No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries June

pinkfluffybabe

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!

pinkfluffybabe

Back in for June

June PP List (more everyday stuff):

Odylique Shower Gel
Drunk Elephant Protini
Caudalie Grape Water
The Ordinary Niacinimide and Zinc
Aveda Nutriplenish Shampoo
Aveda Nutriplenish Conditioner
Odylique Shampoo
Laura Mercier Handcream
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
Nuxe Perfume

Summer List (more long-haul stuff):

The Inkey List PHA Toner
Espa Lip Balm
Chanel Coco Noir Perfume
Burts Bees Cherry Lipbalm
Phillip Kingsley Elasticiser
Living Proof Healthy Dry Shampoo
Drunk Elephant Juju Cleanser
Drunk Elephant Pekee Cleanser
Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia
Laura Mercier Handcream

ruby_eskimo

Thanks for the new thread @pinkfluffybabe

May was my most successful month of the year so far.  Not sure what June holds but we shall see.

PP List

Carrying Over from May:
Glossier Balm Dot Com Rose
Nars Rikugien Lip Pencil 
4 Sheet Masks (the final ones!)
Soap & Glory Foot Cream 
Yves Rocher Coconut EDT 
Bobbi Brown Java Eyeshadow

New:
Etude House Drawing Eyebrow
Mac Utterly Posh Dazzleglass
UD Last Call eyeshadow
Thank You Farmer SPF stick


Feeling fairly confident about most of those, as long as I don't have to stay at my parents house for much longer!

First day of the month and already have 1 UU to report:

Caudlie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum: this was a deluxe sample size, think it was part of a birthday gift from Space NK or something.  Quite impressed in how long the bottle lasted but it wasn't great for my skin.  It kind of felt like it just sat there and didn't really absorb and the scent was a little too much for me.  Wouldn't purchase myself but will keep the packaging to wash out and reuse for my other serums when travelling again.

dolly84

Thanks for the new thread pfb.

Makeup etc I want to finish in 2023

1. The Balm Down Boy Blush - lots of pan and product thin in other areas

2. Model Co Cream Blush

3. Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in rsvp

4. Wet n Wild Foundation

5. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

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

7.. Bobbi Brown concealer

8. Too Faced Shadow Insurance - use this regularly but still loads left, or it could be air

9. Avon Supershock Mascara

10. Clinique High Impact Mascara mini

11. Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

12. Garnier Eye Roll On

13. L'oreal Lumi Magique

14. Soap & Glory Gloss Stick in Ramplumzel

15. Nivea Raspberry Rose Lip Balm

16. Colourtrend Nude Lipstick

17. HD Brows Quad - aim to hit pan on the one shade I use for my brows

18. Elf Brow Gel

19. Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot - this has a good amount of pan showing

20. Urban Decay Primer Potion

21. Clinique Black Honey Lipstick mini

22.  Prada Candy Kiss 50ml

23.  Bloom Driftwood & Seasalt EDT

24.  Ralph Lauren Romance EDP 50ml

Will not need to buy in 2023

Nail polish
Hair serum/oil
Makeup  (except possibly foundation and mascara) - concealer purchased in January, foundation purchased April
Perfume (was gifted one in March)

Deodorant

Solid Shower Gel Bar (purchased one in Feb)

May need to buy in 2023

Shampoo bar

Cleanser - cleansing butter purchased April

Facial Oil /Moisturiser
Curl cream - mousse bought February

Hand cream - 2 purchased February

Foot Cream

Hair Conditioner bar/refillable bottle of conditioner - hair mask purchased April

Body Lotion/Bars

Watty1

Thanks for the new thread.  I'm not even sure where to start    My stash includes

3 pillow sprays

3 handcreams

6 body moisturises

5 Face moisturises

2 Eye Creams

7 bubble baths

5 wax melts

4 hair lotions/restorers/ scalp conditioners

8 shampoos

3 conditioners

3 lip balms

2 bath oils

6 shower gels

3 body scrubs

4 soaps

3 toothpastes

3 perfumes mostly used up

and a box of other stuff.

As a result of last months thread I repurposed a shampoo as a hand wash in the kitchen and some bubble bath as hand wash in the bathroom.   

This month I'm trying to use up E45 lotion, E45 shampoo and E45 shower gel bought when I had a skin problem that was stress caused by an ex partner.  I don't really like any of these but they need using up.  

To brighten it up I'm also going to use up Sea Magik Seaweed Scalp Conditioner which is a fabulous conditioner, smells great and is on my def buy again list and Rituals Jing body scrub.   

Last months thread helped me get back pampering myself a bit so hopefully being here will help this month too.

Watty1

I also decided to tag food supplements into this "use up" as I have a lot of them and they are sort of related in that they link with self care.   I get sent some to try via work and sometimes are given them as freebies at events.  In that spirit I used up for lunch a vegan protein powder with strawberries and I can honestly say I dont think I have had anything so disgusting.  I drank it whilst clearing the cupboard of samples.  Geesh that is one I will certainly not recommend and the whole lot nearly ended up in the bin on the basis of that one!

Clutterbug07

thanks for the new thread @pinkfluffybabe!

@Watty1 Some protein drinks can be so disgusting can't they, I don't know how they manage it!   Well done for repurposing some shampoo you weren't fond of- thats the kind of thing this threads all about!

My updated PP list for 2023- picked 23 for 23, so 10 down already!

1. Simple Protect 'N' Glow Radiance Booster SPF30: got about half left
   
2. No 7 Resurfacing Peel: yep, still not even tried this one on my knees or feet yet!
   
3. The Body Shop: Vitamin E Skin Cooling Gel Mist: half used up, been using on body
4. Tony Moly - The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Skin toner- using as body toner since it is quite fragranced.
5. The Body Shop- Aloe Calming Toner: not cracked open yet.
6. Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner: not cracked open yet.
7. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Oil
   
8. Elf Jelly Pop Glow Stick: nice but I've had it a while and it's a creamy stick, so should use it up
9. LilyLolo Mineral Blush- Beach Babe: blush lasts forever doesn't it.....
10. LilyLolo Mineral Blush- Goddess: a deeper more rusty rose red colour, doesn't hugely suit me.
    
11. Benefit Gogo Tint: bright cherry lip n cheek tint.  Might last a hundred years as you don't need much of it, and I can't see how much is in the bottle.
12. Simple- Detox & Brighten Clay Mask:  new addition to PP list last month, swapped out old lipbalm/stick.
    
13. Sugarpill loose eyeshadow in Absinthe:  new addition last month, swapped out old lipbalm/stick.  A sparkly green, of which I have many and when I just swatched my loose ones this was my least favourite, so I am going to work on this one as I have had it a while.

Might be a bit of a struggle since the allergies are still playing up, but we'll see how I go.  I know I have at least my setting spray and conditioner running out this month!

Zuzi

That's not even a lot of stuff @Watty1, you should see how many face serums/creams I have (and probably some others on this board  ) - I just checked via my spreadsheet, and it is 93. It is everything for the face (oils, masks, serums, day & night creams, SPFs, many mini or deluxe sizes) and thankfully the number is only going down at the moment and has been for the past few years, but still... 

Good luck using up your stash!

VALM

Thanks for the new thread @pinkfluffybabe

My PP List:-

Carried forward:-

OPI You've Got that Glasglow

Percy & Reed Mirror Mirror Shine Serum

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Aloe Hand Cream

Bondi Sands SPF mini sample

The Body Shop Chamomile Cleansing Butter

Added:-

Garnier Body Lotion (the red one)

Be Well Shower Gel

Morgan Taylor Don't Break My Curazon

The Inkey List Retinol Serum

I will have a week away during this month and won't be taking any of these products with me.  The SPF and TBS are gimmee products as they are nearly done.  What will be will be.

dolly84

Zuzi said:

That's not even a lot of stuff @Watty1, you should see how many face serums/creams I have (and probably some others on this board  ) - I just checked via my spreadsheet, and it is 93. It is everything for the face (oils, masks, serums, day & night creams, SPFs, many mini or deluxe sizes) and thankfully the number is only going down at the moment and has been for the past few years, but still... 

Good luck using up your stash!

My stash used to be like this.  I'd hear about a new product and have to buy it straightaway then put it at the end of a long list of other items so by the time I actually used it it was old and nowhere near as good as it should have been.  It is a habit I'm glad I've broken now but at the time I just couldn't see how to stop - eventually I addressed the issues that were causing the over buying.

dolly84

First uu of the month

L'oreal Elvive Nourishing Conditioner 400ml - this was nice, I still have the matching shampoo to finish.