The Newbury Girl

2020 Makeup Low Buy | Update #3
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2020 Beauty Low Buy Update #3

April 4, 2020

In 2020, I’ve been making a serious attempt to reduce my beauty spending.  In today’s post, I will be sharing my 2020 Beauty Low Buy update. Keep reading to see what beauty products I passed on and which ones I purchased!

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. I can roll “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. I am not allowed to purchase new products 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. 

What I Wanted to Buy (but Didn’t)

ColourPop x Disney’s Mulan Collection

As a major fan of Disney’s Mulan, the ColourPop x Mulan collection initially caught my eye for its beautiful packaging design. However, I refrained from buying anything. Ultimately, I realized that I’d only be buying these products for the packaging rather than the items themselves.

However, if this collection were to go on sale in the future, I’d be more inclined to pick something up.

ColourPop x Sailor Moon Blushes

Like the clown that I am, when the ColourPop x Sailor Moon Collection came to Ulta I tried to pick the two blushes I missed out on purchasing. Sadly, these adorable blushes sold out almost instantaneously online.

If ColourPop restocks the blushes on its site, I may try again to purchase the blushes. However, at this point, I’m over all of the craziness.

[EDIT – 6/2020: Although ColourPop restocked the entire Sailor Moon Collaboration I didn’t purchase anything. In fact, I didn’t even feel tempted to try picking up the blushes. Major Win!]

P.S. Check out my ColourPop Palette Ranking to see where the Sailor Moon Palette ranks!

KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Maxi Eyeshadow Palette (30% Off)

The KIKO Milano Sicilian Notes Maxi Eyeshadow Palette caught my attention due to its tie to Sicilian-inspired packaging. Also, the design of the palette looks luxurious. Moreover, the color story felt like a unique take on a traditional nude palette.

Around the time of International Women’s Day, Kiko was running a 30% Off sale. However, I decided not to give in to temptation.

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

Sugarpill Capsule Collection C2 Palette | $42.00, CF

Like the Sugarpill Capsule Collection – C1 Pink Edition, the Sugarpill Capsule Collection C2 is a visually striking, pill-shaped palette. This staple neutral palette has some beautiful pops of color.

What I Actually Bought

Last month I went beyond my purchase limit – check out my recap here. The pandemic, as well as the influx of sales, influenced me to purchase a lot this month. As such, this month, I did not have any rollover products.

KOSAS Cosmetics Blush Sale

Earlier in March, KOSAS Cosmetics Blush Duos were 40%, with an additional 15% Off entire carts. As a result of both coupons, I was able to purchase 3 of the Cream Blush Duos for 50% Off!

Purchases: Helios, Tropic Equinox,* and Velvet Melon* Cream Blush Duos

2020 Beauty Low Buy Update #3 | KOSAS Color & Light Palette in Helios | KOSAS Color & Light Palette in Tropic Equinox | KOSAS Color & Light Palette in Velvet Melon

KOSAS Color & Light Palettes

Lawless Beauty 30% Off Sale

Lawless Beauty popular clean makeup brand that I’ve been eager to try. When the brand ran a 30% off sale amid the current crisis, I jumped at the opportunity to try some bestsellers from the brand.

Items purchased: Golden Hour Summer Skin Bronzer,* Lucid Skin Highlighter,* Satin Luxe Lipstick in Fawn,* The One Eyeshadow Palette,* and The Little One Eyeshadow Palette*

Milk Makeup 40% Off Sale

I saw red when I found out about Milk Makeup’s 40% Off Sale on Instagram. At this steep of a discount, I couldn’t resist the urge to pick up the products that have been popping in and out of my online shopping cart for months.

Purchases: Flex Highlighter in Lit*, Kush Growhouse Lash + Brow Serum,* Triple the Kush Trio, and Vegan Milk Cleanser

2020 Beauty Low Buy Update #3 | Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Cleanser | Milk Makeup Flex Highlighter Lit | Milk Makeup KUSH | Milk Makeup Lash Serum

Milk Makeup 40% Off Sale

RELATED: Read my review on the Milk Makeup’s Cult Classic Products

Ofra Cosmetics x Samantha March Collaboration

Samantha March is one of the sweetest and hardest working beauty YouTubers. In fact, I’ve even featured her in one of my Underrated Beauty YouTuber roundups.

Although I’ve tried a few things from Ofra Cosmetics, I haven’t tried very much from the brand. Purchasing the Samantha March x Ofra Collaboration was a chance to support an influencer I’ve loved seeing grow. Also, this collaboration provided an opportunity to try more from the brand!

Purchases: Chick Lit Blush, Start Inspired Highlighter,* River Bronzer, Lip Duo*

RELATED: Read my review on the Ofra Cosmetics Pillow Talk Highlighter and see where I rank this classic Ofra highlighter in my collection

Persona Cosmetics Super Blush Duo

As many of you know, Persona is one of my favorite Cosmetics brands and founder, Sona Gasparian, is one of my favorite beauty influencers. I appreciate how Persona does not churn out products. Instead, the brand takes the time to release on-trend, inclusive products that will work for a variety of skin tones.

I’ve been waiting for the brand to release more complexion products beyond their beloved Cali Glow Highlighters. Needless to say, I purchased the Super Blush Bundle as soon as the blushes launched.

Purchases: SuperBlush Duo

2020 Beauty Low Buy Update #3 | Persona Cosmetics SuperBlush in Carmel and Georgia

Persona Cosmetics SuperBlush in Carmel and Georgia

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: 4 

March 2020 Beauty Low Buy – Purchases: 5

March 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 or February update.

2020 Beauty Low Buy Update #3 Takeaway: Slow Progress is Still Progress

Once again, I technically broke my low buy rules (by purchasing more than 4 items in a month). Ultimately, Milk’s unexpected 40% Off sale threw me over the edge. That being said, I’d still consider my third Beauty Low Buy Update a win.

First, I was much closer to keeping my rules than I was last month – both in terms of the amount spent and items brought in. Second, the majority of items that I purchased this month were on my wish list for months. Therefore, the sale didn’t encourage me to buy things just to buy things. Instead, I purchased things I wanted at a discount.

Finally, I am proud that I was able to talk myself out of purchasing the TrendMood Box Volume 4 (read about the hottest new beauty box here). Also, I to my own surprise, I resisted all of the International Women’s Day Sales this year!

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

Enjoy my 2020 Beauty Low Buy Update? Trying to use up the products you own? Check out my 20 in 2020 Project Pan Introduction, Update #1, Update #2, and Update #3.

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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Comments

    • That is my internal struggle regarding the Mulan collection lol! The packaging designs were so beautiful and ColourPop did a great job in creating a color story that felt inspired by Mulan’s beauty in the film. However, I own so many similar products.

      And Persona blushes have been so lovely to work with and wear!! 😀

      Reply

  2. You’re doing so well with your low buy! I can’t believe there was 40% off Milk, what an amazing discount I wouldn’t have been able to resist either xo

    Makeup Muddle

    Reply

    • A lot of people really went crazy for the Milk Makeup sale – there were so many disappointed comments on the post from the BeautyDealsBFF Instagram account when the promo unexpectedly ended!

      Reply

  4. Are you a member of the Reddit community called MakeupRehab? I’m just wondering because your rules and topic format look similar to me. I am doing a Replace Only No Buy but I have yet to set my own rules. What makes you want to do a low buy?

    Reply

    • I am not a member of MakeupRehab, but I was at one point way back in 2017 when I had realized I was buying too much makeup and had just discovered what project panning was on YouTube. Back in 2017-2018, I did a few “No Buys” to get my spending in check and it really helped me.

      However, since starting my beauty blog and moving home for grad school, buying makeup became an unhealthy coping mechanism for dealing with stress or low periods. In the past, when I was successful with my No Buys, I completely deleted all social media from my phone and gave up YouTube. But now that I blog, giving up social media is unrealistic for me.

      In 2019, I kept telling myself I was going to do a No Buy, but every time I attempted I actually spent more money leading up to the time I would have started the No Buy.

      SO, after unsuccessfully trying a No Buy or a budget-based Low Buy, I figured I would try an item-based No Buy where I would be limited by the number of purchases I can make each month. Then, I added some additional rules to try to help me lol. This was heavily inspired by Angelica Nyqvist on YouTube!

      The first month, I did really well. However the second month was a flop (the sales got to me). I started off well this past month, but being stuck inside at my computer during the pandemic combined with the many online sales, spurred me to online shop.

      Lol SO I am doing a Low Buy because (1) I love beauty and don’t want to be punished for my hobby and (2) attempting a No Buy was making me shop more, but I also want to use up more of what I own and reduce the amount I’m spending on makeup each month lol.

      Realize that was a long winded answer BUT, it’s been a long process for me lol!

      Reply

      • It was a very detailed answer, which I don’t mind. For me, in addition to MakeupRehab, another forum that has helped me curb down my spending is r/PanPorn. I’m a visual person, I love seeing colors and makeup being used, swatched. That’s why following PanPorn is great for me because I see makeups in all its glorified forms, (new, baby pan, heart pan, empty, etc.) I find that with me, I don’t use makeup that often and if I buy a palette, it will take years for me to finish. That’s why I follow your blog. Love the quality of your flat lays. If you have time, please do swatches 🙂

      • lol ahhh I used to follow the PanPorn thread, too! There’s a hashtag #PanPorn on IG that I follow now instead and I watch a lot of Project Pan content on YouTube. I agree that I love seeing makeup being well loved and well used!

        And thank you so much for that very sweet compliment! 💜 I do post swatches in all of my reviews and in all of my collection ranking posts (which normally go up on saturdays). I’ve been ranking all the makeup within certain categories each Saturday (and sometimes Sunday) since the end of 2019 lol!

        I’ve gone through most categories, with the exception of palettes. So over the course of the next couple months I’ll actually be swatching all the palettes I own from various brands in dedicated posts! 💜

      • You put so much time into your makeup ranking post. I can’t fathom how you do it every week when I took me so long to edit pictures, upload on pinterest, insert hyperlink, change format (because I don’t like the color scheme of texts in my default palette). And then to rank the makeup you bought is like picking your favorite child. By the way, how long is your grad program? What are you studying?

      • Ohh there is a way to change your hyperlink colors without needing to do it manually! And lmao – those posts do take forever to write up and prep for, but I have a lot of fun writing them up!

        And my graduate analytics program is 1.5-2 years for Full-Time students depending on how many fundamental classes you get waved. So I’ll be graduating this May after 1.5 years in the program! 😀

  5. This is such a cool concept. I love the rules to this! And it looks like you were able to find some great beauty products. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • I felt the same way about the Mulan collaboration – it was so much easier to talk myself out of that collaboration due to how neutral everything was. I’m not sure if either collaboration will end up being restocked, but hopefully they’ll come back!

      Reply

  8. You’re doing so well and as you said, slow progress is still progress. The point is you’re heading in the right direction and restricting your purchases. I can’t believe Milk had such a good sale, that’s insane! I’m yet to try anything from the brand. I love the look of the Sailor Moon collection but I’m trying to not buy makeup because I just don’t need it

    Reply

  9. Oh that’s so neat that there’s mulan inspired make up! I must check this out! I always love reading your beauty posts! Thank you for this.

    Reply

  10. The persona blushes look so pretty, TBH don’t waste your time on Kiko products, they are way too expensive for what they are discount or not. 😉

    Reply

    • Awww really? I’ve seen so many good review of Kiko online, but this is helpful feedback given how much more readily available the brand is in Italy compared to the States.

      Reply

      • It used to be the brand every teenager would use back then. Like italian wet n wild or elf. With those prices actually. Now they are super expensive and the quality is still not there. I genuinely cringe if I think of buying something from them. I only get their burgundy mascara every summer because they are the only affordable brand that has it. It usually comes as a limited edition slightly different every year but last one was awful

      • Aw that’s a disappointment – I wonder if they are having financial problems. I know they had to shutter their American operations when they attempted to enter the market here.

  11. Definitely not bad at all! I wanted the Mulan collection too but didn’t purchase it. I wanted to splurge on Milk Makeup but they decided to not ship to my US address anymore so they unintentionally saved me from a huge haul lol. I haven’t bought the Persona blushes just yet but I know I’ll end up buying them because I love them so much.

    Reply

    • LOL I still can’ t believe they cancelled your order after the fact – but its good that it saved you money in the end. And i’m impressed by how you’ve resisted those blushes!! I need to learn to wait for sales.

      Reply

  14. Honestly I think you did pretty well in March! You may have went over, but not by much. Especially with everything going on right now, I feel like it’s more tempting to shop. That Milk sale sounded like it was amazing too!

    Reply

  15. Aw, I totally think the 1 extra item was okay! How could you resist these huge sales, especially in the time of a pandemic?!

    The Persona blushes look so pretty & the Kosas duos, too!!! I am super interested in how the Milk Vegan Cleanser is. Please let us know when you try it! ♡

    Reply

    • I’ve been using the Milk Vegan cleanser steadily since purchasing it. At first, I HATED the scent because it smelled like sweet plastic (likely due to a fragrance in the product combining with the smell of the packaging). The cleanser itself feels creamy, but it is def less gentle than the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (which is my fave). I don’t think I’d repurchase this, but I’m glad I tried it!

      Reply
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