No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries - February 2017

[Deleted User]

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 little old me 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
[URL="http://https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5316034[/URL]
[URL="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/October 2015:http://https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5333034[/URL]
November 2015
December 2015
January 2016
February 2016
March 2016
April 2016
May 2016
June 2016
[URL=”https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5487158[/URL]
August 2016
September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016
January 2017

[Deleted User]

Decided to do my first PP list this month:
1. CKIn2U EDT
2. Vichy Lift Activ Night Cream
3. MUR Pressed Powder (just want to hit pan)
4. Primark Coral Blush (just want to hit pan)
5. Benefit Ready Set Brow
6. Kiko Kiss Balm in Coconut
7. Freedom Primer Water
8. Superdrug Simply Pure Eye Makeup Remover
9. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in Ivory
10. Crabtree and Evelyn Gardener's Hand Cream

1, 8 and 10 should be easy. The others less so but nothing is completely out of reach.

Sorted out my makeup for the week too. I'm going to try and properly rotate things each week. I've kept a few bits out so I still have some variety. As well as the above and other essentials not worth mentioning I have:
Zoeva Palettes in En Taupe and Naturally Yours
Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe to use as a base for En Taupe
Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creme de Nude to use as a base for Naturally Yours
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. This has been open a while and I can't remember if I like it. I'm going to give it a few days solid use. If I don't like it after that, I will TA
NYX Sex Kitten single eyeshadow for when I can't be bothered with palettes.
My usual No7 Superlight Foundation for work.

I've also got three blushers out which I am unsure about so giving them a go this week so I can decide whether to keep them or not.

VALM

Hi Deleted_User, thanks for starting the new thread. I have my PP list prepared too:-

Aloe Vera deodorant
Urban Decay Perversion mascara deluxe size
Decleor BB cream - mini from advent calendar
Our Minerals colour correcting primer- mini again from calendar
Boots Extracts Coconut body scrub 75ml
LUSH Prince shave cream
LUSH Lemony Flutter
Liz Earle no 100 fragrance sample vial
L'Occitane foot cream full sized
L'Or!al conditioner from hair colour kit

I too have sorted out some makeup for this week. As well as my Smashbox Full Exposure palette I have pulled out a Laura Geller eyeshadow and eye rimz duo in Fresco and Bewitched. For blush I've pulled out Laura Geller Tartufo to alternate with my Benefit Dallas.

I've used NARS Rakugian today which I really like. Had to sharpen this and also my NYX Milk eyeshadow crayon so maybe these will go into my next Seasonal Project Pan.

Am repaintiing my fingernails with OPI By Popular Vote with OPI Cosmo in the Sky on my ring fingers.

SuiDreams

Deleted_User, thanks for starting us off for the month.

I'm going to have a small PP list as I have a few items that I want to make sure I use up.

Lush Sleepy Body Lotion
Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate argan and grapeseed Hand Cream.

Plus my 5 by spring - 3 items left
1 - Any eyeshaddow - have lots that have hit pan
2 - UU -a tube of hand cream - TBS Strawberry Hand Cream 30ml
3 - a lip balm again I have a few open - 2 of them are nearly finished
4 - My Snow Lush Castle soap - Love it but want to use my Molton Brown had wash
5 - UU - A Travel sized Body Lotion - NUXE Huile Prodigieuse 30ml


I still have the following carry over from 7 by Autumn - 3 left now.

1 - Benefit Fake up Concealer Full sized - Hate this
2 - Benefit Watts Up Highlighter sample 2.5g. - Prefer Powder highlighter
6- Urban Decay Eye Shadows

Plus 1 item left from 5 by Christmas.

2 - Urban Decay one & Done - not yet finished - almost

I would also like to make a dent in my UD All nighter foundation - this is the only UD product so far that I don't like. It looks great when you 1st put it on, then is starts showing the fine lines and making them look bigger and deeper than they actually are. Am trying mixing this with other products to try and make it useable.

Bought some laquer thinner to try and extend my top coat.

sstevo19

Thanks Deleted_User for starting us off again this month!

I don't think I'm going to have a PP list for February, I'm just going to use any open items consistently and see how many I use up in the month.

pinkfluffybabe

Thanks for the thread Deleted_User!

PP list for February - aim of ten items:

L'occitane honey shower gel
[STRIKE]Klorane blonde shampoo[/STRIKE]
Klorane blonde conditioner
[STRIKE]Trilogy night creme[/STRIKE]
Sjal toner
Dr Organic eye gel
Burts Bees Pomegranate lip balm
Chanel Coco Noir perfume
[STRIKE]Ren Flash Rinse 1 minute Facial[/STRIKE]
Kiehl's Grapefruit handcreme

Gemzie121

PP List for February:
[STRIKE]1. Lush Rub Rub Rub shower scrub 130g[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]2. Lidl cien gloss shampoo 250ml[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]3. Lush snow fairy shower gel 250g[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]4. Lush softy foot lotion 100g[/STRIKE]
5. Clearasil rapid action pads
[STRIKE]6. Wilko sugared plum and rose deodorant spray[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]7. Nivea pearl & beauty roll on deodorant[/STRIKE]
8. Avon be serene eau de toilette 30ml
[STRIKE]9. Herbal essences hello hydration hair mask[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]10. Lush five o clock whistle shaving cream sample[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]11. Lush no drought dry shampoo sample[/STRIKE]
12. Lush snowcake shower gel 250g
13. Lush butterball shower cream 250g
14. Simple vital vitamin foaming cleanser
15. Lush ocean salt face and body scrub self preserving 250g
[STRIKE]16. Lush T for toes foot powder sample[/STRIKE]
17. Lush santas belly shower jelly 100g
[STRIKE]18. Lush respect your elders soap sample[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]19. Lush layer cake soap sample[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]20. Lush serendipity soap sample[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]21. Lush reindeer rock (2015) soap sample[/STRIKE]
22. Lush Angels delight soap
[STRIKE]23. TBS frosted plum body butter 200ml[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]25. 1/2 Lush down the rabbit hole bubble bar[/STRIKE]
26. Patisserie de bain sugared violet hand cream 30ml
27. Lush popcorn lip scrub
[STRIKE]28. Lush old father time soap sample[/STRIKE]
29. Herbal essences nourish me butter shampoo 400ml
30. Herbal essences nourish me butter conditioner 400ml
31. Lush honey i washed the kids soap sample

Still trying to work my way through the endless samples i kept finding so that i can move onto full sized stuff. I mostly have soap samples left now which are all in the soap dish ready to be used. Also have 1/2 left of a lush bubble bar that needs using up.

summerlady_2

Hi all.


I'm in again this month. I cleared out quite a few half used toiletries last month which was great, but I still have a lot to use up.


I also dug out my facial oils, serums and moisturisers and threw away any that I think may be out of date. I now have one of everything out and the rest in a drawer and I'm working my way through them. My skin is starting to feel much better for it, even if my stocks haven't gone down much yet.


For February I will be adding make-up to my routine. I rarely wear it, but could use a bit of colour so I'll work my way through my stash and only buy again what I really love.


Slowly does it.

dolly84

Thanks for the new thread Deleted_User.

My PP list for February is:

Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Monoi Moisture Melt Body Oil 100g
[STRIKE]Embryollise Lait Creme Concentrate 75ml[/STRIKE]
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic 200ml
[STRIKE]Liz Earle Bergamot & Ginger Shower Nectar[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Liz Earle Bergamot & Ginger Body Lotion[/STRIKE]
Burts Bees Grapeseed & Honey Hand Cream
Vaseline Aloe Body Lotion 400ml
[STRIKE]Philosophy Purity Made Simple 90ml[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]M&S Mon Petit Secret EDT 30ml[/STRIKE]

My finish 5 by Spring list:

1. [STRIKE]Soap & Glory Gloss Stick in Plum Jam[/STRIKE]
2. [STRIKE]Witch Concealer stick[/STRIKE]
3. Benefit Dandelion Blush
4. No7 Crème Touch Powder in Candlelight
5. [STRIKE]Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rosegold[/STRIKE]

WJN222

Think I will join in with a PP list - Jan I just tried to finish half used bits - which did help clear out (a little!)
Skin is feeling much better sticking in a routine too

Feb PP List
1: ESPA Tri Active instant Facial
2: ESPA travel cleanser
3: ESPA Travel Toner
4: This works 3 in 1 mask, moisturiser, primer
5: Monu Eye cream

I suspect I will have a few regular UU alongside these, shampoo conditioner etc but will take those as wins on top of trying to clear my PP list

maddiemay

Thank you Deleted_User for starting the new thread, my PP/In use list:-

30ml Rosehip Plus Rosehip Oil
50ml Alpha-H Protection Plus spf 50+
30ml Elemis PCMC
150ml Superdrug B Pure Micellar water
30ml Gatineau Futur Plus Eye Concentrate
15ml Hylamide Sub-Q eyes
30ml Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum
200ml Alpha-H Balancing cleanser
40ml Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot hand cream
6ml Pestle & Mortar Hydrate moisturiser
15ml NIOD CAIS
15ml NIOD MMHC
8ml Dr Organic snail gel
6 days of Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders set.