Join me in a beauty product buying ban or come and give me moral support!

[listsandbudgets]

I can't do this alone folks. I've got TOO MUCH STUFF... I also have 2 beauty advent calendars

So I've set myself a challenge. Between now and June the 1st 2024 I will not buy any beauty products UNLESS I've run out of all of that particular type. If I've got a tiny sample bottle of shampoo or conditioner I'll use it all up. All those half used bottles of moisturiser, night cream, shower gel and toner and body lotion MUST GO... the mountain of soap must be surmounted.

My only concession is that I will not cancel the Liberty Beauty drop will get a couple of boxes to cheer me up

So if you want to join me make up your own rules and lets cull that stash

@TheChosenTwo thank you. Following that feedback I’ll definitely save my money and hide the ads!

This week I have resisted -

The new Rituals Sakura Spring Box. I want it. I have a gift voucher for the shop. But, the free gift has ended now…

The Boots Easter Box. It’s so cute! They might flog it off after Easter, it’s in an Egg shaped box.

I’m a sucker for Advent Calendar etc… Hoping the M&S Summer Box is the same old, so I can finally say no!

The gift voucher is for a department store, meaning I should use it to buy something sensible, like a raincoat or a Kenwood Chef…

I've been good - no beauty purchases during March 😇

Tbh, I haven't found it difficult. I haven't even looked at anything as there is nothing that I need, and I don't think that I will need anything for a good few months yet. Still tons of stuff to use up!

I had a Stylevana voucher about to expire. It would have been criminal to let it go to waste. Of course the products I bought with it would have been lonely so I had to order concealer to replace the congealed mess I tried to use last week…. And some lip balm….. And some serum… sigh.

Been tied up with work lately plus school holidays and various other matters.

As for my stashes I've managed to review where I am. So far this year I've used 34 items up and maybe another half dozen are close to being finished. I didn't count stuff last year so not exactly sure what I've used since I started my buying ban.

Coming IN to my stash as from the start of November 1 beauty drop box with 5 items. 10 items at Christmas (box of 6 Nivea products, 3 Neals Yard bubble baths and one small molton brown shower gel) one sample of Jo Malone Perfume and 2 bottles of conditioner and one of shampoo - so 18 in over all which is a huge improvement on how it's been in the past especially as I only went out and actively bought the conditioners and shampoo. There were the advent calenders but I'm not counting those as I bought them well before November.

Over all I'm a net 16 items down - not great given it's been 5 months but at least I've got slightly less stuff!!

That said expecting another beauty drop in the near future which will bring net down to 10 or 11 depending on number of items.... it's not very impressive really!

I have added things too @listsandbudgets. And am expecting next Beauty drop too. But am then going to cancel so at least they won’t be adding more to my stash!

I bought a lipstick and an eye shadow yesterday. But resisted anything else in Space NK which I was pleased about.

I also went through my lipsticks and tried them all and chucked any I didn’t like for any reason.

Am planning on doing the same with eye shadows and foundations.

I'm very proud to have resisted the current Boots Skincare Edit. It's really good value and I would enjoy everything in it other than the Dove tanning, which dd would have taken.

I have, however, bought some K beauty stuff from Yes Style. My dm wanted me to order some stuff for her so I took the opportunity to get some more hyaluronic acid and vitamin c.

Overall though the stash is reducing. I measure the stash by what is unopened rather than what I have used up. So not counting make-up (I can make my own rules up), I have 90 items. i also don't count deodorants, shampoo, conditioners, soap. I'm not sure of the logic on soap as I do count shower gels😀Maybe I should add soap. Although it would have a serious impact on the stash as I have enough soap to see me out.

I am finding it hard to resist beauty edits - but so far so good. The last Liberty one nearly made me crack as liked everything in it.

I have to admit I don't know how many things I've actually got in my stash - I'm a bit worried that counting up may be quite an eye opening (and lengthy) experience

I have quite a large soap stash too @OchonAgusOchonOh. And a few shower gels. And a few shampoos, conditioners and various hair masks. I am trying to use them up and not add to the stash. Also have lots of body lotions. Slowly working my way through it all.

I don't have a lot of shower gels. Mainly because I don't use them.

Shampoo and conditioner doesn't count as they're hygiene. Plus I don't buy fancy ones. I just buy a few on 2 for 1 when I'm running low.

I've started using the hair masks as conditioners as I just don't have the patience to leave in for the ages in the instructions.

I don’t buy shower gels either @OchonAgusOchonOh so no idea why I have them! I switched to soap and went mad buying that for a while.

Shampoo and conditioner I do buy expensive ones at times. Masks etc are mainly from advent calendars and beauty boxes etc.

I'm at my mums so smaller stash here... just counted 55 items... how on earth has it got to that?? OMG... a few fairly close to the end but quite a lot not even opened 10 of them were the ones that I got for Christmas but the rest have simply accumalated almost without me noticing!!

Some of them are samples but even so. I don't think I can bring myself to count the ones at home when I return tomorrow..

@OchonAgusOchonOh I have to measure by what's finished or I'd just keep opening stuff to mentally reduce the number

😆

I know I'm late to the party but can I join? I have so much stuff and I keep buying more as little treats to myself🤦‍♀️ I really need to stop.
The other week I bought shampoo from Space Nk and treated myself to a Jo Malone discovery set as well. Today I got perfume from Next- I don't need anymore perfume, I have enough to last me forever.

I had set myself a target of using 100 products this year, so far I've used 20, I don't think I will reach 100 but will try.

I'm going to try and do a no buy until December unless I really need something and have no others in my stash. I will continue my liberty beauty drop as I'm saving my credit for the AC and then I might cancel it.

I actually find it really stressful to have so much to get through. I’m not enjoying using it either on the whole. When I finally get to the end I will go back to buying what I know works for my skin. I wish I’d never been seduced by advent calendars etc.

I have just made a purchase. The Cult Beauty Sun Edit. I got last year’s version and liked it. £40 for quite a few sun screens. Plus a few extra bits I could do without but I figure you can never have too much sunscreen!

I totally agree. Advent calendars and beauty boxes too in my case. I have sold some things on Vinted that I know I will never use but even so there is way too much left. I’m not convinced there has been any benefit to my face from using these products either and I don’t like most of the perfumes. The bath and body products I do enjoy though, but on the whole I can’t wait to use the whole lot up and go back to buying Clarins.

Yeah beauty boxes are my nemesis. The problem is a lot of them are such good value that you end up buying them for 1 or 2 items which is cheaper than buying individually but end up with another 5 or so which you don’t want/need. Ditto the advent calendars but at a larger scale. I am really making an effort to give away or sell anything I won’t use. I am determined to have neat shelves with one product in use one in reserve and nothing else by Xmas.
So far I am at 24 items used up at this quarter year point so I am hopeful for 100 in the year

Just seen your post @Peridot1 that box does look good. I don’t count sunscreen in my beauty stash as it is used by all the family so I might be able to justify that box . Off to have a proper look

@Minnie123456 Welcome - you're not at all late to the party as in all honesty I think I' going to have to extend my ban at least until the end of July maybe longer although I do like advent calendars will will be buying those at some point so I can go back to square 1! However I do like experimenting with new products - so kits are my downfall as well. Like you, I'm aiming for 100 finished but not sure if I'll manage it.

Even if I don't extend the full ban I've decided to buy no more shower gels, perfumes or soaps unless they're in a kit of some sort until the end of this year. I may even have enough soap to last until I'm 60 plus (and I only 48)

@listsandbudgets A mere 12 years' worth of soap? You're a total amateur. If there is ever an apocalypse, I really hope soap is in demand.

And what's worse (or better) is that people give me presents of nice soap now as they know I like it.

Yes beauty boxes and ACs meant ending up with products that I didn't need.

I am doing quite well with my products

I did buy a soap today but I use soaps every day and they make drawers smell lovely in the meantime