Summer No Buy | Two-Month Update

Happy August... Not going to say it, you all know what I am thinking.  Yes, I am starting to crave the fall because I am more than over the super hot temperatures and the humidity.  Seriously OVER IT!  If we could have fall-like weather all the time, I would be the happiest camper on the planet.

On to the Summer No-Buy update... month two.  It's a pretty boring one because I didn't purchase a single thing.  Not a nail polish, not a makeup item, not even any body care stuff.  I know, BORING, right?  Well, it may seem boring to everyone else but to me, it is a major victory and I am blown away by how easy it has been to retrain my focus onto bigger and better things.

Even more than NOT buying anything in July, I actually started another purge of my nail polishes and while there aren't very many that I was willing to part with this time (in comparison to the previous destash), I still got rid of close to 40 more bottles.  FORTY!  My new collection stands at 271.  There are definitely more that I can get rid of but I need to get past the mental block that is making me keep them.  It's been close to 3 or 4 weeks since I have even worn nail polish on anything other than my toes and that's only changed every 3ish weeks.  So really, 271 bottles seems like slight overkill!  However, Rome wasn't built in a day so I will continue to check back in with my collection and make changes as needed.

So, there is one month remaining until the end of the Summer No-Buy so let's see if I have a more exciting update for you come September!

Spotlight | Christine Kobzeff (PinkSoFoxy)

How do I help myself get through a no-buy or how am I okay with letting go of my 'stuff'?  Well, to be honest, I watch a lot of Christine Kobzeff's (formerly PinkSoFoxy) declutter series videos... on repeat.

I started watching Christine about 5 years ago when I first got into YouTube and at the time, she was an avid collector of makeup, nail polish and all sorts of bits and pieces.  Since that time, she has completely done a 180 turnaround and is now working her way towards becoming a minimalist.  No, I don't feel that is my exact path but her declutter series has given me life.

Just a couple of weeks ago, she posted a couple of videos that she titled her 'Minimalist Series' where she went through her nail polish collection and when she was done, she had FOUR polishes left... FOUR!  I was blown away by how happy she was with so little and to be 100% honest, that video is what gave me the courage to sit down and declutter my polish collection.  Okay, so I still have 300 polishes but I was able to destash over 500 and, to me, that is an amazing first step.  Hey... Rome wasn't built in a day.

By constantly staying on top of her collection, Christine has been able to keep her collection from growing and taking over her life.  It is something that I am working towards.  When I feel like I need a refresher, I am so happy to know that I can pop up her series and watch a couple of videos and by the end, the need to buy ALL THE THINGS is gone and I actually want to get rid of things.... clean up the clutter in my life.

So, thank you Christine... you have been an inspiration to so many and just watching you go from needing all the things to barely needing anything has been so amazing.  I look forward to following along on more of your journey!

Empties Update... 

Picture Source

Make Up For Ever Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

Pros:
Removes stubborn mascara
Cream cleanser makes it easier to control amount used
Easily available at Sephora (in store and online)

Cons:
Cost ($13 Cdn for 1 oz at Sephora/$30 Cdn for 3.38 oz)
Not Cruelty Free
Slight sting

Overall:
This is my first experience with a cream cleanser for the eyes and I actually found it very soothing.  While there was a slight sting on the initial use, I have since learned that you need to really ensure your eyes are fully closed and then it doesn't seem to cause any issues.  Even though the cost is higher than I would like for an eye makeup remover, the cream formula makes it much easier to control than a liquid so it actually felt like it lasted longer than my normal removers.  Although there may be some left in the container so that wasn't ideal.  However, my biggest issue with this product is that it isn't CF so I wouldn't purchase it again.  If that isn't a factor for you, I think you may enjoy it.

Phew... guilt gone ;)

Declutter: Part 1 - Nail Polish

According to my unofficially, likely not fully updated, nail polish collection spreadsheet (yes, I am a dork), I have over 850 nail polishes.  EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY nail polishes!!!  What the actually hell?  How does this even happen?  The sad thing, there are likely more than that because I kind of stopped updating the sheet and, I have also done so many declutter in the past that the true number of nail polishes I have owned is in the 1,000's... OY, it makes my stomach hurt.

The Plan:

1. Organize Polish by Colour:  My collection is sorted by brand because my OCD brain doesn't like different bottle shapes together so by sorting by colour, it makes it so much easier to see dupes (colours that are the same) or similar enough polishes to eliminate.
2. Cruelty Free Check:  I have a list of companies that are NOT cruelty free and based on that, I will comb through an take all those polishes out of my collection.  Makeup will be a different story but for nail polish, it's ditch time.  I will never use an entire bottle up so I might as well go full hog!  I will leave a list of the companies that are NOT cruelty free at the bottom of this post.
3. Wear Test:  Have I worn it in the last year?  If not, these are suspect and can likely be removed.  This is the hardest part of the declutter for me because if I haven't worn it, I might LOVE it but it's been a YEAR!  Some of the bottles in my collection have been there for years and I have never worn them... chances are it is because I have others in my collection that are the same or a better formula.  

Okay, it's been hours... literally HOURS since I started this post and I am done.  Man, what a journey.  I have learned many things from this declutter....  the first being that I have a thing for blue, green and purple nail polish.  There were so many that just those piles alone overwhelmed me.  Second is, I am 100% over chunky glitter... done, finished... When I first started collecting nail polish that was me... glitter all the things.  Now, I love a good creme polish or a sparkly holographic/shimmer.  The third thing is that NO ONE needs this many nail polishes.  

After a gigantic declutter, my collection now stands at 303 polishes.  I was able to get rid of over 500 nail polishes in one shot.  FIVE HUNDRED.  My new collection now fits of just 4 of the 5 nail racks that I have on my walls and I am also able to eliminate all of the foam racks I had made and the two acrylic table racks that I purchased.  There is a whole new space in my room for other things to be spread out and displayed.  It feels AMAZING and so freeing!

Now I just have to figure out what to do with all the unneeded nail polishes... Hmmm!

UPDATE:  Hubby took the polishes to work and here is what's left (out of all the ones pictured above)...

NON-Cruelty Free Polish Brands:

OPI

Essie

Revlon

Maybelline

Cover Girl

L'Oreal

YSL

Clarins

MAC

Avon

Clinique

Dior

Estee Lauder

Lancome

Mary Kay

Max Factor

Rimmel

Sinful Colors

Sephora Formula X

The Summer No-Buy

Have you ever tried to go on a 'no-buy'?  Do you even know what a 'no-buy' is?  Well let me enlighten you...

A 'no-buy' is a term that I first learned about in the beauty community on YouTube and it refers to a plan to stop buying things for a certain period of time... most people choose a month, some do it for as long as a year.  Either way, it is making a commitment to STOP BUYING ALL THE THINGS!

I have tried no-buy's so many times that I can't even begin to count them and all have failed miserably.  So I would then move to a low-buy, basically but SOME of the things and not ALL of the things.... total cop-out!  In any event, I generally find myself holding out for about a minute and then going hog wild to make up for the spending time lost.

This summer I have vowed to go on a complete no-buy... utter and complete STOP in buying anything I absolutely DO NOT need.  This should allow for me to actually use some of the items that are sitting in drawers or on shelves that I have forgotten about or pushed to the side in favour of newer, shinier items.  So, what is my plan to make this one a successful no-buy?

1. Declutter:  Yes, I know that sounds weird because getting rid of things would generally free up space to buy more but, for me, the collections of makeup, nail polish, bath products, body care, candles, is so overwhelming that I don't even see them anymore.  I look beyond my actual collection because just looking for a specific item is too challenging so I just buy new.  So, starting with my nail polish, I am getting rid of all the colours I don't plan to wear or have worn and don't enjoy... colours that I have multiples of.
2. Wish-Lists:  Again, this may seem odd but I am utilizing the wish-list feature on websites like Sephora and Nail Polish Canada where I buy the majority of my things.  By adding items that I am lusting after to a wish-list, I can be assured that I won't forget about it.  Unless it's limited edition, the product will be available when I am ready to buy again.  It will also take away that need to have it IMMEDIATELY... and who knows, when I actually look to buy it, I may not even want it anymore.
3. Unfollow/Unsubscribe from Emails: Honestly, one of the most tempting things for me is seeing sales and new item notifications so I have been actively unsubscribing to all of the emails that I get.  Whether is be stores, companies or bloggers, I no longer want to be tempted by pictures and reviews in my email account so I'm eliminating it as it happens.  Once you decide to do this, you will be amazed how many you get each and every day... WOW.  Also, if there are companies that tempt you on other social media platforms, consider unfollowing.  I haven't done that yet but have been using the 'Wish-List' plan to conquer the desire to buy when I see something new.
4. Going Cruelty Free: After watching some videos from my good friend Mary (aLoveTart) and videos from Christine (Christine Kobzeff), I did some online research and was horrified to see what cosmetic companies are STILL doing to animals.  The majority of these companies don't need to test on animals but in order to sell in China, the law requires it so, in my opinion, companies who decide to test just for the profit made in China, aren't worthy of my money.  How does this help with a no-buy?  Well, it decreased the number of companies that I can buy from which eliminates the temptation.  It also makes me research things more before buying it and allows me some more time to think about a purchase before making it.

I am hoping that by having a laid out plan for my no-buy that it will actually be successful.  As I type this, it has been almost two weeks and I haven't even been tempted to break it.  There isn't a defined end date yet but a group of us are heading to IMATS on October 1st in Toronto so that seems like a group guideline for now.

Another Year Older...

Welp... the day has come and gone and I am now officially another year older.  Doesn't really feel any different and I spent most of last year not really knowing if I was 37 or 38 so it wasn't a huge shock to the system turning the big 3-8.

It was the Victoria Day long weekend here in Canada so I was able to chill out and relax for an extra day... and that is exactly what I did.  I finished my book, I had been reading the infamous "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins and... nope... wasn't what I was hoping!  Not really that gripping, edge of your seat thriller that I was anticipating but isn't that always the way?  You read and hear the hype of a book/movie for so long that by the time you get to actually reading it, it doesn't quite measure up?  Other than that, we had a family dinner for my birthday... mmmmm, steak,  spent hours on the ball field and, yes, I even painted my nails... many MANY times.

Let's talk nails for a second... you will recall from my last post (and only post) that I am falling off the YouTube bandwagon.  I actually started spreading the word to some of my YouTube friends, those that I have made connections with outside of the comments section and those that are now legitimate friends and while most think I should just take a break for the summer and then come back strong, they all understand the need to back away.  YouTube can be a hard place and having that in common, we can all see the struggle of constantly staying on top of the trends and the need to be current.  I still haven't uploaded a video but do have one that needs to be filmed to fulfill a commitment made prior to my decision to leave... hence the swatching this weekend... ugh!  If anything, sitting at my kitchen table in 20 degree gorgeous weather just solidified my desire to NOT do that anymore!!

I actually feel so much more free just admitting that... knowing that the decision I have made is the right one for me.

Now, what's coming next... we shall be talking about my journey towards a cruelty free nail polish collection... YIKES!

A Year of Changes

As I sit here, looking at the last few days of before my 38th birthday, I find myself looking at my life and seeing many changes that need to happen to make me a happier person.  Negative start, right?  Well, it's not nearly as negative as it sounds.

For starters, I am a happy person.  I have a wonderful, loving husband; a beautiful, smart and amazing son; a family who loves me unconditionally; and a brood of animals that never fail to bring a smile to my face.  Not to mention a full-time job that I enjoy getting up for everyday; a group of friends that enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs; and all the major necessities of life... car, home, food, clothes... blah, blah, blah.

However, I can look back over the past few years and see that something went awry when it comes to taking care of my own personal happiness.  When my uncle passed away 4 summers ago, I was an avid reader and book-blogger and in dealing with grief, I found I couldn't concentrate on reading so I moved to watching YouTube videos... which led to filming videos and collecting all of the things (nail polish, makeup, candles, bath crap... you name it, I want and need it).

As I said, looking my 38th birthday in the face, I realize that I am ready to make some changes.  Not only do I want to fix my diet (or at least start a diet) which we will get into later, but I would like to re-evaluate my 'hobby'.

Nail polish has been a huge part of my life for the last 4 years and while I absolutely love painting my nails, I am tried of the constant need to have the most current collections and the time needed to swatch each collection and take pictures, film the review, edit and upload... it's about taking back my life.  Enjoying the polish and not feeling like my hobby is my job.  It's so amazing being able to get new polish collections for free but I am beginning to realize that the downfalls of spending all my time online isn't necessarily worth the benefits of a house full of nail polish.

Saying all that, can I actually sit here and say that I am 100% ready to throw in the towel?  No, not 100% but I am right there... looking the end of YouTube in the face and not feeling overly bad/sad about it.  So what's next?  How exactly do you end a 4-year hobby and something that has ultimately changed your life?  Is it something you do cold turkey or do you slowly make the transition?  I am usually more of an instant gratification gal... rip off the bandaid, right?

Well, let's see how it goes... start small and work our way to the feeling of personal happiness.  Making myself smile when I think of JUST ME is so important and I am ready to make the changes necessary to make it happen!

Here we go...