No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries December 2023

ruby_eskimo

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.

Thanks to @Clutterbug07  for starting last month's thread.

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!

ruby_eskimo

I was a little out of it in November but did manage to UU 20 items totalling £159.86.  Were any of those on my PP list?  I was going to say no but then remembered that the long moaned about Bobbi Brown Java eyeshadow finally went to the recycling box in the sky 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳  I lost count of how many years I've been using this on pretty much a daily basis and my goodness it really was worth the money for the amount of time it too to UU!

I have a few spluttering items (including a perfume 🤯) so December should be an interesting month in the UU department.  My PP list looks like this:

Rolled Over

UD Last Call e/s
It Cosmetics CC Cream
Lolita Lempicka L Perfume
Bobbi Brown Longwear Concealer
TBS Mango Hand Cream
Chanel Mademoiselle Lipstick
ELF Power Grip Face Primer

New Additions

JVN Hair Leave in Conditioner
Garnier Micellar with Oil
Superdrug Argan Oil Foot Mask

Not sure how many I'm going to be able to work through but will give it a jolly good go!

Clutterbug07

Thanks for the new thread, @ruby_eskimo!

Hmm, my PP list is currently looking like this for 2023:

PP list- 23 for 2023: 13 gone so far!

1. Tony Moly - The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Skin toner: is this actually done though!?
2. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Oil: I literally do not use this nor have I even reached for it, despite it being on this list.
   
3. Elf Jelly Pop Glow Stick: ditto, it's rare I can force myself to use this.
4. LilyLolo Mineral Blush- Goddess: a deeper more rusty rose red colour. Despite using this a lot, I still have a lot left. Also, I like this now and dont have anything similar so I don't actually want to use it up as I'll be without it!
   
5. 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.
6. Simple- Detox & Brighten Clay Mask
   
7. Sugarpill loose eyeshadow in Absinthe:  A sparkly green. Not remotely finished.
8. NYX Born to Glow in Light:  Is too oily for my face.  ALMOST DONE!
9. Sugarpill loose eyeshadow in Penelope: metallic copper with extra large particles- giant flakes, dislike the formula.  Not remotely finished.

NYX foundation is just a few (maybe even one) wears from being finished, but everything else specifically on this list, I'm not even close!  So i think from this list I'll be finishing the year with 9 left/14 gone.  The Elf Glow Stick and Simple clay mask I plan to just bin as both are old now, so slightly cheating, but at the end of 2023 it'll be 7 left/16 gone. 

Although the Tony Moly might actually be gone now, since I keep topping up the bottle with other old toners, so technically I might just be using the Tony Moly bottle now rather than the actual toner!  I think I will call that one at the end of the year.

Have a few UUs and a few INS so far:

UU

• Isntree- Onion Newpair Gel Cream: Nice light gel cream for summer, I do like this.  Finished it up on my body though as technically it has now expired.
• Maison Margiela Replica- 2ml travel- Beach Walk: Lovely one
  
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Brown - Dark & Deep 200ml: already replaced with one from stash.
  
• Pampers babywipes- Coconut Pure Protection: my ones at work, all done.
  

INS

• Pampers babywipes- Aqua x 2: 2 because they were half price, so cost the same as buying one pack.
• L'Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara Black Waterproof: this was a want, I want my favourite mascara for Christmas.
  
• Elf Power Grip Primer: my current one is running low.
• Nivea Black & White Invisible Original anti-perspirant - Travel size 35ml: needed for Christmas travel.

pinkfluffybabe

Back in for November, thanks for the new thread ruby_eskimo   

December PP List (more everyday stuff):

Caudalie Grape Water
Faith in Nature Coconut Shower Gel
Aveda Nutriplenish Shampoo
Aveda Nutriplenish Conditioner
Laura Mercier Handcream
Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
Drunk Elephant Protini
Paula's Choice Gel to Cream Cleanser
Ren Evercalm Cleanser
Medik8 Calmwise Serum

Winter 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

Really want to get a push on with totals this month to end the year strong - will focus on nearly finished items and samples!

pinkfluffybabe

First UU of December: 

medik8 calmwise serum. WBA. Trying the Ren evercalm now. 

ruby_eskimo

Morning all.  Have a few UU's to report from the weekend:

Skin & Me Treatment: still loving this, and really noticed a difference in my skin texture since using it.  On to the next one.

FarmStay Red Ginseng Sheet Mask: the last of the sheet masks in my stash!  This did make my skin tingle a little so not sure if I would purchase again (it was a freebie).  Did moisturise and left my skin feeling rather soft.  Now I have a few sample moisturising masks to sub into my weekly pamper and then I need to find something to purchase in the new year.  Have been looking at the TBS Rose one so might pick up a mini when I need something new.

Lush Snow Dragon Bomb: Love using these every year, very relaxing scent and the sparkles don't stick to me and the bath which is a bonus.  Have a few Lush Christmas bits to work through as I bought myself some a while ago and then a friend sent us a gift set as a random gift.

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser: WNBA, I used to use this yeeeaarrsss ago and have been looking for something cheaper than my usual Jordan Samuel Cleanser.  But after 2 days I had broken out massively and my skin was itching.  Managed to get things back under control by going back to the JSS and instead used this up in the shower to dilute some of my shower gel with.  Was fine on the body just not on the face it appears.

JSS Hydrate The Mist Mini: speaking of Jordan Samuel I also used up a mini of the Hydrate mist.  Took this with me to Buffalo to help add some extra hydration when out in the cold.  Not sure it really did anything but it didn't make things worse that's for sure.  Back to the trusty LRP Serozinc as a toner spray thing.

Clutterbug07

UU

• Maison Margiela Replica- 2ml travel- Sailing Day: Nice light airy fresh scent
• Kerastase Bain Divalent Shampoo - 10 ml free sample: Alright.  Didn’t particularly seem to do anything for oily roots (it's aim as a product) so I wouldn’t purchase this in full-size.
  

ruby_eskimo

Just remembered I had a super important video call this afternoon so thought I'd put a bit of makeup on as it's being recorded and have another UU to report:

Urban Decay Primer Potion: WBA, already have a replacement ready to go but didn't realise there was literally nothing left in here 🤣

VALM

Thanks for the new thread rubyeskimo. Just back from a weekend in The Lake Distruct and had a couple of UUs whike there

Rituals D'Orient perfume. Would not repurchase.

Phil Smith CocoLicious dry shampoo.  New HG.  Replacement ready.

My PP List
Carried forward 

Nip & FAB wipes

Laura Geller Peach sorbet 

Charlotte Tilbury red vixen 

MUA Cupcake Blush

Percy & Reed mousse.

Skinsense Mask

Skin Doctors Hyaluronic acid serum 

Maybelline Fit Me Primer

Lacura eye cream 

Added

Lacura Cleanser 

I think the last 6 items could be finished prior to New Year. We'll see.

The annual Christmas Fair was on in Hawkshead and I picked up some bath soak and body lotion.  MRM bought me a set of body scrubs for Christmas 

Clutterbug07

Two UUs this morning:

• NYX Born to Glow foundation- Light:  From my PP list- OMG FINALLY!!!  I hated this foundation.  On me, 'glow' equated to grease slick by 10am- no thank you!  For the right skin type I am sure this is lovely, but it’s not for me, and I am SO glad I never have to use this again!  Lesson learnt- do not buy glowy foundation in future!!

• Mad About Skin- Got You Covered Super Serum:  Finished this up on my body.  I love this serum though, and I will repurchase at some point cos it's a great multi-purpose serum, however I have other serums in the stash that need using.  I am planning to only use one serum at a time when reintroducing products (so that I can see which item if any will cause skin allergy issues), so it'll likely be a while before I repurchase this.
  

PP list- 23 for 2023: 15 gone so far!

1. Tony Moly - The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Skin toner: is this actually done though!?
2. Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Oil: I literally do not use this nor have I even reached for it, despite it being on this list.
   
3. Elf Jelly Pop Glow Stick: ditto, it's rare I can force myself to use this.
4. LilyLolo Mineral Blush- Goddess: a deeper more rusty rose red colour. Despite using this a lot, I still have a lot left. Also, I like this now and dont have anything similar so I don't actually want to use it up as I'll be without it! 
   
5. 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.
6. Simple- Detox & Brighten Clay Mask
   
7. Sugarpill loose eyeshadow in Absinthe:  A sparkly green. Not remotely finished.
8. NYX Born to Glow in Light:  Is too oily for my face.  ALMOST DONE!
9. Sugarpill loose eyeshadow in Penelope: metallic copper with extra large particles- giant flakes, dislike the formula.  Not remotely finished.

ruby_eskimo

Hope the adding in the serums again doesn't send your skin crazy @Clutterbug07 and well done on finally getting through the foundation

Had a random UU this morning:

Wild Travel Deodorant: didn't realise this was so close to being done.  Opened it when we went hand luggage only the US recently and it's lasted just over 3 weeks.  Have one more in the stash that I'm saving for another hand luggage only trip next year but think they work well and are good value.  Back to the full size deo now.