Beauty

[dosey]

Jennifer's picture was the same size as Sandra's. Why did it explode when I submitted the post?

[willdob3]

Dosey, no clue on the photos. But I like your new do! That is a big change!

My hair was below my shoulders & I had it cut to a chin-length bob a couple weeks ago. I really like how easy the short cut is, too. Great for summer!

Thanks for asking at Coldwater Creek. I wonder if they really don't know or if they are told to say that... A lot of stores say they don't know in advance. I have been holding my breath hoping for one of those 50% off everything sales. I hope it was not a mistake to skip their recent 40% off sale recently. I've got a little over a month to use my Groupon deals and I could use some summery things.

Has the ComPact affected you in other ways that you did not expect?

Great question, Dosey! Yes, definitely!

I know Compact has made a difference in my shopping habits in all areas. Most of the time now I simply don't buy things unless I really need them. There are things I know I'll need but I put buying them off as long as possible. Even when I want them.

I need smaller jeans but I still haven't gone shopping for any. I keep telling myself the old ones aren't "too" baggy to wear yet. lol...

I'm finding reasons not to buy more skincare when I run out of something - like my day cream can be used at night, I can use my oils, etc.

I'm even using up the meat in my freezer before buying more.

I'm using old purses instead of buying new ones. And I'm enjoying them like they are new again!

I might be in slow motion in some areas (paper!) of decluttering but I can see how I am making progress at ComPacting all my belongings. My closet & dresser have never been so neat & organized (not to mention half empty) for so long! And it is all good stuff I wear!

The list goes on & on.

And I, too, never expected to find such wonderful, caring, like-minded friends anywhere on the Internet, much less all ComPacted into one thread!

[Nicole76]

On 3/26/2014 just bee said:

On 3/26/2014 willdob3 said:

I DID IT!!! I finished my last open shower gel! I'll be opening my only unopened one tonight - Korres Basil & Lemon. No plans to buy more yet.

I have not been using my body butters and lotions much at all. I go in spurts on using them and really don't know why I forget.

It astounds me how long things last. I have not purchased anything that I was not out of in over a year. And I really don't have that many extra products. I think I had about 7 open & partly used shower gels and it took that long to get through them all. I'm still not anywhere close to being out of foundation. I'll never run out of BE shadows and blushes. I'm having fun using them in new combos and rediscovering some. I have a few shades I'd like but I am purposely avoiding looking for them. I'm doing fine with what I have for now.

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever see that day. The Lone Shower Gel. I can't even imagine what that feels like. But I want to know.

Someday...

I had begun to think it must be a myth - The Lone Shower Gel - but willdob3 gives me hope that one day, possibly a pretty distant day....I may find myself in this situation. In the meantime, my shower gel spreadsheet numbers are slowly going down. I track bottles, but also track shower gel ounces as it makes more impact for me (less temptation to buy those uber bottles anymore).

[dosey]

On 3/20/2014 Nicole76 said:

On 3/20/2014 Dosey said:

On 3/19/2014 just bee said:

On 3/18/2014 Dosey said:

Congrats on the Aussie stuff. Finding dependable products is such a relief.

Thank you. We will be happy together until their inevitable discontinuation.

You know I remember using Aussie stuff years ago and for the life of me I can't remember why I stopped. Do the products you found have that signature berry scent? I remember that was probably my first fling with berry scents, it makes complete "scents" that I fell for Philosophy's Falling in Love and Unconditional Love (sorry couldn't resist the pun).

Yes, they smell so good! The scent doesn't stay in my hair all day, but I enjoy it when I am shampooing.

[dosey]

On 3/21/2014 dakotacheryl said:

On 3/7/2014 Dosey said:

On 3/7/2014 Oshare-girl said: I realized, as I wrote in the other "what did you use up" thread, that I finish products quarterly. So when I'm at the in between point, like now, I tend to get bored and tempted to buy something new. I keep telling myself to stay strong and in a few more weeks I will finish something and be able to open a new product from the stash. Gah, the stash is tormenting me today. When will it be gone?! What's even more agonizing is knowing that the stash contains more of the same stuff I'm already using. Why did I buy so many pinky nude lipsticks and neutral eyeshadow and peachy pink blushes? They all end up looking the same which doesn't satisfy my craving for something different. When/if I ever use up my stash, I'm going to try to buy only mini sizes. That way I'll be able to try new things. We'll, this also tells me that I already use what works for me so I really should stick to that. Don't fix what's not broken. I feel very bipolar today! Try something new, stick to the tried and true, finish it up, buy something new.

I, too, am ready to move on and try the next latest and greatest thing before I finish what was the previous latest and greatest thing. There are two eye creams in my bathroom that are probably 80% empty. Using that last 20% is agony. I want to try something new!

Pinky nude lipsticks look bad on me. Wash me out like death. I so wanted to wear a smokey eye and nude lip. Very sexy - ON OTHERS! To make them wearable, I have to layer a color over them. The same goes for plums and berries. Most are too dark for me, so I have to layer them with another color. When will I learn? There are days when I want to throw out all of them.

Oh my...for what it's worth...I would toss the unflattering shades of any makeup, and move on to something that works.

Toss it up to experience and make a mental note that these shades WILL NOT be repurchased.

Skin care that I'm tired of, or bored with etc...I relegate to hand care. Hey, your hands need love too!!

I have tossed eye shadows and blushes that weren't so pretty on me and also a few lip colors. I could probably throw out a few more lip colors but keep trying to make them work. Eventually, they'll be just a memory.

My hands need a lot of love. I was about to throw away a body scrub that leaves an oily, slippery mess in the shower when I thought about using it on my hands and arms. Now, it is next to the sink. Repurposing is a beautiful thing.

[dosey]

On 3/26/2014 willdob3 said:

Thanks for asking at Coldwater Creek. I wonder if they really don't know or if they are told to say that... A lot of stores say they don't know in advance. I have been holding my breath hoping for one of those 50% off everything sales. I hope it was not a mistake to skip their recent 40% off sale recently. I've got a little over a month to use my Groupon deals and I could use some summery things.

I wonder that, too. It seems to be the standard reply when asking about a future sale. When the SA told me that I would know about the sale before she did, I wanted to ask her why she doesn't check her e-mail daily. That's how I know about sales. But I didn't. That conversation would not have ended well.

[dosey]

Has the ComPact affected you in other ways that you did not expect?

I really did not get to explain why I asked this question since DD was standing next to me waiting for me to sign off.

When I joined the ComPact, I really wanted to tackle my beauty stuff. I had so much and was buying more on a regular basis. Sometimes, I did this before opening my new purchases. My goal was to donate, toss, or use what I owned, and stop the flow.

I thought about why I was spending and am now mindful of what pushes my "buy button". It took time to change bad habits (and is an ongoing process), but it helped holding myself accountable to you. It was nice knowing I wasn't alone.

From cosmetics and skin care, I moved on to my closet. I have always donated things each season but needed to take a new look at my wardrobe. There was just too much for one person. The flow needed to be reduced to a trickle. To motivate me, I created a list of things I would rather spend money on than clothing. (Or just save the money!) I looked at the list frequently. As a result, I spent the smallest amount of money on clothing this past fall and winter than I have in years. What I did buy, I loved. The things worked with my lifestyle, and I have worn them regularly. I stayed out of the stores. This helped so much. Not knowing what was out there was a big part of my success. Prior to the ComPact, I was a weekly (sometimes more) shopper. My family has noticed the change, too. That is huge. How can I teach my children to be wise consumers if I do not set a good example?

So what began as a hope to clear up some bathroom space turned into a journey that has given me a clear picture of what causes me buy things needlessly. I developed a motivation to deal with issues in my life and not allow them to send me to the mall when all heck breaks loose.

Hey, I can't forget that I also have a lot less clutter!

[dosey]

On 3/26/2014 willdob3 said:

My hair was below my shoulders & I had it cut to a chin-length bob a couple weeks ago. I really like how easy the short cut is, too. Great for summer!

Do you have days when you miss your hair? I really miss mine today!

[MMim]

Just Bee! Thank you for the Parti colored Cocker Spaniel photos. They're happy making just like my dawg breath who wakes me up in the morning with doggie kisses.

Wildob3: Three months? My vote would be no time limits, just another one by one until they're done. Don't 'cha think?

" + Dosey: I've also been thinking of cutting my hair. I haven't known what I wanted to do with it, so it just keeps growing. (imagine that) So it is now down to the middle of my back. I just put it up for summer. I'm afraid I would miss it if I were to cut it off.

For me the biggest change with the compact is I've actually been posting something. I am typically very quiet and reserve. So, thank you all for being here and sharing your thoughts.

[aprilskies]

On 3/27/2014 Dosey said:

On 3/26/2014 willdob3 said:

My hair was below my shoulders & I had it cut to a chin-length bob a couple weeks ago. I really like how easy the short cut is, too. Great for summer!

Do you have days when you miss your hair? I really miss mine today!

I can imagine you would miss it a little bit but that new style looks so cute. I love it.