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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Sephora Loves List

Today, I am going through my loves list and ITS MY BIRTHDAY TODAY. I am printing my whole Loves List in this post. I will be telling you what I am removing, what is staying, and which items I want to purchase for my birthday that I really want. I usually indulge a bit for my birthday month and I recently accumulated points to spend on my credit card and I received a rebate in the mail. I usually spend about $100 to $200 on myself for my birthday. I know that I got a tattoo earlier this year that I said was a birthday gift to myself, but I spoil myself. It’s the only time of year besides Black Friday where I really indulge myself. Otherwise, I put everything I have into my son. So, I put myself on a self-induced low buy every year and it’s good for my collection. I want to move a ton of makeup out this year.

Too Faced Bronzed Peach Melting Powder Bronzer – Peaches and Cream Collection
COLOR: Toasted Peach – soft bronze .44 oz/ 12.5 g
WAS $30.00 NOW $10.00

I am SUPER EXCITED about this one. I already put it in my cart. It is 1/3 of the price and something that I have had my eye on. Do I need it? No, I do not. I am a big fan of a bronzy glow though and I am allowing myself a $50 Sephora purchase for my birthday to get my free birthday gift. I would love to own something by Too Faced and I use bronzer. I know that this will be used. I do have two other cream bronzer/contours but they are in my Smashbox palette that is REALLY bulky and I always forget to pull it out. I will need to put it in my Summer Project Pan. I need to decide if I like the creams or if I only like the powders. I need to use up the creams if I like them.

BECCA Iconics: Prime, Brighten and Glow Trio
WAS $40.00 NOW $30.00
($70.00 value)

I have tried the primer before. I am a big fan of BECCA highlighters and I really want to try the under eye corrector. Having said this, this will not be going into my basket for my birthday. I just bought a BECCA limited edition kit at Marshalls, I just got an undereye corrector in my FITFABFUN, and I have a full sized primer that needs to be used up. I don’t need to go out and purchase this kit, but I do like it and will keep it on my loves list until it goes out of stock.

BECCA Glow Essentials Kit
WAS $39.00 NOW $29.00
($68.00 value)

Again, this is another BECCA set with two primers, a mini highlighter, and a mini lip gloss. I don’t need this, but it is staying on my Loves List because it is an incredible value.

Ciaté London Glitter Storm Eyeshadow Palette
WAS $42.00 NOW $30.00

This palette is small and absolutely stunning. All of these colors would be usable on my hooded eyes. I added it to my basket to buy for now. This is something that I really want. I don’t have a ton of eye shadow and I plan to be panning a good chunk of it this year. I have been wearing a pretty full face of makeup minus foundation everyday. I have been enjoying doing my eye shadow and throwing on mascara. I would get a ton of use out of this, but I don’t need it. It make not be purchased this time around, but I will keep it on my Loves List for sure.

Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask Set
SIZE 2.7 oz/ 80 mL + Free Eye Mask
WAS $45.00 NOW $39.00

I just got a sleeping mask in my FITFABFUN Spring box, so this will be staying on my Love’s List. I really want to try these sleeping masks from this brand though. Has anyone tried them? I love luxury skincare, because I want to put good ingredients on my skin. I only invest in items like these though. I don’t buy high end toner water. lol. I usually spend a bit more on treatments and masks.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask Set

SIZE 2.7 oz/ 80 mL + Free Eye Mask
WAS $45.00 NOW $39.00

The same goes for this kit as well. It is staying on my Love’s List for one rainy day. REALLY dying to get one of these bad boys though.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid
SIZE 0.21 oz/ 6 g
COLOR: Skywalk – pale iridescent blue
WAS $28.00 NOW $14.00

I added this one to my cart as well and keeping it on my Love’s List. Do I need it? No, I have a few liquid highlighters to use, but this one is unique in that it is blue. I could truly use it as a highlight instead of an all over face glow for the ones that I have that have literally no pigmentation. It is also half off and discontinued. I may not get another change to buy this.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Eyeshadow Palette
$42.00

These are all colors that I would wear as well. I am keeping it on my Love’s List for when I move out most of my collection of eye shadows. It’s a big palette, but all these colors work for me. I am looking forward to getting this probably next year!

COOLA Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops SPF 30 1 oz/ 30 mL
$46.00

I am taking this off of my list. I’m not paying $46 for 1 ounce of sunscreen. LOL. What was I thinking?! Not clearly apparently.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eyeshadow Palette – Coconut Fantasy Collection Fantascene
$49.50

Another one taken off of the Love’s List. I am never going to wear that dark purple shade. I can’t spend $50 and not wear one of the shades. That would just be wasteful to me, even though the rest of the palette is gorgeous.

Tatcha The Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment
SIZE 0.4 oz/ 13 mL
COLOR: Moonlight – warm glow for fair-medium skin
$48.00

Another eye treatment that is staying on the Love’s List. I want to try this one eventually. I did just get an eye treatment though, which is why I am not trying this one. Even though it is in a pot, I am still interested in trying this one out.

Marc Jacobs Beauty
Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter – Coconut Fantasy Collection
SIZE 0.8 oz/ 24 mL
COLOR: Fantasy – warm rose-gold
$44.00

This is staying on the Love’s List. I have been lusting after this for soooo long. I cannot justify it though when I still have a ton of liquid highlighters and I am already buying a different highlighter to boot. It will stay here. Hopefully, I can buy this one next year if all I have left are powders.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette
$42.00

This one is coming off the list as well for that one black shade and possibly the one above it that I will never use. I am only buying palettes that I can use every shade in, unless there is something uniquely special about that palette that I can overlook one shade. This palette is nothing special, pass.

Too Faced Sex On The Peach Complexion Set
$45.00
($85.00 value)

I totally forgot about this being on my list, but I currently have two powders. I am keeping it on my list, but will think about purchasing it once I am down to my last powder. I don’t want to be too much of a hoarder. This will probably be a next year purchase as well unless more powders come into my collection between now and then.

GLOW RECIPE
Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer
SIZE: 2 oz/ 60 mL
$39.00

This is for sure staying on my list. It is reasonably priced for 2 ounces of product; however, I have two tubes of moisturizer right now and cannot justify having this sit around on my shelf. This might be more of a November sale buy this year. I might be picking it up then as long as I am almost out of my daytime moisturizer.

IGK
Foamo Holographic Hair Foam
SIZE 2.4 oz/ 70 mL
COLOR: Moon Rock
$22.00

I totally forgot about this. I put this right into my cart and keeping it on my list as well. This would be nice to put into my blue hair for a fun color shift or a nice play time with a certain little girl in my life. This could be a lot of unicorn fun. Hopefully, it at least gives off a little bit of color, but its okay if not too. Its making fun memories that really count. I will for sure buy this even if it isn’t during my birthday. For sure in time for Halloween though.

STILA
Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow
SIZE 0.153 oz
COLOR: Starlight – shimmering light gold champagne
$24.00

This is coming off of my list. It is really plain and I still have two other minis of these. I would buy this in a mini size, but not in a full size. I don’t want to waste money to have these dry up on me. Maybe once I get used to living here, I’ll see how fast I’ll be going through my makeup. I have already used up a few makeup items, because I have been using it more since the move.

TOO FACED
Chocolate Gold Eyeshadow Palette
$49.00

Again, there is 2 shades that I won’t wear and I don’t think it is that unique of a palette. I am taking this off of my Love’s List. I am happy to see that I am chipping away at my list. Sephora has a ton of great items. It would be nice to keep my list somewhat reasonable.

TARTE
Top #Shelfie Essentials
$36.00

This is a great mini set! Minis are something that I can finish in a reasonable amount of time. This is a great treat yourself gift. I am keeping it on my list, but passing on it for now. I already know that I love this line and want to keep buying minis of it to refresh my skin once in a while.

SOL DE JANEIRO
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
SIZE: 8.1 oz/ 240 mL
$45.00

This is staying on my list to buy next year. I need to go through my current backstock of body lotions right now. This is a guilty pleasure one that I will indulge in next year though. The scent is too die for and I neeeeed it. I would love it if I could find one of these at Marshalls for even $10 less.

TOO FACED
Diamond Light Multi-Use Highlighter
SIZE 0.42 oz/ 12 g
COLOR: Diamond Fire – diamond blue/ diamond pink/ diamond yellow
$36.00

This is a super unique looking highlighter and I would love to add it one day to my collection. I need to move through a few of my highlighters first though. In case you haven’t noticed, highlighters are my weakness. I covet them the most out of any other piece of makeup. I buy tons of lippies, but only have 1 on my wish list. My obsession is highlighters. I will always love them and wear them to death.

SUNDAY RILEY
Space Race Fight Acne, Oil + Pores at Warp Speed Kit
$65.00
($85.00 value)

This is staying on my list and I will probably buy it during the November sale. I have a few acne treatments to go through first, but this line really works for me and is worth the splurge. The oil of that size lasted me a year of use, so I know that it is a great buy as well. I highly recommend this kit if you have oily, acne prone skin. It will change your skin for the better if it is anything like mine.

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY
Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter
SIZE 0.8 oz/ 24 mL
COLOR: 50 Dew You? – golden peach
$44.00

This is just a lighter more wearable shade that I will be buying in the future as well. I am thinking this will be my winter shade for a believable glow in the cold. My favorite brand is Marc Jacobs. He may be expensive, but it is so so worth it.

CAROLINA HERRERA
GOOD GIRL
SIZE 1.7 oz/ 50 mL
$94.00

 

I want to smell this before I purchase this, but it is a pretty bottle to add to my perfume collection. I want to get down to 5 bottles TOPS. I am keeping this on my Love’s List for when my perfume collection dwindles down. I have already used up one perfume bottle this year and I am almost done with another. I still have loads to go before I am down to five however.

TOO FACED
Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss
SIZE 0.14 oz/ 4 mL
COLOR: Papa Don’t Peach – spiced peach
$19.00

I have had this lipgloss on my Love’s List FOREVER. I have been hoping to run into this at Marshalls but no such luck so far. I don’t want to spend $19 on a lip oil when I still have SO MANY lip glosses to get through. This will be staying on my Love’s List until I have used up a good portion of my lip gloss collection or if I need to add a low price item during the November sale to get free shipping.

I have since placed my order, so it will be a surprise in my birthday haul what I ended up picking up including my free birthday gift. I am super excited to be sharing that with all of you later this month or the beginning of next depending upon when I get my hands on all of my orders. I am waiting on my LUSH purchase to see if my tub gets fixed or not. As I write this, it is supposed to be fixed on the 3rd. Fingers crossed for that.

With Love,

April Empties

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With Love,

July Empties

My camera is still being a pain, but I will be buying a new one really soon. Please bare with me. I was able to take pictures in a dim corner with the flash on. I cannot wait for my new Kodak camera, but I am looking at reviews first to make sure that there is nothing wrong with the product first. I’m just surprised that a $200 camera that was 50% off wouldn’t last more than two years. Seems very strange to me. Anyway, I went through a lot of product in July, but so far August has been a bust. So, I guess it will even out seeing as I have a whole basket of empties here. I am excited to see just how many I have and what will count towards me empties goal of the year.

Makeup: 9 Empties

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Light/Fair

Rimmel Stay Matte 2 packets

No name brand purple glitter

Benefit Gel Pores No More Primer

Hilari Black Eye Liner

Urban Decay Zero Eye Liner

Avon Eye liner in Silver and Bronze

Hair Care: 1 Empty

Clairol Conditioner Packet

Skincare: 5 Empties

Good Things Deep Pore Cleanser + Toner

The Ordinary Coffee Solution

Valentina True Glow Eye Cream

Caudalie Eye Serum

Johnson’s Baby Head-To-Toe Wash

Body Care: 8 Empties

Nickelodeon Bubble Bath

Degree Dry Spray Active Shield Deodorant

Schmidt’s Bergamont + Lime

Aveeno Body Butter x2

Nivea Body Lotion Packet

Dangerous Body Wash

Coppertone Sunscreen

Misc.: 7 Empties

Papermate Inkjoy pens x3

Home & Garden Party Blueberry Cheesecake Candle

Equate Acetaminophen

Crest Kids’ Toothpaste

B&BW I Tried Mini Candle

There you have it folks! I had 30 empties for the month of July! That even amazes me. lol. I didn’t think I had nearly as much as I did. Since I am already halfway through August, I cannot count my goals towards this month. So, I will talk about September’s goals. I would like to use up a few more makeup products. I have a bunch of primers on their last legs and I want to use them up. I also have two lip products that could be used up as well. I want to use up a lotion, a hair product, and a skin care one as well. I think these are modest goals for September. Most of my stuff rain out in July and I opened new things. Probably will explain why August will be so light.

With Love,

 

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,

February Empties

I have another month of empties to share with all of you. I used up a lot of items this month and I am hoping to finish up even more in March. My skincare cabinet has a bit of room to it now. My first thought was to bring in more items from my back stock, but I have refrained from doing that so far. I wanted to bring in another face mask, but I already have 5 open. lol. I love skin care products, but I am trying to convince myself that a little bit of room is good to be able to comfortably reach everything without knocking bottles over.

Food:

1.2. 3. 4. Gerber Lil’ Beanies

5. River Queen Honey Roasted Peanuts

Drink:

6. 7. International Delight Coffee Creamer

8. New England Coffee Donut Shop Blend

9. Equate Pediatric Electrolyte Oral Solution

Toys:

10. Soft Baby Mirror Toy

Makeup:

11. Mary-Kate and Ashley Tropical Burst Vanilla Sugar Body Mist

12. Elizabeth Mott Liquid Eyeliner in Glitterati

13. Caitlin Lip Gloss in Love Spell

14. Sephora Lipstick in Red

15. Grande Lips Lip Gloss

16. Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume

17. JCat Beauty Lip Pain in Love

18. Becca First Light Primer

Body Lotion:

19. 20. Equate Moisture Car Cocoa Divine Body Lotion

21. Body Co Sweat Pea Moisturizing Body and Hand Lotion

22. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion

Skincare:

23. Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent

24. Simple Exfoliating Facial Wipes

25. The Ordinary Hylauronic Acid + B5

26. Milk Cooling Stick

27. Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer

28. Origins A Perfect World Eye Cream

Hair Care:

29. Alterna Caviar Miracle Multiplying Volume Mist

30. Gliss Ultra Moisture Conditioner

Random Bathroom Supplies:

31. Dial Hand Soap Miracle Oil

32. Arm and Hmmer Essential Fresh Deodorant

33. Plackers Micro Mint Dental Flossers

34. Crayola Color Bath Dropz

35. Band-Aid

Household Items:

36. Zesty Paws Mobility Bites

37. Halls Breezers

38. B&BW Naughty Candle

39. 40. 41. Paper Mate and Random Pens

Gosh, 41 items in the month of February is a lot of items to get through in a very short month. I am very excited to see what March brings. So far, my basket is empty, but that was how Feb started and I ended up with 41 empties. I love getting rid of so much stuff and not wasting it either. I am excited to see how many of these items count towards my Project 200 pan. I feel like at this rate, 200 might be a real achievable goal for me. If I reach it too soon, then I will up my goal depending upon how many months are left in the year.

With Love,

 

Makeup Monthly: March

I missed this series in February, so this post will be a long one. I was so busy in February with studying for my test and then, my family got sick. It has been a busy month with work updates and I am on call tomorrow, because of this Northeast storm. My work is anticipating a large volume of claims coming in, so I might be working a couple of hours on Sunday at home. I have to dig up my HP monitor so I can see what cord I need to buy to hook it up to my new HP laptop. I have SO many hauls to share with you. So much occurred in February. I also found out that my credit score is good enough to buy a house, so the search is starting next year. Most likely in July since my 401K will mature next September and I’ll be able to withdraw the down payment. I also saw some cushiony state jobs that I can get with an Environmental Science BA. I won’t be stuck in Insurance forever and thank god b/c my corporation leaves much to be desired.

January Makeup Monthly:

I decluttered the eye shadow, because it lacked pigmentation. It just looked shimmery on my eyes with zero color difference between the two shades and the black was hella patchy. I decluttered the liquid eye liner, because I don’t use a liquid liner unless it is a glitter eye liner which are VERY forgiving when it has a clear base. This is black with glitter in it. I never line my top lashline in black, only a clear glitter base. I line my bottom lashline and my waterline/tightline more often. I made some progress on the blush, perfume, and the pore primer. I finished half of the liquid lipstick tube and had to take the stopper out. It was very smooth, but after removing the stopper, the rest of it is a thick mousse consistency. I would buy this when I ran out of liquid lips. I finished off the MUFE primer serum, but I would not purchase it.

February Makeup Monthly:

I am almost done with the Becca primer. I loved it, but I would not purchase as I didn’t see that much of a difference. I really enjoyed the moisture it left on my skin though. I love the caviar eye stick and will pull it out soon in another makeup monthly. I should probably pull out my palette every other month though from March on if I want to see any progress on it. I forgot about it for the third month pick in a row! I only used the MAC lip a handful of times, because my lips have been dry. I used the Burt’s Bees like crazy though. I have one more use out of one perfume, but the other is used up. I only touched the highlighter once, because Becca gave me a nice glow.

March Makeup Monthly:

I picked out my Harajuku Lovers perfume in Love, which smells very Spring like. I am ready for Spring and no more snow! I chose a nice pink highlighter to give my face a nice glow for when the Becca is used up in a couple of days. I missed filling in my pores last month, so I put the Porefessional back in there. I’m using the MUFE blush as a peachy eye shadow and I have a balm and gloss that match each other to wear at work. I am hoping that I can hit pan on the blush, use up the gloss and the primer, and make a good dent in the highlighter and perfume. Wish me luck!

With Love,

January Beauty Bag

These are all the items that I am using in the month of January. I am hoping to use up some of these items, but I want to see progress on everything this month and every month. If I don’t use it, I declutter it. If I don’t like it, I declutter it. I have a serum, a primer, a blush, an eye shadow trio, an eye liner and a perfume. Oh, and a lipstick! I really am enjoying the blush and I have already popped the stopper out of the liquid lipstick. I will let you know if I use up anything, hit pan, or declutter in my February bag post. The liquid lipstick is a my lips but better color and is so easy to wear. It fades naturally and doesn’t look awkward at all.

With Love,

$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,

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,