I’ve been on a self imposed beauty-buying-ban for the past few months. No real reason other than I’d been getting way too excited about the Ulta circulars that come in the mail with those $3.50 off $10 coupons attached.

It’s been tough, in that I really can’t go into Ulta, Sephora, CVS, or even some fun aisles at Target without feeling anxious about what I’m missing. However, my bank account (and bathroom cupboard, for that matter) has been thanking me.

The best lesson I’ve learned through all of this is to use what I have before buying new stuff. This means I’ve been making due with my less-than-favorite concealer as well as using up a lot of hotel lotions I had lying around. I’ve also been cultivating a list of my must-own products and the brands I go-to for them. I hope this will keep me from getting too excited whenever I hear about new products. Remembering my tried and trues and not wasting product is the goal.

I just used the last bit of a Freeman’s Cucumber Peel-Off Face Mask that I’ve had (and been enjoying) since high school. Going along with the theme of this quote, there will never be The Perfect Face Mask, so why do I need to own six of them? When my ban is over (on my birthday, incidentally) I will repurchase the Freeman’s mask for $3.99, and hopefully not too much else…until one of my favorites runs out and it’s legitimately time to buy a replacement.