How to Prevent Beauty Overspending: Solid Advice from The Project Vanity Community

Happy Leap Day! Here we are at the end of February, but let's not throw in the towel on those New Year's resolutions just yet. Saving more cash is a huge goal for many of us when the new year rolls around, especially now with prices going through the roof. It's more crucial than ever to stick to a budget. But, oh, the struggle when our favorite brands drop those irresistible new items or when our go-to influencers share their latest holy grails. It's tough not to have that "add to cart" moment and just hope for the best when the month wraps up. This leads me to one of my guilty pleasures – overspending on beauty products. Trying to figure out when to save and when it's okay to treat myself is tricky, so getting some solid advice can be a game-changer.

We decided to tap into the wisdom of The Project Vanity Community Facebook group to see how members have tackled beauty overspending. Maybe their tips can help you too!

Shop your stash

One of the things I do is leave the item in my cart to think about it. I also then try to “shop” my stash since I admittedly have a lot. Most of the time I do end up removing the items from my cart or just using what I already have.

-Marissa M.

I’ve learned to “shop” what I have in my drawer first before buying anything that’s new. I think this wisdom and discipline comes with age though 😅

-Cheryl Tan Chua

Shopping your stash" is a fab trick to dodge the beauty spending spree! Take a dive into your own collection and you might just find treasures you've stashed away and totally forgot about. It's like going on a treasure hunt in your own room. Plus, you might stumble upon something that ticks off the box for what you were about to shop for. I did a little stash-shopping myself for an advent calendar, opting to rediscover goodies I already had instead of splurging on all-new items for Christmas. It's a win-win: your wallet gets a break, and you get the thrill of 'new' beauty finds without spending a dime!

Figure out the necessities

For me, I make sure I have only the basic skin care like facial wash/cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Then for cosmetics, basic for me are tinted moisturizer, lip butter/balm, setting or pressed powder, lipstick, and eyebrow pencil. For lipsticks, I set a limit of 3-4 shades (tint, matte, cream). If I know that I won’t be able to finish a certain product or brand, I give them away with least 6 months or 1 year shelf life before expiration.

-Boots Mendoza

Guilty of this. There was a time that I own 100+ lipsticks during the height of kylie/colourpop/Nyx/JS lippie era 😂 The eye opener for me is nung naexpire at nasayang lahat ng make ups ko during pandemic. Now if I really want something: 

*I buy the mini version instead. It’s cheaper than the full size at mas madaling ubusin. kapag walang mini version it means this item is not for me and I need to let it go 😂 unless wala na talaga ako ng same category ng item na yun that’s only the time I’ll buy it. 

*If it’s been a long time since I last purchased the same product category. Sample, I bought a new hourglass palette cause the last one I have was bought 3 years ago already. When it comes to skincare, now I only repurchase my tried and tested items. I will only buy or try something new kapag naubos na yung meron ako.

-Kay Ann E.

Getting to the heart of what you really need is like laying down the foundation for your beauty routine. By focusing on the essentials, you create a solid base that not only keeps overspending at bay but also gives you the wiggle room to sprinkle in something new, a little treat, or a special product for that one stubborn issue. This approach lets you have your cake and eat it too: you maintain a streamlined, effective beauty regimen while still leaving space for those fun, experimental add-ons. It's all about finding that sweet spot between necessity and indulgence.

Get some expert advice

I used to overspend on beauty products. I wanted to try different skincare routines to reduce my acne (but things got worse instead), and I wanted to try different makeup products and collect lipsticks, in particular. 😅 I got over it when I decided to go to a derma who helped me get rid of my acne scars and take care of my skin. Bihira na lang ako magka-acne these days, and I don't use a lot of skincare products anymore! 🥰 When it comes to makeup naman, I taught myself to be more loyal to the brands I trust and really finish the entire product before buying new ones. Though, sometimes nae-entice pa akong bumili because of social media, but I always remind myself that I don't need to buy whatever's popular because I still have makeup products pa naman, and it's not like I'm missing out on anything if I don't buy them. 🤷🏻‍♀️

-Grace Esmaya

Skin can be super complicated, and there are times when our go-to skincare routine just doesn't make the cut. That's where a dermatologist steps in to save the day. They're like the Sherlock Holmes of skincare, getting to the root of pesky skin issues and helping us avoid splurging on products that only scratch the surface instead of tackling the real problem. Take recurrent acne, for example; an expert can offer solutions that might reduce your need to stockpile anti-acne potions. If you're at your wit's end with products that don't deliver, it might be the universe's way of nudging you to seek out a pro.

But we’ve saved the best for last. One of our members, Erin Santos (aka @thenerdyderma) shared her top four questions to ask to prevent beauty overspending. 

I did and still do if I don't exercise discipline 🙋🏽‍♀️ Nowadays, I reduce spending by asking: 

1. Do I have a similar shade? If I do, then I don't buy. 

2. Do I have a similar product? Skincare can be broken down into basic categories - cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen then the add-ons like toners, serums, essences. If I want to buy an exfoliating toner, but I still have an exfoliant in my stash, then again it's a no go. 

3. Have I finished recent purchases or do I have products about to expire? 

4. Did I need this product 10 seconds ago prior to watching its ad? This is a common trap of online aps specially when I see my fave brands holding sales. I relieve the itch to buy by telling myself "ok check again tomorrow if you still want it" and also by asking "how's your savings????" I realized it makes me sad/anxious when I see products accumulate. These 4qs help the FOMO go away hehe.

-Erin Santos @thenerdyderma

And there you have it! The ultimate secret to dodging beauty overspending really boils down to distinguishing what you truly need from what you simply want. With the gems of wisdom shared above, it becomes a whole lot easier to pinpoint our actual necessities. Sure, resisting the siren call of every sale and advertisement might be tough, but I believe with the insights from our Project Vanity Community, we're all equipped to keep a few more pesos in our pockets. Armed with this savvy advice, I'm feeling more confident about sticking to my budget, yet still allowing myself the occasional splurge as a treat. So, here's to smart shopping and savvy saving, everyone! Let's make our wallets and our beauty routines proud.

Find more meaningful discussions like this by joining the  The Project Vanity Community Facebook group. We’re a thriving community of beauty and lifestyle enthusiasts and are always ready to talk about the different ways that makeup and skincare can promote self-care and confidence building. See you there!