No buying unnecessary toiletries in May - Challenge

Itzybitzy

UU

Sophyto Restorative Toner, 100ml - good stuff and cheap enough! Keeps skin nice and tight Would have had another toner if i hadn't screwed up the Glamour freebie haha. Oh well, bursery comes in on friday, im sure i can cope with being toner free till then :P

Hermia

Fiasco55 wrote: »

Welcome to the challenge Hermia :wave:

Firstly, let me just say that if you feel like you have a mini boots on the go at your flat then this is definitely the thread for you. Lots of us on here have been where you are (and some of us are still there... :eek: grrrhhh!).

A good starting point is to put together a stash list of all your products.

Ha ha! I'd have to take a day off work to get enough time to make a list! The problem with living in a small flat is everything has to be packed away and I forget what I have. I just want to get to a point where I have a small collection of make-up and only have one or two back-ups of toiletries in the cupboard. My weaknesses are lipgloss, nail polish and special offers on body products. So this month I will try to:

Reduce my body products stash.
Try to actually use all the samples/travel sizes I have collected.
Get out all the make-up products I am not sure I like and actually wear them and make a decision about whether I want to keep them.

I don't actually need to buy anything this month as I have such a big stash. The exception is moisturiser. I have sensitive, eczema-prone skin so I cannot muck around with it. If I run out of my moisturiser or if there is a special offer this month I will have to buy it as I don't have a stash of this.

asset2004

I joined this thread to try and make me take stock of just how much toiletries I have. I used to only visit the Garbbit board and there would be so many BS offers and Boots offers that my cupboards were full and still have unopned bags lying about with my haul. I haven't made a BS order for over a year :j :A and my LYB card has expired.
Now I know with the BS there will always be another offer around soon so have managed to resist their sales.
I did get caught up in the Boots 75% sale but have most of it earmarked for gifts this year.
I like the freebies that I've managed to try by visiting this thread too. :rotfl:
I still realise I got far more than I'll use but I make an effort each day to use the products that I've got opened and for that reason I like to come here to report my UUs.

kiplingmonkey

Well May is off to a very slow start - no UUs to report yet but do have some splutterers so let's hope the pace picks up a bit soon.

I do however have 3 INs to report - my HG mousse Trevor Sorbie is no longer on the B website which is making me think it may be going to be discontinued? Anyway, this is my HG mousse - I have 1 in use and 1 in my stash - that is all - yes, you may find this hard to believe but there is one area in my stash which is firmly under control!!!

Anyway, popped into B to get a sandwich the other day and they had a 3 for £12 offer on haircare - they had 2 TS mousse's on the shelf so I snapped them up and then added a Mark Hill one to try as I am thinking if the TS one is to be discontinued then I ought to try to find an alternative. (I picked a Mark Hill one as there was a 150 bonus point coupon for Mark Hill products in the ACM - which I thought was a nod in the MSE direction).

Also, a heads up - not totally beauty related but I know some of you got a Neom candle in the Amarya beauty box. Achica have a promotion on Neom tomorrow - I don't know what the deals will be but I have used Achica for some Emma Bridgewater things that I bought for presents. I found them to be a very good deal. I am going to sneak a peek in the morning as I have a couple of friends who I know would love the candles for presents.

Enjoy the Bank Holiday everyone

adilade

another UU:

Nivea soft 300ml- WBA- it's not a HG but one I like to have as I know it does the job. Really moisturising without feeling too heavy and sinks in, fresh light scent, you can't really ask for more than that. I like to keep a little jar on my desk as I can use it on my hands and arms then get back to work without leaving greasy marks everywhere. I have another 3 in the stash so looking forward to using them:D

the moisturisers I have open now are: mini BS coconut milk, mini the righteous butter and BS spiced vanilla but I'm itching to open up something new:o

I have a few more things spluttering so hope they will be finished soon. Trying hard to make a dent in the shampoo and conditioner stash still!

I agree with tokkiandoliver, what motivates me to keep going is reading about the lovely people on here conquering parts of their stash and getting it down to what they really like. I've found myself buying more makeup recently when I know I shouldn't be. To balance this, I've avoided going to Lush even though I really want to try a new face mask and some bubble bars. I'm also trying to use samples before I buy more. I know I'm not forced to be here, but it makes it easier to resist if other people are making an effort to do the same. But that's just my opinion

I love this thread for making me think about my buying habits, making me actually look at what I have and stopping me impulse buying so my stash is full of products I actually love now. And I wouldn't have known about half the freebies or offers (on things I genuinely need!) if it wasn't for all those kind enough to post on here.

evilsquid1603

UU:
Sephora waterproof make up remover mini - already have repurchased! i use this when i have really heavy duty make up on, the simple one is good for a little bit but takes ages getting off a full face and heavy eye make up.

also, i might have to re-think the simple one, checked the back and it doesn't have a line saying it wasn't tested on animals and usually if they get away with saying that in any shape or form they do and it being missing is ringing alarm bells that its missing for a very good reason. does say no animal ingredients which again rings alarm bells because they wouldn't say that to get vegetarians and vegans to buy it but not mention no animal testing.

VALM

SuiDreams wrote: »

Regarding removing Make-up I usually use a cleanser (still looking for HG Item, so far favourite is Claudalie Gentle Cleanser) and a separate Eye Make up remover (currently using Clinique Take off the Day, which I like, but trying others as well). I occaisonally use Make remover wipes especially if I'm in a rush. I get the No.7 ones when on offer or use the Simple ones. My worst purchase was the Quickies Eye Makeup remover wipes, these actually made my eyes sting and ended up in the bin.

Not sure if this is a beauty con but the resident beauty expert on QVC advises that a separate eye make up remover be used on the delicate eye area. Having been a devotee of this lady I do use a separate one and have been using the L'oreal one for some time and love it. It's effective and feels so cooling on my skin. I wouldn't use my current cleanser (Elemis Tri Enzyme) on my eyes as it is too soapy. I haven't suffered from milia under my eyes for a while now either.

lynseydee wrote: »

I wish I could get away with ordering that as I would use all those things but since hubby and I now have all our money go into a joint account I can't do what I used to do and order stuff and quickly stick it with the rest of the stash. Probably just as well :rotfl:

Also I think there are only two of those items I don't have so need to get the things I do have used up first. I know hubby would probably let me order it if I didn't have so much to use up first. One of the advantages of having a husband who knows how to make you feel guilty for spending money on things you don't need

Myself and MrM are like this also lyndsayd. I ended up buying the LE TSV but it had gone to Advanced Orders by then so won't be shipped until 21 May when I will have the money for it. :money:? I told MrM about the kit and at the time he said the same as me that we couldn't afford it. I tried to console myself by saying "It's probably sold out". He said that the TSVs never sell out now. I argued that the Elemis one did. He asked if I bought that and when I said no he said I could have the LE one if it was available. When I saw it on Advanced Orders the deal was sealed! OK the stash has grown a little but I'll take the LE products away with us so that Emma and I are using the same things and so save on baggage. :money: It was like doing a deal with the devil though cos as part of the negotiation I said I would forego the upcoming OPI TSV! lol

Itzybitzy wrote: »

Im only going to be keeping the two. Amarya and Glossybox and will get the LIB if it takes my fancy. I think im quite good at using things up or making gifts up.im just equally as good at going into TK Maxx and going a bit crazy though haha! Intrestingly enough...i think you lot encourage QVC far more than the boxes......,p. I like watching it. But can,t say i have ever been tempted to pick up the phone.

I wouldn't say that we encourage QVC though. You should try reading the threads on st.com where people brag about how many kits they have purchased. Those people who post on there about not purchasing are quickly ignored.

Zoe.

UUs/TAs from the past 5 days:
Natural Collection eye lines in Soft Grey - WBA, I liked this and was only £1.99.
Unbranded lilac eyeliner - Would never wear so TA.
Unbranded pink lipgloss - Didn't like so TA.
Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask - WBA, loved this although its a shame I had to TA because you can only keep them for 3 weeks.
Wella Lifetex Colour Protection shampoo - WNBA, didn't really do much, very expensive and full of chemicals.
Avon Plant Spa Mediterranean Olive Oil hair mask - WNBA, was okay but didn't like the smell.

6 UUs!!

VALM

FannyAdams wrote: »

What would people think about making this thread a bit stricter? I'm not sure how it would work just throwing the idea out there?

Then maybe there could be a seperate INS/Stash thread for those that enjoy talking about that?

Or maybe a totally new zero tolerance thread!!??

I think this thread is fine as it is without imposing any kind of ruling on it. We are all here because of our addiction to toiletries. For my part I don't go out much, don't drink anymore (although I went on my friend's leaving do last night and felt very fragile this morning) and don't smoke. Beauty products are my little indulgence.

SuiDreams wrote: »

I haven't posted a stash list as yet, but do feel the need to list Ins as I think its good to declare them and justify them as it helps in preventing more purchases. Its also nice to get peoples opinions on wether you should purchase something or not? Not sure what other people think?

Willowbee wrote: »

It's so tricky...

(I'm still quite a newbie and these are just my thoughts on my experience so far)

I like to hear about exceptionally good offers here. (I also like to cheer people along with not buying.) It means I'm less likely to be hunting around the internet for news of things like magazine freebies as I know anything good will be flagged up here. Last month (?) it was really useful to read all the quick, fairly negative, reviews of the Percy & Reed Glamour giveaway - on that occasion it prevented me from buying/adding to my stash. I probably will buy Glamour for the L'Occitane giveaway this month :j

Whilst I'm here in all seriousness to use things up, I'm also here as a toiletries enthusiast and am keeping my eyes peeled for :money:deals and recommendations.

I feel like I can choose which offers to follow and which to let go. I wouldn't have known about the latest LiB box without this thread and I'm genuinely thrilled with that as mine has a large sample of Benefit's The Porefessional which I've been wanting to try for ages but haven't because I'm not buying make-up! My experience of the beauty boxes has been that they are good value. I tend to average out the contents to a price per item (maximum £2 per item but most boxes have more than 5 things so it's usually less) and consider whether it has been :money: or not.

Kaz - your question is an interesting one. I've had a surprisingly high number of 'hits' in my boxes. Along with the HG Weleda body oil, I have found a potential HG moisturiser via a beauty box (Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Protecting Fluid SPF15). It's the first thing that I've put on my 'will buy when I've finished my stash' list. (Years away! :rotfl:I actually have a 15ml sample that I'm saving for the summer). I received a pre-shampoo treatment that I'd buy again (Leonor Greyl) and have had several full-size things that I love and won't need to replace for years (! an HD Brow Palette, Daniel Sandler eye shadow and The Balm Frat Boy blush spring to mind). However, I accept that this is a lot more 'stuff' to use up :rotfl: (Oooh! I don't really talk about make-up here but the last non-beauty box make-up IN that I can think of was a Lancome gloss that came with a January sale perfume :j I am waiting for a BECCA palette to arrive though, from the SalonSkincare sale , but that is great progress for me )

I like to hear about the QVC offers even though I've never bought one :rotfl: I also think that posting here can help people think through whether a particular deal is for them or not, as VALM has with the latest Liz Earle offer. It seems to be a case of gaining a bit of thinking time with some offers, or even just the support of a few people here saying 'don't do it!' or being encouraging because it's a good deal on a much loved or HG item.

I agree. I love how people chat about their purchases and review them. At the end of the day it's about free choice. If some ladies prefer beauty boxes with samples to try and others prefer kits from QVC to try or others like to try products on 3 for 2 offers from Boots so be it. What does it matter?

I do feel a bit egg-faced though considering I came out with the blarney justying why I shouldn't buy the LE TSV but then bought it anyway. Having said that though as Willowbee points out above it did give me thinking time and the fact that Advanced Orders were available gave me that breathing space to pay for it as well.

VALM

SuiDreams wrote: »

Using up the shampoo and conditioner stash seems to be taking ages, despite not buying any and giving loads away, but the shower gel/body wash stash seems to be going down a lot quicker.

It's the opposite for me. Can get through shampoo/conditioner quickly but not the shower gels.

I have a conditioner UU to declare - bottle of Ojon - standard size rather than super sized (I'm too lazy to wander into the bathroom to check out the actual size!). WNBA. I think that's my forage into salon shampoo/conditioner over. Don't like the smell of this whole range and the way it lingers all day is nauseating. Much prefer either Aussie or Elvive Restorative. Have nearly graduated re: conditioners. Have 2 x travel/sample sizes of Aussie and Garnier (the one included in the hair colourant box) in stash.

maddiemay wrote: »

What is everyone's oldest product in stash?

Probably a bottle of Givenchy Very Irresistable. There was another Givenchy one that I really liked that was discontinued. Cannot for the life of me remember the name. Anyway I now find Very Irresistable cloying Not even sure if this has gone off. I know I should go and dig it out and TA shouldn't I? I've also got an old bottle of Boss Woman that was bought for me as a leaving gift from a job that I left in 2002! So this is the oldest product that I can attach a date to. I think my oldest product after that is from Xmas 2010.

Fiasco55 wrote: »

I know that QVC has been raised too and again I still think that info does give us a choice and can offer a good deal on items that you may be going to purchase anyway. So I wouldn't want it not to be mentioned. Again I think this is more about tone of communication.

Kaz I did like you point on what items have been repurchased? I think this might highlight the perceived vs actual value of the boxes to some people. If a box costs £10 - you get say 5 items so £2 per item but you only like/use 1 item, is it worth £10?

I agree - it's all to do with tone of communication.

The value of the kits is questionable if you only use one product but I also see where people are coming from that it's a great way to try things. It's how I used to think about the QVC TSV Kits before my period of enlightenment ie my period of unemployment and the discovery of this challenge.