2025 - THE NO-BUY, LOW-BUY, BUDGET-BUY ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT THREAD

[ElleElleG]

WELCOME TO YEAR 11 OF THE NO-BUY/LOW-BUY THREAD HAS ARRIVED

There's been quite a buzz around starting no/low-buys for 2025. I'm excited about the growing interest and hope this thread can help everyone achieve their respective goals.

The original threads were created by @lnum , here's 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.

Additional insights from @lnum (circa 2016, Challenge Year 3):

Spoiler

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 Other Challenges/Threads that may help your no/low-buy goals? Check here:

Spoiler

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*

Curious about past threads? Links to all here:

Spoiler

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-ACC...

2024 https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2024-THE-NO-BUY-LOW-BUY-BUDGET-BUY-ACCOUNTABILI...

I'll share my personal goals in a follow up post.

[CynthieLu]

With wonderful goals like this in your mind @lnum I think you'll do really well. Good luck this year!! 💚

[itsfi]

AAhhhh, those are two spectacular goals @lnum - great incentive to keep spending to a minimum. I 100% agree with a low buy across the board. Now, I just need to be more consistent with that throughout the year.

[Samtian]

@lnum That will be an amazing trip!

[blackkitty2014]

This year I would like to do the following;

1) No buy on base products (primers, foundation and powder). Normally I was doing good in this department but last year I went a bit Gaga by buying new products or backup of favorite. I would like to get back on track. No buys until I used up whatever I have

2) Low buy on lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes; wait couple days or weeks before making any purchase. I ran out of space and face to wear them 🤣😂

3) Be mindful on spending. So so much waste

[peculiarzmakeup]

Great goals! For the year! I love reading everyone’s goals because everyone has different things they gravitate too mine is blush, i have so many blushes. I love the use a certain amount before getting more, that’s always very helpful! You are doing great! @blackkitty2014  ❤️

[Titian06]

@blackkitty2014 - "I ran out of...face."  LOL!  Haven't we all! 🤣💖🥰

[CynthieLu]

That got me to @Titian06 @blackkitty2014 😆 well said lol

[blackkitty2014]

Hehehe @Titian06 😂 Seriously I need more faces to wear all the beauty junks I bought 😂🤣

[Titian06]

Hi, all!  I already broke my low-buy.  Well, technically, it was a low buy; but I usually make it to the Spring sale before I buy anything. 😖  I bought 4 nail polishes on a 50% off clearance.  Since 3 of them are on my wish list, I told myself it was now or never.  I'm disappointed I couldn't use my Rewards points to pay for the purchase.

Like the rest of you, I need to use from my stash.  I also have a multitude of hair products that I need to get through before buying anything new.

As for my nail polish collection, no more nail polish until I wear half of what I already have! 🤣

[peculiarzmakeup]

Hi @Titian06 

I think you’re doing great! 

I look forward to seeing your nail looks! ❤️  

Also love the goal you set! 
I appreciate you sharing the experience 🌼

[Titian06]

@peculiarzmakeup @CynthieLu - I just bought two Chanel LE lipsticks.  Ugh...not my best start on a low buy! 😆

[CynthieLu]

Oooh LE is a huge temptation. 🙈  @Titian06 I get it.

You can always start your low buy tomorrow, slips happen right? 

[peculiarzmakeup]

You didn’t buy 3 so you’re off to a good start! I feel like it’s okay the pace one goes I feel like it evens out maybe but it’s good too be accountable! And I bet they are really beautiful 🩷 you should’ve seen my first year buying crystals 🤣 now I buy like 1 every six months so it has a way of working out ❤️❤️❤️ @Titian06 

[Titian06]

You're too kind, @peculiarzmakeup ! 😘

[CynthieLu]

Hey, it sounds like you have a plan going forward @Titian06 you can do it!! Congrats on getting some of your wishlist for a steal of a deal thou. 

I'm with you. It's time to shop my stash and save $ for the really special purchases. Saving yourself for the spring sale, I want to do the same. 🙏

[danielledanielle]

Ok, I'm back!!!  I think I already had a weak moment and caved, but hey, I'm here!!!!

So, I have a big purchase three intentional ones and then I am going to try to cool it.  I can usually make it until the Spring on a low-buy.  Not yet up for no-buy.  I fell apart around the Spring sale, got to find a replacement endorphin boost 😂 in 2025.

[AMK721]

@danielledanielle I hear ya and completely understand. We should think about what would give us that same rush. 🤔

[faeriegirl]

I did so much better in 2024 than I thought I would! My husband even noticed the reduced amount of packages😂. I didn’t re rouge until October! This year I hope to do even better. I have so much product and backups that I could most likely make it through the year without having to buy anything. I’m going to try to stick to the spring and fall sale for Sephora and point multipliers for Ulta. I spent more at direct sites like Dior because of the GWPs so I am really focusing on not doing that because I have way too much accumulated.

[PrettyPaint]

@faeriegirl That's wonderful that you did such a great job in 2024.

[AMK721]

@faeriegirl sounds like a good plan to wait for the big sales and multipliers. Might have to steal that idea for myself lol because I have more than enough product to last me through the year, I think. 

[peculiarzmakeup]

Congratulations on doing so well! Good luck with these goals for the new year you’re doing great! @faeriegirl