Sunday November 4th was the last and final day of my Spending Ban. I had not bought any makeup or unneccesary (things I had more of) beauty products for a whopping 100 days. Needless to say I made quite a few online orders the following day and have been picking up a few bits and bobs over the last few weeks. When all my orders come in I will do my final post in this series; The Spending Ban is Over Haul! In this post I will write more about my experience throughout the 100 days and my thoughts on the whole thing.
Throughout the 100 days I have to say I realised a lot about my spending, spending patterns and what my temptations are. I've also felt continuously overwhelmed by the amount of products I have. This has made me realize I want to be a lot more picky about the products I buy in the future with a goal of limiting my "collection" to fewer products, but great quality products. There will of course still be purchases that end up disappointing, unfortunately that will still sometimes happen no matter how many reviews you read. I also have to say that I have tried limiting my purchases quite a bit for the last year and a half though, so I haven't bought too much I was unhappy with.
On the other side I do want to allow myself to buy makeup I feel really would be right for me. There are some makeup purchases I put off for a while, but when I finally bought them I loved them and good makeup makes a good day in my book, at least it gives a better beginning to one. What I've found is that I tend to buy 10 lipsticks of almost the same colour, yet skimp on a new foundation or blusher when the ones I have clearly aren't working for me. In these situations I want to almost "force" myself to spend money on these things I find it harder, for whatever reason, to buy more of. That being said, I do want to try and use up the foundations I have, whenever I see fit, as it stresses me out quite a bit to see them all lying in my drawer, knowing they will at some point expire. This includes my cream shadows.
When speaking in financial terms, this challenge has, no question, been highly beneficial. I have saved quite a chunk of money almost not buying anything for 100 days. This has been one of the reasons I've been tempted to try and see just how long I could actually go without needing to buy anything! But I am not going to be doing that!
In the interest of full disclosure, and as I have mentioned before, I did purchase Chanel's Frenzy nail polish from their fall collection and both the 5 Couleur palettes from Dior's Grand Bal collection for the holidays. I have been extremely happy with these purchases though, and three new makeup items for 100 days is, honestly, a lot better than I originally thought I would do!
For the future I want to keep up a similar buying process to the one I "went through" when buying the three purchases I did make. It was something I thought about for about a week each time, had a proper try and look at, and knew I was making a good decision when I did in the end go for it.
Looking back at things I really wanted to buy at the time, I know there were quite a few, but I can't even remember most of them now. That should speak volumes, it does to me at least, of how it may feel like you need something at a time, but you really don't. Taking a few days to think it over really does save you, at least it saved me, from making bad purchases and/or saving money from not buying something you really don't need.
If any of you are considering doing something like this, but don't think you can do it, I should tell you that it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to resist making purchases. That being said, it was easier as long as I stayed at home. If your serious about saving money, stay at home. Or, maybe not at home, but at least don't go to the mall for 4 hours, that's just torture. Another side note would be that it feels really good to know that I can control my own spending, something I wasn't sure if I was able to do prior to this. It's a bit lame, but I have to admit I am quite proud of myself. I don't think anyone thought I could do this.
It wasn't until the end it got quite hard. The last week was the worst. I think it was a combination with it having been so long, me buying the two Dior palettes and it reminded me of the excitement that comes with it, and also knowing there was only one week left made it feel like "it was pretty much over anyways". I did last all the way through though, but as soon as monday came around I let myself make quite a few online orders that are all coming in as I am writing this. My last post in this series will be my haul of the things I have bought.
Is it something i'd do again? Well, as I feel I have a different outlook and philosophy on my spending I don't think another challenge will be necessary for now. I trust my own judgement for the moment, but should I revert back to my old ways this is definitely something I would consider to keep my spending habits in check.
Finishing off I will write shortly about the items on my wish list. Keep in mind that this is after I've made my orders and buys, so these will not be featured in the haul. Not this one anyway!
Throughout the 100 days I have to say I realised a lot about my spending, spending patterns and what my temptations are. I've also felt continuously overwhelmed by the amount of products I have. This has made me realize I want to be a lot more picky about the products I buy in the future with a goal of limiting my "collection" to fewer products, but great quality products. There will of course still be purchases that end up disappointing, unfortunately that will still sometimes happen no matter how many reviews you read. I also have to say that I have tried limiting my purchases quite a bit for the last year and a half though, so I haven't bought too much I was unhappy with.
On the other side I do want to allow myself to buy makeup I feel really would be right for me. There are some makeup purchases I put off for a while, but when I finally bought them I loved them and good makeup makes a good day in my book, at least it gives a better beginning to one. What I've found is that I tend to buy 10 lipsticks of almost the same colour, yet skimp on a new foundation or blusher when the ones I have clearly aren't working for me. In these situations I want to almost "force" myself to spend money on these things I find it harder, for whatever reason, to buy more of. That being said, I do want to try and use up the foundations I have, whenever I see fit, as it stresses me out quite a bit to see them all lying in my drawer, knowing they will at some point expire. This includes my cream shadows.
When speaking in financial terms, this challenge has, no question, been highly beneficial. I have saved quite a chunk of money almost not buying anything for 100 days. This has been one of the reasons I've been tempted to try and see just how long I could actually go without needing to buy anything! But I am not going to be doing that!
In the interest of full disclosure, and as I have mentioned before, I did purchase Chanel's Frenzy nail polish from their fall collection and both the 5 Couleur palettes from Dior's Grand Bal collection for the holidays. I have been extremely happy with these purchases though, and three new makeup items for 100 days is, honestly, a lot better than I originally thought I would do!
For the future I want to keep up a similar buying process to the one I "went through" when buying the three purchases I did make. It was something I thought about for about a week each time, had a proper try and look at, and knew I was making a good decision when I did in the end go for it.
Looking back at things I really wanted to buy at the time, I know there were quite a few, but I can't even remember most of them now. That should speak volumes, it does to me at least, of how it may feel like you need something at a time, but you really don't. Taking a few days to think it over really does save you, at least it saved me, from making bad purchases and/or saving money from not buying something you really don't need.
If any of you are considering doing something like this, but don't think you can do it, I should tell you that it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to resist making purchases. That being said, it was easier as long as I stayed at home. If your serious about saving money, stay at home. Or, maybe not at home, but at least don't go to the mall for 4 hours, that's just torture. Another side note would be that it feels really good to know that I can control my own spending, something I wasn't sure if I was able to do prior to this. It's a bit lame, but I have to admit I am quite proud of myself. I don't think anyone thought I could do this.
It wasn't until the end it got quite hard. The last week was the worst. I think it was a combination with it having been so long, me buying the two Dior palettes and it reminded me of the excitement that comes with it, and also knowing there was only one week left made it feel like "it was pretty much over anyways". I did last all the way through though, but as soon as monday came around I let myself make quite a few online orders that are all coming in as I am writing this. My last post in this series will be my haul of the things I have bought.
Is it something i'd do again? Well, as I feel I have a different outlook and philosophy on my spending I don't think another challenge will be necessary for now. I trust my own judgement for the moment, but should I revert back to my old ways this is definitely something I would consider to keep my spending habits in check.
Finishing off I will write shortly about the items on my wish list. Keep in mind that this is after I've made my orders and buys, so these will not be featured in the haul. Not this one anyway!
You may notice a lot of perfumes here. I'm not sure how or when this happened but I have gotten quite obsessed with perfumes lately. I guess it was one of the last beauty categories I hadn't shopped excessively in, yet. Elie Saab has been quite the fixture throughout this "series" and I'm not really sure what's still holding me back. Guerlain's Shalimar L'eau is just amazing, as is Burberry's Body and Marc Jacobs' Daisy is one of the freshest scents I've smelled to date.
Three bags on the wishlist, with the Prada Saffiano in black being a solid number one. Second is the YSL Cabas Chyc in a gorgeous tan colour and third Mulberry's Alexa in a gorgeous green/blue colour. The boots are by Acne and I am definitely leaning towards buying them this week if I can find them in my size. I think they are just perfect. They are classy without being boring and is something I imagine would go with almost any outfit.
For my sunday pamper sessions I have, as so very many of you, I'm sure, the Laura Mercier Creme Brulée collection set. Also, the dark Molton Brown candle collection is seriously tempting my wallet.
Two GlamGlow masks, the classic I'm sure you've all heard about before. Also this new white one, at least it's new to me, "Super-Mud" mask, that sounds perfect for my skin.
On the extravagant side I have four La Prairie products and one by La Mer. The La Mer eye balm, I'v received a sample before, and honestly, it is silly amazing. Another, similar, eye cream is the Cellular Eye Contour Cream by La Prairie. I am currently using a few samples of this and I really, really like it. Also the White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum looks seriously gorgeous from just trying it on my hand in store. The Advanced Marine Biology Day Cream with SPF 20 feels so light and luxurious and if I could finally find a day cream with SPF that I like it would shorten my morning routine by quite a few minutes from letting both products absorb. Finally by La Prairie is quite a surprise. I received a sample of their Cellular Cleansing Water for Eyes and Face. I didn't think it would be anything too special, but this stuff gets my eye makeup in just about 2,5 seconds. No joke.
Shu Uemura's UV Under Base Mousse has been on my wish list for a while and was forgotten, but is back and back with a vengeance. If only it was available in Norway. I am planning on maybe doing a short London trip in the not too distant future and if I do I will definitely pick one of these up!
There are only two makeup products this time. Old favourite; the Laure Mercier Silk Creme Foundation is sorely missed and I really do want to have another one for days when I want my skin to look absolutely perfect. Last is the NARS blush in 'Sex Appeal'. This colour looks absolutely gorgeous from the swatches I've seen online and I think it would go perfectly with my pale winter skin.
Finally I want to mention again that I am in the middle of exams right now and so that's why my posts are a bit few and far between at the moment. Part of me want to make time for blogging, but a bigger part of me knows that doing well on my exams are the most important. In case any of you are also going through a stressful exam season, a big GOOD LUCK to all of you!
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