In 2020, I’ve been making a serious attempt to reduce my beauty spending. After a disastrous year of spending in 2019, I’m pleased to be seeing my monthly beauty spending has been drastically reduced. In today’s post, I will be briefly recapping my revamped 2020 Beauty Low Buy rules. Read my 2020 Beauty Low Buy February Update to see what I purchased and what I passed on this month.

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Below is a brief recap of my 2020 Beauty Low Buy rules. For in-depth explanations of each rule, please refer to my 2020 Beauty Low Buy Introduction.

2020 Beauty Low Buy Rules Recap

At a high-level, my 2020 Beauty Low Buy is item-based rather than budget-based. In theory, this should limit my spending. In practicality, this should help me reduce the size of my massive beauty collection.

After taking a step back to analyze February, I am adding some new terms to my 2020 Beauty Low Buy rules to help me succeed in future months. Anything new has been stylized with bold formatting.

1. I cannot purchase more than 4 beauty items a month.
2. No rolling “unused” purchase spots forward.
3. Bundles will count as one product. 
4. PR and personal gifts are excluded. 
5. Makeup Tools are excluded. 
6. Gift cards are irrelevant because this is item-based
7. Before I purchase a new bullet lipstick, cream bronzer, cream highlighter, face palette, face primer, foundation, lip gloss, or liquid lipstick, I must finish or declutter a similar product within the same category.
8. No new purchases in the following categories: false eyelashes, loose glitter, lip balms, lip liners, liquid eyeshadow, loose setting powder, mascaras, pencil eyeliners, nail polish, and Super Shock Shadows. 
9. I am not allowed to purchase from Anastasia Beverly Hills, ColourPop, Kylie Cosmetics (lip products only), KKW Beauty, Melt Cosmetics (excludes limited edition drops), Natasha Denona (palettes only), Pat McGrath, Stila, and Urban Decay. 

2020 Beauty Low Buy Update: What I Wanted to Buy in February (but Didn’t)

KIKO Milano Tuscan Sunshine Collection

The KIKO Milano Tuscan Sunshine Collection looks so effortlessly glamorous. Of the items released in this huge sun-kissed collection, I was most intrigued by the face palette. However, I held off given the huge size of my current face palette collection.

RELATED: Check out my review of the Dreamy 2 Palette from Italian Indie brand, Nabla Cosmetics

Natasha Denona Love Collection

The Natasha Denona Love Collection made me do a double-take when I saw the original promotional shots on Instagram. The Love Palette* ($65.00, CF) looks like a cool-toned pink dream. Meanwhile, the Love Glow Face Palette* ($55.00, CF) looks like spring captured in a cheek palette. 

Despite how visually appealing these palettes looked online, I knew that I didn’t need them. The Love Eyeshadow Palette swatches look extremely similar to the shadows in the Anastasia Beverly Hills Jackie Aina Palette. Also, I know I don’t need another face palette at this time.

Read my honest thoughts on my Natasha Denona Palettes: Natasha Denona Sunrise Palette Review, Natasha Denona Camel Palette Review, and Natasha Denona Mini Lila Palette.

Sugarpill Capsule Collection Palette | $42.00, CF

The Sugarpill Capsule Collection – C1 Pink Edition* is a striking, pill-shaped palette filled with bright pastel matte and metallic shadows. Having missed out on the Fun Sized Palette every time it restocked at Ulta, I was drawn in by the Capsule Collection.

Despite my initial draw to the Capsule Collection Palette, I am still more drawn to the Fun Sized Palette. Given that the Fun Sized Palette is now *older* by beauty release standards, I am willing to wait for a sale to purchase that palette.

VIP Room NARS Essentials Kit | $39.00 (Regular: $59.00)

Before Valentine’s Day, NARS had a mini sale on the VIP Room Essentials Kit (now discontinued). This limited edition kit featured a full-size Climax mascara,* two full-size matte lip pencils, a mini Orgasm blush,* mini Laguna bronzer,* mini Orgasm Multiple Stick,* and a sharpener. I haven’t owned the Orgasm blush in years and I’ve never tried the Laguna Bronzer.

2020 Beauty Low Buy Update: What I Actually Bought in February

Given that I only purchased 2 products last month, I rolled two un-used purchases forward. Note: I canceled my Midas x Smokey Glow pre-order featured in last month’s roundup. Thus, I started this month with 5 products I could purchase. 

ColourPop X Sailor Moon Pretty Guardian Eyeshadow Palette

First thing’s first: I am NOT upset that I broke my ColourPop No Buy to purchase the now- sold out Pretty Guardian Palette from ColourPop x Sailor Moon. My childhood was defined by Sailor Moon, so this collaboration holds a very special place in my collaboration. I am sad that I was unable to purchase the two blushes in the collaboration. However, I am hopeful I’ll be able to purchase them in the future. Edit: These blushes have been restocked 3 times and I’ve passed on them.

That being said, I am very proud that I showed restraint in placing my order. The collector in me wanted to purchase the two lip bundles or one of the 30-pan palettes from the brand. Had I not been on a low buy, I likely would have followed through with buying both lip bundles or one of the larger palettes.

ColourPop 25% Off Sale

Although I was not disappointed in breaking my Low Buy to purchase the Pretty Guardian Palette, I am legitimately ashamed that I gave in to the temptation during 25% Off Sale. When the Disney Collections went on sale I passed on them. However, I completely lost my resolve when the 9-Pan palettes from ColourPop went on sale for $9.00.

Although I am disappointed I let temptation get to me, I am proud that I made “smarter” purchases. Initially, nearly all of the 9-pan palettes were in my cart. Also, the Midnight Masquerade cheek products were in my cart.

However, I thought of my low buy and was able to think more critically. In fact, I ~literally~ searched for online swatch photos. As a result, these were pivotal in helping to talk me out of buying certain products.

RELATED: Read my review on the ColourPop x Disney Designer Midnight Masquerade Palette or my review on the ColourPop x Disney Villains Collection

Linda Hallberg – Daisy Beauty Expo 50% Off Sale

Linda Hallberg has been on my list of European indie brands to try for quite some time. Hailed as the Pat McGrath of Sweden, Linda Hallberg’s brand is all about unleashing creativity beyond the scope of “beauty rules.” However, given the brand’s steep price point and expensive shipping, I always refrained from buying anything. Ultimately, I lost it when the brand announced its 24-hour 50% Off Sale to celebrate its nominations at Sweden’s Daisy Beauty Expo.

The steep sale flash sale spurred me to purchase the Spectral Palette, the Midnight Flash Crayon bundle, and the Powder Puff.

RELATED: Check out this comprehensive list of 50+ celebrity & influencer-owned beauty brands

Lunar Beauty 50% Off Sale

Like Linda Hallberg, I longed to try Manny MUA’s brand, Lunar Beauty for some time. I never followed Manny MUA, so his “cancellation” in the beauty community failed to impact on my perception of him. However, after a year with little to no involvement in beauty community drama, I felt comfortable ordering from the brand. How could I resist at 50% Off?

After finally seeing a few of his palettes in-store at my local Sephora, I took advantage of the 50% Off sale. I picked up the Greek Goddess Palette and Strawberry Dream Palette.

RELATED: Are Celebrity Makeup Brands the New Celebrity Perfume?

Melt Cosmetics Modern Love PR Bundle

When Melt Cosmetics first teased the Modern Love Collection I lost my shit. Melt Cosmetics is one of the few brands that continuously excites me, because the founders don’t rush to drop collection after collection. Instead, they put a lot of thought behind each new release and strive to release high-quality products. The Modern Love Collection is girly with an edge. This is exactly my expectation for Melt’s interpretation of a soft, Valentine’s Day collection.

The Millennial Pinx Palette* can be used to create soft, girly or edgy, smokey looks depending on your mood. Meanwhile, the Prissy or Ok Boomer Metallic Gel Liners add that special touch to any look.  Also, within the collection Melt released 4 new glosses, a new product from the brand. Not only do these look super glittery and fun, but Melt released a mix of “wearable pinks” and “trendsetting grays.”

Related: Melt Cosmetics Amor Eterno Review & Melt Cosmetics Blueprint Stack Review

Melt Cosmetics Valentine’s Day Sale

Technically, this sale purchase broke my rules this month. However, I’m not viewing it as a fail. First, I didn’t give in to any other Valentine’s Day Sales. Second, I never tried any of these Melt products previously.

Although Melt Cosmetics’ breakthrough product was the brand’s bullet lipsticks, I never tried any bullet lipsticks from the brand. During the brand’s 20% Off Sale Melt, I picked up some unique colors to my collection. Additionally, I snagged 2 liquid lipsticks and one blush).

Sale Purchases: Bane,* Catsuit, Old Rose,* Laced, ROC,* Velvet Room,* and Nevermore*

Pat McGrath Labs – Mothership VI: Divine Rose

To be completely honest, I completely forgot that Pat McGrath was one of my blacklisted brands for 2020 until I updated my 2020 Beauty Low Buy February Update. However, even if I remembered, I likely would have given into FOMO to purchased this divine, rose-toned palette.*

RELATED: Do you have boujee beauty tastes? Check out the boujee beauty guru tag

Persona Cosmetics – 30% Off Valentine’s Day Sale

Initially, I wasn’t intending to purchase anything during the Persona Valentine’s Day Sale. Why? First, I “tried” to be “good.” Second, I own nearly everything the brand has released.

However, when Persona included the Identity 2 Palette* in the sale, I decided that it was finally time to pick this jewel-toned palette up. To reach the free shipping, I purchased the OG Season One Liquid Lipstick.*

RELATED: Catch up on my Persona Cosmetics Reviews – Identity Palette, Season One Liquid Lipsticks, and Season One Glosses

New to Persona Cosmetics? Please consider using my referral link for 15% off your first purchase. If you make a purchase I will receive 5% cashback for the sale, but please know that I’ve been purchasing from Persona long before I had a code. I would never recommend products I didn’t truly love.

Available Purchases: 6 (4 February Purchases + 2 January Rollover)

February 2020 Beauty Low Buy – Purchases: 8 orders

February 2020 Beauty Low Buy – Roll-Over Items: 0

RELATED: Did you enjoy reading my February 2020 Beauty Low Buy Update? Check out my January update,  major empties roundup or declutter roundup.

2020 Beauty Low Buy February Update Takeaway #1: Wait It Out

One of my biggest takeaways from February was that I need to avoid the hype trap that sets in when new products are teased online. More often than not, I make a more educated decision if I wait to make a purchase. When I wait to make a purchase I can do the following:

• Watch or read reviews from a wider variety of people (not just influencers)
• Look for dupes in my collection
• Write a Pro & Con list

At the end of the day, unless a product is *truly* limited edition, there is no real reason to jump through hoops to make a purchase.

2020 Beauty Low Buy February Update Takeaway #2: Critically Evaluate Sales

Although sales sucked me in, I felt strong in resisting many of Valentine’s Day beauty sales from brands like KvD Vegan Beauty, Sigma, Sephora, Ulta, etc. Part of merealized that I need to ask myself:

If this item weren’t on sale, would I want it?

If the answer is “No” do I really want this item?

Despite buying more items than allowed by my rules, I felt proud of my restraint in most cases. Also, the sales I gave into were typically not the standard 20% off sales.

However, during the heaviest portion of the sale cycle this February, I recognized that old habits crept over me. Honestly, I wanted to shop just to shop. Moreover, I wanted to buy products from so many of these brands.

I actually felt a sense of accomplishment when I perused a sale without ordering anything. The old me would have placed an order with nearly every brand holding a major sale. Thankfully, I recognized what was going on and moved past it.

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

Are you participating in a 2020 Beauty Low Buy or a 2020 Project Pan? Check out my 20 in 2020 Project Pan Introduction.

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Are you doing a 2020 Beauty Low Buy or a 2020 No Buy? What advice would you share to anyone embarking on this type of challenge?

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