Primer Collection 2018

So, I am continuing this series until I have ran through everything that I have photographed in my collection as of January when I took all of these pictures. I have been trying not to overload my feed too much with these posts, but also I was so behind in the new year. I am at a more comfortable place with my blogging now, where I have room to diversify my content a bit. I am thinking about posting about getting back to going to college, college shopping mini haul, and how online college is. Let me know if any of you are interested in that. I will probably end up doing it anyways, because I think that would be great for others to know that you can ALWAYS go back and finish.

I am super happy to only be seeing 5 primers, four of which are deluxe sizes. I am currently trying to use up the PTR and Benefit primers. I will move on to my full size next along with Cover FX when I want a more glowy look. Once Cover FX is done, I will pull in Smashbox for when I get tired of Studio Gear, which by the way, has little shimmer particles in it. I believe it is a little glowy as well too. It was been a long time, since I have worn it though. I cannot say for sure. I am not worried about my primer stash. I am confident that by the end of the year that I will be looking for a new primer and I already have a couple on my Loves List to try out when that time comes.

I am hoping that more of my collection will become pared down like this. I know my lip products will always be CRAZY, but I am hoping for my eye makeup drawer to be less stuffed by the end of the year. I know what I like now, so I am definitely a smarter consumer than when I first started out. I got so overwhelmed being able to buy anything I wanted, because I had a job that paid well for the first time. My first “real” job. Having a kid brings you down to earth fast on what you can truly afford.

With Love,

Advertisement

$200 Before 2018: Update #7

I did not finish as much as I would have liked in October. I’m really cutting it close with this project. I’m starting to think that I won’t be able to use up $200 worth of makeup before the New Year. But I am getting away from myself again.

Let’s recap: I have used 15 out of 20 products to the tune of $133.20 out of $200.

I’m really not sure if I am going to make it. To “win” this challenge, I need to have used up at least 2 products to the tune of 22.27 for the next three months to pull this off. I am not sure about the dollar amount, but I did use up at least 2 products. At least, I think I won half the challenge this past month. It just means that I need to hustle in November!

By glancing at this, I can see that I finished up 4 products bringing my total to 19 out of 20 products used up. I will easily hit my goal of 20 by the November update no problem there. Now, let’s take a look at the price of everything. I paid $7 for the Sephora powder. The Cover FX was in a $10 kit, so I’ll take it as $5 worth. Okay, so far it’s $12, let’s keep going. These nail polishes retailed for $7.99. Now, I’m up to $19.99. Let’s give $1 for the sample. That’s $20.99. I’m looking up the perfume now to see if I can find it. I found the roller ball selling for $3.50, so I’ll say the same for this one. My total used this month is $24.49 and totally NOT what I was expecting. I might actually have a chance!

My total used up is 19 out of 20 totaling $157.69 out of $200. I need to use up $21.15 the next two months in order to “win” this panning challenge. It feels so good to use up what you have and not see SO MUCH clutter. I mean, I still see clutter, but it feels good to use up your stash. This challenge has really opened up my eyes to what I have and how long it takes to use up items. I’m going to be more strict with myself and makeup next year. I’m going to go on a year low buy. I’m only allowing myself to splurge twice a year, otherwise than that, only when I NEED something like replacing my daily face powder.

With Love,

October Empties

Another month, another empties post. I went through surprising a lot this month. I wasn’t expecting to use up so much, but it seems like a lot of my products are on their last legs. I expect November and December to be heavy months as well. I am grateful that I never lost power in the storm that terrorized New England this week and I pray for the lives lost in the terrorist attack in New York City. That city has gone through way too much. My car was damaged in the storm, but at least, no one got hurt. I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I’ll be outside playing with my son today.

1. Soo AE Nature Vitamin Collagen Essence Mask

2. EOS Shave Cream Pomegranate Raspberry

3. International Delight Coffee Creamer

4. Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Bubble Bath Raspberry Rescue

5. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

6. Zesty Paws Omega Bites

7. Dr. Fresh Kids’ Toothbrushes

8. Yankee Candle Tropical Island Breeze Candle

9. Glade Cozy Autumn Cuddle Candle

10. Mr Bubbles Magic Bath Crackles

11. Gerber Lil’ Beanies

12. Dial Winter Frost Hand Soap

13. Equate Beauty Cotton Rounds

14. Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel

15. WEN Sweet Almond Mint Texture Balm

16. WEN Cucumber Almond Texture Balm

17. Precious Perfume

18. Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops Radiance

19. Nicole by OPI Roughles

20. Lush Penguin Bubble Bar

21. Avon Advance Techniques Anti-Dandruff Treatment

22. Equate Medicine

23. Sephora Bright Set Loose Finishing Banana Powder

24. Goody Hair Tie

25. Briogeo Rosarco Milk Leave- In Conditioning Spray

26. Olehenriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil

27. It Cosmetics CC Sample

 

I am super impressed with what I was able to move out this month. I’m running low on product reviews, so I might disappear during the week with no new posts once in a while. On those weeks, I will be writing product reviews for my blog. I like to hand write them first before typing them up on my blog. Next week will probably be an empty week. I’m going to try to write as many reviews as I can. Maybe I can empty out my review basket. I’m hoping to write ten reviews, because lets face it, there are like 50 products in my review basket right now. lol. If I do 5 reviews a day this weekend, I’ll be happy.

With Love,

Sephora Play October

Another month has come and gone and this one is almost over. I received my Sephora Play late this month. Maybe it had to do with customized foundation color? I’m not sure if it’s my color, but I’m going to try it out. If it doesn’t work out, I can get a new sample in store with my Sephora Play! card, which is fantastic of Sephora. Everyone is guaranteed a good foundation color, even if it isn’t your perfect foundation formula. Well, as long as that brand in that foundation has a color to match you to. Have you guessed the theme yet for this month’s Play box? It is Complexion Companions.

I really love this month’s box contents, but I don’t care for the bag to be honest. I thought that all of the products went with the theme. Sephora seems to be getting better at doing these themed bags. I got two items from the same brand in this box, but they are completely different products, so I don’t mind it that much. But come on Sephora! You have tons of brands and I get two from the same brand? Must have had too much samples from that brand. That’s really the only disappointing thing in this box: that I got two samples from the same brand. I absolutely LOVE everything though.

Chanel Gabrielle

I read Stella’s blog and she wrote about buying this perfume. I can say that this is a beautiful and sweet adult fragrance. It is floral, but sweet. It isn’t musky. It is the perfect day time scent and very office friendly. I wear perfume everyday and I can see this one being a go to staple. When I need to buy a Spring scent, I would consider this one. I need to get myself down to four bottles of perfume: one for every season. This would be a perfect Spring scent. It is fresh and light. I really love it.

MUFE Ultra HD Skin Booster Serum, 0.15 fl for $15.38

I am very surprised at the value of this sample. The full size is a little more than double this amount. That seems like such a small amount for a full size worth $41. I would never send that much for less than 0.5 fl oz of serum. I spent $40 on the Sunday Riley UFO that was 0.5 fl oz of oil and I considered that expensive but worth it. I am already using a hydrating serum right now, but as soon as that one is done (which will be pretty soon), I will be testing this one out. I feel like hydrating serums are very basic. I will probably just repurchase the one that lasted me several months and was very cheap.

Becca First Light Priming Filter, 0.2 fl oz for $7.60

Another expensive brand that I have been dying to try. I say Lizloveshermakeup on Youtube rave about this product and the fact that it is purple has me hooked. I’m so shook to be able to try this out. I haven’t found a primer that I am in love with yet, so maybe this one will be the one? It’s hard for me to find makeup products to be my holy grails. Preferences change all the time and my skin changes as well. Things I used to love, no longer it the bill. Plus, I’ve gone cruelty free, which really restricts my options. I’m pretty sure Becca is cruelty free, so if I love it, I’ll purchase it. Once I’ve gone through my other full size primer. Samples, I can go through, but I need to get my full size out of the way in order to buy another.

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight, 2.8 ml for $7.98

Another product that I am super stoked to try. I’ve tried other things from Cover FX, but what I really wanted to try was this highlighter. It is a nice bronzy pink shade and I am so excited to wear it. I want to get the little volt set of all of these mini ones. It blends out like a dream and you can make it look subtle or beam in your face. I like to go a little more subtle for work, but glowing on the weekends. It will be a great versatile liquid highlighter in my collection. If I really love it, I’m going to buy their unicorn shade. Although, I do hear that the full sizes tend to dry out. I’ll stick to buying the smaller size if I really am impressed by this one.

MUFE Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in R230, 5 ml or $6.45

I feel like this will be a good match, even though it is lighter than my Sephora match which is R250. This was the featured product of the month that everyone should have gotten in their bags. I am happy with the shade. In the bottle it looks more on the pink side. I have a yellow undertone, but I like more rosy to neutral foundation colors on me to tone down the yellow in my skin. I like to look healthy and have a good glow. Yellow is very sallow and I don’t need a yellow foundation to emphasis that. I am using a sample of a cushion foundation right now. I will use this to see the color match, but I probably wont break it out until December to use on a consistent basis.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, 0.12 oz for $4.56

Another product that I was excited to see in my bag due to all the Youtube hype. Basically, I was excited with everything in my bag this month. I have run out of all my loose powders, so I am going to be putting back my ELF color correcting finishing powder in cool and putting this bad boy in my cabinet. I am a huge fan of loose powder, even though it is very messy at times. I still love a pressed powder, but loose powder seems to suit my preferences better at the moment.

$41.97 is the grand total of my bag. While I don’t think it was the most expensive bag, I believe one of my bags hit over $50 in the past, I am the most excited about the products in this bag than any other I have received before. It is quadruple the value that I paid for and the fact that I can use every single product on the daily makes this a 5 out of 5 for me hands down. I look forward to what the next two bags have to bring for me in 2017.

With Love,

October Makeup Bag

Instead of doing project pans and I’m about to call it quits on my Pan That Palette Challenge, I thought that I would focus on 5 makeup products every month with a bonus perfume item and see what kind of progress I can make in a month on the items. This is also a way for me to rotate through my products and give them all the love that they deserve instead of just focusing on one palette. I’ll probably announce my defeat next week. I’m just tired of the same palette. I need the spice of life: variety!

I’m pretty happy at my first attempt of a flat lay. Everything looks pretty good on the makeup bag. I’ve used every product in the picture so far, except the eye gloss. Everything else has been used a few times. I’m going to try to wear the eye gloss next weekend. I had to be somewhere every morning this weekend and I wasn’t going to be putting on a full face at 6 in the morning. I don’t have time for that. I did manage to put on some concealer and lipstick though. Priorities people.

The liquid lipstick is definitely more on the nude/orange/brown side. It looks more brown farther away than up close, but I really love this color on me and it goes great with the nude Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Paarty. Oh, the liquid lipstick is the Tarte Lip Paint in Birthday Suit. I haven’t used either of these before, so I’m starting the month with brand new lipstick and blush. I’m hoping to hit pan on the blush and to go through about half of the lipstick. I might even wear it at work. It’s a good neutral color. Just need to remember my mirror for touch ups.

The perfume is With Love by Hilary Duff and I just love this perfume! It is such a good warm scent for Fall and I will be sad when I finish this off. It’s a 0.5 fl oz bottle and I have about 60% left. I have no goal for this except to enjoy it before it goes bad in my collection. I am almost done with my Cover FX primer oil and I just want to finish it off. It isn’t my favorite and I don’t enjoy it that much. If I finish it before the month is over, I’ll replace it with a primer of my choice that I already have in my stash.

The only thing left to talk about is my Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla. I think I’ve used 1/4 of this already. I’m showing windows in the tube. I want to use it up as I have two other concealers in my collection and I don’t particularly care for this one. I think it’s overpriced for what it is and Nars is no longer cruelty free. I think I’ll purchase an Urban Decay concealer next. Drug store concealers have NEVER worked for me. They are way too yellow and the Nars matched me perfectly. It never oxidized either. High end concealer is where it’s at for me and you don’t need that much. I use concealer under my eyes and around my mouth where my smile lines are to brighten that area.

This is what my everyday (and night!) makeup shelf looks like in my medicine cabinet. It is A LOT less cluttered and I can grab everything easily. I have my every day setting powder, my night lip balm, my eye primer, and setting spray out as well as the products I chose. Oh, and mascara! Never forget mascara. I feel like at least two of the products that I’ve shown will be used up by November. In November, I will show you the progress of October and move right into the November picks.

With Love,

❤ Selena Hannah ❤

7 Before Spring Finale

So, this project pan was somewhat of a fail, since I did not use up any of the items. I used every item in the project for a total of three weeks. I started this project really late, but I am still happy about all the progress that I was able to make in such a short amount of time. I will be sharing my 6 Before Summer post soon enough. Without further ado, let’s get to what this post is about.

Fantasy Vampire Perfume

I am so happy with my progress on this perfume and now, I will store the rest away for next Winter. I think I have just enough to last one more winter, before I will need to purchase another winter scent. I think I will go with that Bourbon perfume from Lily and James aka Mary-Kate and Ashley. I really like this scent, but it just doesn’t last past the two hour point and can smell a little like BO on next day clothes. It’s weird and I will not repurchase and I cannot recommend it.

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub

These are Before and After pictures by the way. You cannot really see the progress here, but I did use it for a week. I will continue to use this every night before I go to bed. It has become habit now.

Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in No 2 Sunkissed

I’m proud with this progress, too. I have finished a third of the product, but I need a break from the color. I’m going to use up a different blush in the Spring, but I will come back to this in the summer. It is so light and long lasting. It is perfect in summer for that lit from within glow. It gives a nice rosy glow like you got a nice amount of sun. I really like this blush and I highly recommend them. A little bit also goes A LONG way.

Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops in Radiance

I really like the subtle glow that this gives my cheeks, so I might actually use this as a facial oil in the morning. It absorbs fast and after I powder, it just gives a nice sheen to the skin. I am hoping to use this up in March, but we will see. I would not repurchase this, because I would rather use a highlighter that is not an oil.

Wen Volumizing Treatment Spray

I need to use this up, because I do not like it at all. It is alright to use up, but I will be happy when it is done and I will not be repurchasing anything Wen ever again. I am actually settling with their class action law suit, so I should be getting $30 in the mail one of these years. It is the least they can do for selling cheap products.

Lush Cup O’ Coffee Face and Body Mask

I only have a few more uses and then, I’ll be done. I am looking forward to emptying this out, but I’ll be sad when it’s done. I’ll have to wait until Dean’s birthday to pick more up during the sale. I want to purchase the blue mask, but this is a very good choice as well.

Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner in 01 Nude

I love this lip conditioner, but I look forward to using it up. I have it on my to buy list at Sephora for when I am close to running out of lip balms. I have about 7 lip balms right now, but I think I’ll buying this next year. I just got my tax money, so be ready for a few Sephora hauls. I have $200 that I am splitting up into 4 purchases to get the most out of the samples and deluxe goodies!

With Love ❤

Selena Hannah ❤

Sephora Haul

Hey friends! I have a Sephora haul up for you today and I PASSED MY AIT 131 TEST! I had to go to a prometric center and it took me an hour and a half to take the test, even though I had two hours to take it. I arrived 30 minutes before my test time and they let me go in early since there were empty stations. As long as there is an empty station, you can start early, but it doesn’t give you extra time. Anyways, I am so happy to have passed. I don’t start another class until next year, but if I am moving, I might not start another class until February or March. I don’t want to put too much on my plate, but I def want to try to finish my Associates degree in IT this upcoming year. The following year, I plan on working towards my Associates degree in Data Analysis. I would like to be a data analyst, because they make good money at 20 to 25 dollars an hour. Enough about my life dreams/story, let’s get on with a good old fashion haul.

Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner, sample FREE

I received the three random samples that I didn’t pick. They never send me what I pick out, but I also received a little sample mystery bag. This was in the mystery bag and I am excited to try it. I am not showing the bag and two products that I bought, because it is part of Danielle’s Christmas gift and I hope she likes it. I went for something different again like for her birthday. I am excited to try this lip conditioner and it is in a size that I can easily use up.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Perfume, sample FREE

This was one of those samples that they just threw into my box. I actually like the scent of this perfume though. It’s not something that I usually go for. It’s very spicy like salt and pepper. There is just something about it that I really like and it does last all day. I might have to pick up a full size after I finish off a few of my perfumes.

Giorgio Armani Armani Code Perfume, sample FREE

I already gave this perfume to my dad. It seems like something he would wear aka it is a manly scent with warm tones of vanilla. Mostly a man scent though. It smells like a man. I don’t want to smell like I hugged a man wearing too much cologne. Not a fan of this one. My dad really loves it though. Probably because he IS a man.

Versace Eros Perfume, sample FREE

This one is very light and citrusy. It is a little woodsy. Nothing really special. I don’t mind it, but I wouldn’t go out and buy a bottle like I want to do with Spicebomb. And yes, my three free samples were all perfume. The little free sample bag that I received made up for it though. I love all the little goodies I got in there like the lip conditioner.

IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm, sample FREE

I’m interested in trying this out. I’ve never heard of a hair balm before and it is like a leave in conditioner and not a styler like I originally thought. I like interesting products that seem unique and this seems very unique. My hair is on the drier side from only washing it twice a week, but it is healthier and less oily this way. It’s the perfect amount of washing for my hair. If I had time to style my hair, I could do more to it than stick it in ponytails and buns. Dean keeps ripping out my hair, too, which makes growing out a lob difficult. I miss my mermaid hair!

Sephora Instant Moisture+ Cream, sample FREE

A face cream is a face cream. I’m not very excited about this, but I will use it.

The Estee Edit Pink Peony overnight Water Pack, sample FREE

I am excited for this mask! I love hydrating masks without the sheet. I am trying to use up my sheet masks, because they scare my son. My face is getting more dry with the colder weather, so I need the extra moisture. I really like peonies, so I’m hoping that it smells very luxurious and spa like.

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask, sample FREE

I loved the grapefruit soap from Fresh, but haven’t been too impressed by the rose mask or the cleanser. I am hoping that this has a scent better suited for me. I don’t like the scent of rose unless its a true to life scent and not grandmotherish. Again, I am enjoying moisture masks that are clear, because they don’t scare my 11 month old.

Dermablend Long Wear Makeup Remover, sample FREE

This is a decent sized sample that will come in handy now that I bought a proper makeup pallet. I haven’t had any time to try out any looks with my new pallet, so I haven’t had a chance to try this out yet. I only use makeup remover when I wear a full face of makeup, which is mostly on the weekends. During the work week, I tend to be basic, but if I go back to wearing foundation to work (I’ve been using finishing powder on my skin. It gives just a hint of color and fights shine), I will be using this remover sooner rather than later.

Cover FX Radiant Skin Duo, $10 USD

Cover FX Illuminating Primer

Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops for Radiance

I am so happy that I purchased this cheap kit. I have been intrigued by the Cover FX brand and these two little guys have convinced me that I need their liquid highlighter. I’m not sure on the color yet. The illuminating primer is not a primer. It is like BAM highlighter. I would use this carefully on my face like probably just my cheeks. The drops just give a nice dewy glow and I liked it on a bare face mixed into my moisturizer. I wouldn’t repurchase the primer, but I do want to buy a highlighter and I would buy a large bottle of the infusion drops. I’m so glad to have tried Cover FX.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, $12 USD

I cannot believe how creamy this is and how opaque it is as well. This really covers up my dark circles well, but with a color corrector underneath, it makes my under eyes look flawless. The coverage is so opaque that I can only use this as an under eye concealer when I have foundation on. It blends in and the high coverage doesn’t look as obvious as with a bare face. I use this on little spots that pop up on my face as well. It cancels out the redness, so the eye just glides over that area. I probably won’t repurchase, but will try the Maybelline dupe for this to save some money. I would buy another mini eventually.

Smashbox Lighting Theory Pallet, $45 USD

This pallet may not be much to look at, but it is filled with such beautiful makeup and great quality. I could not pass it over and it won out over the Bobby Brown Shimmer Bricks pallet and the Tarte Contour pallet as well. I love the holographic finish and that half the pallet are creams and the other half are powders. It is such amazing quality. Everything swatched beautifully and I cannot wait to put this stuff on my face. I haven’t had any time to play with it. I like that it gives you inserts to teach you basic makeup looks an how to use the cream products.

The creams are beautiful and blend really well. The top row are color correctors, the second row is contour, bronzer, and highlight, and the last row are highlighters. I can see getting a lot of use out of the cream highlighters and the color correctors. I can experiment with contouring and the bronzer will have to wait until Summer to be believable. I use highlighter on an everyday basis, so I would probably hit pan fast on those. They are all so beautiful and they are perfect for my fair skin.

The eye shadows and blush are gorgeous as well. The eye shadow nectar would be a good base color, because it is practically my skin color. The blush spectrum would actually be a good light bronzer for me right now. Carnation is my favorite blush color though. It is very natural. I love the intense shimmers. I’m happy to see both mattes, shimmers, and glitters in here. It is everything you need for a complete eye look. I’m hoping they translate just as well on the eyes as finger swatched.

That’s my haul! Now, I’m going to go play with my makeup.

With Love ❤