topic Re: ComPact 2016 -- May in Beauty

ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 11:46:35 GMT

The ComPact is a commitment to simplify, pare down, streamline. It began as a way to gain some control over our collections of beauty products. Why were we amassing so much, yet not using what we were buying? Why were we always searching for the next new product? Why couldn't we just find what worked for us and stick with it?

The ComPact, however, is not restricted to beauty items. If you have a collection you want to address, do it here. Choose an area you want to work on, and track your progress on the ComPact thread. Members will offer tips and encouragement.

Choose one of our many mantras (“One by one until they’re done!” “We are SPAHHHRRRTAN!!!” “Not until you really have to.” “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” “Resist the propaganda.” "If it's high, I don't buy!" “When in doubt, do without!” “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” “Shoplighters of the World Unite!”) or create a new one and share it. Target items each month to toss, donate, or use, and post your “chopping block” -- or “hit list.” Post temptations, post victories.

They say it takes 30 days for something to become a habit: Let's see if taking the ComPact one month at a time works for you.

Join us.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

RetRN — Sun, 01 May 2016 13:04:31 GMT

@just me 1 bee, I want to say "good morning" and thank you for starting our May thread. I'm still thinking about what I will work on this month.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 13:59:12 GMT

@RetRN wrote:
@just me 1 bee, I want to say "good morning" and thank you for starting our May thread. I'm still thinking about what I will work on this month.

Good morning! The months go by quickly, don't they? Sounds like a few of us made purchases in April that we may question. Didn't need it so why did I buy it?

Well, I got up this morning, fed the world's greatest dog, fed the birds in the yard, ate a slice of cold pizza, made some tea, and sprayed on a fragrance I purchased in April. Did I need new fragrances? Of course not. But suddenly there was this wave of nostalgia, a need for something pleasant, and an email from drugstore.com. That, combined with an extra 20% off and free shipping, set the stage perfectly for a little self-medication.

The question is this: Was the medication effective?

As we enter May, April's meds should be kicking in and it should be smooth sailing. Lucky for me, I have six new bottles of medication: Vanderbilt, British Sterling, Toujours Moi, Chantilly, Tabu and Navy. Taken as prescribed -- at least one spritz a day or applied as needed -- I should be able to get through May without buying something completely useless.

The four-bottle Dana set cost $7.99. The hospital takes more than that out of my paycheck for parking and I park on the street. (I went to the office to plead my case and the only good that came out of it was that there was a Russian olive in bloom in their parking lot and it smelled like a candy factory.)

I'm happy to report that none of these Dana fragrances make me want to hurl. They are wearable. Not in public, of course, but definitely wearable. Better-half has even commented positively.

I still need to adjust to Vanderbilt and British Sterling, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to use these without regret. Thirty-five bucks for six fragrances? That's cheaper than any psych med and I won't be needing refills on these.

So that's the test. If you are enjoying your April purchases in May, then they are worth it. Personally, I'm happy that I splurged on some good scents. April was state and federal taxes and today I'm writing a check for property taxes. Technically, I won't have any money to buy anything "pleasant" in May!

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

dosey — Sun, 01 May 2016 15:08:17 GMT

Thanks, just bee, for starting the May thread.

This month, I will continue focusing on a few things. 1. A face lotion that I demoted to my neck. 2. Isomers Vitamin C face cream that is nearly empty. 3. Physicians Formula concealer. I like this so much that I am using a brush to get every bit (it's a solid). Sadly, the formula has been changed, so I cannot purchase it. 4. Body scrub. I like the idea of using a body scrub but just do not have the time to use it regularly. That's why it takes so long for me to use just one jar.

Yesterday, DD had a band competition at Carowinds amusement park, and they had plenty of time for rides. I knew she would be tired, so we are not doing too much today. She fell asleep minutes after coming home and is still asleep.

The shopping bug has bitten me. I feel like shopping. Why does this happen? Is it because I bought a few things? Did that get it going? My gosh, this is ridiculous! What do you do when you want to shop?

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

forest4thetrees — Sun, 01 May 2016 15:49:20 GMT

Morning, ladies! I so enjoy following this group. Your mantras have saved my patutie more than once........

Dosey, if I may........ I find that when I've REALLY got a shopping itch to scratch (but don't really NEED to shop ... you know what I mean) then either my mind or my hands need to be diverted! So I either grab a book, or my crochet hook and yarn, and I concentrate and promse myself I'll stick to it for 15 minutes .. then I go for 15 more .. and so on until I've lost the itch. By then I'm usually well into a chapter and my attention is locked there, or I'm in the middle of a stitch pattern and don't wan't to stop!!

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

Eager2Learn — Sun, 01 May 2016 16:08:12 GMT

@dosey, thanks for mentioning moisturing the neck.

At the age of 67, I'm noticing lines across my forehead I didn't have before and a drooping of my facial skin. I use serums, face creams etc twice a day usually but never really take them down to my neck.

The other night I went into the bathroom and when I looked into the mirror realized that I have a bunch of vertical lines along the front of my neck. When the heck did that happen? Oh, they've been there a while I guess. I don't usually wear my glasses in the bathroom.

So now I have more of an incentive to use up those excess serums, creams, etc. Slather that neck!

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 16:40:44 GMT

dosey wrote:
The shopping bug has bitten me. I feel like shopping. Why does this happen? Is it because I bought a few things? Did that get it going? My gosh, this is ridiculous! What do you do when you want to shop?

This requires analysis. Is this a need for something new and exciting? A need to reward yourself? Comfort yourself? To avoid doing something else? A quick fix? Are you bored? Are you looking for something that will bring about change? Like, if I start wearing floral leggings, my life will be different -- better, even. Maybe a tattoo. A nose piercing. A different car. A move to another state. If I spend some money I should get something in return. Something life-changing.

Problem is, life will change. For like 15 minutes. Then the thrill of something new and different will pass. Darn that dopamine!

When I want to buy something -- and sometimes this works -- I wait. Sometimes the urge will pass. And sometimes I have to get up and open a door -- a closet door, a cupboard door or the door to my infamous storage room that still has boxes I haven't unpacked since I moved here in 1995.

Sometimes what I want to buy is something I already have. Worse, sometimes it's something I already know I won't use.

Avoidance works well for me. I avoid places that sell things. Things that call my name. How do they even know my name?

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 16:52:54 GMT

@forest4thetrees wrote:
Morning, ladies! I so enjoy following this group. Your mantras have saved my patutie more than once........

Dosey, if I may........ I find that when I've REALLY got a shopping itch to scratch (but don't really NEED to shop ... you know what I mean) then either my mind or my hands need to be diverted! So I either grab a book, or my crochet hook and yarn, and I concentrate and promse myself I'll stick to it for 15 minutes .. then I go for 15 more .. and so on until I've lost the itch. By then I'm usually well into a chapter and my attention is locked there, or I'm in the middle of a stitch pattern and don't wan't to stop!!

Yup -- you've expressed it so well. Your hands and/or your mind are bored. Frankly, shopping is probably more fun than pulling weeds. Going to a restaurant is more fun than going to a grocery store. We're looking for something productive and enjoyable. I have to pull weeds. This isn't fun. But I know the feeling of accomplishment and the pleasure I'll get from seeing a weedless front yard will be worth that nagging pain in my back. But I will continue to avoid it and think of things I could do instead.

But, as you point out, 15 minutes or the commitment to filling just one trash bag with weeds will keep me pulling until the nasty, thorny things are gone.

We are constantly bribing ourselves.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 16:57:34 GMT

@Eager2Learn wrote:
@dosey, thanks for mentioning moisturing the neck.

At the age of 67, I'm noticing lines across my forehead I didn't have before and a drooping of my facial skin. I use serums, face creams etc twice a day usually but never really take them down to my neck.

The other night I went into the bathroom and when I looked into the mirror realized that I have a bunch of vertical lines along the front of my neck. When the heck did that happen? Oh, they've been there a while I guess. I don't usually wear my glasses in the bathroom.

So now I have more of an incentive to use up those excess serums, creams, etc. Slather that neck!

This is why God invented turtleneck sweaters. I need to start wearing scarves again! Don't know if they will disguise the fact that I'm starting to look like a Neapolitan Mastiff, but such is life.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

kitty45 — Sun, 01 May 2016 17:16:17 GMT

I am still decluttering & I still have too much stuff. I don't know where they are hiding. I've done so much decluttering, my sister ask me if I'm getting rid of everything I own, then she came to visit & looked around & said she doesn't see where I got rid of anything. I feel like I have a magic porridge pot (don't know if you'll know the story), stuff keeps multiplying.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 17:34:41 GMT

@kitty45 wrote:
I am still decluttering & I still have too much stuff. I don't know where they are hiding. I've done so much decluttering, my sister ask me if I'm getting rid of everything I own, then she came to visit & looked around & said she doesn't see where I got rid of anything. I feel like I have a magic porridge pot (don't know if you'll know the story), stuff keeps multiplying.

I have that porridge pot! And I think I ordered it from QVC! Good grief -- a revelation. That story was probably the inspiration for my oft-used expression "swimming through oatmeal."

Darn those Brothers Grimm!

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

dosey — Sun, 01 May 2016 18:33:11 GMT

@forest4thetrees wrote:
Morning, ladies! I so enjoy following this group. Your mantras have saved my patutie more than once........

Dosey, if I may........ I find that when I've REALLY got a shopping itch to scratch (but don't really NEED to shop ... you know what I mean) then either my mind or my hands need to be diverted! So I either grab a book, or my crochet hook and yarn, and I concentrate and promse myself I'll stick to it for 15 minutes .. then I go for 15 more .. and so on until I've lost the itch. By then I'm usually well into a chapter and my attention is locked there, or I'm in the middle of a stitch pattern and don't wan't to stop!!

@forest4thetrees

Hi, forest! Thanks for the tips. That is exactly what I am doing. Laundry, cooking, snuggling with the cat, and giving the kids a "great job, keep going" pep talk as they study for finals. DS needs a spiral notebook for a school project, so I've added this to my monthly Target list. I'll go in a few minutes and stick to my list.

Please post more often. The more, the merrier!

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

dosey — Sun, 01 May 2016 18:37:49 GMT

@Eager2Learn wrote:
@dosey, thanks for mentioning moisturing the neck.

At the age of 67, I'm noticing lines across my forehead I didn't have before and a drooping of my facial skin. I use serums, face creams etc twice a day usually but never really take them down to my neck.

The other night I went into the bathroom and when I looked into the mirror realized that I have a bunch of vertical lines along the front of my neck. When the heck did that happen? Oh, they've been there a while I guess. I don't usually wear my glasses in the bathroom.

So now I have more of an incentive to use up those excess serums, creams, etc. Slather that neck!

Sometimes I think I need to brace myself before looking in the mirror. Things just pop up. I've noticed that the coloring of my decollete is starting to look uneven, so I am moving my skincare down there, too. I'll just give up if I have to start going to the navel.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

FindingMyJoy — Sun, 01 May 2016 18:41:22 GMT

I ended April with a bang!! I needed some new Spring/Summer clothes for work, found a stellar deal and bought some new clothes that I know will be used a lot. The really comical thing? It was such a stellar deal plus got to use a coupon too that the cost of it was just a little more than what I paid for beauty products in April! Isn't that insane? I'll get more use out of the clothing vs the makeup that wasn't "needed". But I hesitated more buying the clothes than the makeup? So my thinking is still a bit bonkers and doesn't make sense logically.

May goal - I found a couple makeup primers in my stash that aren't being used since I found 1 brand that works well for my daily use. I remembered Mally and 1 of the other vendors mention putting primer over your evening routine to help skincare stay on the skin and work thru the night. I'm planning on using up these 2 primers by using it nightly over my night skincare. Curious to see if I see any difference? If not, I'll at least use up a couple products that have been collecting dust.

Clothing decluttering goal - it's time to put away the winter stuff. I'm going to really take time to check each item if it's worth keeping it for next year or time to donate or throw out. I know a few items have definitely got their useage and is ready to move on.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

dosey — Sun, 01 May 2016 18:44:21 GMT

@just bee wrote:
dosey wrote:
The shopping bug has bitten me. I feel like shopping. Why does this happen? Is it because I bought a few things? Did that get it going? My gosh, this is ridiculous! What do you do when you want to shop?
This requires analysis. Is this a need for something new and exciting? A need to reward yourself? Comfort yourself? To avoid doing something else? A quick fix? Are you bored? Are you looking for something that will bring about change? Like, if I start wearing floral leggings, my life will be different -- better, even. Maybe a tattoo. A nose piercing. A different car. A move to another state. If I spend some money I should get something in return. Something life-changing.

Problem is, life will change. For like 15 minutes. Then the thrill of something new and different will pass. Darn that dopamine!

When I want to buy something -- and sometimes this works -- I wait. Sometimes the urge will pass. And sometimes I have to get up and open a door -- a closet door, a cupboard door or the door to my infamous storage room that still has boxes I haven't unpacked since I moved here in 1995.

Sometimes what I want to buy is something I already have. Worse, sometimes it's something I already know I won't use.

Avoidance works well for me. I avoid places that sell things. Things that call my name. How do they even know my name?

You nailed it. I think a new wardrobe will make me feel better. A new car would be nice, too. Perhaps new furniture! While I'm at it, replacing the carpet would be a real treat!!

Now that I've gotten that absurd talk out of my system, I feel better.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

dosey — Sun, 01 May 2016 18:45:21 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@forest4thetrees wrote:
Morning, ladies! I so enjoy following this group. Your mantras have saved my patutie more than once........

Dosey, if I may........ I find that when I've REALLY got a shopping itch to scratch (but don't really NEED to shop ... you know what I mean) then either my mind or my hands need to be diverted! So I either grab a book, or my crochet hook and yarn, and I concentrate and promse myself I'll stick to it for 15 minutes .. then I go for 15 more .. and so on until I've lost the itch. By then I'm usually well into a chapter and my attention is locked there, or I'm in the middle of a stitch pattern and don't wan't to stop!!
Yup -- you've expressed it so well. Your hands and/or your mind are bored. Frankly, shopping is probably more fun than pulling weeds. Going to a restaurant is more fun than going to a grocery store. We're looking for something productive and enjoyable. I have to pull weeds. This isn't fun. But I know the feeling of accomplishment and the pleasure I'll get from seeing a weedless front yard will be worth that nagging pain in my back. But I will continue to avoid it and think of things I could do instead.

But, as you point out, 15 minutes or the commitment to filling just one trash bag with weeds will keep me pulling until the nasty, thorny things are gone.

We are constantly bribing ourselves.

I really do need to pull weeds.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 19:01:30 GMT

@dosey wrote:
@just bee wrote:
@forest4thetrees wrote:
Morning, ladies! I so enjoy following this group. Your mantras have saved my patutie more than once........

Dosey, if I may........ I find that when I've REALLY got a shopping itch to scratch (but don't really NEED to shop ... you know what I mean) then either my mind or my hands need to be diverted! So I either grab a book, or my crochet hook and yarn, and I concentrate and promse myself I'll stick to it for 15 minutes .. then I go for 15 more .. and so on until I've lost the itch. By then I'm usually well into a chapter and my attention is locked there, or I'm in the middle of a stitch pattern and don't wan't to stop!!
Yup -- you've expressed it so well. Your hands and/or your mind are bored. Frankly, shopping is probably more fun than pulling weeds. Going to a restaurant is more fun than going to a grocery store. We're looking for something productive and enjoyable. I have to pull weeds. This isn't fun. But I know the feeling of accomplishment and the pleasure I'll get from seeing a weedless front yard will be worth that nagging pain in my back. But I will continue to avoid it and think of things I could do instead.

But, as you point out, 15 minutes or the commitment to filling just one trash bag with weeds will keep me pulling until the nasty, thorny things are gone.

We are constantly bribing ourselves.
I really do need to pull weeds.

Would you like to pull mine? These things bite!

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

just bee — Sun, 01 May 2016 19:46:51 GMT

@FindingMyJoy wrote:
I ended April with a bang!! I needed some new Spring/Summer clothes for work, found a stellar deal and bought some new clothes that I know will be used a lot. The really comical thing? It was such a stellar deal plus got to use a coupon too that the cost of it was just a little more than what I paid for beauty products in April! Isn't that insane? I'll get more use out of the clothing vs the makeup that wasn't "needed". But I hesitated more buying the clothes than the makeup? So my thinking is still a bit bonkers and doesn't make sense logically.

May goal - I found a couple makeup primers in my stash that aren't being used since I found 1 brand that works well for my daily use. I remembered Mally and 1 of the other vendors mention putting primer over your evening routine to help skincare stay on the skin and work thru the night. I'm planning on using up these 2 primers by using it nightly over my night skincare. Curious to see if I see any difference? If not, I'll at least use up a couple products that have been collecting dust.

Clothing decluttering goal - it's time to put away the winter stuff. I'm going to really take time to check each item if it's worth keeping it for next year or time to donate or throw out. I know a few items have definitely got their useage and is ready to move on.

I need to get back into the habit of taking advantage of short bursts of energy. Fifteen-minute projects that make a visible difference. Clear a counter, organize a drawer, tackle a stack of junk mail...

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

rnmom — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:26:51 GMT

just bee- your posts about fragrances sure brought back a lot of memories for me too! I used to wear Navy all the time, loved it, and haven't smelled it in years. I also used to wear Poison, Exclamation, Obsession. I haven't worn or smelled any of those scents in forever and I'd love to again. I did some looking around on drugstore.com and couldn't find any Navy but did fine some Exclamation and I found Navy on Amazon. Maybe next time I have to place an order I'll give them a try. I'm actually really looking forward to it, I'm really bored with the scents I have here.

Re: ComPact 2016 -- May

rnmom — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:44:27 GMT

Count me in as another one who's treated themselves this last month! I don't remember exactly what all came in, I haven't been keeping that close of track, but I know I got a hair gel from Sephora, some new physical SPF moisturizers from Rite Aid, a bronzer and a mascara, the Loreal true match Lumi foundation to try. I can't remember if it was last month, but I also got some cleansing wipes and some sheet masks. There may have been more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Plus I'm really lusting after a Bronze kit from Sephora that I've resisted so far, but I just might have to order it for myself for mother's day. Trying to stay strong!

Plus I found an old Everyday Minerals concealer and used it a few times as a foundation and discovered that I really liked it. So I ordered some samples from them to try their foundation again and see if I can use it. I gave up on mineral makeup years ago but I'm tired of the heavy liquid CC creams and foundations so I might give it a try again. I've been checking out Everyday Minerals, plus there are some really inexpensive brands on Ebay that I could try.

So, definitely more has come in recently than has gone out, but I'm still trying to work my way thru some older, unloved products. Plus I've tossed some cosmetics that I just don't love and don't want to use, when I've got other things that I like better here. So what's the point in keeping them around? And as long as I'm liking and using my new products I'm trying not to feel guilty about it. My ultimate goal is still to have all things here that I use and love, whether that number is 10 or 50 doesn't really matter so much to me, as long as it's all stuff that I'm enjoying, whether it's makeup, fragrance, skin care, etc. It's definitely still a work in progress, but I'm getting closer. Maybe by the end of the year!