Starting a Year-Long Lipstick No-Buy

Recently, I took stock of my beauty drawer, and came to the realisation that I just… have too much crap. Not exactly breaking news, but hey. *shrugs*

My lipstick stash needs a bit of cutting down. It’s not exactly a need, per se, because my lipsticks, high end or not, are a little luxury for me and I have them by choice and not need, anyway. However, it’s now making me feel sort of bad or even uncomfortable that I have this many. This is because, currently, I own 43 (excluding lipliners), which is more than my lipstick holder allows by more than 10. I don’t like my collections outgrowing their designated spaces!

The Beauty Drawer collections I see online don’t make me stress though because, like, you do you, right?

[Added edit: It’s now 44. Q just gifted me her Christmas present. I held it, still wrapped, and went ‘it’s a lipstick, isn’t it?’ and she replied ‘it’s not like I knew you would buy 8 on Boxing Day!!’ WHOOPS. THANKS, Q!]

[Edit: It’s 47. I mis-counted.]

It’s true that I haven’t de-stashed in a while. But then here’s the thing… In my humble opinion, there aren’t any duds in my current collection. There’s something I like about each and every one of them enough to keep them.

Actually *leaves the room to throw two out*, at least there is, now.

What does this mean? This might be a big ask, being a beauty blogger and all, but my aim is to:

not buy any lipsticks at all this year.

This is also something I want to commit to and want to be held accountable for. Part of fulfilling a goal involves an action plan, so here’s mine:

• I will share my progress at the bottom of new posts. How many days as it been since I last bought a lipstick? What’s going on my wishlist? What did I wear most recently?
• I will continue to keep lipsticks a thing on my blog by incorporating ‘my week in lipstick’ or ‘lipstick in rotation’ posts. Or, I’m super diligent, a ‘lipstick empty’ post! Will it ever happen? Stay tuned~ LOL
• Stashing my new and untouched lipsticks (9 of them) (and other products) in a box, only to be taken out once in dire need of new makeup to talk about. It will be like a gift to myself!
• Letting my siblings call me out and stare at me disapprovingly when I buy or even attempt to buy stuff I don’t need.

 Like seriously, call me out if it seems like I’ve bought another, please.

I should note that I’m not stopping buying beauty stuff entirely! I’m still searching for my dream mascara and I will repurchase my favourite eyeliner as it runs out. This isn’t about spending less (although it’s always better if I do that), but about owning less and making sure I only own what I use… I.e. returning to regular levels of consumption…

[This excludes any lip stuff I get as a gift, though Q has made it known to me that I own a lot and probably won’t buy me anymore lol]

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On the same note, some of my other aims this year is to use up a few of the yarn and notebooks in my stash, and also whittle down my wardrobe to basic items that will get some wear. I have some gorgeous bits and bobs that I just don’t wear anymore, and I don’t want to be like a certain close relative who genuinely has no room for her new clothes that now live in the second laundry basket, taking up space.

I made a start by clearing out drawers and taking them to the charity shops in the city centre. I actually do this fairly regularly but I was extra harsh this time around. That coral jumper, I adore, but never ever wear. That plaid top, I also adore and actually flatters me, but I never wear that either.

Sort of on the same topic, but in a better light, my spending habits have actually improved this year. Even the Boxing Day damage was not as bad as I (or Q, when I told her) expected it to be.

Do you have any beauty-related resolutions this year?

Until next time,

X

P.S. AS IF NYX tweeted two of their newer lip ranges just now sob *adds to wishlist*

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Days since I last bought lipstick (as of the date this post goes up): 14
Most recently worn lipstick (as of typing this post) : Lancome 06 Rose Nu (mini)
Products added to wishlist:  NYX Soft Matte Metallic Lip Cream, Cannes – metallic versions of their famous lip cream line! (There was also a powder lip product, but I wasn’t feeling the shades after I googled them. HA. #selfcontrol)