Most of the time you find you don’t even want it later. This is coming from someone who makes lists of things I want. I have never gone back to look at the list.
That's what I've been doing and it helps so much with the impulse buy because I can go back to it and see if I still want it or if it can wait. Usually, it can.
I do that but by putting in the cart and if I see it in 5 days and I still really want it, I'll get it. Instead I just forget what I was gonna get and why lol
@@starbyheart I do this too…except I rarely buy things when I put them in my cart. 😆 They stay there for months and maybe I’ll buy them when they are on sale or if I need a replacement for another item.
Especially when my skin was at its worst, I think I was addicted to the idea that the next foundation, concealer, etc. would give me the "perfect" skin my real skin couldn't.
@soniathegemini1593 like a whole damn basket full. It's actually embarrassing. I am working my way through them though and finished 5 or 6 this year. I was also guilty of shopping just for the excitement of it as Kelly talked about in this video.
I’m in that spot right now and don’t know how to get out of it because I barely like my makeup now because of my skin since I feel like it’s distracting to the look. So I figured if I get the right base products, I will finally like my makeup like I used to. And when I find a product, I feel a sense of relief…lol idk if that’s bad
I think a lot of people view shopping as a hobby. I also think a lot of people are buying things to fill a void or might even have the mindset that they can't take their money with them so might as well buy stuff that brings us a little joy. Regardless, I think a lot of it has to do with being addicted to social media, status and the loss of third places leading to doom-scrolling & overspending
The number of times I have caught myself building carts because I'm bored 😅 Now I can catch myself most of the time and see that it's a sign to get off my phone and go do something else. I didn't even want to shop but being under-stimulated on my phone would have me hunting for something to buy.
I watch a lot of Booktube and your idea certainly extends to that genre. There are some in the community who 'collect' a ton of books (frequent book hauls), and justify it as being 'book collectors', but it really just seems like it's over-consumption just like can happen in any area. It seems like there's sometimes more excitement over finding and buying a book than actually reading it.
Exactly this. And that's why it's important to find someone who goes to the library and not just buys them and actually critiques the book, author, writing style, etc. Same way Kelly here was talking about finding critical content creators 🙂↕️
There’s actually a Japanese term Tsundoku for people who buy books they don’t actually read. Some Booktubers have 2-3 copies of the same book which I don’t understand at all!
I totally agree - i also follow booktube and saw myself going down that rabbit hole. Having more books than i a can actually read at any given time. So decided to stop buying and shop my stash for books to read and also use my kindle unlimited more often
ive realized recently that influencers are no longer influencers, theyre QVC salesmen. Influencers are supposed to start trends, not follow an existing trend then tell you how to buy it. I never watched her but I feel like Emma Chamberlain was the last true influencer- she influenced gen Z's style (the "emma chamberlain sweater vest"), their humor, people's video editing style, etc. It's also sad to see tiktokers that got big because of tutorials or showing groundbreaking techniques and now all they do is sell us stuff
@@coffeebean4356they also were not that in the beginning. I feel like we started with content creators that TURNED into influencers once Google’s advertising changed here on RUclips.
@ Influencers are content creators, but content creators are not influencers. Their job is the push materials and product onto you. This has been a thing since the dawn of civilization. They’ve been selling stuff forever. The only difference is now you’re seeing it for what it is. When a creator releases “merch” or collaboration with a brand, that’s all product advertising. For decades upon decades this has been happening.
Me me me! It’s an addiction and I’m drowning! I noticed my shopping addiction flourish in the last few months since I significantly reduced bills by moving in with my fiancé. I buy things to receive them- not to use them. ☹️ I so needed this video.
Figure out how much extra money you have and set up an automatic transfer every payday to a savings account in your name only. If you do it this way, you won't have it to spend, and you'll have an emergency fund in your name. And/or consider putting it in the 401K plan where you work. If there isn't a 401K, consider setting up an IRA and directing $ to it.
When you said that you feel more creative when you’re focused on what you already have reminds me of when I need to go grocery shopping but decide to make a meal with the random things I have in the cabinets and freezer, I come up with more creative fun meals than if I went out and bought what I think I need for a meal (obviously we need food and not makeup to live but you get my point 😂)
i wish companies focused more on developing their new products and perfecting them than trying to come out w new releases every other day. esp when there’s like a trending product and everyone tries to mimic it (like bronzing drops) but without adding anything new or innovative to it, or even just coming up w ur own good product to go viral
Project panning helped me change my relationship. I still get excited to buy products, but that's because I buy so much less so each purchase is special. Now I can enjoy using the makeup I actually have
@@roshnipatel2000 "Project pan" just refers to using makeup until you completely use it up or "hit pan" (using enough to where you can see the metal tin that the cosmetics are in.) Theres a lot of RUclips videos about it!
Going Cruelty free cut my makeup buying by about 90%! and watching Shawna Ripari has really helped me nix so much of my buying, across makeup and other categories. Trying to be much more aware and mindful of what I'm buying and how. The thought that basically everything I own will outlive me really helped!
i love Shawna’s channel! i like to watch beauty channels too, but i’ll use Shawna’s videos afterward to kinda refresh and bring myself back to reality.
I find having a financial goal really helps. I am trying to focus on experiences over material items. I really want to go to Thailand. Before I buy anything now, I weigh whether it’s worth taking me farther from my actual goal. It will take longer to save the more I buy.
Actually. I'm literally online shopping right now😭😭😭 on RUclips looking for reccomendactions because I dont know what to buy. This is what popped up. It's a sign. Lol
Make a playlist with tutorials or RUclips videos that have makeup looks that suit you and simultaneously have similar coloring/formulas to the products you already own! Really helps me go through products as quickly as possible. Keeps me mindful! 😊❤
Honestly when I had a big collection of makeup I realized I wasn’t using half of it. Having ADHD if I don’t see something I forget about it. So your shop my stash series helped me go through my own makeup weekly to use things up and realize I had enough. Thank you!
Yes I cannot have my makeup in drawers. I will never use it. A lot of it is out on my vanity. It's organized nicely but in plain sight so I can see all my options.
ADHDer here. I put all my makeup in see thru acrylic stuff. And my drawer has everything in little compartments so I could see them. After a year, I went through it, knowing I hadn't touched things, or they needed to be put in a more visible place. Then I did an inventory of all my skincare/haircare/body/ perfumes and now I go through the stuff if I need new things. Don't get me wrong I've relapsed tons, but I've made huge dents in my stuff over the last few years
72 years young and you just preached it girl!! I had recently placed orders for some skin care & makeup. When it arrived, I realized I’m still using up other products, so it went to the “reserve” closet. At which time I had a hard reality check…..if I used everything up, I probably wouldn’t need new products for many years. So I made myself a promise of No New Product until at least January and probably most of 2025. I now look forward to getting more creative and enjoying the abundance of product I already own. A very calming yet exciting adventure lies ahead. Thanks for your content and I look forward to your inspiration as I translate it to products I already own. 💄❤
I'm pretty careful and deliberative with makeup purchases...except when it comes to lipstick. It's definitely centered around the dopamine hit. Sometimes life is rough, and I self-medicate with lipstick. I have been trying to shop my stash when matching lipstick to my eye looks lately, and I did a big cosmetics declutter and now have unused lippies and other makeup to send a friend who enjoys makeup but can't always afford it. Now I need to buy less. I'm definitely trying to change my ways.
Love this type of content Kelly! I agree with all of this. I have been on a no buy for 10 months and it has been the beat year of self discovery, learning to enjoy what I have, and opening my eyes to consumer culture. I would love to see you bring back some no buy/ low buy content or a project pan.
I honestly needed this video. My psychologist said we love getting a package. And I have been struggling with overspending lately. It makes me feel so guilty. You spoke to me today.
When you're talking about getting a small pan and repurchase immediately, it reminds me of when a cat sees the bottom of the food bowl. They think they're out of food but there's still a ton left 😂
I love this. We are so spoiled in the US that we have become reliant on shopping for dopamine. I want to retrain myself to just shop when I have an actual need (when I run out, when something breaks beyond repair, etc.) it’s sad that we need to detox from consumption but we’re all in the same boat.
After a huge decluttering of both make up and clothes I decided to have a no buy year, just replacements for when I run out of products. I didn't own a lot of stuff but yet we always end up not using. Loving what you own really feels different than owing a bunch of useless objects that you regret buying
Kelly Gooch coming for me right after the Sephora sale on a Monday morning! 😂 Seriously though you’re absolutely correct and while 2024 has been my year of getting back into makeup after a decade away I can already tell I’m chasing the myth of finding my perfect product in each category to the point it’s diluting my enjoyment. I’ve already done 2 declutters this year and given the state of the world, I can see 2025 being a big no-buy for lots of good reasons, so hopping off the shopping train and staying home to PLAY!
The blouse example you gave is similar to what I do with my makeup. I can only wear each blush, lip product, and highlighter once per week. It has made me so much more selective about my new purchases, and it also makes me appreciate what I own a lot more because I'm putting them to good use. I do get sad that I can't wear my favorites everyday, but then the other things in my collection weren't getting any attention when I did that. So, it's made me much more prudent about purchasing new things.
It’s the novelty. The newness is addicting, the anticipation, etc. I’m trying to be more present in my life and be satisfied with what I have. Use the things I have and look through them regularly so I don’t overbuy. Trying to find actual life satisfaction by being in my body, going outside, exercising, reaching out to people, finding satisfaction in something other than makeup.
Starting project panning a year ago completely changed my buying of makeup. I was buying too much and not using much at all. I started project panning with my older creams like lipstick, lip liner, eyeliner, and blush. I was floored how long it took to use up stuff. In the past year I've only used up two lipsticks for example. It slowed up my buying and now I've decided that 2025 will be a no buy year. The only buy allowed will be mascara, but not until I've really dug in and used the five YES FIVE!!! mascaras I have open.
FYI, the FDA recommends throwing away mascara 2 to 4 months after opening it. So possibly you should throw away all of those open mascaras. I only let myself have 1 open at a time, and I'm considering buying minis in the future so that I don't have to spend on a full size and throw it away when there's still a lot of product in it.
Thank you for this! I love having only a smallish selection of my collection out and keeping the rest in another room, so I forget some things I have.. then each season I shop my stash. It really does trick your brain !
No shade at all - this is a great idea, especially if you have a lot - but it reminds me of doing this with my daughter's toys when she was young. I wouldn't put away things she was using constantly, but if she wasn't playing with the buffalo, I'd put it in the closet for a week or two, and she'd be more interested when I brought it out. I do sort of do this for myself by cycling through my (ten-ish) palettes weekly, but now I'm thinking of doing it daily in December!
I switch out colors in the fall and spring. I'll wear cool eye shadows and darker or more intense lip colors in the fall and winter. And then get out my warm eye shadows and lighter, brighter lipsticks in the spring. It's like I have new makeup twice a year. And if I get tired of the seasonal colors, I get out the other season's colors for a few days.
These Makeup Musings are my absolute favorite of ALL videos! My husband and I travel 6 months out of the year, so I have to shop my stash before we go. When we come home, I’m so excited to see my other makeup. 😅I almost bought the new Hourglass palette. I’m sooooo glad that I didn’t, because it’s too similar to last year’s, which I own
I had 6 drawers of make up I did a no buy and it took me years to finish up things even after I gave many away. It’s been 8 years now I have a small make up bag of make up now and I love make up again I don’t feel overwhelmed and am so happy . About 5 lipsticks / blushes/ lip liners / eyeliners 1 foundation/ primer / mascara/ setting spray/ concealer 2 bronzer 3 palettes / highlighter I feel with this small collection I still have enough to play around
I blame so much of the oversaturated makeup launches and advertising. They always make it seem like this new product is revolutionary when in reality you probably have something in your collection just like it. I noticed I shop way more online than in person. Online shopping is an addiction and a real issue.
A rule I've set for myself is that I never buy anything the first time I want it. If I see something I want to buy, instead of buying it outright I'll wait a couple days and most of the time I'll have forgotten about it by then. If I still want it after a few days, if it fits in my budget and it's not something useless (like, for instance, a new foundation when I already own one I love), then I buy it.
Omg what a topic. Definitely guilty and trying to get better. I’ve seen this behavior in extreme here in YT with some creators, the massive makeup hauls weekly with the excuse that is for the channel. We need some self control for sure
I would say let your products in a wishlist for a while but don't just delay purchases. Use tools like keepa whi monitor the prices and set the max price you would pay for the product. Then, when it reaches the price, usually after some weeks or months, you get a notification and then you decide if you still want the product or not, and if you want it, the price will be super low.
This may sound corny...but when my Iron level was low ...I bought a lot of face powders! So glad though you made this video .. cosmetics are usually an inexpensive way to feel good ( compared to clothes or shoes)....but most of us needed to hear this...and cut back!
Accepting you can admire something without buying it has helped me a lot; i keep seeing gorgeous eyeshadow palettes, but i know i don’t like wearing a lot of bright or dark colours. I’ve started screenshotting those palettes and crossing out the shades i know i wouldn’t wear, leaving only about four out of twelve. I don’t want the palette for myself, i just appreciate the colour story.
Dear Kelly, I think this is the first time of me commenting on one of your videos, I’m not quite sure. I just wanted to say that I think this is such an important topic and I have personally put myself on a low-buy (only staple repurchases allowed, nothing new!) for the whole of 2024. In the beginning there were so many makeup items I still wanted but now after having completed 10 months I can go to Sephora and look around and feel nothing. No yearning or craving for consumption anymore. I can’t recommend doing a no-buy or low-buy project highly enough to anyone who struggles with a shopping addiction like I did.
I think the shopping addiction is related to dopamine numbness or dopamine seeking. People who buy too much don't have true "Favorites" that bring them a lot of joy, or if they do, they are afraid to actually use them because then it's like a scarcity thing worried about ruining the favorite or using up the favorite. Or, you can have a favorite and then get sick of it after 2-3 weeks if you even use it for that long. It's a weird paradox. It's similar to I think BPD where you can feel numb and angry and detached from most people but have that ONE favorite person!!! Until they break the illusion of being on a limerence pedestal. I think being a shopaholic is almost like being in LIMERANCE with the perfect item that never fulfils the imagined favorite or perfect feeling of the one ultimate product.
When my husband and I decided to get out of debt years ago, I set a very strict discretionary budget and stuck with it. Now that we are debt free, I buy a little more than I did then, but I have found what you are saying to be true. I was overwhelmed with my large collection. I have 5 foundations now and I only use 2 regularly. I have only one of each of these: one concealer, one bronzer and one mascara that I use. Blushes and eyeshadows are hard for me, but I have significantly cut back on them because I want to love using what I have and not feel overwhelmed. I’m still working on really narrowing down those items. 😂 It is actually really nice when you use and enjoy what you have. So now, if I don’t absolutely love it, I just cut my losses and get rid of it. I only buy things if I really need them and truly don’t have anything comparable in my makeup.
I agree. I decluttered that which no longer brought me joy in applying and passed on to family and friends. Through that process, I learned that packaging matters to me with blush, bronzer, and highlighter. Primer, concealer, and foundation, packaging doesn't matter. Eyeshadow pretty much needs to be indie. I limit myself to purchasing from three eyeshadow brands. This year, in addition to those three, I did allow myself to purchase from two other companies as an exception. I now limit what beauty content that I allow myself to consume. If I don't see it, I'm not wanting to buy it. They're are a few exceptions. For example, I watch you, because you don't make me to want to buy makeup. You offer beauty information that makes me think and/or appreciate what I already have in my collection. 🦋👩🦰
I love this. I used to have a lot more makeup than I do now… my skin was a mess, I felt like makeup wore me and it was just so expensive. So I’ve really stepped away. I did buy 3 things this month but I’ll be damned if I don’t use each until I’m cutting it open. Also, nothing expires when you have a small collection and just use the things. I live a little vicariously through you and other beauty channels. Def looking forward to when people consume a little more cautiously.
I think a lot of makeup is bought because we like trying new things and want to see how a blush/bronzer etc will be like on us, if there isn’t a counter we can go and try on. Plus yes shopping can be an addiction. Especially when there are sales.
I pulled back out my OG Maybelline fit me powder a couple days ago and I was so impressed by it! It was so fun to rediscover it in my own collection. Granted, my skin is weird and sometimes will reject a powder I’ve been loving for a while, but going through my own collection to find something new instead of looking to buy something new is something I should commit to.
Thank you for bringing the red shirt metaphor to this convo, I felt that was helpful for me to visualize with my favorite eyeshadow, lip balm, etc. Also, project pan is a wonderful tool for re-engaging with your current collection. I have an excel file template with tabs per product category where I inventory all of my makeup & periodically re-review it to adjust my ratings & thoughts on each product. I’m considering running a Design of Experiments to further calculate my most optimal product in each category lol (also as a means of studying for my Lean Six Sigma cert), for anyone interested in data. So there are cool ways to interact with make up beyond just romanticizing shopping & buying into new trends & marketing :) thank you for reminding us of that.
Oh girl did I need this video!! I'm so bad about buying but not good at using!!! So I'm gonna follow your mindset and go on a BIG LONG no buy! I'm waiting on 3 orders now!! And youre so right! For me it's all about the order and the wait and open!!! Thank you girl!
I've found that being more "intentional" in my purchases has led to more enjoyment whatever the purchase may be--including makeup. In this case, it means what I do happen to have are all things that I KNOW I love and enjoy using. What I have is not necessarily limited, but it's not luxury either. I choose to focus on color/texture/performance when I buy something, and I know I can change things up using different techniques if/when trends come along I want to try...or not. Focusing on what works for YOU is what will always work and will give the best results! 🙏💜
I bought 3 makeup items in the past 12 months. Lottie London powder, the hourglass medium palette from last year and a lipstick that someone took from me a shade I wear consistently. I’m pretty happy with that. Been focused on using up what I have. I’m very happy not constantly following, buying, trying to find the next best thing.
This is the perfect timing for this video. It can be applied to so many things. I've been decluttering and using what I have, and am happier with fewer decisions
Although I completely agree that buying can be super fun, I find that most of the time I keep buying more items is because I’// buy a product but it just never “hits the mark” it doesn’t have the finish or the right colour. I find that I buy more than I should mainly because of that reason. Love you videos Kelly!! And love your musings keep it up! Would also love to see how you manage products that don’t hit the mark- tips and tricks would be great!
Some of the girls at work and I did a makeup swap every couple months. We kept it to powder products, but sometimes included lip sticks and lip pencils. We all had products that weren't using, or new things that had been unopened for months at a time. We didn't always do a one-for-one swap. We'd just dump it on a desk and take turns picking a product unti we had picked out what we wanted, and the owner would take the leftover stuff back home. It was a fun way to connect, try some new stuff, and eventually our piles got smaller and smaller as we accumulated things we loved and just wanted to use up, and we just started keeping fewer products in our collections as we became to know what we loved and would actually use.
I've defintely cut back on makeup consumption and consuming makeup content in general. I definitely like your channel because of your concious consumption focus. I can still get a sense of what's new and fun on the market, but don't feel like you're trying to get me to go out and buy it immediately.
your blouse analogy makes a lot of sense to me and is similar to how i think about using my products. i had 5 blushes before this dec. sephora sale and was hesitant to let myself get another one because in theory i can use 1 blush per day during the work (even though i have my 1-2 favs that get used more than anything). ultimately i let myself get a new one based on usage of the previous ones and the distance between my last blush purchase and now, but i like to keep a similar mentality when considering how much use my products actually get during the time i have them!
Marketing and Advertising execs and many Sales people either implicitly or explicitly craft a message that we are not enough unless we purchase their products. If we purchase their products we will become more (fill in the blank) - More confident, more successful, more popular, more accepted, etc. We are “encouraged” to seek out everything new to ensure we can be “the best we can be”. The truth is we are absolutely fine without buying every new product that is released . When I think of my makeup stash at its largest, I recall thinking things must be bad if I need 60 products in order to leave home looking presentable. I feel much better since decreasing the amount of cosmetics and plan to continue to edit my collection to keep it manageable. Thank you Very much for this video.
The title of this video caught my attention like you’d added “Hey [my first, middle, and last name]!” to it. It’s like it jumped off the screen and smacked me across the viral liquid blush. No matter how keen I was to find, order, and anticipate the arrival of any of this stuff, I invariably lost interest the second I removed the item from the pretty paper box and tossed it in my makeup bag.
I've always loved your measured approach to acquiring makeup. Your "shop my stash" and project pan content is some of my favorite series that you do. Also I think you were the first person I watched who did a "product specific no-buy" which I've implemented myself and had a lot of success with. I haven't bought an eye shadow palette in 2 years and I think next year I'm going to go on a lippie and blush no buy.
This is such a well needed video. I am obsessed with eye shadow palettes. I actually haven’t bought one in a year. I think the new ones are pretty, but I kept reminding myself I have plenty and that spending $70 for a high end eye shadow palette is way too expensive.
I understand about eye shadow palettes. I looove just looking at the colors! But, I finally had to admit that I have more than I can use, so I don't plan to buy any more for a long time.
What a great analogy on buying and not buying or low buying. I received the message your putting out there. I am on a no buy this year, it was very difficult to not buy anything from Sephora this year. This was an inspirational video. You look amazing always your makeup looks so natural.👍✔️💯❣️❗
I’ve definitely been more conscious of my buying habits in terms of clothes and makeup, so this was such a great reminder❤️ i tend to overbuy lipsticks and glosses but have been catching myself each time i think to buy another one. With clothes, im actually struggling a lot more since theres so many amazing outfit combos i want to make and im always telling myself i need that one slightly different skirt/top/dress in a different color and silhouette. Being on tiktok of course doesnt help either. But i appreciated how u described that when u buy more stuff, u cant actually wear the items u really truly enjoy that often. Thats a good reminder to keep things we only truly love and feel good in, in our wardrobe/makeup collections Also just wanted to say, i’ve been subscribed to you for years and although I take breaks from youtube often, everytime i catch one of your uploads i appreciate how consistent you are in your messaging and outlook on makeup!!
I find myself looking for makeup that I liked 10 years ago. But it's not in style anymore so I find myself getting disappointed because the 2014-2016 makeup is out and clean girl is in. I can't find the dark lipsticks that were once popular in the drugstores. I am trying to recreate the excitement of "discovering" makeup for the first time despite having worn it since I was 13 in 2001. I didn't wear a lot of makeup because I was too poor. But I got a job in 2015 after a long time of unemployment. I finally had money to spend & makeup was dark & glam so I loved it! Now clean girl bores me & I am disappointed when I go in stores. I know I can shop online but back then I was only buying makeup in store. That was part of the excitement. I didn't have to wait for shipping.
You are so right. Once I receive the products, it's like...they are already old. I am not excited anymore. Will use it but with less joy than expected. I needed this. Trying a no buy for the rest of the month!Thank you.
Such a timely reminder! While my spending on makeup (and now fragrance, oof) is not out of hand, my pace of accumulation has gotten uncomfortable. Trying to remind myself that if things are worth the money, they are also worth the time to WAIT. Tough when buying and anticipating is such a self-soothing, brain-smoothing activity!
One of my trick is checking out what I want to buy online but pending the payment until the time almost up. Most of the time, my feeling change and I no longer interested in the item.
Kelly, thank you for posting this right when I needed it! I started wearing makeup in August and in the short time I’ve been wearing, I’ve accumulated a lot more make up than I originally intended when I started. I have realized that I do have an addiction to the shopping aspect. After buying a couple of things from the Sephora sale, I decided that it’s time to do my own no-buy project empty/pan. I’m committing to not buying anything new until I’ve started to empty my current collection. My own rule will be that when I empty a product, I can either repurchase the product again if I really liked it, or I can buy something else but only from within the same category and price range. Wish me luck! Love your videos!
Kelly, I would love to see a top 10 creators you're watching these days 🙃 I loooove this video BTW. We need to hear more about about intentional purchases so it sticks
When I get the itch to buy things, I "window shop" through other people's makeup videos, or put things in my "favorites" folder on makeup websites. My brain is very much "If I can't see it, it doesn't exist." If things are in favorites folders, I WILL forget them! And if I don't by the time the item is very discounted (or people are asking me for gift ideas), then that tells me that I really want that item. I'm doing a konmari method declutter of ALL my belongings right now, and that has helped me slim down my things by a lot so far. And it also has me really thinking about my purchases for the future. What are the things that bring me joy? What are the things that I can see bringing with me as I start a new chapter in my life? What things have good memories but don't need to be physically present anymore? I'm not a minimalist, and I don't think I ever will be. But keeping in mind what a reasonable amount of things looks like for me helps me keep focus when it's easy to be carried away by that dopamine rush of "getting."
I’ve been asking myself that same question would I like this product more than what I already have…it gives perspective to me that I don’t need anything new until I’m done with what I have
Another excellent makeup musing! Your commitment in project pans was admirable because it gave evidence for how long products last. I chuckled when you said a tiny pan used to cause panic in buying a back up but in reality it still takes a while to fully use up.
I hesitate for a while before watching this video because I know that what you said it's going to strapped me directly to my heart and yes it definitely is. You are so right about it. I will think about this video everytime I want to buy something new . Thank you😊
“Shop my stash” works for me for clothes, beauty products, groceries…I try to fairly regularly go through my cabinets and drawers bc it really does help me stay focused and not want to buy as much all the time.
Honestly Kelly, you hit the nail on the head! You understand human behavior so well. We ARE like that (at least I am). I'm getting so much better though. I've chosen what really works .....made sure I'm signed up on their websites for better sales and haven't purchased from Sephora in quite some time. Thank you for this!!
Funny enough, I actually found your channel because of your project pans! I was doing my own and needed encouragement, so I just searched up pan videos and found your channel! Even though you're not doing one this year, your content is still so encouraging when it comes to realistically using products.
Your video motivated me to start a no buy period. I've been using make up purchases to deal with work stress (unfortunately I've got a boots just round the corner from my office), and it has not been healthy, for my mental health or finances. So thank you!!
Great video! I need to save this and rewatch from time to time. I love makeup and i have a lot of it! But if i'm completely honest and realistic i love the process of research, buying, waiting and unboxing the most. I spend more time accumulating and reorganizing than actually applying makeup. So thank you for saying out loud what i know in my head and heart, but try to ignore ♥️
I older I get the easier it is for me to just not buy things. I think about all that I already have and how I have more important things to do with my money. I still buy some makeup here or there, but it is honestly so much easier to talk myself out of things.
So true!! I have low bought...and happier!!! Also..with makeup I am trying to buy items you stick in z palette ..to save plastic. It gets overwhelming and guilt inducing to have too much makeup . I have become more picky with what I buy overall .
A lot of this rings true to me for makeup and skincare, but as far as other communities go -- I play a lot of video games and this is also so true in the gaming space. I have like 250+ games on my computer and probably half of them I've played for less than an hour. Or some I've never even launched! Much like with makeup -- sales on video games get me! But maybe I should play some stuff I already own before buying 10 new games just because they're all $5 each. What a concept.
I can honestly say I love my makeup, except for a few products that were a disappointment. It takes me a while to choose makeup purchases, but I will admit to hoping that each new thing will create magic on my face. I'm working on overcoming that fantasy.
I've been heavily focusing on my consumption (makeup and otherwise) lately. I've been panning for about 10 years as well (on and off) and you're right - it's such a fun way out of a makeup rut. Thank you for sharing this 🤎
This is me! Ever since I discovered the youtube makeup community in 2015 I’ve been addicted to the process of buying the makeup and then not even wear it for days after I got it. I have so much makeup as a noninfluencer that’s unhealthy and now I struggle to even decide what to wear day to day bc there’s too many options 😢
Ah I so agree. Thanks for making a video on this. When I am on no or low buys , I learnt more makeup ‘skills’ , that I realised was more exciting / lasting and fulfilling than any product buy highs I temporarily felt. Everyday looking at new highly raved products starts to literally make me anxious, like a rush to make a decision.
Sweetheart you answered your own question!! BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED!! I just started wearing makeup again after 8 years and I totally understand. It's so dif now and all I want to do is play with my stuff that I've gotten. We always buy more extra, try a new thing, but we should be using the tricks of the trade. I just watched a girl on Instagram get a contour too orange so she added so she added grey eyeshadow! These are tge things we should be doing. In fact I mention you and Jen Phelps on my channel for your great topics and smart buying!!❤😊
I rarely comment; I'm more of a silent watcher/supporter. But, omg, the timing of this video/topic is uncanny. I wasn't going to shop the Sephora sale, and then I saw a video talking about a particular fragrance and then went on the app, and so another item. I went into the store thinking I was just going to get that one item (it was a mini trio) and just smell the fragrance the person was talking about and wear it around for a bit- see how it performed. But I smelled more and more fragrances, and if I really liked it, I grabbed it. It got to the point where I needed a basket. I ended up putting two items back, but only just to get a smaller bottle of another fragrance and changing my mind about another set and ordering it online. I walked out of the store with 4 items and ordered 3 more fragrance items. I was totally obsessed with other perfumes, watching reviews, and was going to buy some samples and 2 other fragrances from a different retailer... I stopped myself from buying the samples and the other 2 fragrances from the different retailer, but ....wow. I haven't done an impulse-buy in a long time; I would let things sit in a cart, letting them "marinate" before completing a purchase and/or spending some time thinking or, if applicable, researching the item(s). And I was wondering to myself if I was trying to fill a void or something...
Delaying purchases is wildly underrated imo
Most of the time you find you don’t even want it later. This is coming from someone who makes lists of things I want. I have never gone back to look at the list.
That's what I've been doing and it helps so much with the impulse buy because I can go back to it and see if I still want it or if it can wait. Usually, it can.
@@jenblueangel05 Me too.
I do that but by putting in the cart and if I see it in 5 days and I still really want it, I'll get it. Instead I just forget what I was gonna get and why lol
@@starbyheart I do this too…except I rarely buy things when I put them in my cart. 😆 They stay there for months and maybe I’ll buy them when they are on sale or if I need a replacement for another item.
Especially when my skin was at its worst, I think I was addicted to the idea that the next foundation, concealer, etc. would give me the "perfect" skin my real skin couldn't.
Omg I relate to this so much. I went through all my foundations yesterday and just shook my head and myself for buying so many.
@@veggierunner79how many did you buy? I used to have 4, declutterred 2 old ones recently and now I feel it’s good enough
@soniathegemini1593 like a whole damn basket full. It's actually embarrassing. I am working my way through them though and finished 5 or 6 this year. I was also guilty of shopping just for the excitement of it as Kelly talked about in this video.
Me to really true
I’m in that spot right now and don’t know how to get out of it because I barely like my makeup now because of my skin since I feel like it’s distracting to the look. So I figured if I get the right base products, I will finally like my makeup like I used to. And when I find a product, I feel a sense of relief…lol idk if that’s bad
I think a lot of people view shopping as a hobby. I also think a lot of people are buying things to fill a void or might even have the mindset that they can't take their money with them so might as well buy stuff that brings us a little joy. Regardless, I think a lot of it has to do with being addicted to social media, status and the loss of third places leading to doom-scrolling & overspending
❤💯
The number of times I have caught myself building carts because I'm bored 😅 Now I can catch myself most of the time and see that it's a sign to get off my phone and go do something else. I didn't even want to shop but being under-stimulated on my phone would have me hunting for something to buy.
@@sugaCat363 I used to do the same, it's a time waster.
Good one.
A hobby is something you can actually DEVELOP. Like, drawing, playing an instrument, knitting, etc. Buying is just buying
I watch a lot of Booktube and your idea certainly extends to that genre. There are some in the community who 'collect' a ton of books (frequent book hauls), and justify it as being 'book collectors', but it really just seems like it's over-consumption just like can happen in any area. It seems like there's sometimes more excitement over finding and buying a book than actually reading it.
Exactly this. And that's why it's important to find someone who goes to the library and not just buys them and actually critiques the book, author, writing style, etc. Same way Kelly here was talking about finding critical content creators 🙂↕️
Definitely guilty of this 😅
There’s actually a Japanese term Tsundoku for people who buy books they don’t actually read. Some Booktubers have 2-3 copies of the same book which I don’t understand at all!
@@Greeneggsnblam2-3 copies! As expensive as books are that's $80 on the same book.
I totally agree - i also follow booktube and saw myself going down that rabbit hole. Having more books than i a can actually read at any given time. So decided to stop buying and shop my stash for books to read and also use my kindle unlimited more often
ive realized recently that influencers are no longer influencers, theyre QVC salesmen. Influencers are supposed to start trends, not follow an existing trend then tell you how to buy it. I never watched her but I feel like Emma Chamberlain was the last true influencer- she influenced gen Z's style (the "emma chamberlain sweater vest"), their humor, people's video editing style, etc.
It's also sad to see tiktokers that got big because of tutorials or showing groundbreaking techniques and now all they do is sell us stuff
Not entirely true, an influencer’s job is to influence you into purchasing something… Regardless if they “created” that trend or not.
@@coffeebean4356they also were not that in the beginning. I feel like we started with content creators that TURNED into influencers once Google’s advertising changed here on RUclips.
@ Influencers are content creators, but content creators are not influencers. Their job is the push materials and product onto you. This has been a thing since the dawn of civilization.
They’ve been selling stuff forever. The only difference is now you’re seeing it for what it is. When a creator releases “merch” or collaboration with a brand, that’s all product advertising. For decades upon decades this has been happening.
Me me me! It’s an addiction and I’m drowning! I noticed my shopping addiction flourish in the last few months since I significantly reduced bills by moving in with my fiancé. I buy things to receive them- not to use them. ☹️ I so needed this video.
being aware of it is the first step to overcome it, you got this! even if it's one step at a time, you can do it!
@helenas.6383 Thank you for the encouragement!! 🩵🩵
Figure out how much extra money you have and set up an automatic transfer every payday to a savings account in your name only. If you do it this way, you won't have it to spend, and you'll have an emergency fund in your name. And/or consider putting it in the 401K plan where you work. If there isn't a 401K, consider setting up an IRA and directing $ to it.
Hannah Louise Poston (as well as Kelly here) does some great beauty content for people who are trying to buy less! Highly recommend
Me too!, I have been struggling with my excessive shopping of lip tints/lipsticks/glosses, all lip products and I feel terrible 😢
When you said that you feel more creative when you’re focused on what you already have reminds me of when I need to go grocery shopping but decide to make a meal with the random things I have in the cabinets and freezer, I come up with more creative fun meals than if I went out and bought what I think I need for a meal (obviously we need food and not makeup to live but you get my point 😂)
No, you are 100% on to something! Great analogy. I have absolutely had that happen to me when I cook just using what I have!
i wish companies focused more on developing their new products and perfecting them than trying to come out w new releases every other day. esp when there’s like a trending product and everyone tries to mimic it (like bronzing drops) but without adding anything new or innovative to it, or even just coming up w ur own good product to go viral
Project panning helped me change my relationship. I still get excited to buy products, but that's because I buy so much less so each purchase is special. Now I can enjoy using the makeup I actually have
If you don’t mind me asking… how do you project plan makeup? I’ve only ever project planned school assignments before haha 😂
@@roshnipatel2000 "Project pan" just refers to using makeup until you completely use it up or "hit pan" (using enough to where you can see the metal tin that the cosmetics are in.) Theres a lot of RUclips videos about it!
finally seeing that pan is so motivating! i just recently hit pan on one of my powders, it’s taken me years!
I think you hit the nail on the head! Dopamine is a hell of a drug 😬
Going Cruelty free cut my makeup buying by about 90%! and watching Shawna Ripari has really helped me nix so much of my buying, across makeup and other categories. Trying to be much more aware and mindful of what I'm buying and how. The thought that basically everything I own will outlive me really helped!
i love Shawna’s channel! i like to watch beauty channels too, but i’ll use Shawna’s videos afterward to kinda refresh and bring myself back to reality.
Thank you for going cruelty free!
same! going cruelty free has made me learn how to pause and search before purchasing something. 🙂
I love Shawna
Happy for you :)
Omg agreed. That and no fragrance and the options are already pretty limited ❤
I find having a financial goal really helps. I am trying to focus on experiences over material items. I really want to go to Thailand. Before I buy anything now, I weigh whether it’s worth taking me farther from my actual goal. It will take longer to save the more I buy.
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Good luck! That's one of my goals as well. Thanks for inspiring me.
I feel so called out right now. I needed this!
Actually. I'm literally online shopping right now😭😭😭 on RUclips looking for reccomendactions because I dont know what to buy. This is what popped up.
It's a sign. Lol
Make a playlist with tutorials or RUclips videos that have makeup looks that suit you and simultaneously have similar coloring/formulas to the products you already own! Really helps me go through products as quickly as possible. Keeps me mindful! 😊❤
@quackitytheasker9977 good idea!!
@@denise8791 If you don't know what to buy, do you actually need anything right now? As opposed to want. Just asking - it's your money to spend.
Honestly when I had a big collection of makeup I realized I wasn’t using half of it. Having ADHD if I don’t see something I forget about it. So your shop my stash series helped me go through my own makeup weekly to use things up and realize I had enough. Thank you!
Yes I cannot have my makeup in drawers. I will never use it. A lot of it is out on my vanity. It's organized nicely but in plain sight so I can see all my options.
ADHDer here. I put all my makeup in see thru acrylic stuff. And my drawer has everything in little compartments so I could see them. After a year, I went through it, knowing I hadn't touched things, or they needed to be put in a more visible place. Then I did an inventory of all my skincare/haircare/body/ perfumes and now I go through the stuff if I need new things. Don't get me wrong I've relapsed tons, but I've made huge dents in my stuff over the last few years
That’s great. I did buy the Pretty Grunge a month later getting an almost identical palette from an Italian brand. I just forgot about it!
72 years young and you just preached it girl!! I had recently placed orders for some skin care & makeup. When it arrived, I realized I’m still using up other products, so it went to the “reserve” closet. At which time I had a hard reality check…..if I used everything up, I probably wouldn’t need new products for many years. So I made myself a promise of No New Product until at least January and probably most of 2025. I now look forward to getting more creative and enjoying the abundance of product I already own. A very calming yet exciting adventure lies ahead. Thanks for your content and I look forward to your inspiration as I translate it to products I already own. 💄❤
I'm pretty careful and deliberative with makeup purchases...except when it comes to lipstick. It's definitely centered around the dopamine hit. Sometimes life is rough, and I self-medicate with lipstick. I have been trying to shop my stash when matching lipstick to my eye looks lately, and I did a big cosmetics declutter and now have unused lippies and other makeup to send a friend who enjoys makeup but can't always afford it. Now I need to buy less. I'm definitely trying to change my ways.
Love this type of content Kelly! I agree with all of this. I have been on a no buy for 10 months and it has been the beat year of self discovery, learning to enjoy what I have, and opening my eyes to consumer culture. I would love to see you bring back some no buy/ low buy content or a project pan.
I honestly needed this video. My psychologist said we love getting a package. And I have been struggling with overspending lately. It makes me feel so guilty. You spoke to me today.
When you're talking about getting a small pan and repurchase immediately, it reminds me of when a cat sees the bottom of the food bowl. They think they're out of food but there's still a ton left 😂
I love this. We are so spoiled in the US that we have become reliant on shopping for dopamine. I want to retrain myself to just shop when I have an actual need (when I run out, when something breaks beyond repair, etc.) it’s sad that we need to detox from consumption but we’re all in the same boat.
After a huge decluttering of both make up and clothes I decided to have a no buy year, just replacements for when I run out of products. I didn't own a lot of stuff but yet we always end up not using.
Loving what you own really feels different than owing a bunch of useless objects that you regret buying
Kelly Gooch coming for me right after the Sephora sale on a Monday morning! 😂
Seriously though you’re absolutely correct and while 2024 has been my year of getting back into makeup after a decade away I can already tell I’m chasing the myth of finding my perfect product in each category to the point it’s diluting my enjoyment. I’ve already done 2 declutters this year and given the state of the world, I can see 2025 being a big no-buy for lots of good reasons, so hopping off the shopping train and staying home to PLAY!
The blouse example you gave is similar to what I do with my makeup. I can only wear each blush, lip product, and highlighter once per week. It has made me so much more selective about my new purchases, and it also makes me appreciate what I own a lot more because I'm putting them to good use. I do get sad that I can't wear my favorites everyday, but then the other things in my collection weren't getting any attention when I did that. So, it's made me much more prudent about purchasing new things.
You are such a good example! You have good ideas and are so positive. You are good for this 63 year old lady!!
It’s the novelty. The newness is addicting, the anticipation, etc. I’m trying to be more present in my life and be satisfied with what I have. Use the things I have and look through them regularly so I don’t overbuy. Trying to find actual life satisfaction by being in my body, going outside, exercising, reaching out to people, finding satisfaction in something other than makeup.
Starting project panning a year ago completely changed my buying of makeup. I was buying too much and not using much at all. I started project panning with my older creams like lipstick, lip liner, eyeliner, and blush. I was floored how long it took to use up stuff. In the past year I've only used up two lipsticks for example. It slowed up my buying and now I've decided that 2025 will be a no buy year. The only buy allowed will be mascara, but not until I've really dug in and used the five YES FIVE!!! mascaras I have open.
FYI, the FDA recommends throwing away mascara 2 to 4 months after opening it. So possibly you should throw away all of those open mascaras. I only let myself have 1 open at a time, and I'm considering buying minis in the future so that I don't have to spend on a full size and throw it away when there's still a lot of product in it.
Thank you for this! I love having only a smallish selection of my collection out and keeping the rest in another room, so I forget some things I have.. then each season I shop my stash. It really does trick your brain !
No shade at all - this is a great idea, especially if you have a lot - but it reminds me of doing this with my daughter's toys when she was young. I wouldn't put away things she was using constantly, but if she wasn't playing with the buffalo, I'd put it in the closet for a week or two, and she'd be more interested when I brought it out. I do sort of do this for myself by cycling through my (ten-ish) palettes weekly, but now I'm thinking of doing it daily in December!
Yes it does!! I used to do this with my babies toys and it works exactly the same way, instead of having them available to everything at all times.
I switch out colors in the fall and spring. I'll wear cool eye shadows and darker or more intense lip colors in the fall and winter. And then get out my warm eye shadows and lighter, brighter lipsticks in the spring. It's like I have new makeup twice a year. And if I get tired of the seasonal colors, I get out the other season's colors for a few days.
These Makeup Musings are my absolute favorite of ALL videos! My husband and I travel 6 months out of the year, so I have to shop my stash before we go. When we come home, I’m so excited to see my other makeup. 😅I almost bought the new Hourglass palette. I’m sooooo glad that I didn’t, because it’s too similar to last year’s, which I own
I had 6 drawers of make up
I did a no buy and it took me years to finish up things even after I gave many away.
It’s been 8 years now I have a small make up bag of make up now and I love make up again I don’t feel overwhelmed and am so happy .
About 5 lipsticks / blushes/ lip liners / eyeliners
1 foundation/ primer / mascara/ setting spray/ concealer
2 bronzer
3 palettes / highlighter
I feel with this small collection I still have enough to play around
I blame so much of the oversaturated makeup launches and advertising. They always make it seem like this new product is revolutionary when in reality you probably have something in your collection just like it. I noticed I shop way more online than in person. Online shopping is an addiction and a real issue.
you didn't have to call me out so badly😭😭
good video, you are right! Buying is a „hobby“ in itself, maybe even an addiction.
A rule I've set for myself is that I never buy anything the first time I want it. If I see something I want to buy, instead of buying it outright I'll wait a couple days and most of the time I'll have forgotten about it by then. If I still want it after a few days, if it fits in my budget and it's not something useless (like, for instance, a new foundation when I already own one I love), then I buy it.
YES. I'M EMBARRASSED about how many lip products I have. Whenever I go in store I talk to myself "you look like looking at lipstick--walk away"
I have a problem with this too. I'm requiring myself to use one up before I buy a new one.
Omg what a topic. Definitely guilty and trying to get better. I’ve seen this behavior in extreme here in YT with some creators, the massive makeup hauls weekly with the excuse that is for the channel. We need some self control for sure
I would say let your products in a wishlist for a while but don't just delay purchases. Use tools like keepa whi monitor the prices and set the max price you would pay for the product. Then, when it reaches the price, usually after some weeks or months, you get a notification and then you decide if you still want the product or not, and if you want it, the price will be super low.
This may sound corny...but when my Iron level was low ...I bought a lot of face powders! So glad though you made this video .. cosmetics are usually an inexpensive way to feel good ( compared to clothes or shoes)....but most of us needed to hear this...and cut back!
Accepting you can admire something without buying it has helped me a lot; i keep seeing gorgeous eyeshadow palettes, but i know i don’t like wearing a lot of bright or dark colours. I’ve started screenshotting those palettes and crossing out the shades i know i wouldn’t wear, leaving only about four out of twelve. I don’t want the palette for myself, i just appreciate the colour story.
This is great idea
Dear Kelly,
I think this is the first time of me commenting on one of your videos, I’m not quite sure. I just wanted to say that I think this is such an important topic and I have personally put myself on a low-buy (only staple repurchases allowed, nothing new!) for the whole of 2024. In the beginning there were so many makeup items I still wanted but now after having completed 10 months I can go to Sephora and look around and feel nothing. No yearning or craving for consumption anymore. I can’t recommend doing a no-buy or low-buy project highly enough to anyone who struggles with a shopping addiction like I did.
Can you help me?
I think the shopping addiction is related to dopamine numbness or dopamine seeking. People who buy too much don't have true "Favorites" that bring them a lot of joy, or if they do, they are afraid to actually use them because then it's like a scarcity thing worried about ruining the favorite or using up the favorite. Or, you can have a favorite and then get sick of it after 2-3 weeks if you even use it for that long. It's a weird paradox. It's similar to I think BPD where you can feel numb and angry and detached from most people but have that ONE favorite person!!! Until they break the illusion of being on a limerence pedestal. I think being a shopaholic is almost like being in LIMERANCE with the perfect item that never fulfils the imagined favorite or perfect feeling of the one ultimate product.
Interesting insight.
When my husband and I decided to get out of debt years ago, I set a very strict discretionary budget and stuck with it. Now that we are debt free, I buy a little more than I did then, but I have found what you are saying to be true. I was overwhelmed with my large collection. I have 5 foundations now and I only use 2 regularly. I have only one of each of these: one concealer, one bronzer and one mascara that I use. Blushes and eyeshadows are hard for me, but I have significantly cut back on them because I want to love using what I have and not feel overwhelmed. I’m still working on really narrowing down those items. 😂 It is actually really nice when you use and enjoy what you have. So now, if I don’t absolutely love it, I just cut my losses and get rid of it. I only buy things if I really need them and truly don’t have anything comparable in my makeup.
I agree. I decluttered that which no longer brought me joy in applying and passed on to family and friends. Through that process, I learned that packaging matters to me with blush, bronzer, and highlighter. Primer, concealer, and foundation, packaging doesn't matter. Eyeshadow pretty much needs to be indie. I limit myself to purchasing from three eyeshadow brands. This year, in addition to those three, I did allow myself to purchase from two other companies as an exception. I now limit what beauty content that I allow myself to consume. If I don't see it, I'm not wanting to buy it. They're are a few exceptions. For example, I watch you, because you don't make me to want to buy makeup. You offer beauty information that makes me think and/or appreciate what I already have in my collection. 🦋👩🦰
I love this. I used to have a lot more makeup than I do now… my skin was a mess, I felt like makeup wore me and it was just so expensive. So I’ve really stepped away. I did buy 3 things this month but I’ll be damned if I don’t use each until I’m cutting it open. Also, nothing expires when you have a small collection and just use the things. I live a little vicariously through you and other beauty channels. Def looking forward to when people consume a little more cautiously.
I think a lot of makeup is bought because we like trying new things and want to see how a blush/bronzer etc will be like on us, if there isn’t a counter we can go and try on. Plus yes shopping can be an addiction.
Especially when there are sales.
I pulled back out my OG Maybelline fit me powder a couple days ago and I was so impressed by it! It was so fun to rediscover it in my own collection. Granted, my skin is weird and sometimes will reject a powder I’ve been loving for a while, but going through my own collection to find something new instead of looking to buy something new is something I should commit to.
Thank you for bringing the red shirt metaphor to this convo, I felt that was helpful for me to visualize with my favorite eyeshadow, lip balm, etc. Also, project pan is a wonderful tool for re-engaging with your current collection. I have an excel file template with tabs per product category where I inventory all of my makeup & periodically re-review it to adjust my ratings & thoughts on each product. I’m considering running a Design of Experiments to further calculate my most optimal product in each category lol (also as a means of studying for my Lean Six Sigma cert), for anyone interested in data. So there are cool ways to interact with make up beyond just romanticizing shopping & buying into new trends & marketing :) thank you for reminding us of that.
Oh girl did I need this video!! I'm so bad about buying but not good at using!!! So I'm gonna follow your mindset and go on a BIG LONG no buy! I'm waiting on 3 orders now!! And youre so right! For me it's all about the order and the wait and open!!! Thank you girl!
I've found that being more "intentional" in my purchases has led to more enjoyment whatever the purchase may be--including makeup. In this case, it means what I do happen to have are all things that I KNOW I love and enjoy using. What I have is not necessarily limited, but it's not luxury either. I choose to focus on color/texture/performance when I buy something, and I know I can change things up using different techniques if/when trends come along I want to try...or not. Focusing on what works for YOU is what will always work and will give the best results! 🙏💜
I bought 3 makeup items in the past 12 months. Lottie London powder, the hourglass medium palette from last year and a lipstick that someone took from me a shade I wear consistently. I’m pretty happy with that. Been focused on using up what I have. I’m very happy not constantly following, buying, trying to find the next best thing.
This is the perfect timing for this video. It can be applied to so many things. I've been decluttering and using what I have, and am happier with fewer decisions
Although I completely agree that buying can be super fun, I find that most of the time I keep buying more items is because I’// buy a product but it just never “hits the mark” it doesn’t have the finish or the right colour. I find that I buy more than I should mainly because of that reason. Love you videos Kelly!! And love your musings keep it up! Would also love to see how you manage products that don’t hit the mark- tips and tricks would be great!
Some of the girls at work and I did a makeup swap every couple months. We kept it to powder products, but sometimes included lip sticks and lip pencils. We all had products that weren't using, or new things that had been unopened for months at a time. We didn't always do a one-for-one swap. We'd just dump it on a desk and take turns picking a product unti we had picked out what we wanted, and the owner would take the leftover stuff back home. It was a fun way to connect, try some new stuff, and eventually our piles got smaller and smaller as we accumulated things we loved and just wanted to use up, and we just started keeping fewer products in our collections as we became to know what we loved and would actually use.
I've defintely cut back on makeup consumption and consuming makeup content in general. I definitely like your channel because of your concious consumption focus. I can still get a sense of what's new and fun on the market, but don't feel like you're trying to get me to go out and buy it immediately.
your blouse analogy makes a lot of sense to me and is similar to how i think about using my products. i had 5 blushes before this dec. sephora sale and was hesitant to let myself get another one because in theory i can use 1 blush per day during the work (even though i have my 1-2 favs that get used more than anything). ultimately i let myself get a new one based on usage of the previous ones and the distance between my last blush purchase and now, but i like to keep a similar mentality when considering how much use my products actually get during the time i have them!
Marketing and Advertising execs and many Sales people either implicitly or explicitly craft a message that we are not enough unless we purchase their products. If we purchase their products we will become more (fill in the blank) - More confident, more successful, more popular, more accepted, etc. We are “encouraged” to seek out everything new to ensure we can be “the best we can be”. The truth is we are absolutely fine without buying every new product that is released . When I think of my makeup stash at its largest, I recall thinking things must be bad if I need 60 products in order to leave home looking presentable. I feel much better since decreasing the amount of cosmetics and plan to continue to edit my collection to keep it manageable. Thank you Very much for this video.
The title of this video caught my attention like you’d added “Hey [my first, middle, and last name]!” to it. It’s like it jumped off the screen and smacked me across the viral liquid blush. No matter how keen I was to find, order, and anticipate the arrival of any of this stuff, I invariably lost interest the second I removed the item from the pretty paper box and tossed it in my makeup bag.
I've always loved your measured approach to acquiring makeup. Your "shop my stash" and project pan content is some of my favorite series that you do. Also I think you were the first person I watched who did a "product specific no-buy" which I've implemented myself and had a lot of success with. I haven't bought an eye shadow palette in 2 years and I think next year I'm going to go on a lippie and blush no buy.
This is such a well needed video. I am obsessed with eye shadow palettes. I actually haven’t bought one in a year. I think the new ones are pretty, but I kept reminding myself I have plenty and that spending $70 for a high end eye shadow palette is way too expensive.
I understand about eye shadow palettes. I looove just looking at the colors! But, I finally had to admit that I have more than I can use, so I don't plan to buy any more for a long time.
What a great analogy on buying and not buying or low buying. I received the message your putting out there. I am on a no buy this year, it was very difficult to not buy anything from Sephora this year.
This was an inspirational video.
You look amazing always your makeup looks so natural.👍✔️💯❣️❗
I’ve definitely been more conscious of my buying habits in terms of clothes and makeup, so this was such a great reminder❤️ i tend to overbuy lipsticks and glosses but have been catching myself each time i think to buy another one. With clothes, im actually struggling a lot more since theres so many amazing outfit combos i want to make and im always telling myself i need that one slightly different skirt/top/dress in a different color and silhouette. Being on tiktok of course doesnt help either. But i appreciated how u described that when u buy more stuff, u cant actually wear the items u really truly enjoy that often. Thats a good reminder to keep things we only truly love and feel good in, in our wardrobe/makeup collections
Also just wanted to say, i’ve been subscribed to you for years and although I take breaks from youtube often, everytime i catch one of your uploads i appreciate how consistent you are in your messaging and outlook on makeup!!
You are right.
I find myself looking for makeup that I liked 10 years ago. But it's not in style anymore so I find myself getting disappointed because the 2014-2016 makeup is out and clean girl is in. I can't find the dark lipsticks that were once popular in the drugstores. I am trying to recreate the excitement of "discovering" makeup for the first time despite having worn it since I was 13 in 2001. I didn't wear a lot of makeup because I was too poor. But I got a job in 2015 after a long time of unemployment. I finally had money to spend & makeup was dark & glam so I loved it! Now clean girl bores me & I am disappointed when I go in stores. I know I can shop online but back then I was only buying makeup in store. That was part of the excitement. I didn't have to wait for shipping.
Very perceptive and refreshing video Kelly 👍
You are so right. Once I receive the products, it's like...they are already old. I am not excited anymore. Will use it but with less joy than expected. I needed this. Trying a no buy for the rest of the month!Thank you.
Such a timely reminder! While my spending on makeup (and now fragrance, oof) is not out of hand, my pace of accumulation has gotten uncomfortable. Trying to remind myself that if things are worth the money, they are also worth the time to WAIT. Tough when buying and anticipating is such a self-soothing, brain-smoothing activity!
I feel attacked 😂
Love your makeup musings. Glad I actually get to watch right when you upload
Thank you for watching!
One of my trick is checking out what I want to buy online but pending the payment until the time almost up. Most of the time, my feeling change and I no longer interested in the item.
Kelly, thank you for posting this right when I needed it! I started wearing makeup in August and in the short time I’ve been wearing, I’ve accumulated a lot more make up than I originally intended when I started. I have realized that I do have an addiction to the shopping aspect. After buying a couple of things from the Sephora sale, I decided that it’s time to do my own no-buy project empty/pan. I’m committing to not buying anything new until I’ve started to empty my current collection. My own rule will be that when I empty a product, I can either repurchase the product again if I really liked it, or I can buy something else but only from within the same category and price range. Wish me luck! Love your videos!
Kelly, I would love to see a top 10 creators you're watching these days 🙃
I loooove this video BTW. We need to hear more about about intentional purchases so it sticks
When I get the itch to buy things, I "window shop" through other people's makeup videos, or put things in my "favorites" folder on makeup websites. My brain is very much "If I can't see it, it doesn't exist." If things are in favorites folders, I WILL forget them! And if I don't by the time the item is very discounted (or people are asking me for gift ideas), then that tells me that I really want that item.
I'm doing a konmari method declutter of ALL my belongings right now, and that has helped me slim down my things by a lot so far. And it also has me really thinking about my purchases for the future.
What are the things that bring me joy? What are the things that I can see bringing with me as I start a new chapter in my life? What things have good memories but don't need to be physically present anymore?
I'm not a minimalist, and I don't think I ever will be. But keeping in mind what a reasonable amount of things looks like for me helps me keep focus when it's easy to be carried away by that dopamine rush of "getting."
Im here for the applying all of our "old" stuff and enjoying using what we have. And watching my favorite creators doing it.❤
You're so real on the excitement of checking out makeup, waiting for it to arrive, and then unboxing and swatching it😅
I’ve been asking myself that same question would I like this product more than what I already have…it gives perspective to me that I don’t need anything new until I’m done with what I have
Another excellent makeup musing!
Your commitment in project pans was admirable because it gave evidence for how long products last. I chuckled when you said a tiny pan used to cause panic in buying a back up but in reality it still takes a while to fully use up.
I hesitate for a while before watching this video because I know that what you said it's going to strapped me directly to my heart and yes it definitely is. You are so right about it. I will think about this video everytime I want to buy something new . Thank you😊
“Shop my stash” works for me for clothes, beauty products, groceries…I try to fairly regularly go through my cabinets and drawers bc it really does help me stay focused and not want to buy as much all the time.
Honestly Kelly, you hit the nail on the head! You understand human behavior so well. We ARE like that (at least I am). I'm getting so much better though. I've chosen what really works .....made sure I'm signed up on their websites for better sales and haven't purchased from Sephora in quite some time. Thank you for this!!
The best makeup video I’ve ever watched lately ❤
Funny enough, I actually found your channel because of your project pans! I was doing my own and needed encouragement, so I just searched up pan videos and found your channel! Even though you're not doing one this year, your content is still so encouraging when it comes to realistically using products.
You are so right. I thought I was the only one. Thanks.🙋♀️👏❤️
Great timing ❤ I love shopping and I can do that without buying anything. I just have to remember this.
Your video motivated me to start a no buy period. I've been using make up purchases to deal with work stress (unfortunately I've got a boots just round the corner from my office), and it has not been healthy, for my mental health or finances. So thank you!!
this video literally came in the perfect moment in my life, love you
Controlling the IMPULSE of buying is good. Like, give it some days to think if you really need or want that.
Great video! I need to save this and rewatch from time to time. I love makeup and i have a lot of it! But if i'm completely honest and realistic i love the process of research, buying, waiting and unboxing the most. I spend more time accumulating and reorganizing than actually applying makeup.
So thank you for saying out loud what i know in my head and heart, but try to ignore ♥️
Yes, Tom’s video was a great clarification to me, which I agree with. Thx !!
I older I get the easier it is for me to just not buy things. I think about all that I already have and how I have more important things to do with my money. I still buy some makeup here or there, but it is honestly so much easier to talk myself out of things.
So true!! I have low bought...and happier!!! Also..with makeup I am trying to buy items you stick in z palette ..to save plastic. It gets overwhelming and guilt inducing to have too much makeup . I have become more picky with what I buy overall .
A lot of this rings true to me for makeup and skincare, but as far as other communities go -- I play a lot of video games and this is also so true in the gaming space. I have like 250+ games on my computer and probably half of them I've played for less than an hour. Or some I've never even launched! Much like with makeup -- sales on video games get me! But maybe I should play some stuff I already own before buying 10 new games just because they're all $5 each. What a concept.
Thank you - this resonates with so many of us, evidenced by the number of comments. I love the "discernment" you offer.
I can honestly say I love my makeup, except for a few products that were a disappointment. It takes me a while to choose makeup purchases, but I will admit to hoping that each new thing will create magic on my face. I'm working on overcoming that fantasy.
This was a really good topic and good timing with all the sales coming up ❤
Something that works for me: keeping products in their packaging if I like it! I’m more excited to do a shop my stash that way 😅
People liking buying, not using makeup is supported by the lack of RUclips make up tutorials and more "best new" videos.
I've been heavily focusing on my consumption (makeup and otherwise) lately. I've been panning for about 10 years as well (on and off) and you're right - it's such a fun way out of a makeup rut.
Thank you for sharing this 🤎
This is me! Ever since I discovered the youtube makeup community in 2015 I’ve been addicted to the process of buying the makeup and then not even wear it for days after I got it. I have so much makeup as a noninfluencer that’s unhealthy and now I struggle to even decide what to wear day to day bc there’s too many options 😢
Ah I so agree. Thanks for making a video on this. When I am on no or low buys , I learnt more makeup ‘skills’ , that I realised was more exciting / lasting and fulfilling than any product buy highs I temporarily felt. Everyday looking at new highly raved products starts to literally make me anxious, like a rush to make a decision.
Sweetheart you answered your own question!! BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED!! I just started wearing makeup again after 8 years and I totally understand. It's so dif now and all I want to do is play with my stuff that I've gotten. We always buy more extra, try a new thing, but we should be using the tricks of the trade. I just watched a girl on Instagram get a contour too orange so she added so she added grey eyeshadow! These are tge things we should be doing. In fact I mention you and Jen Phelps on my channel for your great topics and smart buying!!❤😊
I rarely comment; I'm more of a silent watcher/supporter. But, omg, the timing of this video/topic is uncanny. I wasn't going to shop the Sephora sale, and then I saw a video talking about a particular fragrance and then went on the app, and so another item. I went into the store thinking I was just going to get that one item (it was a mini trio) and just smell the fragrance the person was talking about and wear it around for a bit- see how it performed. But I smelled more and more fragrances, and if I really liked it, I grabbed it. It got to the point where I needed a basket. I ended up putting two items back, but only just to get a smaller bottle of another fragrance and changing my mind about another set and ordering it online. I walked out of the store with 4 items and ordered 3 more fragrance items. I was totally obsessed with other perfumes, watching reviews, and was going to buy some samples and 2 other fragrances from a different retailer... I stopped myself from buying the samples and the other 2 fragrances from the different retailer, but ....wow. I haven't done an impulse-buy in a long time; I would let things sit in a cart, letting them "marinate" before completing a purchase and/or spending some time thinking or, if applicable, researching the item(s). And I was wondering to myself if I was trying to fill a void or something...