May Empties

I feel really good about the amount of products that I was able to push out this month. It even out the amount of products that I have brought in. I really have been concentrating on using up samples, deluxe sizes, and almost empty products this month. I am sure there will be just as many empties in June as well from my May efforts. I don’t want to have a crazy backstock of items. I don’t want to have to keep 3 bins in my closet to hold all of my items (hair, body, skin care). I want to hold everything in just one backup storage bin. If by the end of the year I can have two bins, I will be a very happy girl. I think this is more realistic at this point in time. I keep my makeup totally separate, but I would like to have one empty drawer out of my jewelry case for my everyday jewelry to be accessible. I have larger makeup items on top where jewelry is stored, so I’d like to have an empty drawer for that purpose. If I use up enough makeup, I can make this happen. Fingers crossed!

1.DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom

I used up this perfume in my project pan. It was the first item in the project that I was able to use up. I enjoyed this Spring scent, but I am more interested in buying a different Be Delicious perfume than repurchasing this one. I would not repurchase this one, because the scent wasn’t apple-y enough for me and too floral. Glad to have a perfume out of my collection. That is the second perfume used up this year, so I am a happy girl right now. Hopefully, I’ll be able to move out two more by the end of the year and keep up the pace.

2. Smashbox Primerizer Sample

I have no opinion on this product. It was a nice primer to use up, but I notice nothing from foil packets. I’m not interested in trying this primer, though.

3. Sumita Jaipur Gold Contrast Eye Pencil

This came in a subscription box, but has since dried out. It looks great on the back of my hand, but I cannot press it hard enough into my eye lid for the same pigmentation. I am not going to kill my eyeballs for the sake of using up an eye liner that I didn’t even buy myself, so I am happily decluttering this one.

4. Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

Chunky and clumpy lashes. I just hate that type of look on me. I have naturally long dark eye lashes, so I am just looking for darkening and volume. It was too clumpy to salvage it. I even tried using my lash brush to brush out some of the clumps and I had mascara bits all over my face from brushing out the clumps. I’m glad to be decluttering, because I don’t enjoy using it. The short stubby bristles on the wand are not great for lengthening and gives really chunky lashes.

5 – 7. Moda Oval Makeup Brushes

I hate these with a passion. I don’t like them. I prefer traditional brushes. The only one that was good is the biggest one, but with a flimsy wand, I quickly grew tired of it. Now, I have the ELF blending brush and couldn’t be happier with it.

8. Benefit High Beam Cream Highlighter

I scraped out every last bit that I could. I even cut the tube in half. I enjoyed this by adding it into my moisturizer for a healthy glow. It was perfect for that. I am enjoying using up my cream highlighters in this way. I would rather use a glowy primer when I am done with my cream highlighters though. I still keep a pink cream highlighter in my collection though in case I use a pore filling primer. It would be good to use on no makeup days for a glowy look. Yeah, I think I’ll always have a pink cream highlighter on hand, but that is all the cream highlighter that I need. I will not repurchase this. It was too frosty for what I want to use it for and it is not cruelty free.

9. HIGH Expectation Cannabis Facial Oil Sample

This sample lasted me a week of nightly use leaving me very pleasantly surprised. It sinks in faster than other oils and smells like fruity pebbles. I like other oils that sink in faster and do more for my skin than just hydrate AKA the Sunday Riley UFO oil. I still did enjoy this sample, but I mostly buy main stream brands and I’ve never heard of this one before. Oh and the fact that its cannabis doesn’t bother me in the slightest. LOL.

 

 

10. MAC PREP + PRIME FIX + MINI in Lavender

I don’t see these as a necessary step in my routine if I am already using primer. I feel like I need a pore filling primer or a mattifying one that does something for my skin rather than this one that just adds moisture. This might be nice for dry skin, but I don’t see the point for my skin. I will gladly use my minis up and buy this on sale again, because it is very refreshing and nice. I wouldn’t buy it full price. I’d rather spend money on a setting spray that will lock my makeup in place. I really enjoy the experience of using this though. I can see drier skin types loving this spray.

11. Johnson’s Bedtime Baby Moisture Wash

I bought this for $1 or $1.50 when a Walmart I lived near was clearancing this line out to redo their baby section. I used this as a nighttime bubble bath for Dean. I got a ton of use out of it and it did have a very soothing scent. I would not purchase this full price, but I would buy it on sale again. I usually buy Dr. Teals or the Walmart brand bubble bath. I am not gonna lie, I used this a few times as well. It made quite a few baths and lots of bubbles. Even though technically its not a bubble bath, we used it as such and it performed great.

12. Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream Sample

This was enough for 2 uses on the face. It was nice enough, but I really have no opinion of it. I would need a deluxe size to really comment on it.

13. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter Unscented

I only used up one of the samples. I’ve had it before. I wouldn’t purchase it. It takes a long time to sink into the skin, so it’s kinda a hassle to use. It was enough for almost 2 full body uses.

14. Magic Bath Crackles

This was enough for 2 baths. Dean ignored it for the most part. It was worth a shot.

15. Crayola Color Bath Dropz

These continue to be a repurchase for us. Dean loves different colors in his bath water. It makes bath time a fun experience for him. They just change the color of the bath water, so there isn’t much to review about it. It doesn’t stain the tub or his skin, so its a winner in my book.

16. Not Your Mother’s Way To Grow Long & Strong Shampoo

I really enjoyed this shampoo. I liked the fragrance and it lathered nicely. I don’t know if it did anything to make my hair grow longer, but I would buy another shampoo from this brand again. It is a great cruelty free drugstore option. I wasn’t blown away by this shampoo, but it is a solid shampoo with good ingredients. I’m not too fussy when it comes to shampoo, but I do like them to clean my hair. I always shampooed my hair twice with this as I felt that once wasn’t enough to strip out all the oil in my hair. I wouldn’t mind repurchasing this again, but I’d rather try another shampoo by the brand.

17. ROLOXIN LIFT INSTANT SKIN SMOOTHING MASK

I am decluttering this to my mom.

18. Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath

My mom put this is Dean’s easter basket and we used it up once our bath was fixed. In a few baths, we finished this bad boy off and I ordered some bubble bath at Walmart. Dean loves bubbles in his tub and I do like it as well when I indulge in a bath.

I am very proud of how much stuff I was able to use up on my birthday month! I am happy that I used up 18 products this month with 8 being full sized, 4 deluxe, and 6 samples. I don’t expect much coming into my collection in June besides maybe another VS bra or something since I do have another $10 gift card. Nothing beauty wise though, so these numbers have put me in a good spot to cut down on my collection while adding to it. I am very happy and proud of what I have been able to accomplish this month. Hopefully, June is just as good of a month. I can see quite a few products hanging by a hair in my collection, so I’m going to take that as a good sign.

With Love,

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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,

$200 Before 2018 Update #4

I feel like I used up quite a bit in July and so far, I feel like August hasn’t been as successful. We shall see next month. But this update is a big deal for me. I finished a ton of perfume samples and I am still steadily going through them. I’m using up all of my sprayer samples first and then going onto the dabbing ones. I finished up 4 deluxe sized makeup products as well. It’s very hard to go through a lot of makeup, so I’m very happy with the results that I see here. So at the end of June, I used up 7 out of 20 products with the total adding up to $78.74 out of $200. Let’s see what I can add to that.

Perfume samples: 5 = $5

I enjoyed how sweet the Brittany Spears Midnight Fantasy is. I would pick that one up if I came across it as Marshalls, but I’m on a no perfume buy. It is so crisp and fresh and sweet like candy. I just love it. If I see a bottle at Walmart, I might just have to buy it. The rest of the samples were okay, but nothing that I would purchase for myself. There were no scents that I couldn’t wear. I just didn’t care for them.

Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Conditioning Lip Treatment = $8

I liked using this as a night time treatment, but I would not purchase it. It felt grainy if I got it on my teeth and I don’t like that sensation. This lasted me forever! I already found my dream night time lip balm, so I’m just trying to use up my balms.

Model Co Lip Lacquer in Viva = $6

I really enjoyed using this and the peachy color pay off. I took out the stopper and used up every last drop. I would not purchase this, but I am glad to have moved it out of my collection. I’d much rather buy a lip oil. I thought that I wouldn’t like this though and I did. It had a lot of pigment for a gloss and I used this up at work so very appropriate.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm = $7.20

I am considering buying this in the full size. I want to use up the rest of my primers first, but when I get down to 1, I really want to buy this. It was very moisturizing and gave my skin a nice glow. I used this mostly on its own and my skin looked flawless with this on. I got a lot of compliments on my skin when wearing this. I need to use up what I have first though. I’ll revisit this next year.

DERMAdoctor DD Cream = $8.76

This was WAY too dark to use on my face, so I used this on my legs when I wore a skirt to work. My legs looked tanned and toned. It was too dark for my face, but not only that, it was too greasy as well. I’m glad that I used it up and it’s gone. I need to do this with the rest of the creams that I bought/received that are way too dark for my face. It also didn’t moisturize my legs very well. I cut it with some body lotion to help with that.

Okay, I am pretty impressed with the monetary value that I used up in July. I have used up 11 out of 20 makeup items with the total being $113.70 out of $200. I am over halfway there now! I really think that I have a chance at completing this project. Next year, instead of project pans and this series, I will be doing a Finish 100 by 2019 and monthly makeup bags. This series is going so well that I want to pull in all of my other categories like hair and skin care for next year. The makeup bags will be fun, too. Every month, I’ll focus on different items to use up.

With Love,

 

Empties: July

I have quite a few products that I used up in July. July turned out to be a good month for me and it is mostly due to my project pan. It really motivated me to use and enjoy what I have in my collection. I’m looking forward to reviewing some of these products in my post, so stay tuned for some reviews. I’m really a review blog for the most part. I love writing reviews on products that I have used up and I have a ton of posts in back stock. I just use up so many products that the reviews get backlogged. I try to mix it up, so it’s at least a variety. That means that some of these items won’t be reviewed for months though. Now that I have explained that. Let’s get counting.

Gerber Lil’ Beanies: 6 cans

International Delight: 2 Bottles

9. New England Coffee French Vanilla

10. RuckPack Caffeine Free Raspberry Grenade

11. Dunkin’ Donuts Caramel Coffee Cake Coffee

12. GlamGlow YouthCleanse Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

13. Tony Moly I’m Real Red Wine Sheet Mask Pore Care

14. Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Paper Mask

15. Soo Ae Charcoal Clay Bubble Mask

16. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate

17. Palmer’s Coconut Oil Facial Moisturizer

18. 19. Oribe Shampoo & Conditioner For Brilliance & Shine

20. 21. 22. John Freida Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth Shampoo, Conditioner & Primer

23. B&BW True Blue Spa Malibu Radiance Whipped Body Cream

24. Coty Lady Gaga Fame Black Shower Gel

25. Colgate Radiant Optic White Toothpaste

26. Equate Acetaminophen

27. Orange Paper Mate Ink Joy Pen

28. Hair Tie

29. Swisspers Cotton Rounds

30. Better Than! Ears

31. Munchkin Diaper Pail Refills

32. Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm

33. 34. 35. 36. 37. Sample Perfumes

38. DERMAdoctor DD Cream

39. Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer

40. ModelCo Lip Lacquer

I impressed myself this month with 40 empties. Granted only 23 were beauty, skin care, and hair care products. Still, 23 beauty related empty products is amazing in one month. I think August will bring around 20 items total. I really emptied quite a few products. Most of what I am using now are mostly full. I’m not thinking that I will have a whole lot, which is good. I have so many reviews to write about now. About 20 I think. I know it’s August 6th right now, but I have an empty bucket.

With Love ❤

14 Before Fall: Update #1

I am really excited to share my update with all of you on my Fall project pan. I feel like I got a ton accomplished and will have even more in my August update. I feel like with more variety of things to use up my passion for panning really came out. I was enjoying using everything that I had and I think it helps to add products that you just want to use and have fun with. For me, this project isn’t all about panning. It is about enjoying what you have and that’s what I’ve been doing. In the process, I have used up a few items and got close to finishing a few more. Just a reminder, this project ends on September 22nd.

 

I have 14 products in the picture above and I started out with 16 items. You might think that I only finished up two products, but I believe that I added three more items to the project. How many did I end up using up? Keep reading to find out.

Tony Moly Red Wine Mask Sheet Pore Care

I have used used this sheet mask and serum up, hence the strike through the title. This was a great mask. It was really wet and I had enough serum to put on my face for DAYS afterward. The whole mask never really soaked up into my face and I wore it for about an hour. It took another 30 minutes for the rest of the serum to sink into my skin after I took the mask off. This should definitely be saved for a pamper night.

Roloxin Lift Instant Skin Smoothing Masque

This has two one time use packets that I have yet to use. Next time I want a clay mask, I will use this instead of my tube or jar versions. I just need these out of my collection.

Soo Ae Charcoal Clay Bubble Mask

This mask made my face super ticklish and it really bubbled up. I will be repurchasing this. Do they have different kinds of bubble masks? These are so great! It did its job and was super fun. I let it bubble on my face for 15 minutes then I rubbed it into a paste and let that sit for an additional 15. My face never felt so clean and smooth afterwards. It is worth the price of about 2 dollars. I had enough to do my face and my dad’s, but he wasn’t a fan of the tickle.

Medicell Eye Mask Duo

I have yet to use this one as well. I’m going to use it on a lazy Saturday or Sunday in the morning when I have time to enjoy them with my coffee. I like to wake up in the morning with a coffee and these seem like they would be refreshing and help with puffy morning eyes.

Yes To Grapefruit Vitamin C Glow Boosting Paper Mask

I loved the scent of this mask, but it was very thin. I ripped it a little bit trying to open it up. I loved the tingly feeling as well. I would repurchase this one as well as other ones from this brand. It is a decent mask for the price that actually showed me some results.

MJCARE Snail Essence Mask

I’m still scared of this mask, hence why I wore the other sheet masks first. I think it might take me until the end of the project for me to use this one up. Just because I’m terrified of using it and having it smell or something. It was in the multipack that I bought. I am not adventurous enough to have bought this on its own.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Facial Moisturizer

I love this and I will be repurchasing once I am out of my current creams. I even used this during the day. It soaked right into my skin leaving it hydrated not oily. My skin was less oily while using this product. It is on my repurchase list for sure. I just have to go through a jar and a half and I’ll be onto my way of getting this. It is such a beautiful product, even better than the oil.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Luminous Hydration Facial Oil

I have used up about a fourth of this a little bit goes a long way. I’m sure it will be gone by the next update though. I’m not crazy about this face oil. It’s not as good as I remember or maybe its just this luminous version. I’ll use it up, but I would not purchase this face oil. I haven’t found a good basic night oil yet.

Model Co Lip Lacquer in Viva

I am almost done with this lip gloss. I removed the stopper and using a q-tip to get the product on the bottom tube. I think I’ll be done with it by the end of next week, so I decided to add in another lip product that I cold wear at work once this one is finished. I ended up really enjoying the color on this one. It is more peachy than pink.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in K-Dub

There is no visible progress in this tube, so I didn’t bother with a new picture. I am really loving the color and am wearing it right now as I type. It is such a fun summer color and I’ll be taking this with me to my trip to Maine tomorrow for sure.

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow in Pearl

I’m not sure that you can tell a difference but I did sharpen this pencil twice and it needs a second sharpen for sure before I use it tomorrow. I’m going to throw a few basics in my purse to apply when I get to Maine tomorrow. This is something perfect to throw in there. I love this on my lower lash line as a pop of sparkle.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm

I ended up liking this pore filling primer, but I will not be purchasing it. It’s not as good as the benefit one, but it is more hydrating. I’m on the fence about this one. I might purchase it. It was a very good sample and I enjoyed using it.

B&BW White Citrus Eau De Perfume

I’m making decent progress on this perfume, but I need to use it a little more often if I want to use it up in two months. I don’t think I’ll be able to use it up, but I think I’ll only have about half of what I had remaining by the end of the project. It’s great paired with a stronger scented perfume. I might drag this into the fall paired with a woodsy scent to make it more “Fall” appropriate.

Davines Natural Tech Replumping Hair Filler Superactive

I’ve used a decent amount of this and it will be gone by next update. I use this to spray down my fly aways when I am putting my hair in a slick ponytail or bun. So, I probably use this like 5 days a week. With a young son, I have to have my hair back or risk getting my hair pulled out.

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 8

I totally forgot about this, so I need to use it up. I’ll throw it in my bag for Maine and see if I can use it all up in one go. I don’t like to tan and buy tanning products. I will use this up. I hope I don’t get sunburned though. I’ll make sure to apply this every hour or so.

Out of my original 16 items, I have used up 5 items. So, I am down to 11 products in the project. I have to use up 9 more products to call this project a success. To increase my chances of “winning”, I am adding three more items to my project.

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Ph Changing Orange Lip Balm

This lip balm will be replacing the lip gloss at my desk at work. A lip balm is less maintenance than a gloss and I want to change it up a little. I used up the pink version in three weeks, so this might be used up by the next update. I’ll have to think about what lip product I want to try next out of my collection that is work appropriate for the summer.

Temptu Highlighter

I am replacing the Josie Maran primer with this highlighter. It is so beautiful and easy to wear. I wear it to work all last week. I can finish this up easy by the next update. I just pour a squeeze on the back of my hand and tap my brush into it and dab one cheek bone and then the other. It blends out like a dream and doesn’t look too much especially since I powder on top of it. It has an iridescent look to it.

So, I am now up to 13 products, but I only need to finish 9 of them. Can I do it by August? Stay tuned to find out. I’m really pumped that I can do it.

With Love ❤

Project Pan: 14 By Fall INTRO

I was 50% successful with my last project pan (post coming soon), so I thought that I would continue onto that route and make this project more successful. I am very hopeful to complete the challenge this time around. Now, you might be saying, but Selena, how can you finish 14 when you couldn’t finish 6. Ah, I have solved that dilemna. I have chosen products that are easy to use up, but that I just haven’t been motivated to reach for. Some of the things that I added, I am really excited to use like my new Kat Von D liquid lipstick. Without further ado, I would like to show you my 14 products to finish before Fall, which is September 21st.

I technically have 16 items listed here, but I only plan on using up 14 of them. I don’t think that I’ll be able to finish up the perfume, but I want to get good use out of it. That is why I do project pans, to get good use out of my stuff. This is basically how I rotate my stash and make sure that I keep my collection in check. This will also be a rotating project pan, which means that I will replace items as I use them up with a similar or like item: a lip gloss for a lip gloss for example.

Tony Moly Red Wine Mask Sheet Pore Care

This is a carry over from the last project pan. I really need to use up some sheet mask. I really love them, but they are being ignored. It is hard to find time for masking, when you have a little one who is scared when you wear face masks. I’m excited to take a bath and watch Youtube with this one. I’m going to try to use a face mask every time I take a bath which is usually twice a week.

Roloxin Lift Instant Skin Smoothing Masque

This mask has two uses, so I am counting it as two products. It is a smoothing mask that is supposed to make you look ten years younger for 24 hours. Yeah, I don’t believe that for a second, but I thought that this would be fun to do with my dad on a Saturday or Sunday morning before Dean wakes up. I automatically get up at 6 am now, so I have an hour or so before Dean wakes up for the day. This mask is a quick ten minutes.

Soo Ae Charcoal Clay Bubble Mask

The package feels like there is enough for two. This could be another one to share with my dad. I am intrigued by this bubble mask. I’ve never tried an oxygen mask before and I hope I’m not ticklish on my face. I feel like this is an easy pouch to use up, because it isn’t a sheet mask that you have to balance on your face. Apparently, I need motivation to use it, because I haven’t yet and it’s been over a month.

Medicell Eye Mask Duo

I’m not using these eye patches during my nightly bath. I will be using these one Saturday or Sunday morning when I can take the time to use these and have my cup of coffee. I’m sure these will feel heavenly and I don’t want to waste the benefits with using it at night. Eye patches are great for depuffing and this one is no different.

Yes To Grapefruit Vitamin C Glow Boosting Paper Mask

I feel like this mask is like a chemical exfoliant mask for your skin, because it uses citric acid to reveal brighter looking skin. I wonder if a paper mask is different from a sheet mask? I feel like it is just another way to say sheet mask. I love the brand Yes To and I hunt down their products when they are on sale at Walmart.

MJCARE Snail Essence Mask

This mask terrifies me, which is why I want to use it. The MJCARE masks really all smell the same to me, so this will probably be free, perfumed smelling and not like dirt or snail. I’m going to bite the bullet one of these days and wear this during a tub. These masks are cheap and relaxing. I really enjoy them. I’ve just been too afraid to use this one. Also, when I ordered one pack, I received two by accident of everything. I think they might have been having a sale and I can’t speak Korean or read it.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Facial Moisturizer

I will be using this as my night cream until it is used up. Coconut oil is too heavy for my face during the day. It will be perfect at night, when I want to give my face a lot of moisture due to the fact that I use a lot of mattifying products during the day. I don’t want to get my face stripped to the point that it starts to really produce oil again. I have got it balanced so far by using more moisturizing products at night to makeup for my mattifying ones and powdering.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Luminous Hydration Facial Oil

Once I finish the moisturizer, I will be using up this oil next at night. I really love using oils at night as my moisturizer. It sinks into my skin better than any cream I’ve tried no matter what kind of oil. I have used the regular version of this oil before, so I am interested in seeing what makes this the “luminous” version. It does not look like it has sparkles in the tube at all. It looks just like the other Palmer’s oil I used to have.

Model Co Lip Lacquer in Viva

I plan on using this light peach lip gloss at work and just reapplying it throughout the day at my desk. It is smooth, not sticky. It is pigmented, but you do not need to use a mirror to apply. Precision is not needed with this product. It absorbs into the lips, but it only lasts a couple of hours before needing to apply again. I think I can finish this by the first update. It’s really not that big of a tube.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in K-Dub

I am loving this liquid lipstick from Kat Von D. I wasn’t sure about this color when I bought it, but I love it on me and I feel very confident with it on. It locks in place and lasts the whole day through eating and drink with no touch ups. I even took a nap with this on! It didn’t budge at all. It is a fun color for summer and if my dad likes my lip color, than you know it is good. It’s the perfect purple pink and so me.

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow in Pearl

Now that I have a pencil sharpener, I can use up some of my eye liners and pencil eye shadows. I love this light pearl highlighty shade. I plan to use it as a brow bone highlighter, inner corner, and in my waterline to really brighten my eyes and make them pop. That’s if they will last in my eye liner. It is a pretty soft pencil, so I’m hoping that it will last. I think that I can use this pencil up by the end of the challenge as long as I use it everyday on my day off. I’ll try to sneak it into my work routine. We will see…..

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm

I feel like this is an illuminating pore filler or primer for your skin and not really a highlighter. I’m going to see if I like it all over the face or more as a highlighter. I love trying new innovative things like these. They make me think, “What are they really for?” I love discovering different ways to use things and not just in the traditional sense.

B&BW White Citrus Eau De Perfume

I am so sad that this scent doesn’t last very long. I just sprayed it an hour ago and I cannot smell it anymore. It is such a fresh unique scent, just like a freshly squeezed lime. I just love the scent and if you can find it, take a sniff. I cannot recommend it though, because the scent just does not last. It is more like a body spray than a perfume.

Davines Natural Tech Replumping Hair Filler Superactive

I really like this leave in spray to make my hair thicker and since it is a spray, you can layer this in the roots over over products. I do notice a subtle difference in my hair, but not enough to buy this product. I enjoy using it, but it doesn’t give me plumped up roots.

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 8

I am not using this as a tanning oil, but as a body oil to make my legs and arms look nice in a dress. It gives a nice sheen to the skin, but I prefer not to get cancer, thank you very much. I like a high SPF for my body and face and my son. I want to use this up and get it out of my collection or else it will stick around FOREVER.

That is everything that I want to use up before Fall. Fingers Crossed! Are you doing this project? Like your project pan down below so I can follow your progress!

With Love ❤

March Sephora Play

I finally got my first Sephora Play and I am so happy that I am finally off of the wait list. This subscription is better than Ipsy and Birchbox combined. I am receiving products that I actually want to try and brands that I already buy from. I love getting deluxe sized samples to try out the product and to see if I actually want to buy it full sized. Products in Sephora aren’t cheap, so I will take any opportunity to try before I buy. The subscription box from Sephora allows me to try all the products that I have my eye on and I actually use them up quickly. They don’t tend to sit in my makeup stash for long, although some things really stick around a long time. I’m looking at you deluxe sized mascara! I use my mascara until it’s empty and a deluxe size usually takes me about 6 months to use up. I’ll use it up in three if it is an everyday mascara that isn’t too dramatic for work. The Benefit Roller Lash is too dramatic for office use. I use it on my days off though, even when I wear no other makeup. Mascara is a necessity for me.

The Box & Insert

The bag is cute, but not very functional. I cannot think what I could use it for, unless I was making little gifts for my coworkers for Christmas time and fill it with bits of candy and a makeup product or two. Actually, I quite like that idea, so I think I’ll save them. Technically, my unit would be two other women right now and one guy (would have to buy a dollar mug to fill with candy for that one). I think it’s something sweet to give. The bigger unit that I’m apart of, I might have enough bags for the women. We shall see! I love the insert that comes with the box, so I know what to do with the product!

Atelier Cologne Divine Clementine

The 0.25 fl oz roller ball is $25 and this sample is approximately $1 worth of perfume. If I end up really enjoying the perfume, I could see buying the roller ball. I have a ton of perfumes on my to buy list, so this would really have to compete. As is, I’m not really a fan of it, but I will use this sample up. I love that it was sealed in wax paper to prevent spilling on everything else in the box and I’ll be hanging up the pretty postcard at my desk.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original

I am so excited to get my hands on the primer potion FINALLY. This is a cult favorite that I could not convince myself to purchase, because it is pricey when I’m not sure that it will work for me. The mini is 0.16 fl oz for $12 and this one is 0.06 fl oz for approximately $5. This is almost half the size of the mini that goes for $12. This is a decent sized sample to see if it makes any difference for me and if it does, I might try out some drugstore primers. I’m sure that the drugstore primers contain more product for under $12.

Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter

I love the golden sheen that this highlighter gives and I’m the type of girl that can never have too many highlighters. I wear highlighter everyday, usually a subtle one. I like to be natural and subtle when it comes to makeup. I have no problem rocking an unexpected lip color or wear pops of color like blue eyeliner. This will get a ton of use from me, once I am done with my current project pan on March 2oth. I already have a highlighter that I’m trying to get good use out of. I tend to rotate through my makeup by putting them in project pans to see how much progress I can make on the product. This is $30 for 0.33 oz of product. Sephora gives a generous looking 0.08 oz, approximately $7.50 for a fourth of the full size. Already, the box paid for itself and the running total is $13.50.

Verb Ghost Oil

I have never heard of this brand before. I am always happy to try something new and this is a hair oil that you can use as a detangler or to give your hair a lot of shine. I love to put oil in my pony tail after using a lot of dry shampoo, which makes hair look dull. I’m almost out of my detangler, so this will be a great multi-use product. The full size is $14 for 2 fl oz and it comes in a spray bottle. This sample is 0.57 fl oz, approximately $4 since it is a little more than a fourth of a full size. I am glad that Sephora has introduced me to a product that I haven’t heard of before and it is on pair in pricing with It’s A 10. I’ll see if it’s just as good. Nothing has beat that brand yet.

GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in Nude Glow

This is the product that I am the most excited about and I was so happy, when I saw this in my sneak peek! This has a very high glow, so I will not be using it as a moisturizer. I will be using it as a highlighter underneath my blush to give an extra rosy glow to whatever blush that I’m wearing. I have combination oily skin, so I cannot use this as a moisturizer. I love a good glow though and this will be perfect on the cheeks under blush. A full size goes for $49 for 50 ml worth of product. My sample has about a 5th of that (7 ml) for approximately $7. I am glad that I can try out this product, though I will never buy the full size since I cannot use it as a moisturizer. I’d rather buy a GlamGlow highlighter. Do they make that yet? I hope they branch out into highlighters! Tally $20.50

 Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm in Etheric

This balm gives the skin that lit from within glow and I will wear this for sure as my highlighter on work days. You can dab this on top of makeup, so hopefully, this looks nice on top of powder.I love the fancy little jar, but I wish that it came in a tube. I don’t like tub products, but I’ll use them. I just don’t personally buy them. A full size is $36 for 0.5 oz of product. My sample has a fifth of the product 0.1 oz for $7.20. These samples are really decent size. They really are deluxe and contain plenty of product. I can see everything lasting me a couple of weeks, except the Benefit and Urban Decay. Those will last me months I think, because I only wear eye shadow on the weekend and that highlighter has TONS of product in it.

This $10 box has a value of $27.70. The value is almost three times of what I paid for it. I am very happy with the March box and I will use every product that I got. I know that I won’t always like everything every month and I might not like the color picked for makeup. March was perfect for me though and I give this month 5 stars out of 5. I am looking forward to the April box already.

With Love,

August Empties

My bag is overflowing from all of the empties I have in there. I am hoping that there is at least twenty products in there. I was really dedicated last month in using up products that just had a little bit left in them. I still have a few almost empty products that I’m sure will be empties in September. I’m so happy for myself! I cannot wait to see how many products I actually used up. I will be coming back Sunday and Monday with new posts, since it is a long weekend! This might be a long one!

1. Lansinoh Nursing Pads, 60 count = 30 day supply

2. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags, 50 ct

3. Pantene Pro V Deep Cleanse Purifying Shampoo

4. Swisspers 100% Cotton Rounds

5. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars in Pecan Crunch

6. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Smooth Light Roast Coffee

7. Degree Men Motionsense Dry Spray Extreme 48H Antiperspirant

8. Rite Aid Feminine Care Cleansing Cloths

9. Dunkin’ Dark Coffee

10. Aveeno Nourish + Condition Leave-In Treatment

11. Groovi Beauty Pink Champagne Bubble Bath

12. Tarte Tarte Guard SPF 30

13. Kalos Triple Threat Detox Masque

L to R: LA Girl Flare in NL33 Neon Yellow, Avon in N910 Sweet Mint, Sephora in 83 Jungle Playground, H&M in Mad Mint, Julep in Amy, Color Club in 984 Wild Cactus

14. L.A. Girl Flare in Neon Yellow

15. It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product

16. Forever 21 Love & Beauty Cucumber Sheet Mask For Sensitive Skin

17. Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Sample

18. Olay Fresh Effects Swirled Mattifier Sample

19. Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in Light to Medium Sample

20. Olay Regenerist Luminous Moisturizer Sample

21. Chanel Le Lift Sample

22. Gevalia Kaffe French Roast Coffee

23. Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in 010 Fair

24. Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

25. Marcelle BB Cream in Golden Glow

26. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter Sample

27. Malibu Ultra Body Lotion Sample

28. Hair Tie

29. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Wow! Almost 30 products that I have used up. This is so amazing! I cannot wait to see what I use up in September. I don’t have any empties so far, but I’m sure that I will start using things up left and right. I have nothing to repurchase yet. I haven’t used up the last of anything important in my skin care routine, plus I have plenty of back ups! I will be buying a few school/college supplies next week when I get my books for my class AIT 131 Essentials of Information Technology. I love shopping for college/class supplies. Maybe, I’ll get some supplies for my desk as well. Anyways, I’ll be hitting the dollar tree and Walmart for supplies next week I’m supposed to get my books on Thursday!

With Love ❤

Sephora Haul: Oops, I Did It Again…

Heya Aspiring Guru!

I went to Sephora again, gurus! I love Sephora, if you cannot tell already! It is now my new obsession besides Lush that is and The Body Shop. I still love that store as well, even though I haven’t been there in a year. It isn’t that close by, not like Sephora is. I’m thinking about ordering online, but I love walking into a store and smelling and touching everything. Yes, I am one of those. I am planning another Lush haul for Christmas for Christmas themed goodies! Then, of course, my birthday will only be five months away and I’ll go to all three stores. I’m getting carried away with myself, though. I had a 10 USD gift card from, Yappem, so I thought that I would put it to good use. It brought my total with tax to bout 55 USD and I now have around 130 Insider points. I’m saving up for a 500 point perk, which is a makeup bag full of goodies. Here are the goodies I bought recently and yes, a much bigger bag.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape (a limited edition color), 0.095 for 13 USD (I used my gift card to justify this as 3 USD.)

This is the perfect natural flush shade that is impossible to overdue. Believe me, I tried for the swatch. The dark red jello cheek stain in this classy glass jar shows up on the skin as a genteel pink. I immediately popped it into my bag. The full size is a whopping 38 USD, so I was happy to get the mini to see if I really love it THAT much. I don’t usually spend a lot of money on makeup, since I don’t use it ll that often. I’m happy about this purchase, though.

Ole Henriksen Your Skin Is A Gift To Be Treasured Unwrap Your Radiance Collection for 48 USD, a 95.50 USD Value

I needed to try other products from a different beloved line after realizing that my Sephora no longer carries the full sized versions of the Peter Thomas Roth kit that I bought. I decided to try these products for my hyper pigmentation and acne, since the sales associate said that many people buy it for this purpose and it works. I’ll breakdown the six products you get in this kit.

Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths Brightening, 10 ct.

Fleur from FleurDeForce on Youtube raves about these wipes, so I am excited to see what is all the fuss about them. I think that I will use these on the days that I just want to go to bed and cheat on my extensive beauty routine, especially since it states that they cleanse, brighten, and hydrate in one step. I could see why Fleur would love these. I hope I do, too! (FYI, these wipes are amazing, but I have some Yes To Grapefruit wipes that are half the price and just as good, except with grapefruit instead of oranges.)

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, 3.5 fl oz.

This smells like pure oranges. I love the scent so much. I will be using this every morning, until my other cleanser runs out. Then, I would be using this in the morning and at night. I cannot wait to see, if this helps my skin. This stuff foams up a ton and lathers my whole face in thick bubbles.

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment Overnight Resurfacer, 0.5 fl oz

I have a beauty oil that I love for at night, but for those nights where I want to use something with glyolic acid, this would pair perfectly with it. This clear gel is a miracle worker. It has totally changed my skin and is smoothing down the bumps that strangely appeared on my face and neck. I have been using this for two weeks constantly and my face and neck are almost totally clear from acne and from the bumps. Glycolic acid and retinol deactivate each other making both products useless, so be mindful of your pairings when you mix product lines together.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Oil-free Perfecting Creme, 0.5 fl oz

I know people online have been raving about this product for its moisturizing properties. I would stick to using this during the day, because my face does not need extra moisturizers at night to layer multiple ones. I’ll let you know if this is as oil-free as it says it is. This sinks in quickly and has a slight pearl sheen. The pearl sheen has an illuminating property, but does not make an oily girl look oily. I really like this light moisturizer.

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil, 0.5 fl oz

Since this is an oil, I will be using it only at night most likely. I will try it on a weekend to see if it makes my skin oily. Hopefully, I will see if it helps my skin. I already have an oil that I love, so I’ll see how this measures up to it.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster, 0.5 fl oz

I will be using this only in the morning as a skin booster. I am really hoping to be blown away. Here’s to dreaming of beautiful skin. I cannot wait to try everything that I have bought!

Have you gone to Sephora lately?

With Love,

Selena Hannah xoxoxo