topic Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD in Beauty Confidential

2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:14:26 GMT

New Year, New Thread, cheers to Year 10 of the of the No/Low Buy Thread 🥂🥂

This thread was initially created by the amazing @lnum and this is how she described the purpose of this challenge:

This thread is a support system for all of us who are trying to maintain a budget and keep our beauty spending limited. Post here when you have a weak moment, post here to hold yourself accountable, post here when you just need someone to talk to, post here when you have advice for all of us, and post here when you make mistakes but also make gains! Many of us post here to keep track of our monthly purchases. Anything you need to say, we are all here for each other. There's no judgement here.

Feel free to share your goals, items that tempt you, missteps (we don't believe in failures), and any successes. Above all else, encourage and support one another.

Some 2016 insights from lnum:

Welcome to Year 3!

My motto for this thread is that I strongly believe, even on a budget, you can have the things you want that make you happy without feeling like you're limiting yourself.

This thread is a support system for all of us who are trying to maintain a budget and keep our beauty spending limited. Post here when you have a weak moment, post here to hold yourself accountable, post here when you just need someone to talk to, post here when you have advice for all of us, and post here when you make mistakes but also make gains! Many of us post here to keep track of our monthly purchases. Anything you need to say, we are all here for each other. There's no judgement here.

I am so excited to spend another year with you all. If it wasn't for the first two years of this thread, I would never have been able to cut down my beauty spending. My goal for this year is to maintain low spending on beauty, and cut down my clothing purchases. I will be funneling that money into traveling, which is what I have done in the past and it's a great goal that truly motivates me.

I'm still so proud of everyone for making it through 2015 and 2016, limiting ourselves in the beauty product area in order to improve our lives in other areas. We all did great and here's to another year of learning and saving!

Interested in Past Threads? Check here:

2015 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB-ROUGE/2015-The-No-Buy-Low-Buy-Budget-Buy-Accountability-and-Sup...

2016 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB/2016-The-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/t...

2017 https://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB/2017-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND-SUPPORT/m...

2018 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2018-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2019 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2019-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2020 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2020-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2021 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2021-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

2022/2023 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2022-amp-2023-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILITY-AND/td-p/6077816

Other Challenges/Threads that May Help You/Your Spending Goals

Pan It! - 2024 Challenge
Capsule Makeup Collection Challenge
What are you wearing today Pt2
Love At First Sample!!! 🥰
Makeup Challenge of the Week 2021/2022/2023/2024

*Feel free to PM me if there are additional challenges that should be added*

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

Mellmars1185 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 02:57:08 GMT

@ElleElleG Thank you for keeping this thread going. I was supposed to be on a low/no buy this year. I have made some purchases for Lunar New Year, some new releases and I have my cart going for the sale. A lot of the items in my cart are restocks, while a few are new items. The has been helping me shop my stash and realize how much makeup I have. My weakness is Lipstick but it is also starting to become Foundations and eyeshadow palettes.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:11:14 GMT

Tagging some past participants. Feel free to tag others who may be interested!!

@itsfi @AznAngelLiz @furbie @Mellmars1185 @danielledanielle @Margalee @faeriegirl @caitbird @lmaster @QueenMarceline @heartsmyface @Loretta55 @curlychiquita @WinglessOne @sardeanna @GeorginaBT @SportyGirly125 @Anonymous @newcarlee @Saradestin @ather @Guessgal @Samtian @AMK721 @Anonymous

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ather — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:18:46 GMT

@ElleElleG Thanks for the tag!!! I am definitely going on a low/no buy! I have been all year but I will allow myself to make purchases during the sale!!

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:22:44 GMT

LOL @Mellmars1185 you found this before I tagged you 🙃 Also thanks for highlighting that thread, I've added that to the OP.

Restocks can be so tricky. Like the temptation to add a bonus item or two 🤐. What times do you have your eye on and are you completely out of things or restocking more because a sale is on the horizon?

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

SportyGirly125 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:30:32 GMT

I have been on a low buy since October of last year because I don’t have a job at the moment. I also just finished cleaning my whole house last month so I know what I need and don’t. I have been trying to buy stuff that I really want or need. Most of the time I have been using my Rakuten cash back, points or Nordy notes and promo codes so I don’t pay full price.

I also have been putting stuff that I don’t use up for sale.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:41:21 GMT

Very welcome @ather ! Anything that you've been waiting to purchase on sale?

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:04:59 GMT

Hi @SportyGirly125 👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾! Cash back and other promos are a must! In your cleaning did you discover anything that you used to love? Or things that no longer grab your attention?

I definitely need to follow your lead and see what I have here! So many things w ere packed up from moving that I never unpacked 🫣

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

newcarlee — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:10:39 GMT

Thanks for the tag @ElleElleG. This year is the first in quite some time that I am no longer VIB, so last year’s low buy was a success. I just counted up the number of orders I placed in years’ past. I had 8 online orders in 2019, 11 in 2020, 9 in 2021, 10 in 2022 and only 6 in 2023. Not only did I place fewer orders last year, I also purchased fewer items per order. We’re already past 3 months into 2024 and I’ve only gotten the Sun Safety Kit so far. I’m definitely trying to use up what I had accumulated especially in 2020 and 2021 as I had subscribed then also to a beauty box. i just started to have more than I could use but and hence the low-buys for the past couple years. Keep up the good work everyone!

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

ElleElleG — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:16:17 GMT

So I need to recommit to my low buy .... after this coming sale. There are some base items that I need to replace like foundation, sunscreen, and makeup brush cleaner. I've also fallen out of love with how my makeup has been looking lately so I want to try to items that I've had in my loves for a long time (press/loose powders) and a newly released item that should help with oily-ness. My cart was at $500, more than I've spent at Sephora in YEARS. So far I've cut it down to $300. Pretty sure I'll only get 10% off for the sale so I plan to remove a few more items.

After this sale I'm planning to cut my "wants" spending down considerably so I can focus on other things. Will flush this out a little more in the next week or so.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

itsfi — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:39:22 GMT

Thanks for starting up the post @ElleElleG, and the tag! Tagging @missjeanie @makeitup305

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

SportyGirly125 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:46:39 GMT

@ElleElleG @I found a lot of bags and clothes I needed to start using and wearing. I cleaned out old skincare and makeup. Basically made more room but hopefully I won’t use that as an excuse to buy stuff I don’t need.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

makeitup305 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:49:54 GMT

@ElleElleG Rouge members can give out a code for 20% off to someone. If my friend doesn't want mine, I'll be happy to send you a link!

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

makeitup305 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:51:00 GMT

thanks for the tag! I was just thinking about the old thread today.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

makeitup305 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 05:12:21 GMT

Thanks for restarting the thread @ElleElleG . I'm trying to be better about purchases this year and using my stash. I was doing really well up until this month. It's hard when all the sales hit at once. I will say, I didn't pickup anything from Ulta despite the 20% off coupons and sales so I'm pretty happy about that. I've definitely bought some unnecessary items from other retailers, though. I'm giving myself a slight leeway during the sale but after that, I'm tightening my belt again. Right now my cart is sitting at like $500 but I'm definitely not spending that. I'm going to be cutthroat and pare it down to less than half that at the most. I have a $100 Rouge Reward that I'm hoping will help offset my spending during the sale.

To help with spending, I've got an Excel sheet with every palette or eyeshadow single I've used this year. I'm 3 months in and so far, it's definitely helped me reduce eyeshadow purchases. The has also helped me out, as I've been rotating stuff in and out and trying to incorporate a wider variety of products into my daily or weekly routine.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

WinglessOne — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:44 GMT

Thanks for the tag and thinking of me, @ElleElleG ! And for another year of this helpful thread!

I definitely need to be in low-buy mode this year, or at least low-OOP-buy mode. I tend to hoard Ulta points because they don’t expire, and racking ‘em up is easy since Ulta does so many multiplier events throughout the year. Point multipliers are the retailer mind trick that makes me spend OOP instead of use points/rewards. I need to stop buying for points and start using ‘em more frequently instead. 😅

Nordy Notes are easier to spend because they do expire, so I need no help there. And I never have more than 3000 Sephora points banked because I always use ‘em for Rouge Rewards instead of trying to get the bigger super elusive rewards. But Ulta points… I could—and should—restock many skin/haircare staples for $0 OOP all year long. Gotta stop letting point multipliers tempt me to spend money.

3 specific items I need to slow my roll on:

Lipstick - I remember the year I got my hoard under 300 and was thrilled. Now I’m far over that number. 🤦‍♀️ It doesn’t help that Poppy King’s making lipstick again… I’ll budget myself some “support the OG Lipstick Queen” allowance this year. Otherwise, I need to buy as few lipsticks as possible and get very serious about decluttering again.
Makeup brushes - if it’s not a shape/size that’s unique to my collection, then I have no business buying it. And instead of buying multiples of the same brush, I should just not be so dang lazy about washing brushes. 😂 I already don’t buy brushes I won’t actually use; I’m not a hands-off collector. But I have so many brushes, I rarely use ‘em all. That’s a problem.
Nail polish - I’ve always layered and manipulated different polishes for various effects. So rather than buy all the pretty sparkly things, I should think more about whether I can dupe a polish using 2 or 3 in my collection. That line of thought helped me a bit last year. Gotta carry it through this year.

I do plan to take advantage of Sephora’s spring sale. Hopefully I won’t do too much damage though.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

Mellmars1185 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 11:05:17 GMT

@ElleElleG Thanks for the tag!! The items that I am almost out of completely that I use all of the time are:

(i need a Waterproof mascara)

(this is new but I am looking for something to spray in my hair when it is dry and I am adding heat)

The items that are sitting in my cart because of the sale are:

Oh dear...more wants than needs here.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

lmaster — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 13:13:16 GMT

Thanks so much for the tag @ElleElleG 🙌 after this sale, I definitely will be laying low for awhile 🤞

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

AMK721 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:35:37 GMT

@ElleElleG thanks for the tag! I have a few things on my list for the sale, but after that, I'm definitely going on a no/low buy. Only going to buy essentials. I have found that not watching influencers on social media has really helped curb my spending.

Re: 2024 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

sistakimberk — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:02:43 GMT

I need this because I need to budget and stop trying every new skin care item!!!