" In recent months, a new trend has emerged on social media where people are trying to finish their makeup products before purchasing more. These plans, called “No Buy 2025” and “Project Pan” to combat their consumption." -- AMara Deanes, 7th Grade
In recent months, a new trend has emerged on social media where people are trying to finish their makeup products before purchasing more. These plans, called “No Buy 2025” and “Project Pan” to combat their consumption. Some are avoiding buying anything new that they don’t need. Others are focusing on “hitting pan” or finishing their pre-owned products.
So, how did this trend come to be? This trend is not new, but it is gaining more mainstream attention because of overconsumption. “Overconsumption is, simply, individuals consuming more resources than they need and that the earth can provide. This extreme behavior also prevents the natural renewal of resources due to the speed of consumption,” explains the Population Media Center.
Consuming more and more makeup products than one person could ever use contributes to a bigger problem of plastic waste. “Our world is suffering more than ever before because everything we’ve ever bought is still here with us,” says online commentator Drama Kween in a video covering Project Pan.
So, how did this trend come to be? This trend is not new, but it is gaining more mainstream attention because of overconsumption. “Overconsumption is, simply, individuals consuming more resources than they need and that the earth can provide. This extreme behavior also prevents the natural renewal of resources due to the speed of consumption,” explains the Population Media Center.
Consuming more and more makeup products than one person could ever use contributes to a bigger problem of plastic waste. “Our world is suffering more than ever before because everything we’ve ever bought is still here with us,” says online commentator Drama Kween in a video covering Project Pan.
The beauty industry is one of the most wasteful industries in the world. One big contributor to this is product packaging waste. Many beauty brands resort to plastic packaging for cost efficiency, but there is a huge environmental downside to this. “The British Beauty Council pointed out that just 14% of plastic waste is sent to recycling and only 9% gets recycled,” says Clean Hub. Thus, even if you’re recycling all of your packaging, only some of it will actually be recycled.
This big problem with over consumerism has gotten worse with the rise of social media. People are being pushed to buy more and more because of an increase in advertisements. Social media is more addictive than ever, which allows companies to advertise to consumers almost 24/7. According to Survey Monkey, “On Facebook… as many as 51% of users admit to having clicked on an ad. They even influence consumers’ purchasing decisions. Nearly half of social media users (48%) have bought something after seeing an ad.”
It’s not just companies either, influencers are constantly pumping out paid promotions that may seem like normal content. “The notion that influencers are ‘one of us’ may go a long way toward inspiring trust, too. Up to 69% of consumers overall say they trust influencer recommendations, and 30% say they trust them more today than just six months ago,” reported Empower. Many consumers trust the influencers they watch, much like how you trust a friend to make a recommendation. Even if it is disclosed to be an ad, people trust their favorite influencers and celebrities sponsoring.
“I think we as a society are a part of the problem, but so are advertisers who lots of the time use sneaky tactics to make you think you need products you don't,” says Lola Christ, a junior in the Literary Arts pathway.
This big problem with over consumerism has gotten worse with the rise of social media. People are being pushed to buy more and more because of an increase in advertisements. Social media is more addictive than ever, which allows companies to advertise to consumers almost 24/7. According to Survey Monkey, “On Facebook… as many as 51% of users admit to having clicked on an ad. They even influence consumers’ purchasing decisions. Nearly half of social media users (48%) have bought something after seeing an ad.”
It’s not just companies either, influencers are constantly pumping out paid promotions that may seem like normal content. “The notion that influencers are ‘one of us’ may go a long way toward inspiring trust, too. Up to 69% of consumers overall say they trust influencer recommendations, and 30% say they trust them more today than just six months ago,” reported Empower. Many consumers trust the influencers they watch, much like how you trust a friend to make a recommendation. Even if it is disclosed to be an ad, people trust their favorite influencers and celebrities sponsoring.
“I think we as a society are a part of the problem, but so are advertisers who lots of the time use sneaky tactics to make you think you need products you don't,” says Lola Christ, a junior in the Literary Arts pathway.
These ads work on many people, which pushes them to overconsume. Problems with overconsumption can develop into a shopping addiction. Shopping is easier than ever to get addicted to. Many started shopping online during the pandemic to ignore what was happening in the world during home confinement. For some, this could have spiraled into an online shopping addiction. In an interview with Cleveland Clinic, psychologist Susan Albers PsyD said, “Shopping often becomes a way of coping with stress, anxiety and depression… Spending money is a way to fill emotional voids, escape from negative emotions and experience a temporary boost.” Shopping can give you the same dopamine boost that things like drugs and alcohol do.
This is why some are doing Project Pan, to curve their shopping addiction and use the things they bought in the past. “I truly think people are waking up to the fact that these useless items aren’t actually making them happy,” says Drama Kween.
Some influencers are trying to fight this big push for buying with ”de-influencing” videos. They compare the newest stuff at Walmart or Target to things they already own. These types of videos highlight the fact that you may not need the newest thing because you already own it. This creates a mentality that supports being happy with what you have, which is very rare in a society that is pushing you to buy more and more.
This is why some are doing Project Pan, to curve their shopping addiction and use the things they bought in the past. “I truly think people are waking up to the fact that these useless items aren’t actually making them happy,” says Drama Kween.
Some influencers are trying to fight this big push for buying with ”de-influencing” videos. They compare the newest stuff at Walmart or Target to things they already own. These types of videos highlight the fact that you may not need the newest thing because you already own it. This creates a mentality that supports being happy with what you have, which is very rare in a society that is pushing you to buy more and more.
Another reason people are implementing plans like Project Pan and No By 2025 is because of the economy. “I think with Trump in office and the looming threat of tariffs and economic failure people are trying to be much more aware of how they spend,” says Christ.
People are concerned about the uncertainty of inflation and the overall economy, thus they are trying to save up for essentials that may hike in price, such as groceries or gas. “Phasion Keel, who lives in South Florida, says she has so far saved $300 in January [alone]. Her frugality includes an end to impulsive runs to Dollar Tree, only refilling lip glosses and body washes, and cutting out “buy now, pay later” programs like Klarna and Afterpay,” reported CNN.
Project Pan and No By 2025 clearly have a lot of benefits. It saves money, reduces the amount of products that may go unused and expire, and it encourages mindful consumption.
So, what if you want to try it? You may be presented with a problem. “...a lot of the time I buy [makeup] and the shade isn't as good as I'd anticipated or the texture isn't as good and I don't want to finish those ones,” says Christ. This is a problem that many panners face when they first try to participate in Project Pan. Some find that applying products in a different way helps when they dislike the formula or color. In an interview with Vouge, a panner called Glowymino said, “In being forced to use them, I was able to find different application techniques that worked better with the formula.” Working with what you have is a big part of Project Pan. It incentivizes the notion that what you have is enough.
Project Pan is an important step in creating less stigma around not having the newest things. It could normalize using what you have, which would be a big deal for the less fortunate who are often looked down upon for not having the latest trends. Extending this to other aspects of your life could make you all the more sustainable.
People are concerned about the uncertainty of inflation and the overall economy, thus they are trying to save up for essentials that may hike in price, such as groceries or gas. “Phasion Keel, who lives in South Florida, says she has so far saved $300 in January [alone]. Her frugality includes an end to impulsive runs to Dollar Tree, only refilling lip glosses and body washes, and cutting out “buy now, pay later” programs like Klarna and Afterpay,” reported CNN.
Project Pan and No By 2025 clearly have a lot of benefits. It saves money, reduces the amount of products that may go unused and expire, and it encourages mindful consumption.
So, what if you want to try it? You may be presented with a problem. “...a lot of the time I buy [makeup] and the shade isn't as good as I'd anticipated or the texture isn't as good and I don't want to finish those ones,” says Christ. This is a problem that many panners face when they first try to participate in Project Pan. Some find that applying products in a different way helps when they dislike the formula or color. In an interview with Vouge, a panner called Glowymino said, “In being forced to use them, I was able to find different application techniques that worked better with the formula.” Working with what you have is a big part of Project Pan. It incentivizes the notion that what you have is enough.
Project Pan is an important step in creating less stigma around not having the newest things. It could normalize using what you have, which would be a big deal for the less fortunate who are often looked down upon for not having the latest trends. Extending this to other aspects of your life could make you all the more sustainable.
