How to Stop Being a Cosmetic Junkie

I broke an eyeliner brush trying to open my cosmetic drawer this morning. It was so full that the poor brush snapped under the pressure. I decided it's time to put a lid (no pun intended) on my cosmetic addiction.

The department stores are a trap for cosmetic junkies like us. How is it possible to walk through the cosmetic section without stopping, on your way to buy some badly needed clothes? Look at those shiny, new, fresh-smelling objects, glistening on glass-topped counters, their gold and silver wrappings casting a hypnotic spell. Look at the color of that new lip gloss. Did I hear her say that gel eyeliner will last all day? And then a makeup artist with skin to die for will step out in front of you and say, "Do you have five minutes so I could show you our new fall colors?" Just say no doesn't work for me.

Never mind that last week I bought en eye pencil guaranteed to last for more than a year. Or that I have shoe boxes full of lipsticks and glosses but somehow, after using them once or twice, I suddenly lost interest. There are so many more new ones to choose from at the cosmetics counter.

I had to come up with a few ways to curb this addictive impulse and here I share them with you:

1. Go through those drawers and boxes full of unused stuff. Toss anything that is old and has a funny smell. Sharpen those old pencils and if their lead breaks, toss them too as that might happen on your eyelids. Throw out samples of creams and foundations that you know you received months ago. They don't keep well. Trust me when I say their odor changes even if you haven't opened the packet. Toss any makeup brushes that have lost their shape. No amount of washing will fix them.

2. If you do need to purchase an item at a department store, enter through a floor that doesn't have cosmetic counters on it. You really may need new shoes or a new camisole for that suit. What you do not need is more cosmetics. If you are not finding joy in buying the items that you really do need, then don't go shopping at all. You are not in the mood. But we all know you don't have to be in the mood to get snagged for yet another makeover at a cosmetics counter.

3. I am convinced cosmetic junkies are extremely artistic. What art form other than makeup application could interest you? Could it be art? Now that's playing with color. How about auditioning at a community theatre? You might even get a part. If you do, you will not have time to visit the cosmetic counters. And you will be able to use all the theatre makeup you wish.

4. It is possible to get a makeover without purchasing anything. However, some of these sales associates really know how to put the pressure on. (A good example was a woman who told me, "It's time to do away with the $80.00 face creams" when she was trying to sell me one for $425.00! I walked away from that one with ease!) Do not feel guilty because they spent all this time with you and now you feel you must buy. Simply say your mother, friend, husband, anyone, has your credit card and you have to go and look for her or him. Never buy anything under pressure. If you feel any anxiety at all when you are making the purchase, this is a sign you do not need it.

5. If you really do need something new, now that you have cleared out the old, make sure there is a tester, so you can try it on first or you might be disappointed with your purchase.

Try some of these suggestions and, all of a sudden, your might find that you have run out of something and need a replacement! Think how good that will feel to buy something that you require rather than that sinking feeling of having bought yet another duplicate.