No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries December 2019

sstevo19

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,er me, sstevo19 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 can 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 this month 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! Do de-lurk if you are lurking, this is one of the friendliest threads on MSE.

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
7. Fiasco55 - graduated with honours May 2017

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
July 2016
August 2016
September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017
May 2017
June 2017
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
December 2017
January 2018
February 2018
March 2018
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
July 2018
August 2018
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019

delta13

I would like to join please!
I have a large amount of half-used bottles of shower gels, shampoos, body creams etc that I want to get through before I inevitably get more toiletries as gifts for Christmas!

My PP:

Hair
Alberto Balsam Teatree tingle shampoo
Head and Shoulders Supreme Repair Shampoo
Herbal Essences Passion Flower Shampoo
Herbal Essences Passion Flower Conditioner
Herbal Essences Argan Oil Hair mask
Pantene Pro-V Superfood Shampoo
Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Conditioner
John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum
Aussie Turn up the Curl Mousse

**All of the above are close to empty, just want to use them all up before I even think of getting replacements.

Body
Original Source Juicy Mango Shower Gel*
Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Lotion
Venus Oceana razors x2

*I have 2 bottles, one almost done and one unopened, both 250ml.

Face
BeautyPie Japanfusion Transforming Cleanser
BeautyPie Japanfusion Step-2 Serum
BeautyPie Jeju Night Cream
Nivea Soft Moisturising Creme
Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser.
Nip+Fab Bee Sting Fix Repairing Shot

The moisture mask is unopened, but all the others are close to finish. I already have replacements for the Japanfusion Cleanser and the Jeju night cream (HGs) but wouldn't buy the Japanfusion serum again - not suitable for my skin so will have to think of another way to use it up! Maybe as a hand cream or something.
Got the Nip+Fab last Christmas, don't use it often at all and spilled some by accident in the summer! Will try to finish it before this Christmas.

My INs this month will likely be:
Membership fee for BeautyPie - I love the products and the way the model works so won't be cancelling it.
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser
A day moisturiser, although have yet to find a good one for my skin.

Betharooni

Hi

PP list is as follows:

- Nivea cleansing wipes
- Champneys Heavenly Days Sleep Temple Balm
- Champneys Heavenly Days Sleep Pillow Mist
- Head and Shoulders shampoo (travel size)
- Olive Oil face mask
- Chocolate face mask
- Cucumber face mask
- Garner Oil Beauty Oil-infused Restoring Lotion
- Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Shine Deep Treatment
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream
- Boots Nail & Cuticle Oil
- Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste
- Listerine Advanced Defence Gum Treatment Mouthwash
- No7 Beautiful Skin Foaming Cleanser
- Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
- No7 Beautiful Skin Radiant Exfoliator
- Carex Original Hand Gel
- Molton Brown Recharge Black Pepper Body Wash

No planned INs for December-should have plenty of everything I need. Hoping I don’t get any toiletries for Xmas-have specified to family that don’t want any this time around.

sstevo19

Welcome newbies! I hope this thread helps you use up your toiletries

My PP list for December is:

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion 300ml
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml
Hada Labo Goku-Jyun Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam 100g
The Body Shop Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask 75ml

I didn't make a lot of progress in November, going to focus on these more this month.

dawn1980

Hello. Thank you for another month. I found that joining in last month really helped me to appreciate what I have. Because many of my things are under control, my PP list is made of things I want to get rid of for various reasons or things I want to make an effort to use.

• [STRIKE]Bodyshop berries Christmas hand cream (spluttering)[/STRIKE]
• Tony Moly banana hand milk (I managed to use it 6-7 times last month)
• No 7 Protect and perfect eye cream (still spluttering!)
• Bodyshop Moringa shower gel- gift sized (I like this.)
• Garnier Aloe toner
• [STRIKE]Bodyshop blue corn mask at least 2 times.[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]2 [/STRIKE][STRIKE] 1 more sheet masks (I'm liking these more than I did but I won't be running out to get any.)[/STRIKE]
• 1 Sephora shea lip mask
• Nuxe Reve Du Miel lip balm-I don't know whether it's turning or whether it's change texture with winter. Better use it up anyway.
• [STRIKE]Paul Smith Rose perfume[/STRIKE]
• Champneys Foot Butter 1/2 didn't use it at all last month

Apart from the list there are some things I know I will finish this month without much effort or need.
Now that the weather is cold and frosty I am using lip balm and hand cream again.



Should I put a Yankee candle on this? It's been used for over a year and I have two more in the cupboard.



Expected INS
I need to buy hand gel (everyone is sick and germy.)

I will have a Birch Box again this month and I will be opening my M and S beauty calendar.

I have a suspicion my daughter has bought me some Bodyshop for Christmas. Which will push a few exisiting items into the PP in January.

sunny_money

December PP:
Neals Yard Almond Oil - expiring :-(
Maybelline highlighter - hit pan

By Christmas challenge:
Soap & Glory lipgloss
Elf rose gold liquid eye shadow
Loreal silver liquid eye shadow
Neals Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm
Neals Yard Calendula cleanser - holes in packaging worried it will expire
[STRIKE]Hit pan on 4 least used eyeshadows in palette [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Loreal lipgloss[/STRIKE]

pinkfluffybabe

Thanks for another thread sstevo!

I'm in again for December, PP list:

[STRIKE]E45 body lotion[/STRIKE]
Laura Mercier pistachio body cream
[STRIKE]Aveda cherry shampoo[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Aveda cherry conditioner[/STRIKE]
Odylique coconut cleanser
Elemis apricot toner
[STRIKE]Stratia Liquid Gold[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Dr David Jack day cream[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Ren Evercalm moisturiser[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Lancer The Method scrub[/STRIKE]
Aromatherapy Associates mask
Keihl's ultimate hand cream lavender
Caudalie eye cream
Beauty Pie Retinol Night Cream
Beauty Pie Retinol Serum

Tolteca87

Finished the Nip & Fab Dragons Blood Fix pads and put a cotton pad in for the last day or so to soak up the last. Nice and clearing and not too harsh on my very sensitive skin so WBA if I didn't have a load of other exfoliators to use up in the stash.

ponypal

In again for December thanks so much sstevo!

Welcome to all the new people, I was just looking at my big list of stuff for 2019 and feel like I have really cracked mindless/emotional spending in this area thanks to this thread! Just need to apply to to other areas now hahaha!

Can you believe it's December! :O

Here's my PP PLAN for this month
REN Clean Skincare Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser - plan to use daily
Weird hemp shampoo which I am now using as showergel to get rid of - the amount of times I have almost thrown this away because I hate it but I feel too bad to waste it so this is the month I use this up!
Lucky Cloud coconut lip butter - need to get into the swing of using this now it's cold weather
Aveda purifying scalp cleanser - want to try and UU this as it was passed on to me and I am not convinced how long it has been hanging around
Will also revive some glitter nail polishes and make use of them this month

Plan is NO BUY (except Lush Sale on 26th - but must use a gift card, receiving gifts is ok/unavoidable)

radioles1408

Hello, i'm in again, will try to update more often this month!

Still doing my challenges
December totals: 0/15
September -December challenge 67/75

I wanted to use up 75 things from my stash by Christmas, mainly half-used or mini/smaller things from hotels and gift sets. I've got 8 more things to go, so feeling quite hopeful that I'll manage it.

There will be quite a few INs this month, between my H and B beauty calendar and Christmas, but it's all part of the fun!

dolly84

Thanks for the new thread sstevo.


December PP List

L'oreal Ever Riche Hair Mask 200ml (b/f from November)
CK Eternity Shower Gel (b/f from November)
Liz Earle Instant Boost Tonic (b/f from November)
Philosophy Sweet Fluffy Cupcake Shower Gel 500ml (b/f from November)
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (already cut open)


Finish 7 by Spring list.


1.Garnier Oil Free BB Cream 40ml
2. Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
3. Benefit Champagne Pink Eyeshadow
4. Mini Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Taupe
5. The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Tint
6. Revlon Lip Butter - Raspberry Pie
7. Lanolips Rose Lip Balm


Will not need to buy in 2019

Shower gel - one can of Rituals foaming shower gel bought January, and one that came with my Liz Earle order.
Body moisturiser - set of 3 Sanctuary Spa Body Butters bought March from the CS
Hair conditioner/hair masks - one Bumble & Bumble styling cream bought January
Foot cream
Nail polish - 2 BN Ciate polishes bought for £1 each from a CS
Hair serum/oil
Makeup (except maybe foundation) - eye primer bought March, mascara & foundation bought June.
Perfume- 1 bottle of Clinique Happy bought from a CS in July
Bubble Bath

May need to buy in 2019

Shampoo - we have lots but everyone is using the same ones now - have used all the stash and moved to shampoo bars.
Cleanser - will need to buy in Spring - have purchased a few cleaners now
Eye cream - only have the one which is in use
Day cream - already bought Liz Earle
Curl cream - have one in use and one backup
Deodorant - will be good for quite a while
Hand cream - 2 from Avon in January


My PP list is short this month, there may be other things which I finish though.