Shop Your Stash Challenge: Winter 2026 ❄️

[itsfi]

Winter is officially here, and with it comes another seasonal edition of Shop Your Stash / Use Your Stash. Please feel free to use this space to identify and talk about the beauty product(s) you plan to use or are thinking about using or working through this winter. Products can be makeup, skincare, hair care, bath & body items, fragrance, nail care or other beauty products in your collection.

What Is "Shopping Your Stash"?

"Shopping your stash" is the practice of using / making the most of the beauty products in your existing collection. Check out the posts below for more info regarding:

• Why Shop Your Stash Challenge - Benefits to Shopping Your Stash; and
• How To Shop Your Stash. 

If you're interested in or looking to work on a year long project with the aim of using up / finishing or hitting pan on products check out Pan It! - 2025 Challenge - NOTE: I'll update the link once the 2026 thread is up! I can't believe that we're heading into year 9 of the pan it! challenge @ElleElleG! Brava, brava! It's definitely helped me use up some items I never thought I'd even make a dent in. Thank you!!

For those wondering, what's the difference between "Shop Your Stash" and the Pan It! Challenge or project pan?, great question, because they do have some similarities to them. Everyone has their own approach to panning projects. I've briefly noted in the spoiler below how I look at each and how I approach both challenges.

Spoiler

• I use the Pan It! Challenge to work through products over the course of the year, with the aim of trying to use up the product, hit pan or to see how much I can get through in a year. The Pan It! Challenge has been great for accountability and encouragement. For myself, I have, in the past picked a smaller number of products to focus on panning during the year and the items I select are usually made in an effort to try to get myself into a routine of using them or reaching for something and being consistent with it. The monthly check-ins on that thread help me hold myself accountable and let's face it, they often spur me to use one or more of the items I've set aside for the pan it! challenge before it's time to check in, which usually causes me to be better about using those items at the start of the next month. 
• The Shop Your Stash challenge, on the other hand, for me, at least, have a more seasonal approach to them, whether due to the product's functionality or because it's something I want to focus on for a particular period of time (but not the entire year). For instance, while there are no hard line rules on what shades to wear during a particular season, I am more likely to wear deeper tones or do a smokey eye more often in the winter season. In that vein, in an effort to help me actually use those types of products in my collection, I may identify 1 or 2 blush shades or eyeshadows to primarily rotate through during the winter months. That's not to say that I won't use other products or buy other items but my focus is to try to get as much use out of what I already have during that time period. 

[itsfi]

@haleyvvvv, I've really been so impressed with the K18 line. It's definitely one of my go-to brandds. 

There's been many years of trial and error of trying to wrap my head around what works for me in terms of how to navigate the use and flow of products in my collection - I need structure of some sort but not too much structure. And, once I figured out how to go about connecting the challenges or at least a couple of them in a way that works for me, it makes it easier to manage and make adjustments as things come up. I'm using this winter shop your stash to test the limits of a couple of things. 

[haleyvvvv]

It's definitely the brand I look to for hair care now. @itsfi . I definitely want to try their texturizing spray but I'm being good about shopping my stash until my current stuff is done lol. 

I definitely feel you on the needs structure but not too much, lol. But you're incorporation of all of the different challenged together is truly an inspiration.

[haleyvvvv]

This is really great idea/thread, @itsfi!! I've been thinking of some stuff I want to use a bit/slash be a better about documenting it. I will try to be posting about it, but know I'm following along in spirit even if not.

I did make a little BYOP for the winter and I want to dip into at least 8-10 from my palettes of shame. As well as make some uses in my face masks (both tube and sheet).

[itsfi]

Yes, yes, use those beauties you already have @haleyvvvv ! I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a good shopping trip and haul, but it's nice to have a balanced (or semi-balanced) bit of both - working through what we have and picking up a few things here and there. Completely understand; life gets busy. Post if or when you can or remember. Main thing is making the most of what you have. I've re-discovered some things I'd forgotten about and found some favorites I wouldn't have otherwise if I just continued to let them sit in my drawer. It's also helped me round out my collection more in terms of what I purchase. 

[haleyvvvv]

Yes!! Very into the know your collection mentality this is giving, @itsfi!! For years I had my collection outside of my actively used items in hard to get at storage and now that I've gone through my stuff a bit more, I'm more in touch with what I have but also am getting a better idea about what I'm gravitating to.

I will for sure try to at least post at the beginning and end what I'm focusing on this season!! Thank you for putting together this challenge!! 

[blackkitty2014]

In case I haven’t said enough this thread is the bomb @itsfi 🌹❤️ You created one earlier and even though I was too lazy to post but I did go and excavated my stash… omg so many forgotten favorite (even brand new). I’m on my way to pan 2 since… Will try to post later. I definitely join this challenge 🥰

[blackkitty2014]

Okie as promised and to hype everyone up 😘 when I first found @itsfi similar thread earlier this year, I found these 2 among with my other LE burying in the drawers spanking new untouched …. and these are today. I was debating whether I should use up the Chanel rosy drop because it’s LE … I can’t replenish it but let it sit and go bad is just crazy though. Hopefully I finish these 2 by end of March 2026. I re-discovered lots of LE stuffs that either used once or never touched by joining this thread. So yay can’t wait to see everyone else stashes 😘

[itsfi]

Ahhhh Chanel! Those drops are a beautiful product @blackkitty2014. What am I saying, Chanel has released so many lovely LE products (and ones that are permanent to their collection). Love, love, loooove that you are reaching for your LE items! So impressed your panning ms blackkitty!!! Powder products too! I'm excited to see how much progress you make on both of these this winter - I feel like it's not about whether you'll use them up but if you'll get to one or both before end of March. 

[haleyvvvv]

That pan, @blackkitty2014 !! And also kudos to you for using LE pretty things. 

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you @haleyvvvv 🌹

[Samtian]

@blackkitty2014 That dreaded LE struggle! 

[blackkitty2014]

😂🤣 Right? @Samtian 😘

[itsfi]

Awww, that's really kind of you to say, @blackkitty2014; thank you. YOU though are the bomb!! 😘 You've definitely been the major influence (and inspiration) for me to use my luxe makeup products and a good model for how to splurge and treat yourself while being mindful about what you'll use and realistic about what new release is worth buying based on what you already have and what you're more likely to actually use beyond a few times. Thank you!!! 

[blackkitty2014]

No thank you @itsfi … you inspired me to be mindful on my makeup … now only if I can behave when it comes to fragrance 😘😂🤣

[Samtian]

@itsfi I think this will be a great thread for me next year. Can't wait to join in!

[itsfi]

Yaaay! Excited to have you join in @Samtian and looking forward to seeing what items you'll work on this winter. Shopping my stash is still a work in progress but I feel like I'm getting a better handle each season how to best select products for myself to work through and how to use this challenge along with the pan it! challenge, the makeup capsules and the Foil Challenge to get the most out of what I already have in my collection, and to help me make better choices in terms of what new beauty products and samples I pick up throughout the year. 

[itsfi]

The weather definitely feels like winter! For whatever reason, I feel like I’m just doing my best to keep my head above water this holiday season and am going to need some more time to get my ducks in a row,  as they say, when it comes to what I want to do for this winter’s shop / use my stash. Besides, who knows what Santa might bring me (I’ve been (mostly) good, Santa!! 😉) that I may want to include in this challenge.

Here’s what my game plan looks like so far:

• I'll start January 1, but will post the items I plan to use on 12.29 or 12.30 before then

• Products will be a mix of makeup, skincare, body care, nail care, etc.  At least one of the items in my shop my stash will come from one of the beauty product categories for the corresponding month on the Beauty Challenge -- Twelve Months of Beauty Inventory thread. I figure that I will have at least one product in a category that I'm undecided about and this will be a great way to put it to use and decide whether it stays in the collection or makes its way to the Show Me Your Declutters! thread or Empties - V2 thread. If item(s) are decluttered, I'll update the beauty inventory thread at the end of the respective month. For January, it'll likely be one of my face primers.

• Going to try a new approach and have a mix of products in this season's Shop My Stash - some products will be ones I shop for the entire winter season (or at least I'll try to) and others will be limited to January with the idea that some or all of the items from January may roll over into February depending on how they performed and/or whether I was able to get to them at all. I'll revisit how this approach works at the end of January and decide if I want to continue with the same method in February or if I want to go back to how I've done a shop my stash in the past.

• I'm planning on being on a fairly restrictive low buy beginning in the new year for the winter season, so if there's anything I pick it for myself, it should be included in this season's shop my stash.

I’ll be back next week after the Christmas holiday with final details and picks for this winter’s Shop Your Stash Challenge.

Looking forward to seeing what folks will be shopping from their stash this winter! 

[itsfi]

How To Shop Your Stash

Just as there are several reasons why someone might want to shop their stash, there are also several ways to go about it. Here are some things to consider:

1a.  (Optional) Organize Your Collection 

If you're like me, this could be daunting and might scare you away from even thinking further about shopping your stash. But here me out. Yes, organizing your collection can be helpful, but you don't have to have a perfectly organized, pristinely laid out stash to get started. In fact, you can use this shop my stash challenge to help you organize your collection and do it as you go about using the very products you already have. 

1b.  Select the product(s) from your existing beauty collection that you want to use or that you want to incorporate for the winter (see #2 below for how we'll calculate the winter season). 

• This could be as few as one or two items. Or a few, like 3 or 4. Or several.
• The item(s) you select can be of one type (e.g., milky toners, body lotion/cream, hair care, red lipsticks, woodsy fragrances, etc.) or it can be a mix of skincare, makeup, hair care products or fragrance discovery kits, etc.) Feel free to check out previous Shop Your Stash Challenges for examples of what others have included - Shop Your Stash / Use Your Stash Challenge: Fall 2025 🍂🍁 Shop Your Stash Challenge: Summer 2025 .

2.  Identify how long you want to use the product(s).  

• After you've pulled the product(s) from your stash you want to use this winter, think about how long you want to work on using them. Know that including an item in the Shop Your Stash challenge doesn't mean you are limited to using just that / those item(s). 

• All winter long - You may want to rotate through the selected for the entire winter (this mean just using these items OR using them along with other products in your collection - identifying them in your Shop Your Stash just means these are the ones you are intentionally planning on using during the designated period). 

• A month at a time - You may want to pick product(s) now that you want to use for the month of January (or from now until the end of January) and use them exclusively or in conjunction with other products in your collection for that specified period. At the end of that month, you can (a) roll all, some or none of those items into the next month's usage (or another time period); (b) roll all, some or none of those items into the next month and add additional items for another month or another period; (c) decide you're done with Shopping Your Stash for the winter; (d) decide you want to try a different approach to Shop Your Stash than you did for the previous period.

• Some other interval from now until end of March 2026

• For this Winter edition of Shop Your Stash, feel free to: (i) start today or tomorrow or January 1 or anytime during the winter season and (ii) to conclude it (A) on or before the spring equinox on March 20, 2026 or (B) at the end of March 2026 or (C) some other time that suits you.

3.  (Optional): Share the product(s) you will be including in Shop Your Stash: Winter 2025-2026 Edition, as well as updates and how the challenge went for you - did you rediscover any favorites, or find new ones? Is it something you would do again? What, if anything, you would do differently? Any tips, tricks or techniques you found were helpful? You can list the items, tag them, post a photo, or any combination of those things. We love seeing and hearing about what everyone's experience with shopping their stash but completely understand that's not everyone's preference. All good.

[itsfi]

Why Shop My Stash / Benefits of Shopping My Stash:

There are several reasons why you might be interested in shopping your stash, including, but not limited to:

• Rediscover Favorites (or Find New Favorites) - Going through what you already own allows you to rediscover items that you may have forgotten about. Or, sometimes, you can find new favorites or new ways to use a product.

• Save Money - Using existing products can keep you from making unnecessary or duplicative purchases, which, in turn, can help save money.

• Reduce Waste - Shopping your stash promotes use / reuse of products you already have, thereby minimizing wasted products and supporting sustainability.

• Foster Creativity - Using what you already have affords you an opportunity to create new looks or routine without spending additional money. Also, you may have a go-to look/style or routine that you love, shopping your stash can allow you to do those looks/routine with different products, that you already have. Or, it can allow you the chance to create more or try different looks/routines, while saving money.

• Refines Your Collection - By going through and using what you already have in your stash, you get a more realistic idea of (i) what products are the keepers in your collection, (ii) which are ones that may not serve you as you had hoped (and that should be decluttered), and/or (iii) which beauty product(s) you might need to make your collection more well rounded or better suited to your needs.

If you're new to shopping your stash and/or would like to get some (more) tips and tricks on how to go about shopping your stash, you might be interested in checking out the post on How To Shop Your Stash.