The Real-Life Underconsumption Series: Beauty Shelf Audit – Using What You Already Own in 2025
If your bathroom cabinet looks like a mini Sephora and you still tell yourself you need that new limited-edition glow serum, this post is for you. No judgment-I'm Meg Ann Lee, hairstylist, makeup girlie, and recovering product hoarder.
We are in month SEVEN of my no-buy challenge, and let me tell you-my beauty shelf has become both my villain origin story and my redemption arc.
The Truth About "Just Trying Something New"
As someone who works in the beauty world, I get it. New drops, collabs, exclusive formulas-it's exciting! You get that little rush of oooh I want it, even when you have five open moisturizers already living rent-free on your bathroom counter.
But here's what I realized: We're often not buying because we need something.
We're buying because we're bored, influenced, or looking for a tiny hit of dopamine. And spoiler alert: that "exclusive" product usually ends up collecting dust right next to the last one we swore would change our life.
Beauty Math: What You Already Own = $$$
When I sat down and actually did a beauty audit, I found:
3 half-used dry shampoos, 4 unopened lip balms, Enough shampoo to last me until 2026, And at least 7 hair oils in varying stages of abandonment. Honestly, there was more but that would make this blog WAY too long.
If you added up the price of everything sitting unused in your drawers, I bet you'd be looking at HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS in products you forgot existed. That's money we could be saving, investing, or you know... we could actually finish one product before spending and opening another.
The Challenge: Use It All Up
So here's what I've been doing in 2025-and what I highly recommend if you're trying to spend smarter:
- Shop your stash: Before buying anything, check what you already have. If you're like me, there's a good chance you own something nearly identical to want you want.
- Finish before you rebuy: New mascara? Only when you've used up the old one. That's the rule.
- No more "emergency" backups: You don't need a backup unless you're actually almost out. Pinky promise. It will go on sale again.
- Rotate your beauty drawer like it's produce: If it's getting old, put it front and center and use it up or TOSS IT!
This isn't about being frugal for the sake of it-it's about respecting what you've already spent and using it with intention.
Rewriting the "It's Just One Thing" Mentality
I know how easy it is to think, "It's just a $10 gloss. It's not a big deal."
Over time, all those "just one things" add up to clutter, overwhelm, and cause that weird guilt that hits when your bank balance is lower than expected and your junk drawer is overflowing.
Buying smarter doesn't mean NEVER buying anything. It just means pausing before purchasing. Asking: Do I need this, or am I just distracted? Remind yourself that you probably already have a product that can get the job done at home.
You Still Get to Be the Beauty Guru Girlie
You don't lose your identity by slowing down your spending. You're still THAT GIRL-just the version with clearer shelves, smarter purchases, and a little more money in the bank.
So, if you're on this no-buy journey with me, start with your beauty shelf. Audit what you have. Appreciate it. And commit to actually using the things you once loved enough to buy.
Because 2025 is all about conscious glam, not chaotic CONSUMERISM!!
Next week: We're tackling the closet-yes, every shelf and drawer. Spoiler alert: You probably have more "fits" than you think. <3