Reflection is part of the process. You’re an adult. You get to buy stuff if you want it. I would have gone nuts on the cleansers too. You use them, at pace.
Am I the only one who thinks it is more fun when you fail? Thanks to your review of the ABH highlighter, I was convinced to purchase it ASAP. I'm glad I did, it is beautiful and the perfect highlighter for me
My biggest temptations are eyeshadow palettes ,so I have a screenshot of every palette I own on my phone along with the brands swatches . When I feel the need to buy one I look over the pictures at the cours I have and 99.9% I have all the shades throughout my collection to dupe the palette I wanted to buy . That's how I have stopped myself from afterpaying a fortune on shadows I do not need .
I have a few strategies: Don't shop at night. Add to cart, and wait. Think about whether i truly need / will use it and how in daily life. A one in / one out target (finish something, can open something new or make a purchase)- often easier said than done. No buying things just cause theyre a bargain (i have such a huge backlog of skincare from buying Caroline Hirons kits! So working to finish/ use up what i have before i buy another kit). I don't browse shopping sites at work anymore. Has helped minimise my spending and the savings stacking up at the end of my pay cycle reflect it, which is good cause i can save it for our house renovations/repairs/improvements instead.
I went a little crazy with the make up shopping at the end of last year, so I decided to do a no buy year for 2024. I got more than enough to last me the whole year...so far so good. I'm doing a level up project pan for my eyeshadows and a rolling project pan for a full face of make up, to keep me focused/ distracted...I must say it's kind of liberating not to keep up and research all the new things that come out.
After 2 years of strict low buy, this year I find myself excited again about purchasing make up. I have learnt quite a lot during these 2 years, and I am sure I won’t be back to having 10 foundations, 5 concealers or 20 eyeshadow palettes… but also than I am at a point that if I feel excited about any product there is room in my collection for it.
I wouldn’t beat yourself up about it! With the no-buy I tried last year, I think you learn more about what’s going on when you fail. I was able to identify a lot of my weaknesses/pitfalls with shopping.
I did really well in January, my mindless spending was almost zero. January is my birthday month so I usually allow myself to pick up a few things, this year I bought a vintage designer purse and I bought some second-hand craft supplies. My goal this year is to try to buy second-hand where possible, or at the very least NOT to buy it from Amazon.
Stocking up a little bit makes perfect sense to me. I'm doing a low-buy this year mostly to rearrange the categories where I spend the most and make more room for new hobbies as I'm enjoying what I already have. My two best tips, though, are 1) Acknowledge when you are glad something exists but don't need it yourself; I don't wear neutral lipsticks but do think they're pretty. It makes no sense for me to buy one, but I like to look. 2) Think about how quickly something will be used. Even if I'm fine with stocking up on my favorite scrub, I don't need to add to the pile when a new scent releases. If getting something is just going to add to the time until I get to use all of the things I was excited to purchase, then I can probably wait.
love the thumbnail 🤣🤣 well done on how you came to your purchases. i'm doing the same where I'm putting more thought in whatever i'm buying, just buying what I want/need without wanting more to justify the shipping (if shipping is a lot it gives me another reason to think it out as to whether it's worth buying) etc etc
I know how you feel, Kat! The temptation and fomo is so hard to ignore 😭 I have a cart on Etsy, Aēsop, and Kaleidos that I am dying to pull the trigger on! I can’t justify buying them right now, but I still want them! If I see something that’s limited addition then maybe I’ll impulse buy it, but I’m trying not to! 😬
“You guys are a bunch of enablers!” Truth! I feel like that needs to be unpacked… 😅 I will say, good on you for-idk, I don’t want to call it “owning up to,” etc. because I don’t think that assigning shame to buying something is right either, but anyways… glad to see you aren’t framing it as a fail and you’re continuing on and trying again in February
This year I only buy cosmetics as a gift for special occasions. I’m single so I buy my own pressies. For Valentines Day I bought a perfume, Burberry Blush. 💕🐾💕🤷♀️
Good job buying just the one eyeshadow shade, the price per unit is higher when you factor in shipping but it makes it a little more special! I started only buying the one item I really want and just accept the shipping rate and I feel like my smaller haul is a little more precious😊 nail polish is my weakness so I have been avoiding this marketing as much as I can. I usually skip black Friday sales and allow myself a little splurge to freshen up my makeup and accessories around the Pantone color announcement
Like any change, forming habits take time and I feel that changing our spending habits is the same. Your no buy has inspired me to try a makeup no buy/ low buy, I need to make changes to my spending and saving habits so I can afford the big ticket items I’d really like (furniture, travel) I don’t need more makeup. January - there were so many sales and a couple of Aussie skincare mystery boxes made their way to my house. Instagram adverts are a killer, it’s pretty much a sales app now and I really don’t know how I feel about that.
No buy on lipsticks went well in Jan but I did buy 2 x Chanel Chance hand cream set; one for me and one to split into Christmas stockings at end of year (yes, I bought gifts for Christmas in Jan). A Chanel moisturising body spray also was added to basket. It was a stupidly hot Melbourne day and I gave in to temptation. Now a half price cardigan in Seed is tempting me. Shopping for bathers is awful but those cleansers are a definite good purchase!
I understand the struggles completely. Priceline sales are so good and I sticked up on sukin products at bargain prices. Then I grabbed the glaminatrix single shades bear, kitten,etc and a new release firey duo chrome shade....yep. blown the no buy. Like you, I thought about those purchases for a few days before buying. It's a challenge to not buy. Now odens eye is releasing some tempting palettes 😢.
I wanted to (& went to) shop the $10 cleanser sale - they had nothing. Empty fricking shelves. Even the customer service person said they didn't get why they weren't sent more stock when doing a big $10 cleanser sale, were asked by head office to make end-caps when they had no stock ! So, dodged a bullet (kinda) there, but have nearly finished my backlog of first cleansers (oils& balms) and wanted to try a lesser priced option.
You know what helped me do a low buy last month - I went to Japan, shopped a lot, then when I came back only got necessities. Also bought a new car so repayments = no additional funds for spending haha. The bad thing about 2024 - we have an extra day this year in Feb for your low buy/no buy :( haha.
My no/low buy has slowed down my purchases. I make myself sit and wait and think it thru. That doesn't mean I haven't bought anything. I made a purchase similar to yours for my regular skin care that was 50% off plus a free regular sized product. I also made a purchase I didn't need, of course, lol.
I decided not to stock up on things anymore because I almost never use it fast enough and always want to try something new, especially makeup. I have been tracking my empties and the only things I get through with regularity are my skincare essentials and favorite nail polish. I keep one of all my essential skincare, lactic acid, la roche posay b5 baume, hypochlorous acid. Everything else is subject to be replaced by something new.
me too. I tracked how long it takes me to use up products (specially skincare) and found they last way longer than I thought and there's always something new to try
I'm so glad you bought everything you did - loved the video but also, you thought about it all rather than impulse soent which is a win. Im also trying to do a low buy but absolutely stocked up on cleasner. Would habe been silly not too!!!
I have to do a no buy, I'm so broke! To think that only a couple of years ago I had plenty to save at the end of the month...inflation is a b***h. I have to find a new job 😂 let's just hang in there! Whenever I feel the shopping sparkle I just watch a hannah louise poston video and/or dupe the vibes. My makeup collection is not youtuber-big (20 eyeshadow palettes 😅 3 foundations...20 blushes or so 😮 - 40ish lpsticks) and I can almost cover it all.
I've been sticking to my no buy well, but then the Legendary Diversa Round 2 from Odens Eye was announced, and I am sorely tempted. I don't think the formula is anything better than a typical good indie brand, but the artwork and themes are so beautiful.
I think I've been sticking to my plan. I planned on buying resupply, which I did buy my favorite top coat/base coat. A stamping plate, which I always allow myself to buy because many are limited edition and I've had myself heartbroken in the past. I am considering buying the Spring Dragon from Oden's Eye x Juuuudy (could be wrong on the amt of u's). I wanted to pick up a pastel palette this year. Its about the only hole in my eyeshadow collection I keep running into. I can make a pastel but adding white to certain shades can get weird results at times. And, its a dragon. I'm dragon obsessed and this is first dragon palette that has a color story I want. Still not decided, but definitely mulling it over.
I purchased the new shisedo foundation it’s dewy … I knew this buying it .. I’m oily .. I still bought it after a week of researching etc I LOVE it even though I know it’s not going to last as long on my skin as other foundations I have it’s very pretty I think you done fabulously well ❤
Beautiful timing with this discussion!! I was going to do no buys!!! Mmmm not so successful 😂however I am being a lot more thoughtful in my purchases) but pretty regular buying on my part haha! ❤ Love the ABH highlighter and thanks for the heads up with that item! ❤❤
oooo! I wish I’d known about the Priceline cleanser sale, next time please put up a short video for things like that 🙏(like you did for the Elemis one, I got the identical deal as you then, very appreciative of that video 😊)
Just to make you feel better, cleansers don't count on a no buy - especially when they're on offer - as you use them up pretty quickly 🤣. I can't resist things when they're on offer either! Emma x
I told my husband I was going on a low buy so we could pay down our mortgage faster, but then I said except for my favourite singers music, and then our fridge is starting to crap out so we will need a replacement, and then we need some work done on our house, and my low buy is slowly becoming a buy, buy, buy! 😂
This was my first month on a "no-buy" and it also went out the window because clionadh was having a restock, and then it was my birthday so I treated myself 🙈🥴 It was also my first month trying a pan that palette, but also ny first month making the effort to start wearing makeup again at all since having my daughter in 2021, and between illnesses and not being able to find the time for myself without her crying bloody murder, I only managed to do my makeup like 6 times in the whole month! So there went my progress with that too! 🥺
I've never done a low/no buy before but I'm trying to be more conscious of spending in 2024. My biggest thing to help is to just literally not go to stores that have stuff I'm tempted by. Easier said than done, but when I've been bored in the past I'd think "Oh, I'll just pop over to TJ Maxx or Marshalls and see what they have" to fill the time, and I always end up buying stuff. Sure, I only spend like $20 or so at a time, but if I make four $20 purchases a month it adds up. I don't love ordering stuff online because of shipping caps and stuff, so that makes it a little easier. So far I've only bought one $7 mascara this year. Haven't ordered any nail polishes since Black Friday sales, which is huge for me. However I have a $30 perfume in my sights I know I'm gonna pick up soon.
Lol I am making a low/no buy list every month and on my no buy list I had blushes… ended up buying the milk jelly blush. To ease the guilt I told myself no online shopping until next month
I’m not buying any makeup at the moment. When I see something that’s pretty, my foolproof method is to mentally riffle through my collection and list similar shades. If it’s something I can’t dupe, I consider why-and it’s usually because it wouldn’t slot into my style that well. Skincare is what’s tempting me now, but I will not allow myself to order until I’m low on my current products. You have me appreciating that highlighter tho!
Hate to enable but buying a Mac lipstick to compare if the formula or shade is different would be an interesting video from you. I didn’t have a no buy set in Jan. But we bought a house a bit sooner then expected, still to far out to buy new house items. I told my husband yesterday. Unless I need to replace something I’m out of. I plan on not making any beauty, clothes, or craft items until we close on the house.
I like the idea of adding a “sale threshold” to a no buy, paired with a wishlist. As in, I’ll permit myself to purchase something I’ve had my eye on during my no buy IF it’s available for at least 60% off (or whatever percentage seems unlikely but too good to pass up if it does occur). That would make “okay but not great” sales less appealing to me, I think. Sales really do get me!!!
I hit up the Priceline planes are a sale as well. I bought the bio derma micellar water which is one of my favourites, but there are usually $32 a bottle and I could get them for $10 a bottle so I got three bottles. It was a great deal. Totally justified.
I’m trying to a do a no buy year on clothes and cosmetics. Failing spectacularly. 🤦🏻♀️ Just saw a video from Charlotte Rebecca about an adaptive low buy and will try that and go month to month and see if I do better.
I think it was harder at the beginning of the month because of the sales carrying over from Boxing Day. I broke my low buy to buy the glass house candles year of the dragon candle because I wanted the jar (and the candle is beautiful) as a keep sake because I'm a dragon sign. I feel like if you can keep the jar then you have something from it. And those Christmas jars were beautiful.
Yeah my friend has his order canceled because their site inventory wasn’t updating accurately. I luckily live a short walk from Priceline so I could pop down on my lunch break 😆
One a month for review is not too much. If there isn’t anything worth reviewing just skip that month. Also I agree a bargain doesn’t count! Ad long as you were low to start with
Sales are geared around the idea that people will buy more than they would normally at full price. So it's a huge upsale and a big incentive for brands to keep having sales. I try to remember this each time sales are on or even try to ignore them. We typically over spend or spend where we wouldn't before. It's all quite manipulative.
I just look at how many products I go through in my yearly empties recap, and it gives me perspective on how much I use each year. Last year I used 8 cleansers… so buying 3 on sale isn’t more than I will foreseeably use this year. I’ll likely have them all open and using them by the end of the year ☺️
Big thanks for sharing the priceline sale on your tiktok. I went and got 6 things mostly LRP/Avene and couldn't believe they were $10! I would never have tried them at full price could I could never justify chucking down $40 when I could get something from Cerave, but I'm keen to try these out and see how they go. Like you, I didn't 6 new cleansers, but at $10 how can you say no?
I don't want to be an enabler, but I don't see anything wrong with taking advantage of a good deal when it's something you know you'll use up (and would have to buy at a higher price), nor with buying a little thing to indulge yourself every now and then (as long as you can afford it). It's not like you're going out and mindlessly buying expensive palettes that you'll likely declutter, and that don't really bring you joy. I just really don't see the point of torturing ourselves because of a little pleasure every now and then that won't break the bank anyway. The cost/benefit is well worth it to me!
One thing that stopped myself from buying crap is to limit the 'type' of shopping. So I do not shop over the internet anymore and this cuts all my spendings down to going to the supermarkets and the mall. Unfortunately I live next to a large shopping mall so I also set myself shopping limits like only going there on a sale. I also have to limit myself from watching YT reviews - otherwise I would have bought probably 5 Chinese New Year makeup. I bought none this year 🤟😬
How about a review of LRP products you have used / just bought? I've always thought of trying some but there's so much of it. The only thing I have ever used is the Serozinc spray. Make it work for itself! And as the woman who brought us Project Apocolips you surely have to get some new formula MAC lipsticks to test - then tag your Project playlist for more views. That's not enabling, that's a good business reason, surely? I know those videos are still fun because I've been watching them again recently 👍🏻
I was thinking I might review them, but skincare is always so annoying to review haha! For a variety of reasons really. I only like to open a new skincare item when I've used up another one (so I probably won't open them all at once) and I will want to use them all for at least a few weeks before I can review it... so the review can takes months. The clincher is that the ingredients in skincare (LRP do this a lot) often varies from country to country to meet the requirements in each region. So what we have in Australia won't be the same as what is in Europe or the US, so the reviews can take a lot of prep time and then doesn't get watched 😝 I still might review them, but it will likely be in the second half of the year.
I'm in the same boat! Started no-buy, already bought ND Plexi Glow highlighter (found on a good deal) and Mac Teddy 2.0 (got nervous because of reformulations). But to be fair, I just hit pan on an another ND highlighter and almost finished Mac Kinda Sexy, so that's not so bad, I guess. Anyway, I'm eagerly waiting for your review of the Mac's new formula👉👈👀
Don’t feel guilty, if you want it, need it, can afford it then get it, enjoy your life, don’t deprive yourself and it is your job to review and demonstrate to your viewers, otherwise you’ll get boring if you never show makeup or products that are popular at the time. Just my opinion. I love your videos
Thanks. It’s not about depriving myself. It’s about curbing bad spending habits. I’d also prefer to pay off my mortgage a bit quicker than having a giant collection of things I don’t need 🩷
I know you said you have a savings goal kind of related to this. What if you made a deal with yourself that you will put in your savings a percentage of the amount spent on an item or even a 1:1 ratio? May help with times you are on the fence with buying items you may not need and remind you why you are on a no buy. Even if you do buy something, you are also paying yourself something, so also moving towards the savings goal even if you "slip up" here and there.
yeah I was totally on a no-buy, but I saw the Stone Cold Fox palette in someone's declutter vid, not saying who but Perth. Then I saw the ABH highlighter which is amazing so I ordered it. I have trouble with limited edition stuff because it's gone and I maybe don't need it, but like say the limited edition Frosty White primer for winter by Chanel, well guess what happened there, and indeed it sold out in one hour after it dropped. Then we heard Chanel is going to re-formulate eye shadows so I panic-bought a single eyeshadow, plus same story with Bobbi Brown singles. I did stop myself from the new Jones Road neutralizer pencil. In sum, I bought nothing on my own accord 😇
I don't think a bathing suit counts for this project. That's not a beauty item, it's clothing! And it's obviously required when you're doing swim lessons with the kiddos.
I did say that this project is for anything for me really. Of course beauty is the main focus, but it does extend to all personal purchases (not household)
Please don't assume people hoard things just because they buy a couple of things on sale at once. I have 2 showers and 2 sinks and I like to keep a cleanser at each. These will all be opened and well used by the end of the year.
2 Sephora, 1 Mecca, 2 Priceline, 1 YesStyle, 1 Cult Beauty (Space Cowboy that's on you), 1 iHerb (ProCure). I have failed. I got a MAC Glasswhatever lipstick free at BF. Meh and it's fragranced. If I want a sheer I'll go with fragrance free Japan: Canmake "Maquerade Bud" or "Earl Grey Tea" (sheer red and brick red) or Nivea Japan Rich Care Balm in Bordeaux, it's a Black Honey dupe that feels wonderful and not dry and waxy like the real one and is SPF too. Sheer Red and Raspberry Pink are on their way. No fragrance SPF beautiful colour balms? I can't resist that.
Sephora is sort of on you too but I could've said no, I tried a second ND Hy-Glam shade but I'm tapping out. N2 is ungodly dark, N1 I think isn't gong to be right so I got 1RP1 or whatever...Natasha what did you do? It's sooooo white. There's such a jump in shade.
