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!