No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries December 2015

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[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 0 Forumite
First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
edited 30 November 2015 at 1:13PM in Health & beauty MoneySaving
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 rdone 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 some of us even 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?

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, email newsletter, 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
November 2014
December 2014
January 2015
February 2015
March 2015
April 2015
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
«13456731

Comments

  • Sundaysgirl
    Sundaysgirl Posts: 1,096 Forumite
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    I'm in - thanks for starting us off!
    MFW 2017 #123 2018: £1,852.64/£39,200 (4.7%)
  • asajj
    asajj Posts: 5,123 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Rampant Recycler
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    Thank you and see you in December !
    ally.
  • mrs-moneypenny
    mrs-moneypenny Posts: 15,519 Forumite
    edited 28 December 2015 at 11:31AM
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    Thank you for the new thread
    hope everyone is well and managing to UU more than they add

    would like to be below 250 by the end of the year
    first full count list done for a while was at End of Feb 2014 had 358
    now have 294 items

    Perfumes - 17
    Alfred sung Sui
    Hypnose
    Sexy Amber michael kors
    vivienne Westwood boudoir
    Thierry Mugler X2 8ml
    Thierry Mugler Angel 25ml
    Narciso Rodriguez for her
    Hugo Boss Deep Red
    Agent Provocateur X2
    Tresor in love
    Jimmy Choo
    Doir poison
    Nina Ricci RicciRicci
    Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely
    Jean Paul Gaultier classique



    face care - 18
    aldi face mask
    Anew clinical eye lift pro
    Anew clinical defence deep recovery cream x2
    ren rosa centifolia hot cloth cleanser
    skin doctor instant face lift
    skin doctor instant eye lift
    skin therapy eye make up remover
    Aveeno cleansing lotion X2
    Anew ultimate age repair cream cleanser
    dead sea magik gentle cleansing face wash
    balance me pure skin face wash
    No7 skin spritz
    dead sea magik mild exfoliant
    body ultimate skin care face & body polish
    body ultimate skin care collagen therapy gel
    Lacura Q10 renew multi intensive serum


    Body butters - 10
    Champneys good as new body butter
    S&G the righteous Butter 300ml
    salonniere body butter
    Elle Macpherson nourishing honey butter
    sanctuary body butter X 4
    sanctuary mande lular body souffle
    champneys moisture miracle body butter

    scrubs & polishes - 9
    Body boutique body scrub
    sanctuary mande lular body scrub
    spa O2 revitalising body scrub
    sanctuary body scrub
    bhs brazilian lime sugar cane and basil body scrub
    Gok gorgeous body polish with almond oil
    B&h skin spa body polish
    B&h sweet mandarin & grapefruit body polish
    no7 cleansing body polish


    lotions and creams - 30
    Bath boutique body lotion
    Royal jelly body lotion X 2
    B&H lemon blossom and white rose hand & body lotion
    cerise tube of GW body lotion
    B&H french lavendar and cassis body balm
    dead sea magik silky smooth body lotion
    pure poison body lotion
    secret obsession body lotion
    jean paul gaultier classique body lotion
    tresor in love body lotion
    agent provocateur body glamour lotion
    B&H white mulberry & marshmallow body lotion
    B&H sweet mandarin & grapefruit hand &body lotion
    O2spa hand and body lotion
    sanctuary body lotion X2
    Lush dream team hand and body lotion
    cowshed grumpy cow body lotion
    ArranAromatics shimmer gel
    Hypnose senses body lotion
    Lush potion body lotion
    B&H silky hand and body lotion
    B&H cherry blossom oriental lily and lotus flower hand & body lotion
    Boots oriental floral mimosa body cream
    nivea soft X3
    boots royal jelly body lotion
    Natural extracts body lotion with vitamin E


    Oils - 4
    source of purity massage
    Avon SSS dry oil body spray
    Agent provocateur body massage oil
    Dr organic organic vitamin e pure oil complex


    bath and shower - 30
    Radox coconut kiss shower cream
    Radox mango mayhem shower gel
    Nivea sort shower cream
    Champneys good as new bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml mandarin & white jasmine bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml White Lily bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml romantic rose bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml soft rose bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml lily of the valley bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml warm vanilla & fig bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml soft pink bubble bath
    Avon 1000ml cranberry & orange bubble bath
    Avon 500ml mandarin & white jasmine bubble bath
    Avon 500ml lavender bubble bath
    Avon 500ml strawberry sorbet bubble bath
    Avon 500ml pink bubble bath x2
    Sanctuary body wash X3
    S&G Sugar Crush Body Wash
    BS chocomania shower gel
    fenjal luxury shower oil
    Angel perfume shower gel X2
    tresor in love shower gel
    hypnose senses shower gel
    bhs whitetea and gojiberry bath salts
    bhs olive sage and cocoa butter bath and shower gel
    Champneys skin comforting bath soak powder


    feet - 12
    Champneys good as new foot butter
    Elle Macpherson pedicure in a jar
    the rectory softening foot cream
    the rectory smoothing foot polish
    body blitz revive foot scrub
    body blitz revive foot lotion
    sanctuary soothing foot lotion
    sanctraury intensive heel rescue balm
    scholl revitalising gel
    carnation anti blister stick
    carnation cracked heel cream
    SpaO2 foot lotion

    Hands - 9
    Champneys good as new hand cream
    Orange and lime hand cream
    Pink pepper and amarys hand cream
    Mandarin and patchouli hand cream
    Spiced winterberry hand cream
    30ml tube of sanctuary hand cream
    salonniere hand cream
    champneys vitamiracle hand & nail cream
    Anew ultimate Hand cream

    bath bombs - 5
    Bomb seasons tweetings bath bomb
    Bomb rocking Robin bath bomb
    Bomb snowflakes on your tongue bath bomb
    Bomb glitter all bath creamer
    lush bath bomb


    deodorant - 3
    Roll on deodorant
    Sanctuary body spritz
    Nivea pearl and beauty roll on

    hairspray and hair - 11
    Avena smooth infusion curl relaxer
    aldi hair spray
    Vo5 heat protect spray
    Lee Stafford dry shampoo
    phytologue phytoctrus soin hair mask
    paul mitchell colour protect locking spray
    catwalk frisky scrunching gel
    Argan oil conditioner
    Shampoo


    talc 2
    2 assorted

    sachets and samples - 2
    avon clear skin blemish treatment
    Maybellene superstay better skin tester

    soap - 9
    Body boutique soap
    carex liquid soap
    apple tango hand wash
    sainsburys antibacterial hand wash
    so fruity fresh mandarin hand wash 750ml
    bomb cosmetic soap in a sponge
    2 assorted handmade soap bars
    Bomb Santa baby soap

    Massage bars - 2
    assorted Lush ones

    random items - 3
    L'Oreal solar advanced sun protection
    L'Oreal nutri summer tone up
    Clarnis sun wrinkle control cream


    Nail stuff - 26
    polishes assorted X20
    collection 2000 2in1 top coat
    nail attraction top coat
    nail attraction strenghtener
    avon exfoliating expert manicure gel
    boots holy grail nail and cuticle cream
    cutex nail polish remover

    skin and face - 82
    Nivea fruity shine strawberry lip balm
    nivea tinted day cream
    maybellene dream matte mousse
    rimmel stay matte make up
    rimmel double act foundation
    Elizabeth Arden let there be light compact
    No7 intellegient colour foundation
    estee lauder lucidity
    benefit show off
    benefit sun beam highlighter
    ritz loose powder
    olay loose glitter powder
    candida beauty glow loose powder
    candida beauty glow powder compact
    blushers assorted X4
    eye pencils assorted X13
    lip pencils assorted X4
    body shop choc lip butter
    lip sticks assorted X 26
    mascara assorted X3
    eyeshadows assorted X17

    i think that all of it.
    i havent bothered counting the toothpaste & mouth wash products as they are essentials
    SPC~12 ot 124

    In a world that has decided that it's going to lose its mind, be more kind my friend, try to Be More Kind
  • rdone
    rdone Posts: 569 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper Combo Breaker
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    Thanks for the new thread... see you tomorrow!
    My debt free diary
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6348513/large-renovation-tiny-budget-lets-go/p1?new=1

    Debt: £14,896.33 @ 21/04/2020.
    Down to: £4,982.12 @ 08/06/2022
    Today: £14,256.23
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
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    Thanks for starting us off BNS - I'm in. Will post my PP list and monthly make up basket tomorrow.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • indiepanda
    indiepanda Posts: 994 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited 8 March at 3:51PM
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    Thanks for starting us off again Deleted_User.

    After a month of few UU and quite a few additions my mission for December is not to buy anything for myself and if friends / relatives ask for ideas for Christmas to encourage them to buy something that I will get use from sooner - e.g. books and CDs.

    I am glad I've managed to resist the various Black Friday offers so at least I don't have anything on its way in the post to add to the stash.
  • WeAreGhosts
    WeAreGhosts Posts: 3,100 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    edited 8 March at 3:51PM
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    Thanks for starting us off, Deleted_User.

    I'm not going to do a PP list for December. I'm just aiming to UU as many products as I can before the 25th :D
  • seasideDreamer
    Options
    I'm in but will def be buying myself some Bath and Body Works for myself. Probably nothing else but I love B&BW even if I don't need it. In the Christmas sales I will probably also get some Lush, maybe some Issey Miyake, Miss Dior and Liz Earle if the sets are on a good offer. Will try my best not to buy other sale bargains though as don't think Ill need them till next years sales:eek::eek:
    Debt free and busy treating myself:)

    No more toiletries/make up until I've used what I've got stashed since Jan 2011, graduated October 2012. Restocked Dec 13..damn those sales
  • Hermia
    Hermia Posts: 4,473 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
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    I'm in but will def be buying myself some Bath and Body Works for myself. Probably nothing else but I love B&BW even if I don't need it. In the Christmas sales I will probably also get some Lush, maybe some Issey Miyake, Miss Dior and Liz Earle if the sets are on a good offer. Will try my best not to buy other sale bargains though as don't think Ill need them till next years sales:eek::eek:

    I am still using up stuff from last year's January sales... So, this year I won't go near them. The only one I would be interested in is L'Occitane, but I will be avoiding Boots etc.

    I hope to use up ten items this month, but not sure what yet.
  • coops678
    Options
    Hi guys,

    Hello and goodluck to all fellow UU people!

    First UU list drawn up in Sep'15, here's my updated UU list for Dec'15

    I hope to UU/give away/sell/bin my list below. My sell incentive is to create a cash pot to buy a bottle of Jo Malone perfume (£42/85) and replacement Benetint (£24.50) and Highbeam (£19.50). My commitment to self is to not purchase further items unless necessary until December '15. Until then, I hope to replace further needed items with free samples where possible and to satisfy any withdrawal symptoms with my Birchbox points. Here goes!

    Initial Sep '15 product total: 182 // Sell incentive total cost: £129/86 or less if possible.

    Oct product total: 153 // Current total after UU 146 // Current paypal balance: £9.95 (first sale, yipee!)

    Bath and body

    Dove beauty cream bar
    Dove soft peeling exfoliator bar
    Dental floss
    Body shop bubble bath melt (honey)
    Honeymania Bodyshop (BS) body butter (BB)
    Olive BS BB
    Shea butter BS BB
    Moringa BS BB
    Almond BS BB
    Blueberry BS BB
    Sweetpea duo BS BB
    Macadamia Nut duo BS BB
    Sweet lemon BS BB
    Mango BS BB 50ml
    Sweet lemon scrub BS
    Shea butter BS BB 50ml
    Get fruity lemon BB
    Honeymania showergel BS
    Shea butter heart shaped soap BS
    Lush lip scrub in mint julips
    Epsom salts
    Lush bath bomb in Dorothy
    Lush bath bomb in misc.
    Misc. bath bomb
    Misc. bath bomb in lemon
    Purple soap shapes (flowers)
    Sweet snuggles choc/vanilla shower cream
    Sweet snuggles choc/vanilla body scrub
    Impulse body fragrance
    Soap and Glory endless glove hand cream
    Bliss foot patrol cream
    Baylis and Harding soap
    Rituals Orange and Cedar scrub
    Sanctuary moisture spray
    Bio oil
    Johnsons holiday skin
    Radox bubblebath
    Hemp handcream BS
    Wild rose handcream BS
    Almond handcream BS
    Hemp handcream BS
    M&S royal jelly and pure honey handcream
    Sweet snuggles creme caramel body lotion
    Boots royal jelly/extracts of pure honey bodywash
    Boots royal jelly/extracts of pure honey moisturising creme bath
    Boots royal jelly/extracts of pure honey body lotion
    Rescue remedy night essence
    Pure almond oil
    Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Body Cream
    Rescue Remedy Night Spray

    Hair

    Hairspray (small can)
    Pantene mousse
    Tresemme hairspray
    Kebelo clarifying shampoo
    John Master's detangler
    Percy & Reed London Instant Volumising Spray
    Hair serums

    Perfume

    BS white musk sunglow
    BS white musk honeymania
    BS white musk smokey rose
    BS japanese cherry blossom

    Face

    Foam face cleanser
    Nivea toner
    BS moisturiser Vit E night cream
    BS moisturiser Vit E day cream
    Quickies eye make up remover pads
    BS moisturiser Vit C day cream
    BS Vit C microdermabrasion face scrub
    Clean & Clear daily face exfoliating wash
    Botanics all bright daily face scrub
    Botanics all bright moisturiser
    Paula's choice BHA liquid exfoliator
    Nivea moisturiser
    Nivea tinted moisturiser
    BS Vit C skin reviver
    Olay proj. deep wrinkle moisturiser
    Lip balms: nectarine/mint/fat face
    BS Vit C eye reviver duo
    BS Vit E eyes cube
    Dr Jackson’s Natural Products Face Oil
    Liz Earle Beauty Co Cleanse & Polish

    Make up

    BS BB cream
    Natural collection loose powder
    Benetint
    BS lip and cheek tint
    Laqa & co lip and cheek stain
    Posietint
    BS eyeshadows (dark blue/light blue/light pink)
    Colour tatoo eye studio cream shadow in brown
    BS eye shadow cubes (brown/gold)
    BS 4 colour eye palette in brown
    Coloured lip balms (purple/pink/peach)
    Barry M pink lip gloss
    Maxfactor lipfinity colour/gloss in deep pink
    Lord and Berry blush in deep pink
    Too faced lipstick in Naked Dolly
    Lord and Berry eye liner in Slate
    Model co lipliner in nude
    Nail polish in pink (natural collection)
    Nail polish in nude
    Benefit roller lash mascara in black
    Benefit cream eye shadow in r.s.v.p
    Ofra liquid lipstick in Laguna Beach
    Seventeen liquid eyeliner in black
    Ciat! London Paint Pot nail varnish in red
    Benefit Highbeam

    Total IN 2.

    Fat face perfume Free sample x2

    UU list:

    Mango BS BB Sold on eBay! (first sale :) )
    Purple soap shape
    Bath bombs misc. x2
    Bamford Geranium Hand and Body Wash Was nice to use this sample but WNBA, it is so expensive!
    BS shampoo in ginger Bathroom staple for a nice clean scalp
    BS Vit C daily face polish Nothing more than gloopy face wash by the end of the bottle
    English laundry No.7 perfume sample This is a lovely scent vanilla musk and fresh floral
    Toothpaste sample Sparkly silver toothpaste! So much fun to use.

    Thanks guys!
    :T Debt free wannabe by Feb 2016 - The final push! :T Nov debt total: £4036.36: CapQuest: £1,049.76/Interest 0%, Barclaycard Visa: £863.48/Interest 12.90%, RBS credit card: £788.52/Interest 0%, Barclaycard Visa: £ 765.63/Interest 12.90%, RBS overdraft (defaulted): £568.97/Interest 0%, CapQuest £523.96/Interest 0%.
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