It’s that time of year again! Holiday sales are pouring in, and so is that itch to spend. Where Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals were once elusive and limited-time only, you can now access them all month long. Brands like Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon have already begun their biggest sales of the year. With all the constant bombardment of ads and TikToks telling you what to spend your money on, these next couple of weeks may be torturous for anyone trying to stay frugal.
But TikTok has a challenge for you.
In early 2025, creators across the platform, particularly those in the beauty community, set out to use up, or “hit pan,” on all of their cosmetics. This trend, aptly named Project Pan, promotes waste reduction and better spending habits. Similar to the deinfuencing trend, Project Pan was created to counter the pressure to overbuy.
New skincare, perfume, and makeup drop all the time. Consumers who frequent beauty spaces are especially susceptible to feeling like they need the latest products. Project Pan is all about quality over quantity. As we approach the end of the year, creators are sharing updates on where they are in their downsizing journey.
But, with the looming holiday deals, how are we planning to stay on track? We have some tips and things to keep in mind.
Most Deals Aren’t Deals At All
Many deals offered over the last couple of years have been less than impressive. Sephora’s bi-annual savings events only offer 10 percent for Insider members, 15 percent for VIB, and 20 percent for Rouge. To get into the highest echelon of Sephora customers, you’d have to spend $1,000 in a calendar year. For most, we’d say sales like this just aren’t worth it.
Just this month, Mariah Carey and Sephora were in hot water for an ad that appeared to mock ongoing boycotts and strikes amid the holiday season. Brands are well aware of consumer spending habits and know that people will come in droves for these sales, regardless of how little they’re offering. Sellers on Amazon have also been called out over the years for marking up prices ahead of big sales, then bringing them back down to their original price to create the illusion of a good deal.
When it comes to beauty, it’s reasonable to want variety and to try new things to figure out what you like. However, in this cycle of buying something, getting bored with it, and buying something else, you end up wasting a lot of money on brands that rely on that fickleness to stay afloat. Not to mention, some products have a shelf life of a few months to a year, so they will likely end up in the trash.
Rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t get it at its regular price, you don’t need it when it’s on sale.
Find the Value of Products You Already Own
If you have lots of makeup, perfume, or skincare, you already have your own mini shop! There’s nothing more satisfying for a beauty lover than finishing a product. Whether that be a dent in your perfume or finally seeing the bottom of that blush you’ve been using forever, you know you’ve gotten your money’s worth.
Don’t Stress and Be Realistic
It’s easy to get caught up in the dopamine rush of buying something new, with the hope that every product you purchase will be the magic bullet that totally upgrades your routine. As we know, that’s rarely the case.
Take some time to identify what you tend to reach for and start there. Once you discover what you genuinely like, those are the products you’ll stick with. Don’t feel pressured to finish products you don’t enjoy. You have full authority to donate anything that isn’t working for you. Remember, this project looks different for everyone, depending on their lifestyle and preferences.
This holiday season, keep your “why” in mind for doing this. Are you trying to figure out what you truly like instead of just following trends? Maybe you’re simply trying to declutter. Whatever your reason, Project Pan should be a rewarding, stress-free experience. Happy saving!
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