No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries August 2016

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 Gemzie121 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
April 2016
May 2016
June 2016
[URL=”http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5487158”]July 2016[/URL]
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Comments

  • Back for August! My current stash total is 486.
    It went up during July. My aim for August is to get it down to 450. I don't know how likely that is but I'm going to try! :)
  • gemmajenkins0208
    gemmajenkins0208 Posts: 527
    First Post First Anniversary
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    edited 31 July 2016 at 3:10PM
    Count me in for August :o

    I have my new and sealed stash that I will move on to once the unnecessaries are used up, which are:

    2x Simple eye makeup remover pads
    2x Wilko functional face wipes
    FCUK for her
    Osmo Effects detoxifying shampoo
    Johnson's baby powder

    All opened, all have at least some product from them used. A couple are nearly empty now though so should see the back of them by the end of August :D

    P.S. Our bathroom is still in a mess from when the roofers were here a few weeks back so it's very hard to shower here. Luckily we have good neighbours and friends who are letting us use their facilities until someone comes and sorts our bathroom out :(
  • maddiemay
    maddiemay Posts: 4,971
    First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
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    Deleted_User - thanks for the new thread, will post my UU list later.:D
    The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. (Abraham Lincoln)
  • sam.4000
    sam.4000 Posts: 1,396
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary
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    Thank ŷou Deleted_User for starting us off this month and Gemzie for last month, getting a little jealous of your growing lush collection:D
  • Tolteca87
    Tolteca87 Posts: 1,394
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Gets in with more In freebie cleanser.

    I'm in the duration, I fear.
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Forumite
    Thanks Deleted_User for the new thread.

    My Finish 7 by Autumn list is still ongoing.

    Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - b/f from 7 by summer
    Max Factor Cream Blush in Soft Pink - b/f from 7 by summer
    Lancome Juicy Tube - mini GWP size
    Korres Rose Tinted Lip Balm - the stick type one
    Smashbox Photo Finish Eye Primer - sample size
    Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Powder Blush - mini in a GWP palette
    Urban Decay Double Ended Eye Liner - Zero/Corrupt - just want to finish Corrupt.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • Thank you for the new thread! I'm in for August. My goals for the month are:

    No Ins unless bought with Boots/Nectar points/free
    Paint nails at least 5 times
    Hit edge on white No7 eyeshadow
    Take top pattern off Rimmel powder highlighter (in the contour trio)

    I also want to try to finish:
    Boots time delay eye cream
    L'oreal extraordinary oil night cream
    Simple Micellar Water
    Vichy suncream
    Garnier Day Cream
    Sanctuary Body Butter

    Good luck everyone and be good :cool:
  • mrs-moneypenny
    mrs-moneypenny Posts: 15,519 Forumite
    edited 14 August 2016 at 5:45PM
    thanks for the new thread Deleted_User

    hope everyone is well and managing to UU more than they add

    would like to stay 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 - 32
    UUs - 80
    TAs - 1
    GA - 1
    Running total for 2016 = 243

    Perfumes - 15
    Victoria's Secret bombshell
    Kills love slowly
    Alfred sung Sui
    Hypnose
    vivienne Westwood boudoir
    Thierry Mugler X2 8ml
    Thierry Mugler Angel 25ml
    Narciso Rodriguez for her
    Hugo Boss Deep Red
    Agent Provocateur X2
    Jimmy Choo
    Doir poison
    Nina Ricci RicciRicci

    face care - 14
    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
    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
    Lovely bubbly salt scrub
    Cranberry and lime shower scrub
    sanctuary mande lular body scrub
    spa O2 revitalising body scrub
    sanctuary 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 - 31
    Summerday ocean hand lotion
    Champneys good as new hand cream
    Orange and lime hand cream
    Pink pepper and amarys hand cream
    Mandarin and patchouli hand cream
    Avon 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
    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
    nivea soft
    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 - 16
    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 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
    S&G Sugar Crush Body Wash
    fenjal luxury shower oil
    Angel perfume shower gel
    Champneys skin comforting bath soak powder
    Sanctuary cleansing burst body wash


    feet - 10
    Champneys good as new foot butter
    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 - 6
    Bomb seasons tweetings bath bomb
    Rose shaped thing with bubble bath petals
    Lush bright side bubble bar mini
    Lush the comforter bubble bar mini
    Lush fizz banger bath bomb
    Lush the experimenter bathbomb

    deodorant - 2
    Dove invisible dry Roll on
    Sanex spray deodorant

    hairspray and hair - 8
    Fresh salad hair pack
    Tresemme Shampoo
    aldi hair spray
    Vo5 heat protect spray
    Lee Stafford dry shampoo
    paul mitchell colour protect locking spray
    catwalk frisky scrunching gel
    Argan oil shampoo


    talc 2
    2 assorted

    sachets and samples - 1
    avon clear skin blemish treatment

    soap - 9
    Bomb green star soap bar
    Bomb Amber and orange soap bar
    Secret garden shower soap
    Fragrant finds massage sponge soap bar
    Summerday ocean liquid hand wash
    carex liquid soap
    apple tango hand wash
    Astonish liquid soap
    lush soap bar

    Massage bars -
    Lush

    random items - 2
    L'Oreal solar advanced sun protection
    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 - 74
    Benefit gimme brow
    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 X11
    lip pencils assorted X2
    body shop choc lip butter
    lip sticks assorted X 23
    mascara
    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
  • VALM
    VALM Posts: 5,818
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    Back for August. Need to write PP list.
    Back for the No Buying Toiletries challenge. I pledge to only buy when I run out of a product that is not already in my stash no matter what wonderful emails land in in my Inbox or threads I read on MSE re: glitches!

    SPC Member 046
    £2. Challenge member 55
  • mrs-moneypenny
    mrs-moneypenny Posts: 15,519 Forumite
    Just UU a bathbomb and finished a bottle of shampoo off
    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
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