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Original poster

No spend beauty 2019

600 replies

Bellsandwhistle · 26/12/2018 21:02

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....

OP posts:
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Original poster
Bellsandwhistle · 02/04/2019 12:30

Well I’ve made some progress but still a long way to go! Had a few days away so that disposed of travel shampoo and conditioner plus shower gel. Also a sachet of hair serum which was perfect for a few days use. Also used a gifted body lotion I didn’t really like by applying religiously every morning. A hand cream used up by applying every night in bed. Three travel size cleansers gone by using morning and night. Oh and a dr sebagh serum used by applying every day not saving for going out days! So point is you can make a real dent by daily application!
Also did not bring home hotel toiletries for first time as that’s just replacing stash!!

OP posts:
Sarcelle · 02/04/2019 14:46

Your skin must be like silk now!

Original poster
Bellsandwhistle · 02/04/2019 18:43

Lol I wish!
Need to get using face masks now as have a ridiculous number to get through and I rarely buy them. All minis from boxes etc mostly.

OP posts:
ElspethFlashman · 02/04/2019 20:14

Yes the secret is definitely to pick something and bash away at it.

I finished a micellar water and replaced it with my usual Garnier one. On special offer! There were so many things on special offer in that chemist, omg. I was literally reaching out for a hand cream and snatched my hand back, lol.

I finished a taupe shimmery eyeshadow. That's two this year finished, though of course I had major dents in them at the start of the year. But crucially I hadn't hit pan on either of them on New Year's and here they are, binned.

I actually don't have a replacement for the taupe shimmer but I'm forcing myself to instead use other shadows I own that are not quite the right shade. One too light and one too dark that I'm mixing together with a fluffy brush each morning. We'll see how it goes. I have to keep reminding myself that the object is not only to stick to Replacing Items Only, but also to actively drive down what else I own. So I'm trying to be imaginative.

Peridot1 · 05/04/2019 10:32

I don’t seem to be getting very far but I’m not buying more which is good.

Used a little pot of an Algenist moisturiser that i found lurking. I obviously hadn’t been keen on it when I opened it. It’s finished now as there was literally one day’s worth left. I’m using a Temple Spa calming skin balm up by using on chest area.

I don’t wear make up every day so that will be a slow process. Have a foundation almost finished but have 3 waiting in the wings.

tinyradish · 05/04/2019 11:25

Finished a Tropic cleanser so will have to order another one today. I have a S&G cleanser that I do like but cant use it every day - morning and night - as my skin needs something more nourishing & i have nothing else to use! Could've done with not having to spend out for that right now but they do last for months.

LHMB · 05/04/2019 13:54

I'm running out of my cream cleanser, was thinking of trying a S&G one, are they any good? Reviews are quite good for them

Sarcelle · 05/04/2019 15:40

Slow going for me too. I have a stockpile cupboard in my kitchen. We are having a refit so I have emptied into a suitcase, which is now full and under the bed! That's without the huge bathroom cabinet and shelves, and a drawer of make up.I actually think I never need to buy most things ever again apart from the one offs which I have no replacement for. Seem to have a lot of shampoo and conditioner....

I am going to make a concerted effort to apply hand creams, body lotion and the like several times a day to get rid of the stuff. If at the end of the year I still have a gadzillion things I am going to try and give stuff away or throw away. I want a clean slate. I never want all this suffocating stuff around me ever again.

At least I can say apart from deodorant and dental stuff I have not bought anything since New Year. I did buy 4 pairs of cropped trousers for Spring which were recommended on another thread, but these were needed as my old ones were dispensed at the end of summer last year. I don't need to buy anything else for summer though.

LHMB · 05/04/2019 16:39

Finished a blow dry smoothing lotion, thank god, been trying to get through that for ages

ElspethFlashman · 06/04/2019 10:18

I finished a foundation! Hallelujah! Praise Be!

I really worked on it since the start of the year as it was only OK and I wanted to stop looking at it. It was about three quarters full at New Year.

Now I am down to 2.5 foundations. I'm going to get rid of the one that's only half full even though its not that long lasting for work. I'm going to finish it by summer, and then I'll be down to 2 full ones I actually do really like.

My aim of course is to only have one, but doubt I'll achieve that this year. In 2020 though I'll definitely get there!

I also had to replace my Brow pencil. I bought the NYX powder pencil Sali Hughes was on about but I'm on the fence about it, seems a bit dark even though its the blond shade. I'll have to be careful with it I think.

Also had to replace my soap. Went into TK Maxx and was assaulted by a treasure trove of multipacks of amazing soap. I had a 3 pack of Nesti Dante (or Nasty Dent as it's known on MN) but I thought WTF am I doing? How long will it take me to use 3 soaps??! So I put it down and bought ONE soap instead. The cashier said "Is that all?" and I was quite proud of myself to say yes.

Peridot1 · 06/04/2019 14:42

Elspeth you do not want to know how many soaps I have! I don’t think I will ever need to buy soap again. Well done on your TK Maxx restraint!

I finished a pot of hair mask this morning. Have another to replace it.

I’m trying to use up a pot of a S&G body butter so am making sure to use it at least twice a week. Am about a third of the way through.

LHMB · 06/04/2019 20:54

Have bought some dry shampoo cos I'm completely out and a pack of 4 disposable razors cos my last one is almost blunt, plus a box of Perfectil supplements, ran out of them a couple of days ago, this is my third box, not sure if they're actually making any difference yet though

moimichme · 06/04/2019 22:46

I am in theory doing well here, not bought anything that wasn't a replacement/needed since the beginning of the year. But I did go to Boots today for a first aid kit and was really tempted by various pretty things i didn't need and wouldn't have even considered buying before seeing them. I held my nerve but felt like it took some serious willpower. Are the marketers really that convincing, or could I be trying to engage in a self-care version of retail therapy? I've been so busy lately and putting off a haircut for months...maybe that would make me feel good, without breaking my rules and bringing more crap into the house?

Sarcelle · 07/04/2019 05:14

I think the longer you go without buying stuff the easier it gets. It becomes a habit like the habit you may have had shopping all the time.

I subscribe to 3 magazines (used to be more than thatConfused) and I realise that even reading these I see a beauty item and I look up some wonder product featured and after a few seconds I realise I have absolutely no interest in it. This is completely opposite to how I behaved before. I would have added it to a wish list, researched the best price, ordered it online, eagerly awaited it, used it a couple of times and then set it aside for the next thing.

When the subscriptions end I am cancelling the magazines. They are part of my "old" consumerist lifestyle and the editorial is often disguised paid for advertising and need to go too. I have so much money left over at the end of the month now. It is so indicative of where my money used to go.

ElspethFlashman · 07/04/2019 08:15

I got my hair cut, it definitely scratched the "Treat Yo'self" itch.

For me, I'm still buying clothes - but I won't buy anything if I have a vaguely similar item, so there have been a lot of clothes I've passed on because something I already have will do the same job. All I've bought is stuff I don't have at all but I've still bought about 5 items this year.

So I don't feel too deprived really. Definitely get that hair cut!

Peridot1 · 07/04/2019 09:30

I think just being aware has made a big difference to me. My bathroom is still full of bottles and my dressing table full of make up. I don’t need any more of most. There will still however be some stuff I need to replace - am almost out of serum so will buy a new one. Just doing that is scratching the buying itch.

I bought some clothes this week. A nice black t-shirt and a white cotton casual top and some jeans from M&S and a sage green linen cardigan from Monsoon. I do have lots of jeans but only skinny ones (although I’m far from skinny) and wanted some boyfriend ones. Am in the hunt from some casual shoes or white trainers and that’s me done for a bit I think.

I’m about to do a huge clearout of my wardrobe and want to end up with a decent capsule wardrobe.

I’m def not spending as much money as I used to. And I’m slowly getting through my product stash.

Gettingnowhere · 07/04/2019 09:32

I've stuck all my left-over soaps and deodorant sticks together and made them into an igloo. I'm living off grid

FiveShelties · 07/04/2019 09:54

I have just returned home after a month in UK, I was quite restrained but still managed to return with a suitcase full of more stuff! I bought new trainers, jeans, jumpers, jacket and various cosmetics. All absolutely essential of courseGrin. Things are much cheaper in UK so obviously I saved more than I spent - honestly.

So back on the no spend road again now. Have run out of coathangers and the drawers are full of clothes. The bathroom and various other cupboards are overflowing with cosmetics. Stupid really.

Sarcelle · 07/04/2019 13:19

Just finished ELF setting spray. I really like it, it makes a difference to the staying power of make up but have a Make Up Revolution one to use up.

I really like to go au naturelle on Sundays but stuck on the make up. Its my penance for having so much stuff in the first place.

woodhill · 07/04/2019 16:40

I bought some cotton tops from JL in the sale. They are neutral colours and good for work,I will probably chuck some older ones out.

moimichme · 09/04/2019 09:02

Okay, I will book a much needed haircut. Either a big chop to bob length or else just a few inches off. My hair grows very fast at least, so realistically either decision will mean I can put it up this summer if it ever gets hot outside. Grin

Maybe today I will finally manage to take 2 big charity bags (mostly mine and ds's clothes) to Age UK, too. I'm not at capsule level but it's nice to see what I have more clearly and wear the stuff I like more often.

Sarcelle · 09/04/2019 10:10

Finished Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask and Superdrug Vit E Facial Oil. Will not be buying the mask again, it's a good product but I rarely used, and it smelt a bit funky when I used it up! Moving onto a Darphin Camomile facial oil as a replacement for the Vit E one.

I had a lot of samples (decanted pots) purchased from Ebay when I wanted to try a shade of high end foundation. None of them were right but kept in case of overnight travel, but I kept toppling them over in my cabinet. Binned. And won't be doing that buying samples malarkey again either. I used to spend a lot of £ doing that.

ElspethFlashman · 09/04/2019 10:49

Finished a L'Oréal setting spray. Ashamed to say I had one already, bought in a 2 for 1 last year.

It's pretty good for the price (as long as you shake it well, but that's the same with all setting sprays). But have realised I don't really need one if I have a long wearing foundation. But fortuitously, the foundation I'm working on at the moment is not long wearing, so it is serving a purpose right now.

But longer term I don't want to be "having" to use a setting spray. It's just extra money.

Peridot1 · 09/04/2019 16:44

I finished a lipstick today. Still have about 37 to go though.........

Thought I might need a new serum as the one I’m using hasn’t much left. Well probably a quarter of the bottle if I’m honest. But I then remembered I have a Vichy one - the Mineral 89 one - so will use that first. The one I’m using is a retinol one though. Might get a retinol one for night time.

I went looking for a basic moisturiser with SPF 30 today. I go out walking in the mornings and wanted an spf moisturiser to avoid having to use two products. Was browsing in Boots and the one of the Clinique assistants asked if I needed help. She tried to sell me Cityblock. She gave me a small sample pot. All very well but then told me I would probably still need a moisturiser! Even though I said I just wanted one product. Anyway - nipped into a Superdrug and got a Simple one.

LHMB · 09/04/2019 19:03

Bought a hot cloth cleanser today as almost out. Bought a 4 pack of Dove bars, only got one left. Also bought a pot of the new Dove body scrub, justified it as I haven't got any body scrub at all.

Was tempted by some foundation but have 4 to use up yet, 3 unopened. Also thought about getting some make up sponges but already have 3 mini ones I can use up first