PJ's CHALLENGE: Just USE IT UP!!!

[texasqt]

PJs - Let's USE IT UP!!!

There are so many products that I want to try that may be better than what I have, but what I have isn't all that bad so I must USE IT UP before I can buy anything else. I have a cabinet full of products and then I have one of those standing shower racks with the shelves full of products too! I'm pushing myself out of the bathroom!

So the rule for this challenge is - USE UP A PRODUCT COMPLETELY BEFORE YOU GO AND BUY SOMETHING ELSE SIMILAR TO IT. The reasoning behind this is because you paid good money :dollar::dollar::dollar: for it, you shouldn't let it go to waste.
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Here are a few guidelines:

1. CRAPPY PRODUCTS should be thrown away , returned, or given to someone who may benefit from it. These are products that just don't do right on your hair.

2. GOOD PRODUCTS ARE REPLACEABLE but they must be USED UP completely first. Your good product may not be the best out there but since it is decent, go ahead and get your money's worth. Then once its gone, try a different, similar product.

For instance, I was using ORS Olive Oil in the bottle and loved it. I USED IT UP and purchased ORS Olive Oil in the jar and I hate it - but only because I prefer the one in the bottle. It isn't doing anything "crappy" to my hair so I'm sticking with it until its gone. Then I can either repurchase the ORS in the bottle or try out a new item from my wish list like Elasta QP Mango Butter! Yes, keep a wish list of things you want to try after you use up your good product.

3. YOUR WISH LIST: Keep up with what you want to replace your GOOD products with. This will keep you motivated to USE IT UP. For me, I want Mango Butter when I finish ORS Olive Oil, I want Nexxus Shampoo when I finish CON and Aphogee Evening Primrose. I want Caisha's Odorless MTG when I finish Lenzi's Request and the list goes on and on... I consider these my rewards for USING IT UP.

And think about how happy you will be when you throw away that empty product! That's an accomplishment!

4. GREAT PRODUCTS ARE YOUR STAPLES. If you find a great product for your hair, why look any further. Your hair and wallet are going to be upset with you if you stop using what works to try something that "might" work for you. However, if you really want to try something else, then your GREAT product is just GOOD, and those are replaceable

(Side note: clarifying can eliminate product buildup and keep a product working when it doesn't seem to be. I don't believe it's true that you have to change your products regularly. Try clarifying first.)

The most important thing to remember is - YOU CAN ONLY REPLACE A PRODUCT WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PRODUCT. For example, if you use up all of your CON moisturizing shampoo, then you can only replace it with more CON or something else moisturizing like KeraCare Humecto. If you already have 3 GOOD moisturizing shampoos, then you should use up all three before buying anything else. Do you really need three products that do the same thing? This will help you save money, save space, and find your staple products. JUST USE IT UP!!!

Here's a rule update:
5. DON'T SHOP 'TIL YA' DROP. When you buy a new product, buy SMALL just in case you don't like it. I've never paid attention to sample sizes or even the smaller bottles. I would always purchase the largest size because if I like it I won't have to return to the store so soon. But now I'm thinking - what if I don't like it! Now its something I've wasted money on and I'm going to have to forces myself to use it up or give it away. Wasting $1 is better than wasting $10. So when trying out something new, just in case it may not work for you - BUY SMALL!

Okay, that's the jist of the challenge. Imagine what your bathroom cabinets will look like!!! JUST USE IT UP!!! (and tame that PJ!)
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Sign up by replying and let us know what's in your inventory and on your wish list!!!

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Last Update: 8/10/07

 

[texasqt]

Below is something extra that I'm doing that you may want to try too...

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TAKE INVENTORY:

If you're like me, you really don't know what you already own. So take inventory! This will help you keep track of everything. You may want to write this out, type it in your journal, or just commit it to memory. Your inventory should list the products by types (shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, daily moisturizers, oils/sealant, heat protectors, etc.).

Next, within each type, identify the use for each product (i.e. Shampoos: Moisturizing Shampoos, Clarifying Shampoos, Protein Shampoos). This will help you remember what you are replacing because you don't want to replace your moisturizing shampoo with a protein shampoo and end up with 2 protein shampoos and none that are moisturinzing. This would mean that you'll have to make another trip to your BSS :drive: to buy the moisturizing shampoo which means you now have too many shampoos and the PJ is loose! . Do the same with your conditioners, etc.

Also, keep track of what you like about the product in case you do decide to replace it. You can compare the next few products to the list. If the new products you try don't work for you then you have a reference for what does.
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I can't wait to reduce the number of products I have at one time!!!

Don't forget - to join that challenge just reply!!!
You can share your inventory, wish list, or anything that may help us PJs stay out the BSS!

 

[ravenmerlita]

I'm going to join you on this challenge. I have so much stuff I can barely get into my bathroom. I started to limit my buying now I just have to do better about reducing what I do have.

I can't wait to start with getting rid of what doesn't work for me at all.

 

[deontaer]

I'm in. I think this is a good idea since to I literally stuggle every evening on my drive home not to go to the bss. I need to exorcise this pj demonevil:

 

[BrownBetty]

I'm in.... I'm a recovering PJ but I can feel a relapse coming on.

 

[Allandra]

When I was a pj, I loved threads/challenges like this.

Thank goodness I haven't been a pj in a very, very long time.

 

[naturallylovely]

i was just thinking about something like this.....i mean, it makes no sense the ridiculous amount of conditioners i have...AND I STILL WANT MORE. so i definitely need this one

 

[CurliDiva]

TexasQT - girl, you know I got your back!

I have products on (2) shelves in bathroom closet, (4) plastic storage bins in my bedroom closet, and even stashed in my kitchen pantry for when I do my hair downstairs.

I'm going to take pictures of ALL of my stuff tonight.

Ladies - also please consider donating unwated hair products to a women shelter, youth or nursing home.

I so NEED this challenge!

I am proud of myself for mixing up my own version of MTG last night - I added some of all of the oils that I had -Olive Oil, Castor Oil, African Best Oil and some WGO to my empty MTG that still have a layer of sulphur in the bottom. I shake it all up and then poured it into a color applicator bottle - and guess what NO STINKY smell!

I still have a full bottle of MTG left, but this is a way for my to use up several products and get rid of the stinky MTG smell at the same time!

 

[e$h]

You know, I was just thinking about this the other day. While I was in the Vitamin Shoppe returning/exchanging vitamins, I wasn't sure if I wanted to exchange my vits for AO stuff. I said to myself, "self you don't need anymore hair products until you finish what you have", so I didn't get it. I went ahead and got some different vits.

Anywho, count me in. Even though this has been a personal challenge for me, I'd like to join. There's so much stuff that I wanna try but I refuse to keep adding to the problem.

Thanks texasqt for starting this challenge.

 

[MissFallon]

I am in on this one! I have so many products and keep buying the same types of products just to try them (and most of the time dont like them). I have abandoned 2 wonderful regimens due to pjism. My goal is to use up all of the random products (especially conditioners) and then stick to my 3 minute miracle, motions cpr, jasons natural shampoo & JN Conditioner. I really like HH hello hydration but will probably stick to nexxus humctress because it is better on my hair. I hope to be rid of all the random products by June. I also vow NOT to jump on every bandwagon that passes through

 

[adw425]

I have actually been on this challenge for a month -- privately. I am happy to say that I am doing really well, especially with conditioner. I am a conditioner fiend, but I have beat back the urge since December 15th to continually buy conditioner and haven't so much as bought one bottle or jar. It is a struggle on some days (yesterday I almost bought a couple of jars of Kan Kanechonm from Sickbay, but I closed the site before completing the order; the same with AO conditioner on Sunday...), but I like looking in my cabinets in the bathroom and linen closet and they aren't just crammed full of stuff. I have my two quart jug of moisture mix; my three quart jug of protein-rich conditioner and I poured all my CO wash conditioners into the SalonCare Honey and Almond gallon jug, which was half full, and I will not buy new conditioner until I have used up what I have.


ETA: On my trip to Big Lots in December and last week, I did buy a 33 ounce bottle of Back to Basics Ginger Therapy condition, so I have that to use up as well.

 

[texasqt]

When I was a pj, I loved threads/challenges like this.

Thank goodness I haven't been a pj in a very, very long time.

Thank you for posting this Allandra! That means there is hope!

 

[B_Phlyy]

I have been on a personal challenge like this for 2 months and have fared quite well, so I'm in. I have all my products categorized on an Excel workbook and I update it accordingly. I also think that keeping up with my results in my journal helps me, so that when I finally do start buying again (and I have so much stuff, it probably won't happen until June/July), I can look back to see what worked and what didn't.

 

[janiebaby]

I'm also on this personal challenge, so far I've been doing well. I can't wait to give stuff away at the Philly meeting.

 

[Artemis]

I'm in. I think this is a good idea since to I literally stuggle every evening on my drive home not to go to the bss. I need to exorcise this pj demonevil:

Girl, you ain't never lied! Everytime I drive past a BSS or CVS, I'm in my head going "Don't stop, keep driving. You don't need any conditioner!!!" I seriously need help. Ulta is the devil, too!

So, needless to say I'm in this challenge, too! This is probably the closest I can get to a 12-step program !!

Thanks texasqt!!

 

[Treasure2k6]

Ya know I am in it with flying colors ...or should I say empty bottles!

I've been gradually doing a process of elimination. We just purchased a new home and I AM NOT TAKING ALL THESE DARN PRODUCTS WITH ME!!

 

[gracefulee]

I'm in. I think this is a good idea since to I literally stuggle every evening on my drive home not to go to the bss. I need to exorcise this pj demonevil:

My thoughts exactly. I need this challenge for several reasons. My pocket book will thank me, my husband will thank me because he thinks I'm turning into a mad 'hair' scientist b/c I'm always mixing this oil with this or that. I vow not to buy anymore products (except henna) until I'm completely out and according to the rules laid out in this challenge.

 

[HoneyDew]

I am actually going to start using up all my conditioners with my henna. I am started that this weekend. I cannot fit all my towels and sheets in my linen closet because of all my conditioners.

 

[Artemis]

Bumping b/c I'm getting my inventory together, and will post soon

 

[Wishin4BSL]

I need this challenge and I'm going for it! Great thread!

 

[InquiringMind]

I'm in!!! Lord knows I have too many products. I cant stay out of the BSS

 

[sareca]

I was doing so well. I started a No new products challenge from Oct06-Jan07. I've basically been on a new product binge since then. But I did use up 60% of the stuff under my cabinent. I'm waiting to receive a few additives to use up the rest. The only stuff remaining is the stuff I didn't really like, but didn't hurt my hair.

 

[preciousjewel76]

I'd love to join in, but I can't just yet. I'm still tweaking my regimen, trying to find products that work for me. I do have a few staples, though. I haven't found a conditoner that my hair doesn't like. Now I just have to nail down the shampoo, leave-in, and daily moisturizer. Looks like I'll be putting some items up for sale on the Exchange Board.

Good luck to those of you who are joining this challenge, though!

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

This is soooooo funny!! I was going to post a challenge very similar to this but decided not to and just do it on my own. GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE

I am doing this right now....I am just giving away and mostly using up and all my non-staple products...and then just sticking to my staples from now on. I am trying to done using up all my products by about March so then I can just restock on my staples.

I am buying my first property in a couple months...I cant let my good money go to waste

GREAT CHALLENGE

 

[jasmin]

I really need to get in on this challenge but I think I need to make one more buy. I actually bought it but it was on back order and I'm just finding out so I have to buy it somewhere else then I'm in.

 

[miracle]

I'm IN!!!

 

[Tee]

I am so glad you posted this. I am in. I have already ordered my last bunch of Products so I am cool. I will keep myself on this challenge until at least May. I think that is feasible. Then I will go back on again.

 

[GoldenBreeze]

When I first started lurking this forum, I got a bad case of "wish" PJism. My budget curbed that very quickly, but I still wanted to experiment with changing up some of the products that I was using. I made up my mind then to start trying products by only replacing them with products that were the same when what I had was used up. It's great, and I always have something to look forward to when I'm finished with whatever I'm currently using. In a way, I've been on this challenge since June '06. It's nice to know that I will have lots of company now.

I'm really easy to please when it comes to products, and I don't change very often, but being on lhcf has inspired me to try some different conditioners, and moisturizers.

 

[MrsQueeny]

Count me in too. I already gave some products away but I have a lot that I still need to use. Q

 

[texasqt]

Hey Ladies! Don't forget to let us know when you get those empty bottles!!! We want to cheer each other on and keep each other motivated!!!