It’s officially the 1st March 2025.

The sky is blue, the sun is shining and it couldn’t feel more like Spring if it tried. Okay, well.. it may still be 9 degrees as I type this but that’s besides the point.

The first two dreary months of the year are over and that can only mean one thing. It’s time for a no-buy beauty year update!

I thought the first two months would be the hardest given the crappy weather and inevitable anti-climax after Christmas but it’s actually now, heading into Spring that I’m struggling the most to stick to my own made up rules. As soon as the sun is out I suddenly have the incessant need to drop my weight and completely re-invent myself.

I can’t be the only one, right?

Anyway, needless to say, I did pretty damn well in the first two months of my no-buy beauty year and here is the summary below.

January – Total Spend: £0

February – Total Spend: £24.76

YTD Spend: £24.76

Now I know what you might be thinking. Elle, you fumbled already?! I know I know BUT this is coming from a shopaholic who would buy a new perfume just because someone at work royally pissed her off. So the fact I spent so little and still stuck by my rules, I’m happy.

In February, I ran out of my Hourglass concealer which is the only liquid concealer I use (outside of creating content). It retails for £36 and I got 20% off on Cult Beauty, paired with a £5 voucher and free delivery it came to £23.76. The maths looks wrong here but that’s what I spent – Cult Beauty always takes off either slightly more or less with their discount codes, it’s odd but worked in my favour.

I also needed to top up on the only other concealer I use which is my Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer along with a Heat Protector Spray. Both with discount codes on Look Fantastic, the concealer came to £21.28 and spray came to £4.72. I also had a £25 voucher and free delivery so it cost me the grand total of £1.

I could have actually saved even more money if I knew exactly what products I had on back up from last year as I did already have a Heat Protector Spray.. oops. But that has meant I’ve now gone through any back up products I have and made a list on my phone so I don’t make the same mistake again!

All in all it’s been a very successful start to the year. No unnecessary beauty buys, although one would argue they’re always necessary. Only topping up on products I have run out of and don’t have a suitable alternative or replacement already.

As I said previously, I am starting to struggle. I’m having a bit of an identity crisis now and being the last year of my 20s, turning 30 on NYE, I’m constantly going back and forth with myself on whether I stick to my no-buy beauty year or not.

Do I really want to restrict myself?

I’ve certainly not spent as much as I normally would with extra treats and impulse buys but I really can’t shake the feeling of wanting to re-invent myself physically and with that, comes new clothes and a new-ish look.

So, who knows. Maybe I’ll stick to the no-buy beauty year, maybe I won’t. I’m undecided right now but I guess I’ll see you in another month or two with that update.

I know you’re on the edge of your seat with anticipation.

Until next time…