Have you ever been on a no-buy? If so, how long did it last, and were you 100% faithful?
For those unfamiliar with the term "no-buy," it's basically a self-imposed ban on beauty purchases. Chances are, if you're reading this blog, you probably read other beauty blogs too. And if that's the case, then you are probably tempted to purchased dozens of beauty products on a daily basis. How do you combat this urge? Well, one solution is to put yourself on a no-buy. You can of course set your own terms (i.e.: I'm only going to allow myself to buy one new product a month for six months) and some people add exclusions to their no-buys (makeup only; skincare, haircare, etc. don't count). Lots of people put themselves on no-buys from time to time, for various reasons. Some people do it out of budgetary concerns, and others do it because they feel it's a great way to actually use the products they already own. So if you've ever been on a no-buy, I'd love to hear how long you were able to "stay strong." Inspire us!
I've done several no-buys. Often I've bought too much one month (wait, that's not possible!) but I feel a bit guilty so I tell myself to cool my jets for a spell. I've managed it a couple times, happily working through cosmetics I've had, but many other times I've broken down due to a great deal or product I hear of (often on a blog like yours, G.) I think March will be a no-buy since I am pretty well stocked at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI've always considered doing this because I'm always getting stuff here and there and end up having tons of stuff that I never really got to try. I really want to try and use the products that I have and get uses out of them so I think a no-buy would be great to try! But it will have to wait until after those new Hard Candy spring products come out and once I find those new Wet N Wild limited edition 8-pans, then I will give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteI was on a no-buy for a couple of years. I can't do that again. Now I will only do low-buys because no-buys are torture.
ReplyDeleteI have been on a couple of no-buys. My most recent one was back in the summer, but I didn't make it to the end of the time I had set for it. :S I'd say i have been on about 5 no-buys, and i feel like i fudged 3 of those......
ReplyDeleteI don't really put myself on a no-buy. Alot of the great things I see on your blog and the one or two others I read, I cannot find in my area so there is that. I can "enjoy" the hunt and usually come up empty. My no-buy exists for online. It has to be really really special for me to buy beauty products online. Usually it is nail polish brands that I cannot find locally. So much for living in small city! Sure, everyone knows my name, but I can't find high end or lesser known brand NP (i.e. Barry M. Jessica, RBL,Chanel)
ReplyDeleteI have been on a low-buy since January 1st, partly because of my budget and partly because I was accumulating too much makeup. I'm going through my stash, evaluating it, and tailoring my no-buy by category. For example, I'm on a strict no-buy for eyeshadows (I have too many) but not base makeup (still looking for good matches). I did really good in January because I bought nothing at all. This month has been a little more challenging.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a minimalist phase in my life right now. I'm on a no-buy for makeup AND clothes (that's another story). I realized I will never finish the makeup I currently own (even though I have a rather small collection). I've been able to enjoy the products I have and use stuff I've forgotten about. It's also made me think more deliberately about what I like on ME instead of what the latest and greatest trend is at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm not buying ANY new beauty products unless it's an absolute need (IE if I run out of something). I am low on my micellar cleanser and foundation, so I anticipate buying those in a few weeks.
The last products I bought were Hourglass lip products when Sephora offered $15 coupons to BIs back in December!
I NEED to be on a no-buy. I was on a no-buy for awhile last Summer/Fall with a rare palette purchase or two, but once holiday items came out, I went crazy and now that it's tax return season, I have a few to-buy items on my list that will be scratched out now!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest weakness are nail polishes and Wet n Wild releases! --and yes, most of my cosmetic splurging is due to this blog's influence :P
i was on a lipstick no-buy since january. i was being really good until last week! the urge to buy lipsticks was overpowering hahaha i admit i'm a lipstick junkie, it really feels like a drug and not buying any for 2 months drove me crazy. planning on a complete no-buy ban when march comes, because i still have so much stuff coming my way from my USA orders!
ReplyDeleteI have been on a no-buy for about two weeks. So far it's going well. I have also put myself on a no-buy for clothes because I found that I was spending the money I didn't spend on makeup on clothes instead. I don't need anymore clothes!
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in a no-buy because I think it's like a diet - I will do better if I allow myself a little something versus nothing. Right now I've changed my limits to be stricter and I'm trying to cut my spending on things I want but don't need and impulse buys. If something is core and will be around a while, I don't need to get it now and I *really* don't need to get it in three different colors, which I might have done in the past. I'm really evaluating how often I will use something and saying no to things I won't truly use frequently or will be more of a novelty, no matter how awesome they are. I'm settling more for things I have that are close enough and not buying something similar because it's new and just a hair different. I'm also looking for more drugstore dupes of HE brands and colors.
ReplyDeleteI'm on a fashion no-buy for this entire year. It was a New Year's resolution and I am going strong! I've never been on a makeup no buy, but I only buy 1 or 2 items each month if I'm lucky. All drugstore of course! I always browse at Sephora but never end up buying anything. I'm so frugal.
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to go on nail polish no-buys, since I already have over 500 and really do not need more, but then I see something new that's just too cute/awesome/different from anything I already have to pass up, and/or it's on a really good sale... I've really fallen off the wagon this month, hoping to get back on track in March. Possibly almost a full no-buy with the exception of concealer (the one I have just isn't cutting it, gotta look for something better) and restocking essentials if/when I run out.
ReplyDeleteI'm a minimalist, so perhaps a no-buy for me is easier than for others. I've been on a no-buy for shoes, makeup, clothing and jewelry since around Christmas. I've done no-buys before and I've been quite successful. Right now I'm 100% successful. Part of it is the motivating goal I set for myself - a reward when I hit my goal weight. It gets easier the more you do it. The more you try, the more you realise you don't NEED these things in life. My makeup collection is smaller than what many youtubers haul in one go. Seriously! I'm selective about what I buy (thanks to reviews from youtubers and bloggers) and I only buy what works. What also helped was making a spreadsheet of all the products I'd buy, how frequently I used it, how long it lasted, and how much it was. Next time you watch a haul video, add up the cost. I don't know anyone who totals their hauls. If they did, they'd probably get a pretty big reality check! Or not...I have a mortgage, a car, and I don't live with my parents. Whole different world from the younger women in the beauty community!
ReplyDeleteI'm on a no-buy for this year, and I'll admit that I've fudged up quite a lot already! Still, I'm determined to downsize my stash. I have too much of pretty much everything, and the fact that there's no way I can finish it all up in my lifetime freaks me out. Also, I'm planning on moving halfway across the world in a year's time, so I really need to get rid of superfluous stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! I find it helps to sort the stash into "essential", "really love", "like" and "meh". Get rid of the "meh" pile first (should be easiest). Plan on bringing along the "essential" stuff if you can, you'll probably regret not keeping that. Look at the "like" pile and thin it heavily by asking yourself how likely it is you'll be able to obtain something similar in your new location if you were to suddenly miss that product. Do the same with the "really love" pile, but don't expect to thin it as heavily. You can go over things multiple times as you get closer to moving and if you're really picky each time you'll have it down to a manageable bit to move without too much stress. :)
DeleteI haven't bought an eyeshadow in 4 or 5 years. I'm really old compared to most of you, lol. When I started wearing makeup back in the 70's, loose eyeshadow (much less mineral shadow or make up of any kind), was unheard of. When I found my first Jane Radiation display in the 90's, I was in heaven (6 whole shades!). It was many years before I stumbled onto indie mineral shadows online. I bought sample sizes mostly, but I have literally hundreds of shadows. I can certainly never use them all and I desperately want to get rid of some of those hundreds of tiny jars (many never even tried). I finally put away my favorites last summer and I only use the rest. If I love it, it goes into the favorites. If I like it I use it up. If I don't like it (and there are more than a few 'what WAS I thinking' ones), they go into the box for my niece to go through next time I see her. The pile is slowly shrinking.
DeleteI am on a "medically" induced no-buy (broke my leg in Dec, had screws put in and still can't put weight on it or do PT til' the middle of next month...lol). It's torture. Buuut, it has forced me to weed out my collection and evaluate what I truly use on a daily basis. Your blog & others like it have kept me abreast of the new stuff and satiates my need-to-know. It's tough, I have been in the industry since I was 18, a CM for Clinique, DM for Sally's...blah, blah & my Mom is a RiteAid Manager, and she tempts me too. All in all I think I will pare down and concentrate on skin care when I'm up and around, 47 & pain are not a great combo. Plus, with all the $$ I save I can buy some cute new flats!
ReplyDeleteI am on a "medically" induced no-buy (broke my leg in Dec, had screws put in and still can't put weight on it or do PT til' the middle of next month...lol). It's torture. Buuut, it has forced me to weed out my collection and evaluate what I truly use on a daily basis. Your blog & others like it have kept me abreast of the new stuff and satiates my need-to-know. It's tough, I have been in the industry since I was 18, a CM for Clinique, DM for Sally's...blah, blah & my Mom is a RiteAid Manager, and she tempts me too. All in all I think I will pare down and concentrate on skin care when I'm up and around, 47 & pain are not a great combo. Plus, with all the $$ I save I can buy some cute new flats!
ReplyDeleteI learned that makeup no-buys don't work for me. I tried to do it for a month last year, and once I was off the no-buy, I splurged. I did another no-buy for January for budgeting reasons, but I've decided since then that it would be better to set a limit! Better to treat yourself with a little than have no treats at all! I have more eyeshadow more than anything and I've been trying to ban myself for buying eyeshadow this year, but I've failed after finding a Rimmel palette at Target clearance priced at 26 cents (but who could resist THAT?!). The limited edition Jasmine palette from Sephora is also making it hard for me to continue this ban. -_-
ReplyDeleteI really need to start a no-buy for makeup, nail polish, and face products because it's out of hand. I think I realized it was a problem after a massive Sinful Colors haul, and when cleaning out my bathroom discovering I have like 8 mascaras (most unused, still in packaging), tons of eye shadow and lipstick I don't use, and a crazy, crazy amount of face wash and facial masks. The only exceptions will be for base coat (I'm almost out) and the new Wet n Wild 8 pan palates, if I stumble upon them, only because I absolutely love them. Hopefully, I can control myself now to spend the money I save on clothes, shoes, books, and actually put it towards my new car fund.
ReplyDeleteOver the past year, I've been on 3 no-buys. They've all been makeup no-buys lasting 2-3 months. It helps me get more creative with existing products in my collection, which is smaller than a lot of YouTubers/bloggers but larger than your average woman. My main reasons for no-buys are usually to save more money or wade through items that I've accumulated or want to hit pan on! I find that it's easier for me to have an exact date or end reward. I'm a recent college grad, living on my own and providing for myself entirely, so no-buys are needed each year to keep things in perspective. I've been on my current no-buy since January 20th and still have until the first day of spring. I goofed up once on a palette that was on sale on Hautelook, because I couldn't justify paying almost $50 for that item! Otherwise, I've been staying strong - it helps to have a buddy so you can motivate each other, too.
ReplyDeleteI've tried a couple official "no-buys", but I always end up breaking them. Honestly if I want something and I have the liquid spending cash to get it, why not? As long as all the bills, savings, and necessaries are covered first, if I have a little left over I won't rake myself over the coals for wanting some more nail polish! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of these comments. I am a graduate student and makeup artist (which makes it really hard to do no-buys). So I put a $50 makeup budget on my monthly no-buy. I was successful in January so I rolled it on to February and will continue in March. $50 was enough for me to get a few new spring makeup products and not feel as though I was depriving myself - it also forced me to use the makeup I have. There are so many things in the world that I do not need. I have been giving clothes away and selling makeup I hadn't used because my husband reminded me that we have everything we NEED...and we only have so much room in the house :) No-buys are not for everyone, but I learned it is a frame of mind and a realization of if makeup, polish, hair products are necessary.
ReplyDeleteI alternate a no-buy month with a low-buy month. I have SO MUCH stuff in my stash...so my restrictions cover all categories! I also have a Use Up system..I have a cabinet in the bathroom filled with Use This First items. As they run out, I replace with stuff from my "back stash". Makeup takes much longet to use up, so I make sure I don't duplicate shades. Any new item I buy replaces an old item 1 for 1. It kind of cracks me up how much management our beauty habit requires! Whew! (Also not sure how my account will label my name- I'm Abby in Vegas but I lived in College Area SD for 13yrs)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you mentioned "management" of our beauty habit. I constantly think about planning what products to buy each month based on the actual need for the product, plus where I would store those products. And then I think, "Oh, I must be silly thinking about this!" It is pretty funny. x)
DeleteHa ha! I hear ya! And my system was developed out of necessity...I had the mother of all stashes. My bf (now hubby) was flabbergasted when he heped me pack up and move.
DeleteSo far, I've been on three no buys (each for two months). I didn't stay strong for long. I would buy drugstore makeup here and there so I justified my spending by calling it a high end makeup no buy (except for foundation when I ran out). It allowed me to use a lot of drugstore makeup I had collected but never really tried and ended up finding cheap dupes for things I probably spend too much money on at department stores. I didn't purposely do this but I realized I haven't purchased any makeup since January 1. With the exception of foundation of course. Ever since my first no buy I have saved so much money because I've been using drugstore versions of things I would normally buy from higher end labels so I'm happy I did them.
ReplyDeleteI currently have myself on a low-buy (or 'make-up diet', as I like to call it) for the whole of 2013. I've allotted myself 10 make-up purchases (excluding mascara) and 10 nail polish purchases, and I have a printed 'contract' on which I keep track of each purchase. So far, I've only made three purchases - a foundation and two nail polishes. I'm really trying to shop my stash and use what I have before it expires. I decided this was the best way to get the most out of the money I spent building my collection, and, to be honest, I just got tired of keeping up with whatever happened to be the latest trend. Since starting my low-buy, I've become very picky about what I do purchase and I make sure it is something I truly want to use before I spend the cash. The upside is that I have more cash to spend!
ReplyDeleteI have been on a no buy for quite a while, it has been so long, that I forget when I started. I was on a no buy from all cosmetics because I wanted to use up what I already have and I have been doing a good job so far. The only thing that I constantly repurchase is Proactiv. However I did do a small haul from bath and body works when they had their semi annual sale in december, and I have been using items from this haul as gifts. And I have been on an extreme no buy from nail polish because I have about 50 bottles that I haven't even used. So I think I am doing pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI have been on no-buy status for financial reasons on occasion.. if you are serious it really helps to make a conscious effort to stay away from the temptations. Stay out of the makeup section of stores, unsub from blogs/youtube and mailing lists, etc. Out of sight is out of mind.
ReplyDeleteI could easily use my existing collection for a couple of years and never need to buy another item.. with the exception of perhaps a new mascara or a replacement core item like primer or moisturizer. However it really is more of a hobby for me than anything else. I buy new items because I enjoy the creativity involved.. the artistic side of cosmetics. Then there is the challenge of sales/coupons and hunt for LE items which are completely different "games" but just as addicting. Most people have something "frivolous" they invest in.. books, movies, collectibles, video games, crafts, sports, etc. Makeup is just my "thing".
I'm putting myself on kind of a no-buy/low-buy incentive program. I'm going on vacation in July and I need to save money and would like to lose weight before then, so I made a list of products that I really want before I leave for vacation and for every 10 lbs I lose I'm letting myself get one. I'm starting out with cheaper drugstore products, like lip butters or balm stains and working up to higher end blushes/ lipstick if I reach my goal. This will help me from "hauling" and saving money that way and then I still get new spring/summer makeup but I have to earn it (and I have more motivation to not stop for fast food after work when I think about that tarte blush I really want for vacation). I'll obviously repurchase necessities like eyeliner I use everyday and foundation as I get darker towards summer, but no new color cosmetics because lord knows I have enough and I really should be using up some of these.
ReplyDeleteI was on a No buy for about a month... I failed... when Wet N Wild Fergie Collection came out...then the Milani Color Statement lipsticks came out... then decided that I do not need anymore lipsticks (After I get 1 more from Milani) and no more eyeshadows (after I get the two Spring limited Editions from Wet N Wild)... then I was CERTAIN that I would not fail on my no buy nail polishes...until Sinful colors were $1 at Walgreens and if that wasn't enough! the new spring limited edition was out...so I threw out some old nail polishes from my collection and gave away three that I never used... and felt better about my sinful splurge.. (oh i like that lol sinful splurge). so hair care I was absolutely certain that I did not need 1 more item... and there they were.... clearanced at 50% off at my local walgreens.. the Organix hair care ALL kinds of variety. i've always wanted to try them... so another fail.. but after these i am POSITIVE that I do not need one more thing.
ReplyDeleteboy do i know the feeling. "I'm on a no-buy...after I find that new palette!"
DeleteI've done no buys and project pans, actually last April I went on sequential project pans (finishing specific products, finishing 15 product, finishing lip products) which became a project no buy. My no buy started because I felt that I had too much makeup that I wasn't using (I have a pretty small collection but I like it be a minimalist when it comes to makeup). I've only bought 4 makeup products since last April (2 mascaras, gel eyeliner and a blush from the MAC hey sailor collection), its been a bit more difficult this past month but since I'm so close to the 1 year mark I don't want to quit now!
ReplyDeletei go on no buys for about six months at a time. i live in a diferent contry so when i go to the states i buy EVERYTHING i will need for the next few months!
ReplyDeleteI have been on a no-buy since Jan 1st, and so far I have stayed strong. Even though my collection isn't out of control (in my opinion however haha), I basically wanted to enjoy what I own and of course save some money. With Christmas, I never feel the need to buy a lot of things in January but February has been tempting with all the new spring releases. But, my no-buy is up this Friday so I'll make it :) I think no-buys for makeup are great because they really force you to reevaluate what you own/your standards
ReplyDeleteI actually did this for fragrances and was able to finish several fragrances. I started with 23 and now am down to 4 body sprays (2 of these I just bought) and 1 perfume. This took me about 10 months or so. I think it's easier to be on no-buy for certain products rather than just say I am not going to buy anything at all. I have pared down my collection a lot and from now on, I want to use at least 1 thing up before I buy another (ie. I need to use up this lipstick before I buy another).
ReplyDeleteI haven't really done any no-buys or I just don't call them that. Sometimes, I spend a lot in one month than others. Then I try to narrow down my list of wanted items after a big haul.
ReplyDeleteBut I have been resisting the urge to buy facial cleansers and serums so I have a ton to use up.
If there's a rare or awesome beauty sale though, I'm gonna jump on it. LOL
I do low buys for my polish habit. If i didn't, It would be out of control. I've never really had a no buy, I've got enough makeup though but I don't really have urges to buy that often. I usually just think about weather I need it or not, or how unique it is to what I already have; if it fills a space, I don't feel bad about it. But the polish....oh the polish, that's another story.
ReplyDeleteYep! Currently doing the 10 Pan Challenge! And I'm enjoying it. It's helped me downsize my collection and decide what I really want for spring. When I pick up my ONE item (blue liquid liner!) I'm thinking about doing it again ^_^
ReplyDeleteI've never put myself on a no buy but I really need to. I have so many lipsticks and I can't remember the last time I actually used a whole one up. I am planning on doing a no buy for the months if march and April and then buying myself a high end product that I have been really wanting.
ReplyDeleteI'm on my first official no buy right now, it's one of the first times because there are SO many beautiful new things (and sales omg the baremineral's sale at ulta yesterday was so hard to resist) but I have to for the time being since I'm saving up for a mission's trip, which I think is a very small term pain for a long term gain
ReplyDeletesometimes find that my forgetfulness helps. i forgot to check out the bareminerals flash sale and now it's over, voila! or i forget to get the sale items at Rite Aid....well, i'm not paying full price, so i guess i'm not getting them. not often enough, but sometimes it helps.
DeleteI had to quit looking at the Rite Aid ad. 'But it's on sale!' is an excuse I was using far too often for polishes and lip products.
DeletePretty helpful reading the comments - I was contemplating doing a no buy for March bc I realized I have Ulta and Sephora orders arriving on the same day...I need to tame the beast and resist urges. But, instead of going cold turkey, I'm going to do a low buy, only drugstore items allowed, $25 cap for the month. I organized my whole collection early this year, so I have been using my stash, that should help me keep strong... (Excellent topic/question G!)
ReplyDeleteI agree. The topic/comments are helping me a lot! I'm the beauty fanatic amongst all my friends so I don't talk to them about these things. I'm so glad to read about others who have a spending limit each month. Thank you, G!!!
DeleteAccording to different studies, women average $85 in beauty-related spending (not just on makeup). So . . . I've challenged myself for 2013 to be under that amount each month. For the past several years that would not have been a problem, but starting in Feb 2012 I have been going through a self-dubbed Makeup Renaissance thanks to my discovery of Youtube beauty videos and blogs like this one. :) I'm so committed to this budget that I made a chart to document my spending and have also made a Youtube video explaining it. LOL I did go a bit crazy this month (my 2nd month in), but I think that's because it was my one-year anniversary of my Makeup Renaissance. :)
ReplyDeletei love your phrase "Makeup Renaissance", that is SO cool! i just started a spreadsheet to document my makeup spending but now i'm thinking i should expand it to include other beauty-related spending like skincare.
DeleteSo ironic; I had just put myself on a no buy for the Month of March to focus more on our budget. I feel I have enough already and unless I'm actually OUT of something I'm not going to purchase. There are still things I want, naturally, but I want my house more :)
ReplyDeleteI've tried a no buy, a low buy and I can't figure it out. I have these moments of ugh I'm never going to be able to hit pan on anything! Or make a dent in those lipsticks, yet I see a colour and think oh I NEED that now! Why?! I'm so annoyed with myself honestly..
ReplyDelete