We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries July

Hodgepodge
Posts: 80 Forumite

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!
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without
2
Comments
-
Lovely to see the new thread. I'm in with some UU and a throw away
UU Rituals Foaming Shower Jing. Loved the smell but not keen on the "foaming" as prefer the gel. Shame as I have a variety of these foaming ones to use up!
UU Asda bubble bath - bottle now emptied into the hand wash bottle. I didn't like it as a bubble bath but love it as a handwash and at 45 p for a litre was cheap and a cheerful colour in the hand wash bottle. Have lots of other stuff than can be used as hand wash but when stash is low (a long way off) I will consider cheap bubble bath as handwash
Threw away a deodorant which was wasteful but I hated the smell. Life is too short. I bought another one, don't much like the smell of this one either but will use this. None in stash so permitted purchase
Used up a tube of toothpaste. Not particularly remarkable except (a) I have 5 other tubes in the house and (b) I loved it and would buy the Oral B expert gel again. The ex always insisted we had a particular brand and now he is gone I am free to choose. That small fact brings me joy.
I have selected the products to be used up and left in the heart shaped box in the bathroom. I like this because it gives me focus daily and reminds me I am using up stash before I buy anything else.
Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!5 -
Thanks for the new thread hodgepodge! Back in for July.
July PP List (more everyday stuff):
Fresh grapefruit shower gel
Drunk Elephant Protini
Medik8 Calmwise Serum
Caudalie Grape Water
The Ordinary Niacinimide and Zinc
Aveda Nutriplenish Shampoo
Aveda Nutriplenish Conditioner
Odylique Shampoo
Laura Mercier Handcream
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
Nuxe Perfume
Autumn 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
Not buying unnecessary toiletries 2024 26/53 UU, 25 IN0 -
Thanks for the new thread, @Hodgepodge!
My PP list- 23 for 2023. HOWEVER, I am giving away/binning some of the items on the list as I don't want to take them to the new house, so I am adding a few replacements- 3 new items listed at the bottom.- Simple Protect 'N' Glow Radiance Booster SPF30: got about half left Binned this, it was old and half used so noone would want it
- No 7 Resurfacing Peel: yep, still not even tried this one on my knees or feet yet!
Unused so giving away- someone might want it.
- The Body Shop: Vitamin E Skin Cooling Gel Mist: 3/4 used up, been using on body.
- Tony Moly - The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Skin toner- using as body toner since it is quite fragranced.
- The Body Shop- Aloe Calming Toner: not cracked open yet. SO many toners I would want to use first from my stash, so taking to work to see if anyone wants- it's unopened.
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner: not cracked open yet.
- Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Oil
- Elf Jelly Pop Glow Stick: nice but I've had it a while and it's a creamy stick, so should use it up
- LilyLolo Mineral Blush- Beach Babe: blush lasts forever doesn't it.....
- LilyLolo Mineral Blush- Goddess: a deeper more rusty rose red colour, doesn't hugely suit me.
- 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.
- Simple- Detox & Brighten Clay Mask
- Sugarpill loose eyeshadow in Absinthe: 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.
- NYX Born to Glow in Light: New addition to the PP list. Is too oily for my face, don't love it. Would like it gone.
- I'm From - Fig Boosting Essence: New addition to the PP list. Not far off expiry, so will use on body.
- I'm From - Rice Toner: New addition to the PP list. Expires by the end of Sept apparently so really do need to crack on and start using this one!
Jan Grocery Challenge 2023: £181.18/£400
OSWLC 2023 Q1: 0/101 - Simple Protect 'N' Glow Radiance Booster SPF30: got about half left Binned this, it was old and half used so noone would want it
-
Plus a few UUs/Give aways already this month as starting to clear the flat, declutter and sort, and these are either old or I won't use. Going to take them into work to see if anyone else wants them and if not, they'll then go in the bin.
UU- Colab- Dry Shampoo- Paradise fragrance (117g): Nice dry shampoo, no white residue. Will no doubt buy again at some point.
- Mad About Skin- Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++ 100ml: HG, already have a back up.
Gave Away- Essie - Apricot nail & cuticle oil: For some reason I have an entire new bottle of this, in it's box still, when I am only half way through my current one. Going to give this away, and when I have finished my current bottle, just fill it with some other facial oil I use- oil is oil, right?
- Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Plum: Beautiful pink that leans on the cooler purple side. I may regret this as it is lovely, but I think it is a bit too similar to my skin tone, it sort of vanishes on me, so someone else can enjoy it I think. Plus I have my Orly super sparkly one which is a similar colour, so happy to keep that one instead!
- Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Pink Punch: Super bright, but with no real substance- it's a strange one. Not a huge fan of pink on me and have to force myself to use a pink, so seeing if someone else wants it.
- China Glaze nail polish in Nova: Very pretty silver based holo glitter, but I have another of this kind that I prefer, so this is the lesser dupe I don't reach for. Taking it into work to see if anyone wants it
- CND Vinylux- nail polish in Aqua-Intance: Aqua polish, but not bright enough. I bought 4 near identical colours when I thought I would have to DIY my nails for our wedding (due to covid) and I didn't have to, and I don't love this one.
- CND Vinylux- nail polish in Cerulean Sea: A touch darker aqua than the above, darker but not brighter. Also don’t love the CND formula, so giving this away
Throw Away- 4 x Sleek- Shattered Glass intense glitter effect lip topper, in shades Hoax (baby pink, greenish shimmer), Bad Moon (white pink shimmer), Blood stone (orangey copper- my fave and most wearable), Acid Kiss (magenta purple): I got these when I was doing more belly dancing and more going out, and now they are pre-pandemic purchases (aka old!) and I don't have occasion to wear them.
- Barry M Nail Paint in Grey: Darkish grey, very old now and polish thinner can't save it. Plus it's a nail polish rather than the gelly kind, so I don't like the formula as much now anyway. I have another grey (a gelly) in my stash so will use that instead.
Am hoping to get a few more UUs this month (I have a few splutterers right now!), and no doubt there will be more give away/throw away as it gets closer to move day.
Jan Grocery Challenge 2023: £181.18/£400
OSWLC 2023 Q1: 0/101 -
Hello everyone, I have decluttered some drawers and GA following:
- Benefit Browsetter
- Nyx First Base Primer Spray
- Nyx Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator
- Eva Lom Rescue Mask
- Two mineral eyeshadows from Etsy
- Bath Fizz Cubes
- Bath Rocks
These were open for a while, mostly used apart from the Primer Spray and Eyeshadows.
I kept holding on them thinking I might use but not happening so all given away on Olio.
I cut open Merumaya Mineral Cleansing Paste to UU. It is a nice product that is not gritty or scratchy, leaves skin soft. I don't think they are making this anymore though.
ally.1 -
Morning everyone. Thanks for the new thread @Hodgepodge
So my PP list for July is:
Carrying over from June:
Bobbi Brown Java eyeshadow
S&G Foot Cream
Nars Rikugien Lip Pencil
Mac Utterly Posh Dazzleglass
UD Last Call eyeshadow
New:
TBS Coconut Hand Cream
It Cosmetics CC Cream
1 Body Lotion
2 Foot Masks
S&G Body Scrub
There are a few things there that will be carried over again no doubt but I just want to have them here so they're top of my list when I need to start using things up.
I do have a couple of UU's to report already this month:
Bayliss & Harding Wild Fig Bubble bath mini: the last of the advent calendar items 🥳 Loved the scent and the bubbles on these and WBA if they sold the scent on it's own
Soon by Mi Aloe Sheet Mask: the absolute last sheet mask that I had in my stash 🥳 Liked it for the burst of added hydration after using a mud mask. Have a few more traditional moisturising masks to work my way through now though.
Wild Deodorant refill: still going strong with the Wild deo's. Really like them, and while they aren't anti-perspirants, they do leave me feeling fresh all day and the scents do last.
Sensodyne Deep Repair Toothpaste: Have to use it, like it, have replaced with another one from the stash. Always buy 2 when I'm almost out because it's on offer.
Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser: finally got around to washing all my makeup brushes at the weekend and managed to finish one of the solid cleanser bars in the process. Really like these for getting everything super clean but also use baby shampoo from time to time also. Have another bar of this to work through now and really must wash my brushes more often.
My Byoma serum has started spluttering so have ordered another refill of that and some more of the the SKIN1004 Centella SPF because I really like it and the tube is going down rather quickly and I know it can take a while to arrive because it's so popular!Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 20171 -
Another who washed her brushes! Used baby shampoo from the equine stash. The horses have two opened bottles (why?)
UU Oskia Super C I really wanted to love this product but the little capsules are a faff to open until I left the nail scissors by the pot and it doesn't seem to sink in. I used the last one today without a moisturiser on top and it still feels a bit greasy 4 hours after application. Will not buy again although I think it helped my skin. A quick look online suggests there are much cheaper options anyway.
Made it to mortgage free but what a muddle that became
In the event the proverbial hits the fan then co-habitees are better stashing their cash than being mortgage free !!2 -
Hi everyone, life has been a little hectic however I am back in (of course). I did not manage to progress much with any products last month however here goes my PP list:-Carried forward:-Percy & Reed Mirror Mirror Shine SerumUrban Decay All Nighter Setting SprayAloe Hand CreamGarnier Body Lotion (the red one)Be Well Shower GelThe Inkey List Retinol SerumAdded:-Amika Soulfood maskSkinsense Retinol serumBath & Body Works Into the Night shower gelBath & Body Works Into the Night body lotionAlso hit pan in another eyeshadow: Classy & Sassy from the Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette.
Back for the No Buying Toiletries challenge. I pledge to only buy when I run out of a product that is not already in my stash no matter what wonderful emails land in in my Inbox or threads I read on MSE re: glitches!
SPC Member 046
£2. Challenge member 553 -
I'm in awe of how quickly you hit pan on eyeshadows @VALM - it seems like you're on a new one each month!Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 20172
-
UU Elf Camo Concealer, did really like it and would use again.
Have replaced with a Collection Concealer as was much cheaperFebruary NSDs: 0 / 10
February PADs: 2 / 29
February Groceries Challenge: £59 / £250
February Make £5 a Day: £255 / £145
Current Debt: £3159 | CC £1490 | N £571 | C £725 | E £373
Weight Loss Challenge 2024: 0 lbs2
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards