Sorry to double-post, but I want to do this before I forget. I keep backsliding on my low/no-buy and a lot of you have told me that writing out my definitive rules make it a lot easier to know for sure where the line is (obviously).
So here are my rules, and please feel free to give me feedback on whether you think it's too soft, too strict, your experiences, your rules, etc. Mostly I want to be kept accountable.
As of February 1st, 2013 for the next nine months:
1) I can only purchase a product when I have 100% run out of all types of that product. For instance, most lotions are hand *and* body. Which means that if I run out of a hand cream, I have to finish all my lotions before I can buy another. There is no allowance for eyeshadow or lipstick shades, because God knows I'm not likely to run out of any red lipsticks or gold eyeshadows.
2) Purchased products should be researched ahead of time and not bought on an impulse. That prevents disappointment, overpaying and the temptation to go back in and buy another because I messed up the first time.
3) If I try a product for a full week and decide that I really won't ever wear it, I can set it aside from my makeup collection. I'm going to do a "two strike" rule where it can only be thrown out if I run out of everything else, try it again and it still doesn't work for me after another week.
4) No cheating with vitamins, skin care, etc. If I'm using it to better my appearance, it counts as a cosmetic and is part of this rule.
5) Expired products may be tossed out.
6) Makeup tools can only be tossed if broken and no buying individual eye brushes during this period, but if a powder, blush or kabuki brush breaks, I can re-purchase. A one-time allowance is being made for an eyelash curler because my current one is absolutely awful.
And that's it. Feedback?