No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries November 2014

Options
And here we go again for another month! As usual this initial post has been shamelessly copied from the many previous months. A big thank you to Sundaysgirl for starting us off last month.

Welcome all newbies and regulars to this very friendly and chatty thread where we give lots of lovely tips on how to use up your stash and lots of support and encouragement if you need them.

Keep up the pampering and keep down the spending: let’s make the naughty step an empty and lonely place this month (rather than one so long that it can be seen from space)! Will this be the month when the "usual suspects" rein it in a bit? Let's see..... (but I doubt it!)

Remember - those products do nothing for you while they are stashed in drawers, boxes and cupboards!

We are eternally grateful to Katie Clampet who set up this fab challenge in January 2010. Here's her original challenge post:

"No buying any new toiletries, cosmetics, perfume etc... until I have used up ALL the ones I already have. I got a huge amount of (really nice) stuff for Christmas but I am going to resist the urge to browse Boots, Asda, Superdrug etc, and pop another tub of cream, face scrub, shampoo or conditioner into my basket. I reckon the stuff I have will last me until possibly June. I have decided that the money I save I will put into my special holiday account. Anyone else?"

Lots of us have taken part in the challenge over the past few months (and years!!) and are making great progress in reducing our stashes and unnecessary/excessive spending.

Regulars ignore this, but a quick resume is always helpful for newbies:

Why not add the challenge to your signature as a reminder?

We have a "Swaps Group" on Facebook when you can swap good condition items with other like-minded addicts. PM your email address to Trudij, Tokkiandoliver, seasideDreamer or luvlycake and they can add you to the group.

How about taking a bit of time to do a stock-take and see if there are any gaps in your stash that you might need to spend on this month? Some of us set a budget for the month for essential purchases or to help with withdrawal symptoms, others like to go cold-turkey!! Other ideas which some people find useful: Listing everything out so you can cross things off as used to increase the sense of achievement, and putting a sum of money in a pot each time you use up an item to save for something you really want, or simply to assist in making future essential purchases "cash neutral".

Remember the challenge is about making the most of your money, enjoying your products, finding which products really suit you best and are worth buying, giving yourself a well-deserved pampering and breaking the habit of buying for the sake of buying. In money-saving tradition, it should also be about making your products l-a-s-t as long as possible (although the temptation of using an unloved shower gel extravagantly to finish it off is sometimes too much to bear!).

Brand new products (or opened perfume) sell well on eBay.

Unsuitable products can be repurposed and used for other jobs (shower gel/shampoo as handwash etc).

Some items can be returned to certain stores for exchange (for essential items or gifts!!) without a receipt.

Unwanted items can be recycled as gifts or for gift hampers (saving the money you'd have spent on gifts).

Unsuitable items can be donated to charity or a local women's refuge as mentioned earlier

It helps to avoid the places where temptation lurks for you; be it QVC, Boots, Body Shop, the supermarket toiletries aisles, Grabbit board, online toiletries browsing, seductive department store beauty counter offers etc. Remember retailers are making offers and promotions all the time, so there will always be another deal! Honest!

Good luck all for March and indeed the coming months, and remember to keep your stash lists updated, keep popping in for inspiration and support and to report your UU's and IN's, especially any sales bargains - we want a nosy!

Welcome to all newbies - the more the merrier. Please introduce yourselves so we can welcome you properly!

Oh - and anyone thinking "OMG my stash is FAR bigger than all of theirs, I cant possibly join" - believe you me, we have been doing this challenge for well over a year some of us - you wont scare us, and I can almost guarantee that someone somewhere will have had more and survived.... we are very supportive (and protective - so don't be scared !!) oh - and did we mention that are nosy??!!

Useful abbreviations and jargon!

WBA - Will Buy Again
UU - Use Ups
IN - Self explanatory - stuff you've gained into your stash - warning: lines may be given out for unnecessary purchases or you may be sent to the naughty step!
NBI - A non-bought item such as a present, gift with purchase or free sample
WNBA - Will Not Buy Again!
Glitch - when a shop/online store make a pricing mistake so you end up paying less or even get freebies!
PYN(M/T/W/Th/F/Sa/Su) DELETE AS APPROPRIATE! - Paint Your Nails Monday/Tuesday...... it allows everyone to try and finish those dastardly nail varnishes with group support! You can never be too groomed for this thread. Also see PY(T)N... - for toenails!
Splutterer - the stage where an item is nearing the end of it's life and spluttering - also the most annoying and seemingly never ending stage!
GWP - Gift With Purchase - a sample or mini sized item
HG - Holy Grail - this is the product you would go back for time and time again, it does the job brilliantly, and is either economical, or so fantastic price becomes no object!
NPI - Near Purchasing Incident (OMG we all have those!)
LHJ - Long Haul Job - for those products - love 'em or hate 'em - that never seem to end no matter how often you use them
PRCP - Pink Rose Candle Philosophy inspired by Erma Bombeck who said: 'If I had my life to live over again I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose that melted in storage'. Don't keep things 'for best' or 'for a special occasion'. That day never arrives. Give the best to yourself now and enjoy it. (Thanks to McCulloch29 for introducing this thought provoking sentiment to us)
GA - for an out that was given away to charity, as a present, or "just because" rather than binned or UU
TA - for an out that was thrown away due to going off (generally as it has been lurking at the back of a stash since time immemorial) or for any other reason such as a broken container or spillage
PP - Project Pan: a list of specific items targeted to be used up

If anyone can think of any more we can add to the list so newbies won't be intimidated by our jargon!


Graduates

Here is a list of our lovely,fragrant ladies who have polished and pampered their way through their products and managed to get their toiletries stash under control. Ladies - congratulations, you are an inspiration to the rest of us, xx . Thanks also to InaPickle who suggested we start the Graduate list. To join the list of graduates let us know by posting that you are graduating in big colourful letters, that way the OP can easily spot you and add you to the list, or better still - PM the OP as the thread can move really quickly! You may also wish to add how many products you have used up during the challenge. Good luck ladies! xx

1. mineallmine - graduated with honours March
2. Bronnie - graduated with honours March 2011
3. lostinrates - graduated with honours around June 2010
4. Ruby_Eskimo - graduated with honours June 2012
5. Seaside dreamer - graduated with honours October 2012
6. InaPickle - graduated with honours September 2014


Previous threads

In case you need to refer back to a previous stash list or product review, here are links to past challenge threads. Click on the date to take you straight to it:

January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 2012
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
January 2013
February 2013
March 2013
April 2013
May 2013
June 2013
July 2013
August 2013
September 2013
October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014
June 2014
July 2014
August 2014
September 2014
October 2014
Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.... :/
«13456731

Comments

  • asset2004
    asset2004 Posts: 2,453 Forumite
    Options
    I'm back for this month too :)

    woo hoo never been second post before either :D
    Life is a coin, you can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.
    Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you'll see further.
    Take time but don't waste time
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Options
    Thanks Babafette for getting us started. I'm in again as usual.

    Happy Birthday Seasidedreamer.

    My PP list for this month:

    Aldi Muscle Soak Bubble Bath
    Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Bath Salts
    Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Body Cream
    Molton Brown Bracing Silverbirch Shower Gel
    Molton Brown Black Pepper Shower Gel
    L'occitane Rose Petals Hand Cream
    Boots Body Spray
    Mitchum Stick Deo
    Ren Vita Mineral Day Cream
    Ren Frankincense Night Cream

    That will do for now I think.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • maddiemay
    maddiemay Posts: 4,986 Forumite
    First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    Thank you Babafette for starting us off for a new month:A

    Please count me in again (I was just about to insert sad face smilie, but this is such a great place to be I would be sad to leave:)

    November PP list
    250ml SBC Facial Exfoliating Gel
    250ml Gatineau Melatogenine Cream Cleanser
    150ml Superdrug Naturally Radiant HC Cleanser
    50ml LE Gentle Face Exfoliator
    23ml Akin Rosehip Oil
    60ml Bio Oil
    Mitchum solid AP/Deo stick
    Batiste Original dry shampoo.
    Hopefully I will find a few more items to add as the month progresses
    The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. (Abraham Lincoln)
  • rogueylawyer
    Options
    maddiemay wrote: »

    Please count me in again (I was just about to insert sad face smilie, but this is such a great place to be I would be sad to leave:)

    Aww! :T Never leave us!

    Thanks to Babafette for our shiny new thread. On the point of not leaving, I don't think I'll ever graduate! The day after realising I had had a no toiletry purchasing month (my first ever since I joined around 2 years ago) I went to Lidl and things started falling in to my basket.

    So, I officially declare the naughty step open, there is red wine and assorted nibbles for those who join.

    IN:

    Lacura eyebrow pencil blonde
    Lacura acqua-complete multi intensive serum

    Total spend: £5.48, 1p less than I usually spend on my l'oreal brow pencil, so I'm not exactly beating myself up. Have used the serum and am loving it. I also checked out how much it is reselling for on amazon and wish I'd picked up a few more. There also had about 20 of the hyaluronic gel. I thought I'd give the serum a try as the moisturiser I'm using up isn't quite enough now the season is (possibly) changing, and for £3.49 I am very pleased!
  • Willowbee
    Willowbee Posts: 713 Forumite
    First Post
    Options
    Thank you, Babafette, for starting the thread :) I hope that you've recovered from your blood test?

    I'm in again :beer:

    October was a slow month for me - 12 items UU. I managed to not have any INs though, which I'm very happy about :j

    I need to have another No Spend month but am finding all the Christmas sets and offers difficult to ignore :eek: Every time that I'm tempted I remind myself how many lovely (and not so lovely) things that I still have to use up! Still not easy though...

    One good thing - I've fished my bottle of Philosophy Christmas Cookie shower gel out of my stash and I like it more than when I first used it. The scent has faded just a little and it smells more biscuity and is just much nicer (to my nose, anyhow :rotfl:)

    Best of luck everyone :)
  • poppy_f1
    poppy_f1 Posts: 2,637 Forumite
    First Post Combo Breaker First Anniversary
    edited 28 November 2014 at 5:11PM
    Options
    im in again this is a copy and paste from the past stash list, i am planning on doing a sort out this month so may edit it
    upto date stash list is:
    * = mini
    Hair

    andrew barton frizz tamer leave in conditioner
    vo5 curl defining mouse
    tresemme hairspray
    tresemme mouse
    silvikrin hairspray
    botanics heat protection shine serum *
    fudge root juice
    fudge head shine
    vo5 tousled texture spray
    fudge membrane gas
    cheapy straightening spray
    bedhead after party hair smoother x4
    bedhead shine spray
    bedhead split end leave in repairer
    mark hill hairspray *
    mark hill shampoo*
    mark hill shine spray*
    tresemme keratin smooth oil
    tresemme split end remedy leave in treatment
    andrew barton heat protection styling cream
    gianni backcomb in a bottle*
    batiste dry shampoo
    tresemee shampoo mini*
    andrew barton heat protection spray
    twisted sista serum
    tigi bed head spoil me hairspray
    rockaholic dry conditioner
    tigi bed head foxy curls
    tigi bed head creative genius

    skin care

    rimmel sunshimmer
    no7 eye make up remover
    soap and glory slimwear
    soap and glory hand food x1
    soap and glory heel geniusx3
    soap and glory glam lotion
    sanctuary body cocooning body butter
    santucary body butterx2
    sanctuary creamy body oil
    sanctuary body oil spray
    olay face toner
    sudocreme
    nip+fab dry leg fix
    palmers cocoa butter
    boots cocoa body lotion
    nivea firming body lotion
    nivea celulite gel
    nivea crème
    nivea soft cream
    no7 hand cream
    soap and glory righteous body butter mini x2*
    soap and glory hand food mini*
    soap and glory sugar crush body scrub mini*
    soap and glory flake away mini*
    soap and glory scrub of your life mini*
    soap and glory clean on me mini*
    soap and glory clean girls mini*
    soap and glory righteous body butter x4
    soap and glory sugar crush body wash x2
    soap and glory body milk
    soap and glory scrubatomic x2
    soap and glory peaches and clean x1
    soap and glory butter yourself moisture lotion

    bio oil
    baby oil
    nivea roll on deorodant x5 (?) unsure how many of these there are will need to double check
    no7 moisturising body lotion
    sanctuary body lotion*
    sanctuary hand creamx2*
    sanctuary foaming bath soak*
    sanctuary body scrubx1*
    sanctuary body moisturising spray*


    face stuff
    [strike]clinique youth surge night[/strike]
    clinique anti blemish gelx2
    clinique clarifying lotion
    clinique eye make up remover
    clinique turnaround concentrate
    clinique anti gravity eye cream
    clinique all about eyes x2 *
    vitamin C serum
    clinique mooiture surge x2*
    clinique moisture surge overnight mask x2*
    clinique 7 day scrub cream*
    clinique deep comfort hand cream*
    clinique moisture surge overnight mask
    clinique youth surge night *
    clinique dramatically different lotion*
    clinique repairwear uplifting *
    bobbi brown moisturising balm*
    bobbi brown intensive skin serum*
    nivea q10 eye roll on
    sanex roll on deodorant x3
    nivea q10 skin serum
    saaf face serum
    lacura night cream
    sanctuary facial oil
    olay moisturiser and serum duo
    no7 protect and perfect day cream
    no7 protect and perfect night cream
    loreal youth code serum
    soap and glory energy balm
    tzone spot gel
    loreal youth code eye cream
    balance snake venom eye cream
    soap and glory hocus pocus
    bobbi brown treatment lotion*
    soap and glory touch and glow lotion
    no7 dry skin rescue
    time delay serum
    balance wrinkle free serum
    soap and glory eye gel
    bobbi brown vitamin face base
    mac mineralize face gel x2
    mac mineralise eye gel x2
    bobbi brown tonic

    perfumey bits
    gucci guilty deodorant
    gucci guilty black
    gucci guilty
    gucci guilty refills
    gucci guilty body lotion x2
    hugo boss orange
    hugo boss orange body lotion
    hugo boss orange shower gel
    next just pink
    ralph lauren romance
    ralph lauren romance body lotion
    clinique happy*
    valentino rock n rose body lotionx2
    marc jacobs honey, daisy, dot, daisy eau so fresh
    guerlain aqua allegoria - bouquet der mai, herba fresca, lys soliea, pampleune


    nails

    no7 just black
    nails inc soho silver
    nails inc diamond
    nails inc tate
    nails inc oyster like colour mini*
    nails inc shoreditch
    dior clear gel top coat
    17 miami
    avon sparkly green
    boots salon shine top coat
    nail and cuticle oil
    [strike]orly bonder mini[/strike]
    [strike]rimmel funtime fuscia[/strike]
    rimmel pompous
    rimmel etherel
    rimmel black out
    rimmel sunshine
    collection all that jazz
    clear top coat x1
    mavala pure diamond
    17 clear top coat
    17 glitter top coat
    nails inc south molton street
    nails inc victoria
    karen millen lilac glitter
    ted baker pink
    models inc garnet x2
    nails inc grey
    n7 matte nail effects
    n7 duck egg blue varnish

    Make Up

    Foundation:
    olay touch of foundation
    mac mineralize foundation nw20 x2
    mac face and body foundation N1 x2
    mac face and body foundation N2
    mac face and body foundation C3
    mac face and body foundation N3
    mac bb cream
    soap and glory show good face
    benefit thats flawless
    benefit playstick

    primers
    MUA Matt perfect x1
    MUA pro base primer
    benefit that gal
    benefit porefessional
    MUA flawless skin primer
    mac prep and prime lip primer
    mac prep and prime mascara
    mac prep and prime skin smoother
    urban decay eye primer
    MUA vanishing cream
    benefit dr feelgood
    nip+fab frown fix
    benefit stay flawless primer
    mac prep and prime eyes
    nivea primer x2
    mac skin brigetning serum
    benefit ooh la lift

    concealers
    benefit boi-ing
    benefit stay dont stray
    bobbi brown bisque
    benefit erase paste
    loreal touch magique
    benefit fake up
    clinique airbrush concealer
    bobbi brown porcelin

    clinique anti blemish concealers

    Powders
    mac minerize medium x2
    mac minerilze medium plus
    clinique superpowder matt beige
    rimmel stay matte transparent
    NYX finishing powder

    blush/bronzers

    clinique cabana pink blush block
    bobbi brown shimmer brick beige
    bobbi brown shimmer brick rose
    clinique cream blush shy blush
    mac something special
    clinique bashful plum powder blush*
    urban decay fetish powder blush
    ted baker illumination
    ted baker bronze illuminator
    clinique almost bronzer*
    benefit hibeam*
    benefit suncream*
    GOSH bronzer shimmer brush
    ted baker bronzer
    the original beaty glow bronzer

    mascara

    collection cllear maqscara x4
    loreal eyelash serum
    clinqiue high lengths mascara
    mac haute and naughty w7 style eyes clear x1
    soap and glory thick& fast
    no7 lash adapt
    17 blow out
    no 7 mini mascara

    eye liner/brow pencils
    lancome eye pencil
    ted baker glitter
    barry M gel eyeliner
    clinqiue quick liner
    no7 eye pencil
    ted baker liner
    MUA eye brow pencil
    clinique eyebrow pencil
    sleek eye brow kit

    lips
    ted baker purple pencil
    ted baker pink pencil
    no7 lip gloss
    collection cherry pop
    bobbi brown lip gloss bellinni *
    clinqiue lip gloss
    17 lipstick shell
    new kid lip gloss
    2 faced lip injection techno buff
    clinique lipstick dubonnet
    lipcote
    urban decay lip gloss (from naked pallet)
    soap and glory lipstick man trap
    mac lipstiick chatterbox
    no7 lipstick waterlily
    bobbi brown lipglosss almost bare
    clinique gloss grapefruit
    collection baby crystal
    natural collection raspberry
    9x revlon lipsticks

    eyeshadows
    [strike]bobbi brown cement[/strike]
    bobbi brown platinum
    bobbi brown nude
    bobbi brown woodrose
    clinique duo black icicile
    Barry M natural glow pallett
    W7 naked nudes pallette
    bobbi brown wheat
    mac mylar
    mac mythology
    mac swish
    mac make your mark
    mac silver ring
    mac young punk
    17 barely there 3 shades
    boourgois silver
    clinique bufff
    clinique chocolate chip
    clinique chocolate covered cherry
    clinique platinum
    clinique gold glimmer
    clinique silver frost
    benefit brown glimmery
    ted baker brownish shade
    cheapy brown pallette
    MUA luxe pretty edgy pallette
    MUA heaven and earth pallette
    Urban decay naked 2 pallette
    MAC painterly paint pot
    bobbi brown soho chic eye pallette
    no 7 eyeshadow (not sure of color at the moment)
    urban decay setting spray
    MUA setting spray
    clinque travel set
    clinique lipstick and facepowder set

    tresemme condioner 500mls
    tresemme shampoo 500mls x2
    tresemme shampoo 900mls x1

    [strike]herbal essence hair mask [/strike]
    tresemme split remedey mask
    alberto balsam shampoo x1
    alberto balsam condition x2
    [strike]tresemme keritin smooth x2[/strike]
    st ives body scrub
    Balance vitamin C serum
    boots cleanser x1
    soap and glory sugar crush body wash
    soap and glory clean girls body wash
    soap and glory scrumatomic x1
    nivea shower cream oil
    sanctuary shower oil
    sanctuary body wash
    clinique cleansing balm
    soap and glory peaches and cream cleanser
    bobbi brown buffing grains
    indian healing clay
    soap and glory the fab pore
    soap and glory the greatest scrub of all
    sanctuary oil scrub
    soap and glory clean on me
    dove deodorant roll on x2

    st moritz fake tan mist spray
    st moritz fake tan mousse

    marc jacobs honey perfume
    marc jacobs honey shower gel
    marc jacobs honey body lotion
    eye brow/lash dye
    3x clear mascaras
    clinique foaming cleanser
    clinique brush cleaner
    some mini clinique samples that i cant remember what they are

    cheap hair conditioner
    L'Oreal Mythic Oil
    nails inc matte top coat
    models co brows gel
    some skin prep samples
    gosh silky cream blusher

    mini benefit eye potion cream
    model co lip gloss
    mini dermabrasion cream
    heating oil treatment sample

    liz earle hot cloth cleanser
    laura mercier primer
    james read self mask rtan
    eye make up remover wipes
    bourjois mascara
    phillips kingsley hair defence spray

    nuxe creme fraiche mask
    etre belle liplift
    so susan mascara
    ciante nail varnish ditch the heels
    yves rocher perfume
    rimmel bb cream
  • alja
    alja Posts: 838 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    Please count me in once again :)
  • sjprmc01
    sjprmc01 Posts: 917 Forumite
    edited 2 November 2014 at 8:40AM
    Options
    I'm back for the challenge this month :). At least I will be after my wee honeymoon (I have acquired some toiletries though) here's a wee wedding pic from Fri:http://instagram.com/p/u46M42thhV/
    No more unnecessary toiletries Feb 2014 INS: 24 UU: 13. Mar 2014. INS: lost count, naughty step for me! UU: 8
  • getting-there-slowly
    Options
    Good morning
    I'm still plodding along, no ins last month but not many outs either!
    No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries: July stash 72/0 INS/2 UU/0 TA
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Options
    sjprmc01 wrote: »
    I'm back for the challenge this month :). At least I will be after my wee honeymoon (I have acquired some toiletries though) here's a wee wedding pic from Fri:http://instagram.com/p/u46M42thhV/


    You look so elegant, hope you had a good day.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.1K Life & Family
  • 248K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards