No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries February 2022

VALM

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 pinkfluffybabe 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

Also, why not reward your efforts by banking and recycling your use ups/throw aways with Boots scan2recycle points at participating Boots stores: Recycle at Boots - Get rewarded for recycling - Boots 

Alternatively, simply drop them off at Maybelline Recycling points: www.maybelline.co.uk . Unfortunately, you won't be rewarded for the latter but the earth will thank you :-)

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!

VALM

My PP List for February 

ABC Body lotion (actually on the last bottle of this so hopefully it will last the month)
ABC Skinwash
Avant Pink Orchid Serum (think it will need to be cut open soon)
Lacura Glycolic pads
L’Occitane hand lotion (on desk at work)
OK Face masks (try to use one every Sunday)
Rituals handcream (carried over)
Skinsense Day Cream
Skinsense Overnight Leave on mask (carried over- tube is very light).
Yorkshire Soap Company Happy Hebden Bare soap (carried over).

LegitTrying35

I would like to join in please 

I did reduce my stash a lot in 2021. But there was also “ins” so I’d like to really cut down this year. I don’t think I need to buy anything other than maybe shampoo in Feb so I’d like to use uo some stash. 

I plan on painting my nails, having a Sunday pamper, wearing more makeup and trying to hit pan on some older stuff and using my skincare more. 

I think I’ll do a stock take and see what needs using first but I’m defo using already opened and not opening anything else! 

Make up is a big one so I’m going to really try and not buy anything else this year.

ive already unsubscribed to all the emails from company’s who items I lust after!!!

dolly84

Thanks VALM for the new thread.

Makeup I want to finish in 2022

1. Soap & Glory nude pink eyeshadow from a quad

2. Soap & Glory dark brown eyeshadow from a quad

3. The Balm Down Boy Blush

4. Brillo lipgloss in a pale coral colour - keep this in the car to use

5. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara mini

6. Model Co Cream Blush

7. Bare Minerals Plum Eyeliner

8. Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in rsvp

9. Max Factor Fusion Mascara

10. MAC Foundation

11. Max Factor Facefinity Foundation

12. Wet n Wild Foundation

13. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

14. Matte brown eyeshadow single (any of the ones I have taken from a palette and put into my magnetic palette.

15. Lipstick Queen Thrilller Lip Crayon

16. Revlon lip crayon in Honey

17. Bobbi Brown concealer

18. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Will not need to buy in 2022

Shower gel of the liquid variety
Nail polish
Hair serum/oil
Makeup  (except possibly foundation and mascara)
Perfume - was gifted one in January

May need to buy in 2022

Shampoo bar

Cleanser

Facial Oil /Moisturiser - 2 oils purchased January
Curl cream - 2 purchased January
Deodorant 

Hand cream

Foot Cream

Hair Conditioner bar/refillable bottle of conditioner

Soap

Solid shower gel bar (at the end of the year when I've used all my stash of shower gels)

I bought two curl products yesterday, one is Phil Smith and the other is Tresemme Botanique.  I've used the Tresemme one today and it nice, the two will last me ages.

pinkfluffybabe

Thanks Valm for the new thread.  Back in for February.

February PP List: 

Aveda Nutriplenish Shampoo
Aveda Nutriplenish Conditioner
Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner
Ren Evercalm Cleanser
Nivea Soft Body Lotion
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
Drunk Elephant Protini
Sjal Facial Oil

List of 6 items to finish by Spring:

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
Espa Lip Balm
Drunk Elephant Babyfacial
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil
L'occitane Shea Butter Handcream
The Inkey List PHA Toner

Clutterbug07

Thanks @VALM for setting up the new thread!

Feeling the spendy urge since I got paid..... have been browsing skincare...... I know what I want, for when I have used up what I have (or at least used up a lot more of what I have!). BE STRONG!!!!!!!! 

Project pan list

• The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow-Protect Lotion SPF 30 - not far off, using on my body as I don't like it for my face
  
• The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask
• The Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate - using on my hands before moisturiser
  
• Garnier Micellar Milky Cleansing Water 400ml - 3/4 finished!
• The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm - just not as good as the Body Shop Camomile balm!!!
• Aveeno Calm and Restore Cleanser: 3/4 finished
  
• Haruharu WONDER - Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner- too fragranced, am using on my hands and body.
  
• Isntree Spotsaver Mugwort Ampoule- not sure if this works for my skin, might use on body
  
• The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
• Simple Protect 'N' Glow Radiance Booster SPF30
• 1 x big Tresemme shampoo (my Mum had too many, so she gave me this. it's HUGE)
• MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte 100ml - maybe I don't shake it enough but can leave white spots on your face, I guess the mattifying powder in it?  not nice.
• Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid
  
• Milk Hydrogrip Primer 10ml
• 2 x UOMA Beauty Stay Woke Brightening Concealer- did my own makeup for my wedding, had to try A LOT of concealers to  find the right consistency and colour!
• 3 x e.l.f. Hydrating Satin Camo Concealer
• Lily Lolo mineral powder foundation
• Lily Lolo mineral concealor
• Lily Lolo mineral green colour corrector
• Lily Lolo mineral yellow colour corrector
• L'Oreal Infallible 24 hr freshwear in Ivory (wrong colour)
  
  

Mini UU's to start February off

• Free sample:Pyunkang Yul- Calming Deep Moisture Toner- odd that this says it's calming but contains exfoliants! Also tea tree.
  
• Free sample:Pyunkang Yul- Calming Moisture Serum: alright. Has tea tree, would normally avoid as it's generally a bit strong for my skin, but it's been ok today.
  
• Free sample:Pyunkang Yul- Calming Moisture Repair Balm- felt nice, has some peptides too which is always good. Would probably not buy though due to the tea tree. 
  
• Travel size Nivea Black & White Invisible Original anti-perspirant spray: yep, fine, unexciting as it's deo! WBA.
  

VALM

Updated PP List

ABC Body lotion (actually on the last bottle of this so hopefully it will last the month)

Avant Pink Orchid Serum (think it will need to be cut open soon)
Lacura Glycolic pads
L’Occitane hand lotion (on desk at work)
OK Face masks (try to use one every Sunday)
Rituals handcream (carried over)
Skinsense Day Cream
Skinsense Overnight Leave on mask (carried over- tube is very light).

Yorkshire Soap Company Happy Hebden Bare soap (carried over)

ABC Skinwash. Did actually finish it on 31 January 2022.  Didn't realise how empty it was.  HG.  Already replaced from stash.

My LUSH order arrived yesterday too but only two items were for me - bubble bars called Sleepy and Vesuvio. 

pinkfluffybabe

Two IN for me: 2 Drunk Elephant Protini. Got a good deal with money off and points. 

asajj

Thank you for the new thread. I will be in as usual!

I have a project pan list:

- The Beauty Pie Bronzer
- Clarins Lip Oil
- Barry M Lip Scrub
- Rituals Hand Scrub

No need to buy: Any make-up or soap.

Sell/GA 22 in 2022 list 

1. Clarins Body Renew serum 100ml

2. The Body Shop eye Pencil

3. The Body Shop Eye Pencil Black

VALM

UU OPI Arose at dawn broke by noon mini lacquer. I’ve been working my way through these and have my original stash down to six bottles. I do have apt least 25 more from the advent calendar.  This was a nice colour but not a wow colour so WNBA. I pulled another one from the original stash which is a bright orange colour and may prove to be too bright for this time of year. I’ll give it a go though. The problem with these bottles is establishing the colour name as they only contain a serial number. According to the serial number on this one (yes, I am OCD about this!) it is called PCH Love Song. It’s from the Miami Collection from last year which I really don’t remember buying so don’t have a clue how I got this.

Clutterbug07

VALM said:

UU OPI Arose at dawn broke by noon mini lacquer. I’ve been working my way through these and have my original stash down to six bottles. I do have apt least 25 more from the advent calendar.  This was a nice colour but not a wow colour so WNBA. I pulled another one from the original stash which is a bright orange colour and may prove to be too bright for this time of year. 

Could always use it on your toes?  Sometimes something that doesn't work on fingernails looks good on toes and vice versa.  Am impressed you managed to actually finish a nail polish- mine usually end up in the bin cos they've gone goopy!  I am hoping to get through a few this year though, that's the plan at least.  Fingernails need re-doing so that's something nice for the weekend