Use it Up!
Whether you’re a beauty blogger/writer, and have a big collection from reviews and articles, or are just a beauty junkie (let’s face it, I’m both), chances are your shower, closets, dresser, and other spots in your home are stashed full of scented lotions, scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers, and who knows what else. It gets kind of crazy, and sometimes, it can even spill over and make shower time less than fun for those who share your shower.
Because of this, I like to do what I call a “Use it Up Challenge” every few months. There are a few simple ideas behind the challenge. The general premise is that, much like our bodies, our homes have an input/output problem. We eat (or buy ) more than we exercise (or use up/sell/give away/toss), and soon enough, we have an excess of flab. This flab clogs up our closets, hallways, basements, and attics much like it clogs up your heart and arteries.
1. Low Hanging Fruit: to keep things interesting, you probably have four bottles of shampoo that are 1/4 full or less. Why not work on using one bottle at a time? Same goes for scrubs, lotions, and perfumes. Put all other bottles of the same type of product out of reach. You’ll be surprised how fast a bottle of shower gel gets used up if everyone in the house is using it every day. Of course, in order to minimize your effect on the environment, be sure to toss the empties in the recycling. Just a few weeks of this and your stash will look much more manageable.
2. Get Creative: Did you know that many products can do double duty? Use that inexpensive conditioner as shave lotion, use shower gel to refill hand soap containers, use body sprays and perfumes as linen sprays. I’m sure you can think of more ways to use products ‘off label’.
3. Pamper Yourself: Do you only scrub or condition your hair once a week? Try to work treatments like this into your routine more often. Obviously you don’t want to slather yourself in Creme de la Mer, but I know I have a lot of masks, treatments, and other items that get only sporadic use, for no good reason. I’m giving myself a pumpkin enzyme peel right now, so you can’t say I don’t follow my own advice. Although retail products generally have a good shelf life, they will eventually go bad. What’s a bigger waste of money - using an expensive moisturizer everyday for a month, and loving every day of it, or having that moisturizer spoil in your medicine chest? Also, if you normally only put lotion on your hands and maybe your elbows/knees after a shower, why not put it alllll over (and then climb into some comfy cotton pj’s) before bed. Including your feet - slather them in any old body butter and put on some socks, and you will wake up with buttery smooth tootsies.
4. Pamper Others: If you’re a true beauty junkie, you probably keep your little ’secret’ hidden from friends and family. This can work in your favor, though, because your BFF or auntie would probably treasure a bottle of that Peach Nectar lotion you bought at Bath and Body Works semi-annual sale after x-mess last year. Another great way to give your unused products a good home is to donate them to a shelter for battered or homeless women.
I’ll be posting periodically during the next few weeks to update you on my progress and let you guys update on how the assignments are working for you.
Tags: cleaning, Use It Up
3 opinions for Use it Up!
Mary Jo
Sep 16, 2007 at 10:29 am
This was timely post for me. I just had to tell myself to step away from the counter at Sephora the other day. I’ve sworn off buying any new bath/shower/body lotion until I’ve used up what I have.
Mike
Sep 16, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Good ideas Amy, great post.
Use it Up Challenge - 5 Ways to Shrink your Stash
Sep 20, 2007 at 8:05 pm
[…] Get Creative. As I mentioned in the kickoff post, just because a product is labeled shower gel doesn’t mean you HAVE to use it in the shower. […]
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