I rarely buy things because I need them. Especially makeup. I have more than I need, donate frequently, & yet I still find myself in the “New” section of a long list of shopping websites. I have a noted weakness for eyeshadow palettes. Which is absurd because I learned very early on that my readers generally don’t have any interest in limited edition releases a few months after they are available. They sit in my collection & I rarely use them myself since I’ve already moved onto something new.
No-buys & low-buys are big right now. The reverse of consumer obsession & an introspective look at personal spending. People are fed up with being constantly “sold” to & I agree. It’s exhausting & there’s no way to keep up. If it is isn’t makeup it is hair products or innovative skincare releases or the newest, shiniest bath product. I’ve gone into debt trying to stay up to date & stay informed. That’s incredibly unhealthy & I’m not the only one feeling it.
Look to the beauty community & you’ll find more like me. Brooke of Blushing Noir who is incredibly creative but feeling drained. Jen Luvs Reviews who keeps us up-to-date on beauty news but also acknowledges the tidal wave of releases. Phyrra who has shaped the cruelty-free community but is constantly researching & trying to decipher new ingredients, brands, & releases. Then there’s countless YouTube videos with the same idea & blog posts floating around with the same sentiment. We’re all feeling the strain.
I’m tired of “limited edition” threats & brands pumping out so many releases that we can’t keep up. It makes me sad to see so many standout core items going unnoticed because NEW NEW NEW is being thrown around all the time. New doesn’t mean better necessarily but the ads don’t tell you that. Look into marketing & consumerism sometime & you’ll be hooked if you’re anything like me. Which colors make you spend? How do brands target a certain age bracket? Why aren’t products performing the same on you as they are in ads? Who actually is supposed to disclose advertisements, sponsorships, & mascara ads with 4 layers of falsies photoshopped in?
So what’s my plan? I’m going to shop my stash. I’m going to rediscover some items. I’m going to continue checking out new releases but I’m not going to immediately purchase. & I’m going to need to accept that I won’t be the first to review… if I review it at all. I’m not counting press samples as my low-buy items so I’ll still be showing what’s new but I’ll be able to focus again. Clear the calendar & start new. & get my head above water.
I’m also purging. I’ve been organizing & purging a lot behind the scenes. But I need to go harder to meet my life goals. Downsize & get my OCD & anxiety on a plan. & I need to get my head together. So that’s why I’m putting this out there into the universe while I’m making a plan. I recognize I have a problem & this is the start of my journey. Things don’t make me feel better long term. For those unfamiliar or if you don’t follow me on Home in High Heels I have (often debilitating) anxiety so this is also a mental health journey for me as well. On Home in High Heels (especially my instagram which you can see here!) I’ve been covering my INTENSE clothing collection & downsize as well.
Don’t think that I’m going to quit though! Although I have been feeling a bit burnt- I’m still here & working behind the scenes as a new mom to get things in order. This is still my passion & one of my favorite parts of my life. I think I just need some strategy & refocusing. & I’m really excited to share it with you. I’m going on a 6 month low-buy with a monthly budget in place so that I can rediscover & revive. But 6 months is a random number…who knows how long it will last! I am giving myself a splash more money in April…it is my birthday after all & who knows!
Are you feeling purchasing pressure? Have you ever done a no-buy or a low-buy? I’d love to hear tips, what you’d like to see from me, & what you have been passionate about lately!
Every time It Cosmetics launches something new, I immediately scramble to get my hands on it. I’d say as far as brands go- I have the highest success rate with It Cosmetics when trying any products. From skincare to makeup to tools…they just have it down. I recently reviewed all of the new holiday sets coming to ULTA (check out my post here!) but now I’m thrilled to bring you some of the top products now available at Sephora! It Cosmetics has come so far. I began blogging about their products back when they were QVC exclusive– so this was just so exciting for me as both a consumer & a fan! [Read more…]
I was really on a mission this year not to buy TOO much at IMATS LA for 2015. We know we’re moving in about 6 months (squeeee) so I’m both trying to save money & also purging a ton in my office. But could I go & not buy anything? Don’t be crazy. I picked up a few other items but I thought I’d just show the 4 palettes I purchased quickly. Full reviews will be swinging your way in the future but enjoy the sneak peek for now! [Read more…]
Tis the season to buy gifts! Frankly many of them are for myself but we don’t need to go there, right? Estee Lauder is a brand I tend to play around in when I go to certain stores but like many other similar brands I try to wait for a great deal. When I know a brand will put out an awesome holiday set I try to hold out as long as possible for hope’s sake that something I’ve been eyeing will be included. Without further chatter- here’s what is in this month’s holiday set!
This box is pretty gigantic & so is the case which I don’t mind at all. The packaging looks like a gift- who doesn’t love gifts? I found mine at my local BX but & actually don’t see it listed online anywhere yet…more on that below. [Read more…]
I bought it. Affiliate links.
Smashbox is one of my favorite brands to buy from around the holidays because they usually put together fabulous sets at an impressive value. This year I picked up three of them: Smashbox On the Rocks Always Sharp Liner Set, Smashbox On the Rocks Be Legendary Lip Gloss Set, & the Smashbox On the Rocks Photo Finish Primer Duo. All three sets are beautiful, different, & full of savings! Keep reading to see swatches & my thoughts! [Read more…]
GDE Insider. Affiliate links.
Hey guys! So today I have a new kind of post for you which I’m pretty excited about! As some of you may know, I’m a Glamour Doll Eyes Insider which basically means I get a little sample package each month & post 4+ looks to the Glamour Doll Eyes Facebook page. I had asked on twitter if you’d be interested in seeing unboxing videos/posts & the answer was yes! Keep reading to see what I got in my package for February 2014.
You can view everything in the downbar of my video by clicking here! Please don’t forget to subscribe!
& here are more details about the 4 looks I posted for January 2014 here using Glamour Doll Eyes products!
GDE Look #1- Glamour Doll Eyes shadows in Surprise!, Phyrra, & Summer Skies !
GDE Look #2- Pigments in Gold Digger, Illusion, Unveil, & Doll House!
GDE Look #3- Flawless in the inner corner & browbone, Gold Digger in the center, & Oddity in the outer corner!
GDE Look #4- Using Reckless, Unveil, & Illusion. I thought it made my eyes look so blue!
Have you tried any Glamour Doll Eye products? Any looks you want to see with the new shades I got in the video? Would love to hear your thoughts!
So…in a way…this is kind of a requested post. So often you guys ask where I get my nail supplies & so often I feel like a schmuck. Usually nail art gems/tools/glitters are something I stumble upon, not seek out. I feel like a jerk every time I have to tell you guys random ebay seller/random gift with purchase/random something or other which isn’t helpful to you at all. Today I bring you a freaking sweet haul from Dollar Nail Art.
I have to say that I’m pretty annoyed I didn’t know about this site before. Almost everything is $1 & if it isn’t then there is a reasonable price. I’m way impressed. All of my item arrived intact & are worth way more than a buck each. I really wish there was a store like this where I could walk through pick things out in person but these are pretty accurately pictured.
Let’s start with foils! I’m pretty new to foils but I like to have options. I have tons of them now haha. Each of the foils below was $1 except for one set which was even cheaper per bottle. In each foil you get 5 feet (seriously, I unraveled one…don’t do it…takes forever to re-roll!) & they are 1 inch wide. Some of their patterns are permanent & some are limited stock. You just need to check out their foils stock.
You also get the foil application glue. All their rules are on the site but if you order a certain amount it is free.
I also picked up some laser lace in lime which is gorgeous. I can’t wait to use it.
& some heart sequin type doodads. I think they’re adorable.
& I had to pick up a set of rainbow laser strands because they’re pretty gorgeous.
Big haul right? I think I spent a total of $32 for everything. You also get a booklet with instructions for applying everything which is nice. I’m really happy with everything I got. I hope you found this helpful!!!
Camera Ready Cosmetics sells a wide range of products but this is my first order I’ve ever placed. I have been so excited for it to arrive! I finally decided to pull the trigger & pick up the correct shade of powder from Ben Nye which meant I had to buy more products right? Right! Completely logical! Camera Ready Cosmetics carries brands that really appeal to me & many that I can’t find in stores like Eve Pearl, Sugarpill, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, & tons more. I’m pretty excited to have found it! It is rare I order from a site directly when I only want to buy one or two things so to have them all in one place is way more convenient.I’ll have some mini reviews below but expect some full reviews coming up! [Read more…]
I love all of these polishes & wanted to dedicate a special post just introducing them a bit! Some of the Mod Lacquer polishes were purchased by me & some were sent & the Shimmer polishes were sent in consideration. I finally have some sunshine so I’m hoping to swatch lots of polishes today, I have well over 75 in my swatching corner…for shame! Thank goodness the sun finally came out right? Anyway…here they are & the links to purchase will be below!
So which polishes do you want to see first? Obviously this is just a first look but I’m pretty much jumping with joy over every shade! I have another order on the way with a really popular neon shade so let me know if you like these kinds of first look posts & I’ll use them in the future!
Recently I decided I wanted to start doing come collection/swatch/bottle spam posts but with my prepping for my bestie to get here this weekend I’m putting it off a bit! I DO have some new polishes I picked up last night to show you though. This isn’t all of them (Yes, I have a problem) but these are the polishes I’d like to show on the blog next. With such a back log I can’t decide so I’m letting YOU decide what you want to see on the blog next! I’ve also posted this on Instagram/Twitter/FB so I’ll be taking feedback from those areas too!
Option #2: New Essie Resort Collection
Option #3: Rue 21 Pink Ice Collection
Option #4: New Sinful Colors shades from the Bare Necessities display
Option #5: Rue 21 Beaute Nail Deco polishes
Option #6: 2 China Glaze 2013 Holographic polishes
Sorry some of these bottle shots are sloppy as heck, I was just excited to get this up! Feel free to pick multiples & you can vote anywhere you want. I’m not picky! I’m excited to see what you’re interested in & thanks so much for voting! XO