I've heard the subject of "no buy" or "low buy" come up recently. I've seen it on Facebook groups, and it's been a conversation I've had with a friend. It's definitely an issue we all face as nail polish addicts, and difficult one at that!
This is certainly different for every person, as we all have different budgets, lifestyles, and will-power. I no longer put myself on no buy. I actually haven't felt a need to recently, that's not to say I haven't come across times I need to cut back. I put myself on low buy. I buy less and less often. No buy though? I couldn't do it. I commend those who have!
I remember when I first got into polish I was making 3-4 times a week trips to CVS and Walgreens to go buy nail polishes. This does not happen at all anymore. I think I only stop at CVS or Walgreens maybe once every 3 weeks, and even then I may only get 1 or 2 polishes. The same can be said for Ulta and Sally's. I only go to Ulta or Sallys maybe once very 2 months, and max I'll buy maybe 3-4 polishes.
Online polish purchases from e-tailers used to be a huge deal for me when I got into nail polish. I'd place orders on etailers for 10-12 polishes every other month. Now, not so much. Online purchases from indie brands.... that's a little harder to curb. I do find myself purchasing an 3-4 indie polishes per month. I make that my limit.
Mind you, the week of my birthday, I went back to my prior polish spending days. I hauled a bit a Sally's, Walgreens, and placed an order from Jade holos and Hits Phenomena polishes on Ninja Polish. It was my birthday though, so special occasions don't count!
Overall, I think I do pretty good with my polish purchases. Is it perfect? No. I still will impulsively buy something on occasion, but that has gone down a lot.
How am I able to quell my impulse to buy lately?
I factor it down to a few things...
1. I avoid. I honestly pretend a lot of stuff doesn't exist. For instance, I never bought a single Brazilian polish until last month. They've been easily accessible for a long time and as gorgeous as ever, but I just put them out of sight and out of mind. I may see them on a blog, but I put it in my head that it's not an option now. I can say the same for those huge indie brands like Dollish Polish for example. Amazing polishes, but they're so unobtainable I don't even bother.
2. The urgency to purchase has diminished. The thrill of finding something and purchasing it or finding it first doesn't do much for me anymore. I saw the new OPI Germany collection at Walmart last week. I had not seen it in person yet, and I got that little spark of "OMG WANT!". I had to remind myself that this collection is not going anywhere for a few months. It will be somewhere 2 weeks, next month, and probably the month after. Lately, new collections I'm buying polishes from have already been out for over a month. The extra time also helps me realize what I really want in a collection.
3. When will I actually swatch this or wear this? I'm not painting my nails as much as I used to, so I'm not going through as much polish. I get backed up on swatches, and that often means quite of few of things I buy may not get worn until month to months later. It just doesn't seem practical to buy something that may not see the light of day for awhile or at all.
4. Been there done that. I think a lot of our go-to brands like OPI, Zoya, Essie, China Glaze are putting out a lot of similar collections with similar colors. Do I really need 5 versions of plum and navy blue?
5. Picky Picky. If there is something not extra special or unique about a polish I'm most likely going to pass it over. I will search colors on my phone, look for dupes, and really convince myself I don't need it.
These are just things that have worked for me. I think a lot of it also has to do with how long I've been into polish. I love polish, but it's not a new thrill for me. I've got a feel for how things sell and what I really will use and enjoy over time. The indie movement has definitely been the hardest to resist, but I've been able to keep those purchases to a minimum. I think little splurges here and there are fine. I just bought Humble Bee on Ninja Polish since I found out it was still available. If you have the budget to spend on a lot of polish that's fine too, but if you don't remember your priorities and stop a think first!
What are your experiences with the impulsive need to buy polishes, no buys, low buys, and anything else on this subject?
Happy Tuesday!
