My Beauty Buying Ban

I've mentioned many a times that I'm on a beauty buying ban, but I never mentioned what the conditions were and how I went about deciding I would go on one.  So in this post I would like to explain how this commitment went down.

My work station

It began on Christmas day when I finally had time to clean up my little work station.  I had shoved aside makeup products on my vanity to make room for crafting, as I like to make my own greeting cards.  I finally had time to sit down and reorganize my things.  Space was lacking so much that I actually pulled out some of the drawers of my makeup dresser to use as shelves.  As I started putting things back in their place, I was completely overwhelmed by how much makeup I had accumulated.  In the tiny corner of my room, I literally felt like I was drowning in it.

The dresser of makeup.  Every drawer is full.

As I continued to do my makeup at my vanity for the following days and weeks to come, the overwhelming feeling didn't go away.  I was actually panicking at how much makeup I owned and wondered how in the world I would be able to use up everything!  Each time I sat down at my station, I became more and more determined to stop buying makeup.  For how much time, I don't know, but I had to start somewhere.

I think the reason why I never felt as overwhelmed as I have was due to the fact that I DO tend to use the same products everyday despite having a wide selection to choose from.  Those items I leave on my desk so that I can easily reach for them when I'm in a hurry, and as a result I completely neglect the rest of my collection.

Some of my most used products in the bathroom.

As you can see, I never gave myself a set start date, neither an end date.  I did set rules for myself and some reasonable exceptions:

1. I am not allowed to buy any makeup OR hair products for own personal use unless I am replacing something I have run out of and cannot find a substitute for.  The one exception to this rule is gift cards.  I have a couple giftcards from my birthday and Christmas that I am allowed to use to treat myself if I need a little retail therapy.
2. I am allowed to buy makeup, hair products, or tools that I ABSOLUTELY need for my kit.  
3. I am allowed to buy products at the Cosmoprof Spring Style Show (coming to San Jose, California this April!)
4. Buying makeup for other people is perfectly okay.
5. I don't have a set date for ending the ban.  I will figure something out later.

Since my last makeup purchase was on January 1, 2013, I simply made a commitment not to buy anything I didn't need after that.  

Extra lippies.  Lots of extras.

How am I doing, you ask?  Surprisingly well.  Once you get into the mindset that you own more than you need, it's actually a lot easier to resist urges.  I still allow myself to look at products, but when I come across something I like, I ask myself 3 things.  (1) Do I really need it? (2) Do I have something similar in my possession? (3) Can I get a more inexpensive version?  Asking myself those questions have been, so far, enough to deter me from making any unnecessary purchases.  On some occasions, it was a tad bit difficult.  When the Urban Decay Wizard of Oz palettes came out, my brain was in turmoil.  I'm still not sure I've completely convinced myself that I don't need want them.  But I haven't purchased them yet so maybe I'm winning.  I also had a look at CCO a few weeks back and saw the most gorgeous Estee Lauder blushes on sale.  I still think about them.  Haha.

The vanity

In the past week, I have made a few hefty purchases for my kit.  When I stopped by Cosmoprof to buy my show tickets, I also picked up a teasing brush and some more dry wax on sale.  And a few days ago I placed a huge order for face powders and foundations that was much much needed for my kit.  My bank account is still crying.

Loose pigments and mineral shadows drawer

To summarize my wall of text, I have been on a beauty buying ban as of January 2nd, 2013, and I've been doing extraordinarily well.  The last time I attempted one of these, I may have last two weeks.  It's been a little over two months and I like to think that I'm still going strong.  I find that what I miss the most is actually buying new products for the sake of buying, and that is very problematic.  Being constantly reminded of what I already own by looking through my stash regularly helps me stay grounded.  I'm sure there are a few of you who may be in the same boat as me, and I hope this post was inspirational and helpful.  I will be doing updates now and then to let you guys know how I'm doing.

Extra hair products, pins, and lashes.

With that said, does anyone care to to join me on my journey?  And feel free to tell me that my organization needs work.  I was trying to shame myself into cleaning by posting those pictures.