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.
- I cannot purchase more than 4 beauty items a month.
- I can roll “unused” purchase spots forward.
- Bundles will count as one product.
- PR and personal gifts are excluded.
- Makeup Tools are excluded.
- Gift cards are irrelevant because this is item-based
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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
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
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!
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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?