No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries September 2018

Here we go again for another month. As usual this initial post has been shamelessly copied from the many previous months. A big thank you to me, sstevo19 for starting us off last month.

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

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 February 2018 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!


Graduates

Here is a list of our lovely,fragrant ladies who have polished and pampered their way through their products and managed to get their toiletries stash under control. Ladies - congratulations, you are an inspiration to the rest of us, xx . Thanks also to InaPickle who suggested we start the Graduate list. To join the list of graduates let us know by posting that you are graduating in big colourful letters, that way the OP can easily spot you and add you to the list, or better still - PM the OP as the thread can move really quickly! You may also wish to add how many products you have used up during the challenge. Good luck ladies! xx

1. mineallmine - graduated with honours March
2. Bronnie - graduated with honours March 2011
3. lostinrates - graduated with honours around June 2010
4. Ruby_Eskimo - graduated with honours June 2012
5. Seaside dreamer - graduated with honours October 2012
6. InaPickle - graduated with honours September 2014
7. Fiasco55 - graduated with honours May 2017


Previous threads

In case you need to refer back to a previous stash list or product review, here are links to past challenge threads. Click on the date to take you straight to it:

January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 2012
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
January 2013
February 2013
March 2013
April 2013
May 2013
June 2013
July 2013
August 2013
September 2013
October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014
June 2014
July 2014
August 2014
September 2014
October 2014
November 2014
December 2014
January 2015
February 2015
March 2015
April 2015
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015
January 2016
February 2016
March 2016
April 2016
May 2016
June 2016
July 2016
August 2016
September 2016
October 2016
November 2016
December 2016
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017
May 2017
June 2017
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
December 2017
January 2018
February 2018
March 2018
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
July 2018
August 2018
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Comments

  • asset2004
    asset2004 Posts: 2,453 Forumite
    Thank you sstevo for starting off the new thread.:T
    I've just been catching up with August, again I've been awol for most of it, very few UUs but I feel that's because I've stopped using a lot of items. Have given my skin a break so have not used any facial cream or serum for the last couple of months as a test to see if it made any difference.
    Actually having watched a couple of documentaries one thing that kept getting impressed upon was the biggest organ of your body was your skin and not put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your moth. Subconsciously it has been working as I have all but stopped using a lot of items. I still use shower gel and shampoo but have cut back the body lotion, the face creams etc. :o
    TBH not noticed anything different so not entirely sure if it's working or not. However it's certainly not helping my stash reduction though :(

    Has anyone else any experience of this?
    Life is a coin, you can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.
    Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you'll see further.
    Take time but don't waste time
  • pinkfluffybabe
    pinkfluffybabe Posts: 2,986 Forumite
    Name Dropper Academoney Grad First Anniversary First Post
    edited 30 September 2018 at 3:03PM
    Thank you sstevo!

    In for September, aiming for 10 UU.

    PP list:

    [STRIKE]Aveda botanicals eye cream[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Diptyque moisturiser[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Eve Lom cleanser[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]E45 body lotion[/STRIKE]
    This Works face wash
    [STRIKE]Ven moisturiser[/STRIKE]
    Nars aqua night treatment
    Korres rose face mask
    Burts bees lip balm
    Laura mercier body lotion
    Not buying unnecessary toiletries 2024 14/53 UU, 11 IN
  • asajj
    asajj Posts: 5,123 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Rampant Recycler
    Thank you for the new thread and I'm in as usual. This time I have a PP list:

    Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray
    Clinique Chubby Stick - Super Strawberry
    Murad Eye Lift Firming Treatment
    Erno Laszlo Firm & Lift Essence Lotion Deluxe Sample
    Gatineau Collagene Serum 5 ml
    Ordinary Caffeine Eye Serum

    Most of these are about to be UU'ed anyway but a list will help me to stick with them rather than switching between other stuff I have.

    I will also alternate some blushes I have and will try to sell some more goods.
    ally.
  • Tolteca87
    Tolteca87 Posts: 1,394 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    Eyes enormous stash of doom. In again.
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    edited 22 September 2018 at 8:15AM
    Thanks for the new thread sstevo. I'm in.


    My September PP list


    Macadamia Oil Curl Cream
    Burts Bees Almond Milk Hand Cream
    Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Cream 50g
    Philip Kinsley Elasticizer 1L
    Philosophy Sunshine Grace EDP 60ml
    Liz Earle Shower Gel
    Ren Vita Mineral Day Cream
    Clarins Blue Orchid Oil
    L'oreal Ever Riche Shampoo 250ml


    My 7 by Autumn list

    1. [STRIKE]Bourjois CC Cream [/STRIKE]
    2. Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Plum Russian
    3. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer
    4.[STRIKE] Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick[/STRIKE]
    5. Soap & Glory Cheekmate
    6. Revlon Photo Finish Powder
    7.[STRIKE] Avon Glimmerstick Eyeliner in Black [/STRIKE]


    Finish 7 by Christmas


    1. Max Factor All Day Flawless Foundation
    2. Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Plum Russian
    3. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer
    4. Laura Mercier Brown Eyeliner
    5. Soap & Glory Cheekmate
    6. Revlon Photo Finish Powder
    7. Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil


    Will not need to buy in 2018

    Shower gel
    Body moisturiser
    Hair conditioner/hair masks
    Night cream
    Foot cream
    Nail polish
    Hair serum/oil
    Makeup of any sort
    Perfume
    Bubble Bath

    May need to buy in 2018

    Shampoo - we have lots but everyone is using the same ones now
    Cleanser - should get through most of the year
    Eye cream - only have the one which is in use - replaced this so will be fine for rest of year
    Day cream - should get half way through the year
    Nail polish remover - already purchased so should be fine for a while.
    Curl cream - do have a few so should get quite a way through the year
    Deodorant
    Hand cream - should get halfway through the year


    The first four items of my PP list have been carried over from August.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • kadison
    kadison Posts: 3,662 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Xmas Saver!
    Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments :):):)
    dolly84 wrote: »
    Kadison - of course you can keep posting. I would say this however, I used to spend like crazy on beauty products (and I mean crazy), when we overspend like this it most often has an underlying cause, maybe a relationship problem, health, work, illness or weight maybe and it is better to tackle the reason or at least for me it was.

    I get what you're saying but I've fallen into the 'shopping for happiness' trap before and this isn't it, when it's that then I buy all sorts of everything not just toiletries, my issue seems to be that I am drawn to bargains and there have been a lot around.

    Also I started treating myself using the excuse that we'd just lost our cat, and in that frame of mind I really didn't feel like denying myself.
    kadison I am struggling at the moment and finding the Makeup Rehab reddit really helpful. Lots of good ideas on there for satisfying yourself with your existing stuff without buying more.

    Some Youtubers have been doing videos called "How many years of eyeshadow do I own". I worked out that I have about 5 years of eyeshadow and 12 years of lipstick. This is also helping me to resist buying (although as Dolly84 says it also stresses me out!)

    I will look at that thanks but in regards to Reddit, the interface makes my eyes bleed, it's so unfriendly too, I don't really get how to navigate it!
    No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries 2023
    Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend
    Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read - Groucho Marx
  • kadison
    kadison Posts: 3,662 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Xmas Saver!
    OK this is my last update for August, as I've said I had a lot of INs this month, there are a couple of Costco buys and a few necessary INs (2-in-1 shampoos generally) but mostly they're sale/free gift bargains.

    I received a L'Occitane £10 off £55 spend with my order so may use that on things I get through relatively quickly such as shampoo and shower gel. I am also down to my last bottle of my HG eye gel from Lancôme so will stock up on that if another offer comes.

    I will be trying to sell as much as possible this month to get my OUTs up, though I am on holiday for 2 weeks so that may have to wait until later.

    INs
    Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Detangler 250ml
    Avon Advance Techniques All-in-1 Sulphate-Free Shampoo 250ml
    Avon Advance Techniques Anti Dandruff 2-in-1 250ml
    Avon ANEW Clinical Defend & Repair Antioxident Purifying Mask 50ml
    Avon Magic Effects Neon Nailwear Red Shock
    Avon Naturals Aloe & Macadamia 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner 250ml
    Avon Naturals Grapefruit & Passion Fruit Complex 2-in-1 250ml
    Avon True Nutra Effects Micellar Cleansing Wipes x 2
    Buxom Eyeshadow Palette
    Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Lipstick 5ml Nudist
    Clairol Hair Dye Emerald 60ml
    E45 Intense Recovery Spray 200ml x 2
    Elemis Fortitude Bath & Shower Elixir 100ml
    Lacura Coffee Scrub 200g - Coconut
    Lacura Coffee Scrub 200g - Orange
    Lancôme Le Vernis Nail Polish 10ml 195 Minuit
    Nivea Roll-on deodorant 50ml - Dry Fresh
    Nivea Roll-on deodorant 50ml - Pearl & Beauty
    Nivea Smooth Body Mousse 200ml
    Olay Daily Facial Cloths x 30 x 2
    Palmer's Coconut oil detangler 250ml
    Pantene Smooth & Sleek Conditioner 400ml
    Pantene Smooth & Sleek Shampoo 400ml
    Vaseline Intensive Care Body Lotion Advanced Repair 400ml
    White Glo Deep stain remover toothpaste 100ml

    TKMaxx £3.99 each and nowhere near colours I already own
    Nails Inc. Battersea Park 14ml
    Nails Inc. Space Space Baby 14ml
    Nails Inc. Velvet Velour 14ml

    Found these in a store for £1.50 and £3 each respectively, I will always use stuff like this, especially the high SPF day cream!
    Boots Time Delay Cleansing Wipes x 25x 2
    Boots Time Delay Day Cream spf 30 50ml x 2

    Elizabeth Arden Free Gift Offer
    Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue Eau de Parfum Spray 1.5ml
    Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Face Capsules Restoring Serum 7pc
    Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift & Firm Day Cream SPF30 15ml
    Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Original 15ml
    Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Mimosa Eau de Toilette 100ml
    Elizabeth Arden Skin Illuminating Brightening Hydragel Cream 50ml
    Elizabeth Arden Standing Ovation Mascara 2.5ml
    Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Whip to Clay Cleanser 50ml
    Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster 5ml
    Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Hydragel Cream 75ml

    I have been on the look-out for an eye cream that had more than SPF15 in it for a while, these can be used around the eyes and were much cheaper than dedicated eye creams at £12.** at Boots.
    La Roche-Posay Ultra Comfort Cream spf 30 50ml
    La Roche-Posay Ultra Comfort Cream spf 50+ 50ml

    Lancôme Free Gift Offer
    Lancôme Eau Micellaire Confort 200ml
    Lancôme G!nifique Serum 7ml
    Lancôme Hydra Zen Day Cream 15ml
    Lancôme Hydra Zen Jelly Mask 100ml
    Lancôme Hydra Zen Night Cream 15ml
    Lancôme Hypnose Mascara 2ml
    Lancôme La Vie Est Belle EDP 4ml
    Lancôme Ombre Hypnose Irridescent Eyeshadow - Shade 102
    Lancôme Ombre Hypnose Irridescent Eyeshadow - Shade 203
    Lancôme Pure Clay Mask 100ml

    L'Occitane Flash Sale and Free Gift Offer
    L'Occitane Almond Concentrate Body Milk 6ml
    L'Occitane Almond Concentrate Shower Oil 6ml
    L'Occitane Almond Concentrate Shower Oil 6ml
    L'Occitane Arl!sienne Delightful Bath & Shower Gel 75ml
    L'Occitane Icy Verbena Shower Gel 250ml
    L'Occitane Joyeuses Fêtes Body Cream 200ml
    L'Occitane Joyeuses Fêtes Eau de Toilette 75ml
    L'Occitane Joyeuses Fêtes Shower Gel 250ml
    L'Occitane Overnight Reset Serum 1ml
    L'Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Cream 8ml
    L'Occitane Roses et Reines Hand & Nail Cream 10ml
    L'Occitane Terre de Lumière L'Eau Beautifying Body Milk 50ml
    L'Occitane Terre de Lumière L'Eau Gentle Shower Gel 250ml

    No7 Offers used in conjunction with points offers/points spending/vouchers etc
    No7 Lovely Lips Lip Balm - Deep Raspberry
    No7 Lovely Lips Lip Balm - Poppy Petal
    No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser 200ml
    No7 Nude to Night Palettex 2
    No7 Purifying Intense Pore Scrub 100ml
    No7 Revitalising Cleansing Wipes x 30
    No7 Revitalising Cleansing Wipes x 30
    No7 Revitalising Daily Face Polish 100ml
    No7 Stay Perfect Eye Shadow - Matte Plum

    NBI
    Sent by Boots to review
    Head & Shoulders Colour Protect Conditioner 275ml
    Head & Shoulders Colour Protect Shampoo 400ml

    A request to my lovely neighbours when they asked if I wanted anything from the US, from the Rodeo Drive store no less! :eek::eek::eek:
    Sephora Cleansing wipes x 25 - Green Tea
    Sephora Cleansing wipes x 25 - Rose
    Sephora Face Mask - Rose

    UU
    Avon Naturals Aloe & Macadamia 2-in-1 250ml - Have repurchased.
    Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris 200ml - WBA
    Elizabeth Arden White Tea Pure Indulgence Bath & Shower 400ml - WNBA, the scent is nothing like the EDT and not all that great!
    Lancôme Hydra Zen Neurocalm Eyes 15ml - HG
    L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray 400ml - Extravagant Volume - HG
    No7 Youthful eye serum 15ml - WNBA, found it very 'blah'
    Oral B Toothpaste 75ml - Strong Teeth - HG
    Wella SP Balance Scalp Lotion 125ml - Very nice, WDBA

    GA
    Redken No Blow Dry Airy Cream for Fine Hair 30ml - Couldn't get on with this so GA to a friend.
    No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries 2023
    Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend
    Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read - Groucho Marx
  • sstevo19
    sstevo19 Posts: 1,493 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
    My PP list for September:

    The Chemistry Brand Extreme Hydration Complex 100ml
    Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Night Serum 50ml
    The Body Shop Aloe Multi-use Gel 200ml
    Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo 750ml
    Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blonde Reconstructor 750ml
    Tresemme Heat Defence Styling Spray 300ml


    I'm hoping to finish all of these this month, and other products as well, but I'm going to focus on these ones.
  • 1 UU

    Radox Feel Refreshed Shower Gel with Eucalyptus and Citrus Oil - WBA, it has a lovely smell!

    1 IN
    Batiste Dry Shampoo Pretty and Delicate Rose Gold - hoping that this one will be better than the last. This is the first purchase I have made in Superdrug since May!
    Less is the new more :D
  • Stash total is 197
    Less is the new more :D
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