#NoBuyJanuary Update + Repurposed Products

So much for getting these posts up every Friday!  In my defense, I've been exhausted fighting off a cold this week, which is the reason why it's going up late.  I'm hoping I'm pretty well over the cold now, so I should be able to do better the rest of the month.  

I actually don't have a lot to update on.  #NoBuyJanuary is still going strong, and to be honest, I haven't found it all that challenging so far.  I already tend to do a lot of online window shopping - browsing without buying anything - so the spending ban hasn't felt out of the ordinary yet.  We'll see how that holds up through the end of the month!

In the same vein, I want to talk about using up products that end up not being as well liked as we anticipate.  Sure, it makes sense to set something aside when it's not working for you, but that can get pretty wasteful.  When at all possible, I try to find alternate ways to make things work.  Here are four recent examples:




Bath Petals Sicilian Blood Orange Shower Gel

The Bad: Back in October or November, I started getting dry, itchy skin, which I eventually traced back to this shower gel.  It did work well for about the first half of the bottle, but at some point it started drying my skin out.
The Good: I've been using the end of the bottle to clean my makeup brushes!  It's essentially just a castile soap, so it works about the same as the Dr. Bronner's I usually use.  


Blissoma Bright Eye Vitalizing Nutrient Serum

The Bad: This has an impressive list of ingredients and the effect I noticed on both dark circles and under eye puffiness was pretty amazing, but sadly something in it irritates my eyes and leaves them feeling tired and sore.    
The Good: In addition to the eye area, Blissoma suggests using the serum on areas with sun damage or anywhere you might want an extra anti-aging boost, so I've started using it as an all over face serum underneath my oils or moisturizer.  I've also started applying it on the backs of my hands, since that's an area that can start to show age or sun damage.  I haven't noticed a huge difference in either yet, but it's early days yet.  


Celtic Complexion Creme

The Bad: With so many people raving about Celtic Complexion, and this creme in particular, I was excited to get my hands on this mini and expected to love it.  It does go on nicely and leaves my skin feeling silky, hydrated and soft, but the problem comes a few hours later.  Every single time I've used this on my face, within two to three hours my pores look huge and just awful.  I'm guessing it's the coconut oil, which I generally steer clear of in face products.
The Good: With shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil as the first three ingredients, it's no surprise that this cream makes a fantastic lip treatment.  I also like it as a body moisturizer.  


Desert Essence Fragrance Free Conditioner

The Bad: I don't like this at all for my hair!
The Good: In my shower, unloved conditioners regularly end up being repurposed as shaving cream, but where that's usually just as a way to use them up, Desert Essence's conditioner has stood out.  It's as good as, if not better than, any actual shaving cream I've used.  Proof: my tube is just starting to feel empty and my first thought was, "I need to pick up another one before this runs out!"

If you're participating, how's #NoBuyJanuary going for you?  What do you do when products don't work as well as expected?  If you're looking for more ideas, Cori from Well Beauty Blog did a great post with tons of ways to repurpose your products - check it out here.


14 comments

  1. Ooh, I really liked reading this! I have the sample pot of the Celtic Cream but haven't got around to trying it out yet as I'm loathe to add something else to my face when the routine I have seems to just about be working. But I might have to steal your idea and give it a go as a lip balm before it gets too funky to use. xx

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    1. Thanks! I can relate - why mess with your routine if it's working as is? It seems like something that would last a good bit, so I wouldn't worry too much about it going funky right away. It does make a great lip balm though, if you feel so inclined :)

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  2. You have some really helpful ideas for reusing your products x

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  3. Funny enough, I just posted a bunch of ways to repurpose products that don't work. You have some great ideas!

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    1. I'm glad you commented! I loved your post when I read it and had wanted to link to it, but I was drawing a blank today as to where I'd read it...hurray for cold/sick brain. I've added a link to it now :)

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  4. I love this post, I do this too and any unloved shower gels or face washes regularly wash my make up brushes, and face moisturisers that don't work out I use on the body. I have a lot of shampoos that I try and don't like and I am trying to find alternative uses for them at the moment Xx

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    1. Thanks Ana! I've pretty much given up on trying new shampoos/conditioners because of that! I still have one or two I need to get through too.

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  5. Love this post Caitie! I never thought of using conditioner as a shaving cream, but this is such a great idea. Regarding #NoBuyJanuary, I feel just like you, it is going great. I'm trying to organize my wishlist but honestly I don't feel the urge to buy something, I'm actually happy to be using up my products. xx

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    1. Thanks! I feel the same...I'm enjoying focusing on using things I already have :) Glad to hear #NoBuyJanuary is going so well for you too!

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  6. NIce post! what a shame for Blissoma eye cream...this brand is on my wishlist! you may be allergic to one of the ingredients ...
    x

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    1. Thanks! I was pretty disappointed, mostly because it worked SO well getting rid of my undereye issues (puffiness AND dark circles, which has been pretty much unheard of in one product!) I'm not sure if it's a full-on allergy or just something my eyes were sensitive too, as I haven't had any problems using it on other areas. I'd definitely still recommend the company...I tried one of their cleansers this week and loved it!

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  7. Going great for me! Making a wishlist for myself for when I'm done. It gives me motivation to save up for what i want :)

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