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From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations
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Complete your beauty traits for personalized recommendations
Payments, contact info, addresses and password
View activity, savings and benefits
Redeem items, samples and more
View and track online orders
Reorder it from in-store and online purchases
View saved products
Recommendations from your store visits
Manage your services, classes and events
Complete your beauty traits for personalized recommendations
Payments, contact info, addresses and password
Ask questions, join challenges, and get recommendations from people like you
Discover topics tailored to your beauty interests
Add your photos and get inspired by fellow beauty lovers
From makeovers to personalized skincare consultations
Get inspired, play with products & learn new skills
Exciting launches, parties & more
Explore what's hot in your store
Hello, hello! Welcome to Year 6 of the No/Low Buy Thread.
*Many thanks to all who have participated over the last few years. While I don't
post often I do read the notifications sent to my email and I cannot say it enough,
You all are truly amazing! Thank you for your dedication and support!!
For reference here's the purpose of this thread (from Thread Originator, @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.
A note from lnum (2016):
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 http://community.sephora.com/t5/VIB-ROUGE/2015-The-No-Buy-Low-Buy-Budget-Buy-Accountability-and-Supp...
2019 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2019-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...
Challenges to Help You Use Your Stash:
No buy, low buy 2020 goals
Makeup
Skincare
Hair
If I've missed anything obvious, let me know. I want to have my list as complete as possible so I (and you all) hold myself/me accountable.
@ShortErica Since I almost copy-pasted your categories 🙂 , realized ... Do you not use actives (Vit C, BHA etc.) or counted those as serums or did I miss those in your list? Also make-up setting spray and eyebrow products in your make-up.
@naturalooks15 I really haven't got into actives. There is a combination of AHA/BHA I believe in the GLAMGLOW - SUPERTONER™ Exfoliating Acid Solution Toner. I'm using The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid* 2% Emulsion 1 oz/ 30 mL @keana1 sent to me. Other than that I can't think of anything. A few products like primers/moisturizers have some vitamin C but I don't have a dedicated product for it. I have a handful of setting sprays which I will try to use (don't use them too often) so I'm not tempted to buy and will be down to one eyebrow product once I declutter/let the ones I have rightfully see a trash can vs. holding onto them. I probably missed a lot in the eye makeup category since I just do mascara and not eyeshadow and eyeliner. And yes, more steps in skincare too.
@ShortErica Awesome list and details.
I did the inventory in last week of Dec. few activities pending. Need to complete those and post the details here so I can be accountable.
Yay! I look forward to seeing your inventory @naturalooks15. Luckily I'm not a cat or curiosity would kill me. 😉
@ShortErica Few tips I’ve Been using to help go through products while on my empties journey..
@cianni Thanks so much for your tips! I'll be curious about what oil cleansers work for you. Typically they do a good job with my standard makeup but when I wear tinted sunscreen, they just don't cut it. And I'd prefer not having to go over and over my face with micellar water. I wish I was more gentle with my skin. I really enjoy Vichy Mineral 89. I have The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Hydrating Face Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL to try and see if it's a cheaper option for my routine. But yes, let me know about the ordinary one!
2019 triumphs ⏩ I took longer to rerouge and rediamond, stuck to my low buy for 7 months of the year, took a vaca, been saving for a new car and continue to save money in my retirements oh and bought a house I really almost forgot🤩. I maintained an inventory of all my products (except lips and nails which I plan to do by the end of the weekend/my vacation). I consulted my inventory via google doc when out shopping, I was planful in most shopping trips and set boundaries w myself around GWPs/coupons to remind myself there’s always a sale and I literally cannot have everything I already have a lot to use/wear lol.
2019 challenges ⏹ In august I bought my feelings by October I was feeling better but habit set in. And then it was holiday everything and I was here for it and I’ve got the inventory chore to remind my self of that fun and also how it feels like a chore and less fun after all. Although helpful to remind me moving forward of how I may feel about my treasures when I acquire to many too quickly or outside of budget. I also found that staying off shopping sites during the day helped me not be as tempted if I know somethings coming up from my evening bic peruse cool, if not okayyy I guess lol.
2020 goals⏯ I will stick to my financial plan that is currently written up through March, it has room for recreational spending but very limited although I will get a Valentine’s Day gift or 2 in feb and my bday is in March so I can see some light🤑💄. I just posted my panning projects so I will use my products regularly because it really does bring me joy to use them, smell them, look at them arranged pretty lol. I hope to provide myself with all the self love and care in 2020 mind & body. Here’s to a 2020 journey 👀🍾🥳🥰
@SAlyFitz, Congrats on 2019 and I love the google docs inventory sheet idea. I too have an inventory list but not such that I can check it when or as I’m shopping. Cool idea.
Thanks! Tracking is so helpful in general!
Congrats on your 2019 triumphs @SAlyFitz and go get it in 2020!
Thanks you too!
No. More. Buying eyeshadow palettes in 2020 except for this one planned palette this year. Oh man, I hope the releases won't be tempting.
@RNGesusPlsI am on this plan too, I'm allowing myself 1 palette but only because I know the indecision and FOMO for what *might* come out will help keep me at bay for most of the year 🙃
What helped me in 2019 was -
1. finding low cost items I liked in a category to replace the high cost items (e.g. Squalane oil from Indie Lee, TO rather than Drunk Elephant Marula; K-beauty Essence so I use B-Hydra now once a day rather than twice a day and cost of those is 1/3 of B-Hydra). I felt this way I didn’t feel too restricted and also got actually better results.
2. also, not opening the monthly haul thread and monthly favorites thread too frequently. I realized that is how I was becoming aware of new items and after seeing good reviews from trusted people here, I get tempted.
3. preparing cart but convincing myself to not pull the trigger till I either find a sale or a coupon. Then I was able to talk myself out of many items while waiting for sale etc for 3-4 weeks
Thanks for sharing your tips @naturalooks15 !!
The 3rd one has worked wonders for me. I’m finding I don’t have a true desire to buy the things that initially capture my attention, and TBH I often forget about said items with a couple days (if not a few hours). The over saturation of the market has worked to my benefit.
Awesome tips @naturalooks15! If you don't need an item immediately, waiting for a sale/coupon and reevaluating really helps determine if you want a product or not.
@ShortErica this is so true. Often purchases are spontaneous and when I put more thought into it I don't always end up getting them. Definitely will be re-evaluating purchases.