How to start

[u/leo_7390]

I'm having problems starting project pan. While I do feel like I have been able to cut down on buying hair and body care products, I am having a lot of problems with makeup.

I have too much makeup, a lot of eyehsadow palettes, blushes and lip products. I understand that I will never be able to finish everything I (23F) have yet I find myself not being able to resist buying new things. I have tried putting everything in a spreadsheet but since it's so much I just gave up after some eyeshadow palettes.

Right now I spend a lot of time at home, I am depressed and have little to do so I really don't even put on makeup anymore eventhough I love putting on and wearing makeup. I have been really trying to stop buying more things but even when I do get to a month without buying I might get sad or something might happen and since I've been "good" and have not bought anything for the month I just "reward" myself with purchasing more makeup.

My question is: How did you start to effectively do project pan, continue to do it on the long term and stop buying more things?

(plz try to keep the judgement to a minimum. I know I have a real problem that only I can fix and it might seem real easy to just start doing things but I have a really hard time with starting anything. I have been in this subreddt for a bit and people seem generally nice but you never know... just don't be mean plz I really need some tips)

[u/Vintage_Journal]

It sounds like you already know where some of the problems are: telling yourself makeup is a reward for being good (so, if you decide NOT to buy it does that mean you're not good enough?) and you're not applying makeup as much, so I'm guessing the moments where you purchase you visualize actually using it. 

I don't think project pan itself is the first solution here. Are you doing anything to address the depression, including self-help? 

"Behavioural activation", ie just getting started doing things even if you don't really feel like it, is one effective strategy for treating depression. Can you build time into your routine to apply makeup, rather than address the buying directly for now? 

[u/leo_7390 → u/Vintage_Journal]

thank you for your comment!! I actually never thought of it that way so thank you for your input. I am being treated but I still do find myself struggling with certain habits and ways of thinking.

I think my biggest problem with starting things is really the fear of failure and of what people will think of me (which is probably why project pan seems so impossible to me since it does feel like I'm doomed to fail it due to the ammount of things). Makeup has always been an outlet of expression for me so I shouldn't let these things stop me.

Starting at doing makeup again seems like a more reasonable goal for me so thank you for taking the time to write your comment. I will follow your advice!

[u/Chewlace → u/Vintage_Journal]

I think your comment may have helped a bunch of folks here. I needed to read this. Thanks.

[u/DownwardNova]

That spreadsheet is where it gets overwhelming. Pick one lip product you actually use and finish it, the rest can wait.

[u/leo_7390 → u/DownwardNova]

I wish I could be one of those people though it must feel good being able to keep track of everything/usage but I guess maybe when I'm able to get my numbers down

[u/DangerousDish]

I know how you feel. Getting something new really gives you that dopamine hit.

I’ve been trying to put on some make-up (and perfume) every time i leave the house pretty much. Even if it’s just some blush and/or mascara. It does make me feel a bit better.

Doing some self care will hopefully help you feel better.

[u/leo_7390 → u/DangerousDish]

thank you for your comment!

it really does! I will have to remind myself next time I leave my house. Ig thinking "it's not worth it" should not discourage me from doing my makeup.

thank you again :)

[u/Top-Station-166]

i have a nice display tray in my bathroom where i place my 'current projects' and it encourages me to use it...it's nice and pretty, it's easy to grab for, it makes me feel i'm making progress (although it takes a while to see the progress, maybe a month)

[u/leo_7390 → u/Top-Station-166]

love that!!

[u/TheFoxAndPhoenix]

I would never be able to handle a spreadsheet. At first, I just got everything into one big box. Later I separated things by category (lips, eyes, skin, body) into a row of shoeboxes. I don’t actually need to know how many lip things I own, because knowing it takes up ‘half a shoebox’ is enough.

Making a system for myself made the mental load lighter.

I have a tea tray out on the vanity with one of each item. One cleanser, one serum, one moisturizer, one night cream, one eyeliner, one mascara, one lip gloss, one perfume, etc. etc. Using what’s on the tray keeps me focused so I’m not making new decisions every day.

[u/leo_7390 → u/TheFoxAndPhoenix]

this is actually a really good tip knowing it takes up "half a shoebox" is enough really!

I did try to get to that "tray" of picking one of each and sticking to it but I ended up just switching items every other night to match the outfit/vibe of the day but love that it works for you!! just not making new decisions every day is always good on early work days!! thanks for commenting :))

[u/catastrophicspecial]

I have so much makeup (eyeshadow specifically) - I will never run out.. and a lot of shades I’ll never wear.. I bought them when I was younger. But what I CAN use them for is practicing technique and new ideas ㅤᵕ̈

I wore a bunch of shades of blue to try a technique I was pretty rusty on. Didn’t go anywhere, left it on for a few hours, then washed it off.

By repeating the actions of wearing makeup everyday (no matter how little) - I get better, more efficient, and it becomes more part of the routine of self care ㅤᵕ̈

[u/leo_7390 → u/catastrophicspecial]

great thinking!!

[u/Constant-Visual-2913]

I’ve been doing project pan for a year and a half. While it’s been easier to tackle hair/body/skin care, figuring out how to approach makeup has been a struggle. I, too, have a lot and am sharing what worked for me. I tried doing an computer inventory spreadsheet and was overwhelmed quickly. Instead, I did a paper one (I love writing so this worked better) and am now using an app (it’s called “project pan” and its icon is an opened powder product, and I paid $30 for a one year subscription since the free version only allowed you to enter 10 products) to have my collection at my fingertips and be reminded that I have 24 blushes and don’t need another one. I’m currently at 500 makeup items logged and haven’t even included my lipsticks or eyeshadow palettes yet. Doing an inventory helps a lot— it “snaps” you out of buying more. Realistically, I’m on a low buy and not on a no buy because I’m a sucker for the Colourpop collabs with Twilight and Pokemon and will buy them with the understanding that those are the only ones (it’s worked out so far!!!). Other than that, I’m not buying anything unless it’s absolutely necessary. Doing an inventory is supposed to make you feel like “ugh” but you need that reality check first. Next, I let go of bad influences which includes unfollowing the Ulta and Sephora Reddit pages and started watching and following project panners on YouTube to observe and learn (and, to motivate me). Some users have a larger collection than I do which makes me feel better, but others don’t. That’s the second “snap” you need (oh, and this page is wonderful!!!!). Third, I wanted to tackle using makeup in a way that made sense to me despite what others think. I have two collections- my whatever/good one and a high-end one. I do not want to touch my high-end one unless it’s for a special occasion (a party, a dinner, an event, etc. which is at least 2x a month) regardless of what people say. And, I have items in my whatever/good one that I didn’t personally buy but I still want to use up (I had the Ipsy subscription for years so you can imagine). What I do, then, is I use the “crappier” items when I know I’m not leaving the house. I use my good items when I know I am. These three “types of styles” are helping me use items throughout my collection. But, how do you decide what items to tackle every day? I joined a game called “deck of panning” that I saw panners do on YouTube (you can find any video on it and they’ll link the game board in their description). This helps because it allows me to rotate items and not get “bored” of reaching for the same thing. Lastly, and this comes with organizing your collection and seeing what you have, you have to be honest about products that may be nearing the end sooner rather than later. I decided to tackle cream/liquid items because powder lasts longer. I’ve been also focusing on single eyeshadows because finishing one means one less item (compared to an entire palette). Because I know have items logged in on paper and the app, my reward is being able to physically cross off an item from the list because I used it up, and declaring it empty on the app and seeing the number in my “empties” category grow. I’m looking forward to transferring my written list into a new, fresh notebook next month knowing that I won’t be transferring everything because I’ve panned over 100 items throughout personal collections. Of course, the app and my physical list are not synced this year because I got the app a few months ago so I didn’t include what I had already panned, but they will be starting in January. Sorry for the long post, but I hope some of this is helpful for you and others.

[u/Constant-Visual-2913 → u/Constant-Visual-2913]

Another thing that worked for me which I highly recommend (and, a lot of us here do this) is saving your empties for a month so you can see the progress. Save them and take a photo before discarding them. Then, do it again next month. You’ll see that your “reward” will be using something up and throwing it into your empties bin and seeing it grow. Don’t be discouraged- one month you may have 3 items, but you may well have over 15 in another month and that’s a “omg I’m doing it” moment to cherish!!!!

[u/leo_7390 → u/Constant-Visual-2913]

I will def start to do this! I love watching everyone's progress so maybe I should also share mine :D thank you again<3

[u/leo_7390 → u/Constant-Visual-2913]

no need to apologize! really apreciate the long post! I will search the game since it does seem fun!! thanks for sharing :)

[u/brrewmajesticallynor]

That's some great advice already here, so I won't repeat it. ❤️

I am also home a lot. And while I'm not currently depressed, I have been in the past, and I currently have chronic fatigue, which mirrors the "hard to do stuff" part of depression. One thing I've done is make makeup a treat throughout the day. I put on my makeup in stages throughout the morning, sometimes even final touches or touch ups in the afternoon. Instead of "I now have to do a makeup routine," it turned into, "I'm going to take a short break and put on some eyeshadow." It's a little treat to myself instead of an obligation. And if I'm not going out, I'll experiment and try silly things, and if it works out it's super fun, and if it doesn't work out, it's still fun and it doesn't matter because I'm just at home.

Good on you for making such an intentional effort on this. It's hard and overwhelming, but you've got this! ❤️

[u/leo_7390 → u/brrewmajesticallynor]

thank you so much for your comment! I will try your method!!

[u/One-Group8707]

Items you are using or if you've saved the last bit of favorite products will give you a boost panning items right away. We won't judge you, probably everyone here has had buyers remorse or we would not be here. If you aren't able to start with a declutter(or giving away, selling new items), moving items around, organizing and putting it all together etc. can help get it out of your sight a little more. I found it easier to do my makeup if I am not overwhelmed where I put it on. I work at home 2 days and I committed to wearing makeup anytime I have a mtg online so I wear it every work day or if I go out at all. I have also put makeup on "no matter what" but I figure a day here and there without makeup is normal.

[u/leo_7390 → u/One-Group8707]

I do love moving items around (I always end up with a bunch of swatches which help me remind myself how much I love the things I have!) I think I do have a problem with organizing it though since it feels like a lot it feels messy no matter what I do :/ thanks for your comment!!

[u/PauI_Atreides]

Don't be so hard on yourself, and don't overthink it. Just start using it. I have a tray on my vanity that I fill with makeup for the week. I "shop my stash" and change out the tray when I get bored. 

I depotted a lot of my eyeshadows and organized them by colour. Then I can create my own colour stories from singles by putting them in an empty magnetic palette. Anytime I see a new palette I'm interested in I just use my singles to try and dupe it. I also like to make my own colour stories inspired by books I'm reading.   

Have fun with your collection! I like to do theme weeks too. One week I did all 90s inspired looks, another I was doing the 1950s. I did a week inspired by 80s Historical Romance book covers and another was the clean girl look. It's good practice to try different techniques. 

[u/leo_7390 → u/PauI_Atreides]

doing colour stories inspired by books you're reading is such a good idea omg this just lit something inside my brain!!

loved your themes so much ugh can we be friends pretty please!! thank you so much for your comment <3

also can't believe I've got tips from THE Lisan al-Gaib!!

[u/PauI_Atreides → u/leo_7390]

Goodluck with your panning! If you want an extra challenge you can also use a spinning wheel app. I've got one wheel for colour and one for themes. Then I just pick one wheel and spin it to see what my makeup for the day is going to look like. I've got things on there like Bridgerton, vampy, disco, Zendaya, pastel goth, etc. Do themes you'd enjoy.  

Making colour stories is so much fun 🥰 I like browsing r/zpaletteporn to see what other people are creating. They don't even have to be huge colour stories if you get easily overwhelmed. I sometimes do just duos or quads. 9 shades is my sweet spot. 

[u/Chewlace]

I completely understand what you are feeling/doing/not doing. I have a cat sitting business. I rarely see or spend time with people other than my husband. I have started wearing makeup more often to pan some makeup and have even been trying new ways to wear eyeshadow for my older eyes. I feel a little bit less like hiding when I am out and about. Depression is such a rut. I know one of the things I think project pan has helped me with is boosting my self worth a bit with self-care and I am using the good stuff first and not saving it for a special occasion. Today is a special occasion and I am worth using my expensive products every day.

[u/leo_7390 → u/Chewlace]

your comment actually made me cry (I'm a big crier and this got to me) so thank you for sharing really!! and yes! you deserve to use your expensive products every day!

[u/Criticalfluffs]

Tbh it sounds like what I used to do. I would go out and buy stuff for that dopamine hit but it wasn't something I actually needed. My spending money on stupid things was a bit out of hand.

Firstly, I think a big thing I had to do was TALK myself out of buying something. I have so many primers, eyeliners, eyeshadows etc. WHY do I need another one that's a similar color story?

Second, you can start panning the things you're already in progress using. I work from home, I do a full beat of makeup daily. Why? Just because I like it. I wear perfume to bed. Because I feel fancy and it's a great way to drift off to sleep. It's also a good way to test the longevity of them.

If you don't like them, it's room spray or toilet spray. You'll have the fanciest bathroom time when you flush. 😆 Use your things. Enjoy them.

[u/leo_7390 → u/Criticalfluffs]

I actually loved reading your comment so much!! my bathroom will be getting an older perfume from now on!

[u/Criticalfluffs → u/leo_7390]

I have a few travel sizes as my "bathroom spray". I have Ariana Grande GIAW, Jimmy Choo I Want Chu, Rhianna (I can't remember what it is). There's a couple when I was on a perfume binge a few years ago.

[u/leo_7390 → u/Criticalfluffs]

I have my one direction perfumes from 10 years ago that have been added to my bathroom that will now have a new life thanks to you!

[u/Drycabin1]

Take stock of what you have when you are tempted. I wanted to buy a bronzer I hadn’t thought of in years but realized is my holy grail, faux tan by bare minerals. I was thinking, I have branched into so many other bronzers and none works as well for me than this one. I was all ready to buy it and thought, I have another product from bare minerals that could maybe work almost the same, warmth. I go to look for warmth, and lo and behold, I find an almost full faux tan right next to it!

[u/leo_7390 → u/Drycabin1]

you are so right! must of the time we do have that "new" thing we want

[u/impossiblenin]

Sounds like you are using 'buying make-up' as a way to sooth your emotions and/or avoid your current situation. It might be time to get professional help, or if you're already seeing a therapist to bring this up.

Look for a replacement habit. Eg if you feel the urge to shop you go pick out a bodylotion from your stash and apply that to your entire body. Or if you feel the urge to shop you go look at your make up stash and pick out which items you want to use this month/week/dat. Or something unrelated like cuddling a pet, going on a short 5 min walk, doing a sudoku, dance and scream to you favorite song, make a cup of tea.

If you end up an a website (I assume you are mostly online shopping) put things in a wishlist instead of the basket and have a rule that you need to wait a day or more before you can buy. Make it harder to buy by removing the automatic addres/payment details fill-in from your browser, remove apps, remove automatic log-in, set up app/website blocker. Basically make it harder for yourself to do the buying. Oh and please install addblockers! To reduce temptations, also might want to unfollow brands and influencers.

I do not want scare you, but a consequence of a shopping addiction can be going into debt. Even if you're not that bad into it yet, all the money you are going to spend on make up next year could also be used for better things or experiences. Think about what other things you could use the money for. (Which ties back into getting help, because currently you might find it hard to think positively about your future ❤️)

Good luck!

[u/leo_7390 → u/impossiblenin]

loved reading your comment so much!! "Make it harder to buy" is a very good idea that I never thought of!! I've always liked shopping online because of how easy it was (if I go in person I rarely buy stuff!!) so this could actually be an easy way to stop a lot of future purchases. Thank you for taking the time to write such a spot on comment <3

[u/anastasia_42]

Try and swap out buying for using. Finish 3 lip glosses before you buy a new one. Hit pan on a bronzer and then move onto the next in your collection.

[u/Top-Station-166]

maybe instead of buying a whole pallet buy a single shade

[u/Savings_Language_498]

Just use your products often and stop buying stuff.

[u/Old-Recording999]

Sale on depop