No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries April 2025

ruby_eskimo

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 @@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!

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

ruby_eskimo

So I have started a PP list but it's 10 things I want to use up by the end of June or at least hit pan on:

- Mac Instant Chic blush
- Bobbi Brown Oil Infused Gloss in Slow Jam
- TBS Spiced Orange Hand Balm
- Boots Foot Cream
- Garnier Superfood Body Butter
- M&S Velvet Amber Perfume
- UD X eyeshadow
- UD Last Call eyeshadow
- UD Grifter eyeshadow (goal is to hit pan on this)
- Prestige Baked Highlighter (goal is to hit pan on this too)

Also have a lot of spluttering hair care and styling products so think I have a few empties already lined up for the month alongside the usual SPF and dental stuff.

VALM

Thank you @ruby_eskimo for the new thread. 

My PP List
Carried forward 

Garnier Shea body lotion

M&S Fragrance Society hand lotion

Lacura BHA Serum

B&BW Snowflakes & Cashmere shower gel

B&BW Snowflakes & Cashmere body lotion

UD 1987

UD Easy

Colourpop Little Snow
OPI Got The Mean Reds

The end is in sight for the body lotion and serum. As per usual I will roll new products in for the used non makeup items. Again i want to get 10 uses on the eyeshadow, blush and lipstick and 5 on the nail colour.

I will need to replace my ABC body lotion this month and maybe my face powder.

Clutterbug07

Thanks for the new thread, @ruby_eskimo!

25 for 2025 PP list: 2 down, 23 to go!

1. DERMATORY - Hypoallergenic Cica Gel Cream 50ml: carried over from last years PP.
2. MAC Black Cherry Glow Play Lipbalm:  carried over from last years PP list.  Bought in 2021.... need to finish it!
3. 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.
4. Klairs Supple Preparation Toner: accidentally bought the fragranced one last year, want to get this used up on my body.
5. 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.
6. Lilylolo mineral blush in Beach Babe
7. 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.
8. 17. Gorgeous Gloss- yellow: like this, but the soft brown is my fave. Not heaps left, I could finish it this year!
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. One loose eyeshadow: unspecified: but I want to finish one this year.
12. One nail polish: ditto.
13. The Body Shop British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask
14. 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.
15. Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter liner in Grind: the pinky one.
16. The Body Shop Festive Berry hand cream
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream – 500ml: want to be better at moisturising!
20. 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.
21. Collection Glam Crystals  Lip Rocker lipgloss: bit too frosty rather than sparkly, so don’t love this.
22. Revolution Colour Correct & Fix Primer- Green: I don’t think this does ANYTHING, so I would like it gone.
23. Essie Apricot nail and cuticle oil: would like to try different oil for nails, so got to get this one used up! 

UUs from PP List
NEOGEN - Dermalogy White Truffle Serum In Oil Drop
Tigi Bedhead Motor Mouth- mega volumizer with gloss

Hodgepodge

No INs or OUTs to report but it is only the 2nd day of April!!

My Use Up list is below, not changed much since March but a few things will go this month

Orris Florentina Silky Body Moisture Crème - Beauty Pie Body Moisturiser

Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 - Medik8 Eye Cream

Superfood Facial Oil - Elemis Facial Oil

Vital Veggie Mask - Elemis Mask - deep cleansing

Superfood Midnight Facial - Elemis Overnight Treatment

Youthbomb Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum - Beauty Pie Serum - anti aging

Triphala Pigmentation Corrector Serum - Sachi Skin Serum - brightening

Lotus Flower Treatment Cream - Emma Hardie Serum - hydrating

Hydrate The Mist - Jordan Samuel Skin Toner

VALM

2 UUs

Loccitane Cherry Blossom bar soap. I think this may have been a bit old as it disintegrated very quickly.

OPI Got The Mean Reds - i didnt realise i was so close to the end. I have other red polishes. I will swap OPI Hollywood & Vibe in for PP this month.

Clutterbug07

UU

• IUNIK Beta Glucan Serum - Little mini. I liked this, potential snail mucin replacement as it's so gloopy.  I do prefer the snail still, but this is nice. I'd buy this, it is nice and moisturising.
• Carex Hand Gel in Love Hearts (50ml): Don't love this scent- too floral- reused the little bottle tho as the mini size is very handy for popping in the handbag

INs

• Garnier Micellar Water Facial Cleanser For Sensitive Skin 700ml: Current one is running low, replacement at the ready.
• Batiste Dry Shampoo. Medium & Brunette, Dry Hair Shampoo 200ml: Should run out this month, don't want to be without and it's hard for me to get out much at the moment cos of the dog
• L'Oreal Paris Infallible More Than Concealer 24Hr in shade Bisque: No doubt the one I have will last 6 more months or something but there's significant window so ordering now
• L'Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara Black Waterproof: I opened my current one at start of December so it'll be time to swap it out soon, and it's getting a bit dried out now.
• L'Oréal Paris Prime Lab 24HR Pore Minimiser Primer: free gift with purchase.

Hodgepodge

3 items gone so for, 1 was used up, 2 were past their PAO dates

Orris Florentina Silky Body Moisture Crème - Beauty Pie - Body Moisturiser - used up to the end. Not my usual type of fragrance but I still liked it. MBA

Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 - Medik8 - Eye Cream - was virtually at the end but I can have reactive skin and don't like to take a chance anymore. Very nice but expensive. Would use if part of a collection (therefore less expensive) but otherwise WNBA

Triphala Pigmentation Corrector Serum - Sachi Skin - Serum - brightening - face reacted to this big time so used on the backs of my hands instead. Only a 6 month PAO. Smells like a very strong acid so even though my hands were fine, it has been thrown out. WNBA.

No INs to report, but I have Jordan Samuel Skin rewards to use. As I buy direct from the USA, I may need to use them up before any tarrifs apply (if that is what happens).

VALM

1 IN but freebie. When i opened the new Gruum toner the nozzle leaked so i decanted the product into the old packaging. I sent an email to Gruum to tell them i preferred the old packaging and they sent me a replacement. I was not expecting that and very pleased.

VALM

Another UU - Rituals of Karma handwash. This was a Xmas gift from my sister. It was lovely bit I wouldnt choose to purchase it myself. Replaced with one from the ALDI Hotel Collection.

VALM

Another UU - ABC Skinwash. Family staple. Have plenty in stash.