How To Have A Successful Makeup No Buy: Stop Overspending

Learn how to buy less makeup and/or other beauty products: A Successful Makeup No Buy & Low Buy Guide for the beauty enthusiasts like me who have been overspending, feeling FOMO (fear of missing out), or just want to learn how to spend less money on beauty products and be more critical with future purchases.

The beauty industry has many brands nowadays, which means there is a wide variety of products for us to choose from. Moreover, product releases are easy to access these days, which means we only need to hit the ‘purchase’ button, and the products are on our doormats days/weeks later.

The accessibility and the wide variety of brands are what’s not helping, is the huge amount of (limited edition) product releases as well.

It’s no surprise that some people, like me, have felt like they’ve overindulged and have reached a point of approaching future purchases with a more critical eye, which is what we can call a low buy. If you plan on spending no money on beauty products for a month or even longer, we call it a no-buy.

This could be a specific makeup no-buy, but it could also include skincare, bodycare, or other products you feel like you’ve spent too much money on recently.

Whether you’re on a makeup no-buy or low-buy or just want to learn to be more conscious about future beauty purchases, this post is a great starting point for learning “the rules” (you can adjust them to your own preferences or what works for you) of a no-buy and helpful tips on sticking with your no-buy or low-buy.

Before Your Makeup No Buy: Start With Decluttering

Before you start a makeup, no-buy, or low-buy, I recommend doing a makeup decluttering session first. What is decluttering? It’s removing products you no longer use from your makeup collection — basically, clutter. 

Assess your current makeup collection. Lay out all your products to see what you own. Evaluate what’s necessary and what’s redundant.

Their products take up space, make other products harder to find/see, and are no longer/rarely used. In my post on how to declutter your makeup collection, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step so the whole “getting rid of your makeup” isn’t as overwhelming as it might seem.

After decluttering your makeup, you want to ensure everything is stored properly. How you store your makeup depends on your preferences and space, so I wrote a general blog post with 20+ makeup storage hacks for every type of space.

Here’s a TikTok video where I decluttered my lipstick collection (it was needed):

@beautymone

BEFORE & AFTER 🩷 lipstick declutter! My drawer got too full so I decided it was time for a big declutter and reorginazation of my drawers. I finally have space for new bullet lipsticks 👀 #declutter #decluttering #declutteryourlife #declutterwithme #decluttermakeup #makeupdeclutter #makeuporganization #makeuporganisation #makeuporganizing

♬ Aesthetic Girl – Yusei

Defining Your Makeup No Buy Goals

Before diving into a makeup no-buy, clearly define your goals. You’re embarking on this journey to gain control over your makeup collection, and mindfulness plays a crucial role. Start by asking yourself why you’re doing this. Are you looking to save money, reduce waste, or embrace minimalism? Pinpointing the reason gives your no-buy purpose and focus.

Identifying Temptations

Make a list of what tempts you to buy new products. Is it scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube beauty tutorials, or browsing Sephora’s latest releases? Understanding your triggers helps you create strategies to avoid them. For instance, unfollow accounts instigating impulsive purchases or setting screen-time limits on your phone during sales events.

Setting Clear Boundaries

Decide on the specifics of your no-buy. Determine what counts as a “no-buy” item. Are you abstaining from all makeup purchases or just specific categories like lipsticks or eyeshadow palettes? Establish clear rules. For example, allow repurchasing only essential items, like foundation or mascara, once they’re entirely used up.

We’re diving in closer on makeup no-buy rules in a bit to help you get started if you don’t really know what rules you should set yourself.

Setting A Time Frame

Give yourself a realistic time frame for your no-buy. Whether it’s one month, three months, or an entire year, setting a defined period helps you stay committed. Use a calendar to mark the start and end dates. This structure turns your no-buy into a manageable challenge rather than an indefinite restriction.

Tracking Your Progress

Keep a journal, use your phone, or create a makeup inventory to track your progress. Note down moments when you resisted the urge to buy something new. Documenting your journey keeps you accountable and provides a sense of achievement. Celebrate small milestones to stay motivated!

Planning For Post No-Buy

Think beyond the no-buy period. Consider how this practice will influence your future purchasing habits—plan strategies for keeping a mindful approach once the no-buy ends. You might adopt a low-buy lifestyle, setting monthly budgets for makeup or continuing to buy only when necessary.

Makeup No Buy Or Low Buy Rules

I don’t like calling it rules because it’s something you set up yourself. You can definitely use other people’s no-buy or low-buy rules as an example or use the same rules as theirs, but you can also set up rules that are completely different from what you’ve seen.

The goal is to outline the “rules” of your no-buy or low-buy, or what exactly you’re reducing or limiting your purchases of. You’ll want to determine what you plan to allow yourself to purchase and under what circumstances.

As I said before, it’s your plan, so it can be as specific or as broad as you want it to be, but you want to have clear rules. Think about the length of time you want to commit to the plan; it might be an initial commitment of six months, a year, or even just a month.

If you don’t really know where to start with setting up your rules, here are some things to consider:

• Replacement only: when a product that is well-loved is finished, it can be purchased again.
• One-in, one-out: When a certain product is finished, something can be purchased to replace it (it doesn’t have to be the same type of product).
• Makeup no buys only: this means that you don’t buy makeup, but you can buy skincare, haircare, etc. (you could do a skincare no buy or any specific product (for example, lipsticks) you want to stop buying products of).
• Set a budget: determine the amount of money you’re allowed to spend per period (week/month/year), whether unused money can be rolled over to the next week/month, and so forth.
• Project Pan: purchases can’t be made until certain items, a certain number of items, etc., have been used up. For example, you have to pan an eyeshadow palette before you can buy a new one.

I like to start with a low buy because once I feel the pressure of not being allowed to buy any makeup at all, I feel stressed, anxious, and more tempted to purchase makeup. If I do a low buy, I see myself feeling less pressured, and so it’s easier for me not to buy makeup.

It works the other way around in my head, as you can tell, lol. If you’re like me, I would recommend a low buy because a no-buy would probably be too ‘cold turkey’ for us, and we quit easier.

What Is Project Pan?

I mentioned it briefly, but let me explain what this is. If you are unfamiliar with the term Project Pan, it’s essentially a commitment to finishing an entire set of beauty products within a specific time frame.

It helps combat the mentality of mass consumerism by encouraging people to “shop their stash” of already purchased products. Project Pan is not exactly new—it’s been around since 2016. Over the past few years, we have seen that it really can help people who struggle with makeup hoarding.

The “Pan” specifically refers to hitting the shiny metal bottom of powdered makeup products. “Panning is basically focusing on finishing a product. A product is considered “panned” once you can see the bottom of it. This also refers to products that don’t have a visible pan, such as liquid foundation, tubes, or bottles of skincare.

The conclusion is that Project Pan is a way to stay mindful and use what you have instead of spending money on more products that will collect dust.

Project Pan could really help you if you’re trying to buy less makeup and spend your money more mindfully while giving the products you own the love they deserve. They often go hand in hand!

How To Participate In Project Pan

• Pick only items you love: there is no need to force yourself to use something you hate. Instead, you’re better off decluttering that product.
• Pick one item in each category only: Once you start picking out products you want to pan, pick only one item in each category! Why? Because hitting pan can take a while, it works best if you focus on one particular product. Moreover, if you want to pan three eyeshadow palettes at the same time, it will take you much longer, and you’ll enjoy it less because there will be no (quick) results.
• Decide if you want to use up the item entirely or hit the pan. When using up skincare, body products, creams, foundations, and perfumes, I always use every drop. But with powdered makeup, that can be a bit tricky. It can take us years—yes, you heard me right—years to finish a certain product, and in that case, I decide hitting the pan is enough for me to replace it, especially if I have had it for a while.
• Focus on products that are expiring soon: if you want to pan successfully, look at the dates to help you decide which products to focus on first. You can also use dates as your finish line: if you see that a particular item will expire soon, but there is still a lot of it left, commit to using it as much as you can before it expires.

If you would like to join the Project Pan community, check out the hashtag #projectpan on Instagram and easily follow or connect with people who are Project Panning, too. Moreover, you’ll find some influencers on YouTube, such as Rebecca Morgan, who is doing Project Pan, too.

Some people even develop certain panning projects such as ‘Partners in Cream,’ ‘Pan Those Eyeshadows’, or ’30 By 30 Project Pan’. You can do whatever challenge you like and pick the one that fits you best.

How To Have A Successful Makeup No Buy

Going for a makeup no-buy can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By focusing on rediscovery and creativity, you can make the most of what you have while resisting the urge to splurge.

Shop Your Stash

After a good decluttering session, I hope you started this challenge with an organized collection. This makes it easier to start by shopping your stash. Dig through your collection and rediscover forgotten gems. Organize products by type, like foundations, lipsticks, and eyeshadows. Create new looks by mixing and matching items you already own.

I’ve come across products I used to love but forgot about because I had so many new makeup products to try. It was such a fun surprise to find an old love in my collection, and now it’s not collecting dust anymore!

Focus On Skincare And Tools

Shift your focus to skincare and tools. Investing time in a solid skincare routine enhances your makeup game overall. Cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize regularly to maintain healthy skin—experiment with tools you might already have or invest in a skincare device such as an LED Face Mask. However, this is not a reason to change your makeup obsession to a skincare obsession; be careful lol.

Use Free Samples

Explore free samples. Many beauty stores offer samples of new products, allowing you to try something different without the commitment. Check websites, beauty boxes, and in-store promotions. Sephora and Ulta also have a reward system where you can change your points for freebies, which is also a great way to try new products!

However, don’t overhaul samples either. I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of samples lying around that are forming a beauty collection, which—while I may not have purchased them—is still becoming wasteful.

Avoid Value Sets And Kits

Stay clear of value sets and kits! These often seem like good deals but can lead to unnecessary purchases. Focus on what you truly need or desire. If a set tempts you, break it down: Consider whether each item adds real value to your collection. If not, pass it up. This way, you avoid adding clutter and keep your funds in check.

Create A Wish List

Create a wish list. Jot down products you’re interested in, but hold off on purchasing. This list ensures you remember items for future consideration. Over time, you may realize some were just passing fancies while others remain must-haves. A wish list provides structure and helps resist impulse buys, smoothing your no-buy journey.

Focus On Why You Started In The First Place

I’m not going to lie; I’m pretty sure it will be tough. Especially if your beauty purchases are related to FOMO (fear of missing out) or, let’s say, a bad habit (e.g., shopping makes you feel better when you’re sad or stressed). When you decided you wanted a no-buy or low-buy, you probably had a goal in mind.

Whether you want to save money for a bigger goal (a house, a new car, etc.) or just want to use up products before you purchase something new, when you get tempted to buy some beauty products, think about the goal you’re trying to achieve.

If you need more visible ways to keep you focused on your goals, you may want to consider these tips:

• Track your expenses: create a list of your past expenses and keep track of your current expenses (or what you haven’t spent) so you can really see the difference.
• Track your product usage: set up a makeup inventory where you track when you opened your products and when you’ve emptied, panned, or decluttered them. This is perfect for knowing exactly what products are in your collection, but it’s also nice to see if you’re making progress in panning/emptying products.

How To Resist Buying Makeup

1. Unsubscribe from email lists: this one saved my life. I was subscribed to every brand’s newsletter, so I got spammed with sales, new launches, good deals, etc. This made it hard to pass on the sales or anything they promoted. Those brands are here to sell their products, so obviously, their emails are tempting and giving me (or us) FOMO. Just unsubscribe to as many newsletters as you can! I swear, this reduced my FOMO and anxiety so much.
2. Create a Makeup Inventory: My friend, The Newbury Girl, got me into creating a makeup inventory since we both spend a bit too much on makeup, lol. The moment you go through your whole collection, writing down EVERY. SINGLE. PRODUCT. you have, you’ll first realize you have a problem (lmao, I felt so bad), and then you know exactly what you own already.
3. Do I really need this?: I try to ask myself this question before I purchase anything. I also ask myself if I already have similar products in my collection and/or if I REALLY love them. I sometimes go a step deeper and ask myself, “What need will it fill?” “Why is it tempting?” By asking myself questions, I often see myself answering at least one of them with ‘no,’ or I can’t answer why I really want something besides ‘it’s pretty,’ and then it’s easier to say ‘nope, you don’t need it so don’t buy it, Simone.’
4. Always read reviews and look for swatches: This goes hand in hand with the Shop My Stash tip, though. Before you purchase a product, make sure to read reviews and look for swatches first. This way, you can decide whether you really love the look of the product(s), whether other people love the product, and whether you can look for similar products in your collection.

Lessons Learned From A Makeup No Buy

I have two weaknesses when trying not to purchase makeup: limited edition launches and emotion shopping. For me, these are the main two things that make me fail. Even though I’m still struggling with this, I want you to know that:

• Limited Edition Products: These are marketing strategies that make people feel pressured to buy a product now because they won’t be able to purchase it again once it’s gone. This gives people FOMO and makes them buy. Just know that some limited edition products are brought back later on; if not, there will be another limited edition product/collection in the future, which might even look like the current one. There will always be limited edition products; we don’t have to collect them all.
• Emotion Shopping: Try to distract yourself if you want to buy products because you’re feeling sad, mad, anxious, stressed, or for any other reason. You might want to see friends (or chat with them if you can’t see them), go for a walk/run/workout, do your favorite hobby, or watch a movie or series. Make sure you don’t purchase products when you’re not in the right headspace to do so.
• Product Longevity: Going on a no-buy quickly highlights how long your favorite products last. Realizing that one mascara or foundation can stretch over several months reduces unnecessary repurchases and helps you appreciate what you already have. You’ll start considering the value and durability of products before buying new ones, leading to more thoughtful and sustainable choices.
• Brand Support: Refraining from makeup purchases allows you to reconsider the brands you support. You’ll become more aware of ethical aspects like cruelty-free practices, sustainable packaging, and ingredient transparency. This awareness helps guide future purchases towards brands that align with your values, promoting a more conscious beauty routine.
• The Value of Self-Discipline: A no-buy challenge enhances self-discipline and strengthens your commitment to personal goals. Sticking to your plan even though temptations empower you, proving that you don’t need every new release to feel confident or look your best.

Last but not least, I want you to know that it’s totally normal if you make a mistake (e.g., go over your budget, buy a product that isn’t a replacement, etc.)! But make sure you don’t give up immediately.

Be kind to yourself by thinking about what happened, what you can learn, if you should adjust your guidelines/plan/goals, and how to do better in the future.