Despite my struggles to reign in my consumeristic habits, I’m still pushing to try to be better. In today’s post, I share my September 2019 Beauty Low Buy Update. P.S. It is my worst month yet!

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links (*). If you make a purchase using one of my links, I may make a small commission at no added cost to you. Unless otherwise stated, I purchased all products. Also, all opinions are my own.

Beauty Low Buy 2019 Rules

• I cannot spend more than $75.00 on NEW cosmetics in a given month
• Exclusions: haircare (I have a sensitive scalp), skincare, repurchases (if I have no suitable alternative ex. concealer)
• Dollars not spent in a given month can roll forward, but cannot be pulled forward
• Exclusions: Items received via influencer networks, as gifts, or purchased via gift cards do NOT count against the dollar value

September 2019 Beauty Low Buy Disclaimer

Before we even dig into the items included in my September 2019 Beauty Low Buy update, I need to get some feelings off my chest. Just like the previous months, I had every intention of following my Low Buy rules. In fact, I intended to follow a strict No Buy this month due to my poor efforts in August.

Instead, I let my stress dictate my shopping habits. Rather than turn to shopping to de-stress, I need to find a healthier coping mechanism. Moreover, if I’m ‘treating myself’ every week than I’m truly lying to myself internally. There will always be a reason to ‘justify’ my shitty habits.

Ultimately, I am truly ashamed of how much I purchased last month. In fact, I contemplated ‘hiding’ some of my purchases by intentionally leaving them out of this post. However, that type of behavior doesn’t do anyone any good.

Please don’t judge or think less of me after you read today’s post. I truly hope that by highlighting my own struggles, that someone else will be able to relate and seek alternative coping mechanisms, too. 

What I Actually Bought

Alamar Cosmetics – Reina Del Caribe Eyeshadow Palette Bundle | $37.50 (CF)

Since it exploded onto the beauty scene in 2018, Alamar Cosmetics has been at the top of my list to try. Beauty lovers everywhere praised the brand for its authenticity and its high quality formula. When Alamar ran a 25% off sale, I jumped at the opportunity to purchase the Reina Del Caribe Palette Bundle. (Sale Price: $28.13)

Alamar Cosmetics – Colorete Blush Trio | $22.00 USD (CF)

I’ve been so drawn to these Colorete Blush Trios since I saw them make the rounds on YouTube. Once again, I was thrilled at the opportunity to try the Alamar formula at a discounted price. I picked up the Medium/Tan Trio. (Sale Price: $16.50)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer – Rosewood | $28.00 (CF)

I have no good justification for buying Anastasia Beverly Hills Rosewood Bronzer* other than the fact that it was 30% off during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty. In complete honesty, this was a last minute addition. (Sale Price: $19.60)

[Edit 11/3/19: All the shades are now at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx stores across the US. Had I followed by beauty low buy, I could have gotten this bronzer for even less. Edit 6/2020: I hated this bronzer, so I decluttered it earlier in 2020.]

Benefit Cosmetics – Cheekleaders Pink Squad Mini Cheek Palette | $30.00 (now discontinued)

Believe it or not, I’ve never tried a blush from Benefit Cosmetics. Suddenly, I felt entranced by Cheekleaders mini blush and highlighter trio after seeing glowing reviews online. See where this trio lands in my face palette ranking.

Benefit Cosmetics – Cookie Highlighter | $30.00

Strangely enough, I’ve never tried a powder highlighter from Benefit. I’ve tried and loved Benefit’s liquid and cream highlighters. In fact, Benefit’s High Beam* and Watts Up* are the only highlighters I’ve ever repurchased.

I felt like everyone on YouTube was raving about Benefit’s Cookie highlighter.* I needed to have this highlighter after seeing how this performed in online demos and reviews. See where cookie stands in my highlighter ranking.

ColourPop x Kathleen Lights So Jaded Palette | $39.00 (CF)

As soon as I saw Kathleen Lights’ newest collaboration with ColourPop, I knew I’d be purchasing the So Jaded Palette. I purchased it immediately. I purchased this palette at a discount because the brand originally listed the price wrong. (Price I Paid: $35.00)

ColourPop Orange You Glad Eyeshadow Palette? | $12.00

When the orange edition in ColourPop’s Monochromatic Palette series launched, I had mixed feelings. After watching so many amazing demos and reviews, I felt inspired to try the Orange You Glad? Palette. (Discount Price: $10.80)

Dose of Colors x iLuvSarahii Eyeshadow Palette | $35.00 (CF)

I bought this palette during a frenzied Ulta shopping spree during the Points-Event taking place during the 21 Days of Beauty. Iluvsarahii is one of my favorite YouTubers, so I felt a strong pull to purchase this stunning neutral palette.*

Dose of Colors x iLuvSarahii Bathe Highlighter | $28.00 (CF)

I purchased the Bathe highlighter while I was experiencing a major moment of late-night anxiousness. When I’m up late and feeling anxious, my credit card seems to fly out of my wallet.

Dominique Cosmetics – Celestial Storm | $44.00 (CF)

Y’all this palette GOT ME. The Celestial Storm Palette is one of the prettiest, most intriguing color stories I’ve seen in a while. It is an a-typical rainbow palette full of eye-catching purples, teals, and warm neutrals.

KKW Beauty – Classic Blossom Eyeshadow Palette | $45.00 (CF)

The KKW Beauty Classic Blossom Eyeshadow Palette has been in the back of my mind for months. Therefore, I jumped at the chance to pick this up during the brand’s 30% of sale. (Sale Price: $31.50)

KKW – Powder Counter & Highlighter Palette (Light) | $44.00 (CF)

Since buying the KKW Creme Contour Stick, I’ve stopped reaching for my other contouring products. In fact, I use my creme contour stick daily. Therefore, I needed to try the Powder Contour Kit from KKW. (Sale Price: $ 30.80)

Sephora Favorites Lashstash | $48.00 (now discontinued) 

Every holiday season Sephora releases several “favorites” style product bundles. When I saw this year’s Lashstash favorites my jaw legitimately dropped. This kit an insane value (originally $135.00 value).

Most of the mascaras included in the set are beloved, hyped-up mascaras. Two full-size mascaras are included in the kit, too! Also, how could I turn down a mini of my Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara AND lashes from Huda Beauty? See my huge AF mascara collection.

Laura Mercier – L’Amour Exotique Highlighter Palette  & Nights Out Eyeshadow Palette | $58.00

Here’s the tea: I didn’t want the L’Amour Exotique Highlighter Palette. Sadly the trio I wanted sold out. However, I’ve wanted to try Laura Mercier’s Face Illuminator formula. At 40% off, I couldn’t resist. (Sale Price: $34.80)

Did I need the Laura Mercier Nights Out Eyeshadow Palette? No – but the 40% off sale price pushed me over the edge and I ended up adding this beautiful, jewel-toned palette to my shopping cart. (Sale Price: $34.80 USD)

[Edit – 6/2020: I decluttered both of these Laura Mercier palettes without ever using them. After swatching the highlighter quad, I realized the shades were too deep for me. Also, the eyeshadow palette was never used at all! Again, I purchased these palettes when I was anxious and just in the mood to spend.]

Lime Crime – Venus Immortals Eyeshadow Palette | $38.00 (CF)

As soon as I saw the Venus Immortals Eyeshadow Palette* promotional photos, I fell head over heels. This silver and gray smokey palette looks chic and dramatic.

[Edit – 6/2020: I should not have purchased this palette before reading or watching reviews. Not only did the palette not perform well, but the outer box didn’t even glow as advertised.]

Moira Beauty – Like A Melody & Sandcastles in the Sky Eyeshadow Palettes | $16.00 (CF)

Moira Beauty is a brand that I discovered through Julia Mazzucato’s YouTube channel. When I saw the mini palettes I fell in love with the curated color stories and affordable price tag. I jumped at the chance to snag Like A Melody and Sandcastles in the Sky when I found an online coupon (Sale Price: $12.80)

[Edit – 6/2020: Similar to the Laura Mercier palettes, I should never have purchased these two colorful palettes. Ultimately, I put these aside to include in a future giveaway.]

Ofra Highlighters – Blissful & Rodeo Drive | $29.00 (CF)

Many makeup lovers in the online beauty community agree that the Ofra makes glitzy, blindingly glowy highlighters. However, these highlighters are quite pricey.

As part of Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty, the Ofra Highlighters were 50% off. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to get the Blissful and Rodeo Drive highlighters at such a steal! (Sale Price: $14.50)

Physicians Formula – Rose All Day Petal Glow Highlighter | $15.99 (CF)

The Physicians Formula Rose All Day Highlighters* have been on my mind since I saw them advertised a few months ago. Sadly, I’d never seen them in-store.

I jumped at the chance to purchase this highlighter during my Frenzied Ulta Shopping Session where I received bonus rewards points. Plus, I was able to apply the $3.50 coupon. (Sale Price: $12.49)

[Edit – 6/2020: Again – I should not have purchased this highlighter without watching reviews. Once I saw this in person, I knew it wasn’t for me. I decluttered this brand new.]

Planned Low Buy Budget for September: $75.00

Total Spent in September: $551.18

Remaining Budget: $00.00

September 2019 Beauty Low Buy Update: Shopping is NOT an Adequate Form of Self Care

Although I’ve yet to mention her in one of my YouTube roundup posts, Hannah Louise Poston has been a favorite beauty YouTuber this past year. If you are embarking on a beauty low buy, I highly suggest checking out Hannah’s channel.

Hannah started her YouTube channel in 2018 with project-focused posts recapping her No-Buy Year (a year where she went without shopping for accessories, beauty, clothing, home goods, etc.). Although she is no longer on a No Buy, her posts center on budgeting and smart consumerism.

In August, Hannah said something that really resonated with me: Shopping is often only surface level self-care. While shopping may ease stress or sadness at the moment, compulsive shopping can actually be to our detriment in the long-run.

How so? If we’re spending all of our money on physical goods that we don’t need, then we (1) could incur debt and (2) may have to deprive ourselves of healthier forms of self-care to feed our shopping habits.

Hannah’s sentiment hit me hard. I often complain about not having enough money to attend barre classes since enrolling in my Grad Program. But here’s the thing:

If I didn’t spend all of my money on makeup, I could afford to go to barre classes! I complain about wanting to travel but being too broke. If I didn’t spend so much money on makeup, I could afford a train or plane ticket!

[Edit 6/2020: Ultimately, my use of shopping as coping mechanism borders on makeup addiction. Clearly, by my latest edits, I’m not purchasing items I truly want. The majority of these items eventually were decluttered!]

Let’s connect on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’ | Influenster

Did you enjoy reading my September 2019 Beauty Low Buy Update? Check out my Low Buy Introduction, June Update, July Update, or August Update. 

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What did you think about my September 2019 Beauty Low Buy Update? What advice would you share to anyone embarking on this type of challenge?

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