How do you resist temptation of sales/deals?

I find keeping track of expenses/adhering to a budget along with having a list of what I want/need to be useful. These seem to help me stay more “on list” rather than getting excited over something just because it’s a “good deal.”

— Christine

14 Comments

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Staci Avatar

By being broke! All jokes aside, I’ve started contributing to savings and investments automatically. When I look in my checking account, if it doesn’t look like there is much there, I know I can’t spend. I treat savings like it doesn’t exist.

Lianne Avatar

I delete the emails promoting sales w/out opening or reading them. See no evil! Also coming here to Temptalia to see swatches often kills my desire, because I already have such a large stash, it’s pretty rare there’s anything on offer that I don’t already have a close dupe of.

Fatma Alici Avatar

I try to keep my collection small. Though, I suppose, small is relative! I try not to have colors/formulas in more than one type of product. And, I attempt to only replace what I’ve used up. I do spend a little extra around big holiday sales, but I plan for that spending into my budget. I’m very much a spreadsheet kind of person, so I plan out my spending in advance.

Lesley Avatar

I do the math. 20% or 30% off sounds like a good deal but converted to dollars and cents, it’s hard to get excited. So unless it is something I need currently, the discount is not going to affect my purchasing. I should add that my attitude is somewhat new and it has taken me years to get over the thrill of sales.

Alanna Avatar

I think the biggest thing for me this year is trying to pan items I currently have. Realizing how absurdly long it takes to go through a single eye shadow, or a sample sized blush has greatly reduced my desire to buy much of anything, since I know it’ll be around for ages to come.

xamyx Avatar

First of all, if it’s less than 30% off, I don’t find a “sale” worth waiting for, and I simply buy things when I have the opportunity to do so. Second, I keep a “Wish List”, and add/subtract on an ongoing basis. Third, I have to have a solid reason for wanting it, even if it is just for the purpose of “collecting”, although I still must be able to use it.

I just received an email from Illamasqua stating a 40% off sale, but the only things I want are the Beyond Foundation & the new liquid highlighters, but I purchased so many of both from other brands over the past few months, many of which are still unopened, I simply can’t justify the purchase, until I finish a few of the ones I own. So, even if it means paying full price, it’s more feasible for me to wait…

Arena Avatar

I have a running Wish List attached to my Project Pan (Makeup, Clothes & Jewelry). When something goes on sale, if it is 1) on the list 2) I have taken some time to gather research/reviews/notes and 3) at LEAST 20% off, then it gets to be considered for a sale.

This process is a pain, but it really helps with the impulse buys. I am *highly allergic* to budgets but I find this process has worked really well for me.

Reference: Beauty News from YouTube; Kat and Hailey

Intro to Team Project Pan 2020 (Hailey) https://youtu.be/iwnMtagWFQg

Project Panning Tips (Kat) https://youtu.be/ZaL19ovf-gU

Genevieve Avatar

I resist them pretty easily – as here in Aus, as I have mentioned before, we don’t get the same kind of deals for cosmetics. And it’s usually the stuff that retailers can’t sell too.
As I am so particular about the shades I wear and like, it would have to really suit me before I would consider purchasing it.
Having said that, I don’t think I am going to be able to resist Charlotte Tilbury’s sale, though because I have looked at the Green Lights/The Rebel 2020 palette for quite awhile now.

Pearl Avatar

1. Remembering that my stash is curated as well as stocked

2. Also remembering that at this point, I don’t “need” anything and that if I do buy something, it is merely because I want the latest iteration

3. Realizing that it’s probably just the packaging calling to me

4. Unsubscribing from mailing lists

Yesterday I received an email from MAC for 30% off and I bought 2 things only – concealers, which I now use as foundation. So I head to checkout and then it’s “spend $120 worth of product and receive a trio of Powder Kiss lipsticks!” and I almost went back and filled up my cart. Old habits and all that. Unsubscribed after.

There’s not much I “stock up” on now and don’t plan to anymore. I like having all that I do but I think my hunt for and HG products and rationing LE products has stopped or is in limbo.

During the last 7 months I never stopped wearing makeup and still do a full face because I love it. But I have found as I used things up, I just moved on. Not to be histrionic, but I thought it would be a lot more traumatising to have *gasp* finished something, but it was the opposite – I was happy to start using the backup or replacement and see what I could do with it.

All that said,
1. Eye palettes will probably (maybe?) always be my siren song
2. I will always have a backup of Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder and Guerlain Meteorites Perles

Helene Avatar

I’ve found that few things really tempt me these days. I think it’s due to having so many palettes, so many lipsticks and so many of just about everything makeup it’s borderline ridiculous. Anything seriously considered must be very special and mostly I don’t find anything that special on sales.
I do stack up on things I know I use everyday, like Clinique Take the Day Off balm, I’ve used it for many years and find it the best for me. Other skincare products I know I love and will use up are also interesting, but makeup is quite easy to resist these days.

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