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I’ve mentioned this once or twice already on my channel, but I’d really like to buy less makeup and clothing in 2020.
As a content creator, it’s very easy for me to justify buying more things than I actually need. I can often tell myself I’ll review something for a blog post, or that I need an extra couple of things for a haul video. I only buy drugstore makeup and my wardrobe is strictly Primark and ASOS, so it doesn’t always feel like a great expense at the time; but the sheer amount of shopping I do means all these smaller purchases are adding up.
It’s not just the financial aspect, though. I want to be more mindful of my purchases so I don’t end up with more things than I can realistically use. I don’t want to buy a makeup item to use in a first impressions video, then put it in my drawer and never reach for it again because I already have a dozen similar products.
Why not just do a No Buy?
I’ve seen a few influencers doing a No Buy this year, and I did consider it, but I don’t think it would be right for me. I still love shopping, and I still want to be able to buy things if I really want them. I want to change my shopping habits for the long term instead of going cold turkey for a year.
But if I’m being honest, it’s probably more to do with willpower. You know when you’re on a diet and all you think about is getting a bucket of fried chicken? Even if you don’t normally eat fried chicken, suddenly because you know you can’t have the fried chicken… all you want to do is eat as much of the fried chicken as you possibly can? Well, that’s why I can’t do a no-buy.
How will I buy less makeup?
I often feel like I need to buy and review the latest products to get more views on my channel, so this is going to be a big challenge. But I can start by being more mindful. I can look at new releases and ask myself if I already have something similar, or if I’ll wear something often enough to justify buying it.
I can also stop buying certain products that I just won’t use. There’s no point buying different mascaras because I know that I’m sticking with the Pudaier Magnum Rocket Mascara* and the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara* until the end of time. And some things I won’t buy because I never wear them at all, like liquid lipsticks or loose powders.
I also want to find ways to enjoy and get use from the makeup I already have – both in my everyday life, and on my channel. I want to challenge myself as a creator to make exciting content that doesn’t require excessive shopping.
How will I buy less clothing?
I’ve only just started enjoying buying clothes this year, but they’re typically more expensive than makeup and take up more space so I still need to be careful. I think my main problem when clothes shopping is that I get overwhelmed very quickly. I need to start thinking about buying one or two things at a time, instead of going in and buying multiple outfits at once. For example, instead of going to Primark for three hours and buying everything in one exhausting blur, I can just go in looking for some knitwear and then leave.
How I’ll keep track of my goals.
I don’t have any strict rules in mind for my low-buy goals, but I do have a rough number for a spending cap. Last month I started keeping a log of my spending on clothes and makeup, and it really helped me see how quickly my small purchases add up. I created a spreadsheet that adds up the total for everything I’ve bought for the month, so I can see when I’m approaching my cap.
I’ll also be updating you over here and on my channel with my progress. Fingers crossed I’ll actually be able to stick to it!
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