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,

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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,

Sephora Play: April 2017

I am super excited for this month’s mostly skincare box.  I am a skin care fanatic, so I am not complaining about this box. I’d rather have more skincare than makeup any day. I know there has been people complaining about the lack of makeup, but two out of five were makeup related. I don’t think the box was too unbalanced. I recieved this box during the week. I always seem to get it on the third week of the month, which gives me less than 14 days to use my extra 50 points card. If they took the cards online, then it wouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t used the card once, because the closest Sephora is an hour away. It’s only worth it if I am going clothes shopping, which I am doing next week. Expect a huge clothing haul and another small Sephora haul next weekend.

I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the bag. I decided to use this bags to hold little gifts for the people I work with. One might be promoted to supervisor, so I might add a couple of goodies to this bag and give it to her for congratulations.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs 1.2 ml for $3.86

I really like the scent of this perfume on me and I would consider buying a full size if I couldn’t get my hands on the Donna Karen perfume that I want. I’m not sure that the perfume is selling anymore. Just did a quick search and Macy’s still carries it. I still will consider this perfume though. I would like to have just four perfumes, one for each season. I might bend the rules and get this one though. I need to finish up a few perfumes first. If I finish 6 this year or close to it, I will buy a perfume during the November Sephora sale.

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover 25 ml for $3.75

This eye makeup remover is really affordable! If this works well and doesn’t sting my eyes, I will be repurchasing it. I am always on the hunt for a good eye makeup remover that I don’t have to really rub or tug at my eyes with. I’ve been using my Garnier micellular water, but I need something a bit more heavy duty. Hopefully, this doesn’t irritate my eyes and actually works to remove stubborn mascara.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream 7.5 ml for $8.13

So far, this is the most expensive item in the box and I am really excited for it. I love light weight moisturizers. Right now, I have a day and night cream that I don’t really like by Derma E. They are way too heavy for my skin that I only use both at night. Once I’m done with the Glam Glow illuminating moisturizer that I use all over my face and make sure to powder, I will crack open this baby and see if it is light as a cloud but very hydrating. I enjoy Peter Thomas Roth products for the most part. I just think that most of his products are overpriced and that only his masks are really worth it.

Make Up Forever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-10 Black for 0.01 oz for $5.25

This is a fourth of the size of the full size, which is very generous for an eye pencil. I will not be using this, so I did not swatch it. Anything I don’t like/want from my subscription box that is makeup, I will be selling to this company that I heard about through Youtube. You send them at least 10 makeup products that is on their list (mostly brands sold at Sephora) and they tell you the low to the highest that you can get for your items. You send it in a prepaid envelope and wait for the check in the mail. It is that easy. You aren’t going to get the best price for your new/gently used makeup, but at least, it’s something. I don’t need another black eye liner. I have to many and I don’t use eye liner, because I don’t have a sharpener. Really need to pick one up at the store next week. I still need to go through about 10 that I own though. I also don’t like black eye liner. I much prefer a color. I only use black in my water line.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer 0.25 fl oz for $8

I haven’t tried this primer yet, but I love silicone primers to fill in my pores. I only use primer in my t-zone, where my makeup wears off. This will last me a couple of months of use, I think. I don’t wear makeup everyday, but I love to just minimize my pores everyday. I always use a primer like this and my face looks much smoother. I enjoy trying out new stuff, but I have like three primers before this to use up. I have two illuminating ones, so I might still crack this one out earlier if I want a more matte look. I have been loving the dewy/glowy look lately. I’m surprised by how much I love the glam glow powdered down. Still won’t purchase that, but if this Smashbox doesn’t break me out, I would buy it.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate 0.25 fl oz for $12

I’ve been wanting to try something from Kate Somerville for a long time (hello goatmilk moisturizer) and I am so glad that I received this in the box. I love to use an exfoliating cleanser in the shower, so that’s where this sample will live. I only wash my hair twice a week, which is the perfect amount of times to use this product a week. It is a green cleanser that smells like green tea and mint. This is such a pampering product and the one that I am most excited for.

I really loved this month’s box and I believe that this one had more value than last month due to the focus on skincare. I hope next month has an SPF product in it. I will have to dig through my products to find some facial SPF or I will need to buy some. May is almost here and I use SPF from May to October. So, 5 months out of the year, I wear facial SPF like actual spf. Most of my products have spf in it. I want to buy and SPF spray for the face. I think that would be cool.

This box was worth $40.99. That is such an amazing value! I am happy with 4 out of 5 products, so this month only gets four stars instead of 5. It is still amazing. I am just not happy with the eye liner, if it was in a different color, I would have saved it. I am putting it in my to sell pile though.

With Love,

Buffing Beads

For Peter Thomas Roth Blemish Buffing Beads

These did not impress me, so it ended up in my shower. Anything that I do not really like cleanser-wise ends up in my shower to use up. I didn’t notice a difference in the oil production on my face. My face remained an oily mess. I also used this when my face became more normal/combination, which it is currently. I still didn’t notice a difference. It provides a light, exfoliation, but also has chemical exfoliants. The next morning, my skin is a little flaky on the drier parts o my face like my cheekbones and the bridge of skin, where my eyebrows are. I will not repurchase and I don’t recommend it.

With Love ❤

Brighten Up!

For Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

What it is: A scrub with powerful papaya enzymes to give radiance, exfoliates with micro crystals, and gently cleanses with aloe vera, coconut, and panthenol.

Key Ingredients: paraben free, sulfate free, 99% natural

How it feels/smells/looks: It really does smell like how you would imagine a spa smells like, very relaxing. It is thick , white, and very grainy. It is almost like a paste. I need to mix it with water to spread it all over my face evenly.

Why I like it: I thought that this cleanser did a decent job, but honestly? I love my St. Ives scrubs a lot better than this one. St Ives is a lot more affordable and smells better in my humble opinion. I always love trying new things that come in my subscription boxes, even if I end up not caring for it. It is a great service to try a mix of high and low end products. This product is made in Canada, which actually made me really happy. Too many things are imported from China these days and they are really not up to standard like in other countries, even if the stuff is cheap.

With Love,

January Birchbox Thoughts

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

This has really been a long time coming and the next three reviews/thoughts are sure to come some time soon. These posts usually take me an hour to write, because I have to research how much my actual samples cost and I like to be as accurate as possible. I cannot wait to resubscribe in March, since that is approximately when I will be back to working after my leave. I won’t be able to afford it on leave, when I only get 75% of my paycheck a week. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+, 5 ml for 3.40 USD

This actually matches my skin almost perfectly. It makes my skin color too pink though. I naturally have a yellow undertone and too much pink just makes me looked between flushed and like my face is a bit red/irritated. I love everything else about this product though. If only they had a undertone that would suit my skin better. It is so hard to find any kind of base that matches perfectly. Most of mine are way too orange for my complexion. A review will coming soon on this, since I recently finished it off.

Harvey Prince Sincerely, 1.5 ml for 4.30 USD

I love perfume samples and this one was no different. I love that it comes in a spray bottle instead of that dipping stick thing that always ends up spilling out more than what you want. This is a really fresh and clean scent with a bit of sweetness to it. The hint of spicy clove goes very well with the orange flower and tuber rose. I would consider buying the purse spray, if I didn’t already have so many perfumes to use up. I am working on my collection though. I have decided that for every two perfumes that I use up, I can buy one perfume. I have yet to finish up a full sized perfume, so I am no where nears buying a new one…yet. I did finish a purse spray, but I count that as 1/2 of a perfume. So, I am a 1/4 towards my purchase perfume goal.

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Jaguar Gold, 0.7 g for 5.25 USD

I really like the dark gold almost olive color. It brings out the green/gold bits in my eyes and really complements my skin tone. I don’t have another color like this in my collection. It really is quite unique. The formula off the stick is easy to work with on my eye lid. It is not for the waterline. I need a good eyeliner for my waterline, since I find it to be a lot quicker than lining my eyelids. I also never have a sharpener for these things!

Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, 20 g for 6.40 USD

I will have a review coming up on my blog about this product, since I have already finished this product up. I enjoyed using this product, but if I am going to pay 34 USD for an exfoliate, I will be repurchasing my Glam Glow.

Whish Three Whishes Body Butter in Lavender, .75 fl oz for 3.52 USD

The scent was more oatmeal than lavender, which I was very happy about. I only have a little bit of this left. It is very greasy/heavy, so I’m saving the last little bits for winter time when my hands tend to suck up the oil better. It is a quality lotion, but I think it is too greasy for my taste and I’m not crazy about the scent either.

Well, the total of my box was twice the amount that I paid for clocking in at 22.87 USD. This is one of the cheaper boxes that I got, but I loved the variety of items that I received. It only had one makeup item (not including bb cream b/c I use that everyday), which is great to slowly start a collection. I hope that these subscriptions stick around for a long time. I love the mystery to it and the cheapness of it.

With love,

Empties: The June Edition

Heya Aspiring Gurus!

Today is the first day of Julamorous! If you are just going me this year, Julamorous is a month-long event, where I post every day for the whole month. So, there will be many posts this month and I try really hard not to miss any days and if I do, I always make up for it and will post two days worth the next day. I want this year to be even better with possibly multiple posts a day. I think that this would work better on my days off than when I do work. I work most days of the week. I typically get one day off a week or one day off  every two weeks, depending upon how many hours I can pick up at my second job. I work my second job at Macy’s, which gives out great coupons by the way. I haven’t used them yet, but I plan on using them up in the next couple of months. They expire in September and I don’t want them to go to waste. Anyways, I am getting severely off topic. This is an empties post. I didn’t go through a lot of items this month, but May was a really heavy month for empties.  I predict that July will be a really heavy empties month as well. Here are the few things that I did finish this past month:

Axe Fresh Twist 24H Deodorant Stick, 3 oz

The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth, 1 fl oz

Blistex Stridex Maximum 90 Sort-Touch Pads

Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser, 6.77 fl oz

Kleenx Hand Towels, 60 Count

Paper Mate InkJoy, 300RT 1.0M in Blue

Gillette Men’s Razor, 2 Blade

Gillette Satin Care with a Touch of Olay Sensitive Shave Gel, 7 oz

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator, 2.5 fl oz