De-influencing thread - reasons why NOT to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Like quite a few people on here I have been trying to reduce or eliminate buying new clothes or beauty treats in 2026. For the most part I've failed miserably but I'm going to keep trying. One thing that helps me greatly is being de-influenced from a purchase. Unfortunately I'm very easily influenced by advertisements but my saving grace is that I can be easily dissuaded from buying things also.

Recently two lovely posters (@Johanna and @Cortietat ) managed to stop me from buying overpriced Sweaty Betty pilates socks and a potentially somewhat wonky Eribé fair isle cardigan respectively by telling me what wasn't so great about these items. I'm so appreciative as this has saved me heaps of money. So I was wondering whether anyone else has anything they'd liked to be talked out of purchasing?

The idea is to post something on this thread that you're considering buying despite trying to save money via a no buy or low buy commitment or simply because you're not sure about a purchase. Other posters respond to say why you shouldn't buy. If anyone thinks what you're considering getting is the best thing since sliced bread and you should definitely proceed they keep quiet about it please as this isn't the thread for that.

So...is anyone in?

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

https://www.disturbia.co.uk/products/althea-pin-detail-cape?

https://www.hollandcooper.com/products/the-classic-cape-camel?variant=41583159083204 (other end of the £££ spectrum perhaps!)

The second one is lovely in black. Sits on credit card!

Are those lipsticks which claim to adapt to your PH balance and suit everybody any good? Facebook keeps urging me to buy one. Only about £17 but I don’t want to waste that on rubbish.

@SlothSpiritAnimal it’s gold plated and massively overpriced. If you really must have something similar you could get a real gold one with unique charms from a second hand dealer. It would hold its value and you’ll never see one the same.

In my very humble opinion you’re the most fashionable Mumsnetter.

No to the cape. Put it back, walk away.

Ole 🐂

Ha ha ha That is very kind of you and absolutely not true!

I don’t mean a poncho- I mean a chic cape coat. Then again, I’m not at all chic so it probably wouldn’t look any better than a poncho anyway!

Allsaints Lunis?

Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate and were used as laxatives for years

Isn't vegan leather another word for plastic

Please help me! A p-volve fitness system kit thing. Including some equipment for home workouts. Currently on mat leave and can’t go to gym! And it’s apparently very good for diastis recti (which I have), post partum mum’s and peri menopausal women… (I’m 41). PLUS the equipment is going to take up minimal space in a tiny house. It’s expensive tho.

There’s no way a random colour that’s a result of the ph level of your skin is guaranteed to suit you. Skin ph doesn’t work that way!! It’ll end up random and you’ll regret throwing money down the drain. Go to a makeup counter and ask them if you really need a lipstick.

Thank you! I love Cera Ve..

Also thank you to the folks who have given hoover advice, much appreciated.

What does this equipment consist of?. It seems like a big claim to help post partum women and peri menopausal women? Or are they just easy groups to market to, currently?
Think what you miss from the gym and how you can exercise effectively.

I’ve had this, made my nails a horrible colour and went gloopy really fast. Hope that helps!!!

I bought a fabulous cape from Zara from Vinted. £8. Brown, gorgous. Lemme see if I can find another the same…

@ByGreenBiscuit
Thanks for your advice. I will manage without that lipstick imitator and try to use up the real ones I already have.

Yes, this Vera.

Thank you, that's it out of my basket.
I love Belvoir but thought this would be better/different.

I recently bought this, and was super disappointed, I may as well have stuck with my less than £5 clear nail varnish bought from the supermarket. It didn't make my nails look even close to what I was expecting!

I've had a couple and they've given me hideous bright pink lips - and if you don't like the colour you can't wash it off, it stays all day!

I was looking at that earlier- beautiful but out of stock and I can’t justify it even if in stock.

For anyone tempted by the seaweed shampoo; Faith in Nature do a detoxifying seaweed and citrus which has done wonders for my oily itchy scalp and is much cheaper!

If anyone has tried the Gimber one, I’d be interested to know what that’s like? No vinegar listed in the ingredients phew. But it’s another in the north-of-£25 for a bottle of cordial that may well be no better than the £4 one!

A while ago I learned about the Diderot Effect - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diderot_effect The PP who wanted to buy the posh dressing gown reminded me :) Do you think this is true?

Brilliant that the original Diderot was enslaved to a dressing gown!

First I've heard of him, but I am painfully hauling myself out of a ridiculous clothing-related spiral, where I buy one thing because it's 'perfect' and then keep buying the shoes, bag, top/bottom, even coat, that will go perfectly with it.

That said, I recently found a family photo from the late '80s in which I'm wearing a whole outfit I built like this - it started with a hat and ended up being everything, including my jewellery, makeup and a new hairstyle.
It looks bloody brilliant.