No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries in Feb 2025

VALM

If your beauty and toiletries are taking over your life, then this is the thread to help you work through the stash and motivate you to not buy anymore (hopefully!)

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 @Clutterbug 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!

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without

VALM

My PP List
Carried forward 

Lacura Jo Malone dupe handcream

Bondi Sands SPF

Beauty Works hair oil

Lacura Sugar Maple shower gel

ADDED
Rituals The Ritual of Ayuveda (sp?)

My Usage Goals for Feb
Hourglass Luminous Glow
Hourglass Euphoric Fusion
MAC Dare You lipstick
MAC Golden Leaves Scattering
Orly Shaky Alibi

I want to use the makeup items at least 10 times and the nail colour at least 5 times. Im hopeful that ill finish the Luminous Glow because there is less left of that than the Euphoric Fusion and Shaky Alibi could be finished too.

Clutterbug07

Thanks for the new thread, @VALM!

25 for 2025 PP list:

1. DERMATORY - Hypoallergenic Cica Gel Cream 50ml: carried over from last years PP.
2. NEOGEN - Dermalogy White Truffle Serum In Oil Drop: carried over from last years PP list. Not loads left.
3. MAC Black Cherry Glow Play Lipbalm:  carried over from last years PP list.  Bought in 2021.... need to finish it!
4. Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Oil 200 ml: had this a while. I’ve figured out the best way to use it now- mixed in with some moisturiser makes it less greasy.
5. Klairs Supple Preparation Toner: accidentally bought the fragranced one last year, want to get this used up on my body.
6. Redken 11 Thermal Spray: heat and hold spray. Don’t like it, too thick/heavy for my hair- want it gone so I can get a lighter heat protectant spray.
7. Tigi Bedhead Motor Mouth- mega volumizer with gloss: like this, had it forever though so probs time to finish it up
8. Lilylolo mineral blush in Beach Babe
9. iUNIK Vitamin Hyaluronic Acid Vitalizing Toner: don’t love this, too thick for a toner, would like it gone so I can go back to one I love.
10. 17. Gorgeous Gloss- yellow: like this, but the soft brown is my fave. Not heaps left, I could finish it this year!
11. Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner- mini 30ml size: like this from pre-skin issue days, so want to try the sample to see how I like it now.
12. Skin1004 Centella Toning Toner – mini 30ml: has very mild form of AHA exfoliants. Want to see how my skin does with this as I’d like an AHA in my routine but am very wary of going OTT and destroying my skin.  If I put it on this list, I will have to try it- currently a bit scared still about introducing new products.
13. One loose eyeshadow: unspecified: but I want to finish one this year.
14. One nail polish: ditto.
15. The Body Shop British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask
16. Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter liner in Distortion: iridescent glitter liner, bought in 2021…. Still using it but really shouldn’t.  Sadly they don’t seem to make these colours anymore so I’ll be sad once they’re gone.
17. Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter liner in Grind: the pinky one.
18. The Body Shop Festive Berry hand cream
19. Vaseline Lip Therapy- Gold Dust:  not sure when I bought this… has teeny tiny shimmer in so give lips a nice sheen. It’s kinda old though and I have a big pan so would like to finish it this year.
20. Mad About Skincare Gentle Jelly Cleanser: putting this on the list cos I am being FAR too lazy and using micellar too frequently instead of actually washing my face. I have one back up of this in my stash so I don’t mind finishing my current one either as I won’t need to replace it.
21. Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream – 500ml: want to be better at moisturising!
22. Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Body Booster Mousse – 50ml travel size: don’t really use this, would like it gone. Or at least used frequently enough that I can see whether I like it.
23. Collection Glam Crystals  Lip Rocker lipgloss: bit too frosty rather than sparkly, so don’t love this.
24. Revolution Colour Correct & Fix Primer- Green: I don’t think this does ANYTHING, so I would like it gone.
25. Essie Apricot nail and cuticle oil: would like to try different oil for nails, so got to get this one used up! 

Clutterbug07

A few UUs already (technically at the end of Jan but as already been paid, they count in Febs- my month is by paycheck)

• Sure deodorant - 250ml: got the replacement at end of Jan
• Essie- Gel Couture Clear Top Coat: Has got maybe a third left, but it's gloopy and unusable now.  I added some thinner, but that just makes the polish shrink and it ruined my current mani, so goodbye, adios!

IN

• Alternative shaving soap bar - coffee & cedarwood: The order I placed last month got lost in the mail and they cancelled my order, so I had to purchase a different bar from a different retailer. Replacement.

Hodgepodge

You lot are a lot more hard core than me!

Keeping on using a product that you don't like, that is hard work and I admit that if I don't like something it is gone there and then!

VALM

2 INS Floral Love perfume and HR Hair oil fro. ALDI. ive learnt that if I want something from ALDI to get it there and then because the stock really is gone when irs gone.

ruby_eskimo

It depends what it is @Hodgepodge, sometimes I'll just throw it away especially if it's breaking me out but otherwise I'll just persevere.

February is off to a good start with the following UU's

Boots No 7 Airbrush Away Powder - Love this, bought it on a whim to see if it would be a good dupe for my Charlotte Tilbury powder when my shade was OOS and it's actually really good and half the price of the CT refills.  Have replaced with a CT powder which I got on sale but will probably go back to the No7 one when I've finished the CT.

Cowshed Relaxing Calm Shower Gel - this was a deluxe mini from the M&S advent calendar and was ok.  WNBA as it's expensive for a shower gel and I'm moving towards soap now to be more eco.  Have replaced with a mini of the L'Occitane Almond shower oil which smells divine.

Cowshed Relaxing Calm Body Lotion - WNBA, for the same reasons as the shower gel and the scent was a little too medicinal for me.  Have replaced with a mini L'Occitane almond lotion thing.

Lush The Magic of Christmas bubble bar - WBA, liked the scent and bubbles with this and a little went a very long way.  

Corsodyl Toothpaste - WBA, have to use this and can get it on offer most places.

Also have my first IN's of the year:

TBS Camomile Cleansing Butter to replace the one I UU in January and I only have a mini of the TTDO which I'm going to probably use up in the not to distant future.

Garnier Invisible Serum SPF 50+ which is a replacement for the one that I'm currently using that has a tiny amount left in it - I've had to unscrew the pump and shake the bottle this morning to get some out this morning and there isn't a lot left in there.

VALM

1 UU - Lacura shampoo. Have had to apply loads of condirioner after using this as it created frizz. WNBA.

I have ordered the Feb Lookfantastic beauty box as it conrains Bondi Sands sunscreen which is my HG and I need a new one. I got a discount on the box as a Lookfanrastuc member so it cost £12 rather than £15. Bondi Sands costs £9.00 by itself so just £3.00 for the extras.

Hodgepodge

I've now added the cost of items to my spreadsheet and nearly fainted when I added it up...
It's the replacement cost, not how much I actually paid (as I can't remember them all and some were part of a discounted kit).
From now on I'll add how much I pay for items when they get added to the spreadsheet, but judging by how much it is all worth I don't think I'll be buying quite as much as I have...

Clutterbug07

@Hodgepodge I'm already tempted to jettison something from my PP list as it's an extra step in my routine that doesn't seem to do anything for redness that I can see.  It's a big tube so would feel wasteful-  Revolution Colour Correct & Fix Primer- Green - am gonna keep going for now, but I foresee it going in the bin!  I like to try, but I do also quit on some products when they really don't work for me!

A few INS

• Tigi Bedhead Small Talk Reinforcing Cream, (240ml): Quite like the Tigi one I'm about to finish, and whilst this isn't exactly the same (don't think they do my one any more), this will be similar.  I don't have a lot of hair and it is also fine, so every little helps!
• Catrice- Space Glam mini eyeshadow in 030 Galazy Lights: and then cos I was naughty.....I got two single eyeshadows   In my defence, this is the shade I hit pan first in EVERY palette I have it in- it's my fave murkey goldy green shimmer, so I figure this will get a lot of use in my collection.
• Catrice- Space Glam mini eyeshadow in 010 Moonlight Glow: I always use a shifty white-ish shimmer on my brow, so this is a very useful companion to my palettes.
• Vibrant Vinyls- Fast & Hard Top Coat: To replace my Essie top coat that ran out the other day. Thought I'd give this one a try, it has good reviews. Hoping for fast drying, no shrinkage.

Already at 5 INS for £30.50 and it's only the 4th!  Trying to think if there is anything else I will need to replace this month..... my snail mucin is very low, my Sanex basic shower gel is about to run out.... hmmm, anything else? Hopefully not!

ruby_eskimo

Couple of UU's to report:

Garnier Invisible Serum SPF 50+ - WBA and already have.  Literally scraped the last out of the bottle yesterday so glad I picked one up over the weekend.

Erborian BB Cream sample - found this as I was sorting through my samples and minis ready for a trip in the next few weeks.  Tried it on a whim and have to say I really liked it.  I usually use the IT Cosmetics CC Matte but they've recently reformulated and supposedly changed the shades.  I haven't been able to find either the new or the old in store and know I'm going to run out of my current tube very soon.  Don't want to just order online as I've heard that the fair shade now is darker than the old fair shade 🙄  So I might actually just buy the Erborian instead - it made my skin look amazing, didn't feel heavy on the skin and I don't think it broke me out (have a spot or two due to hormones at the moment).  Just not sure if this shade in the Erborian was a tad too dark or not...will have to suck it up and go to Westfield I think and compare in Sephora.