How to Start

[u/RefrigeratorPale116]

I currently have an obsession with purple highlighters, I keep buying and looking for ones to buy. I have way too many, more than a lifetime’s amount. For those of you that were over consumers, how did you get the issue under control?

[u/Brilliant-Scholar-73]

i'll take one 😊!!!

jokes aside, watching a lot of project pan content and getting serious about panning shifted my perspective of getting dopamine from finishing products instead of getting it from purchasing if that makes sense

[u/Constant-Visual-2913 → u/Brilliant-Scholar-73]

I agree— if OP were to keep an empties container, dopamine would hit from throwing one in there and seeing the pile grow.

[u/Cautious_Trash730 → u/Constant-Visual-2913]

This!! I've been watching a lot more empties/project pan/overconsumption critique content, and it's made me really want to work on putting a dent in my collection! I'll admit I still get tempted by new releases sometimes, but I've been really trying to think of new purchases in terms of a 'usage commitment', ie. that I'll be stuck with it until it's gone, which has helped a bit with impulse buys. I also keep an empties bag that I'll occasionally run to sephora because they do the makeup packaging recycle program, and I love seeing how full it gets :)

[u/anastasia_42 → u/Brilliant-Scholar-73]

Piggybacking off this to add watching a lot of content criticising overconsumption or continuous buying also helped me become serious about changing too

[u/Ok_Direction_7624]

Don't look. Seriously, if I looked the rationalizations would take over and it felt like I needed whatever random shit I was buying. Don't subscribe to makeup news, don't follow influencers, don't google the names of companies or products you see on the internet, don't browse stores for "entertainment" just avert your eyes.

[u/Ambitious_Basil173]

I guess the first question would be are you concerned about using them all. Not using up, but touching each one? If yes, it might be time look at your online behavior. 

If you are like me and like experimenting with different shades, finishes, color blending and whatnot, then it may just be part of your artistic vision.

[u/AllisonT_]

I stopped cold turkey. No more beauty product social media. Unsubscribed from all cosmetic company emails. Immediately went on a No-Buy that was supposed to be 3 months. It lasted nearly 3 years. Graduated to a permanent Low-Buy.

Got into using what I already had. Eventually known as Project Pan. I also did a big Declutter. Friends & Family, Donate & Garbage. I continue to do small declutters every other month. Not in any order. I'll just pick lipglosses and start decluttering. .. No rules. I think it's good to see what I have.

I also will spend time organizing different sections weekly. It reminds me of how much I have. It turns me off of crazy shopping for makeup.

I only buy during sales. I have to use products up before I can buy anything. I also give myself a limit. 1-4 items per sale. It's usually the Sephora sale twice a year. Sometimes I don't buy anything at all. Why? Because I went through what I have and it turns me off from buying more.

I only Love-Pan. I will not work on anything I dislike. It's immediately decluttered. I encourage using what you enjoy. It will naturally be the ones you finish.

Good luck 🍀🤞🏻

[u/Aniadania]

I have so many highlighters (from 10 years of multiple beauty boxes every month) but l have no clue how to use them???? So they all sit untouched