Guide

Bought nothing, learnt a lot

10.2.2020

Translation: machine translated

Not spending money on make-up and the like for two months? It was an experiment that worked for me. Well, almost ...

This could easily pass for self-flagellation: I have voluntarily refrained from buying new beauty products for two months. What I learnt during this no-buy challenge?

1. I have everything

I already have everything I need. This learning is so simple that it almost hurts to read it in black and white. So from now on: first use up, then buy something new. This is not only easy on my wallet, but also on the environment. A nice side effect: the lower the toner level, the closer I get to the bottom of my cream jar, the happier I am. This is probably because I now take the time to give my products the attention they deserve. I've used seven of them in two months. More than in the whole of the previous year - with the exception of hygiene products.

2 Beauty is expensive as shit

During my experiment, I constantly kept a list of the products I would like to have. You can find part of it here:

Product test
Just look, don't buy
by Natalie Hemengül

All in all, I saved almost 800 francs by not making impulse purchases. Eight hundred francs. Eight hundred. Francs.

3. my interest has the life expectancy of a mayfly

It seems that until now, the attribute "new" was enough to earn a product a place on my wish list. The more time passed and the more often I looked at these products online in pictures and reviews, the more the feeling of wanting them diminished. My expectations also increased. I now think in more detail about what a consumer product needs to offer to be worth my money.

4. not looking

Sometimes it's good to close your eyes. Namely when adverts pop up on Insta, you're tempted to go to a news page or I recommend my beauty favourites here on Galaxus. Turn away. You'll save yourself a lot of suffering.

5. exceptions are written by life

Yes, I made two exceptions, but I had a good reason for doing so. Contrary to my own recommendation - and I already regret it - I bleached my hair blonde during that time. That's why my previous care no longer worked. Believe me, I tried it - several times. Long story short: I am now in possession of care products that do my bleached hair justice. But that's no reason to abandon the mission prematurely. Ultimately, it's all about finding out when a new purchase really makes sense and when it doesn't.

In the end, the self-experiment wasn't just worth it financially. My consumer behaviour also underwent a makeover. 👛

44 people like this article

Natalie Hemengül

Senior Editor

Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.

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Bought nothing, learnt a lot

1. I have everything

2 Beauty is expensive as shit

Just look, don't buy

3. my interest has the life expectancy of a mayfly

4. not looking

5. exceptions are written by life

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