Wednesday 28 November 2012

Update on Operation Use it Up

Despite every intention of updating you once a month on my 'Use it Up' progress, it has been three months since my original post which you can find here. Although I haven't posted updates, I have been sticking to it pretty diligently but my progress has been slow, particularly with respect to the lip products.

As yet, I still haven't used up a single lipstick or lipgloss from the original eight. The lipglosses and the Lip Chic in Zinnia have hardly budged because I keep forgetting to use them. Although the Guerlain lipstick was close to hitting the plastic when I first started this project, I haven't had the heart to finish it off. I never realised I could be so precious about a lipstick. I think the fact that it has been discontinued has a lot to do with it.

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I have pretty much concentrated on using the four lipsticks pictured centre: RBR Irreverence, RBR Murmurings, Hourglass Fresco and Chanel Bonheur. They are some of my most favourite lipsticks anyway, so this hasn't been too hard and both Bonheur and Murmurings have the most obvious use. Despite being good to begin with, I've obviously become forgetful about reapplying during the day again, as I really ought to have seen a bigger dent in these lipsticks over the three months. At the rate I'm using things up compared to the size of my stash, I'm going to have to start eating lipsticks in order to get through them!

I seem to have fared a little better with the non-lipstick items. I've used up the Max Factor Second Skin, RBR Sketches on Water and Hourglass Primer. I've also finished both Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter pots and the Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre.

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I keep forgetting to use the PK Elasticizer. I'm sure this is because you have to apply it pre-shower and as I wash my hair in the mornings, this is simply impractical. The Bourjois Healthy Mix has become harder to tackle too as it's just too dark for my skin in the winter months. I have taken to using it on the outer edges of my face to try and put it to use. I have toyed with the idea of purchasing a bottle of white foundation like Face Atelier Zero Minus or Mac Face & Body White. It seems extreme to do this just to finish off this one foundation but I suspect it might come in handy for the inevitable any future foundation purchasing errors.

Both the Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator and RBR Atlas Swallowtail have been in constant use over the three months. The tube of Atlas Swallowtail must be nearly empty and I am hopeful I can add this to my empties very soon. The Face Firming Activator will probably take another couple of months to finish as you only require a small amount per application and I can see there is still quite a lot left. I have no idea how long it would take me to finish off a full size bottle of this, the one I have here is only a travel sized bottle.

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I thought it might be a good idea to add a few more foundations to the pile I want to use up. The BECCA Luminous Skin, NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturiser and LMdB Peau Vierge are all part used and I would really like to finish these before I buy another foundation. However, I did mention the other day that I am feeling the urge to buy a new base product, so sticking to this will require some heavy duty willpower.

I have to admit that Operation Use it Up has had quite an interesting impact on my cosmetics purchasing. I have bought a handful of items since August but I have only allowed myself things that have been on very long term wishlists, like the Hourglass Illume compact for example. I've forced myself to ignore passing fancies, especially lipsticks. As we're approaching the end of the year, there's a part of me that would love to commit to a full on ban for next year or maybe something similar to Driveller Kate's project of sticking to only twelve new items over the year. I suspect I will still be dithering about this on New Year's Eve but I would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

16 comments:

  1. This is quite inspiring because I REALLY need to stop buying makeup. I try but then I find something I really must have. Perhaps I should resolve to buy only brushes for the first 6 months of next year.

    Brushes are what I lack most.

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    1. I do find it hard to stick to a full on ban but knowing how slow I am at finishing things has helped my resolve tremendously. Ah, brushes. Over the past week I've been compiling a list of Hakuhodo, Chikuhodo and Shu Uemura eyeshadow brushes that I really want. I call it transference :D

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  2. I stopped trying to use up things. Because whenever I did, I always realise that it takes forever and ergo that I have waaay to much stuff.
    I admit to having never finished a lipstick. (in order to do so I really have to eat them - or feed them to the kids... I remember you have experience in that area...;) )
    And while I am at it- I really love your blog, and I'm always happy to see a new MB-post pop up!

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    1. Thank you for such a kind comment Ena, I've been really quiet lately but I'm trying to get back to posting regularly. And yes, you're right I do have personal experience of small lipstick eaters. Maybe I need to enlist Miss MB's help with this project...

      ..then again, maybe not!!

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  3. I agree that once you start using up stuff then the temptation to buy new stuff is less although with me I find it hard to stay away from buying new skincare (I caved and took advantage of the Omorovicza Black Friday promo).

    I have been good on the makeup front, this month I've bought 1 or 2 items ( one of which because I had some N.Dulge points to spend).

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    1. Hi Meeta! I find good offers are one of the very hardest things to ignore. I had to delete all of the Black Friday emails immediately for fear of temptation! I am really enjoying using up my skincare stuff at the moment as well as the makeup.

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  4. I feel so proud of myself when I use something up sad sap that I am! But I do think that lipsticks are the hardest to use up because like you say, it is easy to forget to reapply. I think you are doing very well :)

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    1. Hey Jan! Thanks for the encouragement. I think it's normal to feel a sense of achievement at finishing something off, maybe we need to start the acronym NFB - normal for bloggers?!

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  5. You're doing really well, it's hard to use up lipsticks especially if you already have a lot of beautiful colours. I think the last lipstick I finshed was the Estee Lauder Crystal Baby and I am very close to finishing up NARS Damage and RBR Whim of Mine which is exciting but at the same time I love both colours and will probably "need" to repurchase both of them.

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    1. Hi Klara, how are you doing? It's funny you should mention Whim of Mine, I was looking at your post about it over the weekend. The fact that you're close to finishing it makes me think I definitely need to give it a try. I have a feeling that I will want to replace Murmurings once I finish it.

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    2. I'm fine thanks, a bit busy but it is December after all :) Whim of Mine would certainly be in my Top-whatever-number lipstick picks. It's just such a simple and elegant colour, a real staple for me and I think you'd like it too. Murmurings looks really pretty as well, it looks like it might be similar to NARS Damage and I really love sheer purple, berry lipsticks.

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  6. It's so hard to finish make up items! Go you!

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    1. Thanks Gaelle, I'm pleased I've been able to tick a few products off my list. Fingers crossed I can add at least one lipstick soon!

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  7. You are doing great. It's hard as a blogger to stop buying so I applaud you.

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  8. Keep it up! It is hard to finish products but as our collections grow we do really need to think about the amount of beauty related products we need to accumulate!

    Congrats!

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  9. Keep it up! I always finish my lipproducts and other make up items unless i don't like the colour/texture or whatever, but then i usually do not buy. I really like a well edited make up bag so products that make it in there are usually a keeper. Laura

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