Saturday, 10 September 2016

Project 10 Pan - Second Update

I haven't done an update in about two months, but have had some significant progress since my last update on my Project 10 Pan. Click here to see my introduction post, and here for my first update.

First, onto the products I have finished up!


I have finished the Lady Gaga EDP, L'Oreal Nude Magique Foundation, the NYX HD Concealer and the bronzer/contour shade from the Sleek Face Form Palette. I'm quite happy with my progress so far, 3 full products used up, and 1/3 of a palette used up completely! I still have a smaller bottle of the Lady Gaga EDP, and I most likely will repurchase this perfume when that one is used up as I quite enjoy the scent. I don't think L'Oreal sell the Nude Magique foundation anymore, but I could be wrong (a quick google and search on the L'Oreal website shows they don't sell this foundation, but have other variations of products in the Nude Magique line). Once I had purchased products to mix with this foundation (I loved mixing it with the Body Shop Lightening Shade Adjusting Drops), I found I went through this foundation quite quickly as I was able to create a shade that matched me a lot better (this foundation was a little dark as in Australia we are just getting out of winter and I am at my lightest in skin tone). I would consider repurchasing the NYX HD Concealer, as I found it was a great brightening concealer for under the eyes. 

In regards to the highlight and blush shade in the Face Form Palette, I just want to hit pan. This Project would go on forever if I attempted to use up both products.


For the ELF Cream Eyeliner, I have made a significant dent in the middle, but I'm not too sure if I've hit the bottom as yet. I have used this as a base, to tighline and waterline, under the lash line as a base for shadow. A small amount of this product goes a long way. 


The pan has increased in the ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Glow. I use this as a base whenever I wear eyeshadow. I have technically completed the "hitting pan" part of the project with this product, but I would like to use it up. 

I will continue using the Maybelline Brow Drama until this project is done, and then chuck it in the bin. As the packaging is not clear, I can't mark any progress for this product, but I have been using it consistently. However, it has been in my collection for a while and getting a bit old, so I think it's almost time to get rid of it. 


I have made okay progress on the Rimmel Eye Pencil, and the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil. The bareMinerals Make Your Move Lipstick is a little hard for me to use, but I am trying. The colour of the lipstick is nice, but the formula and finish are not my favourite, so I have been trying to work out different ways to wear it. I do need to make a more conscious effort to use this lipstick (I have worn it a few times since the last update), but there's just other lipsticks I prefer much more. 

I am happy that I have been able to clear out three products from my collection by using them up. Overall, I don't think I'm going to make much more progress on the ELF Cream Eyeliner, as it is quite hard to see the progress I have made, but there is a nice dip in the middle of the product, and I will continue to incorporate this product into my eye looks. I would love to use up the Rimmel Eye Liner and the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil. And of course, I want to hit pan on the highlight and blush shade in the Sleek Face Form Palette. 

Overall, I have used up 3 out of 10 products, and hit pan on 1 out of the remaining 7 (hopefully by the next update I would have hit noticeable pan on the ELF Eyeliner, and at least one more shade in the Sleek Face Form, be it the blush or highlight shade). I am quite proud of the effort I have made in this project so far.

Thanks for reading,
X

Empties/ Products I'm Chucking Out #8

It has been almost a year and a half since my last empties post. I have only been accumulating these empties for the last month-two months, as I had stopped collecting my empties.


Covergirl Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder in 105 Ivory
I adore this powder. It works really well on my dry skin. I have already repurchased it, and I think I have found my holy grail drugstore powder. 

MAC Studio Fix Powder in N3
It has taken me about three (or maybe four) years to use this powder up. When I first purchased it, I liked it, but as time has gone on my skin has gotten dryer and this powder really emphasised my dryness. Towards the end, I was just using this powder on my chin where I have a bit of scarring and pimples to cover it up, as this powder has got a lot of coverage. I would recommend this powder for people with oily skin, but not dry skin. 

bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation in Fairly Light N10 
I actually really loved this foundation. I have dry skin, but it did not emphasise my dryness whatsoever. I got this in a set of bareMineral goodies, so I also got the matte version, which I didn't like as much. I ended up purchasing the pressed version of this foundation, and unfortunately it does not perform as good as the loose, as it really emphasises my dryness. I probably would repurchase this as the undertone was fabulous, matched me pretty well, and did not dry my skin out whatsoever. The only downside is it is very messy because it is loose. 

Ben Nye Neutral Set Colourless Powder
I adore this powder. Last year at IMATS, I repurchased two bottles of this powder, and will repurchase two more this year at IMATS. I use this daily to set my undereye concealer, and I have minimal creasing with this product. 

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20
This is my holy grail concealer for under the eye. A couple of weeks ago I Back To MAC'd five empty bottles, and I'm almost done with another one of these. This will always be a repurchase for me.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
I actually quite enjoyed this primer. It reminded me a lot of the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer, which I also enjoy (and have repurchased over and over). I would repurchase this, but only when it is on sale (or at Chemist Warehouse where I initially purchased it - makeup is always discounted there).  I don't think this product is a great pore eraser (it has a silicone feeling, but doesn't fill in pores all too well), but large pores aren't a skin issue that I experience.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (x2)
The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind is a primer I have repurchased over and over. It is the one I use in my freelance kit, and it works great on my skin as well. It is great at smoothing and slightly hydrating my skin.

NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray 
This is another holy grail in my collection. I have one sitting in my freelance kit, and one sitting on my vanity. Always a repurchase (and can we talk about how great it is that NYX is now stocked in Priceline???)

Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray 
This spray was okay. I didn't notice too much when I used this verse when I didn't use it. This product claims to be redness reducing, pore minimising, and oil absorbing. Redness is my only real skin concern out of the three, and I don't think this spray made much of a difference. However, this spray was nice as a pre-makeup treatment and it was a hydrating spray.


Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara (x2)
This is my holy grail brow gel. I go through this brow gel quite consistently, and whenever I see it in the shelf at Priceline or Target, I tend to pick it up as a back up. When the product starts to change colour and the tube is getting a bit empty, that's when I tend to chuck it and grab a new one. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
I love this mascara. I'm currently using a deluxe sample size of this mascara that's almost done as well, and I have a back up deluxe sample waiting to be used. I do find this mascara tends to dry out quickly, so I prefer going for the deluxe sample size as opposed to the full size (there was a point where at Mecca you could purchase the deluxe sample size). 

Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara
This mascara was in my freelance kit, and I never used the wand so can't comment on that (my only comment is the wand is actually huge), but this mascara has a good waterproof formula. I did use it on myself a few times (with a disposable wand), and I found the formula good.  I would repurchase this mascara for my freelance kit. 

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara 
This is a deluxe sized sample that I picked up on sale at the Sydney Domestic Terminal earlier this year. I wasn't expecting much from this mascara, but I actually love it. I have quite a few unopened mascaras and I'm trying to keep my unopened mascara collection to a minimal, but I would consider repurchasing this mascara in the future.  


Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EDP
I'm sure this perfume has been in my empties before. This is my holy grail perfume. I go through a bottle a year roughly, and will always repurchase. I abolsutely adore this scent. If you've never smelt Flowerbomb and are a fan of floral scents, make it a point to smell this perfume, and thank me later. 

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick 
This is the first MAC lipstick I have used up. Last year, MAC Velvet Teddy was on my lips about 80% of the time. I have repurchased this lipstick, but tend to lean more towards Whirl. I think when the warmer months come around, I will reach for Velvet Teddy more as it is a lighter shade compared with Whirl. 

Blistex Click Cool Spearmint Lip Balm 
Years ago, I used a peppermint lip balm and it was the most soothing, wonderful lip balm. I saw this in Chemist Warehouse a while ago (it was in a duo with a peach scented lip balm as well), and put it in my basket without a second thought. I loved this lip balm, and would repurchase if I saw it in stores again. Mint lip balms are so refreshing. 


Target Essentials Cosmetic Pads
I actually really enjoyed these cotton pads. Next time I'm in Target, I'll pick up another pack. 

Beauty Care Co Makeup Remover Pads 
I tend to pick these up every time I'm in Kmart. They're cheap, and they do the job ok. 

Woolworths Select Make Up Pads
I don't really remember these cotton pads all too well, so I'd say they're about average. Probably would only repurchase if I was in need of cotton pads and in Woolworths. 

Swisspers Naturals Green Tea Calming Facial Cleansing Wipes
I don't use face wipes every day, but when I do, these are one of my favourites to use. They are gentle on my sensitive skin and do a good job at removing makeup. Most importantly, these face wipes don't dry my skin out. 


The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask
I love this mask from the Body Shop. It is a great leave on, overnight mask, and very moisturising. Last year when my Dad was sick and the chemo was drying out his skin, I purchased him a few of the products from the Vitamin E line from the Body Shop, and they worked well for him too. If you have dry skin, or dehydrated skin, I would recommend checking this out at the Body Shop. 

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light
Unfortunately this oil made me break out. Towards the end (once I had figured out it was the oil breaking me out), I used it in my hair only. I wouldn't repurchase this product as I prefer other oils in my hair, but I'm happy I was able to use the product up (and that I only purchased a small travel size as opposed to the full size)

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
I love this micellar water. I use this to remove makeup (I tend to use a cleansing oil first, and then go over with the micellar water). This is fine to remove light makeup, but not great for heavy makeup. I also use this to remove swatches on my arm. This bottle has lasted me well over 6 months, and when I purchased this (it was from the Priceline 40% off skin care sale a while ago), I did purchase two bottles, and have already started using the second bottle. 

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge
For a while, I couldn't find this product in Daiso. When I did, I purchased 10 bottles. I have used up more than just this one, but have not kept them. I find this is great for removing makeup from sponges, and also great to break down liquid or cream products on brushes (I find it works better than my usual baby shampoo) when deep cleaning them. If you haven't tried this product, I highly recommend it. I still have a few left, but will definitely repurchase when those are used up. This product is also $2.80, so you really can't go wrong. 

Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon 
Rose Jam is my favourite scent from Lush. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a few bath bombs from Lush, and had to purchase two of these. I wish Rose Jam was a scent they had year round. Would definitely repurchase this. 


Manicare Mascara Brushes Duo Length & Define 
I either use these mascara wands in my freelance kit, or when I wax mine or my Mum's eyebrows. These are decent, and I would repurchase. I know I can purchase mascara wands cheap on eBay, and I should do that for when I wax brows, but I do like the shape of these wands for when I apply mascara on clients. 

Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm 
I think this product was off when I tried to use it. The scent of this was horrible. I'm just chucking it in the bin, don't want to put this near my face again. 

By Terry Baume De Rose 
I enjoyed using this lip balm at night, and the sample ended up lasting about a week. I do have another sample to use up, but this product is quite expensive and I didn't find it revolutionary by any means, so I would not purchase. 

NARS Total Replenishing Eye Cream
This sachet lasted a few uses, and was quite nice. I do need to get into using eye creams again (whoops), but I do prefer the Benefit eye cream I used to use to this one. It was a nice hydrating cream, though. 

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light 
This was basically a one time use sachet of the oil. I used this in my hair to moisturise after washing.

I have quite the collection of samples, and want to work my way through them, so hopefully I have a few more to include in my next empties post!

Thanks for reading,
X

Friday, 9 September 2016

One Palette, One Month - Urban Decay Vice Palette - August 2016 Finale

Let me just say, this month was not as productive as last month was. I tried to use this palette, but it was a bit harder to use every day due to a variety of reasons. The shadows are more colourful compared to the Anastasia Palette, and not easy for me to use every day for work, there are only two mattes in this palette (no real crease colour), and a lot of the shadows are extremely chunky and glittery (which again, makes it harder to use for work).



I hit the tiniest bit of pan on Blitz, the fourth shadow in the top row. I feel like I made an okay dip in Anonymous, the third shadow in the last row, as I used this shadow every time I wore eyeshadow to set my base.  I even ended up using Noise, the hot pink shadow in the palette, which I thought I would never touch. I mixed it with Vice (the purple shadow next to it) and a bit of Napoleon Cake Eyeliner Sealer, and used the two as a colourful eyeliner. My favourite, and most used shadows in this palette, where the five in the last row - Nevermind, Echo Beach, Anonymous, Freeboard and Laced. 

Even though I did not get nearly as much use out of this palette as I was hoping for, I still thoroughly enjoy this palette as I'm an eyeshadow palette hoarder, and this is the first of the Vice Palettes, so it does have sentimental value to me. I will most likely try pull this palette out for a Pan That Palette (year long edition) or a One Palette, One Month challenge again. 

I have over the last month accumulated a few more eyeshadow palettes, so I will take a break from this challenge for the month of September so I am able to test out all my new eyeshadow palettes. I will be back in October for another One Palette, One Month!

If you are interested to see the palette I chose last month, please check out the tag here.

Thanks for reading,
X