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....

[INeedAWittyNameChange]

Finished up a Maria Nila conditioner today - won't be replacing for now as I have others to use up.
Admitted defeat and binned a Bobbi Brown powder - I found it when having a clear out but I don't know if it's too old as it's really messed up my skin. I already have a new Charlotte Tilbury one so no need to buy anything.

[Peridot1]

Lolaflores - can’t help about flower beauty as I’ve never of that. And I’m not googling in case I like it!

I switched to soap a couple of years ago. Now I have about 40 bars of soap to use! I don’t think I’ll need any for years! I buy a couple of bars when I’m away usually. I do much prefer it to shower gel though.

[Peridot1]

Never heard of it that should have read!

[sweetheart]

So today is quite a typical example of my impulse buying. Since before Christmas I have been hunting for some new gym gear - mine smells and needs replacing. The stuff I usually buy seems to have been discontinued and I am fussy about the style and price of my workout gear.

Today someone I follow on Instagram is at a launch for some new gym gear - I have found myself phoning round stores to see where it is stocked and trying to figure out if I have enough time for a dash to buy after work!

I do need it and I will try and get some because there is a genuine need that arose before I decided to stop impulse buying.......but my mentality worries me - that I have to have it NOW!

[Bellsandwhistle]

Funny I was thinking about new gym gear but have decided until I literally have none left I can step out the door in I will not replace. This is a good way of making me wear my least favourite tops. If I really hate them when on I will decide to bin or charity shop. Then when I am down to last say 2 tops and 2 bottoms I will look forward to choosing a nice new good quality gym outfit. I have decided I only need 2/3 tops amd bottoms. At present I have about 10/12 tops and 4/5 bottoms but id rather have less but that I love rather than more that’s just okay.

[papersmile]

I'm in. I have stopped buying shower gels and hand liquid soap and we now use bars (I'm trying to reduce plastic too). I alternate between bottle shampoo and bar shampoo. I have switched to a moon cup (is that a step too far?) so no longer buying sanitary products either.

I have a fair amount of bottles and jars to work through. I want to stop buying random bits and work out what I really like and just replace that.
I would also like to try to find cheaper alternatives, for example I have a bottle of the Superdrug version of Liz Earle cleanse and polish but I don't get on with it. I'm going to use it up though and then try something different. If I have to go back to LE then at least it will be a more mindful purchase.

[Thatsnotmybaby]

Thanks @Bellsandwhistle;that's exactly my plan .

[FiveShelties]

Yes, I am also on a replace only if needed, rather than wanted!

I wandered around the shops yesterday and bought nothing, felt a bit weird with no bags.

[ElspethFlashman]

I replaced cotton pads and dry shampoo today.

I feel incredibly positive about it all. Its hard to draw a line in the sand, but we simply have to live within our means this year and this is the area you can spend the most with the least reflection or awareness.

It makes you feel empowered actually, that's what I'm finding.

I'm not on a strict no buy with clothes but I'm finding it's trickling subliminally into that area too. It's hard to justify unnecessary purchases in one area when you're cutting them out in another.

[sweetheart]

Paper - if you are looking for a cheaper alternative for Liz Earle I use the Sanctuary hot cloth cleanser - have done for years - I really like it. My skin always breaks out if I stop using it.

[Sarcelle]

I get paid today. Normally I would start to order stuff I had my eye on or have a splurge in the shops but I went out and bought a deodorant, dental floss and cotton wool pads (in Wilkinson's, and I did a price comparison before I went out so no mindless browsing in Boots etc). And that's me for the month. I don't need any essential toiletries for the rest of the month.

The only thing I need to buy this month is food. I even have all the household stuff like washing powder etc.

Feel mentally lighter already. And I went to the building society and added to my savings so that I am not tempted to spend money.

[woodhill]

Yes I went to Wilko today and bought a few items like toothpaste.

Had a quick mooch around Debenhams and M&S but not impressed . All looked tired and tatty.

[woodhill]

However did look at Clarins promotion in Debenhams but do like theirs cleanser and have a e-card. Also would have liked Daisy perfume but have loads of perfume to use up

[mowglik]

I have sinned -clothes buying wise but am doing well with no spend beauty, I’ve bought a couple of toothpastes and beard oil for my DH but otherwise have stayed away from beauty counters and boots . Apart from replacing essentials I really don’t need any makeup or toiletries at all this year as I stocked up so well last year. Going to make a list of things that I’ve used up to keep me motivated

Sounds like everyone else is doing really well and feeling the mental benefits of not being locked into a buying cycle of buy, use couple of times, discard. Going to restart clothes low spend next month

[sweetheart]

Ok I failed - I brought the gym gear - which I needed and fully intended to get before xmas anyway.....but I did also buy a couple of other bits too (although I haven't decided if I am going to keep them yet - they may be returned after I try them on!)

Beauty wise I've brought deodorant (1 not 2 like usual), toothpaste and hairspray which were all run and and needed.

Now I have the gym gear though I am determined not to buy any more clothes!

[INeedAWittyNameChange]

Today is pay day for me and I went to the shops for the first time this week. I needed heat protector spray so went to Boots and got two for £6 (£5.50 each normally) and used my points so didn't actually spend any money. I did have a look at the beauty counters but didn't feel the urge to buy anything. Probably helps that my local shops are fairly rubbish!

[ElspethFlashman]

Well done everybody!

[Bellsandwhistle]

Well done everyone. I’m finding the beauty no spend okay so far and am building up resilience every time I exercise will power!!
However...,.i have sinned re clothes. I saw a fab skirt in hof window before Christmas and searched online for it to no avail and I opened a brand alley email and low and behold said skirt at half price. I resisted. A week later and another email and I cracked😫😫😫. There’s no defence. I have sinned. It is a dressy skirt and I can think of about 2 occasions in the next year when I will wear it. It’s lovely but I do not need it now. I actually can’t brlieve I have broke on 11 January! I do feel bad though so that’s good in a way!

[lolaflores]

I have not bought anything for 2 weeks.
No clothes. No nicey lovely bits of fluff of any description.
I feel most virtuous. All I have to do is make it through the weekend without going nuts inspite of myself.
I am having my hair done tomorrow. Does that count?
I will not abandon the hair dresser. It's like an emergency service for me.
Serious

[Sigh81]

Well, Bellsandwhistles it doesn't sound like it was an impulse purchase, as you searched for it so hard! And half price is difficult to argue with. How dressy is dressy? I have a midi sequin and lace skirt that I get a surprising amount of wear out of with a cream blouse or polo neck at the pub etc (my friends are used to seeing me overdress!)

[Sigh81]

So you may get more wear out of it than you think! And therefore it would be even more of a bargain.

[Fresta]

I have used up a supersize bottle of Decleor body lotion which has been on the go for about 3 years now. I might buy it again as I really liked it, but I have 6 other body butters and lotions in the cupboard which need using first- I'm going to try to make time to apply them every morning after my shower. I don't really enjoy using body lotion as a rule- just usually after a hot bath when I've shaved my legs or if I'm going out with bare legs, which is why they last so long and accumulate in the cupboard.

[ElspethFlashman]

You can always return the skirt if you are having second thoughts.

I ordered a pair of Fitflops in December. They're half a size too small and so I have to send them back. Unfortunately they don't have free returns and I'm raging at myself for not realising that and getting them from some other retailer. But at least with my No-spend I can afford to send them back. Otherwise it would be one more cost on top of an empty wallet!

But now I'm seriously considering not reordering the right size at all. They are very practical shoes but do I really really need them? I have several other pairs of practical shoes. They were meant to replace a pair that squeek and that I was going to dump, but I'm now wondering if a squeek is a dump able offence when the rest of the shoe is still fine.

The Fitflop shoes will still be online in 6 months time, perhaps I should hold fire and see how I feel about them then and instead enjoy the sight of the refund back in my account.

[Sarcelle]

Using up half used stuff. Do you pick one and use it religiously or do you use them up in a random way? I have loads of shampoos and body lotion.

[ElspethFlashman]

At the moment I'm whacking away determinedly at a body butter because I know I won't want to use it in Spring/Summer.

I tend to try to get rid of the bottles. I try to decant things together so it's one less bottle.