We’re challenging ourselves (and you!) to buy less this year.
But low-buy isn’t just about saying “no” to new purchases. It’s also about learning how to fully appreciate, and fully use, what we already have.
In a culture that constantly pushes the next best thing, finishing what we already own can feel almost radical, but there’s a whole corner of the internet doing exactly that. It’s called “Project Pan”.
“Hitting pan” on a beauty product, usually eyeshadows or pressed powders, means using it until you can see the bottom of the container.
Which — and I think most of us can relate — is kinda hard to do! Just think of the last time you finished a lip balm.
That’s why hitting pan is almost a badge of honor in the beauty world. When influencers show a palette with the silver peeking through, they’re letting us know: this is the one I keep reaching for, the product that has earned its place.
“Project Pan,” then, is simply the commitment of using your products all the way up before buying new ones.
So we are taking the challenge from eyeshadow palettes and bronzers, to moisturizers, toners, mascara, and everything in between. The point is to get as much use as you possibly can out of what you already have, without wasting a bit.
The flip side? Only buying products that you know you’ll use up.
That funky purple eyeliner might be trending, but can you see yourself using it often? If not, maybe experiment with items you already own.
Using something up entirely before moving on may seem obvious, but when you make it intentional, your habits change. Project Pan subtly shifts your mindset from novelty to selective. From the collector to the completor. There’s the quiet satisfaction of scraping the last bit out of the jar. Perks also include keeping your money in your bank account and not fueling a billionaire’s yacht.
If you missed the first post in our Low Buy 2026 series, you can read it here. You can also follow along on our Instagram (@unplasticgnv) as we talk more about experimenting with ways to buy less and waste less in the year 2026 and beyond!
