24 in 2024: Feb Update

I have a tiny update to share, but it is still important to me. I’ve been experiencing so much burn out from my overnight job and starting my internship this week. I love love LOVE my internship. It is my overnight job that is getting me stressed, so I have been putting in applications. I did get an offer to interview for my son’s summer school program. While not a permanent solution, it will be nice to do for 4 weeks. I also am waiting to hear back regarding an interview at his school that is open immediately. I’d love to just quit this job without notice. Any who, let’s get back to the update. Below is what we started with.

I was able to finish off the Bite powder and I rolled in my BECCA powder. I haven’t been wearing makeup lately due to stress and illness, so I feel behind in my project. I’m looking forward to resetting in March and getting my focus back on. I swear that I will hit pan any day on the Becca highlighter. I can see the big dip and I think my new photo shows it pretty well. I need to use the lip gloss more I know, but I did make some progress. I can’t tell with the mascara, blush, or the Dior but I need to use them more. Slight movement in the setting spray as I was concentrating on minis in my other project.

Below is what we are starting in MARCH (forgot the mascara):

I am hoping to finish the powder, lip gloss, and hit pan on the highlighter. It would be nice to also finish the blush and the Dior. I want to make decent progress on the setting spray and the mascara.

With Love,

WBC COTM: January ’24

This is one of the cutest candles that I have received and a nice start to the new year. I will reserve this candle for when I am doing my shadow work. I plan on doing more of my craft this year and sharing more posts regarding that. The panda is perfect for making my best friend a keychain and another charm for the charm bracelets that I make from these candles. I’m always happy with her items and candles. I will be continuing with this subscription for the foreseeable future.

I always appreciate the perfume and/or candle samples and the pamphlets that come with the candles.

With Love,

Lush Kitchen #43: December ’23

I love the variety of products this time around. The themes have been so adorable and I’ve been happy with every box that I have received so far. I won’t have another one of these to unbox until May, but this gives me plenty of time to try to make a dent in what I have amassed with these boxes. I do see that the subscription has increased in price this year. The price without tax is now $63 from $49.99. This is a pretty significant hike. I am unsure if I will continue with the subscription if there isn’t an added value.

Tote Bag, $18

I love this tote bag and it was a cute addition for the Christmas box. I used it to bag up my best friend’s Christmas gift.

Space Girl Perfume, 0.3 fl oz $26

The scent is super sweet and candy-like. The notes are grapefruit, limon, bergamot oil, and almond essential oil. I thoroughly enjoy this perfume and I tend to spray it on every time I’m at my desk, which is where I keep my makeup and collection of perfumes. I feel like this will be very easy for me to use up, because I enjoy these types of fruity, sweet scents. It isn’t musky or powdery and no floral whatsoever.

Celebrate Body Lotion, 3.5 oz $18

There wasn’t really a scent to this that I noticed. I will use it once I use up my current pot of Lush body lotion. I’m prioritizing the pots over the bottles of lotion as I want to collect the pots as fast as possible to get free fresh face masks. lol

Intergalactic Body Scrub, 10.2 oz $24

The scent is very similar to the perfume. I think this would be fun to use up in the spring/summer months due to the candy fruity scent. I am currently using up an older body scrub, but I will enjoy using up this fun colored one when I can. I have a feeling that it would be moisturizing as well.

Fruit Punch Soap, 3.5 oz $8.75

I’m not a fan of solid soaps, so I gifted this one. The scent was fruity though.

Jingle Spells Bath Bomb, 7 oz $9

This is a huge bath bomb, but again, I gifted this one as I cannot use it with my septic tank system. It disrupts the natural bacteria and enzymes in the tank that breaks up the organic matter in the system.

In total, the value of this box was $103.75 ($68 not including the soap, bath bomb, and tote bag that I gave away as gifts) and I paid $59.45 including shipping and taxes. So, my worth came to about $9 more value than I paid, but the box had a $44.30 value extra over what I paid. I’m very happy with the subscription, but I am weary with the new price increase. This might become something I only get for a few months out of the year like May, July or August, October, November, December, January, and February. That equates to roughly half of the year, because I have to get the May box as it is my birthday month. I might skip May this year, but now we see what we get before we get it. I might look at the products first and decide before buying. I am undecided.

With Love,

Lush Kitchen #42: November ’23

I really love this array of items that was delivered this month. I am keeping and using it all. So far, this box has the best value for me, because I will personally use everything. I’ve been really happy with my Lush purchases and this is no different.

I love the stickers as a bonus item!

Passion Fruit Exfoliating Shower Gel, 8.4 oz $28

I am using this in my shower right now and it is perfect for this time of year. I love the fruitiness and the light exfoliation for daily showering. My winter skin has been suffering, so I have incorporated daily exfoliation including dry brushing my back and backs of my arms where it tends to get bumpy and breakout during the winter months. It doesn’t take care of my KP but I find that daily scrubbing and dry brushing really helps if I stick to it after about a week.

Peachy Ro-se Body Lotion, 3.3 fl oz $16

Once I use up my current Lush body lotion, I will be using this one. The prices still amaze me, but I really have found nothing better, except the Bumbum cream. It has a nice light scent that isn’t too rosy for me.

Tropical Co-Mingle Body Scrub, 3.5 oz $11.95

I love the tropical scent and I am looking forward to using this in my shower during the summer months. It seems like it is a moisturizing body scrub, which is a bit different for me. I might not have to use lotion afterwards. I’ll report back when I do try it out.

Espresso Lip Scrub, 0.7 oz $13.50

Everyone who knows me knows that I love coffee, so a coffee lip scrub is so perfect for me. I am happy to be using this, but I know if I get another, I will most likely be gifting it as it takes a long time to use one of these tubs up.

Oat Milk Latte Body Scrub, 2.5 oz $10.60

I have another solid body scrub, but this one moisturizes as well. I have a whole lot of body scrubs to try out now. This one smells lovely. I usually use a body scrub once to twice a week on my whole body and I use a scrub every time I shower on my legs and my back where I tend to get either ingrown hairs or body acne. It really helps to reduce breakouts in those areas along with dry brushing.

The box had a value of $80.05 and I will be using everything in this one. So, it roughly has a $20 value over what I spent on the box. I am extremely happy with the November box and I cannot wait to show the box that arrived in December.

With Love,

Empty Post & Inventory: Jan 2024

It has been a crazy month with a lot of usage on many products in my collection. As of writing this post at the beginning of Feb, I already have two more empties. My plan is to shop my stash this year and focus on all of the items that I own. I will be looking over this list anytime I want to purchase anything to see if I have anything in that category and how many items of it that I own. I am hoping to reduce my spending by doing it this way. I also thought it would be interesting to see how my numbers change throughout the year.

Body Care: 37 items

• Body Wash: 3
• Body Scrub: 4
• Deodorant: 2
• Witchy Soak: 1 *Grounding bath salts from WBC
• Body Lotion: 10 *Some are samples but really need to use them up
• Vaseline: 1
• Body Oil: 3
• Foot Mask: 1
• Solid Scrub: 2
• Bubble Bars: 2
• Self-Tanner: 2
• SPF: 1
• Body Mask: 1
• Highlight: 2

Hair Care: 27 items

• Shampoo: 2
• Conditioner: 2
• Scalp Scrub: 1
• Hair Oil: 1
• Detangler: 1
• Beach Wave Spray: 2
• Hair Mask: 3 *I’d like to use up 1 more
• Shine Spray: 1
• Dry Shampoo: 2
• Leave-In-Conditioner: 3
• Hair Gel: 1
• Hair Tint: 1
• Hair Sealant: 1
• Dandruff Serum: 1
• Bond Treatment: 1
• Glitter: 3

Skin Care: 49 items

• Face Cleanser: 2
• Face Mask: 7 *potted face masks and I need to use these up
• Sheet Masks: 12 *Need to do more self-care
• Brow Conditioner: 1
• Eye Cream: 2
• Facial Tanner: 1
• Face Cream/Moisturizer: 3
• Facial Spray: 1
• Serum: 3
• Facial Peel: 1
• Acne Treatment: 3
• Cleansing Pads: 1
• Eye Treatment: 1
• SPF: 1
• Cleansing Water: 1
• Makeup Remover: 1
• Eye Mask: 1
• Eye Serum: 1
• Cleansing Oil: 2
• Eye Cream: 2

Makeup: 124 items

• Brush Cleanser: 1
• Perfume: 20 *Most are sample sizes that I need to push out of my collection DESPERATELY!
• Brushes: 10
• Primer: 3
• Setting Spray: 9 *Need to finish up a few this year
• Foundation: 4 *Would like to use up 2
• Pressed Powder: 4
• Pressed Highlighter: 3
• Makeup Sponges: 15 *Need to start using these.
• Brow Gel: 1
• Mascara: 2
• Lip Scrub: 3
• Lip Mask: 3
• Lip Gloss: 5
• Liquid Blush: 6 *I’d like to use up 2
• Liquid Eyeshadow: 1
• Lip Balm: 3
• Liquid Highlighter: 4
• Lipstick: 3
• Eye Shadow Stick: 1
• Cream Bronzer: 1
• Eye Shadow Palette: 4
• Highlighter Stick: 1
• Loose Setting Powder: 2
• Powder Bronzer: 3
• Single Glitter: 1
• Glitter Eye Primer: 1
• Liquid Eyeliner: 1
• Eyeliner: 4
• Concealer: 1
• Powder Blush: 1
• Liquid Lipstick: 1

For the additions: 6 items

• I added in another setting spray. It is a sample that I will add into my project to use up.
• I added the blue eyeliner.
• I added a perfume sample.
• I added up the following products that I found while unpacking the last of my items from the move: 2 perfumes, 1 body lotion, and a body oil.

Before the Empties: 237 items

This is my go-to deodorant brand and I love my Lush body washes. I’m not getting another Lush box until my birthday in May, so I have plenty of time to try to use up a good part of what I own and cut down on the clutter.

I love Olaplex and their products. I’m working on using up my hair stash as I know what products I enjoy now and I won’t be purchasing just anything moving forward. I hope Ulta carries Olaplex, because I am going to continue to purchase this product. It is great for my hair. My stylist cannot believe how good the integrity of my hair is after bleaching it for 3 years straight. I owe it all to Olaplex products.

I’m not going to be purchasing face wipes any time soon. I want to use up my cleansing water first and I have a lot of face pads to use up. I’m happy to have finished a facial moisturizer as I still have so many to use up.

I didn’t like the blush. The sponge got gross after 3 months. The Stila eye glitter was used up. The mini setting spray was used up. The eye shadow palette was shattered in the move.

After the Empties: 227 items

After 1 month, 10 items are used up and out of my collection. I think those are pretty great numbers for just a month of work. The net month is shorter, but I am hoping to have at least 5 items gone from my collection. I don’t see myself getting anything anytime soon. I’m hoping to not add to my collection until my birthday, because I always splurge a little bit on myself then.

With Love,

The Last Push Project: Jan Update

It has been a very successful month for this project pan. I was able to use up 3 out of 5 items. I knew that the scalp scrub would need more time and I have almost used up the little perfume sample. Below is what we started the project with:

The progress for the two remaining items:

The hair scrub is a slow mover. I need to make an effort to do this once every two weeks. I think I only used it once during the month. I’d like to double the usage in Feb. The perfume sample is SO CLOSE to being done.

The new products being added it:

I am hopeful that I will finish up the new mini moisturizer added to the project. I know that this is the last push project, but I need help pushing out sample and mini products which is why this one is in here. I also hope to finish off the eye-tightening cream and the rest of my Lush moisturizer before the next update.

The new lineup:

I went ahead and added another sample perfume and the other fix plus sample, since I think I will finish off the current perfume before the next update. Ideally, the only product that should be remaining at the end of the month is the hair scrub, but the mini moisturizer from Clinique might be there as well.

With Love,

24 in 2024: Jan Update

A not very exciting January Update for my 24 in 2024 project pan. I did not pan any items, but I do have progress in everything as I have been using all of my makeup at least 3x a week. I’ve been into a light everyday makeup look recently and everything I chose has been great for my tastes lately. Below is what we have started the year of with:

There really isn’t much progress to show. I’ve been working on my mini sample setting sprays, so my big one has hardly been touched. You can’t see the progress on the Dior, mascara, or the liquid blush. I’ve been forgetting to use the gloss which is why it is in this project. The only visible progress is in the two pans.

Bite Powder:

You can really see the progress here and I think I will be finishing this powder in February. I powder almost everyday, so I am pretty sure it will be done. I will be rolling in my Becca pressed powder next as it is the oldest in my collection and still a shade match for me I think. As the weather warms up, some products may be switched out, because my skin tone and type do change during the summer months.

Becca Highlighter:

I am unsure if you can tell the difference, but the dip has deepened since I first started using it. I think it will take about two more months to hit pan. I will be rotating in a gold cream highlighter in the summer, so I want to hit pan by then at the latest.

For the month of Feb, I think I can use up the powder. I am hoping to use up the Dior and make a dent in the setting spray. I want to remember to use the lip gloss and take it to work with me to reapply. I’d like to make some noticeable progress on the liquid blush and hoping to hit pan on the highlighter before Summer.

With Love,

Lush Kitchen #41: October ’23

The October box was super exciting and I enjoyed the theme. The box was worth it to me this month without even looking at the prices yet. It was super cute and included a bonus item. This is a subscription box that I will still be getting in 2024. The months that I will probably indulge in are May, August, October, November, and December. Next year, I’d like to not miss the January and February boxes as those were really nice this year too!

Treasure Map Knot-Wrap $20

It is a more expensive wrap due to being a limited edition. I gave this away as a gift to a Halloween-loving friend.

Redbeard Shower Gel 8.4 fl ox $25

I haven’t used this shower gel yet, but it is on my radar to use. It smells so spicy and nice. A fall scent for sure, so I will probably use it during the fall season. I love the gold glitter in this! It doesn’t stick to the skin or bath but it makes for a lovely experience.

Pirates of the Carrageenan Bath Bomb 7 oz $10

I’m so sad that I cannot use bath bombs because this is so awesome! I love things covered in glitter! I gave this away as a gift.

Pumpkin Patch Bath Bomb 5.9 oz $9.50

Another one that I had to give away. Look how cute it is tho!

Scrub Scrub Scrub Body Scrub 4.5 oz $9.31

I had to calculate the value for this one. It is such a black body scrub. I’m using an older body scrub currently but I plan on using one of the scrubs from Lush next. It will depend on the season what scented scrub I use. This one might be waiting until Fall as well.

Smugglers Soul Multipurpose Cream 3.5 oz $18

Lush states that you can use this as a shaving cream, so I plan on using this for that purpose as my shaving cream is almost done currently. It has a very light scent, so I don’t feel like I’m wasting it as it isn’t a heavily scented product that would last on the skin. If I did it with the lime lotion, I would feel like I would be wasting it.

In total, the value of this box was $91.81 ($52.31 not including the items I gave as gifts) and I paid $59.45 including taxes. If I like everything, that is a value of $32.36 dollars to this subscription box. This is a HUGE value month and I was very happy with the box. It made for perfect gifts and I saw incredible value for the subscription.

With Love,

Tiny But Exciting MAC Haul

I was finally able to get my hands on the Blurring Blue Limited Holiday Edition MAC Gel Eyeliner!!! I paid $15 for the stick since it was on sale. I returned all the greens that I bought but the one that they shipped to me for free. So, 2 eyeliners for $15 isn’t a bad price. I just wished that I didn’t have to do all this run around for the blue. The blue ended up on the MAC website after the Holidays after being a ULTA exclusive. I’m so happy to have it in my collection and I’ve been using it a ton.

It is a silver/white pearl with blue reflects. It is so pretty and noticeable. I tried to get the full effects in the photos but it looks so pretty in person. I mostly just use eyeliner on my waterline and this lasted all day until I took my makeup off. It is very duochromy and I love it SOOO much. It ended up being worth the hassle to get it.

On a side note, my laptop died but my boyfriend’s sister’s husband was able to rebuild it and save it. He is a wiz with computers and it actually runs better than before. It is absolutely quiet now and I’m so happy. The keyboard backlight doesn’t work anymore but whatever. I’m happy that he saved this very expensive gaming laptop.

With Love,

MAC Haul

I had a little MAC haul before the holidays for Dean to give me as Christmas presents. This year, he wasn’t as into giving out presents as last year. I have been getting back into Lush and MAC since last year, and I am sad that I ever left. It was a good reminder of things I loved last year, and I am continuing that purchase into 2024. I am on a low buy this year, and I am hoping that I can stick to it for the most part.

A baby sample that I am hopeful that I can use up within the month.

This is marketed as a concealer, and I currently don’t have one in my collection. It seems to be an excellent undereye color match for me.

This is a good color match for my brows currently. I don’t have any eyebrow gel and was missing it. I think I still prefer Benefit Gimmie Brow, though.

I needed a backup mascara, and I can never say no to another setting spray. The color of the lipstick shocked me into how much I love a vampy lip on me.

I’ve been enjoying the vampy lip and realized I am really into those dark colors on me for the Winter before going bright in the Spring.

With Love,