No spend beauty 2019

[Bellsandwhistle]

So after Liberty and M and S advent calanders plus a few presents I’m gonna attempt a no beauty spend 2019. Will eventually need deodorant and shampoo I guess but will see how far I can get before spending....

Whoops! Just ordered some hair thickening styling spray and a bag of sample sized things which was on offer from Bumble and Bumble. (will be perfect for holiday planned for may).I do still have a styling lotion and a thickening mousse which I'm using from Tigi, but starting to get a bit twitchy that I might run out before the end of the month so feel I need to have back-ups. I could have found cheaper alternatives but I'm not really trying to spend less on individual items- just to buy less items in total. I've loved everything I've tried from Bumble so far so think think they will be quite a safe bet!

I'm trying to use up my sample sizes too- so far I have managed to use up 30 perfume samples by wearing a different one every day- and spraying them very liberally! . I've got 3 nice ones I like so going to save them and put them in my handbag for days when I forget to apply my perfume in the morning.

From now on I'm going to try samples when I get them rather than collecting them and ending up with a huge bag full which is what I have now! I always think 'that will come in handy for travelling, I'll save it', when in reality I hardly ever travel and when I do I think- 'that won't last for my whole stay', so end up taking full sized products anyway. Then I always keep the mini sizes in hotels too as I think 'i've paid for that and it might come in handy on my next trip", so yes- I have a BIG bag full of mini sized things! Also- I'm a sucker for a free gift with purchase, but rarely use the things you get! Must stop!

So you have a huge bag of samples..... So you bought more samples??! 😂😂😂

Im not sure if buying less items is working out!

I know!!! I do intend to use these ones though! I chose them, rather than them being freebies with purchase- honest...

Lol elspeth is right and I have in the past been guilty of same! No more! Sample and travel sizes make up a huge portion of my stash for the same reasons fresta. It’s interetjng the feeling the need to stick up before you run out as I’m the same. Then you don’t always check the stash before the next stock up and lo and behold that’s how we have 5 shower gels! Also the need to buy when something is on offer or to buy to get a free gift. Marketing departments must love us!! No more!!

I have used up a Boots Protect and Perfect Night Cream which I really like, fortunately I have another in the stash - only one though. I have not bought anything yet so have managed a month. I return to UK for a month in March and have a huge shopping list so will have to cull a little(lot) from there.

I also have a couple of shower gels on the go, plus a bar soap - only trouble with that is that they then last ages.

I finished a perfume yesterday - Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh. I usually use a different perfume every day but this one was nearly finished so I decided to keep using it until it was done.
I now have a Flowerbomb bottle in my handbag which is also nearly finished so I'll use the same approach with it.
I won't be buying anymore perfume though - I got five bottles for Christmas!

I think it'd very important to get to the stage where we're not so nervous about running out.

I mean realistically we all know when we're on our very last few dregs of something and most of us will be able to get to some supermarket or pharmacy within a few days.

If its a specialised product then it needs a bit more forward planning but I think we may be guilty of making it a bigger deal than it is and telling ourselves we can't dare run out even for a day.

Unless it's medication, realistically you can run out of a beauty or bathroom product for a couple of days and manage OK whilst waiting for delivery.

What is dangerous is the idea of "back ups". Put it this way, back in the 90s we never worried about back ups. The concept is a modern one, invented by social media and one communities and You Tube.

There's just no real need to have a back up in waiting if your current product is will take another month of use. Or more in the case of makeup! It's that nervousness and twitchiness that I'm trying to work on this year.

It's part of the consumer cycle - make 'em so anxious to run out of a product in case their whole damn face turns to shit that they never ever get close to running out.

This year I'm refusing to replace before the dregs. I'm also refusing to feel I neeeeeed to buy a specific product I can only buy on cult beauty or look fantastic etc which spurs the compulsion to repurchase waaaay in advance in case it takes ages arriving.

Fuck that. Nothing is that necessary.

So true Elsbeth

We are bombarded with this constantly.

Good post Elsbeth.

We have both spelt your name wrong!

I used up a sample of Clarins
Foundation, or half of it at least and then the cleaner threw it out; either way, it's gone . Also used up a bottle of shower gel.
And I had another spend, a NARS Orgasm blush, but that's an essential purchase; once it's delivered, I'll have everything I need for a make up bag that I can keep mostly at work.

That's my HG blusher! But I bought a jumbo one last year that's so big I will literally never run out. Been using it 5 days a week since and haven't hit pan.

I went browsing the other day and literally picked up and put down things several times, with these mad debates in my head about whether it fit into my no buy or not. Then I gave my head a wobble as I recognised the old familiar want/justify/regret cycle starting again. I left with nothing. It was a bit difficult tbh and I'll give shops a swerve for a while.

But am proud of myself.

Blusher - I have a nars orgasm from a calander not opened yet. I’m currently using a benefit tin with about 4 blushers plus a bronzer in it. I have about 6 other blushers, probably more, to get through. I’ll count tmw. I probably do not need to buy another blusher for about 5 years!! The benefit tin is about a year old and used daily and probably has another year in it!!

Went to Brighton. Bought nothing. Not tempted. Just walked and ate pizza.

I have that Benefit tin too. Nope, will never need to buy blusher again.

I brought a foundation yesterday as my every day one ran out. I do have others in my drawer but they aren't daytime suitable.......it was BOGOHP so I also got a pressed power as mine is running low......I figured I would buy one in the next few weeks anyway so that is saving money in the long run right......? Or have I just fallen for marketing again?

I went shopping with DD (she was after something from the Apple Store)

Tried on the boots in M&S that I was coveting . Felt really nice , comfy , will look good with my jeans . The one pair on the display looked a bit knocked about.
So, I came home and ordered online .

Ohh did I mention they are vegan boots ?
Job Done .

I'm doing a Low Spend , so no impulse buys.
Either something I look at online then buy IRL (like the top last week)
Or see instore and order later.

M&S had some gorgeous long sleeved incredibly soft tops but I wasn't keen on the colours .

My make up stash isn’t going down as I’ve realised I hardly ever wear it! I only wear if going out and haven’t been out much recently. So I probably wear make up once or twice a week.

My eye cream is almost gone so may need to buy one as I’m not sure I have one in my stash.

I’m going to start sorting out my clothes next week. I need a day to sort th airing cupboard which is a mess and once that is done and the spare bed clear of all the bedding etc that is currently on it I will have some space to do a good sort out.

I have found you again and am re-joining. Been very good, apart from finding my Holy Grail vintage dress. That is the only non-essential S&B purchase of the last few weeks!

Can I join, i am using up the remnants of a Body Shop shower gel from at least 15yrs back.....also, probably got two more days left of Escape perfume. Gave half a bottle of JPG to a friend as her car perfume. I never liked it but didn't want to waste it so was going to force myself to use it.

However, I am tempted to buy another hair serum as I don't want to waste my Moroccan oil....even though it's a big bottle plus I never really go anywhere nice these days so it's pretty full.

I'm pleased that I've stuck it out for a whole month and not been slightly tempted by anything. My downfall is clothes and footwear normally. It wasn't exactly difficult as I have lots of lovely items already.
I pared down my beauty products to the bare minimum a few years back and makeup I only replenish the bits I need to like mascara once or twice a year anyway. Blusher, eye palettes, lipgloss, bronzer, pencils last me a couple of years minimum.

Nooo Eesha use that Moroccan Oil! We're not keeping things for best anymore! You could be run over by a bus tomorrow!

@ElspethFlashman so true, I even have stopped using conditioner until special ocassion so now have giant bottle left!

eesha use the oil the conditioner and anything else you have - no saving for best!! Every day is a special occasion! We must use up our stuff! Reduce our stashes! Have less clutter!

@ElspethFlashman Nars Orgasm is also my holy grail blusher; the only other blushers I've bought in recent years have been supposed dupes for it, and they've never been as good. Well done on the shopping trip!