Yeesh. So. This was bound to happen.
The previous makeup bans I’ve had were kinda laughable, just because I gave myself wiggle room to get some items, but no more! I have to be tough on myself if I want my savings to stay intact.
I’ve been thinking of a makeup no-buy for a while now, but the dilly-dallying was caused by me, trying to squeeze in as much makeup purchases before I announced my decision to be more conscious of my spending habits. Well, that’s not very smart. I realized, as I was filling up my Nordstrom shopping cart with quite a few items, that this was not healthy and I didn’t want to be that kind of person. So I walked away from my cart, and sat down to write this post after I surveyed my current makeup stash.
I didn’t even feel bad, exiting the screen.
So, the rules are pretty simple: no buying of makeup until the end of November.
I was thinking of lifting it in time for my birthday, which is on September 29, but I just know that it will turn into a free-for-all, so I have to be extra tough on myself. Gifts and HG repurchases are okay, though. There will be a countdown on my sidebar, so I’ll be reminded of this promise I’ve been meaning to make for a while.
I still have some items in the pipeline to review and talk about. But thinking about how much items I still have (paid for already) on the way is kind of sad and terrifying to me. I think it’s sad because I still find things to buy when I honestly have enough makeup, and I think it’s terrifying because it’s just the tip of the iceberg of thoughtless spending, if I don’t curb my need to buy makeup.
So, there. I know it sounds sad, but it will be fun. 🙂 I’m pretty excited! I don’t want to be desensitized to makeup and why I began to love it in the first place. I generally have a bad lemming/hoarder quality… It’s the same for books and cameras and what-have-you.
And I guess I want to put a stop to that. I want to get the most use out of the stuff I buy and, obviously, I want to save my money for other, bigger goals in my life.
Have you ever put yourself on a makeup no-buy? How did you deal with it? Were you ever tempted to buy anything during it? Let me know! I need all the help I can get. 🙂
Softly Sometimes 
I saw this last night (showed up on my RSS feed) and IMMEDIATELY I thought I’d start my own shopping ban. As in all frivolous shopping, because I am getting out of hand. Only necessities (like if it’s a health thing already) allowed. I’m lifting the ban on September 1st, though because I’m turning 30 on the 9th and I have to at least get myself something.
Right now I’m feeling good about it, actually. I have this countdown thing on my phone haha.
LOL yeah I mistakenly published it instead of queuing it. I kinda wanna do that, too, because I started looking at new clothes and bags after this ban HAHAHA.
Good luck!! 🙂
i am on a makeup no buy too, but my boyfriend keeps giving me budget to buy myself more beauty things as a gift from him. I know exactly how you feel. I have SO much stuff (have you seen my latest video?) and i just want more and more. I’m planning my birthday list practically as we speak! It is SO hard to stop spending on makeup, BUT just keep thinking of your collection that you already have and all those things that you would rather save your money for! 🙂
Yeah, you were one of my inspirations, actually! 🙂 That’s so nice of him, though, enough to tide ya over. I find myself getting excited when I rediscover something I already have that I love. 🙂
Oh yay! 🙂 thanks, haha. It is so hard, but he is so nice! Good for you to be rediscovering things too 🙂
I tried to do this early this year, but I gave up after a couple of weeks! Haha! Goodluck with this, Carina! 🙂
Thank ya! 🙂 I always break my diets cos I allow myself to get limited edition crap and whatnot, but I really need to be tough on myself, I think.
Spending bans always end up the same for me – craaaaaazy neverending shopping spree. I compare it to starvation diets and binging afterwards.
What worked best for me was to set up a “frivolous beauty purchases” monthly budget. It’s not just for make-up, but little things like accessories or clothes (that I don’t actually need). This way you get more selective with your purchases, because often you have to decide which product you really really want and what is in the basket just because you spotted it.
Either way I wish you great luck!!
I can’t do budgets because I never stick to them, so I really have to quit cold turkey. I think I have to deprive myself and then condition myself to not buy anything and then when I’m “allowed to,” I won’t be so grabby. Hehe but maybe I can handle a diet in the future. 🙂
Thanks!
HAHA – LOVE IT. I thought that image was your entire post and I am like yup, no other words are necessary. But they were appreciated! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 That is actually true, lol. It can just be the image and a date. HEH.
I also find myself filling up my Nordstrom shopping cart and then clicking the X button a few minutes after I realize that, “eh. do I really *~*need*~* this?”
It’s hard, though! There are just sooo many pretty shades of lipstick, types of blush and the list goes on and on. But what helped me control my spending this year is evaluating the items that I use on a regular basis. Foundation (powder/liquid), eyeliner, eyelash curler, blush, lipstick. I don’t have time for eyeshadow, sadly, so I crossed it off from my “priorities”. Lol.
You have a very nice stash. 🙂 I envy your Chanel and MAC goodies!
Thanks for the suggestion, Jin! 🙂 Eyeshadow and highlighters are my weakness.
Thanks Jin! Hehehe
I tried it once last year. Didn’t last very long. Hehe…
Good luck 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 I’m hoping I can do it, though.
I had to Google the meaning of HG. Hahaha
Either way, I’m proud of you beans. This makes me want to think of a challenge for myself as well. Something tougher than no white rice for two months.
Haha aww you could have asked me 🙂
Thanks, bean! I think no white rice forever is better.
But no white rice forever is so sad and I think impossible. Imagine, no arroz caldo, Chinese fried rice, sushi, suman and paella! FOREVER!
LOL that IS sad. Can you make those things with like red/brown/black rice or is that sacrilege?
Carina,
I had a seriously laughable “LOW”-buy in April which served to only explode into a BUYING SPREE late April and May. Something to do with various events at Sephora and Bergdorf Goodman. It sort of filled me with varying levels of despair. Ugh.
Here I am expecting yet more packages in the mail and I’m giving myself a good critical eye: what am I, a curator/collector of makeup or just a crazy over spender? I think I know the answer, sadly.
LOL, I know what you mean! I need to re-condition myself to not give in whenever these sales go up.
I am also expecting loads of things in the mail, which, you guessed it—fills me with despair, too.
Hello Carina, I also placed myself in a no buy phase and this time it’s for realz! From May 25 until August this year. I’m spending so much it isn’t funny anymore. Like I go online and find new korean make up and skin product reviews to convince me to buy. The biggest thing that made me want to stop shopping is this: I’m applying for a Schengen visa and I’m seriously afraid that the heavens will Punish me for buying so much that they won’t give me my Visa. 😦
But more importantly, I want to regain my control over spending. Regain my “patience” to wait and hold off from buying something just because.
We can do this!!!! May the force be with you… (well, us, )
Aww, I don’t think that has to do with your spending, haha. But it’s good you’re trying to cut back!
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