No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries October 2013

Parisian

sam.4000 wrote: »

I have finally got round to emptying the cupboard at the top of my landing out and found lots more items mostly hair products. I will update my list later. I also found 33 empty lush pots ( I did know they were there) just not that many.
I really don't think there is much hope for me. That takes me to 453 items not including make up, nail varnish, toothpaste or lip products but I don't have a huge collection of make up stuff so I do count it as ins and outs but don't list. I started in March and estimated I had between 400-500 items, now over 250 items have gone out and I still have over 400 items.

There is hope

I'm trying to think of the ways I reduced my stash...

I think things changed a bit when I decided to use the stuff I had that I liked the look of, already knew I loved & actually wanted to use most first. I know that initially I tried to use up the stuff I didn't like in order to get to be left with the good stuff... but then I switched "strategies" (lol, getting technical) and used the good stuff before it went past it's best & while I was still interested in it.

The rest of the stuff I realised I didn't really want... I did things like: showed them to my partner (some of his fave products were the things I didn't particularly want anymore and he happily took them), gave some to family and friends, made up a charity basket at christmas for our local elderly home and another for one of the hospital wards I work on (where people often don't come in with anything), put it all in a massive wicker storage box (I think it was a laundry basket!) so it was all in one place and could be seen/reached easily, used some shower gel I didn't want as my first rinse followed by my favourites as my second rinse, printed off a copy of my stash for my handbag (I would look at it whenever I was in Boots and would instantly be put off buying anything to add to my stash that I already had), distribute multiples of handcream in the bathrooms/cars/handbag/vanity etc. Then when I had got through my best, I used up anything leftover and was absolutely strict about not buying anything of the same kind if I already had some (no matter what deal was on etc). I would motivate myself to stick to that by telling myself that I could buy anything I wanted once I finished my current stock eg. a lovely overpriced Korres shower gel I had my eye on once I finished my stash of shower gel. As a side note, having given myself the expensive shiny thing, I no longer feel like spending £8 on a shower gel and choose to pick up the £2 ones... funny that.

Ultimately, I decided there were some things that I wanted to use and some that were not worth spending anymore time on and that in all honestly I wouldn't be able to finish within the next couple of years (I learned a big hard, lesson). Then, I vowed to only buy what I truly want... which actually turned out not to be as extravagant as I imagined, and certainly costed less than my previous purchases of multiple things I didn't truly want. I now also realise that I don't like having multiples of things I truly want e.g. having 3 lovely shower gels stresses me out a bit and I feel in a rush to UU something, so only having 1 plus sometimes a spare of things is how I like it now. I remind myself I can always buy whatever I want when I need it, and maybe there will be something (even) better out when I do get to that stage.

How have other people managed reducing their stashes? It's an interesting topic...

Xxx

luvlycake

sam.4000 wrote: »

I have finally got round to emptying the cupboard at the top of my landing out and found lots more items mostly hair products. I will update my list later. I also found 33 empty lush pots ( I did know they were there) just not that many.

5 empty lush pots = 1 face mask freeeeee!

sam.4000

Parisian wrote: »

There is hope

I'm trying to think of the ways I reduced my stash...

I think things changed a bit when I decided to use the stuff I had that I liked the look of, already knew I loved & actually wanted to use most first. I know that initially I tried to use up the stuff I didn't like in order to get to be left with the good stuff... but then I switched "strategies" (lol, getting technical) and used the good stuff before it went past it's best & while I was still interested in it.

The rest of the stuff I realised I didn't really want... I did things like: showed them to my partner (some of his fave products were the things I didn't particularly want anymore and he happily took them), gave some to family and friends, made up a charity basket at christmas for our local elderly home and another for one of the hospital wards I work on (where people often don't come in with anything), put it all in a massive wicker storage box (I think it was a laundry basket!) so it was all in one place and could be seen/reached easily, used some shower gel I didn't want as my first rinse followed by my favourites as my second rinse, printed off a copy of my stash for my handbag (I would look at it whenever I was in Boots and would instantly be put off buying anything to add to my stash that I already had), distribute multiples of handcream in the bathrooms/cars/handbag/vanity etc. Then when I had got through my best, I used up anything leftover and was absolutely strict about not buying anything of the same kind if I already had some (no matter what deal was on etc). I would motivate myself to stick to that by telling myself that I could buy anything I wanted once I finished my current stock eg. a lovely overpriced Korres shower gel I had my eye on once I finished my stash of shower gel. As a side note, having given myself the expensive shiny thing, I no longer feel like spending £8 on a shower gel and choose to pick up the £2 ones... funny that.

Ultimately, I decided there were some things that I wanted to use and some that were not worth spending anymore time on and that in all honestly I wouldn't be able to finish within the next couple of years (I learned a big hard, lesson). Then, I vowed to only buy what I truly want... which actually turned out not to be as extravagant as I imagined, and certainly costed less than my previous purchases of multiple things I didn't truly want. I now also realise that I don't like having multiples of things I truly want e.g. having 3 lovely shower gels stresses me out a bit and I feel in a rush to UU something, so only having 1 plus sometimes a spare of things is how I like it now. I remind myself I can always buy whatever I want when I need it, and maybe there will be something (even) better out when I do get to that stage.

How have other people managed reducing their stashes? It's an interesting topic...

Xxx

Thank you I have been targeting things I am not such a fan of. My bathroom has never been so clean as I am repurposing shower gels and shampoos for cleaning it and anything else, baby wipes are great for a quick clean. I going through body lotions much quicker as I am being more generous with them. I have mixed a perfume oil with a body lotion so that will be 2 outs for 1 product. Foot cream that seems to never end is my bedside hand cream.

Some of the items will go out for a friends birthday ( bought for that purpose) later this month. I have got a box out and I am putting in things that I will not use to give away.

UU's
Fizz banger bath bomb WBA
Bath salts WNBA really old and had lost their scent.

evilsquid1603

i think ill be the first on the naughty step, i wanted a compact tangle teezer for my gym bag and its appeared in this months YOU beauty box for £3 cheaper than boots wanted so a box is on its way along with a mascara in.

CookieMonsta

I'm seriously going to join in this month I went a bit mad on the Liz Earle special offer last month! Not going to buy any toiletries this month, possibly the rest of the year but baby steps...

Sundaysgirl

First UU of the month:

1. S&G Righteous Butter 50ml - starting to sicken of this a little as I have gone through so much of it in the past few months. I do like the consistency so WBA, but not for a little while. Replaced with FCUK signature which I LOVE!

I have yet another overnight away from home tomorrow so will be digging out my minis in the hope of some easy UUs

kadison

Parisian wrote: »

There is hope

I'm trying to think of the ways I reduced my stash...

I think things changed a bit when I decided to use the stuff I had that I liked the look of, already knew I loved & actually wanted to use most first. I know that initially I tried to use up the stuff I didn't like in order to get to be left with the good stuff... but then I switched "strategies" (lol, getting technical) and used the good stuff before it went past it's best & while I was still interested in it.

The rest of the stuff I realised I didn't really want... I did things like: showed them to my partner (some of his fave products were the things I didn't particularly want anymore and he happily took them), gave some to family and friends, made up a charity basket at christmas for our local elderly home and another for one of the hospital wards I work on (where people often don't come in with anything), put it all in a massive wicker storage box (I think it was a laundry basket!) so it was all in one place and could be seen/reached easily, used some shower gel I didn't want as my first rinse followed by my favourites as my second rinse, printed off a copy of my stash for my handbag (I would look at it whenever I was in Boots and would instantly be put off buying anything to add to my stash that I already had), distribute multiples of handcream in the bathrooms/cars/handbag/vanity etc. Then when I had got through my best, I used up anything leftover and was absolutely strict about not buying anything of the same kind if I already had some (no matter what deal was on etc). I would motivate myself to stick to that by telling myself that I could buy anything I wanted once I finished my current stock eg. a lovely overpriced Korres shower gel I had my eye on once I finished my stash of shower gel. As a side note, having given myself the expensive shiny thing, I no longer feel like spending £8 on a shower gel and choose to pick up the £2 ones... funny that.

Ultimately, I decided there were some things that I wanted to use and some that were not worth spending anymore time on and that in all honestly I wouldn't be able to finish within the next couple of years (I learned a big hard, lesson). Then, I vowed to only buy what I truly want... which actually turned out not to be as extravagant as I imagined, and certainly costed less than my previous purchases of multiple things I didn't truly want. I now also realise that I don't like having multiples of things I truly want e.g. having 3 lovely shower gels stresses me out a bit and I feel in a rush to UU something, so only having 1 plus sometimes a spare of things is how I like it now. I remind myself I can always buy whatever I want when I need it, and maybe there will be something (even) better out when I do get to that stage.

How have other people managed reducing their stashes? It's an interesting topic...

Xxx

Good plan!

I personally, am cutting down my stash via spreadsheets, I know exactly how many millilitres of each product I have (categorised as in post #9, exc. make-up) and how many I need to use each month in order to be stash-free by xmas.

It's looking unlikely now but I'm still aiming! :T

evilsquid1603

kadison wrote: »

Good plan!

I personally, am cutting down my stash via spreadsheets, I know exactly how many millilitres of each product I have (categorised as in post #9, exc. make-up) and how many I need to use each month in order to be stash-free by xmas.

It's looking unlikely now but I'm still aiming! :T

spreadsheets helped me too, i like seeing lists and charts and graphs. the spreadsheet made it seem more real than the humongous pile of stuff lying around the house :rotfl:

i also have a sheet with lists and pictures of all the things ive decided are my HGs so whenever im temped to give into things i dont love, i can look at i and remind myself i can have the product i really really love if i dont waste money and time on things i dont like just because its there and cheap.

moneyless_mac

First out of the month:

TBS blusher - WNBA it was Ok but not very pigmented. I used the same variety of blusher for years so having fun experimenting to find others I like.

TheOxfordOwl

I'm in! Had a pretty successful month of use ups in September, but somehow quite a few ins too.
I'm allowing myself to buy one of whatever I want from the Lush Halloween/Christmas stock, since I've gone a good 4 months without buying anything from there (except Rose Jam shower gel)...
So far this month I've used up my Lush Blousey shampoo, Phoenix Rising bath bomb and Amandopondo bubble bar. WBA the two bath bits, both favourite, WNBA Blousey - for all I coveted it, it didn't actually work for my hair...