FITFABFUN: SUMMER

It is a happy time when my FABFITFUN comes in the mail and this is only my second box! I also wasn’t expecting this box either as it wasn’t supposed to arrive for another week or so. This time around, I got nine items in my box of mostly skincare, which I am not mad about. I LOVE SKINCARE. Also, some of it I didn’t have or I needed a backup of. This is my second box and again, I think the value of what I received is worth the price that I paid. I paid $53.11 with tax on a $49.99 subscription. When I can afford to pay for a whole season, I will because I do want to keep this box around for a while.

ALSO, I will be adding any relevant items to my current inventory list. Basically, any time I add to my backstock, I will put into my inventory list and any item that I take out of backstock is deducted from the list. If it isn’t in backstock and was never considered backstock, it will not be added to the list. Any current item that goes into backstock will be added to the list. I just wanted to make that clear before I show you what I got in my box.

NOTE: I took a week off due to being sick. I’m hoping to stay back on my schedule, but still under the weather.

Invisibobble Original, 6 for $16

I have 3 clear and 3 nude hair ties. I am always in need of more hair ties. I am dumping these directly into my hair tie container where I keep all of my hair accessories. I’m not made that these where in my box. I have a use for them and I have always wanted to try something like this before. It is a very practical item that I’m sure most women could use. This was an item that everyone received in their box this season.

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

& Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel, $45 for the set

I am BEYOND pumped that I got my choice! I have been DYING to try the Bum Bum cream and now I also get to try the shower gel as well. Since this is only a deluxe sized sample of the bum bum cream, I am intending to use it sparingly and only on my boobs and butt when I want them to look great. This set smells divine and I know that I want to buy the full size when all is said and done. I think I will wait to use the shower gel until I buy the full size, so I can use them together as a set. I am putting the shower gel in storage, but I will be putting out the Bum Bum cream to use. Even with my cold, it smells like a sweet and nutty bakery shop. I absolutely love it. I’ll be milking this small 2.5 oz container all summer.

111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask, 5 for $160

Just these sheet masks makes the box triple its value and worth it. I am always ready to try a new sheet mask. So, I can now add these 5 to my backstock for when I am ready to use one. I did no masking this week as I write this post, because I have been sick. I think I might even skip a week of blogging, because I do not feel good at all. Every time I use a sheet mask, I subtract it from my inventory. I keep them in storage, because they are not something that I use regularly. These will probably be the first one that I use when I feel better. I am excited to try it and I wonder if the mask itself is reflective or like a foil mask in rose gold. That would be so cool. Ago, this was another item that I chose.

Odeme What A Pair Silicone Wine Glasses, 2 for $25

These are super cute and come in a pink drawstring bag. I could see using these for jello shots or icy sangrias. They are perfect for travel, if you plan on drinking at a picnic or something. I’ll probably use these at home with drinks. You could put these in the freezer for ten minutes to get them cold and then pour a drink in them. They will have a use at my house, so I am happy with them. They are also baby pink, so super cute. I also chose this item as well.

Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask, for $39

This is another item that was included in everyone’s box this season. Another item that is going into backstock until I use up my current face mask. This one seems really cool, because it is a purple face mask and purple is my favorite color. I love that it is cruelty free. I cannot wait to start using it when I can. Since the product is completely sealed, I will not be opening it until I am ready to use it, so it can stay as fresh as possible. I am so pumped about this box. I absolutely love it. Already, I think this one is SO much better than the Spring box. I am WAY more pumped about the items in the Summer one.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Purifying Cleanser, for $36

My mystery item that I didn’t get to chose was this cleanser and I am super pumped about that! I thought the mystery items were mostly unwanted products, but this one is the bomb dot com. If you are a SELECT member, you would have been able to chose this one or another choice. I couldn’t find this exact product on the website, which makes me think that this is the repackaged cleanser listed on the brand’s website. This is a daytime cleanser, so I think that I will immediately put this to use. I will start using this in the morning instead of my makeup wipes. I will reserve my wipes for lazy days. This cleanser is supposed to shrink pores and reduce oil production. It would serve its purpose better in the morning than at night. I am excited to start using this.

Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask, for $32

Everyone received this item in their box. I have a foot mask out at the moment, so this will be going into storage until I finish that tube up. It is very close to being used up too. This is a leave overnight foot mask, which is very interesting. I look forward to using it, once I use up my current tube which is just a 10 to 15 minute foot mask. I only really use foot masks during the summer to keep my feet in sandal shape. I do it occasionally during the Winter if I feel like my feet need it. This box is starting to have an insane value.

Grace & Stella Rose Facial Spray, for $25.95

Another item that everyone got in their box. I love face spray. This one already leaked all over the box, so it is going straight into rotation and replacing my coconut MAC Prep & Prime. This smells like an old grandma rose. I want to just use it up and get it out of my collection. It is in a plastic bottle, which I don’t think fits the $25 price tag. I can use this before makeup, after makeup, and whenever. I plan on using it whenever I want to, since I don’t care for the scent. I’m not going to hoard this one. I’m still glad that I have this and I will still use it up. I just don’t personally care for the scent. I am also sick, which could have a factor in how this smells right now to me.

Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30, for $36

Last but not least, this was another item that I did not choose and I am hella glad that I have it now. I pulled this setting spray in and my Huda into storage. This has SPF, so I want to use this one during the Summer for sure. It would make no sense to continue using Huda and wear this one in the Winter. I really love the cool looking glass bottle and it feels super expensive matching the price tag. I have only gotten into setting sprays recently, so I wonder how this compares to the Huda.

I feel like I love everything that I got in this box 110%. I am super excited to try everything. There isn’t anything that I am meh about. The total value of my box is $414.95. I feel like this season was the best box yet. I love and will use everything. I really should do a month of masking. I have plenty of them now. What did you get in your Summer FITFABFUN box?

With Love,

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Skincare Backstock Collection 2019

I am doing an updated skincare backstock update for 2019. This is all skincare not currently in rotation. I do have a bunch of skin care out, don’t you worry. This bin contains face masks that have been in and out of rotation, but masks tend to last longer. They are in backstock until I get some older ones used up first and then, I’ll add these ones back in. Back stock is anything that is not currently in my skincare rotation. I need to keep myself accountable with what I have and use that up before deciding to buy new skincare. There are only a couple of categories that I have only one item in use of. I am allowing myself to purchase anything that doesn’t have a replacement in backstock. I have three backstock bins that I am hoping to consolidate into two by the end of the year. Without further ado, these are all of the products waiting to be cycled into rotation.

CLINIQUE Pep-Start Daily UV Protector

This will be added shortly to my summer project pan, because it needs to be used up this year. I don’t like this sunscreen as it makes my oily skin oiler. It has some sort of emollient in it that leaves a greasy residue that never absorbs all the way into my skin. It might be made for drier skin types. It is slightly tinted. I am confident that I will be able to use this up during the summer as long as I wear it everyday.

ELF Daily Hydration Moisturizer

I plan on pulling this one in when I am done with my mattifying moisturizer, which I feel doesn’t do much. I bought two moisturizers when I previously did an ELF haul. I feel good having a backup for a daily moisturizer. I haven’t found my holy grail yet. I think I will try PIXI or a brand from Sephora unless this one blows me away.

Beauty 360 Brightening Radiance Facial Mask

I haven’t even opened this one yet, so it will remain unopened for the rest of this year more than likely. I have other masks opened in backstock and I will go through those before this one. I am excited to try this one. If it is a sleeping mask, it might get opened this year. This is the only sleeping mask that I have in backstock at the moment. I don’t need to buy masks for a looooong time. I am well stocked with every kind.

SOO AE Donkey Milk Sleeping Mask

So, this is just a sachet packet. I will probably use it up this year, when I want to take a break from sheet masks and do something a little different. Right now, I have two sleeping masks open though. This won’t be utilized for a while. I am looking forward to trying it out though. I love what masks do for my skin. I have oily skin, but if I keep it hydrated, it tends to be more combination. Also, as I am getting closer to my 28th year, my face seems to be getting drier. I am taking that as a good sign. I would love to be combo instead of an oil slick in my t-zone.

Too Cool For School Egg Mousse Soap Facial Cleanser

I started using this, but then decided to work on my deluxe size cleansers. They were piling up! I am down to my last two deluxe sized cleansers, so I will be picking this back up again sometime this year. After, I want to move on to cleansing balms, because I love the moisture that it gives my skin after getting all the makeup and junk off. I used to be a fun of foaming cleansers, but I find them really drying nowadays.

VS Let’s Glow Sheet Mask

I have one last sheet mask from VS. It’s a brightening mask, which I usually use in the morning, so I am waiting for the right time to use this one. I enjoy sheet masks a ton. I usually do one every Saturday night, but sometimes, I’m just way too tired to mask. I try to at least do one every month for a tiny bit of me time.

Drunk Elephant Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser

I was told that this smells like cantaloupe. I haven’t opened it yet, so I have no clue. lol. I plan on using this next after I use up my current cleanser, which isn’t too far away. I really do not need a backstock of any product. I would much rather order a new one when I’m almost done with my current one. I am working towards the goal of having 1 backstock bin for when I do order and add on items to meet the minimum free shipping. This was part of my free birthday gift, so I feel good about having it in backstock. IT’s everything that I deliberately bought that I feel bad about.

The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%

I totally forgot that I had this serum in my collection. I don’t feel like I need a serum until I’m 30 and it’ll be an anti-aging one. I am using up all in my collection and not repurchasing until then. I no longer support the brand and just want to use what I have up at this point. This isn’t a serum that you can use everyday either. You can only use it a few times a week, so it will take forever for me to use up.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 10-Minute Exfoliating Facial

This is an exfoliating peel face mask, which is unique in my collection. I am not a fan of physical exfoliation on the skin, but I love chemical exfoliates which are gentler on the skin. I am currently using a peeling gel in the shower, so I would not add this in until I use that one up. This is only meant to be on the skin for 10 minutes at the most, so it is great to apply in the shower once I have conditioner in my hair. I can apply this “mask”, clean my body, and then rinse. I would use this 2 to 3x a week at most, because my skin is on the oilier side, I feel like it can benefit from more frequent sloughing of dead skin cells. If your skin is normal or combo, I would suggest 1 to 2x a week. This is unopened and will stay in backstock until I finish my current peeling gel.

The Ordinary Retinol 1%

I totally forgot that I had this. I am actually taking this out of backstock and putting it in my current skincare collection in the bathroom. I put this away during the winter, because it was too drying on my skin. Now, it is getting warmer and summer out. I am pulling it back out to use at night and I am going to try to use it all up this summer. I use this at night. I usually alternate between using a sleeping mask and an oil. Now, I will alternate with this as well at night. Even in the summer, I cannot use this daily and I can only use it 3x a week at most. It has 2/3rds to 1/2 left, so I think I might be able to do it.

Roloxin Lift Instant Skin Smoothing Masque

I am decluttering this to my mom to use, because I do not have wrinkles that need filling.

MJCARE Sheet Masks Variety

I have 8 more of these sheet masks left that I want to use up. I enjoy wearing sheet masks and I try to do them once every week or so. It’s hard sometimes to try to find the time to mask. I have been reserving them for Saturday nights after a clay mask while doing my homework that is due on Sundays. Sheet masks aren’t a necessary in my skincare routine, but I do enjoy using them. They are very indulgent, but I usually snag them when they are on sale for a dollar or two.

ELF Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths

I have three packets in storage and one currently in use. These were $5 for a 2 pack with a total of 40 wipes, which I thought were a good idea. They are moist and effective at taking off makeup and cleaning your face at the end of the night. I sometimes use this in the morning instead of my micellar water. I like to have these one hand for lazy nights when I am too tired to wash my face and do the whole big routine. I won’t need more for quite some time.

The Sharing Co Sheet Masks

Again, I have more sheet masks. I love sheet masks though. Seeing all of these is making me kick myself in the butt that I need to mask more often or at least commit to once a week. I cannot wait to use these up and enjoy them.

Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask

I received this in PR and have used about half of the jar. I put it away for now to work on my oldest clay mask first. This is a good mask, but it is very messy. This is one that I reserve for when I know that I’ll be taking a shower to rinse it off. I have a few other clay masks that I need to use up before this one. It gives great results, but it is just a really messy removal process that is a pain in the butt. I am good with masks for a while though. I am glad to have so many to choose from, but my back stock is excessive.

L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask

Again, another clay mask. This one only has a few uses left in it, so I will probably use this one up next after I use up the one that I am currently using. I really like this mask and find that it reduces oil production for a few days. It is not cruelty free though, so I will not be repurchasing this. My best friend bought me this for my birthday and I really appreciate it. I love this mask and I would accept it again as a gift anytime. I am sure that this will be featured in an empties post somewhere in the near future.

Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask

Another half way used up face mask. This one is a hydration mask that I am received in PR. This is very similar to a sheet mask as its made to hydrate and plump the face. I really enjoy this mask, but it requires rinsing. I would much rather use a sheet mask or a sleeping mask than get another one of these hydration rinse off masks. I will use it up, but I would not purchase a product like this.

Freeman Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask

This mask is almost used up as well. I use this 5 minute mask in the shower. Once I use up all my “shower” face products, I would get another Freeman’s 5 minute face masks to keep in my shower to deep clean my face. With the steam and warm water, they penetrate deep, work fast, and I see results. I thoroughly recommend these masks. Ideally, I still want a “shower” mask, a regular clay mask, sleeping mask, and sheet masks in my collection. I currently have too many. I probably have enough to last to the end of this year.

It is surprising to me that I have 21 face masks including sheet and jar masks. This post does not include the two masks that I just got from my best friend for my birthday, but they will be included in my inventory counts spreadsheet. I need to start masking more than once a week. This is the inspiration that I need to enjoy what I have instead of trying to hoard them. I don’t need to. I have a life where I can buy whatever I want within reason. If I use up all my masks, I can buy new ones. I could even buy a $30 one. I’m not gonna restrict myself, but I want to use up what I have. Otherwise, it’s wasteful. I’m not going to go out and buy a nail polish when I have over 40 at home.

With Love,

Birthday Hauling: Sephora

I did a little Sephora haul for my birthday and I spent $57 USD and some change. I was very frugal as I usually spend $100 at Sephora alone for my birthday. I organized everything by samples, free gift with purchase, birthday gift, and purchases from low to high. I am brimming with excitement over everything that I have picked up. I have swatched everything out and it is so beautiful. Everything is exactly how I thought it would be. I read so many reviews and do a lot of research before I pick anything up at Sephora. It is an expensive place to shop and I want to end up with something that I will more than likely love instead of return.

High Expectations Cannabis Facial Oil

This is wierd, but I am just going to put it in my bathroom with my skincare to use up the sample this month.

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream

I am excited to have another sample of Drunk Elephant and I will put this in with my skin care to use up this month. I don’t want these samples building up again.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Unscented and Honeysuckle Vanilla

These are always nice to try and I already know that I love this sample. I am putting it in my bathroom to use up immediately.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

I am happy to have snagged a baby size of this to try as it is on my Sephora Love’s List to buy (and the Avocado one). I am putting this baby size in my bathroom immediately as well, because I have been dying to try it. I do have another sleeping mask open, but this is more of a gel and does something different than my other one. It smells like a watermelon jolly rancher, but also a bit fresh in the after note. I am sure that I will be out of this baby soon enough. It is a third of an ounce, so enough to make a decision if I want to purchase a full size or not.

 

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser & Protini Polypeptide Cream Duo

This was the birthday gift that I picked this year, because I do not support Kat Von D. I still would have picked this up though, because I have been dying to try Drunk Elephant products. I even added a kit to my Love’s List since my declutter post. I am putting the cream immediately into my bathroom as I need a gentle night time cream for after treatments and harsh masks. The cleanser will be put away as I am using something else at the moment as my night time cleanser. I only use a cleansing wipe or water in the morning after a thorough night routine.

 

 

 

Too Faced Bronzed Peach Melting Powder Bronzer in Toasted Peach

I paid $10 for 12.5 grams of bronzer, which I feel is a steal. I only paid a third of the original price making this essentially drug store. The packaging is super adorable and it smells lightly of peach. I don’t find the scent too strong and I really like it. It contains a nice mirror and the bronzer isn’t shimmery. It is glowy, but I don’t feel like it is too much. Even though I have oily skin, I have been into glowy skin and makeup looks lately rather than my matte go to. The bronzer isn’t too brown or orange on me and blends out to be very light. I can be light handed and also build this bronzer up. It is the perfect color for my light skin and it will still match me in the summer since I can build up the color. The cream to powder formula is really nice as well. I like to dab with my fingers and buff out with a buffing brush. It’s perfect.

 

 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid in Skywalk

I paid $14 which is half priced for this beautiful light blue highlighter. I have heard good things about it being used as an under eye corrector for dark circles that brightens up the area and makes them disappear. This is for sure opaque and a lovely highlighter. You can have it look straight up purple/blue on the skin or blend it in for a diffused lit from within look. It is very thin and lightweight. I can see why it was made in the Naked line. Right now, I just got an under eye corrector in a FITFABFUN box, so I will wait on using this as an under eye corrector. I will be using it as a pretty highlight though. I have been dying to get one in this shade. Blue/purple highlights look really nice on my skin tone and really brighten up my face. Put on my cupid’s bow, it makes me teeth look whiter as well. Overall, I am really happy with this already and I’m sad that it’s being discontinued. I love this cream highlighter and I don’t usually like creams/liquids. It really has to be something special for me to not put it in a project pan.

 

 

Ciate London Glitter Storm Palette

I paid $30 and saved $10 off the original price of the palette. I wasn’t going to get a palette originally, but those glitters?!!!! They stole my heart and swatched out, they still look lovely. These are one finger swipe swatched btw. I wanted to see how opaque they were. I like to build up my eye shadow. These have amazing pigmentation. The glitters have a nice eye shadow base to them and I love them all. My favorite glitter would have to be Firestorm, which is the red/pink one. None of the colors are too dark for my hooded eyes. The packaging of the palette is pretty to look at and very weighted. It feels expensive like a $30 palette. The only color I don’t get in this palette if Whirlwind which is the matte peachy shade. It’s a sore thumb. They could have done a soft rose or a cream and it would have looked a lot better. Still using every shade though. I am so excited! This palette is very me, which is why I bought it. This palette will motivate me to use up my project pan items, so I can bring this out and play with it.

I am so happy with my Sephora purchase! Not one product disappointed me right out of the gate that I purchased. I am looking forward to playing around with all of my new makeup. Hopefully, I move out some project pan items in order to do so. Keep my motivation up. I tend to lose motivation around products. I might switch it up and do a monthly makeup rotation instead……let’s see how I do with the first project.

With Love,

April Empties

I was able to use up my Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Mender and I would not repurchase this. I didn’t notice a difference in my hair at all. I’d rather use something that helps with strength and detangling. My hair gets knots easily, because of how long it is getting. When my hair was at my collar bone, it was very rare to get a single knot in it. I am tempted to do a big chop at the end of the summer to start my hair afresh without all the bleach damage. I also know that my natural hair is light enough to use the brand SPLAT on it for fun colors. I know that purple works specifically on it, because I did that back in 2013 and it was fairly easy to use.

I am decluttering my Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in 45 Orchid Hush. I actually hit major pan and had intentions on using it up. The formula has changed however and it is super crumbly. I don’t enjoy it anymore, so I am throwing it out. This is the oldest bit of makeup out of my collection and I feel like I got my money’s worth. It just would have been nice to have used it up. I am not a fan of cream blushes in general. I’d rather use powder on my oily skin, but I did enjoy the just bitten color it gave my cheeks. Now, I can move onto the cream blush stain in my project pan.

I finished up my sample of the MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite. I really enjoyed this luminous primer and I would purchase this once I am out of my current primer and run out of liquid highlighters to mix in with my lotion that give me the same effect. It does the perfect job of primer the skin, giving me moisture, and a glow that does not emphasize texture or bother my oily skin. It just gives me a nice lit from within glow that I am all about. I am a matte girl through and through, but there is just something about healthy glowy skin (NOT DEWY) that has been calling to my lately. It looks more youthful than a matte look. I’ve been reserving my matte look for long work days in the office and special occasions where I want my makeup to last. Otherwise, I have been rocking a healthy glow instead of a matte complexion.

I also had another sample that I used up of the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover. I really enjoyed this bi-layer makeup remover that I used on my entire face. I would get another sample as a point perk, because it was really nice. If Sephora was cruelty free, I would purchase a full bottle for them too. I highly recommend it for removing all types of makeup efficiently.

Martin bought me this to makeup for me having to go coffee free for a few days and then, his Keurig was broken so I couldn’t even use it! LOL. We got a used Keurig from my mom, so we did manage to use up this Starbucks Breakfast Blend in Medium Roast. I really enjoyed the simplicity of popping in a cup and having a good cup of coffee and the fact that someone else thought of me. I have been eyeing their specialty packs on Amazon like the caramel and the mocha coffees. Seriously considering buying a Nepresso machine and keeping it in our room.

Used up another deodorant because you know, priorities. I still love this brand of deodorant, but I am currently using Secret. I went back to a full strength aluminum deodorant, but I will be going back to this one. It was just sold out at Walmart when I needed deodorant.

Last but not least, I was able to use up my MAC Cleanse Off Oil. It is just a baby sample, but another item out leaves room in my collection. May is my birthday month, so I have a ton of items coming into my collection this month from makeup to skincare. So, even tiny samples I am happy to be out of my collection. I really love cleanse off oils and balms. Once I finish off my full sized cleanser, I will replace it with an oil or a balm. I am more partial to a balm personally, because I feel like it gives my skin an added boost of moisture.

I was able to move out 7 items out of my collection, abide one was a declutter but I had MOSTLY used that one up as well before the texture changed. I writing this post on May 2nd and I feel like I will have maybe ten empties this month. I am mostly working on full sized items, but I do have a few samples and items that already have progress in them. I am trying to work through all of my opened products this year. I will only open a new product if I don’t have something like that opened. Next year, I plan on doing another inventory count and sticking with it. I just had/have so much going on this year that it just fell behind.

With Love,

5 Out: Product Reviews

It is that time again where I finally wrote about 5 more products in my collection. I am trying to do these posts twice a month, so I am writing 10 product reviews a month. I am behind though, because I have a basket of trash collected from this year that I still have yet to review. Next year when I am concentrating on 19 things instead of 200, I am sure that I will be going through a little less product. I will be working on mostly full and full sized items. Most of it will also be makeup which takes a while to use up. I can take the time next year to finish up the reviews from this year and keep up with next year’s empties. I still use up a lot of items throughout the year, but with having a set goal this year, I was motivated to use products every day and not skimp out most of the time. I am looking forward to enjoying my collection more next year instead of focusing on using up most of my mini products.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser

For a high end cleanser, this was too basic. I expected more from this brand. It didn’t even remove all of my makeup. My Aveeno cleanser did a better job than this one. This mini was overpriced at $10 USD. I do not recommend and I will not repurchase. You can do so much better at the drugstore or Marshalls. I have to say though that it is hard to find cruelty free at the drugstore. The ones that I know offhand for skin care are Alba, Elf, and Burts Bees.

Disney HSM Super Moisturizing Body Lotion

Nearing the end of its life, this body lotion started to turn on me, which is why there is a bit melted to the side. It hardened into the side of the bottle. This was a really light gel-like body lotion that was also very moisturizing. I enjoyed the light sweet scent that I couldn’t place. It didn’t really smell of anything recognizable. It didn’t smell like vanilla, just sweet. It is hard to describe. I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it, but it is very good.

Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion

I enjoyed mixing this stuff with my moisturizer. It gave a very subtle lit from within glow. I am starting to mix all of my liquid highlighters in with all of my moisturizers for this glow that I am enjoying so much on my oily skin. You don’t need this particular one. Any liquid highlighter will do. This one gives a nice, healthy pink glow to the skin! I have yellow undertones, so it wasn’t too much pink for my complexion. If I ran out of liquid highlighter and I saw this at the store, I would repurchase it. I do recommend this, but it is very subtle as a highlighter. It is great for those of us that wear minimum to no makeup for a healthy glow.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Light 2 Vanilla

I did not enjoy this under my eyes. I think it made my under eyes dry and did nothing for concealing my dark circles. Powder tends to cling to the concealer making it look like you have dry patches of skin. I used this all over my face as a foundation. It was okay as a foundation, but nothing special. I do not recommend it and I will not be repurchasing anything from Nars as they are no longer cruelty free.

Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding

This did not minimize the appearance of my pores, but it did purify my skin and helped pull out acne. I would not purchase, because I have a few clay masks already that do the same thing. I would purchase from the brand again, but this mask is nothing special. i think I would try their peel off mask, because I have a ton of black heads and I think that type of mask would be more effective for my skin concerns. On the plus side, this mask was very easy to remove with a warm wash cloth.

With Love,

June Empties

I am sorry again with the late post. I don’t have nearly as much time for my blog as I used it. I still get the joy of blogging and I love it. I just can only do it an hour every Sunday and maybe squeeze in 30 minutes on my other day off. Believe it or not, I can get about 3 posts done in an hour and not skimpy ones either. I am not going to say how fast June has gone, because July is almost gone right now. June is a distant memory right now. I am a fan of lengthy intros in case anyone is wondering. I like to get my thoughts out there before I get to the point.

SKINCARE:

Alba Botanica Acne Dote Deep Pore Wash

VS About Last Night Face Mask

HAIR CARE:

L’Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Soft Pink

Revlon Colorsilk After-Color Conditioner

MAKEUP:

Dermablend Long Wear Makeup Remover

Bite Agave Lip Mask Sampler

Sample Perfume in Tropical Wish

BODY CARE:

Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint Soap in Vivid Violet

Hang Ten SPF 50 Sunscreen

Goddess Garden Organics SPF 30 Sunscreen

RANDOM CATEGORY:

Cutex 100& Pure Acetone

Crest 3D White Diamond Strong Toothpaste

Parent’s Choice Diaper Cream

That is a total of 13 empties this month. I have a feeling that the trend of less empties will continue for the rest of the year. I don’t know how I am going to finish up 200 items now. I really need to step up my game and start reaching for products that I can hit pan on. I should also really work on my lip collection as well. I could probably empty a couple of those in August if I really try. July’s basket seems to be a bit empty, so I might have less than this month. I won’t really know until I count them out. I am going to shift my focus to makeup now that I have some of my skincare under control. I don’t have time for eye make when I go to work, so I will be focusing on base and lip products. I will make a better effort to do my eye makeup when I am at home. It is time to get serious, so I can drop some serious dough on makeup next year.

With Love,

 

May Empties

I may be late sharing my empties, but I never knew how much I had to share in a month until I cut down my schedule to about 15 posts a month. I’ve been having to switch around the format of my posts and so this one is coming up later in the month than what I like. I basically sit down two Sundays a month now and write posts. I now have two Sundays a month free for classes. I only work on my blog for about 4 hours a month. That only includes writing the posts, not taking the pictures and coming up with the ideas. I am happy with this new pace of my blog. It makes it so I can be a well-rounded person and have time for everything that I want to have time for. It is nice to know that when life gets hectic, I generally have a week or two already planned out on my blog.

You hear about these every month, so I am cutting out the drinks that I purchase without fail every month. You know that I love them or else I wouldn’t have featured them for over a year here on my blog.

1 Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

2 Hair Teasing Brush

1. MJCARE Sea Weed Sheet Mask

2. Alba Botanical Acne Dote Deep Clean Astringent

3. Borghese Clay Cleanser

4. GlamGlow Super Clean Cleanser

5. Philosophy Purity Face Mask

6. Clinique Pep Start Eye Cream

7. Derma E Hydrating Day Creme

1. VS Coconut Mango 2-in-1 Wash & Scrub

2. Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter

3. Equate Pain Relieving Cream

1. Dr. Brandt BB Cream

2. ELF Color Correcting Powder

3. Buxom Plumping Lip Gloss

4. YSL Black Opium Perfume

5. 1. Perfume Sample Cards

19. Physician’s Formula Cushion BB Cream

1. 719 Walnut Avenue Honeysuckle Jasmine Hand Soap

2. Fresh Breath Brushing Gel

3. Equate Cotton Rounds 100 ct

4. 1. PaperMate Ink Joy Blue
5. 1. 1. B&BW Mini Candles

6. Avon Mini Emery Board

Well, I had a lot more empties than I had originally thought. I cannot wait to do my progress update on my 200 pan goal. I have been working on my pictures and I hope you can tell a difference. I think it looks more professional and I have added a bit of brightness to the pictures themselves by staging some lightening. Since I have a bit more time, I thought that I would put more effort into the picture taking themselves. I have a feeling that my empties will be slowing down, because I am running out of mini things. I still have a whole bunch of samples that I need to get through though. I hope you enjoyed looking through my trash today. Reviews are to come. 🙂

With Love,

Project 200 Pan: March Update

I actually did better than I thought that I would do for March with 27 empties total. I enjoy using up my products and I usually target a mix of fuller and near empty products to make them go faster. Hair care products always take forever for me, because I rarely wash my hair. Even styling products take a while, because I don’t use them daily. Having thin hair that is a bit past shoulder length doesn’t leave a lot of hair to cover with product. As my hair continues to grow longer, I am sure styling products will be faster. I also don’t go through a ton of body wash or soap, but I’m constantly switching things up. I’m sure that doesn’t help. lol The current count sits at 31/200 15/100% done.

1 Body peel is done here and that is because I finally threw it out. It is WAY too old to use now. The negative side to being a hoarder. 32 items.

3 hair care products: 2 hair masks and 1 shampoo. I am pretty proud of myself, because it takes forever for me to use up hair products. The shampoo was on it’s last legs and each pot was about 1/4 full. I used them up in 4 weeks to treat my hair before bleaching it. I ended up bleaching my hair twice and toned it grey. I will be sharing photos soon. I just have to get good pictures of myself and I hate selfies. lol 35 items

1 makeup brush that I am decluttering because I don’t like it and don’t use it. 36 items.

1 packet of exfoliating cleansing wipes and 1 deluxe sized cleanser out of the way bringing my total to 38 items used up this past March. I need to get more wipes, because I love to use them when I am lazy and I am almost in need of cleanser. I don’t have that much left at all. This post is actually a nice reminder that I can do a little beautylish haul and buy some The Ordinary Serums, cleanser, and wipes. I am obsessed with that site. It has so many brands and free shipping over $35.

38/200 items done and that is 19% completed. I achieved the 4% increase that I wanted for this month, so I am very happy and pleased. I think that I could do a big 8% in April. I am not saying that I have a ton right now. I think I currently have like 2 empties, but I see so many almost empty products that I think I can say with positivity that I can get that 8%. There are a few makeup items that are looking empty, so I am hoping to clear them out and open up some fresh products. I am no where nears any lip empties, so I don’t think that I will have any. I am currently working on a new Marc Jacobs gloss that I am loving and enjoying. Next month, I will probably have a lip empty. There are a few things nearing the end, but I wanted something new to play with this month.

With Love,

Sephora Play: January

I am super late to the party in showing what I got for my January Sephora Play box. I thought better late than never and I love knowing the cost breakdown of my boxes. I got box #587 and I have yet to see anyone else get the same box as me. This happens 1/2 the time with my boxes. So, I might be lucky with getting some rare boxes and I do like and will use everything inside my box this month. I have learned so much about my makeup preferences and what I like through this subscription box. I now know to give reds away, because I never look like myself in them. I also know I have too many eye pencils. I prefer lighter shadows eye shadow anything black or really dark does not go with my deep set hooded eyes. I know how to do eye makeup for my eye shape. It’s been a really great 2017 learning about myself in beauty terms.

I like the theme of January, even if it is very overdone. Everything in my box is supposed to enhance or renew a better version of you. I have two makeup items that are very natural looking to enhance your features and I have 3 skin care products. My bonus product is a hair product and I am so happy to not have another perfume sample to use up this month. Those little tubes stack up fast!

Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Masque

I never heard of this brand, but I am happy to have another hair mask to try. I love doing hair masks once a month when my hair starts feeling a bit dried out. I hope it does a good job of moisturizing. Not all hair masks are created equal.

Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel 1 fl oz $6.80

I was in need of a good exfoliant, so I am happy to now have a decent sized sample in my collection. I have dehydrated oily skin, but in the winter, I tend to get flaky on the areas of my face that are usually oily. I am also getting closer to my 28 birthday (I will be turning 26 this year) and I hear that every 7 years, your skin changes a lot. It is definitely being more dry lately, but I think it is because of the cold weather. I need to drink more water to try to balance out my skin more.

GlamGlow Supercleanse Cleanser 0.5 oz $3.20

I love GlamGlow, but they are not cruelty free. I will not buy any of their amazing products, but I will continue to use what gets sent to me. I love the Youthcleanse clay to foam cleanser, so I have high hopes for this one as well. I will use this once I am done with my current cleanser. I only wash my skin at night with a double cleanse, so this would be good for the first cleanse to get rid of dirt and makeup. I usually follow up with a more moisturizing cleanser or a face mask.

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream 3 ml $5.30

This eye cream is so expensive when you get so little. I will never have to buy eye cream again, because I keep on getting them in my boxes. I like getting eye cream in boxes though. It helps me determine which ones I would actually buy. I will spend the $30 or $40 on eye cream as long as there is 0.5 oz of product in it. Night eye cream actually works on my fine lines and wrinkles. For the day, I want something really moisturizing to keep my concealer from looking dry and flaky. Eye cream also lasts FOREVER, because you only need a little dab of it for both eyes.

MUFE Artist Face Color B302 Blush $5.75

The top swatch is the blush that I will be using as an eye shadow. It is a nice peachy color that would look pretty in the Spring on the eyes for a simple glow. It is so buttery smooth and pigmented. It also blends out like a breeze. I will look into getting some eye shadows from this brand. Hopefully, their eye shadows are just as good as their blush.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss Kristen 0.07 oz $8

I love this medium brown nude on me. It isn’t too dark and it looks very classic on my lips. It looks like I am wearing liner, but that is just my regular lip color on the edges. It looks so beautiful on me. It is a thick feeling gloss that isn’t sticky. I really love this gloss formula, but I have way too many glosses to buy any more.

The overall price of this box is the lowest I ever got at $29.05, but I absolutely love the variety that I got and look forward to trying out everything. I love it when I get more skin care than makeup and I really hope next month continues that trend.

With Love,

December Empties

Instead of saying another month gone, I’ll say another year gone this time around. I believe the older you are, the faster time seems to go by. Time never went by this fast when I was in high school. It only ever went fast when I was actually enjoying my life. Now, days that drag and days that fly, all seem to go at the same pace. Sounds cliche and maybe it is but it is also the truth. I would never go back in time. I want to always be moving forward, never going back. For the new year empties, I am going to be trying a new style of empty posts. Stay tuned until Feb to see the new empties.

1. & 2. International Delight Coffee Creamer

3. & 4. Gerber Graduates Lil’ Beanies

5. New England Coffee Colombian Supremo

6. Dunkin’ Donuts Caramel Coffee Cake

7. Gerber Puffs in Sweet Potato

8. Dr Fresh Kids’ Toothbrushes

9. – 12. Two Sharpie Highlighters & Two InkJoy pens

13. Zesty Paws Turmeric Curcumin Bites

14. ProActiv Refining Mask

15. Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Balm

16. Coty Vampire Perfume

17. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

18. Velvet Purple Scrunchy

19. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and Zinc 1%

20. Biore Baking Soda Cleanser

21. Gliss Ultra Moisture Shampoo

22. Equate Motrin

23. Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel

December was a light month for me and January is already looking better. I have been decluttering some makeup products here and there that are just not good anymore. As I go throughout the year, I plan on decluttering anything that I don’t like that I know are recent products to friends and anything else can and will be thrown away. It’s time for a new me that doesn’t keep products around just to have them.

With Love,