Use It or Lose It May: Pan and Purge Project 2020

Body Soufflé | Human + Kind

Monday, March 2, 2020

Use It or Lose It February: Pan and Purge Project 2020

Greetings, dear readers, and happy Monday! It has been quite some time since I've posted on a Monday here on the blog! I have a few things I really would like to try to post this week, and I figured an early jump might help with those plans. Whether or not it all happens is another story, but I'm certainly going to try! Now let's get to today's post!

I decided once again to challenge myself to use and/or destash my beauty products this year; my goal for 2020 is to pan and purge a total of 175 items. While it certainly would be a lofty goal if all I did was pan items, destashing products that I just don't use or really enjoy (but still held onto as if my life depended on it) makes my goal attainable. My numbers for February pale in comparison to January's, but I'm hoping to make good progress testing out my potential destash pile this month.

These are the items that have left my stash in February.

Use It: The Empties

As the subtitle suggests, these are the items I have finished up this month.

Cosmetics

Photo Focus Foundation | wet n wild x2

I have a variety of open foundations, so it took some time to get these empty, but I did it! These are the original matte formula, and since wet n wild didn't have my exact shade, I ended up purchasing two and tweaked them to get pretty close to my colour. It's not been kept secret that these have a rather unpleasant chemical smell, but I found the smell disappears rather quickly, allowing me to use these until completion. I actually really enjoyed these as an affordable drugstore option, but I really wish they had a bigger shade range. The brand's cruelty-free status has been a hot topic since it has been discovered they sell in China, so between these points, I don't foresee repurchasing these.

Nourishing Lip Polish | PIXI Beauty

I have bent and twisted this tube so much to get every drop out I could that the writing on the the tube has come off! I've been using this product (not this particular tube!) for a few years now and really like it! The textured silicone applicator allows for gentle exfoliation, but it is the product itself that I like. Filled with shea butter and a blend of oils, the Nourishing Lip Polish has saved my lips from being wrecked when I end up with a cold and cannot breathe through my nose. I actually use it when I'm not sick as well, but the fact that my lips can sail through a cold without any noticeable difference speaks wonders about this product. It's a must have for me, and I already have a replacement open and in use.

Body

Rice Flower and Shea Shower Gel | Bath & Body Works

This is one of my favorite scents from B&BWs, and naturally it means that had to discontinue it! Every once in awhile they would have a clear-out, either in store or online, where I happen to stumble across a bottle or two, and I would snap them up quickly. I don't feel particularly strongly about B&BW's shower gels- they smell nice and leave my skin clean. It doesn't have the rich and luxurious feeling as some other brands, but I've never minded when I can get them on sale. As this is discontinued, I'm not so likely to replace this, although never say never!

Sugar Scrub (Cocoa & Cookies; Astronaut Ice Cream) | KBShimmer

I really enjoy sugar scrubs by KBShimmer, and these scents were no exception to that rule. Both these scents were exclusive to the Polish Pickup and unfortunately cannot be replaced, but KBShimmer offers a selection of 6 scents permanently on there site. Further, they have another Polish Pickup exclusive scent available coming this Friday; there's really no excuse to not be able to enjoy these! In an effort to work through my open stash, I've held off on getting more, but with two more jars close to completion, I think I'm about ready to start adding more for future enjoyment!

This was my first experience with this brand, and WOW, did I love this body moisturizer! It is creamy and moisturizing without a greasy after-feeling. My skin really loved this tlc this dry winter season, especially after the occasional leg shaving session! The smell is refreshing- light and clean. I have some other moisturizers I want to try to get through first, but I'm thinking about picking up another one of these when those are empty.

White Tea & Ginger Body Lotion | Bath & Body Works

White Tea & Ginger is my other favorite B&BWs scent, and of course, this one is retired as well. I'm not sure if my nose has become even more sensitive, but this (and another B&BWs lotion I'm using) smells stronger than I remember, so much so I cannot use it straight from the bottle as is. The lotion is light and not as moisturizing as I would like anyway, and I mixed this with another unscented moisturizer that felt more nourishing to the skin. I'm just not thrilled with the quality of these and won't be repurchasing, even if I do find my favorite scents, in the B&BWs lotion,

Hair

Smooth Blow Dry Anti-Frizz Cream | Garnier Fructis Style

I don't have too much issue with frizz in my hair, and generally whatever styling products I use end up combating that regardless of whether or not they were designed to prevent frizzy hair. The real reason I picked this up was because it offers heat protection for your hair, and that is something I do need. I wash my hair every three to four days, and unless I'm not feeling well or want it straight, I typically blow it dry. If I want my hair to be straighter, I have to take a flat iron to it. Even though I use a low temperature setting (I want to flatten my hair, not bake it), I still want my hair protected from the heat. This is a great and affordable option for me and a product I'm probably going to repurchase when I finish off another heat protector I'm currently working through.

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Lose It: Purged Products

These are the items that are not empty but I have decided to let go.

Monsoon Cuticle & Lip Scrub | KNI Beauty and Bath

This brown sugar and shea butter scrub + balm was an exclusive to the Polish/Indie Pickup and I snapped it up immediately. While it can be used on either your cuticles or your lips, my main interest was as a lip scrub. Other scrubs often come in pots, requiring me to pinch it out with my fingers and rub onto my lips. I do it because that's just what you do, but I love when I come across lip scrubs that are in a tube and can be directly buffed (gently!) on the lips before rinsing off. I actually used this tube most of the way through before setting it aside to try to get through one of my sugar scrub pots. Unfortunately, when I picked it up again, it had dried out just a little too much to be comfortable for use on my lips. I probably could still use it, but I think it is best to let it go. As this version was exclusive to the Indie Pickup I won't be able to replace it, but I definitely will be picking up the one they offer of their website once I finish up my open lip scrubs!

Eye Primer | Anastasia Beverly Hills

This little sample tube was an option to spend some of my Sephora points, and while I'm in no rush to use my points, I was interested in trying out this primer on my oily, hooded eyes. While the rest of my skin is normal to slightly oily, my lids are, pardon the expression, oily as fuck, and very few eye primers work well for me. I was actually pretty impressed with how well my eye makeup would hold up with this primer, but it feels so thick going on, no matter how tiny amount I would try to use, and it actually left my eyelids feeling uncomfortably dry. I had pretty high hopes on this one since I know others really enjoy it, but sadly it just did not seem to work with my body chemistry.

Master Pro Blush Brush | Royal & Langnickel

Royal & Langnickel chooses to describe this brush as soft on their website, and all I have to say is soft, my ass! Maybe I've just been spoiled by the soft synthetic brushes that have found there way into my brush collection, but this brush does not feel very pleasant on my face. It isn't the worst thing I've used, but I like my back scratched, not my cheeks. This brush is just not for me and I won't be missing it.

Master Pro Tapered Blender Brush | Royal & Langnickel

I have a weakness for eye brushes, so I was pretty excited to test out this brush after it arrived in my Royal & Langnickel Deluxe Mystery Box (like the previous brush, by the way). As it's in my destash list, it obviously did not perform well for me, and I've be struggling to figure out exactly why. I liked that it is fairly thin, as the wider blending brushes can be a little unwieldy with my hooded eyes, but I found it just did not want to actually blend colour at all. It was the same results regardless of primer or eyeshadow I would use, and I don't like having to put in a lot of work to try to make a product work when there are others on the market that do. I'm wondering if the bristles are either just not quite dense enough or a little too long, or just a combination of both, at least to be used with my techniques. I am disappointed to let this go, but I've got new brushes entering my life soon so I'll get over it.

Monthly Stats

Empties: 10

Purged: 4

Total: 14

Yearly Stats

Empties: 25

Purged: 29

Total: 54

February may not have been the most productive month when it came to pan and purging, but I still made respectable progress towards my goal of 175 products. I have a few products that I know will be empty before the end of the week that I thought would make it to my February list, but alas, it looks like they're just holding off. I didn't purge as much as I thought I would, but this month I plan to take advantage of my kids being out of town for Spring Break with the hubby, leaving me as quiet a week as my dogs a troublesome feline can manage. Overall, I would say that February wasn't great but not bad. At the end of the day, I still managed to remove 14 products from my life, and that ultimately is the goal.

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!

XO!

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Green Tea Seed Cream | Innisfree

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Final Counts: 2019 Purge and Pan Project

Press Samples Noted Below

Greetings, dear readers! It's been quite some time since I shared any details on my Purge and Pan Project. In fact, my last one was from July! Yikes! I had started compiling the next post through September, but since October started the craziness in my life, it just never ended up being published. I had asked this past weekend on my Instagram stories whether or not there was an interest in this post, and I have to admit I was a little surprised to see all the votes were for "Yes!" I guess you all like to see some empties!

Before I get into this last round of emptied and purged products from 2019, here is the previous numbers recap:

2019 Stats through July:

Empties: 72

Purged: 64

Total: 135

My goal was to rid my shelves of 150 products in 2019; here is the last batch of products to leave my house this year!

Use It: The Empties

Skincare

Cleanser | AB Skincare

I am very picky when it comes to my cleansers, and I have found so many to just be too harsh for my skin. That being said, I was still happy to test out this small sampler to see how it would perform for me. I actually really enjoyed this cleanser! My face felt clean after use but not stripped dry, nor did it turn me into a lobster. It's a little spendy to be literally washed down the drain (this travel bottle alone is $12), but it is a good cleanser and one I would use again if I can get it on a good deal.

Refining Sugar Cleanser | MyChelle Dermaceuticals

This is not the first, second, or even third time this product has appeared on my blog. This small sample was part of my BOUTIQUE box pick from Cosmoprof North America this summer; I just couldn't resist the option of getting a product I enjoy! I've since purchased a full size bottle and slowly working my way through it. To read my full thoughts on it, check out my post here.

Hydro Boost Water Gel Hyaluronic Acid | Neutrogena x 2

I have to rely on good skin care to keep my skin from turning into the desert like my environment.
I'm a fan of hyaluronic acid, and this product spent some time as a staple in my routine. I'm currently working through a different product at the moment, but I just picked up another one of these for when the other runs on empty. This one just feels so good on my skin and leaves it feeling so smooth even before moving onto moisturizer!

MultiVitamin Serum | MultiV6
Press Sample

I reviewed this serum awhile back, but I had not quite finished it at that time. I definitely enjoyed it although I'm still working through other skincare items at the moment and haven't returned to it. It's still a great serum, but the $50 price tag isn't making me push others aside in favor of it. I really don't know how I end up with so much skincare to test out, but it does add a large delay from when I can use it again.

Vitamin Sadness Mask | MustaeV

I seriously love these masks, and this particular type has made a frequent appearance here on the blog as well. I'm still working my way though my mask stash, albeit crazy slowly, but I know I have another one or two at least of this one. I'm glad to have banned new masks from my life since the waste is ridiculous, but I admit this one is going to be hard when it comes to a final goodbye.

Herb Therapy Velvet Mask | Dr. Althea
Press Sample

I'm a firm believer that one time use of a mask isn't really enough to access how good it works, but I have to admit this one left my skin feeling really nice! I definitely felt very hydrated with this one, and I'm a little sad I don't have more in my stash. If you're suffering with dry skin and using one-time-use masks, this is a great option to consider!

Escargot + Propolis Revitalizing Mask | Elensilia-IntraCELL

I love Korean products with snail mucin, so I was happy when I was given this sample at a shop in New York this summer. My skin felt great after using it although the downside is it did not play well with my makeup application about half an hour later.

Cherry Gel Lip Mask | Oh K!
Press Sample

I was pretty excited to try this, but this lip mask was a big disappointment. The mask is so heavy that it does not stay in place at all unless you lay down and don't move. I din't find it to leave my lips feeling moisturized, and the skin around my lips was actually inflamed and irritated. I've found my skin to be getting less sensitive over the years, so I'm a little surprised to see how my skin reacted to it. Even without the irritation, this is a hard pass for me.

Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks | Wander Beauty x 5

I generally don't gravitate towards eye masks like these, but I was gifted several and really wanted to try them out. I actually enjoyed these! My under eye area looked brighter, my under eye circles were less noticeable, and my eyes just looked healthier in general. I have another one or two of these left and will be sad when they are all gone.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea | Mario Badescu

I love this spray as a pick-me-up when my skin is feeling a little dull and/or dry! I'm reasonably sure this isn't the first time I've shared this product here, and I have another one in use now. I also just introduced my mother-in-law to it and she loves it too! I've also started using it by giving my skin a spritz post-cleansing to slightly dampen the skin before adding in my skincare products. Mario Badescu offers two other varieties, but this one is my go-to.

Superfood Peptide Eye Cream | Youth to the People

This eye cream is proof that you don't have to spend a fortune on an eye product to have good results! This small jar packs a powerful punch to keep wrinkles at bay and just makes your eyes look brilliant! I've gone through a couple jars and have been testing others since emptying this one. Needless to say, I'm picking up another one of these this week!

Protini Polypeptide Cream | Drunk Elephant

This small sample was part of Sephora's birthday gift for insiders this past year, so I'm sure many of you have already tried this for yourself. I enjoyed the formula for a day cream, and I liked how quickly it absorbed into my skin. I also greatly appreciated how well it played under my makeup routine! As much as I enjoyed it, the $68 price tag has made me shy away from buying the full size container. Should I ever find it on a great deal, I'm likely to buy it, but it would have to be one heck of a deal! There are other great moisturizers available for a more affordable price so we'll see if I ever use this again.

Vitamin C Caviar Balm | Pixi Beauty

I know Pixi Beauty has other cult products, but they just don't quite do it for me (looking at you, Glow Tonic). Instead, this Vitamin C Caviar Balm is one of my top Pixi Beauty products. Since it got even drier with fall and winter, I started using it almost every day, and I'm seeing some of my stubborn dark spots finally fading away. I'm working my way through another tube now!

Multivitamin Day Cream | Multi V6
Press Sample

I wasn't crazy about this day moisturizer and found it left my skin on the drier side. Once I added other products into my routine, I was able to successfully use it to completion, but at the end of the day, this is a pass for me. More details can be found on my initial review here.

Multivitamin Night Cream | Multi V6
Press Sample

While the Day Cream left me wanting more, the night cream was much nicer! It isn't quite as rich as I like for night time use, but I did enjoy using this during the day. I'm not overly fond of the screw cap jar, but since I use scoops for this type of product, it isn't a total deal breaker for me. I've not bought a replacement yet, but I'd possibly pick it up to use again. My full review is here.

I've been a fan of the Innisfree brand since I stumbled across it a couple years ago, so I really was eager to test out this particular cream. It is a little on the heavier side, so it was ideal for me as my night cream. I've since moved on to other items as I am always testing products, but whenever I'm in the market to purchase another night time moisturizer, I wouldn't hesitate to get another jar of this one.

Collagen & Retinol Serum | Pixi Beauty

I picked this up because I wanted to try out the retinol aspect of this product. It contains collagen, which it too large to effectively cross over into the skin, so I don't think this would work effectively. I don't think it's a bad product, but I was underwhelmed with it; I have no intentions of picking up another for future use. I wouldn't say I dislike it, it just left me wanting more.

Lip Sleeping Mask (Vanilla) | Laneige

The jar may be small, but WOW does this product last a long time! It took me almost a full year of daily pre-bed use (with every few exceptions) to get through this container: a little really goes a long way! I take care of my lips to make sure they aren't dry and flaky, and this is a major part of my routine! I've since picked up another in a difference flavor, although the vanilla is nice if you're a big vanilla fan.

Cosmetics

Face Natural Tinted Sunscreen | CōTZ x 2

Now known as Face Prime & Protect

I LOVE this sunscreen, and while it is a sunscreen, I decided to put it in with my cosmetics section as it works well as a makeup primer. I had a small trial size open, but with no travel plans the second half of the year, I opted to use it up alongside my full sided tube. Boasting SPF 40, I know my skin is getting protection from harmful rays and I adore how smooth it makes my skin for makeup application! I've since picked up another tube (currently in use) and another for when that one runs out.

Orange Beauty Blender

I've used other blenders, but I figured it was time to break down and pick up the original Beauty Blender. I've used this one many times, but I prefer other sponges over this one. I've read that sometimes the different colours of blenders perform better than others so I suppose it is possible that is the case, but given the price tag, I'd rather get the cheaper ones that I know work well for me.

Lip Balm | Epically Epic Soap Co

Flavor: Minty Mojito

I've shared my love of the brand a few times, and it's actually shocking that I completed a lip balm! I love a mojito so this flavor profile is totally my jam. I've not picked up any lip balms recently, from this or any other company, but I do keep an eye on Epically Epic's social media in case there is a new flavor I just HAVE to pick up.

Hydra Color Lip Gloss (Juicy Peach) | Note Cosmetics

As I'm sure you can imagine, I have a lot of makeup. For me to finish a product like this is pretty impressive, and this is actually the second tube in this shade I have finished. Say what?? This is/was such a pretty peach hue that I enjoyed on its own for a very natural look or layered over other lipsticks. I'm so sad to see this go, especially since I don't think I can replace this. I spoke with someone this summer at Cosmoprof NA and she said the colour, if not the entire Hydra gloss line, is now discontinued. Boo! At least it was great while it lasted!

Matte Finish Setting Spray | NYX Cosmetics

I use a few different setting sprays, but this one by NYX is my most often used. It works well for me to set my makeup for the day, and the price point is fantastic! If I apply makeup early in the day, the initial application isn't quite going to get me through a late night, but for a workday or the days I don't get my makeup on until noon, it serves its purpose well.

Nails

Kur Gel Genius Top Coat | Londontown

I've not been changing up my nails as frequently for the last half of the year, and my manicures have been lasting me about two weeks. I've tried a range of top coats that I truly do enjoy, but when I want longevity, this baby is where it's at! I tried this product a couple years ago when I went on vacation and was blown away by it. It's a little more expensive than some of my other top coats, so I tend to use this when I want my nail lacquer to stay in place a week or more. I've still managed to go through a few bottles and need to get another one pronto!

Body

Hydrating Soothing Body Wash (Citrus Vanilla) | The Seaweed Bath Co.

I picked this up on a whim one day when I spotted it at Target; I'm so glad I did! I was intrigued by the scent profile and found it to be so uplifting without the BAM intensity you get from a lot of other citrus scented products. I'm not an expert in these types of products by any means, but it did leave my skin clean and feeling soft even before adding in lotion. I'm trying to go through a few other body washes I already have on hand although I do miss this body wash already.

Juice Cleanse Exfoliating Sugar Cubes | Harper + Ari

The scent combination of pineapple, kiwi and green apple is fabulous and one of the highlights about these exfoliating cubes! They are also conveniently packaged so you just grab one out, smoosh it up a little in water, and rub it on your body wherever you need a little smoothening out. My only real issue with these is the cubes are so firmly packed that you have you work to crush them up so you aren't ending up with larger pieces that are too abrasive for the skin. This alone would make me want to stay away from them now that this jar is empty, but that smell is giving me second thoughts. I think I'm just going to hunt for another scrub with a similar scent profile.

After The Rain Sugar Scrub | KBShimmer
Press Sample

Speaking of sugar scrubs, KBShimmer makes some of my favorites, including this yummy scented one! This particular scent was unfortunately exclusive to the Polish Pickup and can no longer be purchased, but you can bet I enjoyed it to the last sugar crystal in the jar! I've been hoarding the exclusive scents as long as possible since they cannot be replaced, but I finally accepted that more good scents would be coming and I should enjoy these. After The Rain was one of my favorites so here's hoping it makes a special comeback in the future!

Premium Coffee Body Scrub (Cinnamon) | Fivesso
Press Sample

Do small sample sizes count? It's in a container, even if it is a small one, so this coffee scrub is making it to my empties list. If you're a fan of coffee scents, you may love this brand lineup. This particular scrub was a combination of coffee, due to the beans, but with the added spicy warmth of cinnamon. The added cocoa butter, olive oil, and jojoba oil made this scrub leave my skin feeling incredibly soft. The scent is nice although it's not my favorite and one I want sticking to my skin all day long. My hubby claimed he didn't notice it after awhile, but my nose is sensitive and could pick it up long after he could. I'm not writing off coffee scrubs altogether, but I've not come across any that I have enjoyed as much as the one by Purlisse.

Hair

The 'Do Gooder | Cake Beauty

I found myself wandering Walgreens one day waiting for a prescription when I stumbled across this and decided to pick up a bottle to try. Something about the vibrant pink packaging called my name, but the dry shampoo itself left a lot to be desired. This is scented like lemon cookies with vanilla frosting, so the smell was pretty nice although not exactly my cup of tea. I didn't have issues with white residue; any hint I had easily blended out in my hair with a quick brushing. What I didn't like is that it didn't leave my hair feeling very clean. I use dry shampoo often, so I am under no illusions my hair will feel as clean as a shampoo and water cleanse, but yikes. It helped with some oil that would start to build up, but it left my hair looking dull and flat, a far cry from the promised "volumizing". Further, the slight cleaning effect wouldn't even last me for the full day after use in the morning. Perhaps it's because I'm a liberal user, but I can easily get through two days with one application with a variety of other brands I have used. This product is a pass for me, and unfortunately, as the intro to the brand for me, I'm not likely to try anything else from them. Honestly, I'm not sure why I even bothered emptying this bottle, it was that bad for me.

Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo | Not Your Mother's

Not this dry shampoo, on the other hand, works really well for me. I love the smell of coconut, and while this one isn't quite right, I still enjoy it a lot. My hubby, on the other hand, does not care for NYM's version of coconut and refuses to be in the same room as me when I use it. I tend to apply dry shampoo before my scalp gets oily (so usually before I go to bed after washing my hair early in the day) and then another light spritzing in the morning or mid-day of day two. This keeps any initial white residue under control, and any I do get is brushed out easily. I especially love that this shampoo delivers me texture and volume as promised. The low price point is an added bonus! I do like dry shampoo from Klorane the most, but at a quarter of the price, I'm happy to stick with this one 99% of the time!

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Lose It: Purged Products

Skincare

Eye Cream | Hard Night Good Morning

Even if a product doesn't work well for me, I often feel a little guilt when it comes to destashing. That was NOT the case when it came to this eye cream. I actually has a small sample that I used and loved, so when I stumbled across it at Whole Foods, I picked it up immediately. I still was finishing up a different brand's cream, and about three weeks later, I got to pop this open and use it. Oh. My God. The burning! While the sample was great, this turned my undereye area into a red, puffy mess. I had no idea what was causing it at first, as I wasn't using anything new-to-me. I had no thoughts about this eye cream being the culprit, and it took me stopping using all of my other products completely to narrow down this as the problem. I notified the company, especially since my sample wasn't problematic at all, and they just shrugged their shoulders at me and said "sorry, we can't do anything to help you." I can only speculate why my sample was good but the product I purchased was total sh!t. I actually have to write my official review on the samples I received and have been delaying it as I have no clue how to handle it. How do I review a product when the sample is great but consumers buy something else entirely? I'm still trying to figure out how I want to handle this one as I don't feel comfortable with product consistency.

Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum | Dot & Key

Press Sample

I reviewed this product this past fall, and I recommend checking out my review on the ins and outs of this particular product as I had a lot of feelings about it. In (very) brief, there were some benefits like the moisturizing properties, but some of the ingredients were a turn off for me (menthol, peppermint and lavender oils). It seemed to work well for my skin with very minor tingling that was short lived, but at the end of the day, I just didn't see myself grabbing for this over other skin care items. It was surprisingly easy to decide to just let it go altogether, although some people may love this one.

Night Shift Sleeping Mask | Julep

I'm not even going to link a website on this one because I'm still salty over how this company treated their Mavens, yours truly included. I'm still unpacking boxes a year after our move and found this baby in one of them. I don't recall disliking it when I used it, but it's old, and given the brand, I don't want it in my life.

Purifying Peel-Off Mask | Shills Natural Science

I don't know if I want to laugh or cry at the number of people that jumped on these masks to remove impurities from your skin. I own this, or I do until it does into the garbage once this post goes up, so I obviously jumped on the trend at the time myself. These masks actually are a little of both: you crying as your skin is partially torn off trying to remove it while so-called friends laugh at your pain. Seriously, what is up with that?

Cosmetics

Lip Glaze (Thankful) | Osmosis Colour

Press Sample

Y'all, this one hurts to put on this list, but it sadly needs to be done. I reviewed Osmosis lip glazes this summer and actually really liked this one a lot. The problem is it leaks like crazy, and I haven't been able to figure out how to make it stop. After cleaning up a mess in my handbag one time too many, I finally decided I was just done with it. I reviewed four of these that were sent to me at the same time, but this is the only one that had any leaking issues. I'm reasonably sure it's just this specific tube has some flaw so it won't keep me away from getting another.

Sparkle Me Til It Hurts (Blindfold)| Rude Cosmetics

While I'm ripping off the painful destash bandaid, I might as well follow up with this one. Like the name, this one does hurt to let go. I had picked it up at a trade show and it somehow got stuffed into a random, never-used suitcase pocket for the return home. After misplacing it, I forgot all about it until I broke the suitcase zipper and had to get rid of it. I don't know how or why I missed checking this pocket a year and a half ago, but low and behold, there it was. I was excited with my discovery until I realized the gel formula was as dry and hard as a brick. It's not expensive so I may pick up a replacement for it, but this particular one is sadly unusable at this point.

Smack-a-ron Matte Velvet Lipstick (Pie Bites) | Joah Cosmetics

This is another one I am a little sad to see go, but it just became necessary. The matte formula feels a little on the dry side, something I expect from the finish, but if you're a fan of layering with glosses like I am, it really doesn't matter. I adore the packaging on this and the colour is nice, but the packaging does not stay securely closed. If you like having cute items that stay on your vanity, this isn't an issue, but I need my lipsticks to be able to go in my purse for reapplication during the day. I can't tell you how many times I reached into a pocket to pull it out and grabbed an exposed lipstick bullet. Thankfully the drier formula kept it from making a mess all inside my bag, but having to wipe lipstick off my fingers all the time just started to annoy the bejeezus out of me. I have two more in other shades that I need to pay closer attention to to see if they also have this same issue.

Monsieur Big Mascara | Lancôme

Press Sample

I was sent this to review this past fall, so you can check out all my thoughts about this mascara on my original post. Most mascaras and I are not friends; even those that claim to be smudge-proof leave me with less-than-sexy raccoon eyes. I had issues with this mascara long before I go to that state: the formula is thick, and combined with the brush style, let me with horrible spider lashes. It's great for a Halloween look, but not for days I want to look nice. I've found that people either love or hate this mascara, and unfortunately, it's the latter for me.

4 Shadows and Liner Palette (Cocktail on the Beach) | Sephora

I remember picking up this eyeshadow palette several years ago! At the time, I couldn't quite find this colourway at the drugstore, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I wasn't sure would work on me. It's not a bad palette- the colours are still nice and the payout was ok for the price, but now I have more and better options.

??? Purple 6 shade palette | Pop Beauty

Now here's another blast from the past! I've owned this palette for a long time but don't recall when or where I go it. I wasn't crazy about the powdery formula, and the colours just weren't quite my jam. They're not shades I gravitate towards often now, and I have since acquired others like I prefer more. Rather than sitting unloved and taking up space, I'm letting it go.

Temptress Eyeshadow Palette | Profusion Cosmetics

After living somewhere with Targets that didn't stock this brand, I was so excited to be able to pick up several Profusion Cosmetics products when we came out to visit to prep for a move out here. I'm not sure if I purchased this during on of those visits or after my move, but it's time to let it go. The quality is not great but ok, but I'm ok with that given how affordable to brand is. Some of the shades don't have colour payout I hoped for, but again, taking the price into consideration, it's a good option for those on tight budgets. Some of the mattes are patchy when it comes to application, and since I have better quality eyeshadows in my stash, in the destash pile it goes! I have a couple other Profusion palettes I'm planning to use exclusively for a length of time that may or may not end up being culled as well.

August though December Stats

Empties: 36

Purged: 11

Total: 47

2019 Final Count

Empties: 108

Purged: 75

Total: 183

I did it! Not only did I hit my goal, I surpassed it by 33 products! I was reasonably sure I would hit my goal, especially since I included purging unloved and expired items from my stash, but it is still so satisfying to see the numbers creep up throughout the year. I had no plans to repeat this project this year, but after writing up this post, I decided I really should do it. I know it's just things going in the trash (or recycled or handed over to a friend if it's a good product just not for me), but I feel so accomplished and want to enjoy this again! I decided to set my goal for 175 products this year. Some of my skincare items I'm using right now are much more concentrated than my previous year's products, so it's obviously slowing down how quickly I can go through products. I'm hoping to do more purging this year as the latter half of 2019 had me on a more hectic schedule and I didn't test all the potential purge items as planned. Wish me luck!

For those of you that participated in a Purge and Pan type project last year, did you meet your goals? Are you planning to do one this year? I'd love to hear the details of your own goals: panning or purging? how many items? etc.

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!

XO!

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Pure Daily Foaming Cleanser | Huangjisoo

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Purge and Pan Challenge 2019: June and July

Greetings, dear readers! July has come to an end, so I figured it was time to share my collection of emptied and destashed beauty products. When I initially started this project, I had great plans of updating every month, but lately it seems to be every two months instead. What that means is fewer posts like this one, but it does make it a bigger beast to write depending on how many products I end up finishing. Let me know in the comments below if you prefer posts like this every month or every other month! Now on to today's post!

For those new to the blog, let me fill you in! I have joined in with several other beauty bloggers and vloggers on a challenge to actually finish up our beauty items rather than accumulate more and have a plethora of open containers at any given time. While the term "pan project" was initially geared towards emptying out powdered cosmetic items, hence the term "hitting pan", this project is a little more open to include other beauty items as well. We each have set a goal for ourselves. My goal for 2019 was to remove 150 beauty and cosmetic items from my vanity and drawers. I made my goal relatively large because not only am I emptying up products throughout the year, I wanted to challenge myself to get rid of items that I no longer use or enjoy. It's not always been easy, but I have definitely made some progress! Let's jump in on my "Use it or Lose it" project for the months of June and July!

Use It: The Empties

Skincare

Option: Brightening

I tested out a few other products by Huangjisoo earlier this year, and I really wanted to try out this cleanser. When it popped up on Zulily for a discounted price, I opted to snap one up. Am I so glad I did! It gently cleanses the skin without stripping it dry. My face is sensitive to so many other cleansers, and I am happy with how gentle this was for me. It's a little spendier than what I normally like for a cleanser at $25 a bottle, and I'm on the fence about buying another one. I'm currently using another cleanser that I like so I've got some time to think about it. If I see it pop up for a good deal again, I will definitely be jumping on it!

White In Milk Mild Foam | G9 Skin
Travel size

I got this mini bottle of this cleanser as part of a birthday package and finally got around to testing it out. I didn't think I would ever see the day where I would fall in love with a cleanser, but this one won me over instantly! This one was also gentle enough for my skin, and it left my face feeling both clean and incredibly soft. I enjoyed it so much I picked up a full sized version and am loving it! The full version is very affordable at only $10 and is my current preferred cleanser.

Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser | Drunk Elephant

I'm sure this is a cleanser many have tried out already as it is part of the skincare birthday option from Sephora this year. This was my official introduction to the brand, although I was already familiar with it beforehand. This is another really good cleanser, and I really like the jelly texture. The full size version retails for $32 so that is the only thing really keeping me from buying more. I still have a slight preference for the texture of the previous cleanser, but I wouldn't hesitate to use this one again if presented with the opportunity.

Whitening Joy Mask | MustaeV

It's no secret that I enjoy MustaeV masks, and I have had them here on my blog numerous times. My skin always looks so healthy and vibrant after I've used one! The Whitening Joy Mask is supposed to help lighten dark spots on your skin. To be honest, I don't use these often enough to really judge whether or not my dark spots are lighter.

Moisture-Lifting Pleasure Mask | MustaeV

This particular mask is infused with vegetable extracts to hydrate and tone the skin, and I certainly see that after I use it! I'm not sure that I see it more with this version in particular, but it doesn't stop me from using these.

I have two concerns with these masks. The first is even after absorption in the skin, the serums so not play well with makeup application for me. It dries slightly sticky, and it causes a lot of other skincare products and cosmetics to pill up. Because of this, I stick to using these masks in the evening before heading to bed. I then dab on my night time moisturizer rather than rub it in.

The other issue is the packaging. There is just no good way to recycle or reuse the packaging, so I have made a conscious decision to not purchase sheet masks in the future. As I mentioned previously, I have several masks on hand still to work through, so you'll still see the rest of my stash pop up here, but I'm not going to be purchasing any more. I would love to see MustaeV release their essence in a bottle so I can keep up with the brand once my masks are gone!

Olive Real Power Cream | Innisfree

If you have dry skin, let me introduce you to your new BFF. This stuff is rich and incredibly moisturizing! I have combination normal to oily skin, but I still loved to use this as my night moisturizer during the dry winter months. Since finishing this cream, I switched over to the Innisfree Green Tea Seed version as I don't need as strong of a product at this time. That being said, I'm likely to get back to this one when the weather turns cold again!

Hydra Genius Liquid Moisturizer | L'Oréal Paris

Option: Normal/Oily Skin

This isn't the first time using this product, and I have enjoyed using it. Oily skin skill needs to be moisturized properly, and this is a nice, light weight option that works for me. I like to use this in the day, and it works well with my other skincare products and makeup. I'm currently testing out another product and have no yet decided if I want to stick with this one or not.

Superfood Peptide Eye Cream | Youth To The People

After checking out some reviews on Sephora's website, I opted to pick up this eye cream to try out. With the added blench of spinach, kale, vitamins C, E, and K, and tripeptide, I knew this eye cream had a lot of potential. Super smooth and with quick absorption, I have been really happy with how well this performs on my skin. It also plays beautifully with my makeup so I can use this one cream both day and night.

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream | RoC Skincare

Like it or not, I am getting older with each passing day, but that doesn't mean my skin has to show it! Thankfully I can count on retinols, and more specifically, this night cream, to keep my skin looking its best! The Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream absorbs into the skin, and even with my sensitive skin, I've not had any issues at all with it! This product is a must-have for those looking to help prevent and reverse the appearance of aging!

Cosmetics

Face Natural Tinted Sunscreen (mini) | CōTZ

Now known as Face Prime & Protect

After some recent travels with this mini tube, I still had some left in this tube and opted to finish it off so I can toss this tube. I LOVE this sunscreen, and while it is a sunscreen, I decided to put it in with my "cosmetics" section as it works well as a makeup primer as well. My full size tube is just about empty, and I already picked up a new tube in the newer packaging for when that is out. A girl's gotta be prepared!

Ultra HD Foundation | MAKE UP FOR EVER

Shade:Y325

I love the foundation! I don't like full coverage foundation, so the medium coverage of this one works perfectly for me. The finish is fantastic and looks like skin. Not too matte and not dewy, I am a fan. The only major drawback is they do not make a single shade that is my perfect match. This particular one matches my face, but since the rest of my body is more golden olive, it sticks out awkwardly. I've been mixing this with other shades to get something that works, but I would love for MUFE to add more shades to this line!

Poutliner Longwear Lip Pencil (mini) | Marc Jacobs

Shade: Primrose

I got this lipliner as part of a nude lip kit. While I enjoyed using it, I'm not crazy about the idea of spending $25 on a lip pencil, especially with other options being so readily available.

Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara | L'Oréal Paris

Shade: Black

My skin has definitely changed over the years, and I found I could no longer wear regular mascaras without turning into Ms. Raccoon Eyes. I opted to give tubing mascaras a try with this drugstore option, and I've never looked back! I no longer have to deal with smudging, and I love that this washes off easily after a brief water soak at the end of the day. It isn't able to stand up to a good cry. so beware of watching tearjerkers!

Matte Finish Long Lasting Setting Spray | NYX Cosmetics

Between spritzing my eye brushes and the spritzing between makeup layers, I go through a fair bit of setting spray! Thankfully I have this affordable option to set my makeup all day! One caveat with this one is the spritz isn't quite as fine as I would like and occasionally there will be a noticeable droplet on my face. I simply dab it down with a beauty blender and move on with my day, but that is something to keep in mind if you want to try this setting spray. I already have another bottle open and in rotation on my vanity!

Nails

Clearly On Top Quick Drying Top Coat | KBShimmer

I have far too many nail lacquers to ever finish up a colour, but I do go through some top coat! This one my KBShimmer is one that I enjoy a lot and continue to pick up again and again. I love that the dry time is fast and it keeps my nail polish chip-free for easily a week until I change my nails out again.

Cuticle Oil | Ever After

Scent: Twisted Ice Tea

As an Arnold Palmer fan, I was drawn to the lemony-tea scent of this cuticle oil. This isn't the most moisturizing cuticle oil I've used, but I did enjoy using it all the same. At this time, Ever After has closed up shop, and I will not be repurchasing this one.

Hair and Body

Avocado + Olive Oil Smoothing Shampoo | Suave Professionals

I've used an assortment of pricey salon brands, but when I moved to Arizona, I needed to pick up something a little more affordable. I landed on this one, and I really enjoyed it! It left my skin feeling soft and smooth, and I didn't have any issues with it drying out my scalp. I'm currently using a different shampoo, but this is definitely on my list for when I need to buy more!

Avocado + Olive Oil Smoothing Conditioner | Suave Professionals

My hair is naturally wavy, but some days it gets curlier than others. I occasionally have issues with frizz, and this conditioner helped keep that under control. I was certainly impressed! I'm not sure how, but I managed to use this and the shampoo up within the same week. That never happens for me!

Shower Gel | Bath & Body Works

Scent: White Tea and Ginger

I have a love/hate relationship with Bath & Body Works shower gels. I love some of the fragrances, especially this one, but they always retire the scents I enjoy! Thankfully they bring back retired scents on occasion, and I picked this one up as part of a large order. This cleans my skin a little too well and leaves my skin a little on the dry side. It's nothing moisturizer can't fix, but I'm not likely to keep purchasing from the brand once I finish off my current stash.

Popping Bath Powder | KBShimmer

Scent: Wacky Watermelon

This was part of the May Polish Pickup, and I really enjoyed this product! I didn't find it to be particularly moisturizing for the skin, but the fizzing and popping is simply a fun experience and I liked the fruity scent. I'm not able to repurchase as it was only available for a limited time, but I do continue to enjoy other KBShimmer products.

Deliciously Whipped Body Butter | Soapy Bliss

Scent: Pink Champagne & Vanilla Bean

As if the shea butter, coconut oil, and crushed Japanese pearls wasn't luxurious enough, the scent selection really makes you feel like a million bucks! I'm a fan of Soapy Bliss body butters as they leave my skin feeling so incredibly smooth. You do have to allow a little extra time for it to be absorbed into your skin, but it is well worth it! They have other scent options if this one doesn't appeal to you; I'm a big fan of Hula Girl and Mermaid scents as well!

Lose It: Purged Products

Gentle Skin Cleanser | Signature Cafe

I had to buy skincare items immediately after my move, and since my previous go-to cleanser wasn't available, I ended up with this one. I don't think I've ever used the Cetaphil equivalent, but I wasn't a fan of this. I just never felt like my skin was actually getting clean and the cream texture was a turn off for me. I kept trying and used about half this, both on my face and then makeup brushes, but after months of trying, it's time to let it go.

Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser | Clean & Clear

Type: Oil-free (Regular Formula)

I've used the Sensitive formula (yellow) over the years and made it my go-to, but when I couldn't find it, I opted to try the original formula. I'm pretty sure I used it before and wasn't a fan, and I can only confirm my previous dislike of it. While I want my skin to feel clean, I don't want it stripped of all natural oils either. This left me feeling super dry, and even with moisturizing, it sent my skin into oil over production mode. Even watering it down didn't help. My hubby used it a bit, but since he tends to sneak whatever I am using, he hasn't noticed that I removed this from the shower. I have finally found my sensitive version and picked one up for when I need another facial cleanser. As for this one, I'm letting the garbage flap hit it on the way out.

Bombee Honeyed Pudding Peel Off Facial Mask | Papa Recipe

I recently reviewed this one here, so you can get all my thoughts on it on my previous post. The shortened version is the formula is too thick (I had to remove the cap to get it out the bigger opening) so it didn't spread nice and was just so darn sticky. The peeling really stings and my skin was getting irritated after frequent use.

Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer | Tarte Cosmetics

Shade: Park Ave Princess

My memory is a little hazy on this one, but I'm relative sure this came as a birthday gift a couple years ago from Sephora. I tried to like this, but the colour just was not working for me. I found it pulls a little too pink on my warm olive skin and I just never felt good any time I wore it. It's time to just let this one go.

Glis-tics Cuticle Oil | Glisten & Glow

Scent: Sangria White Peach

I recently found this baby in a hidden pocket of a handbag I haven't used in years! As much as I like Glisten & Glow cuticle oils, this one is easily five years old and has gone bad since I last used it. Sangria White Peach is a classic scent for Glisten & Glow although it was never my favorite. They no longer sell in these rollerball containers, but you can still get cuticle oils in pens or in bottles. If you need a scent suggestion, I LOVE the Papaya Mango and the Summer Sorbet the most. If you like florals, Honeysuckle is quite nice as well.

Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss | Gerard Cosmetics

Shade: Madison Avenue

I bought this as part of a deal with other Gerard Cosmetic lipsticks and never really loved the colour. This nude hue is better suited towards those with a cooler skin tone. I don't recall it having a plastic smell when I first got it, so this might have gone bad. Either way, it doesn't work for me so there is no reason to hold on to it.

Lip Balm | Epically Epic Soap Co

Flavor: Root Beer Float and Tamarindo

That hidden purse pocket I mentioned previously were hiding these lip balms as well. I actually remember purchasing these over four years ago because I was pregnant with my youngest. When they arrived, the flavors were WAY too strong for me, as was most things at the time, so they had to get set aside for later use. While my sensitivity went down and I could use these, I never finished them as I had so many lip balms in the rotation at the time. They don't smell quite right any longer, so they have to be tossed.

Moisturizing Lip Balm | Burt's Bees

Flavor: Pumpkin Spice

I generally like Burt's Bees and Pumpkin Spice flavoring, but this was a let down for me. The flavor was too heavily spiced and just felt like the wrong balance to me, or just not quite what I've come to expect. I picked it up late this past fall so it shouldn't be bad, I think it just doesn't work for me.

Mojito Lip Balm | Malin + Goetz

This was the last item hanging out in my handbag pocket, and was I mad when I made that discovery! It is less of a balm and more like a thick gel, but I loved this! I was actually almost empty and I briefly entertained the idea of finishing it, but since it has been sitting for at least a few years, I'm just going to be safe and throw it away. I'll definitely be picking up another for next winter as this works wonders on dry, chapped lips.

Blank Canvas Mattifying Face Primer | Julep

The mattifying version no longer appears to be available for purchase, and you don't see any complaints from me about that decision. This separated terribly, made me break out like crazy, and quite frankly, Julep is a horrible company and I no longer wish to support them. For those that choose to, I recommend avoiding this particular product.

Lip Gloss | Julep

Shades: Vivid, Captivated, Lively

While I like these particular colours, these glosses just didn't win me over. As someone with a sweet tooth, I found the fragrance to be far too sickeningly sweet and just couldn't enjoy wearing them. I've had them for a couple years now, and while two still smell overly sweet, the other is disgustingly rancid. At least one NEEDS to be tossed, and the others are going due to personal preference and wanting to be safe.

**********************************

Phew, that was intense! This concludes the items I've emptied or purge these past two months. Here is a recap of the past few months and my yearly total.

June Stats:

Empties: 13

Purged: 10

Monthly Total: 23

July Stats:

Empties: 9

Purged: 4

Monthly Total: 13

2019 Stats to Date:

Empties: 72

Purged: 64

Total: 135

I only have 15 products to go to hit my goal of 150 products! We're over the half way point this year, so I am not worried about not reaching my goal. I'm even considering upping my goal to help keep the progress going. I'm wavering between 200 and 250 products, depending on how brave I'm feeling at any given moment. It's definitely not easy purging unfinished products!

Are you taking part in the Project Pan Challenge? How has your progress been so far this year? Is there anything you are having a difficult time letting go? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!

XO!

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