Ever since I started this journey towards minimalism, I’ve been practicing this not-so-novel method: not buying replacement products until I completely run out of them. I know, it’s not groundbreaking, but for me it’s a complete mind shift – especially when it comes to beauty products*.
Pre-minimalism-journey, if my favorite foundation or cleanser was feeling every so slightly empty, I would rush out to Target/CVS/Sephora to replenish it. So for at least a couple of weeks, I would have two of the same product in my bathroom cabinet. I blame my dad for having this mentality. Growing up we never ran out of shampoo, nail polish remover, toothpaste, canned goods, paper products, body lotion, or any other number of products because we always had extra in the house. This was due to the fact that my dad would alway buy products that were both on sale and had a coupon regardless of whether or not we needed said item at that moment.
I’m sure he saved our family a lot of money in the long run, but with minimal storage space and a *ahem* slightly more expensive taste than my dad (goodbye Suave and VOL shampoos), coupon cutting and stocking up doesn’t work for me. Plus, the more I buy, the less I know what I have – stuff always gets stuck in the back of a closet somewhere and I never see it again.
And there is an added bonus to waiting. Now that I’ve been using this method of only purchasing items when I’m completely out, I find that I can live without some products. I used to use a fancy toner. When that ran out, I spent a few days using witch hazel before rushing out to replace it, and found that witch hazel worked just as well.
So that brings me to the topic of this post – empties! I always like watching empty videos on YouTube because it’s so satisfying to see things that have been completely used up. For those of you who feel the same, here are my most recent empties:
Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Finish – This is basically the same thing as Oribe Texturizing Spray. It doesn’t smell quite as good, but it works just as well and I can get it at my local salon. I really love how it makes my hair look piece-y and it adds the perfect amount of volume. The main drawback is the price. It’s $31 and the bottle runs out super fast. I’m on my second can and I probably won’t repurchase it again unless I win the lottery or throw my budget out the window.
Bioderma – Lar got me hooked on this micellar water years ago when she was living in Scotland. I purchased this bottle a while ago in Canada. It’s available online in the states, but I don’t know of any stores that sell it (it’s available everywhere in Europe). It’s lightweight and non-greasy, but also really effective at removing makeup. Once I finished the bottle, I purchased Garnier’s michellar water at CVS since I didn’t feel like ordering a bottle of Bioderma online. It’s a nice dupe, but not quiet as good.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Primer – I go through periods where I try to purchase only all-natural makeup products. I grabbed this at Sephora when I was going through one of those periods and fell in love with it. It’s hard to describe the smell – yogurt-y, but in a good way and not overpowering – and it works just as well as other primers I’ve tried. I couldn’t find it the last time I was in Sephora, so I couldn’t replace it when my tube ran out – sob!
Pixi Glow Tonic – I don’t know why, but I feel like such an adult by upping my toner game with an exfoliating toner. Fancy-sounding, right? It’s not the cheapest skin product out there, but it’s available at Target and makes my skin feel so refreshingly smooth. I’m almost done with my second bottle and will repurchase it again as soon as I’m out.
Josie Maran Whipped Argon Oil Body Butter – I got this in a gift set. I loved the scent and it reminds me of a lighter version of the Body Shop’s body butters. The only downside is that I used it up too fast. I didn’t repurchase it because I’ve tried to be a little more money conscious and have started making my own body butter. More on that in a later post 😉
Holly Beth Organics Chamomile Cleanser – I love everything that Holly Beth Organics makes and it’s a local Atlanta brand – woohoo! The only reason I didn’t repurchase this is that I find foaming cleansers, no matter how gentle, are just too drying on my skin.
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation – This is hands down my all time favorite foundation. It has a light-to-medium coverage, smells amazing, and never ever broke me out or felt greasy. I purchased this over a year ago in Scotland and I should have bought out the store’s supply. You can purchase some Bourjois products online in the states if you do a quick Google search, but you can buy directly from Bourjois’ website. So I’ll just have to stock up next time I’m in the U.K. If anyone knows of a good substitute or a reliable online store to purchase Bourjois foundation, let me know!
Acure Eye Cream – All natural, affordable, and easy to find (Whole Foods, Target, Earth Fare etc.). I haven’t repurchased it because it didn’t blow me away and I wanted to try some other brands. What I did like about it is the feel, it’s light and non-greasy, and the fact that it lasted forever.
*Obviously there are some products that this process doesn’t work for as well: toilet paper, dish soap, wine. . .
Cath! 1) So proud of you for letting empties be empties! I learned the same thing in Scotland but not because I was being good, but mainly I was being lazy or had run out of money ;D 2) I want to try all those things.
It’s so strange that you know all these beauty products and because we don’t live in the same house any more — I have no idea what you’re using! These blogs teach me your ways and I will have better skin and hair because of it.
I will show you all the boring products I use when you get here in a week and a half!!!!!!
I have been using the same micellar water for a couple months now and I love it, but I was considering buying another bottle even though I still have a quarter of a bottle left. 🙂 Not buying extras without careful thought is a good bit of advice. I keep a minimal toiletries cabinet already, but I should apply this concept to my expensive notebook/sketchbook and pen habit. 😀
I will admit I had my mom bring me a year supply of Eco-dent tooth powder from the States, because I love it and it costs three times the price here in the UK. I keep thinking I will try mixing my own, but I haven’t made the time.
It’s so tempting to buy more when you’re not completely done with your current bottle, isn’t it?! Good for you for not having a ton of toiletries. Culling down my notebook/pen collection is easy for me 🙂 We each have our own vices.
I’m still blown away by how hard it is to get certain UK items in the US and visa versa. I would have never thought something like Eco-dent would be impossible to get in the UK!
OMG, I had no idea empties was a thing! I am seriously so tempted to hold on to the empty bottles after I use something up because it feels so good to use it up, but I never do. haha. My main empties are Acure shampoo and conditioner and Think baby sunblock. We go through that stuff like crazy. I even cut open the bottle of sunblock to get the product stuck on the walls and corners of the bottle. That stuff is expensive! I have to say, whenever my shampoo/conditioner is on sale at Sprouts (local health food shop), I pick up extra bottles. They recently had buy one get one free. I couldn’t resist!