No Buying Unneccesary Toiletries April 2016

Here we go again for another month (and year)! As usual this initial post has been shamelessly copied from the many previous months. A big thank you to Maddiemay 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
December 2015
January 2016
February 2016
March 2016
No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries 2015/2016/2017/2018

UUs for 2016: 513 In's: 447 UUs for 2017: 207 Ins: 161
UUs for 2018: In's:
Self Confessed Lush Addict!
«13456741

Comments

  • mrs-moneypenny
    mrs-moneypenny Posts: 15,519 Forumite
    edited 28 May 2016 at 9:41AM
    Thank you for the new thread gemzie
    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
    I'm starting 2016 with 292 items
    INs - 914
    UUs - 49
    TAs - 1
    GA - 1
    Running total for 2016 = 253

    Perfumes - 16
    Kills love slowly
    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



    face care - 18
    aldi face mask
    Tester pot night cream
    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
    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 - 10
    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
    Sanctuary gentle polish body scrub


    lotions and creams including hand - 33
    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
    salonniere hand cream
    B&H lemon blossom and white rose hand & body lotion
    Bath boutique body lotion
    Royal jelly 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
    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 cherry blossom oriental lily and lotus flower hand & body lotion
    Boots oriental floral mimosa body cream
    nivea soft X2
    boots royal jelly body lotion
    Natural extracts body lotion with vitamin E
    Sanctuary silky smooth body lotion


    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 - 20
    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
    S&G Sugar Crush Body Wash
    BS chocomania shower gel
    fenjal luxury shower oil
    Angel perfume shower gel
    bhs whitetea and gojiberry bath salts
    bhs olive sage and cocoa butter bath and shower gel
    Champneys skin comforting bath soak powder
    Sanctuary cleansing burst body wash


    feet - 11
    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
    sanctraury intensive heel rescue balm
    scholl revitalising gel
    carnation anti blister stick
    carnation cracked heel cream
    SpaO2 foot lotion

    bath bombs - 7
    Bomb seasons tweetings bath bomb
    Bomb rocking Robin bath bomb
    Bomb snowflakes on your tongue bath bomb
    Bomb glitter all bath creamer
    Rosebud bathbomb
    Rose shaped thing with bubble bath petals
    Lush candy bubble bath bar

    deodorant -
    Dove invisible dry Roll on

    hairspray and hair - 7
    aldi hair spray
    Vo5 heat protect spray
    Lee Stafford dry shampoo
    paul mitchell colour protect locking spray
    catwalk frisky scrunching gel
    Argan oil conditioner
    Alberto balsam raspberry shampoo


    talc 2
    2 assorted

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

    soap - 7
    carex liquid soap
    apple tango hand wash
    Astonish liquid soap
    4x aldi soap bars

    Massage bars -
    Lush

    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 - 75
    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 X12
    lip pencils assorted X2
    body shop choc lip butter
    lip sticks assorted X 23
    mascara assorted X2
    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
  • mrs-moneypenny
    mrs-moneypenny Posts: 15,519 Forumite
    Thank s for the new thread, I've got some gardening to finish now then I'll sort out my seven in summer use up list.
    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
  • maddiemay
    maddiemay Posts: 4,971
    First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    Forumite
    Gemzie - thank you for the new thread, the copying and pasting is really difficult sometimes, well done you for persisting:beer:

    Scores on the doors for March:- UU 7, total year to date 23. IN 7 total 22. TA 1 total 2. GA 0 total 10.

    I will look in again with my PP list for April.

    I did not fare too well with my 6 for Spring list, just a very few uses left of a couple of items, but will just do the April challenge and not do a 7 for Summer as we will be away quite a lot and I am bound to get in a muddle with it:eek:
    The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. (Abraham Lincoln)
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Forumite
    Thanks for the new thread Gemzie. I'm in for April.

    My 7 for Summer is:

    Finish 7 by Summer
    1. Bobbi Brown Chocolate Eyeliner
    2. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
    3. Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer
    4. Revlon Lip Butter - Pink Truffle
    5. Clinique Lip Gloss in Kissy Fit
    6. Max Factor Cream Blush in Soft Pink
    7. Soap & Glory It's about prime



    My PP list for April:


    1. Vaseline Hand Cream
    2. Body Shop Vanilla Brulee Bath Jelly
    3. Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Butter
    4. Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Shower Gel
    5. Elemis Apricot Toner
    6. Ole Henriksen Youth Activating Oil
    7. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
    8. Lush R&B
    9. Elemis Frangipani Oil (think I've got the name wrong but it is the solid stuff that you have to melt)
    10. Philosophy The Snowman Shower Gel/Bubble Bath
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Forumite
    My monthly makeup basket for April:

    Elemis Pro Radiance Illuminating Flash Bal/New CID Primer
    Max Factor Facefinity 3 in 1 Foundation – this is for work days and is the same as Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous that a lot of US youtubers rave about – it is really, really good.
    Benefit Boing Concealer – this is in the Big Beautiful Eyes palette/Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer
    Clinique Airbrush Concealer – for undereyes
    No7 Crème Touch Powder
    Benefit Benetint/Benefit Dandelion/Body Shop Honey Bronzer
    Seventeen Eyebrow Pencil/Maybelline Brow Drama
    S&G It’s about prime/Smashbox Photofinish primer (eyes)
    Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette
    Bobbi Brown Chocolate Eye Liner (this tiny pencil is going to last the rest of my life seemingly)
    Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
    Revlon Lip Butter Pink Truffle/Clinique Lipgloss in Kissy Fit
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • spider479
    spider479 Posts: 290
    First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
    Forumite
    Thanks for the new thread Gemzie121!

    I treated myself to the Soap & Glory Antibac Gels and the Strawberry one from Superdrug today as I got some exciting job news!

    Hope everyone is well! x
  • Lou85
    Lou85 Posts: 135
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Thanks Gemzie. I'll get round to my 7 for Summer over this weekend I hope!
    #27 £2016 in 2016 = £763.61

    #42 £2 Savers Club = £160

    *Savers Club not included in overall 2016 savings until the tin is opened and my estimates have been confirmed later in the year.
  • Gemzie121
    Gemzie121 Posts: 668
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    edited 28 April 2016 at 10:25PM
    Pp list for April:

    1. [STRIKE]Wilko jasmine & peach nectar roll on deodorant[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]2. Sanex pro dermo hydrate spray deodorant[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]3. Imperial leather blackberry & fig shower gel 250ml[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]4. Lush rub rub rub shower scrub 350g[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]5. M&S fig & orange oil body butter 200ml[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]6. Nivea irresistibly smooth Shea body lotion 75ml[/STRIKE]
    7. Medicated talcum powder
    [STRIKE]8. Lush santas lip scrub[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]9. TBS Shea hand cream 30ml[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]10. Loreal elvive extraordinary clay shampoo
    11. Loreal elvive extraordinary clay conditioner[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]12. Lush magic wand bubble bar (1/2 used)[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]13. TBS honeymania bubble bath melt[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]14. Avon naturals complete recovery chamomile & aloe hair mask[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]15. Sensodyne toothpaste[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]16. Superdrug pro sensitive mouthwash[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]17. Johnsons no more tangles conditioning spray [/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]18. Espa pink hair and scalp mud [/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]19. Lush pink fun 1/2 bar
    [/STRIKE]
    No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries 2015/2016/2017/2018

    UUs for 2016: 513 In's: 447 UUs for 2017: 207 Ins: 161
    UUs for 2018: In's:
    Self Confessed Lush Addict!
  • Ailurophile
    Ailurophile Posts: 16 Forumite
    edited 15 April 2016 at 9:51AM
    Thanks for the new thread, Gemzie!

    My PP for April:

    1. No7 lip crayon in Delicate Pink
    [STRIKE]2. No7 mascara[/STRIKE]
    3. Simple face scrub
    4. Simple face wash
    [STRIKE]5. Botanics serum[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]6. Botanics miceller water[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]7. Soap and Glory body polish[/STRIKE]
    8. Dove body lotion mini
    9. TBS apple body butter
    10. TBS apple shower gel
    [STRIKE]11. Schwarzkopf shine tonic[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]12. Imperial leather bubble bath[/STRIKE]
    13. Rimmel face powder
    [STRIKE]14. Miss Sporty clear nail polish[/STRIKE]

    My nail polish remover is on it's last legs so I'll need to purchase one at some point this month. That's the only IN I will allow myself.
  • Thanks for the new thread Gemzie121! I'm in again this month. Good luck everyone! :)
This discussion has been closed.
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