No Buy Makeup Challenge

Over the years I have accumulated more makeup than I would like to admit. And unfortunately, a lot of it is very similar. A have a lot of blushes, highlighters and a lot of eyeshadows. I do have quite a bit that has been sitting. Whether I haven't gotten to it yet and haven't had a chance to do a review on it. There's just quite a lot and it's definitely time to make a change. I rationalized it by only purchasing items on sale or it's a subscription box of samples only (Ipsy) so clearly it's okay. But in reality I was just getting too much and not knowing when to stop. Overconsumption at its finest. 

I'm grateful to my boyfriend for many reasons and last year he pointed out to me how my eyeshadow palettes all look alike to him. I, of course, shrugged it off at first but then I started opening all my palettes and seeing just how much I enjoy the same type of color scheme. There's nothing wrong with that, however, what is wrong is having so many palettes that I won't be able to finish and enjoy them because I am simply overwhelmed with how many I have. I looked at all my eyeshadows including single eyeshadows and out of everything I have right now I have only two that I have hit pan. One of which I used in a Halloween makeup look. How crazy is that? A little embarrassing. 

I think one of the worst things ever is having a lot of makeup and not wearing it at all. I work from home and I am very much a homebody. So I rarely leave my house. When I do 99% of the time I am wearing makeup but being at home I like to be comfortable and that includes rubbing my eyes and face without worrying about smearing makeup. I have been actively trying to use more makeup and keeping things within reach so I can wear a lipstick or apply a bit of blush. 

For 2024, I pretty much didn't purchase anything aside from lip products from ColorPop. I might do a review on what I got, it really depends on if and when I get to writing a review about it. I have been using them so that's definitely a plus. However, 2024 was the first year that I didn't make any orders through Sephora. I typically order at least once a year to get the birthday reward but I just skipped it entirely. I'm happy about it because it showed me that my life didn't end and it moved on without having to make a purchase. One thing I didn't realize was that all my points I've been saving expire if you don't make at least one purchase per calendar year. So I lost over 1800 points. I never even once used them because I was waiting for something worthwhile to get. Thus, in the whole process of things I'm officially no longer ever using Sephora again. With how much I have, I have no business ever going into a Sephora ever again. I'm sure my boyfriend is thrilled about it but it's definitely a bittersweet moment when you come to the realization that what you've been doing is wrong and something needs to change. Either way, the points expiring was the push I needed to finally commit to a no buy. 

If you follow me on social media then you've seen how much I love Lush and all their beautiful bath & shower products. That will not change. I'm still going to purchase Lush. My no buy will be strictly in the makeup category. Skincare is still a big part of my everyday and won't be a part of the no buy. For 2025 my goal is to not buy any makeup at all including lip products. I have more than enough to go through and I'm excited to shop my stash and actually enjoy what I have. 

You will be seeing more reviews from me. Whether it be makeup, skincare or haircare that won't change. But one thing you can know for certain is that any makeup reviews moving forward was pulled from my stash and wasn't purchased recently.