Low/No Buy Recap - Month 6: August

Earlier this month, I recapped all of the products I had been picking up since Gummy challenged me to an epic no buy earlier this year. (See the recap post here)  

So, how did I do this month? Read on and see! 

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine Purse Spray - GC
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Powder - GC/Returned
Deborah Lippmann 2 Second Nail Primer - GC
Koh Gen Do Moisturizing Spa Gel
Koh Gen Do Cleansing Cloths

Phyto Botanical Scalp Treatment - GC
Sephora Mini Glass Nail File -
GC
Nars Radiant Cream Foundation - GC
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in (Ro)Cocoa - GC
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Conditioner 
Murad Acne Spot Treatment
First Aid Beauty Aloe Plus Soothing Gel
Tom Ford She Wolf

Items in italics are ones that are OK to purchase, and the ones with GC noted were purchased with gift cards. Thank goodness for my credit card cashback program giving me lots of Sephora gift cards... LOL! I was happy to have shown so much restraint early on in the month during the Koh Gen Do Hautelook sale, but I seem to have blown it by desperately ordering the LE Tom Ford She Wolf eyeshadow palette that just looks amazing.... 

How do you think I did? What have you guys been purchasing this month??  I'd love to know! :) 

This post contains affiliate links . All items listed were purchased by me. 

Low/No Buy Recap

Some of you may know that Gummy challenged me to a no buy this past February, to extend to the end of the year. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by my stash, and really wanted to save money too, so I agreed! 

I set certain category limits and went about it with mixed expectations. In these past five months, I've learned that I'm a product hoarder and that I really just like the thrill of buying and checking things off a list. I managed to stay generally within my rules but as Gummy so appropriately reminded me, it was still quite a lot of stuff I had gathered. 

She's right of course, groan! I just like stuff! Ok, but in all seriousness, I really don't need any more stuff, unless I actually need it for real for the health of my skin or hair. Good thing Gummy is around to knock some sense into me, huh? And she's given me a challenge too, to spend the rest of the year doing a real beauty no buy unless I run out of necessities.

It just doesn't seem possible, but I really ought to try… I think even if I fail, it is worth a try, and I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes in monthly recaps! 

Read on for the list of items I've gotten my hands on! What do you think? Don't hate me pleeeeease. :) (Also, please help me stop being a hoarder/shopaholic/crazy lady. LOL)

Italicized = Acceptable products/categories
(fiance) = he got them for me as gifts!
May/June purchases = birthday
* = uh oh!
Other notes included, such as "GC" for gift cards, "credit" for store credit from returns 

Month 1: March
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cleanser
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Holy Smokes - credit
Clinique Redness Relief Cream - gifted away
Marcelle BB Cream  - (fiance)
Maybelline Vivid Rose lipstick - credit
Maybelline Cherry on Top lipstick - credit
Real Techniques Travel Collection - credit + $8, bought before realizing brushes counted!
--> I thought this was a decent start! 

Month 2: April
Shiseido Facial Cottons
Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water (travel size) 
Living Proof Amp2 Instant Hair Texturizer 
Dior Diorshow Maximizer 
Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara
Lancome Bienfait UV SPF 50 
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 
Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg - credit
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Khaki - credit
Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks - credit
Laura Mercier Luxe Color Portfolio - credit
Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer - GC
Stila Smudge Stick - returned
Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes - Came broken, returned
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment - (fiancé) gifted away
Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells - (fiancé)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Deep Blue & Black (fiancé)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Guilty Grey (fiancé)
*Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Escapade
*Lancome Baume in Love
*Lancome Kohl in Love
Wakaya Ginger Powder
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Nars Light Optimizing Primer - returned
--> I started off the month strong, until the Sephora VIB sale got me. I restocked some basics, got a few things, and then got a bit splurgy when shopping with Gummy. OOPS! 

Month 3: May
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cleanser
Chanel Glossimer in Crushed Cherry- GC
Le Metier de Beaute Cream Tint in Coral Nymph - GC
Burberry Eyeshadow in Mulberry - (fiance)
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer - (20% off) (fiancé)
REN The Fab 4 Kit - returned (fiancé) 
Clinique CC Cream - returned 
Sephora Pastel Pop Cheek Stick
Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial
Elemental Herbology Detox Oil
Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer
Oribe Fiber Groom
African Botanics Intensive Repair Balm
Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight Kit (30% off) 
Estee Lauder Stay On Shadow Paint in Chained
Hourglas N28 Lip Oil
2 Sally Hansen blue polishes - coupon for 1
Sally Hansen Top Coat 
Wet n Wild LE palette - sold
Revlon Baby Stick
2 Maybelline summer Color Tattoos 
Capri Blue Peeled Navel Orange candle
--> The few weeks leading up to my birthday were SUPER spendy. I did not adhere to the beauty budget I had in mind for my allowed birthday presents. :( 

Month 4: June
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Armani Waterproof Smooth Silk Eyeliner 
Armani Flash Lacquer
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind - coupon
Clarins Tanning set - ($25 GC)
Sephora OPI Nail Polish Remover
Sephora OPI Metro Too Chic Set
--> Same as above, except then my birthday was over and I was horrified. Except not really because I had PRETTIES!

Month 5: July
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis - (fiance), for us to share
Origins Zero Oil Cleanser -  (for fiance) 
Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Primer - returned
*Sephora Contour 12-HR Liner 
Origins Ginzing Moisturizer
*2 Essie summer shades
Hourglass Illume Blush/Bronzer Duo - credit
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Plum - credit
Dior Addict Lipstick in Diorkiss - credit
--> Not bad, not bad. EXCEPT WHY DID I BUY EYELINER?

Did you make it to the end of this? I was both relieved and horrified when I got to the end of this list. It could have been MUCH MUCH WORSE.  (As it has been in previous years...) 

What do you think? I had a splurgy birthday, and otherwise only messed up a little. I blame the pretty Tom Ford, how much I love shopping, and the whole being in California for work thing making me shop more! Please don't hate me. Come play with my pretty things!  :)

NO BUY!

Today is the official start of an EPIC no buy. I'm scared! Confident, excited, but also scared. LOL. When Gummy challenged me a few weeks ago to a no buy starting March 1st for the rest of the year, at first I thought it would be impossible. But when I really thought about it, I decided that it would be the most EPIC of challenges and a great opportunity for me to save money and actually USE the collection that I've amassed over the years. After all, how much makeup does a girl really need?? And I can't let all the pretties just go to waste, right?? :)

So, here are the rules for this no buy:

  1. No makeup, nail polish, or fragrance!
  2. Skincare only if absolutely necessary, ie my skin reacts to something I currently have or changes condition entirely. I will try to use up as many of my skincare samples as possible too, before purchasing anything new.
  3. I can replenish staple items, only if I have no other alternatives. Off the top of my head, things like Diorshow Maximizer and Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water will probably be the only things that will really need replenishing. Ideally, I'd like to replace them during a sale event as well.
  4. I can ask for beauty products as gifts, and I am allowed to use gift cards or return credits towards beauty.

There you have it! My epic no buy for the rest of 2013... and don't worry, I'll still have plenty of blog content coming your way, cause I haven't posted about SO much of my collection. :)

I've definitely done a beauty no buy for a few weeks at a time, but this will definitely be a remarkable achievement. Wish me luck, and I'd love to hear any advice if you have it! :)

2013 Spending Limits

I have some pretty lofty goals when it comes to spending in 2013. I'm scared... But, it will all be worth it, as my boyfriend and I have a lot of saving up to do...

No lipstick or eyeshadow. Can I put qualifiers on this and say that Burberry is allowed? Lol, well, maybe. In any event, I would love if I could use up at least one of each product category in 2013, though I'm doubtful!

No nail polish, but now that I'm thinking about it, I want to try Deborah Lippmann & new all the new drugstore gel polish options. Groan.

No fragrance, unless I can get through all the samples I have. This sounds hard... $25 monthly budget until at least March or possibly my birthday in June. I've managed it in 2012 with limited success, so who knows! Like before, I am allowed to grab from other budget areas. I already know that the Barney's Beauty Event in February will tempt me, but maybe I can wait till September...?!

Use skincare deluxe samples before buying more skincare. This is a scary thought, but I really need to minimize my stash of sample products. I probably have a year's worth of cleansers! I want to make a good effort at finishing them, and may need to take a page out of Liz's book and count my empties! :)

I just need to constantly remind myself of why I'm saving, and plan my purchases even more carefully than ever. Maybe even put a reminder post it on my credit card lol!

What do you think of my spending limits for 2013? Have you banned yourself from anything? Do you have tips to share? :)