, informative and intelligent video nonetheless😘
I've wondered that about age, too, but if that's the case I wonder what can we do to help younger people not go through that phase, or hurry through it? I wish I had come around much earlier.
Over the years I became a supporter of owning 1 concealer, 1-2 foundations tops, 1 finishing powder, 1 eyebrow product type....go through them and only then buy something new or replace it if it's a staple. So I completely relate to your conclusions pertaining to these types of products. It's an illusion to believe that purchasing eyeshadow palettes is anything more but a sheer indulgence, for all of us here who watch makeup content on youtube. There's nothing wrong with indulging ourselves (if one has the financial means of course!) but we should call it that, and not an "investment". Congratulations on making to a whole year! It's admirable!
This is how we grow up. I remember when all of my makeup fit into a small makeup bag, that I kept in my purse. This video has been so helpful to put into words what I have been thinking:)
Me too! It’s time to go on a no-buy for me, & every time i feel I can’t do it, I watch Hannah! Planning on filming it for RU-vid but I doubt I will be as well spoken as Hannah haha
Like you are saying here, I also like to be mindful that if I add an item, it lessens my use of the things I already have. And that makes me sad for them, they are so beautiful and well chosen as you say, they need to live their best life! 🖤
Wonderful insights! These thoughts are pretty obvious in hindsight but it is also very easy to be blind to these in the midst of FOMO and lust for adding more to the collection. Your channel has been such a good resource for resisting commercialism. I particularly like your method of categorizing makeup in how frequent you use them and cost per use. I think I will incorporate them into my own lifestyle. Thank you, Hannah.
This is the video that I truly *needed* to watch and listen to very keenly. I am someone who in the course of just 5 years time managed to amass more color cosmetics (long-term pleasures) than I can ever possibly use up. Things got very out of hand to the point of my making Rouge 4 years straight. This was not something I even thought would or could happen. That 1st year was a thrill, the 2nd puffed up my head, the 3rd scared me to death, this last time made me break down and cry, and not happy tears, either. After that, I made a conscious decision that going in to 2019, I would need to re-evaluate my buying habits and what motivates them. Watching your video gave me hope that I can succeed at getting the mastery over this. Thank you!
you can do it! I had a similar difficult history, and videos are coming soon about why I decided to start a no-buy and support for you if you decide to do it yourself. There is definitely hope, you can't undo the past but you can change starting now!
Ahh I really like how you categorised your makeup into those 3 buckets. One of my goals is to get my staples to just 1 or 2 because I don't need/want 5 foundations on the go. Over time I've wanted to try less and just stick to HG base makeup that works perfectly for me! Great insights!
Hi Hannah, I stumbled across your channel beck in October, and immediately decided that I wanted the full context of your journey, so I started watching all of your videos from the very first, until the most current. At some point I decided that when I finally caught up, I would write a comment (something I rarely do) to let you know how much this channel has changed my perspective on my life. I am currently writing my rules for a no-buy year next year, and I’m both very excited and very scared to begin. I am a bit younger than you (23) and so, I don’t have nearly the collection of things that you do, but what we do share is our pre-no-buy attitude toward shopping. I can see that if I continued to live my life the way that I am now, I would end up, at the best, at the same place that you were before starting your no-buy year. As much as the idea of a no-buy scares me, the thought of being in debt and addicted to shopping scares me more. I’m planning on using this coming year to save and invest in my own future, and doing this project is something I would never have even considered if it weren’t for your channel, so thank you so much for the change that I can already feel coming.
Jade, thank you so much for watching and for your lovely comment! I'm happy for you that you are already thinking about saving and investing at the age of 23. I wish someone had suggested it to me ten years ago. I don't know too much about investing, but if that is your goal there are some amazing bloggers out there who are focused on saving most of what you make and investing (I like Mister Money Mustache, though his philosophy doesn't work for me 100% because I'm a small business owner and a creative professional). I appreciate your support on my channel, sending a big hug!
This video has really resonated with me. Your year no buy has really connected with me which is rare in this beauty community. Im really excited for my no buy next year but the i value the clarity youve brought to me in regards to your long term pleasures which in turn are my own. I over spend, im not getting value in the items i have and i cant keep my collection in my head and that really distresses me.
I only own one eyeshadow palette which is a Natasha Denona palette. I am a project panner so I will use every last "drop" of that expensive palette for years to get my money's worth.
I love how you are promoting and inspiring a sense of anti-consumerism in the make-up community. You have changed how I view my personal Makeup Collection, I find your categorisation within the 3 Sub sections under the umbrella term 'Makeup' very insightful….I hope going forward that I can apply your logic with regards to Price per use, etc. to future my purchases. A Drugstore brand that I recommend checking out is Essence...they have a range of Mascaras called Lash Princess-I think they are fabulous...and at that pricepoint they are hard to beat. If you find the holy grail that is an affordable brow gel (that works like Benefit Gimme Brow and costs way less) please keep us posted!
If I may interject...I ended up buying the Lash Princess from Essence and although I have full lashes to begin with I noticed they fell out more while I was using this one item. Others have had similar issues. Nothing else had changed in my routine except that mascara. I hadn't had that experience with any previous mascaras that I've used. It had been years since I purchased a drugstore option. This is coming from someone that stopped using mascara for 10 years and then went for only cruelty free/vegan/organic...but have changed my mind due to the formulas. I may go back some day to an organic line. It's the one item in my makeup where I will only purchase a high end in a mini. I get the same amount of usage (3months) as I would a regular sized one before it goes bad. Anyway, if anyone knows of an organic mascara that performs similar to the high end, let me know. :)
On that note, can I suggest your try the Ardell brow gel? Not sure if you get them in America, but I’ve been using one of their tinted/fibre ones and it’s INDELIBLE stuff. Love your content and musings as always. 23 days till my yearly no buy... 😬😆
Zari A I find most organic brands don’t perform well at all. However recently discovered a gem. It’s still not mind blowing but it’s a GREAT everyday mascara. Brand is Pure Anada 😊
I love this video. It makes NO sense to buy a luxury item that’s a staple if you can’t afford to replace it long term. It’s the same way I won’t buy luxury skin care just because of a sale, which is something that people actually recommend doing? Never made sense to me. I also love thinking about eyeshadow and color products as “treats.” I’m a big viewer of project pans because I think it’s satisfying to watch but it also has made me feel immense guilt knowing I will never fully use up my makeup. While I have no plans of buying more for the foreseeable future, I feel like you just alleviated some of my guilt. I accept that I’ve essentially spent the money on the experience of using the items and not on a price per use. I like the idea of thinking about these items as experiences and pleasures instead of value for money. Thanks again for your content! Also your eyeshadow is beautiful! 😍💙✨
I'm so glad this helps alleviate guilt. It doesn't make sense to me to go around feeling terrible for having thing we love using, even if we have more than we can use up. But I know everyone is different, I've never been a panner either! For some people, panning feels the best, I guess.
This video should be required viewing for cosmetic consumers, in my own utopic way of thinking. ABSOLUTELY GREAT and helpful. You could write a short book to help makeup hoarders Hannah. I feel very strongly about this and I am not a random dumbass lol. I hope you see this. It was absolutely smashing!
I just came across this video and wound up watching many of your previous ones, because I was loving the revelations and nuggets of wisdom you discovered through your journey this year of your “No buy year”. To add to trying to buy more affordable skin care, appreciating the make up I have which I cannot possibly use up before it expires and just keeping track of how much I’m spending through the year, I will also try to not watch beauty You Tube videos and looking at the Sephora website. This is going to be so tough because it’s like breaking an addiction. But I’ve come to realize that I was wanting more stuff because I was spending so much time trying to research for the perfect products. A clear indicator that I’ve been spending too much time on my phone watching YT and being on the Sephora app, is that my place is getting messier and I can’t seem to find the time to tidy up! Your “No buy” year is almost up, but I hope you will be able to continue to make realistic assessments of your purchases and be truly happy with everything you buy without spending frivolously. Thank you so much for your videos. I’ll probably watch them again when I’m feeling weak and wanting to buy something I know I don’t need!
I think it makes a lot of sense! For me anyway. The only trouble i see for you is that brow gel. That can be an entire series for you. Trying to find a cheaper brow gel.
@@HannahLouisePoston Have you tried the Glycerin soap brows?? I recently used a touch of clear soap and a spoolie on a model for a photoshoot and it held beautifully! She had fuller, unruly brows.
Poor Hannah and her stubborn Grandpa brows 🙃 Maybe we can wizard up a new formula with a cheaper clear brow gel and a few drops of super glue to keep em in place 😉
I love this video because I'm arriving at similar conclusions lately. Eyeshadow + eyeliner are definitely the most fun part of my makeup routine, the one I'm willing to pay a bit more for even if I don't end up using every last crumb, everything else isn't as 'interesting' and I don't even want that much variety in those categories. Figuring that out thanks to your videos and my own experimentation has helped me stop a lot of the shopping urges. I've got a wishlist for when I hit pan/finish/reject all in the category instead. Honestly, with these videos, it's hard to keep the comment short! You're so verbose I write a whole essay and then get too embarrassed to post it.
haha, that's so funny about my verbosity making you want to write long comments! No-one's ever said that before, I love it. I'm glad all this makes so much sense to you!
I’m doing a no buy/browse makeup, Amazon, social media, or nonsense year. I want to focus on saving and travel. I feel like these aspects have made me lazy and unmotivated. Time to kick these things out. I want to go back to my 90s...early 2000s lifestyle. I read more and was a lot happier. Luckily for me my birthday is in December so I want to just do my shopping then (I can double up on birthday, end of year coupons and deals). So I stocked up on what I needed for the year and deleted apps on my phone and tucked away my iPad. Let us see how it goes... wish me luck!
Your eye look is gorgeous, but your message is even more impressive! Thank you for bringing such thoughtfulness to the makeup world, where we all need to be more conscientious of our purchases.
Finally! It's like a journey completed. Thank you very much for taking this road and sharing your experience with us. This video should be shared to everyone interested in the beauty of makeup, like Makeup 101; bcause the lessons shared today are more important to me than the techniques, tools or products.
Such a good video! Being a student, the majority of my collection is drugstore-priced, however; at the beginning of this year I allowed myself to get the MAC studio finish potted concealer, knowing I will have at least a year of use from that product. You have explained the concept of this so well! A while back in a video you touched briefly on this concept, how often you need to repurchase things. It made me think differently about my skincare. I have been writing down my purchases for a year and noticed one thing that costs me so much; my toner, despite being reasonably priced. I go through it soo quickly (2 months), so now I have put it in different packaging, with a pump, to control the amount that I use instead of soaking the entire pad with the toner. I'm curious to see how long it will last me now!
Ive been on a no buy this year as well with the exception of replacements (mascara and eyeliner) and it has really been eye opening. Ive bought a lot of high end makeup the past few years and realized pretty recently that makeup gets old or at least don’t perform as well as they used to. We get so indoctrinated with the word “investment” in the beauty community when it really don’t make sense when you like me have four foundations from Giorgio Armani, two from Chanel and a few others at the same time. I only wear makeup 2-3 times a week and this summer I’ve really enjoyed to have bare skin. So i don’t think I will be able to used up these beautiful foundations before they go bad.. All bought with the mindset of “investments”. The same applies to a hourglass ambient lighting palette that I bought in -14 for £56, haven’t been using it much because I wanted to “save it” but now it’s four years old🙄 This type of thinking makes no sense..
yes, an investment in makeup is only real if you are going to use that whole thing up, and that only works if you don't have others of its kind! It seems so simple now, but I never thought of it that way before my no-buy.
I am visiting all of these videos for my customizing my 2020 no buy, including I have a specific notebook for what I am learning and then will be applying for my year. I am thoroughly enjoying them and APPRECIATE all that you are sharing. Thank you Hannah for blazing this trail and having the content available. The brow gel was a prefect example, and then thinking of products in categories.
Also I'm so keen for the video about your closet! I've been curious about how you've gone on your no-buy in relation to clothes, as someone who loves style.
Oh Hannah, I absolutely love this video. I have, without any real intent, been spending less on items like brow gel and more on items like spot concealer, but I hadn't really thought about why I'm willing to spend more on some products than others. The way you've conceptualised here is brilliant and I'm going to start thinking of my makeup in terms of these three categories you've laid out. I feel similarly to you about long-term pleasures - I haven't bought an item in that category in a long time because I feel despair at the idea of neglecting the blushes etc that I already have!
i love this! especially the third part discussion about value for money. i do have this thought a lot when i am buying luxury makeup and trying to decide if i should invest in full size versus a deluxe size of something i know i will probably never use up (like an hourglass blush or bronzer). even when a full size is such a better "value", the deluxe size is already more than i need, so there's absolutely no need to spend any more money than that (if that at all!) thank you so much for articulating it here.
Ive over bought in every catagory of my life. Its funny but sad because in 2019 i will have zero excuse to buy any product. As i was watching this video I was going to replace 1 of my foundations I used yet I have 4 more at home. If I buy this foundation the other 4 will rot at home unused. Makes no sense so ai will use what I have and when all 4 are gone I can repurchase. Great video!!
Your videos are helping me so much in trying to avoid new purchases and instead focusing on what I have. Especially whith this idea of different categories in terms of usage, cost, and lasting time
This has just inspired me to go through all my makeup and declutter! I’ve got better with buying less makeup and have naturally done the same with you with spending less money on things I get through quickly. I’ve been wearing only the makeup I have on my desk for months and have now just gone through the rest of my ‘collection’ and got rid of super old makeup and bits I don’t wear/ like and now I’ve managed to fit it on all my desk!!! Which means I should actually use it all and be more conscious about what I buy. Thanks for the inspiration 💜
This is a well articulated video. I've been on a low buy this year, I failed miserably however I've learnt more or less the lessons you've concluded. I'm going to try again next year, however take some of the lessons I've learnt. I've learnt eyeshadow palettes are nothing but pleasure for me, however knowing this , I over did it last 3 months!
I loved this video! I agreed with so many things you said. I think a lot of beauty influencers could really learn a lot from this. So many of them are out of control with their makeup spending. Between them and the makeup companies churning out new products constantly, viewers are thinking that this overspending/hoarding is not only okay, but also normal and the way we should all be. I'm not sure if you already do this, but a great way to use even less base makeup is to only wear it on days when you leave the house(assuming you have a day or two where you are able to stay at home). I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I only go out a few days per week. On my home days, I dot concealer on the one or two spots on my face and just wear eye makeup(light shadow, liner, mascara). My skin loves me for that. I'm not a bronzer, contour, or highlighter kind of woman, so I don't use them at all. I own one blush because that's all I need and have one highlighter that has been used twice in 9 months. I prefer to focus on keeping my skin healthy so I don't feel the need to cover it up with loads of makeup(but I don't buy high-end skincare products either, it's all K-beauty from the drugstore). Eyeshadow, on the other hand, is my weakness. I have 12 eyeshadow palettes. I need to slow down on that, lol.
Hannah, binge watching your videos has helped tremendously! I went into Ulta yesterday and only got the one product I specifically went in there for! I went into Sephora, picked up a cleansing balm I didn't plan on buying, two seconds later, I put it back down and went home. I always think about my space and how I would hate to buy more crap bc it means I have to store it someplace. So grateful you documented your journey on here. Congrats on 10k!!!!!
This is a great way to think about purchases!! The one exception I am thinking about is mascara. I know that it would be under the short term staple category. Yet, a good mascara makes such an impactful difference in how I look and feel and a bad mascara is just really disapointing. Therefore, because I do not really want a near daily disappointment I think that it might be one of those products I will continually "splurge" on. And maybe just not buy anything in the third category until something is totally used up. But....I am on a no but till the end of January. So we shall see. I am mulling it over. Thanks for the great vid!!
yes, I'm mulling over it with mascara, too. I might test out the life cycle of some high-end mascaras vs drugstore next year. I like Lash Paradise, but if it only lasts 1 or 2 months at almost $10 and an amazing high end mascara lasts 6 months at $30...you see what I'm getting at :)
I think this is INCREDIBLY useful! I also have found that being selective in who I watch on RU-vid helps, too. I’ve really honed down my subscription list to a small handful and I’ve noticed how much that has helped.
I see it as buying joy because I do experience joy using different colours and textures and creating. Of course I could create with less but I could not create the same way. That, to me, is an investment in me. But I do carefully consider what I already have already and what I will use. Not having more than I can keep in my head really resonates though.
Thinking in terms of the three categories will be great, because you label the products and you create an additional meaning to the product itself. It will not be just how long it will take you to use up but also why you're buying it and what it means for your daily use. I think it will be useful in restraining unnecessary spending on some products! Positive language in contrast to the poisoness one we encounter in the usual videos. Thanks Hannah!
I loved this video, I just posted a no buy intro and one of my subscribers suggested to watch your videos. New Subscriber right here. You are beautiful by the way and love the way you gave me strength to start my No buy even with more of an intention. ❤️🙌🏻
For me ... I go through my Nars radiant creamy concealer about 3 a year but I wouldn’t think to find a cheaper one because it’s my favorite and if I’m going to not be purchasing makeup I want what I love to be my daily thing. I don’t know if that made sense, same with my givenchy brow gel... or my le rouge perfecto balm I want to repurchase it precisely because it’s something that I use every single day. The cost doesn’t matter if I’m finishing them up. But love the method, I’ll twitch it a bit but it will work for my no buy ❤️
Hannah Louise Poston LOL it’s only been 18 days since I started my no buy and I already feel like I can’t afford anything. I have to pay what I owe first. ❤️ I wrote the first comment 15 days ago only after 3 days of starting and now I’ve been thinking about “this instead of that” only based on prices. I’m not close enough to changing my mindset the way I want but it’s a start.
I understand your logic of your three categories and the way you've defined them. For me, even "short term staples" I'm OK with being higher priced items because then I get to enjoy the feeling of having that name brand, better packaging, etc more often on a daily basis. In contrast to that statement, I'm generally in favor of trying to find a drug-store option first, regardless of how long it will last, and if none of them are up to my standard of quality (weartime, ease of application, color selection) go for a higher end product. Most relatable is your perspective on the "long term indulgences" and how they impact the makeup you already own. I'm interested to see if my perspectives change as I transition from a low buy to a no buy next year.
I am beginner to makeup... Gradually, I have become a kind of hoarder! Especially with eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and skin care. I recently took stock of "my arsenal" and realised I have actually been spending way too much! And as a beginner, I am yet to learn so much! So, I have decided 2019 to be year of no-buy! Till I finish my products, I am not buying anymore. Your video is a pat on my back! This is very encouraging!
Thank you! As soon as I'm done with finals I'll sit down and hash out this categories thing. I've been "decluttering" since 2015. Granted I'm no longer at 300+ items but 100+ is still overwhelming for me. I will give the categories a try and hopefully I'll see some true progress come 2019 🤗
I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS VIDEO. You did this so damn well, and it has truly changed the way I've been looking at make up. I'm not much of a make up hoarder, but I still feel the need to buy more/new/fancier make up that I know I don't need. Your rationalization really helps. Thanks!
This is a really well thought out video. I definitely need to go through my collection and decide which products fit in which categories for me. Thanks for sharing!
I love this so much. It is a great way to look at makeup. I did a low buy year this year and it was great. I was allowed to buy any "necessities" as needed (or if there was a sale and I was close to running out). Any other items I had to think about and wait before purchasing.
OH. MY. GOD. THIS WAS SOOOOOOO INSPIRING!!!! I had already have some of these thoughts before I saw your video, but now you helped me to get things more clearly. This is the first video I have ever seen of you and I already subscribed. You're such an example! Really! We need more people on YT talking about these things!!!!
Wow, I’ve never made this kind of sense out of my purchases. But it’s pretty mind blowing. I will definitely try it out. Another A+ video that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is a VERY informative video! This is basically what I've been feeling towards my makeup collection (and all the panning, decluttering, buying issues), but I couldn't put it in words and you did it for all of us, making it even more clear. You really gave us Quality Content to make us grow. Very inspiring! 👏😙💕
@@HannahLouisePoston As I expected, I've been thinking about your video lately, and I felt like adding a reflection: as for most of us, eyeshadow is my weak point when it comes to my makeup collection, and I too would consider it a 'long term pleasure' and I'm willing to spend a little more on it in order to treat myself. BUT, that being said, I think brands are also well aware of this, and I feel like sometimes they are really taking advantage of that and pricing their products waaaay too high for what they actually are. So, when I first saw the Natasha Denona palettes, I liked them, but I felt HORRIFIED that somebody was willing to pay that much money for it, without even blinking an eye... And now, seeing it all over the internet, I feel like I'm starting to get used to it and I'm considering the purchase, and it just doesn't feel right to be brainwashed like that because of ads... we need to stand our grounds and don't make them think that it's ok for them to raise their prices to infinity and beyond, just 'cause we want to treat ourselves. Honestly, I guess this has unconsciously been a big part of the reason why I still haven't purchased her products. What do you think about it?? Is it ok for you (even with a good financial situation) to spend that amount of money, if it is to treat yourself?
I feel like I've been lowkey doing this this year, unconsciously. When I got my first job, I was spending and buying makeup without thinking about it because I had the money. Now, I know I have the money, but I don't NEED that new eyeshadow palette that everyone is raving about because I know I have a lot and they don't get used as much as other staple products such as concealer or brow products. I like that you really cleared up the whole ideology and I will be definitely practicing this throughout the new year (:
I really loved the way you categorized the groups. I have been thinking about it since I watched the video. It kinda grows on me as I consider my choices and future purchases. Definitely changes my perception more than most ideas.
Watched all of your videos from the beginning and you have inspired me so much to a no-buy year in 2019. I think its interesting though to have different categories. For me, I derive absolutely no pleasure from shopping for clothes and only buy things when I need them, so I don't think its necessary to include in my no buy year. But for me, I buy coffee and soda and bottled water at a rate where I think I'm going to incorporate a no-buy of coffee shop coffee. I really admire that you posted so consistently and at how thoughtful your content has been. Watching you discuss five products in depth is so interesting and you're so articulate and precise in the way you express and process your internal feelings. Really just wanted to say THANK YOU for making me decide to take charge and change my own habits. I'm so interested to see the way your content grows when the no-buy comes to an end.
Really enjoyed this, I Only purchase eyeshadow singles and I love it because color is Relative and once you have a lot of singles you can rearrange them at will and feel like everything is brand new!
I enjoyed this because you validated how I've always felt about make up. With my short term needs I'm always doing cost calculations per pump and making sure I always buy it on sale because my drugstore does a lot of discounts. My colour cosmetics are definitely a treat, I don't buy anything I won't cherish and enjoy and I always sleep on a decision and comb my collection to make sure its unique enough. I love watching beauty community videos on YT, but you have to be careful not to let the consumerist culture blind you.
I'm really grateful I found your channel mid year, and decided to embark on this no-buy journey alongside of you. I now have a totally different outlook of makeup, and I found myself increasingly unwilling to buy makeup even when I have the money. I have not used the latest Sephora discount for the sake of discount. The only exception to this is brushes, and even for that I'm coming to a conclusion that I don't need (much) more. I'm also trying t bring this approach into other aspects of my spending. Again, thank you for that inspiration.
This is such a thoughtful video! I love the categories you’ve come up with and I’m totally stealing them to use going forward. This is such a healthy, smart way to think about makeup purchases. I’ve never done a no-buy and I don’t plan to, but I have learned so much about being smart about how I spend my money on beauty products that I’m not worried about ever needing one. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into articulating your thoughts and documenting this year-long experience you’ve had. I’m learning so much from you and I only just checked out your channel for the first time yesterday! Angelica Nyqvist recommended you on her channel and when I saw how beautiful you are in one of your thumbnails I knew I had to set some time aside to peruse your channel. I’m officially hooked. Can’t wait to see more!
@@HannahLouisePoston hahaha nice... the blue looked so vibrant so it really stood out.. top is gorgeous.. i just wear the same thing in like 5 videos.. it is what it is....xxxx
Whoa, this is eye opening. It really makes me take a look at what you are using constantly, versus.. rotating. Thank you so much - lipstick and eyeshadow are my true vice too.
I absolutely love the three categories!! I have already been thinking what fits in each of them. I don’t have that many short term staples- mainly makeup sponges, mascara and setting spray. Loose powder, foundation, concealer, primer, stick highlighter, eyeliners and lip liners would be long term staples - everything else in the « treats » category.
I like to be very mindful of my staples too, though mine are different due to age & style. Because I'm also very pale, I long ago got used to paying more for my base products, since the higher end powders and foundations were the only ones that had the right undertones. Now I just want gentle, nourishing things right next to my skin, so that's still where I invest the most cash. What I think your system/explanation makes most clear, is that one needs to assess the how and whys of one's beauty consumption to spend wisely, because we're all already assigning categories, whether we know it or not. They might as well be categories based on our actual needs rather than outrageous fantasy and habit. Not that I'm against fantasy in makeup, of course.
Love how thoughtful this is! I think my issue with long-term staples that I'm willing to invest in is that I haven't found anything "perfect" just "pretty good" so I keep buying whenever I hear glowing reviews :/
yes, I wish I had addressed that! I'm lucky that I've found some great staples. But I think part of this is being happy with "good" and resisting the desire to always chase perfection.
My challenge will be trying to find lower price options for skincare. I've been spending most in that category, but I have been watching some Dr. Dray to cut through the bull shit and prepare myself for the next time I need to replace something. I actually find that for me eyebrow products seem to last a long time and I don't have multiples in that category so probably will splurge on the abh brow gel when mine is done, (but will probably use an eyeshadow or contour powder to replace the abh brow powder, we shall see how that "pans" out) but the way you explain the cost per use makes sense. Similar to you, my base products last a long time as I only use a fraction of a pump most of the time, thankfully so because I have never found a drug store version that works for me especially now as I age my skin is persnickity. I really love your channel and hope you continue to put out content after your no buy year is over!
Hi I just wanna recommend honey girl skin care. My mom bought it for me at whole foods while it was on sale. Super great for dry skin. I promise this is not an ad. Lol check out their website.
I'm binge watching your videos as I'm going on a serious no-buy much like yours in 2019. But I have to know - WHAT ARE YOU WEARING ON YOUR EYES!!??? It's GORGEOUS. Need to know. Thanks!!
What gets me is if I bought something hot at retail because of the hype and then see it for 75 percent off a few months later. Im thinking to put it on my list and let the hype die and then make myself wait and if I see it on sale and still want it...ill buy...Best time to do this is Dec...best value...discounts on older products ect
What a great video! I’m starting my no buy year next year. I have very distinct rules set up I cannot re buy anything until I have used up everything in that makeup/ skin care/ perfume/ Haircare category. I can however buy clothes/ home wares if I absolutely love it and can justify it and I don’t have anything else like it. I don’t have a lot of clothes.
You are never going to get money back from makeup, therefore it's not an investment. You should always love the makeup you own and I get that beauty gurus are reviewing and need to have it for their business. But I've never gotten the idea that I need three palettes with the exact same colors. Of course, I've never been able to allow myself to pull the trigger on a 50 palette, even though I can now afford it.
What a fabulous video!! I love hearing your insight on all this stuff. I also think about stuff sort of like this, though I’ve never specified specific categories in my mind. Can’t wait for more videos on your no buy!
So happy to have you pop up in my feed! New subbie... This video is very enlightening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your journey. I for one am only preparing for a low-buy- I need to make more sense out of what I purchase. But will definitely keep this taxonomy in my mind upon purchasing if it can help me.
I've developed this thinking over the last few years of buying makeup. At first, I was all about finding the best of everything, and I have found the best for what my needs are. I knew that brow products can be used quite quickly and realized that true pencil products last the longest, so I try as much as possible to get true pencil versions of everything I can, specifically the things that I use every day (like brow pencils). I have decluttered my eyeshadow collection, and if I don't love it, I return it. I realize this is not good for the environment, but for my investment, it makes the most sense. I refuse to resell used products or give them away to anyone because I just don't see how it can be at all sanitary. I've started to think on my purchases for much longer now. If I'm still wanting it after a few months, then I'll take the plunge.
Thoughtful post as always, but your conclusion of spending less on short term staples and having no budget on long term treats doesn't settle well with me. I mean, why spend $120 on a Natasha Denona treat that you'll only use 20% of the time when you could just buy your favorite brow product that you'll use all the time for the year? It may make more sense to lop those categories into one "budget" so that if you choose to be more thrifty, you can get more or more expensive treats.
I never said I would have no budget :) Just that there's no sense it justifying a "treat" purchase by calculating its value per use. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough!
Crystal Liu while Hannah didn’t say there would be no budget for splurges , your logic holds and I get what you’re saying. Why spend $$$ on a product you won’t use often vs your daily workhorse? I think the answer is two fold. First Hannah is not feeling deprived by “settling” on a crappy inferior product just to make the math fit. She is carefully researching, testing new products that are as nice and effective to use as her old overpriced standbys. Second, different products fill different needs and I think it’s useful to step back and really see how much that “HG serum” or favourite primer are REALLY costing. For example it can be easy to justify a $25 brow product, but what if we go through that product every 3 weeks? Having to continually rebuy even a favourite item can turn it into an exorbitant and eye opening expense. It’s no longer (who cares) x $25, it’s real numbers .$425 a year. When you look at it spending over $25 a month on brows it turns an innocuous purchase into a ridiculous one. You may find a fabulous product but still not like it quite as much , but then I think it makes sense to ask yourself is it really worth the price differencial? Really? only each of us can answer that.
Miss Misto this is so true. I will never spend more than 5 dollar on a brow product or mascara. Then again I have high demands on eyeshadow, lipstick and concealer. I just can't find good drugstore versions of those. Now I buy single items (for example one red, one nud, one purple lipstick and nothing else) and wear them out. I don't feel guilty about spending on cosmetics, do not give in on quality when needed, love my little curated hg stash and am finally content with what I have instead of just buying the hype
Thank you for your content! I came across you about a month ago and an preparing for my own no buy year starting in June 2019. My wake up call was when I hit VIB Rouge at Sephora 😬. So thank you because you're showing another way!
I love your way of thinking for the categories but I still apply cost per use to the frivolous category instead of considering it as an entirely sunken cost because it can dissuade me from buying the item at all. Here's what I mean: In my eyes, cost per use starts out as the cost of the item, and decreases with each use. For example, the first time I used the $24 Stila liquid glitter eyeshadow, its cost per use was $24. The second time, $12, the third time, $8, and so on. I would have to use it 24 times just to get to $1/use. I love the blingy look when I use it but I haven't had either the time, occasion, or inspiration to use it more than 5x so far after about 6mo. That tells me that if I wouldn't wear it 24 times before expiration to get to $1/use, maybe I shouldn't have bought it, especially as a liquid formula which will surely expire quicker than loose glitter or metallic eyeshadow. Nowadays I'm applying this thinking to the "frivolous" category overall -- will I even get to the point of $1 cost per use? Will I get to that before it expires?
Thank you for videos like this. I am going to be starting a no makeup buy in 2019 and this is a very helpful way of thinking about my makeup collection.
This is quite interesting to see the result of a yearlong no buy when I've just started to do one myself. You've developed a clear system which is quite remarkable. I hope it works out well for you.
This was very interesting as to how you have categorized things- short term staples to be replaced with less expensive options and that you are willing to spend more on long term staples. It does make sense when you are looking at how long it takes before you finish a product and cost per use. This is something I will be looking at and analyzing with my own items.
I’ve been contemplating a no buy year but... #IDontWanna 🤣 Honesty is power! Nevertheless, my own minimalism journey has me reluctantly eyeing my makeup collection again. A year later, I’ve changed how I spend. Now, I’m finally challenging why I spend. It’s the whole honesty thing again. I appreciate your video because you’ve confirmed what I now believe about the true value of these products. You’ve done the hardest part for me. I wish you the best🌻
LOL I didn't wanna either! It took me years to face the music. If it helps, I wish I had done it earlier. I love your name and your username! So beautiful!
New subscriber. Great video. I just started (12/1) a year long no buy (makeup, skincare, clothes and even limiting eating out). Looking forward to having some of my own insights to how I view my possessions as the year goes on. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve just made this discovery for myself as well! My collection is very small, but some things I go through too quickly to justify the money spent. I used to buy a Too Faced setting powder, $44. Now I buy a savvy (that’s the brand haha!) for $5, and I can get it on sale all the time too. That blows my mind.
There's too much I'd like to say in a single comment 😅, but basically, I've loved following your journey this year. I love how much thought you put into every purchase, the usage, but also how much joy it brings you, etc.. I've gone on two 6-month no-buys in the past and realized that method wasn't for me. (But I realize now I don't think I put as much thought into it as you did.) Now I basically try to just use up and enjoy my collection without being too hard on myself if I want to pick up something new. But it's definitely a struggle to avoid just adding more to my collection, as you mentioned.. Anyhoo, keep up the great work! 😄 And happy holidays!
This is an amazing idea! I may integrate something very similar after I’ve done a full year of a replenishment only no buy. It makes a lot of sense when you broke it down!
Hannah Louise Poston you have really made me analyze my collection. I’m going through categories slowly, but surely an am like why why why. I mean it’s excessive to have approximately 20 powders when I truly only need three and each one serves a different purpose. Plus because of the job I started I have to be extremely light on makeup use so this really all is coming together at the right time!
You've described my makeup collection without me knowing it! I've worked really hard to get down to one holy grail product in each category (except eyeshadows...I'm still working on my mindset there. They are my weakness!), but I haven't gone so far to label them in the way you have. I like the categories of short-term staples, long-term staples, and luxury purchases. In a sense, I already do that having only one product of each, but I hadn't thought about finding drugstore or less expensive dupes of the short-term staples except loose powder--I go through that like water, ha! I'm inspired to look at what items I can dupe and how much that will save me. Great thoughts, here. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Hannah, my only reservation about this system you've created is that -- at least based on the way you discuss it in the video -- you seem to view the "treat" as the act of *purchasing* a new luxury eyeshadow palette (or whatever), which makes it so easy to overpurchase things again. Why can't the treat be the act of using the palette (over and over)? Of course it is the reality that many of us treat ourselves by spending money on something we want; in YT Beauty, we have seen that too many people "treat" themselves by buying too much sh*t that they don't need. I might be coming from a different place than you, but it would not be a treat or pleasure for me to buy things that I don't need and barely use.
of course a treat can be using the palette over and over! I totally support that, it's my main gig :) I was just trying to create a system here specifically in regard to buying.
jcjccmz logically you’re correct , however we are human and makeup lovers, even most makeup lovers who deeply desire a highly curated smallish collection, still get tempted and pine for new products all the time. While it’s not good to continually give in to the impulses, indulging periodically can be fun, and we may just find a new favourite. Doesn’t stop us from gifting some other products to that low income teen who’s dying to get into makeup, or the working single mom who just ran her makeup bag through the washer by mistake . While I’m trying to get down and challenge the (my!) consumerism bug, I still don’t see a day where I don’t want to try new things ☺️ and sometimes, they really can continue to lift the mood dozens- hundreds of times. When I’m sad or in an awful mood, I get down a pretty box where I keep my Lush “smellies” and by the time I go through each, I’m feeling better. Hey it’s safer and cheaper than oxy. Baby steps 😂
@@Puglover130 LOL, I'm sorry. I just visualized a film scene where a bummed out character pulls down a box of pretty cosmetics products from a closet shelf and looks at them to make herself feel better. (In my mind, it's a Mike Leigh movie, lol.) All I can say is that I absolutely LOVE makeup, but buying more of it will NOT make me a happier person. At this point in my life, I would MUCH rather spend my money on cool experiences with my awesome friends than in accumulating more stuff. And I am definitely not one of those minimalists who constantly refer to some condo woman (whoever she is) at all, lol.
I like the way Hannah talks here about makeup being a treat. It makes it special to buy from here on out when it comes to eyeshadow, lip products, etc.. I seriously think I am going to adopt that. I will be doing a no buy next year in makeup and except for my birthday, maybe Christmas and maybe if I have any Ulta points I can spend. I do have rules in place with my birthday so I don't go crazy when I allow myself to break my no buy. I am going to buy a Marc Jacobs lipstick for my birthday next year. I already had this planned and it is a treat for me as a present to myself. I don't buy a lot of pricey lipstick so it really is a treat. I also have a few other things involved rule wise in regards to spending money with my birthday like buying one Marc Jacobs lipstick as I mentioned and that is fine. It is my birthday and I will enjoy it. I was going to do a no buy this month until I realized I needed to do a no buy all year besides what I talked about above. I'm going to buy one of the new Urban Decay On The Run palettes and one of my skincare products with a 20% coupon and my Ulta points so I won't be spending that much money on it in the end. That palette is the last makeup thing I am going buy that I want and not need for a while. Hannah seriously thank you for putting this whole journey on RU-vid. I believe God let me find you on here to help me out with my addiction to makeup, etc.. I don't know if I will ever not think of a lip product or eyeshadow palette as nothing more than a treat after my no buy is complete. I am panning a palette too (in a reasonable time for me) and I think that may also help in the way I think in regards to makeup. I need to save money for my teeth. I've notice the work my braces did is slowly reversing and this no buy is definitely going to help in regards to it because I won't have a good percentage of money going towards any new makeup I don't need. I always believe I will have a good amount of variety in my makeup because I like variety and different looks, but I believe I am going to be making smarter choices for the most apart after this next year. I'm definitely not saying I won't save up any money for a nice makeup purchase in 2020 for some of my wants, but it will be a treat to splurge a little on some things and those things will only have to add to my collection not be something I already have. I don't need any duplicates.
You'll probably notice I'm commenting and watching a lot but it is because you inspire me so much 💋 I will be going on a no/low buy for 2019. I want to do a no buy during one or two months during 2019 and a low buy for the rest of the year where I only buy 3 or less products a month including replacements for finished catagories. Thank you and I am excited to continue watching your videos.
