Hey all! For the last few years the lovely @lnum has hosted this thread to help us stay motivated on our no-buys and low-buys. In an effort to keep her work alive, here is the 2018 edition.
The purpose of this thread (from lnum):
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.
Here's the OP from 2017 as well as the link for those interested:
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!
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
The first real test of my high end no buy. I’ve been waiting for the UD metal palette to go on sale for $27, but was hoping that sale would happen in February. I’m on a palette no buy for January, now I think I might miss the best UD palette of the year. Pump the brakes. Bummer.
Well, if I miss it, maybe something better will come along. I’m wanting a good duochrome palette. Who am I kidding I’ll probably cave 😔
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
"Would I pay full price for this?" just saved me from: a Korres Japanese Rose duo.
I'm sure it's nice, but I'm only tempted because I just used up a mini of Moroccanoil souffle... I need to buy a full size of *that*, not get a lotion that comes with a shower gel I won't even get to for six months.
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
Korres shower gels are always around 10-12 bucks on feel unique + free shipping and no sales tax. They are nice tho, lather really well.
And the body butters are 17 bucks or so. So technically, with 20% off of $110 purchase that's their permanent offer, you can get a duo at the same price at any time.
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
The sale price is good and all, I just need to practice letting myself go ahead and buy a full-size of a thing I know I love, instead of spending the same on two or three experiments I may or may not like as much. I was mostly interested in trying the lotion because sale... I'm awash in soaps as it is.
2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
Cross-posting this photo from the collections thread, but really it's mostly for this thread. I keep all my PM skincare and sheet masks next to my bed now, plus all the related samples and minis I've been accumulating.
Being able to see what I have at a glance while I'm browsing the Sephora app or watching YouTube videos makes it easier to decide whether a certain promo or Favorites kit is worth getting (spoiler: usually no), and being able to "shop the stash" so easily is satisfying my need for novelty.
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
@fieldsofclover Very clever idea! I always have my samples and back ups hidden away so I end up forgeting what I have and what I need. You have a really great collection of skincare products too!
ughhhh i wish i could do this. My work samples take over...
ughhhh i wish i could do this. My work samples take over my house 😭😭😭 I live, eat, breathe haircare. All MY products get jammed in places i forget then i end up repurchasing bc i forget that A-HA its hidden in a closet/under a bed/in a kitchen cabinent somewhere lol @fieldsofclover
Re: ughhhh i wish i could do this. My work samples take over...
Try cult beauty, shippings free and works out cheaper in the end! Also, the 'I'm free Honey Mask' is amazing. They sell through Amazon, I got in because I could not find the Farmacy mask and its great. @GG84
Re: ughhhh i wish i could do this. My work samples take over...
@GG84 Work-related samples are a whole other universe, for reals. I constantly re-buy stuff like rollerball pens and alcohol markers, and my office has scary piles of magazine proofs and paper samples... after one cleaning binge I had an entire desk drawer just of post-its once I got them all together in one place.
If I ever cleaned my entire apartment all at once it would just be a really nice art supply store when I was done.
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
Looking good! I've also found, keeping my nighttime skincare and some samples next to my bed really helpful in actually doing my routine @fieldsofclover!!
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
I have a stash of unopened stuff on my vanity. It helps a bit. E.g. I really want a Tata Harper clarifying cleanser and a Tatcha cleansing oil, but I have 2 opened and 1 unopened cleansing balms, 2 opened and 1 unopened cleansing oils, 3 opened and 1 unopened morning cleansers. How many cleansers does one girl need?!
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
I am addicted to hauling beauty boxes and sets that offer a huge discount on all items since I a) love a good deal and b) love trying new skincare. The problem is that I have enough skin care to last me all year and my skin is quite sensitive so my experiments usually don't end well 😞
This month I caved in and bought a 6 month sub for the Detox Box, since its just 1-2 items per month from green brands I'm actually curious about.
Currently agonizing over a couple Barneys Beauty Boxes in the $400-$450 range (the problem is that I absolutely hate the perfume in one of them and can't test the 3 perfumes in the other one - they are not available in my area, and these are the high ticket items there) and the Indie Beauty Expo box which is about $150. Objectively, don't need any of this stuff, but getting a bunch of green and high end stuff at 60-75% off is so tempting.
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
If you aren't using a lot of stuff are you really saving 60% @fantaji? Maybe try enjoying the Detox box for a few months, put the money aside and build yourself a box of products you know you'd LOVE!!
Re: 2018 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD
You are so right, if I put together a "box" consisting of a perfume ($140), a cleanser ($50-70), a toner ($50), a moisturizer ($50-100), a mask ($50-70) and a lip balm ($30) that I actually want, it will probably cost me the same 400-450 bucks and I won't be stuck with a dozen of products that I will force myself to use while neglecting the products I actually love.
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