No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries April 2019

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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, er, 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
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Comments

  • pinkfluffybabe
    pinkfluffybabe Posts: 2,986 Forumite
    Name Dropper Academoney Grad First Anniversary First Post
    edited 30 April 2019 at 10:13PM
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    Thanks for the thread sstevo, I'm in again for April

    My current PP list:

    L'occitane shea shower gel
    [STRIKE]Caudalie the des vignes shower gel[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Aveda body oil[/STRIKE]
    Emma Hardie body lotion
    [STRIKE]Dr Hauschka cleansing cream[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Dr Hauschka cleansing milk[/STRIKE]
    Algenist gentle rejuvenate cleanser
    [STRIKE]Living Proof Prime [/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Korres rose face brightening mask[/STRIKE]
    [STRIKE]Temple spa repose night cream[/STRIKE]
    Nuxe lip balm
    Burts bees lip balm
    Not buying unnecessary toiletries 2024 14/53 UU, 11 IN
  • MsM09
    MsM09 Posts: 64 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    It’s on for April.

    PP

    April PP

    Carried over:
    3 samples (any)
    Lush once upon a time moisturiser 100g
    1x mini

    Super drug day cream 75g
    Chanpneys body scrub
    Barry M primer
    1x conditioner
    1x shower gel

    I’m going away for a weekend so the minis and samples should be ok. However I had a big spree this weekend - somethings I needed and some were frivolous

    IN

    Mitchum deodorant x3 (I do use it up quickly)
    Superdrug cloth cleanser
    2x Superdrug wipes
    2x lush fresh face masks (got with my black pots)
    10x lush bath bombs (oops! - but I only have very old ones left which I will use up first)
  • asajj
    asajj Posts: 5,123 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Rampant Recycler
    Options
    Thank you for the new thread :)

    Finish By Summer List
    TBS Wild Rose Hand Butter
    TBS Hemp Foot Protector
    Jimmy Choo - Flash
    Seven Seas Energetic You Supplements
    This Works Deep Sleep Cream
    Max Factor Foundation

    My April UU/PP List

    Gucci Bamboo
    Benefit Dandelion Blush
    Beauty Pie SPF 25 for Face
    Clarins Lip Oil - Tangerine

    I've placed an order with Bumble and Bumble for Invisible Oil Shampoo. I had a 10% code and this weekend they have a sample offer where you receive 5 samples with any purchase. I will take a bottle to the Zero Waste shop this week to get some shower gel.

    I've listed couple of things on Ebay to sell as well. I'll try to use some eyeshadows this month but haven't decided which one yet. My eyes are very sensitive currently so struggling a bit with eyeshadows.
    ally.
  • asajj
    asajj Posts: 5,123 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Rampant Recycler
    Options
    One UU this morning - Clarins Bath and Tonic Concentrate. I love this but it is a luxury so I only use it when it is included in GWP.
    ally.
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    edited 14 April 2019 at 2:15PM
    Options
    Thanks for the new thread sstevo. I'm in. My lists are as follows:

    April PP List


    [STRIKE]Revlon Colourstay Foundation - b/f from March[/STRIKE]
    Philosophy Pure Grace Shower Gel 500ml
    Philosophy Pure Grace Body Lotion 500ml
    Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish 200ml
    Liz Earle Skin Repair 50ml
    Avon Cocoa Butter Hand Cream 50ml
    Charles Worthington Diamond Shine Treatment
    Dermol Lotion 500ml


    My '7 by Summer' list


    1. No17 Brow Pencil
    2. Givenchy mini mascara
    3.[STRIKE] Rimmel Colour Boost Lip Crayon - Keep Mauvin[/STRIKE]
    4. The Balm Down Boy blush - would like to hit pan
    5. [STRIKE]Smashbox Full Exposure mascara - full size[/STRIKE]
    6. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation
    7. Benefit Champagne Pink Eyeshadow single from Big Beautiful Eyes Palette.

    Will not need to buy in 2019

    Shower gel - one can of Rituals foaming shower gel bought January, and one that came with my Liz Earle order.
    Body moisturiser - set of 3 Sanctuary Spa Body Butters bought March from the CS
    Hair conditioner/hair masks - one Bumble & Bumble styling cream bought January
    Foot cream
    Nail polish - 2 BN Ciate polishes bought for £1 each from a CS
    Hair serum/oil
    Makeup (except maybe foundation) - eye primer bought March.
    Perfume
    Bubble Bath

    May need to buy in 2019

    Shampoo - we have lots but everyone is using the same ones now
    Cleanser - will need to buy in Spring - already purchased Liz Earle
    Eye cream - only have the one which is in use -
    Day cream - already bought Liz Earle
    Curl cream - have one in use and one backup
    Deodorant - will be good for quite a while
    Hand cream - 2 from Avon in January.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • dolly84
    dolly84 Posts: 5,851 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Options
    First uu of the month


    Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliater 50ml - this came as part of a set and I WNB on it's own, it's just OK.
    Debt Free and now a saver, conscious consumer, low waste lifestyler


    Fashion on the Ration 28/66
  • sstevo19
    sstevo19 Posts: 1,493 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post I've been Money Tipped!
    edited 1 April 2019 at 11:50AM
    Options
    My PP list for April:

    Dr Jart Ceramidin Gel Cream 10ml
    La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume 40ml
    Soltan Protect & Moisturise Active Suncare Stick SPF30 5g
    Lush Sleepy Body Lotion 95g
    Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blonde Purple Toning Shampoo 400ml
    Superdrug Pro Care Sensitive Mouthwash 500ml


    I'm hopefully going to finish all of these items this month. Most of these are items that I've had open for nearly a year, so I'm going to try and finish these off before they go bad.
  • maddiemay
    maddiemay Posts: 4,986 Forumite
    First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    Options
    Thank you for the new thread sstevo, I am in again for April.

    Quite happy with March scores which are:- IN 8/12, TA 0/0, GA 2/3, UU 12/27:D

    Preliminary In use/PP list
    7g Nailtiques Cuticle & Skin Gel
    30g Lanoline Eye Cream
    100ml Alpha-H Liquid Gold
    15ml NIOD FECS
    30ml Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyalaronic Serum
    200ml Decleor Aroma Cleanse Micellar Water
    500ml Soap & Glory Butter Yourself moisture lotion
    40ml LRP Cicaplast Pro Recovery Skincare.
    250ml Body Shop Coconut Shower Cream
    The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. (Abraham Lincoln)
  • kadison
    kadison Posts: 3,662 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Xmas Saver!
    Options
    Thanks Sstevo! I'm in again of course, I didn't get around to doing my last update for March until today so I'll post it here.

    First, the good.....

    UU
    Aveda Shampure Shampoo 1000ml
    Avon Cream to Powder Foundation - Light Nude
    Avon Naturals Golden Apricot & Shea 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner 250ml
    Avon Planet Spa Soothing Nail Hand and Foot Soak 150ml
    Boots Extra Strength Nail Polish Remover Pump 200ml
    Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Lipstick 5ml Nudist
    Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water 50ml
    Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch 15ml
    Clarins SOS Primer 5ml - Universal Light
    Coca-Cola Cherry coke lip balm 4g x 6 (did a stock check and these were missing so I must have UUd them over time!)
    Dentyl Mouthwash 250ml - Smooth Mint
    Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil 15ml
    Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment 1ml
    Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 50ml
    Est!e Lauder Double Wear Cushion Foundation - 2W0
    Femfresh Powder 200g
    IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer 8ml
    Johnson's Baby Cornstarch Powder 255g x 2
    Lancôme Cils Booster Mascara 5.5ml
    Lancôme Eau Micellaire Douceur 400ml
    Lancôme Hypnose Mascara 2ml
    Lancôme Renergie Multi-Lift night cream 15ml
    Nivea Lip balm spf15 - Cherry Shine x 2
    Nivea Lip balm spf15 - Soothe & Protect
    No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser 200ml
    No7 Revitalising Cleansing Wipes x 30
    Phase Zero Metal Foil Eyeshadow - Bruise
    Philosophy Shower Gel 480ml - Candy Cane
    Philosophy Take a deep breath oil-free oxygenating gel cream 5ml
    Sephora Face Mask - Rose
    Soap & Glory Hand Food 125ml
    Soap & Glory Righteous Butter 50ml
    Tesco Eye Make-up remover pads x 30
    The Body Shop Frosted Berries Sugar Scrub 250ml
    Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EDP 100ml

    TA
    Avon ANEW Youth-Awakening Lipstick Berry Bloom
    Avon ExtraLasting Lipstick Ravishing Rose
    Avon mark. The Bold Lipstick Ruby Shock
    Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick - Ruby Kiss
    Avon SuperExtend Liquid Eyeliner - Black
    Boots Nail Polish Remover Pads x 15
    Clinique Lip Colour + Primer - Joy Pop
    Clinique Lip Colour + Primer - Merry Pop
    Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara - Black
    Fake Bake Faux-Glo 120ml
    Lancôme G!nifique advanced light pearl eye serum 5ml
    L'Occitane Shea Butter Balm
    Natural Collection Clear Mascara 9ml
    No7 Instant Tan Lotion 125ml
    Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick 1.3g - Legendary

    GA
    Bath House Bergamot & Amber Face Moisturiser 3ml
    Bath House Frangipani & Grapefruit Hand Cream 3ml
    Bath House Love Untitled Body Cream 3ml x 2
    Bath House Patchouli & Black Pepper Body Lotion 3ml
    Beauty Pie Superbrow 3-in-1 Powder Pencil - Hot Coffee
    Beauty Pie Superbrow Fine Precision Pencil - Hot Coffee
    Boucl!me Intensive Moisture Treatment 50ml
    Nails Inc. Aspen
    Nails Inc. Oakley Gardens
    Nails Inc. St Martin’s Lane
    Nails Inc. Tate
    The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadow - Be My Clementine
    The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadow - Blackcurrant Affair
    The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadow - Blueberry Night

    Now for the not so good.....

    IN(s) my defence :D, I am getting married at the end of the month and I want my suddenly massively sagging and ageing face and body to look its best, hence the various specialist skincare/bodycare/make-up in bold, the other stuff is stuff I would have bought anyway. (I know I'm 40 so I won't look like I'm 25 but it could have waited until after the wedding to go all spotty and wrinkly!) It's a lot of make-up but I want to try various looks to get it right on the day, I only paid full price for the two in red, I never pay full price for anything if I can help it!

    (Personally curated samples, just paid postage)
    Angela Langford Angel eyes nourishing eye oil 2ml
    Angela Langford Bloom & glow radiance restoring face oil 3ml
    Angela Langford Perfect pores pore perfecting face serum 5ml
    Angela Langford Sweet cheeks balancing & cleansing face wash 10ml

    Avon Big Colour Eye Pencil Lavender
    Avon Colortrend Eyeshadow Pencil - Pink Ruby
    Beauty Pie Incrediblur Concealer - Shade 100
    Beauty Pie Power Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Blackest Black
    Beauty Pie Smart Powder Blush - Peachy Dreams
    Beauty Pie Super Luminous Concealer - Shade 200
    Beauty Pie Superbrow Pro-Sculpting Powder - Ash Brown
    Beauty Pie The Unbeatable Concealer - Shade 75
    Beauty Pie Wondercolour Longwear Cream Shadow Stick - Brazillionaire
    Beauty Pie Wondercolour Longwear Cream Shadow Stick - Little Star
    Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick - Dusty Mauve
    Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick - Violet Plum
    Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow - Lapis x 2 - 1/3 of original price, these have now been discontinued but were clearance in an outlet, favourite colour of mine so I stocked up!
    Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick - 2.25 Cool Sand
    Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation SPF10 - 1W1 Bone
    Estee Lauder Metal Lights Shadow Stick - 02 Light Struck
    Johnson's Cottontouch Baby Powder 400g x 4
    Johnson's Fresh Baby Powder 500g
    L'Oreal Hairspray 200ml - Supreme Hold
    Nivea Q10 Cellulite Serum 75ml
    Nivea Q10 Firming Body Oil 200ml
    No7 Airbrush Away Foundation - Cool Ivory
    No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation 30ml
    No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation - Cool Ivory
    No7 HydraLuminous Overnight Recovery Gel Cream 50ml
    No7 Lash & Brow Perfector
    No7 Match Made Concealer 4.5g - Cool Ivory
    No7 Nail Cleanse and Prime 10ml
    No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Body Serum 200ml x 2
    No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Face Exfoliator 75ml
    No7 Youthful Glycolic Peel Kit I've already noticed a difference since I used it for the first time last night!
    Superdrug Trichology Scalp Tonic 150ml x 4

    3 x Free Gifts
    No7 Airbrush Away Primer 10ml x 3
    No7 Lip Voucher x 3
    No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Eye Cream 5ml x 3
    No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Serum 5ml x 3

    BOOTS POINTS
    Free Sample - Giorgio Armani Si Fiori EDP 1.2ml

    Lancôme Hydra Zen Neurocalm Eye Moisturiser 15ml x 2
    Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting Make Up Primer 25ml

    Free Gifts when you buy three items:-
    Lancôme Advanced G!nifique Hydrogel Melting Mask
    Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover 125ml
    Lancôme Eau Micellaire Douceur Cleansing Water 200ml
    Lancôme Hydra Zen Neurocalm Moisturising Night Cream 15ml
    Lancôme Hydra Zen Soothing Ant-Stress Day Cream SPF15 15ml
    Lancôme Hypnose Mascara Black 2ml
    Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum 4ml
    Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 5ml

    How long do I need to be on the naughty step for? :A:A:A
    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
  • asset2004
    asset2004 Posts: 2,453 Forumite
    Options
    Back in again for April :o feels like it's never ending :(
    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
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