March 2017 No-Buy-Low-Buy Accountability

~ stashy

March was another No-Buy month! You’re expecting a blank post, right? Nope:

😳 I can explain!

Let’s start with the mascara:

I picked up the Wet n Wild Lash Renegade mascara (slightly influenced by Kaily!) which I had no idea was available here in Canada. It looks like Rexall has revamped their Wet n Wild assortment and they now carry the MegaGlo Contouring Palette and Photo Focus Setting Spray, among other things (yeah, we’re only like, 2 years late).  I got this for 25% off which was a steal since Wet n Wild is quite inexpensive to begin with, so this came to around C$4.  This is a replacement for the mascaras I’ve been using up! (I’ve used up 3 full-sized mascaras and 3 samples since January. 🙂 )

There was a promotion at Bath & Body Works that if you spend $15, you can get a free item worth $15. My coworker was picking up Wallflower oil refills and with her free item, she got me this:

• Tutti Dolci Sweet Lemon Buttercup lip balm
It’s not the most moisturizing balm (quite similar in texture to the EOS balms) but it smells like lemon cupcakes! ❤

I had heard about the Coconut version of the MAC Fix+ from Ingrid ages ago. I was miffed that I didn’t get my hands on it. But then, the Work It Out collection released, featuring travel sized Fix+ in various scents:

What am I supposed to do?!  I got the Coconut and Rose versions.  I used a gift card toward them. 😇

Look at the pretty holographic box!

You’re probably asking me why I was even tempting fate by being at a MAC store? I was there to help a friend choose colours for a refill eye shadow quad since she had to toss her makeup due to an eye infection. :/   I know I had said in my No-Buy months I wouldn’t use gift cards… but I’m weak, ok?  These are Limited Edition! And they were sold out by the end of March so I would have missed them! 😛 (Also, the MAC 25% off sale was soooo tempting! I had to stay off their website during that time but I managed to not buy anything.)

Lastly, another one of my friends went to Japan and asked if I wanted anything so I requested these 2 items:

• Daiso 2 Way Moisturizing Silicone Mask Cover
• Visee Glossy Rich Eyes quad in PK3 Burgundy Red
I had heard that the Daiso Silicone Mask Cover (which was on my recent favourites list) now comes with in a 2-piece style, so I just had to try it out. 😛 And remember one of my regrets from my Japan haul was that Visee palette? Now I got it:

Look at this! So girly and such attention to detail.

For these 2 items, money didn’t exchange hands since I had bought some things for my friend when I went to Japan last year and she’s reciprocating. Is this a cheat? 😉

So that’s my March “No-Buy”… I’m not counting anything toward my tally! 😛

And since I started the Temptations section in my February accountability post, I figured I’ll continue listing items that tempted me last month:

Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water

I saw this in Faded Rouge’s beauty favourites post and it reminded me that I’ve been curious to try this product.
Why I don’t need this right now: I stocked up on 5 bottles of the Yves Rocher Micellar Water recently so I’m set for a while. By the way, I did email Yves Rocher to inquire if it was indeed discontinued and they confirmed it:

We regret to inform you that 87376 – Micellar Cleansing Water 3 Detoxifying Teas has been discontinued. However, because this item is still in stock at our warehouse, we are able to offer you this product until the stock is depleted.

😦

Aveda Envirometal Essentials Compact

This is no one’s fault but my own. After I had posted about customizable palettes, I caught wind that Aveda offers a few empty metal palettes to house their refill pans (eye shadow, face products). They offer several sizes, but this particular one is neat because it can also hold a lip product in the “hinge” part of the compact!
Why I don’t need this right now: The empty compact itself is quite pricey at $30. I haven’t heard much about the performance of Aveda makeup so I’m not sure I’d want to commit to their system. (Have any of you tried Aveda makeup? Please let me know in the comments.) At the very least I’d have to buy their lipstick to fit into the slot – I think I could possibly use any refill pan in the main compartment if they fit. Also, I’m eyeing other custom palette options too – I really want to buy the Makeup Geek one.

AOA Wonder Blender

I had no idea these sponges existed until Asian Beauty Obsessed told me about them in a comment in my February Trash Stash post. They’re supposed to be a good dupe for the Beauty Blender for only $1 USD.  She also introduced me to the online store Miss A, which touts itself as “the first and only $1 online beauty shop”. After some research, it appears the site offers some decent products especially their tools like the sponges and brushes.
Why I don’t need this right now: As tempting as a $1 sponge may be, you and I know that I’m not going to be buying just ONE item in that store. There’s no free shipping to Canada – it costs $5.95 USD for orders under $40 so I have to “get my money’s worth”. 😉 No fear, I will be placing an order SOON!

ILNP The Magician Nail Lacquer

Any nail polish addict worth their salt knows about the infamous “unicorn pee” aka Clarins #230.  Apparently, there’s a special pigment that was used for that polish that is no longer manufactured. Lots of companies have tried to dupe it. I first heard about the ILNP version from Be Happy & Buy Polish blog.  Just watch The Magician polish in action in this video [drool 😍]
Why I don’t need this right now: It’s limited edition and selling fast – I’m so torn about getting it – it’s only available on the ILNP site now but I’d have to pay shipping (free shipping if I spend $100 though!) I know I want this more for the elusiveness element than for the colour itself.

The Ordinary Skincare

Everywhere I turned, I kept hearing about this skincare brand! Here’s just a sampling on my reading feed in the month of March: Mrs Dimples Beauty, H Wong, Beauty and the Ballroom, Hoi Yin Li, Cat Flicks & Matte Lips, Helpless Whilst Drying, fivezero, etc etc. 😮 Everyone and their grandmas are getting The Ordinary bug. My wish list items include: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%, Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, and AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.
Why I don’t need this right now: I am in the market for a vitamin C serum, but I’m going to use up some more of my other treatments first (namely the CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II). There’s a Deciem store that is opening up near me in a couple of months’ time, so I’m going to wait until it opens to haul from there. 🙂

April is a Low-Buy month, my budget is $200 for Sephora VIB sale… but I don’t have a lot on my wish list yet.  Something is wrong with me! 😜

I would like to take a moment to wish my sister a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!!! Hope you have a fantabulous day! 🎉🎈🎂

78 thoughts on “March 2017 No-Buy-Low-Buy Accountability”

  3. Hahaha, now that’s a low-buy. 😀 I love it!

    That B&BW lip balm is so weird looking, but I give it a pass if it smells like lemons!

    I was THIS close to getting the WnW mascara you got, only because the packaging is so funky. I got the Max Volume mascara instead, though, with a boring tube.

    Also speaking of Rexall, I was in the newish one at Richmond/Yonge and they had that Kiss brand you saw (someplace else? I forget where). Didn’t buy anything, though.

    And aw, I’m so sorry YR discontinued the micellar water you liked. They are always d/c-ing stuff, argh!

    I do have the infamous unicorn pee Clarins! I bought it off StrawberryNet a looooong time ago. I really need to take it out again. Tempted to check out this ILNP, too.

    And I just started using The Ordinary stuff last night. Testing on jawline to make sure I don’t break out.

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    1. OMG you have Clarins 230!?!! Can I touch you and by extension, touch the polish?!!! 😮 XD Have you done a post on it? If not, WHY NOT! Do you think the hype around the polish is really justified? Because I don’t want it to be another case of Essie Starry Starry Night (aka Tarry Tarry Night!)

      Oooh that Kiss brand I saw at that Clore Beauty supply! I am so excited to see more and more Rexalls opening up! The one that replaced the Brunny is open now – I have to go in to check what brands they have.

      That WnW mascara looks so much more expensive than it is… I hope I like it!

      Grrrr YR! How can I remain loyal if they discontinue the best stuff?!

      Oooh fingers crossed for you on The Ordinary stuff! 🙂

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      1. Holy sheep. I think my brain is broken. I just went digging through my old polish, and while I have four old Clarins, none of them is 230. I was quite sure I had it at one point. Maybe I swapped it. :O LMAO. I’m not really a fan of sheer polish toppers so it would not surprise me if that had happened, especially if some MUA bud really wanted it. Or maybe I’m just insane and never had it in the first place. (Really need to sort out my database.)

        So you don’t really want to touch me, now. 🚫🦄😂

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        1. I just saw this comment and LMAO! I can’t decide if you’re insane or not. But I could see you having the Clarins 230 at one point and swapping it away. Yeah, that’s the story we’ll go with… 😉

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    1. Oh no, I hate misplacing stuff. I hope you find it (perhaps it’s with your travel stuff from your recent Iceland trip?) These are limited edition – not sure if they’re sold out in the UK yet but here they are. I think MAC should make them permanent!

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      1. Yes I think it could be. I looked everywhere, so I better check my case. Fingers crossed it’s in there. Yes definitely. It’s such a popular product they should do a permanent range of scented ones 😊 x

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    1. I enjoyed reading your post on The Ordinary!
      Good luck on your makeup no-buy! I find whenever I ban myself on something, I’ll spend more money elsewhere. I’ve been very tempted to go clothes shopping lately! 😉

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  9. YOU DID ok honey LOL
    a blank post would be hilarious
    the mac water things …
    SO DESCRIPTIVE i know
    can you “do” those PLEASE …
    YOU ARE getting crazier with each post
    u know this ?
    That mascara Looks awesome
    xo
    CRAY = YOU

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    1. I’m not crazier with each post! 😮 If I posted a blank post, now THAT would be cray cray!
      MAC water things – yeah, do them how? 😉
      What mascara are you using lately?

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      1. me using burberry cat lashes …..
        U ARE CRAZIER WITH EACH POST – EACH DAY ….
        i bow down …lol
        WATER THINGS -review
        i like
        maybe like a mist – battle of ……
        ????
        #crayalltheway

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    1. So tempted about that nail polish. But I will sit idle until it sells out (which should be any day now) and then it won’t be a bother any more! 😛

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  12. It is impossible to remain strong in a MAC store *LOL* You emailed the beauty house to confirm if they discontinue wahahah only you would do this.

    Your “temptation” list has decent “anti haul” tone 😀 I like it. Hm… I don’t see “The ordinary” range over here in France.

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    1. I was hopeful that the sales associate at the store told me the wrong information about that micellar water being discontinued. But now I have confirmation from the corporate head office! 😛

      The Ordinary is a Canadian brand! Toronto-based, actually! 😀 I can’t wait to test it. Anything you’d like to try? 😉

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        1. Check out their regimen guide:
          http://theordinary.com/regimenguide
          Example regimen for pigmentation issues:
          AM: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Solution 10%;
          PM: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% or Advanced Retinoid 2%

          I say try the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to start with… I”ve heard mixed things about the Alpha Arbutin 2%. The Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% conflicts with the niacinamide so you’ll have to use one in the day and the other at night (that’s how I intend to use them). I’ve heard good things about the retinoid too. Not sure if you’re in to retinoids. Let me know! 😉

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  13. Stashy, you are so BAD!!! Teehee.
    Oooh I also really want to try out The Ordinary products! If not only to see if it’s worth the hype…
    The Visee palette is perfection. And yes, I’d say those purchases from Japan don’t count because it was a trade! 😉
    I wonder how close that ILNP polish is to the Clarins. Also, I need ILNP polishes…all of them. Just sayin’.

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    1. The mascara is really the only thing I actually BOUGHT. 😛 I maintain that it was to replenish! 😀
      I’ve heard mixed reviews about The Ordinary but I guess it’s low risk to test some of their products out to see if they perform as well as more expensive treatments! If I can get BHA for so cheaply… BUT, I just noticed their bottle is only 15ml, whereas the Paula’s Choice and CosRX are 100ml or more. Hmmm!
      I was so thrilled my friend got the Visee palette for me from Japan! I had it on my watch list online for months… was going to buy 3x the retail price online. 😛
      ILNP is going to bankrupt me lol… I’ve vowed not to buy another bottle until at least my birthday time frame…

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      1. Yes! Mascaras never count because they are always replenishments! haha!
        Oh man, that is a well-timed vacation…good thing you didn’t end up paying 3 times the price! :O
        Arghh, I had been intending on buying some ILNP polishes this month now that my no-buy is over. After leaving my comment on your post, I went to Nail Polish Canada and they no longer have some of the shades I wanted. So I went to the ILNP website and put 10 polishes into my cart to reach the free shipping minimum…and then backed out because of the thought of spending $130 CAD on nail polishes freaked me out. LOL. But now I keep thinking about it! 😦

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        1. $130 on polishes in one go is hard to digest but nothing stops me from hauling 4 times at $30 each time from Winners! 😆 Yes, ILNP seems to sell out SO quickly. Besides Nail Polish Canada, you can also stalk Harlow & Co.! They’re based out of Canada too and stock ILNP. 🙂

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  14. Happy birthday to Sister Stash!
    I’ve heard heaps about The Ordinary too! They’re all the crazy here because it’s so affordable.

    That’s such a great B&BW deal. I just googled and we have 3 Bath and Body Works stores in Australia. 1 in Melbourne, 1 in the Gold Coast and one at Sydney Domestic Airport..the husband travels a lot for work so I’ll give him a list one of these days 🙂

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    1. I keep wondering if all the The Ordinary posts are sponsored but they’re not! I can’t wait to try…
      Oooh so glad you have some BBW stores in Australia – yes, give hubby a shopping list! 😉

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  17. That eyeshadow palette you were “gifted” looks so pretty – I can see why you wanted it.

    The Sephora Triple Cleansing Water is my favourite – I’d recommend it!

    I totally want to order some products from the Ordinary as well – they’re so reasonably priced.

    OMG that nail polish is to die for! Swooning!

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    1. Oooh yes I knew I’d seen that Sephora Triple Cleansing Water from other blogs, it’s been on my radar to try for ages.
      The Ordinary sounds almost too good to be true… right? But people are saying it’s good – generally.

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  18. That is really not too bad! I’m on a low buy as well, but I couldn’t resist buying the Urban Decay After Dark palette. I even had to source to a friend abroad because it’s all sold out everywhere. So I didn’t do too badly, but it would be better if I could resist temptation.

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    1. I saw that UD After Dark palette went on sale too… not tempted! 😛 You’d mentioned that the UD formula has improved over time… I might have to try a newer formula. I think the last time I bought a UD eye shadow was in 2014…
      Good luck with your low buy! When is it over?

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  19. Expecting a blank post….yeah, right…. hahaha!! 😀

    I think the ILNP topper looks nice. I would have bought it.
    Oh, something else… I never cared for Clarins 230. Max Factor’s Fantasy Fire (before Max Factor ruined the formula…) has always been my unicorn pee gold standard…

    Sorry to hear about your friend’s eye infection. Hope she’s better now.

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    1. There will NEVER be a blank post! 😉

      I’d heard about the Max Factor version – but of course we don’t have MF here. What did they do to ruin the formula? Changed colour?

      Her eye infection is a lot better now that I forced her to go to a walk-in clinic! She was just going to “let it run its course” 🙄 I hauled her ass to a walk-in clinic and waited there with her.

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      1. Yes, Max Factor changed the colour. The new Fantasy Fire is a random metallic purple shade… I wouldn’t even pick it up for £1…

        Glad to hear your friend’s better. I know what it’s like when you have to force someone to see a doctor… Geez, people can be so unreasonable when it comes to health…

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  21. Why YR would discontinue a bestseller is beyond me..!? but excited to try the sephora one… 🙂
    Funny you should mention Deciem… just bought their NIOD copper serium & it helped heal a burn mark on my face in record time!

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    1. Yeah YR betrayed me by discontinuing that! 😦
      Good to know about the NIOD copper serum… it’s $60! 😮 It better work. The product names of NIOD is so confusing. I can’t wrap my brain around them.

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  22. I saw the Wet n wild mascara at walmart today and it was for 8 dollars so i didn’t pick it up . Waiting to know your opinion about it 🙂

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  23. So I guess we wouldn’t be hearing about The Ordinary from you in the near future? 😉
    But I’m looking forward to hear what you think of Cosrx BHA
    One of my Why-didn’t-I-buy-it-in-Japan Regret is a Visee item, too! Their Lip & Cheek Cream has been tempting me since 2014..

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    1. Well, I won’t be reviewing The Ordinary in the immediate near future but maybe in a few months. I’ve been reading reviews on their various products and it seems to be mixed opinions. I also just realized for some items they’re not really that cheap. For instance, their BHA liquid is $5 for 15ml. The CosRX BHA I’m using now is $20 but you get 100ml. I’ll be doing a review in a couple of weeks time on the CosRX. 🙂
      Ooh I hope you get your hands on the Visee… 3 years is a long time to have it on your wish list!

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  25. This is great! I’m glad you were able to get some stuff at great deals (or for free). I hope you’ll be able to take advantage of the Sephora VIB sale! Unfortunately, I don’t have VIB status. 😦 I don’t spend enough money at Sephora to qualify (and I am not going to spend $200 now to get there by April hahaha…). Do you know if there’s another VIB sale at the end of the year? I wonder if it’s worth trying to make VIB status before the end of the year.

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    1. Yes Sephora always does 2 VIB sales a year – one in the Spring and the other in the Fall. The one in the Spring time isn’t as good as the Fall time – it’ll be 15% off in the April one, but 20% off in the November one!
      I’m VIB Rouge for 2 years now but only because I pooled my friends’ orders together. We all benefit since VIB Rouge gets early access before things sell out (we don’t get higher discount % though, I wish!)

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      1. Thanks for letting me know! I can probably reach it by November … (hopefully !) I’ve been avoiding Sephora since I’ve been splurging on K-Beauty since I moved to NYC (and there’s K-Beauty EVERYWHERE and some sort of sale/clearance is always happening)

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  26. AHHH! I still love that AOA sponge by the way! ❤ Thank you for the mention! How's that Wet N Wild mascara working out? I've gazed at them many a time at Target wondering if they're any good. I'm dying to know! 😀

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    1. I placed an order for the AOA sponge! 😀 I picked up 4 sponges and a few other things… 😉 Thanks for telling me about them!
      I haven’t tried the Wet n Wild mascara yet but I read good things. See these reviews:
      http://www.hellokaily.com/2017/01/27/wet-n-wild-lash-renegade-mascara-review/
      http://www.budgetbeautyblog.com/2017/01/wet-n-wild-lash-renegade-mascara-review.html
      And Makeup Alley seems to really like it:
      https://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=192218/Lash-Renegade/Wet–n–Wild/Mascara

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  28. You’ve done so much better than me on any of my No-Buys -_- I just can’t not buy things, somehow there are always things I actually need and don’t have! I’ll have enough nail polish to last me a lifetime but I won’t have the right colour to fill in the chips on a pair of earrings, or something else like that will come up. Bah!

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    1. I’m slightly overwhelmed by my basket full of stuff that’s unopened! 😮 I have enough makeup to last a lifetime…
      So funny your rationale for more polishes! 😆

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  29. I have avoided going to the drugstores so much so I missed out on finding about new product launches at the drugstore!!! WHAT DOES ONE DO??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *looking up the sky with my hands held up with dejection*

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