Way back in January I decided to embark in a Project Pan, now it is time to take a peek at my progress.
I honestly haven't been the best, I did well throughout January and February but then kind of just stopped. I am still trying, but I am not doing my best. Regardless, let us take a peek at my progress and see where I am going next.
Acure Moroccan Argan Oil:
I used this one up! 🎉 I am so happy to use this one up. Acure has new packaging and I really want to try out the Rose Argan version, but first I must use some other oils up so I will be holding off on that for a bit.
Smashbox Primer Oil:
I managed to do some serious damage to this primer this winter, but not as much as I would like. It is currently sitting at a bit more than half finished. I feel the major problem was that I stopped wearing foundation for a while because my skin was just too dry this winter. I am going to continue to try to use it up because I have NYX's primer oil too and really only want one bottle to hang around my collection.
Cover FX Illuminating Primer:
I tossed this, there just wasn't a whole lot left and I just never used it. It was not enough for my winter skin and I clearly don't want to use it.
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer (Industrial Strenght Full Coverage):
Even though it might not show, I did manage to use quite a bit more of this concealer up. I plan on using it a lot more the next few weeks to hopefully use it up once and for all
Benefit Boi-ing Hydrating Concealer:
I used this one up. 🎉 Truth be told I tried to scoop the rest of this product out of the tube like one would with lipstick, but it just was a mess due to the two layers. With that, I will say it is done and been trashed.
Jouviance Radiance Booster:I used it up. 🎉 I used it for a month and then it was gone. I must say these little toothpaste squeezers really help make sure you get what you need out and not let air into the tubes.
Vichy ProEven BB:I am still working on this one, but it should be done soon or I will toss it.
There you go, I finished 3 items and tossed 2, which means I have 3 I still need to work on. So I went from 8 to 3 items. Woot, I call that a success. I probably won't be doing another update on this, but I may do a next stage where I add a few more items and follow those items progress. Overall I am pretty happy with myself.
2015 is no in the past, but that doesn't stop me from looking back at a truly life changing year for me. It wasn't what I hoped it would be, but was more what I knew it would be. I am glad I am closing this chapter in my life and have been moving forward with lots of hope and new goals.
All that being said, I wanted to thank you all for being there with me along the ride, supporting me when my father died, when I took a hiatus to be there for him and for my own recovery. I hope that in this new year I can move forward and get back to a routine that allows me to blog more regularly and better than ever.
Thank you all.
Now, on to my favourites of 2015 and some much hated items of 2015.
I'm going to list a few favourites here, but if you want a fuller list, check out the video bellow.
Annabelle Lipsies:
Oh how I love these babies. They are an adorable stick of scented and flavoured lip balms that deliver a bit of tint. They feel silky smooth and hydrate really well. I love the Lychee's smell and taste, it is just like a Lychee! I am shocked every time I apply it that it is so exactly like a real lychee. It also delivers a hint of brown to my lips which looks great. I also love Cherry. It is a very Cherry Lifesaver kind of smell and flavour, which is fun and great. But it also is red, so over a lip stain it can actually replace my lipstick. Which to be honest, if fantastic when your lips are dry.
L'oreal Infalible Pro-Lash Lip Colour:
I have two of these long lasting lipsticks and really want to get more. I love them. The colour part is applied with a doe-foot applicator, followed by a balm in a stick format. I can say that while the colour dries it feels awful, tacky and just so dry. But here is the kicker, once it dries and you apply the balm, your lips feel fantastic, and stay that way all day, even after the balm wears off. So just wait that 60 seconds for the colour to dry and you'll feel better after the balm. Why I am really loving it? It lasts and lasts all day. It also feels great on my lips while I wear it all day. It also doesn't come off on my cups or husband, so it really is a great long lasting lip product.
ELF Lash Tint Mascara:
I love this brush. That is really the draw for me. I sometime think I love an Elf mascara only to have it quickly dry up on me, lucky this baby didn't. But the real thing I love is the tiny brush for tightening. Oh it is fantastic. If you use it on its own it is a very natural effect mascara, but I like it for the roots and tightlining my lashes before a more fuller formula mascara. Regardless I love it.
CoverFX Custom Cover Drops:
I got these because everyone wouldn't shut up about them this summer. To be honest, everyone was right, they are everything you've heard and more. I run neutral with a slight pink undertone, so most foundations run either pink or yellow, leaving me to buy two foundations and mix to make my own town. These babies fix that forever. I just buy the closest one to my tone and can adjust to my perfect skin tone. I got P20 and N10 so that I can mix and make my own tone in any lotion or primer but also adjust foundations, BB, CC creams. AS well I can now boost a BB to a full coverage, I can take a medium or light coverage foundation and boost it to full if I need it to The options are endless.
Guerlain Meteorites:
Earlier this year I attended an event at the Bloor street Guerlain store, where I learned all about the iconic Meteorites. I quickly ran out and bought one, followed by the holiday collections Flacons Enchantes. These are a big splurge for me, but well worth it. I learned at the event that these adorable spheres of scented shimmer are hand made and packaged which only a handful of people in the world know the formulation for. A luxury I have been loving this past year.
Now for what I hated in 2015:
Hard Candy Lash Ink:
Years ago I feel in love with Revlon Lash Tint, a 3 day lash tinting product that wasn't really a mascara, but it made my lashes dark and never smeared, flaked or ran at work, so I loved it. It was discontinued years ago and I never found anything quite like it. Then I saw Hard Candy's Lash Ink and thought it might be the same.It is a stain that last for up to 4 days. It is so wet that applying it is almost impossible because the brush just has short stubs on it. If it had a regular brush it might be ok, but it doesn't. In addition to this you end up with really one big clump of lashes that you then have to spend forever separating. So if you can get it to look half decent, it never really sets, it just stays wet, so it smears, and clumps up again. Plus if a mascara never sets and smears, then it stays tacky, and it moves, so hair at my work sticks to it, leading me to be unhappy. And if it smears, it really kind of runs, because heck if I rub my eye and it ends up on my face, thats not good. Ok rant over...sorry.
Just go get Estee Lauder's Little Black Primer, its better.
Younique Mascara:
Ok, I know I'll get yelled at for this one. I got this in a swag bag, I know it costs $35, I know people love it (or sales reps I should say), but no, no, no, no! It is bad. I have tried fibre mascaras before, I like them ok, but I am not in love with them. Taking that concept and amping it up to a level that is insane isn't going to make the concept any better. The amount of fibres on the wand isn't even reasonable, it is just too much (for me at least). You end up with spider lashes not long full lashes. Even if you try to use it in moderation, it just looks silly, and really isn't worth the hassle. If you want a nice looking fibre lash kit look at Too Faced's Better Than False Lashes Extreme! It is a better choice.
Ok there you go some favs and dislike for the year, anything you loved or hated this past year?
Once again thanks for sticking 2015 out with me, lots of love.
So pretty much I didn't get around to doing my last three months worth of empties posts. While I love doing them, if I don't get a months done right after the month ends I feel defeated and then procrastinate. So here I am with 3+ months worth of empties and feeling incredibly overwhelmed.
Why? While empties posts take no time to take photos of , they take forever for me to write about. Today I found a solution...10 empties at a time.
When I finish items I'll still toss them in my empties bag, but I'll just do 10 products at a time. That way no stress and no crazy long posts. So here it is, the first in my new series...
10 I'm Tossing:
Joe Fresh Nail Polish Remover: I got this because I needed a nail polish remover and I thought I'd like the bottle. It says acetone is the first ingredient so I thought it would be strong enough for me. It isn't - I need pure acetone. I don't have time for weaker stuff. Would I buy it again? No, maybe? I don't know. I pretty much want pure acetone. There was nothing wrong with this. I just am lazy. Acetone is so cheap (Walmart has it for about $1.90). I did like the bottle a lot and I got tons with this.
CoverFx Brush Cleanser: I got this when CoverFx was re doing their logo and everything was 40% off at Shoppers Drug Mart. I love this stuff. It is a fantastic brush cleaner. Would I buy it again? Yes, but sadly they don't make it anymore.
Pantene Dry Shampoo?: I got this at Dollarma. I love that it is a tiny sized spray great for work. Sadly it got empty really fast on me (was someone else using it?). It had no smell and left no white in my hair. Not as good as Batiste but pretty good for an alternative. Wold I buy it again? Maybe. I like it, and a full size is cheap but I doubt I would pay full price for a travel sized.
Mary Kay Eye Makeup Remover: A friend gave this to me when she sold Mary Kay. I really like it. It is a duo phase formula so it really cuts though waterproof makeup quickly. Would I buy it again? Yes! It works well and I really have no complaints.
Origins Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil: I got this years ago at the Estee Lauder Sale. While I like it, I hate the bottle. I've just given up on it. It seems to be a bottomless bottle that won't disappear and without a pump I just never use it. Would I buy it again? Yes, no. I like it and it works well but there are cheaper alternatives with bottle I like better (i.e.. L'oreal and The Body Shop).
Garnier Damage Eraser Strength Reconstructing Butter I got this quite a while ago in an Influenster box. I absolutely loved it (review here). I liked to use it about once every two weeks as my deep treatment. Would I buy it again?Yes! I really like this masque. Nothing at all to complain about here...it works really well and smells good too.
Be Better SPF 50 Spray Wet Sunscreen: I got this in the spring, I thought it would be a good purse sunscreen for touch ups (you know, reapply every few hours), but I found I hated it. It worked well as a sunscreen but if you weren't using it wet (which I wasn't) I found it pilled up on the skin and left if strange feeling. Would I Buy it Again? No....if it was on sale and I needed a sunscreen I might, but I would look for something I liked more. Why don't more brands make travel sizes? That is the real question.
The Body Shop Honeymania Body Wash: This travel size I got in a set last xmas holiday season. I thought getting a few mini sets would be a good way to try out the scent. So far I realized I really like the line.would I buy it again? Maybe! I like it as much as any other of The Body Shop body washes (I have many), but the sugar from the honey is my only question. I really question if it is the best idea to use it being a woman (meh, too much information, sorry).
Clinique Superfit Foundation: I got this at a Estee Lauder sale a few years back. It was discontinued when I got it...now it has oxidized. So that must mean it is time to toss it. Would I buy it again?No, it is meant for oilier skin than mine and it is discontinued.
The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil: I got about a year ago and have been using it off and on. I've always been a big fan of cleansing oil so when they started to pop up in drug stores and The Body Shop I felt I should give it a try. Well I used it all up pretty fast once I started to use it more often. I love the formula, it really works well to get everything off my face at the end of the day without stripping it. I also love the pump (something I didn't like about the Origins' bottle not having one). Would I buy it again? Yes, but I have a few L'oreal Cleansing Oils to use up first..
There has been a bit of backlog on the blog lately, so this is a bit of a catch up post showing what I purchased and received recently.
From Shoppers Drug Mart, CoverFx is changing their logo and getting rid of some items, so they were 50% off last week (they may still be, I'm not sure) . I got their Brush Cleaner (sadly they are not brining it back) and their Skin Prep Primer. Both were a steal.
The items on sale were the concealer, brushes, brush cleaner, kits, powders and the primers. I heard the radian primer will not be returning.
I also picked up a jumbo sized bottle of Marcelle Soothing Cleansing Water. It is double the size of the original with a pump....so happy about this. I paid $17.99 for it (the regular one was $14.99).
I then went back to Shoppers and picked up some more items. I got L'oreal's Healthy Look Creame Gloss in 5MM (mahogany) it was $9.99. I also picked up a CoverFX brush (still 50% off) for $19.00. Rimmel Scandalous Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in nude. I also nabbed a Essence Stays no matter what 24 hour mascara. This stuff has been all my friends have been talking about, supposedly it is amazing and extremely waterproof.
The incredibly fabulous Meredith from Et Tu And You gave me a sweet gift of these Villainesse body products. I really love their smell. I haven't used them yet, but once I do, expect a blog post.
Real Techniques is finally in Canada. WOOT WOOT. Surprisingly at Walmart. Which can only mean one thing, sparse quantities and insane women hunting for them like it is a sport. Hey remember Hard Candy Glamoflauge? Ok well my safari buddy Meredith nabbed me all three sets...the last ones too.
If you want a review of any of these items please request it in the comments or on twitter. I would love to review anything. That being said I hope to eventually do blog posts or reviews for everything at some point, but I'll rush anything that is requested
A baggie full of really old pigments. There are 2 Annabelle and 4 L'oreal. These are at least 7 years old. Time to go...bye bye.
Miscellaneous Lavender Bubble Bath. So this came in a set I got at Xmas, now it is gone. It was a decent bubble bath.
Dollarama Cleansing Wipes - 25 wipes - $1.25 - I pick these up every once and a while for cleaning up. I rarley use them on my face but they are great for brushes and other things that get dirty while doing makeup. Would I Buy Again? Yes, they were better back in the days they were unscented but I've already got a new package.
Noxima Disposible Razor - I picked a package of these up a while back thinking they might be good. They got dull and rusted faster than I thought they would. Would I Buy Again? No.
L'oreal Total Repair 5 Conditioner - 385 ml - I still love this stuff. Leaves my hair nice and soft. Would I Buy Again? YES!!! I love this stuff. On my new bottle as we speak.
Cover Fx Skin Prep FX PRimer - 5ml - I love this primer, used it up slowly though Would I Buy Again? Yes! On my new bottle right now. SmashBox Photo Ready Primer I got a bunch of these small bottles in sets from the Lisa's sale. Would I Buy Again? No. I gave many away, and simply don't think the pure silicone formula of this primer does it for me any more.
Herbal Esseneces Tossle Me Softly Flexible Style Hairspray - 236 ml - I got this so long ago, glad to see it go. The nozzle would always get crusty or clogged and I just never loved it. Would I Buy Again? No.
Clinique Happy Heart - I loved this and regular happy for such a long time. I am so sad to see it go.Would I Buy Again? Maybe. I think it might be time for a change.
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter -200ml - I finally use this up. I really am bad with lotion usage. I love the Satsuma scent. Would I Buy Again? Yes, but I have so many lotions to use up it will be a long time.
Alberto Difining Hair Wax - 60 g - This was a good stick wax, while not empty I needed to make room for new stuff. Would I Buy Again? Yes. I had to move past this wax since I got a new one that was smaller, if they still make this I will buy it again.
Onyx 100% Pure Acetone- 16 fl oz - I love this stuff, cheap and easy to find. The best stuff to rip polish off quick and cleanly. Would I Buy Again? Yes.
Estee Lauder Eye Makeup Remover - GWP size - I got this at the warehouse sale. I love it. Would I Buy Again? Yes! I am onto another bottle right now. L'oreal Extra Volume Collegen I love this mascara, that is all. Would I Buy Again? Yes Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara this was a great mascara, two wands, just great Would I Buy Again? Yes. Revlon Lash Glue This glue is latex free and requires no waiting time at all. Great, packaging is good too, but gets messy fast. Would I Buy Again? Yes. Must find ASAP. Essie Matte About You - This is my second bottle that just dried up on me without using it much at all. Would I Buy It Again? No. I've moved onto the ELF version. Revlon Makeup Remover I got this years ago and found it while cleaning. Would I Buy Again? No
Since I've now scrapped the seasonal empties post idea, here is all my current empties.
Bath and Body Works Butterfly Flower Cream Body Wash - I love this stuff and have one more in back up and a few other things in the fragrance hanging around. Still an amazing scent to me. Buy Again...if they still sold it for sure.
Mark. Mega Volume Next Day Spray - a great alternative to dry shampoo Buy Again... I would, I hate the smell though.
Avon Moisture Therapy Anti-Itch Spray - this stuff is amazing, stops itching from bugs, hives, sun burns, anything using oatmeal and menthol. Buy Again... if they still made it, in and instant.
L'oreal Youth Code Serum - a great serum and my third bottle Buy Again... yes, but for now I am trying a serum from the Body Shop.
L'oreal Total Repair 5 Instant Miracle - I love this stuff. No need to wait, it just works. Buy Again... yes!!
John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Conditioner- I'm still going through these. Really how many did I buy...I have two left so at least that will be the end of it Buy Again...it was $2 at dollarama, I don't regret getting so many, but reg price never.
L'oreal Total Repair 5 Hair Mask - a great mask for any hair type, instantly makes it feel healthier and softer. Buy Again...Yes, in fact I have a few back ups of it...love it.
ELF Studio Foundation - I was really shocked by how good this foundation was, I just got a new bottle Buy Again... for the price yes!!! I have a new bottle on the go.
CoverFx Skin Prep - I love this primer, killed this travel size and luckily just got some more with my recent order. Buy Again... yes, I love it.
The Body Shop Jolly Orange Body Scrub - I got this last christmas and finally started to use it. Not too orange in smell I must admit, but a good scrub. Buy Again... no, I like the scrubs in a tube not a tub, to awkward and strange to use. I do have some other scrubs though from the body shop in my back up so I will using them up sometime in the near future.
Vacation Empties:
While on vacation I managed to make a few empties there, not wanting to bring them back I just took a picture and ended it there.
Moroccan Oil Conditioner - this travel size was great and I loved it. I actually brought the bottle back so I can refill it for my next vacation and not worry about labelling a new bottle and having it get rubbed off or buying more bottles just to toss. This was really a great conditioner to use during my time away. Buy Again... I might buy a full size some time soon.
Kerastse Chroma Reflect Masque - This mask was amazing, too bad it was just one dose. Buy Again... Maybe, I love my total repair 5 mask. I brought the bottle home for the next time I travel to bring a mask in.
Neutrogena Ultimate Sport 60 spf - We killed this bottle off fast, it was a great sunscreen but with constant swimming and reapplication it didn't last very long. Buy Again...Maybe, maybe not. I might get the new one by Neutrogena that applies on wet skin or something just cheaper. For personal everyday use I prefer a non sport sunscreen. It was great for vacation though.
Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner - this travel size lasted me two washes. I was not impressed for travel size how little use I got out of it. It was just so thick that you needed more and it wouldn't come out. Buy Again ... I might try it in a full size, but never for travel again.
I ordered some goodies from CoverFX and ELF recently, here are some pics of what I got.
COVERFX Full Coverage Kit
ELF Studio items
Lashes, powder puffs, nail polish
remover wipes and a zit zapper
Nail Polishes
Lotion wipes
ELF Mineral Winkle Refiner and
Studio Face Line Filler
Mineral Mist
Studio Lip Exfoliator
Warm and Cool Studio Complexion Perfection
Studio Matte Lip Colour in Coral and Rich Red
Studio Makeup Remover Pen
I got so much elf because of the 50% off sale they had online last week. Excited to try so many new items out. I must say I love the Studio foundation and should have gotten a back up while ordering. The matte lipsticks are already a favourite of mine. They forgot one item that is on the bill so I must email them about that so they can refund me.
My Top 5 Must Haves:
So after a week of summer previews (I wanted to do more but things came up in life, sorry), I've chosen to pick my top 5 must haves.
1. L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipcolour
Ok I love these, it is no lie. I love them so much, oh it is just becoming wrong.
I love everything about them and I think they are worth swatting when you see them in a store...I'm sure you'll fall in love too.
If I could have just one of them....Violet Chiffon. It is the perfect purple for me and that is not something I went around searching for or even thought I needed, it just looks great. I get complements on it and people are shocked a purple can look that good. Definitely worth checking out.
2. L'oreal Youth Code BB
Now I don't own this yet, but I did get to play with it at an event. It has amazing properties to it that do amazing things for your skin and is a more moisturizing BB, which is what I am looking for. As soon as I see this I am picking it up.
3. The Body Shop Lily Cole Collection Shimmer Cubes (24)
I love these four shades. They are so summer and cute it isn't even funny. I really love the shades and think they would look great on so many people. Limited edition means you should get them fast.
4. Joe Fresh Shine Lipsticks
I picked these up in Flamingo and Raspberry, while a bit thinker and a bit less sheer than the L'oreal sheer lipsticks, these babies do deliver the pop of colour I crave. They come in various colours and are only $6.
5. Sun Protection
I've really had a hard time thinking of just one more thing that would be my must have for the summer. It had to be a sun screen. In the end our skin is important and protecting it from the rays is the best way stop premature aging, lines, cancer, age spot and other damages.
I cannot say this sun screen or that sun screen because everyones needs are different. Here are some products and brands that are amazing and have full coverage:
Dermalogica: They have a full line of products with SPF full spectrum coverage already in them (ex. their new Skinperfect prime with SPF30) but they also make sunscreens that can be used alone or mixed with moisturizers, ones for dry skin or oily acne prone skin. Personally I've been eyeing the Solar Defence Booster in SPF 50 and will most likely grab it soon.
CoverFX: Cover Fx has full spectrum sun protection in many of its products, read the labels to find out more, but their Bright Prep skin primer not only gives you a glow it contains SPF 50! I've used it in the past and loved it.
Hope this helps you know what I've been using and up to lately. Enjoy the summer, but keep protected from the sun.
Jill Oliver-Fox is a Toronto based beauty blogger with a love for beauty, food, and pets. She began the blog in 2009 and hasn't stopped since. To read more click
here.
