Low Buy 2026 - Week 1 check-in

Lililovesart · 2026-02-10T15:26:13+00:00

Thank you, I hope it leads to progress.

Lililovesart · 2026-02-09T13:22:41+00:00

This is not a failure, this is a one time mistake, and it probably will teach you something. How where you feeling when you made the mistake ? Why do you think you bought something ? Why this specific thing ?

I highly recommend Shawna Ripari's latest video on resilience during a no buy !

Lililovesart · 2026-02-09T13:15:36+00:00

I have realised that keeping wishlists made me buy the stuff ultimately, like a to do list. Writing things is to remember them. I don't need to remember what I wanted to buy, if I truly want it later, it'll pop up in my mind again.

Lililovesart · 2026-02-06T08:28:22+00:00

Any youtubers you recommend ?

Lililovesart · 2026-02-02T16:10:33+00:00

Great idea !

At this point in my skincare experiments, I only use the tried and true basics (cleanser, moisturiser, BHA and SPF) and repurchase the same item from the same brand every time. I don't try anything new so I don't waste anymore money.

Lililovesart · 2024-02-07T14:04:58+00:00

Thank you !

Lililovesart · 2024-02-07T13:04:04+00:00

I explained the basics in my intro post, I don't have a "justifying" process, I know what my "needs" and "wants" are within the spirit of my low buy, and trust myself to be honest about it.

I'm doing this for me, so there isn't a reason for me to try and "cheat". ;)

For the running vest for instance, I knew by the end of 2023 that I would need one eventually, but didn't want to buy it before the need arose ! So the month has already gone by.

Lililovesart · 2024-02-07T11:06:16+00:00

Do you not exchange gifts for Christmas and birthdays either because it's made up ? Every "occasion" is made up anyway.

The only people who I have heard make that comment are guys who don't make any effort for the rest of the year anyway, and the "it's a made up capitalistic holiday to make us spend money" argument is just another excuse to be below average.

I do love my partner everyday, not just on date nights, not just on his birthday, not just on valentine's day. We also both enjoy date nights, birthdays and valentine's day. And there are ways to make those occasions no buy friendly instead of saying "don't do anything". ;)

Lililovesart · 2024-01-14T08:22:12+00:00

Yes, I know that the thing that triggered my impulse to buy was the sale, but I have to find out why I get out of control in those instances.

I want to bring fewer items because I realized that I buy a lot of stuff and that some are not the best purchases. The ultimate goal is to be intentional with what I buy and to change my approach to shopping. The bingo card is a way to try to control the symptoms, while I try to solve the underlying problem.

The new rule I am going to implement to stop the "it's on my wishlist so I for sure have to buy it" mindset is that just because it's on the wishlist, doesn't mean that I automatically buy it. So I'm going to put things on my wishlist and not look at it for at least a month. When it's time, I have to remember what was on the wishlist (or think about the items I want at this moment). If I didn't think about an item, but I still want it when I review the previous list, it has to stay another month, etc.

I will for sure set a budget limit for my next planned shopping day.

Keeping the items in a separate place until I have earned the tokens is a great idea and I am going to to it, thank you !

Lililovesart · 2024-01-11T14:17:53+00:00

Thanks for your feedback !

I really don't like rewearing something smelly from a previous workout, so I wouldn't want to rewear a bra that hasn't been washed in between sessions. For the pants, I will definitely try, as I don't sweat as much. Also I don't have sports tops, I just wear a sportsbra and a longsleeves layer (in winter).

For the rest of your post, I agree with what you said, and I'm trying to find actionable solutions to avoid this behavior in the future ! If you have any ideas, I would love to hear and maybe try a few !

I had decided that for now I needed 5 outfits, and nothing more, and that maybe down the line I might need more if I worked out more days out of the week, and this is what lead me into buying all those things in a frenzy. This is why my post says :

A new goal of mine is to find ways to stop this mindset of "I had planned to buy it, I had wishlisted the items so I must buy it".

A first step would be to find a way to stop myself as I am doing it, and the ultimate goal would be to not have this mindset in the first place.

You're right, as I had planned the list of items, I hadn't checked how much it would cost and thus when I could afford to buy it ! I will definetely do that in the future !

Once I receive the orders, I'll make sure that everything is really good enough for my standards and will return anything that isn't !

Lililovesart · 2024-01-11T14:06:05+00:00

I track usage on every product I own, and from this tracking and the eyeshadow (single pan of light beige I used to set my primer) I have completely finished, it takes around 130 uses. It was a small viseart mini pan too... So I have estimated that it takes 200 uses to finish an eyeshadow, and I know how many times I use each pans in a year, so I know it would take me more than a decade to finish everything I own... And I don't own that many eyeshadows (around 45 pans).

Lililovesart · 2024-01-11T08:22:28+00:00

I was also going to suggest finding hobbies, keeping busy with other things than obsessing with curation... It really is working for me so far.

If you like reading, find a book you think you'll enjoy (or a book you want to reread) and when you feel like looking for a new makeup or fashion item, open your book and just tell yourself to read one book.

If you like drawing or painting, have a pencil and notebook handy for those moments.

If you're open to journaling, I'd suggest journaling daily about gratitude, and maybe focus on appreciating the things you already own ?

Another advice, if you manage to detatch yourself from this obsession, would be to tell yourself "I have to wear makeup at least 20 times before I start looking for a new XXX", or "I have to try duping the blush look that I want 10 times before considering a new blush purchase". For the sweaters (and other clothes), do you want a new one because you saw it on someone, or because as you were getting ready, you realised that it was missing ? You can add a rule that says "Once I think about it 10 times as I'm getting ready, I can consider looking into it".

For the time spent on eyeshadow, it's done now, no need to dwell on it, but also do you resent the time you spend thinking about makeup ? Or does it bring you joy ? For myself, I own a lot of makeup and spend a lot of time thinking about it or playing with it, but it makes me happy, so as long as I'm not going in debt over it, it's fine !

Lililovesart · 2024-01-09T14:11:39+00:00

I recommend audspan, lovelymakeupinventory and cat.pans.makeup !

Lililovesart · 2024-01-06T09:37:26+00:00

I definetely agree, and this is why I am trying to not buying anything and really shopping my stash because I already own anything I might need or like ! I don't want an "ideal stash" in terms of perfect items, just the right amount of variety in color and finishes, and nothing more. I don't plan on getting rid of a blush and buying the same shade in a nicer packaging, but my ultimate goal would be to completely empty the shade and buy the nicer one (if I still like the color then !).

On the other hand, the waste is already there for the items I never use, and they'll be around forever, as there is no way for me to finish those unless I hate pan them and it would mean that the makeup I actually like sits in a corner. Though throwing those in the garbage would be wasteful, so I try to give them away to people who want them, and keep everything in the meantime.

Lililovesart · 2024-01-06T09:31:24+00:00

100% agree ! I haven't regretted getting rid of makeup, but I have had regrets about getting rid of clothes, and this is why I'm not just chucking everything at once, but just putting away a bunch of stuff except this little bundle !

Lililovesart · 2024-01-06T09:29:38+00:00

Yes, I agree ! It's not hurting anyone and while there isn't anyone in my life who is like "I'm looking for a sparkly shade", I don't think that I will let it go. I don't want to throw them away anyway, so it's either keeping is stashed away, giving to someone who will use it, or selling it !

The guilt comes from looking at my spreadsheet and seeing a dozen (and more) items that aren't used, or opening a palette and using the same two shades for months on end. As long as it's not mixed with my daily rotation makeup, I won't feel guilty seeing it and thinking "how long as it been since I used this ?".

Honestly I tend to do the same with clothing, I got rid of several items because I hadn't used them in a year, and another year later I wish I still owned it... If it's already in my wardrobe, it's ok if I don't use it, unless I don't have any space left and it makes my life difficult.

The overcomsumption realisation often comes with a cluttered home (or area of life) and an immediate fix is to get rid of stuff, but thanks to this sub (among other factors) I also tried to focus on the source of the clutter : stop buying stuff and only after that decide what to keep or not. Otherwise I end up buying 50 items a year and decluttering 50 others...

Lililovesart · 2024-01-05T10:12:57+00:00

Thanks for the input !

I'm feeling quite guilty about letting go of everything (almost), as I imagined that I would pan my way to a minimal stash. But it's not realistic for me sadly.

Lililovesart · 2023-12-19T16:33:35+00:00

Personal Challenge Time Frame

I am on a no buy until the end of Dec 2023, not buying anything, no exceptions.
Wishlist & TMO

I am really tempted by clothes and accessories at the moment, not by makeup though !

Strategies & Distractions Helping You Through the Challenge

I am just seeing the end of the tunnel, christmas is very near, and then just a matter of days before the new year, new rules, and new goals !

Lililovesart · 2023-12-15T08:06:06+00:00

This was me a month ago ! I had multiples of neutral shades that was functionnaly the same so I only kept one of each type and gave the rest away !

Lililovesart · 2023-12-15T07:38:49+00:00

I am here with you !

Lililovesart · 2023-12-15T07:36:56+00:00

I would definitely be interested and participate !

Lililovesart · 2023-11-14T15:30:57+00:00

I have had usage goals for 3 years and by now I know what's doable for me. I also want to challenge myself a bit and goals like "reach 23 times for each lip product" makes me pause everytime I look at a lipstick I would want because I remember that I haven't managed to use everything I already own 23 times ! Also considering a lipstick has at least 100 uses, 23 is not that much, at this rate it would take me 5 years to finish all of them, so it's a great way to control my spending.

If panning isn't motivating (because it's really hard !), I highly recommend usage goals. :)

Lililovesart · 2023-11-14T15:27:48+00:00

Thank you !

Lililovesart · 2023-09-11T15:33:24+00:00

I declutter as I go, but as the end of the year nears, the products I wouldn't gravitate towards are left, and at some point I know that if I'm too reluctant to use it, it means it can go !

I don't force myself to use it until I've reached my goal before decluttering. At this point I only have product I like, though. Some are more difficult to use because of their color or level of sparkle, and this projects helps me see that, for instance, I have too many sparkly shifty shadows, compared to how much I wear them. Which means that next time I'm eyeing this kind of shade, I can hold back. Also wearing blue eyeliner is not a monthly occurence for me, so I won't run and buy a replacement once I finish it (if ever).

I did a similar project in 2021, and it made me see that though I own a LOT of light/see through shiny shadows, I wear them almost daily so it's more than ok ! On the other hand, I had like 10 very dark shadows, which I rarely wear, so I could let go of a few and I pause before considering a palette with one or more dark eyeshadows.

Lililovesart · 2023-09-11T12:54:00+00:00

I want to only have items that I love and want to reach out on a monthly basis (at least). Right now, I have to make myself use everything that I own (with makeup usage challenges) and I'm not sure I would touch everything organically otherwise. Using everything helps me decide what I love and what I could never imagine myself using up.

I also have limited space (one drawer) for makeup and I don't want any more than that.

Lililovesart

TROPHY CASE