1 Year of Shopping Polish Pickup: Tips, Tricks, & What I’ve Learned

[@patriciamadigan5366]

PPU swatch videos are my downfall haha. Especially 'Caitlin Swatches' and 'Nicole loves nails' showcase all the polishes SO well that they make me want polishes I usually wouldn't even like lol

[@patriciamadigan5366]

@@MapleCheerUp haha, me too. She also captures shifty polishes SO well.

[@JJBabbles]

Random destash tip: I've had a lot of luck by searching for People's ISO posts, for specific shades . Last week I wanted to destash some A England shades, so I searched various sales pages for the shade names, found an ISO post, from someone who'd been looking for these all year, reached out & made the sale 🥳 The Best part for me was being able to answer someone's ISO post & their joyous reaction to finally finding their ISO 😀 It's way less stressful & less work than listing items too 😂 My point being: If you really want to find a shade you missed out on - proactively making an ISO post can be really effective & give you a better chance than simply browsing groups, waiting for people to sell 😀 Hope that made sense🤦‍♀️

[@chasetaylor0000]

Another way I narrow down my wishlist is to see which ones have caps and focus on those first.

[@angelamodi2923]

Cosmetic Sanctuary has a blog & she has the largest amount of polishes with swatches. I definitely like to watch videos on live swatches & other peoples wishlists

[@MediocreManis]

Yes! I do check out her blog from time to time, it seems like a lot of work!

[@bluebluemoon3835]

I also wanted to mention that July is always the month makers bring back their most popular polishes from the year, so to your great “be patient” advice - if something is truly awesome it may come back around! also good to know in case you want to budget for more polishes that month.

[@bluebluemoon3835]

the top half of my comment didn’t show up (my internet issues, sorry!), but I had said to keep in mind that you can mute FB groups for 30 days. I always do that in months when I’ve decided I’m not buying from them- otherwise it just takes one great swatch photo/video to make me reconsider

[@MediocreManis]

That's a smart idea as well! I hadn't thought about muting the page

[@annagracehow]

I think PPU (and HHC) are such awesome community created projects and I love that it gives smaller brands the chance to get name recognition and I love seeing which polishes become the bestsellers every month, however I do really wish they they'd open a Canadian site like they have for the UK, especially with how much shipping costs have risen. It's such a bummer to see Canadian makers like PPP and Clionadh have such awesome PPU polishes that I'd have to pay $15-20 USD to have shipped back over the border. However I do feel very lucky that July is my birthday month so if I do want to take the plunge and indulge I have literally the best of the best to choose from.

[@nluther22]

I haven’t purchased from PPU in a hot minute but these are great tips! I also like to “shop my stash” and try to find dupes within my own collection to keep my wishlists down 😅

[@nvrnakednails1231]

I have been doing a whole more of that lately, and it really such a great tip!

[@honeybraswell625]

Yes that's what I am doing

[@an2theg145]

I love watching the swatch videos, they help a lot bc sometimes I think I like it till I see it swatched

[@jeanams07]

I just discovered PPU last October and totally agree with these tips! Something I do that I have found extremely helpful is taking screen shots of the polishes I buy each month and keeping them in an album on my phone, as well as a spreadsheet of all of them that includes the descriptions of the polishes. This helps me to avoid buying too similar of polishes each month, because I can easily compare my wishlist with the polishes I already have. And I limit myself to two polishes each month as well. This keeps me to only buying the ones I absolutely feel like I cannot live without. I have rarely felt like I have missed out when doing this, especially since very similar polishes come out all the time, like you mentioned.

[@mlwgurl]

It's been about 4 months. I love you for putting out this video and getting me over my fear of the unknown with PPU. My WALLET however, has other thoughts... 😅

[@patriciamadigan5366]

Definitely would like to know about destash pages. Certain KZbinrs often say that they snagged a polish from a destash page but never share where from even when asked.

[@MediocreManis]

I filmed a chatty video for next month that will tell you all about how I find them and shop from them!

[@patriciamadigan5366]

@@MediocreManis ooh, great, thank you :)

[@hurricanepolish]

Unfortunately miss packed orders happen, and then the FOMO is really bad. I have had a polish missing from an order and there were none left and unfortunately you are SOL. You get your $ back but there is no way for you to ever get the polish. Count it as a blessing you haven’t had any incorrect orders - it seems to happen to me frequently. 🥺

[@gaylecooley3630]

I love PPU! I have been so lucky that I have never missed out on a polish that I wanted. Like you, I have never had a bad experience buying from them.

[@KH-mamabear]

Thank you for the tips for PPU. Just got into the FB page, it’s helpful and harmful. Your tips should help minimize wallet damage. One tip I use when budget is super tight-the best polishes come back for PPU Rewind in July. So I might save up my polish funds for a few months and allow for a bigger buy. Always appreciate your videos!

[@MediocreManis]

Lol yes the fb page is a bit of an enabler at times but I do like that I get to see stuff earlier so I have longer to decide!

[@FrequentBreaks]

I also love that often (or always? Not sure!) the PPU Overstock sale raises money for a good cause. I shopped them recently when they were donating money to support refugees from the war in Ukraine.

[@LindaM2005]

This was great. I remember how confusing PPU was when I first found it. I still find your "wishlist with me" videos helpful when I'm trying to make my final decisions about what to buy. I haven't had any problems with PPU in a little more than a year I've been using it. The one thing I would add is that shipping outside the US can take a considerable amount of time, so anyone non-US, even to Canada, should expect that. I think they might leave the international orders to the end of their shipping time to send out because there's more paperwork they have to do for them. And that's understandable.

[@mkg2124]

Thank you for this video! I just shopped PPU for the first time, and this makes the whole process easier to understand.

[@jeanettemarkley7299]

I shop PPU every few months or so and I get one and my husband gets one. I try to keep my collection smallish.

[@luciditykitty2960]

So funny...I love your idea of limiting your "vision" for the month...i.e., I am not going to look at anything blue because I know my favoritisms, and want to actually add those colors I don't have a lot of, etc. I was thinking about how I never seem to have enough cremes in my inventory, so I have said to myself to only look for cremes, and then there are none, or very few because PPU is not about single ingredient polishes for the most part. Ok, so then I see none, well damn if that doesn't stop me! I think, "Well, there aren't any cremes, so I could go ahead and buy 1 shimmer polish." Works until I see the next flakie bomb. LOL 🤣 "Viva la Résistance!" But, I do get your point, and I really enjoyed your tips! I really learned from your idea of displaying all of your choices at once and to be patient that another very similar product may appear on the market. This is brilliant! I can't tell you how many times I have received an order of polish from last month's PPU only to realize that the recent order that I placed to an individual website contains a polish very similar to the one I am waiting for from PPU! All that being said, PPU is absolutely wonderful! I LOVE the unique formulas and excitement of getting limited additions. Certainly a wonderful way for artists to connect to their audiences!

[@theoneandonlyfo]

love the idea of setting arbitrary rules! it's such a funny and clever way to limit yourself. i've maybe done it in the past, but never thought of it as being arbitrary even though it totally is. 💀

[@theoneandonlyfo]

came back to refresh my brain on this (and to see if i could learn what afterparty is); are you excited for Grandpa's Garden to be coming back for rewind? ^^

[@CajunSunshineCrafts]

THANK YOU so much for this video! I just finished watching the live video that you posted yesterday, then immediately went search on KZbin, "How does PPU work," and your video was the one and only there! This was so informative and explains ALOT. Can I just say that I love you! Your personality is genuine and doesn't seem faked. You interacted with everyone (even tho I missed you live) I felt like you were talking to me. I am subbed to your channel, and the bell is clicked, but I did not get a notification that you were going live. I would sure like to be in the next ones, so please, please let a girl know!! BTW I am 56, own a bar and I think we could probably be besties if you were closer! LMAO... Keep on keepin' on!!

[@MediocreManis]

Thanks so much! A lot of people told me the same thing about not being notified so I'm gonna check if there's an issue on my end for the next one!

[@ellelovescats3]

This is an incredibly useful video, I used to do some of these things, got lazy and stopped, now I'm going try all of these again

[@FrequentBreaks]

This is such a great video - I’m definitely going to share it with people who ask me about PPU. Your followers are always so helpful with their comments - I actually learn a lot reading your comment sections! You’ve been killing it this vlogmas and I’m so glad I found your channel!

[@MandyMae31415]

Thanks for the great video! I am still a PPU newbie and this will be really helpful for the next time I try to purchase. I do hope you keep doing the wishlist with me videos as your commentary is hilarious! My one rule in buying thus far is: can I create a “close enough” dupe with polishes I already own? It encourages me to experiment more within my own collection, like shopping your own closet.

[@jessicawalton4690]

I’ve been using the holo taco shimmers to help me try and use up a creme i have a holo taco dupe of (don’t want to bin it but wouldn’t be worth destashing) and I keep thinking wow i have seen a bunch of shimmers that look similar- i hope they release more of the shimmer toppers

[@MandyMae31415]

@@jessicawalton4690 based on Cristine’s pattern, I bet HT will come out with more shimmer toppers in February. I couldn’t wait (I was looking for a red/orange one) so I added one of the ILNP shimmer toppers try with my Black Friday order. They seem to have good reviews and I think Kelli Marissa did a video on them.

[@MediocreManis]

I'll definitely keep doing the wishlists with me! They're such a fun video to film!

[@karenmcconaughey2606]

I have the Calendar on my Favorites for PPU. This was my first time purchasing at PPU. I was going to stay away, but I saw some swatches on KZbin that I had to have. I also have the dates and times on my calendar, so I get notified when PPU is open.

[@glitterallynat]

Glad to see that I’m not the only one making up completely random/arbitrary rules for myself. 😅 I definitely have a collector/completionism mindset, so the rules help me a lot with paring down HHC especially. It has to be a maker I know that I like and a theme I like, or I immediately knock it out.

[@MediocreManis]

I always make up weird rules for myself throughout the day haha. I don't know why but sometimes making life feel like a little game helps.

[@mleshoestar777]

I know this vid is a year old, but it was super useful to me :) cheers

[@Genista18]

Great video as always very informative. Unfortunately I have had two occasions of breakage (once a polish , once a glass file) the polish I was refunded since it had sold out, the glass file was sent with my next order so great customer service. One tip I can share is even if the polish you wanted sells out initially (before Friday is over) due to its popularity the maker may try to increase the cap and it may become available again during the sale window. I have experienced this on two occasions so check back on the site even if it seems you may have missed out when you first checked. Another thing I do at times (if my list is too long and I just can’t decide what to eliminate ) I wait until Sunday or Monday to purchase so my list is shortened naturally because some on my list sold out. I just tell myself those that remained were meant for me 😅

[@jessicafrazon7393]

I do the exact same thing! It really helps someone as indecisive as I am. Once you do this for a while, you start to get a feel for which brands tend to sell out. I've also noticed that certain brands almost never increase their cap, so for those certain brands, like nailed it, I would buy right away if I really wanted it. Another thing, you start to notice certain brands will usually not have a cap, and that can be devastating if you rely on that norm and then one month they end up having to place a cap on their polish and then it sells out. That happened to me once, so now I always double check them all.

[@Genista18]

@@jessicafrazon7393 yes 🙌 I will only set my alarm for must haves with low caps and purchase immediately as the site opens, but the rest on my list I like but can’t decide I leave up to fate for Monday. Cause the extra shipping will be reimbursed after the orders are combined anyway.

[@MediocreManis]

Yes, a great tip! I completely forgot about that, thank you!

[@radbu1075]

Yes, if you are in the Facebook group, the maker will usually announce there if they are going to increase the cap and make more.

[@mggrx12]

been shopping from PPU since Jan and this is the video that helped me take the plunge, ty!

[@PureWolf467]

This is actually so helpful ❤ I was waiting this whole month and checking the different brands pages to see if there were any updates! I wish I’d known about the calander

[@BluebirdLacquer]

This is super informative. I set a cap for myself every month too! I love handmade soaps and I only buy what I know I’ll use so I’m able to enjoy them. ❤

[@elevatedintuition]

This was the first month I discovered Polish Pick up. I blame Nicole loves nails and Caitlin Swatches. LOL. But thanks for this info. It is really helpful!

[@cami-mani]

Those are great tips! Setting a reminder is great, especially if you live in a different time zone. I also like the wishlist feature. I like to set limits too. This is very helpful also for anyone shopping PPU for the first time.

[@MediocreManis]

I especially need it for different time zones because I always forget to do the math ahah

[@cherrybomb1386]

I always set an alarm ⏰️ its early for me so im asleep when it opens

[@elleng8359]

Thanks for addressing FOMO!! 😊

[@kimberlyanderson3330]

This is very very helpful!!! Thank you so much. I couldn’t find any videos to help me understand what was happening with PPU

[@DoveNative]

I was so confused about how PPU worked. This helps so much! Thank You 😊

[@MoodysMood-lt6wh]

So glad I came across this video! I'd only heard of PPU much earlier this year, and didn't place an order until this past July. This was very helpful! Thanks!

[@danamarie0424]

I agree with all your advice. I started with polish just a few months ago & trying to buy everything became overwhelming. I go in and pass anything holo or reflective. I like flakes so they go in wishlist and I go over wishlist during the week. What do I HAVE to have? I allow 2 but did end up with 4 last month but that has not been my norm. It has gotten easier realizing what I love & what colors I love or don’t have a lot of. I try to be strategic now 😂

[@kellyblake7250]

Finding this video in October 2023. Thank you, I really needed this info!

[@cherrybomb1386]

I have had one polish arrive broken and a couple times a missing shade in 3 or 4 years of shopping ppu

[@brazenspider]

Cosmetic sanctuary does swatch videos more and so does cbd nails.

[@BrittMFH]

They are probably the best two comprehensive swatchers at present. 👍

[@jenn7152]

@MediocreManis hiiiiii 👋🏽👋🏽… I know you mentioned that the polishes are limited edition and can’t be sold on the makers website, but they actually can sell them after a certain time period passes which I think is 2 months (don’t quote me). I know this because some of my favorite makers sell their overflow of PPU that they didn’t fully sell at PPU launch, on their website on a future date. Now while there are some makers that sell their previous PPU creations, there are also some makers that NEVER sell their PPU polishes out of PPU lunch.

[@MediocreManis]

They can sell them as mysteries but from what I've heard, they cannot sell them by name

[@lisapierce525]

I’m backtracking through your videos and this was great! I just made my first purchase on PPU. I watched your wishlist with me video and then saw Katlin’s video. I love the polish I purchased & wish I had bought a backup.😂 The only issue I have is that the polish came in a bubble wrap & the box was somewhat crushed. That kinda ticked me off. I didn’t join so, I don’t know. It was fun! Thanks for this informative, wise info!

[@RoseA.Dewine]

Great video! Good tips for much of life. Do you have a video that explains exactly what PPU is to someone who has zero clue? PPU for absolute beginners? I just never even heard of it before.

[@lizlizzy103]

My tip would be don't buy stamping plates. They just drop them in without additional packaging. I've had two badly bent plates. Hit the Bottle plates will end up on Lantern & Wren and their customer service is top notch.

[@MediocreManis]

I got one last month and it was really well bubble wrapped! I think they just put them in however the maker sends them and unfortunately they don't all give them the protection they need.

[@lizlizzy103]

@MediocreManis the two I got had no bubbler wrapper and it was thrown in with the KB sugar scrub. It was practically in half. They do give refunds

[@LizCowanSC]

Great video! So much good information for newbies! 😊 A couple other swatchers on KZbin: CDBnails and Lisa from Cosmetic Sanctuary has started doing videos too. They both showcase a lot of polishes. The Polished Mage and Pampered Polish also have PPU live swatch videos but not as many as the others you mentioned.

[@SBP_BurlyQ]

Never quite understood what PPU was! Thank you so much for all of the information ❤

[@8honeybunnie8]

I've been shipped the wrong polish once, but they fixed it without fuss. I always look at a polish from several different places. Often it looks great in one photo but then not so great in others. I try to find pics in different lighting. I also look at application and make sure it's not going to be a pain to apply.

[@lifeandrandomness1868]

Excellent video~thank you!! I feel very well prepared to place my very first PPU order tomorrow!!!!

[@alissaho]

also ppu rewind is a good chance to get the faves... or the afterparties on various other websites.

[@salonyx3364]

Yo, drop the planner! Great tips and advice - one thing I like to do is use the inspo as tie breakers if I can’t decide, or choosing a brand I haven’t tried yet.

[@MediocreManis]

Haha it's called a Hobonichi, it has kind of a cult following!

[@drea_furball]

This was very helpful, as I just learned about PPU last month! Can you film a video like this about Hella Handmade Creations?

[@jessicafrazon7393]

They are very similar. I know there is at least one video out that compares the two. I saw it quite a while ago, so I can't even remember who made it. Sry I couldn't be more helpful. Hopefully you can find it. Or maybe someone else will remember who it was and comment.

[@Genista18]

Yes as @Jessica Frazon said same concept. HHC is a little smaller (less makers) but much bigger sale window. I believe wishlisting starts at beginning of the month and sale period is always from 14th-21st of each month. Makers also individual themes for (anywhere between 4-12 months their discretion) so you can end up with a mini exclusive collection and the overstocks from previous months are on the website during sales. Hope the information is helpful 👍🏽

[@MediocreManis]

I still haven't shopped from HHC but I think it's very similar to PPU!

[@GriethDay]

This was very helpful, thank you.

[@MissNemou]

I really enjoyed this video! and just hopped over to you destash video 😂

[@jsmnsch19]

Thank you for this video! For some reason, I couldn't find that PPU group on fb, but now I'm all set.

[@nataliesirota2611]

Thanks so very much for all the info! I have not shopped from them yet, mostly because it seemed confusing.

[@norma9134]

Helpful af, thanks!

[@arisunohana]

I’ve never known about overstock until now! Thank you so much for that tip. ☺️

[@cristinaimpoverished7435]

I am very interested in the destash pages video! I desperately need to destash my own collection. Also, what was that convention you need a tickets for that you mentioned?

[@MediocreManis]

Its called Polish and Beauty Expo!

[@agatabg]

Great video and lots of good tips! Nothing to add since everyone in here has great tips and tricks!!!...

[@fieldsofheather_]

Can you share what eyeshadow you are wearing? It's beautiful!

[@KzooBeerGirl]

I always start with anywhere from 12-20 polishes on my wishlist and most months I'm able to get it down to ~3-4. Last month I only got 2 polishes and this month I'm only planning on getting one polish and the KBShimmer scrub.

[@MediocreManis]

I got mine down to 2!

[@cat9lives999]

Thanks for the info. I may have to get that Krampusnacht one!

[@christinesteiner7023]

Great video Hilary, thank you so much. I like the idea of an arbitrary approach. The FB group was my rescue - I am now saving photos of favs and build collages of similar ones so I have an idea ahead of time where traps for me lay this month and what polishes I might not want to miss. 8 pages of polish choices are overwhelming to me. Living in Switzerland for me it is all about the balance of getting the most out of shipping fees without paying customs 🤓💸

[@an2theg145]

I just started buying nail polish last year, does it get easier to make your personal cap smaller the more polishes you have? Every month for PPU and HHC I want like 20-30 polishes 😂 it’s soooo hard to narrow it down!!!

[@MediocreManis]

I went through the same thing! The more PPU's I shopped, the more I realized there were often similar polishes across different months so it became easier to cut certain things off my list because I knew something similar might pop up in the future. Now I try to pick stuff that I feel is super unique or I've rarely seen!

[@angelamodi2923]

I also wishlist early & pare down thru the week I have an alarm set five min early I will also see if I can recreate a polish or check if I have something similar enough to lessen my fomo and I know this may seem excessive but I will also wishlist & load my cart on both the website & the app just in case one of them has issues then I’ll go to whichever one I didn’t purchase through & delete everything

[@MediocreManis]

I think that's super smart! I had troubles with the app so I totally get why someone would load both!

[@ashleyj0]

I really love this bc i recently joined ppu. Also.. is that a cuddle duds fleece top, if so i have the same one lol. I want the things i want - amen!! I HATE missing out!

[@frickinfrick8488]

I don’t understand the rule preventing makers from selling PPU polishes on their own site. I don’t see an upside to it besides manufacturing rarity to boost sales through PPU. It seems like it would be good for everyone if makers could bring back popular shades, and the restriction discourages brands from creating the best they can since they can’t keep it in their lineup.

[@MediocreManis]

They are allowed to sell them as mystery polishes on their site but I'm not totally sure why the rule stands after the polishes month is up!

[@TheNailPolishHound]

It’s so sad that the UK arm of PPU has closed, it was our chance to get brands that don’t ship to the UK. The taxes, customs and shipping mean it is completely unviable to order from the US site 😢

[@MediocreManis]

I know, I feel really disappointed for you guys. I wish shipping overseas wasn't so dang expensive

[@cherrybomb1386]

😢that is so sad

[@auntsuesue]

Thank you! This video helps a lot!

[@ashleyj0]

My comment 9 months ago.. "pfff.. 4 weeks?!" Me coming back today many ppu orders later: "i bow down to the all-knowing Hillary!" ❤

[@WarriorGirl_113]

Tfs!!!! Loved this! Very informative!!! =0)

[@pattycakes9times]

Does anyone know if clicker or other nail oil pens are reusable?

[@MediocreManis]

They can be but they're tough to open and often break in the process

[@ashleyj0]

Jeez.. i didn't realize it takes a month + to get your order. I guess i should've paid attention to your first 3 sentences of this video lol. My bad. Yeah, I'm not trying to buy polish 4 weeks in advance. 😒

[@MediocreManis]

Yeah, it's a preorder system. It can be a daunting wait sometimes but the polishes are beautiful!

[@8honeybunnie8]

Honestly I don't mind. It's like receiving a surprise because you've forgotten what you ordered. Past me really knows my taste.

[@ashleyj0]

Yeah you're right they ARE so beautiful but omg i'm so impatient waiting that long would feel like torture lol. Dangit. Eventually i'll cave, i'm sure

[@ashleyj0]

Ok... update.... 😂😂😂.... fully sucked in ppu, hhc, ALL and any preorders.. and 100% all your advice is extremely helpful 👍👍

[@cat_623]

I've been shopping from PPU for 6 years now and never knew about that calendar!! And thanks so much for the overstocks website.

[@gracelarsh6352]

Thank you, I've only picked up a couple from PPU but you provided some very valuable information. I will be checking out the overstock PPU page, I missed a few I really would have liked and I might get lucky.

[@Sonja_Hopeful]

Oh no, now that I know about PPU Overstock my wallet is in even more trouble!