I’m a self-proclaimed beauty junkie who has embarked on a year-long No-Buy on makeup and skincare. My blog, stashmatters, focuses on showcasing my current makeup stash with reviews and swatches of my collection. My favourite makeup items are eye shadow, nail polish and blush. I live in Toronto, Canada.
So you want to embark on a No-Buy? Don’t know where to start? I’m currently on a makeup / skincare No-Buy for the entire year of 2015, approaching the last 4 months of my goal. Here’s a handy guide for all the makeup addicts who may realize that they may have a problem.
First, are sure you really need to go on a No-Buy? Take this short quiz:
1) Do you own more than 5 foundations?
2) Do you keep buying the same lipstick shade over and over again and now you own 14 MLBB shades?
3) Did you achieve Sephora VIB Rouge in ONE shopping trip?
4) Is your eye shadow collection various shades of taupe that look the same to the naked eye?
5) Have family members considered contacting either Hoarders or Intervention about your makeup collection?
6) Have you subsisted on ramen for weeks so you can afford the newest makeup launches?
7) Are you contemplating moving into a larger place in order to house your collection?
I have over 600 eye shadows, most of them are taupes.
If you answered Yes to any of the above, you need to go on a No-Buy, pronto. ;)
Goal setting
What do you hope to achieve?
For me, it was a combination of trying to use up some of my existing products (especially skincare) and also rationalize my current stash (ie keep or purge?)
I need to purge probably 50% of my foundations.
Other goals could be: to save money, declutter, sell some makeup etc.
Starting
• Set a time frame. Will this be a month? 6 months? A year? Be realistic with what you think you can achieve – I tried to go on a No-Buy last year and I only lasted 2 months.
• What are the parameters? Is there absolutely NO buying of anything at all for the duration of the No-Buy? Maybe you want to do a No-Buy Lite (aka Low Buy) and only allow yourself a set dollar amount per month on cosmetics. Or you allow yourself the leeway to replenish on “necessities” like skincare and mascara (I put that in quotations because we makeup addicts tend to claim things are necessities that are not! :P ). You may want to allow yourself a birthday haul.
My birthday gifts and haulin’
How to stay on track
• Unsubscribe from promotional emails: it’s their goal to get you spend your money! There are always new collections launching, there are constant sales – it’s all very tempting so it’s better not to see the emails at all (you can always resubscribe after your No-Buy is over)
• Take an inventory: use whatever tool you want: a pen and paper, an Excel spreadsheet – note down all of the makeup items you own! It’s a daunting task but very satisfying to do, and it will help you with the next activity…
• Shop your stash: when your collection is so large that you need keep an Excel spreadsheet, it’s highly likely that there are lots of forgotten gems hidden away. It’s helpful – and fun – to create little “makeup menus” of full looks from makeup items from your collection and switch them up on a weekly basis.
Here’s a look I wore the other day – I hadn’t worn these items in months.
• Create a wish list: noting down items you want to buy after the No-Buy is over will be helpful for you to keep track so you don’t feel like you’re missing out. Also, sometimes when I write down all the things I want, I realize a lot of the items are repetitive (like do I really need 4 new highlighters?) and I can narrow down to the ones I REALLY, truly want.
• Acknowledge milestones: “Empties” or “Project Pan” are two fantastic ways to mark progress of a No-Buy. As well, I like to specifically post significant milestone badges on my blog:
I reached 200 days of No-Buy last month!
• Surround yourself with a support network: it could be your family, your real life friends, online community – tell everyone who cares that you’re on a No-Buy so that they can keep you honest
Reward yourself
At the conclusion of your No-Buy, it’s time to celebrate! Of course, for me, the point isn’t to go out and buy two years’ worth of makeup as soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, 2016, but I will allow myself to buy some of the items that have been lingering on my wish list. Also, I may reward myself with a makeover at MAC or a fancy spa day. :) If you’re on a No-Buy or thinking about going on one – good luck to you!
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Oooo this is a tricky one! I love makeup but I think I need to stop buying more lippies! Haha. Fab tips hun. Thanks xxx
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Maybe start small? Do a no buy for a month on lipsticks and see how it goes!
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Will defo try it! 😉 x
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Thanks for inviting me to be part of your Guest Blogger Week! :)
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Reblogged this on stash matters and commented:
Check out my first ever guest post on Valenina’s blog! :)
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I like the idea of taking an inventory of my makeup stash, and now you’ve totally inspired me to do that on my next day off! I love this!
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It’s a very satisfying exercise (and eye opening!) when you realize how much you own that are all so similar…! :)
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Such a helpful post! I could definitely use all these tips! I always end up buying the same lipstick shade over and over… the same goes for blushes and eyeshadow shades, too! Definitely need to use up what I have before buying more! lol
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One thing I really want to do is distill down the top 10 or whatever of each colour family I really like – for instance, taupe eye shadows – I need to just purge all the formulas that I don’t love and stick to the top 10 I always reach for. It’s a lot easier said than done though!
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That’s a great idea! You’re right, organizing and purging makeup takes forever! lol It’s such a big job! xo
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Great guest blog post, very helpful tips! :)
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Thank you! :)
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Practical advise from a smart-ass. Whoda thunk it! Haha! Ok so I def think a spa day would be well deserved after a year of no buys! Have you done a project pan on your blog?? I’ve always thought panning projects were stupid cause you are forcing yourself to use one thing when you could be playing with something else that you love but I never thought of it from the perspective of keeping yourself on track for a no buy… in that case… I should probably try a panning project with skincare… does that count!?
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Who you calling a smart-ass? Pot, meet kettle! :P
I did start a project pan which I called PUFU, check them out here:
https://stashmatters.wordpress.com/2015/05/12/pufu-update/
I’ve kind of neglected the products and now just focus on my Trash Stash aka empties. I can’t limit myself! I’m a peacock, I need to fly! (what movie is THAT from hmmm?)
Yeah you can totally do project pan with skincare!
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For some reason I want to say The Hangover… I went back and searched your blog and found it but figured you gave up on that one cause there was no update! Love the title btw lol.
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Good guess but it was from The Other Guys with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg – HILARIOUS.
Well I gave up trying to finish the perfume mainly because I learned that they reformulated it and my bottle was the original (better) formulation so now I want to hang onto it for dear life! :P
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LOL well don’t hang on to it for too long. Those things turn into straight up alcohol if they sit too long.
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True. Thanks MOM. ;)
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Wonderful tips! As someone who answered YES to one too many of the initial questions….well, I am on a low-buy :D
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Haha, that little quiz was a good litmus test for me as well! :P
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