Writing this for accountability.

In 2018, I started with a no-buy that turned into a low-buy when I realized how many products I didn't use as a result of palette rotations and weekly lipstick challenges. I can thank this sub for that! I tried to do a makeup inventory, and found the process anxiety-provoking, but did swatch all of the lipsticks I own, and dedicated myself to playing with makeup every work night before I went to sleep. It helped me so much in determining how much I did use, what straight-up did not work for me either in color or formula, and even found some allergies along the way. I purchased most of what I have, but some of it came from exchanges with friends.

Current inventory:

• Eyeshadow: 3 large, 2 small, 1 four-pan custom with 2 singles in it, 8 single-pans, 4 sample foils (48 total shadows)
• Eye Primer: 2 full-size, 1 deluxe sample (3 total)
• Mascara: 1 FS black, 1 FS lower lash black, 1 fun color (3 total)
• Liner: 1 color, 1 brown, 3 black of varying formulas [liquid, lashline, pencil] (5 total)
• Brows: 1 pomade, 1 almost-done clear gel, 1 NIB clear gel (3 total)
• Foundation: 1 medium-full coverage, 1 sheer (2 total)
• Concealer: 1 full coverage
• Face Primer: 1 mattifying, 1 hydrating/treatment, 1 luminzing, 1 mattifying DS, 1 mattifying sample foil (5 total)
• Highlighter: 1 3-pan palette, 2 single pan, 4 minis (9 total)
• Contour: 1 cream
• Bronzer: 1 powder, 1 cream (2 total)
• Blush: 2 powder, 2 cream (4 total)
• Lipstick: 4 liquid, 2 gloss, 2 pencil, 8 bullet (16 total)
• Powder: 1 loose, 1 pressed, 1 luminzing (3 total)
• Spray: 1 fixing spray DS
• Moisturizer: 1 almost-done, 1 NIB (2 total)
• Eye cream: 1 almost-done DS, 1 unopened DS, 1 sample packet, 1 DS tube (4 total)
• Oils: 1 3/4 full, 1 DS (2 total)
• Misc skincare: 1 antioxidant, 1 acid, 4 FS masks in tubs or tubes (6 total)

Total number of products included: 121 products.

I plan on a replacement-only no-buy when 3/4 of my last product in that category are used up. I also plan on using up all of my makeup samples before the end of the year. Two exceptions to the one-in-each category are foundation and highlighter. The former will need replacing before the end of 2019, but I have enough highlighter that I'm unlikely to do more than hit pan on any of what I currently have and do rotate them about equally. Also, no more purchasing tools. I have all of the brushes I could ever need, and invested in high-quality options specifically for the purpose of making them last.

I'm going to allow myself some searching for a couple of skincare products, but I've found what I like in every other category. The biggest difficulties in makeup are going to be replacing (if need be) a few eyeshadows that are currently limited edition in either mainstream (less of a concern) or indie brands (more of a concern). Considering how long eyeshadows take to use up, though, I don't think it'll be an issue for the coming year, and I'll definitely utilize dupes through Temptalia for singles to replace the ones I love most. I'd also like to convert to around 80% cruelty-free and indies are a great way for me to accomplish that. Since I've found products I adore, I can easily replace them online and avoid paying tax. I also used up all of my points gathered this year from various rewards programs, so I can't get away with spending paltry amounts to get something new and shiny for 2019.

I estimate that I'll only need to replace foundation (I allow myself 2 - one sheer coverage and one full), mascara, maybe eyeliner, concealer, fixing spray, and clear brow gel. My replacement cost for the year should be about $200 before tax, as I'll have to purchase mascara twice, brow gel 2-3 times, and the rest once, and I should be able to take advantage of sales and coupons if I plan carefully. Plus, having a budget will make me far less likely to make an impulse purchase, because that will pull from my essentials.

My partner and I are starting to save for retirement this year, and I'll be on the job market again starting early 2020, so it's a good idea for us to save up, and I won't theoretically have time to wander the shops between 3 jobs. I'm also looking forward to seeing some pan in products. I emptied 6 products this year after some intentional use since September, which helped me watch out for what gets gone first.

I'm really looking forward to 2019 and having a healthier relationship with makeup, and forcing myself to get creative with products I already own. Keep me on track, pretty please.