Honestly, I have been putting off writing my Project Pan update for August because I have so many empties! While that should be good news, it just takes so long to write about them all. So this month, I’ll make my mini-reviews even shorter, if I can.
I Bought This, Retail Sample, PR Samples, Affiliate Links
Here’s what I used up in August.
Bath & Body
Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream: This was either the second or third tube of Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream that I have used up. I think this variant of Eucerin body lotion for very dry skin is the best I have tried. It’s supposed to moisturize for 48 hours, and it certainly gets close. At least by the end of the day, my skin doesn’t look dry and desiccated like when I use other body lotions and butters. Repurchase? I already did, and I bought a larger size pump bottle this time.
South of France Liquid Hand Wash, Violet scent: This is my third or fourth bottle of affordable, natural South of France liquid soap. The product line, though made in the U.S., was inspired by French natural and botanical body care products. I like it a lot. Repurchase? I will buy South of France liquid soap again in the future, just not the violet scent. Since the pandemic, it has become harder to find in stores. On line, it’s available at Vitacost.com, Swanson Health Products, Pure Formulas.com, and iHerb at reasonable prices (less than $4 and $5, respectively), while it is overpriced on Amazon and Walmart.com.
Paula’s Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum: I should have written a full review of this delightful body serum. It’s fragrance-free and hydrating, though for my super dry skin, Paula’s Choice recommends using it first in conjunction with a body lotion or butter. Most of the time, I used it on its own, and it was hydrating enough for the day. The niacinamide was supposed to help even skin tone and lighten dark spots. I think if you have far less sun damage than I have, it may work better. Maybe it lightened some of my dark spots? Repurchase? As much as I enjoyed using this innovative body serum, it isn’t worth repurchasing for me with all my sun damage.
Health & Beauty
Coola Classic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50, Fragrance-free: Next year when I repurchase Coola Sunscreen Spray, I have to remember to try to buy the pineapple, coconut or cucumber scent. Fragrance-free smelled pretty awful. Repurchase? Yes, next summer.
Colgate Enamel Renewal Toothpaste: I tried this enamel renewal toothpaste, a minty white paste, for the first time. It’s more expensive and smaller than the regular variants, but if it works, it’s worth it. Only a dentist can tell, however. Repurchase? I just bought a similar product from Crest, a blue gel, when I ran out because I had a coupon. I would buy either again in the future.
Skincare
La Jeanelle Enhanced Retinol Treasure Anti-aging Cream: This encapsulated retinol gel-cream anti-aging cream was fabulous. I truly enjoyed using it. Repurchase? I would in a heartbeat if it weren’t priced over $100.
Makeup
Precision Beauty Contouring Brush: I got this faux-Artis style, affordable Precision Beauty brush from a friend, and I absolutely loved it for applying liquid foundation. Though it was supposed to be for contouring, the smaller head was perfect for me to apply foundation. I’ve had it for at least 3 years, so I guess I shouldn’t complain that some of the soft “bristles” came out. Repurchase? I have one more similar brush from another brand. Unfortunately, I don’t think Precision Makeup exists anymore. Also, this style brush isn’t as popular now as it was a few years ago. And I don’t want to pay Artis prices.
Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, full size and mini size: I am a fan of Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, and to date, I have gone through a number of tubes. It’s probably best for lengthening with some volumizing, and that’s what I personally prefer. Repurchase? Not right now, because I am having a love affair with Chella Good Drama Mascara.
Tarteist Lip Crayon (Liner), shade Latergram: I got this Tarteist pink/coral/mauve lip liner as a birthday gift from either Sephora or Ulta a couple of years ago. It was a great shade to wear alone as long-wearing lip color or as a lip liner. I think I used it up quite a while ago since it was small, but I forgot about it. Repurchase? I think Tarte discontinued the product. Boo.
Haircare
JOICO K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock Instant Shine & Repair Treatment: Probably my favorite hair conditioner and treatment that I’ve been using for the past at least 5 years, maybe longer. It makes my hair feel smoother and healthier. I love it. Repurchase? I just bought a travel size.
Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo: I’ve been using this big tube of Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo since last December specifically on the areas where I’ve been experiencing hair loss and thinning: my temples and crown. I use Olaplex No. 4 Shampoo on the rest of my hair where it’s thickest. Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo coupled with the conditioner and the serum has done a good job for me. However, a fellow blogger used it, and her hair stylist told her that it may have caused her hair to break. Go figure. Repurchase? I’m on the fence because I am a little tired of using two different shampoos on different parts of my head/hair. Since I finished this up a couple of weeks ago, I’ve gone back to using Olaplex on all my hair, and so far, so good. We’ll see what happens.
Vegamour GRO Hair Serum: Though it took a long time, Vegamour GRO Hair Serum has caused the hair in what was my receding hairline to start to grow back. It’s growing back faster on the right side than the left for some reason, but there are small hairs on both sides. There’s still a way to go till I have full hair regrowth, but it is making progress, and I can feel and see small hairs growing back. Repurchase? I got a subscription to this serum. One bottle lasts me 3-4 months. I’m expecting another bottle in late September or in October.
Fragrance
Spongelle Private Reserve Diffuser, Morning Bloom: I loved using the Spongelle Private Reserve Diffuser set. It came in a gorgeous gift box (I received it around Mother’s Day). The diffuser set included diffuser oil in the delicate Morning Bloom fragrance, and instead of diffuser stick, it came with a paper/fabric flower that fit perfectly into a milk glass vase. Although the diffuser oil got taken up into the flower within a few weeks, the flower maintained the gorgeous scent for almost 4 months. Repurchase? Although the flower is discolored from doing its job for 4 months, I think I could use it again if I stick with the same fragrance. Since I loved the subtle Morning Bloom fragrance, just buying the diffuser oil refill would cost $24. The replacement flower is $12. They often have discount codes and sales, so I will do it. I loved keeping this in the bathroom. It’s available in several other fragrances as well.
Maison Anthony Marmin scent: I learned about fragrance oils from Maison Anthony Marmin in the Facebook Fragrance Friends group, of course. His scents are called Pure Perfumes defined as follows: “Pure Perfumes are undiluted and free from alcohol. They are made with precious oils produced by traditional process of maceration, cold extraction and distillation.” My purchase was a blind buy, but I did like it. Because it’s so concentrated and doesn’t have alcohol, it is more a fragrance oil than a perfume. The staying power was enormous! I just wish I could remember which of his many scents I bought. He specializes in gender neutral and more masculine fragrances inspired by the Middle East and what used to be called “the Orient”, and is based in Dubai. They all come in the same distinctive bottle in sizes from a 0.5 ml sample to 12 ml. On the website, he groups them by fragrance notes. Repurchase? Some day I will buy another of the exotic Maison Anthony Marmin scents, but for now, I have tons of fragrances to finish up.
Nail Care
Olive & June Nail Polish Remover Pot: I’ve gone through about 3 Olive & June Nail Polish Remover Pots now since I first started using the brand in June 2021. It has foam inside the pot, and you move your nail around along the foam to remove the polish. It works exceedingly well with their cream and metallic polishes. The glitter polishes take a little longer to remove, so occasionally I revert to my Zoya Polish Remover on a cotton pad instead. But I love this stuff. Repurchase? Yes, I already did.
Olive & June Super Glossy Top Coat: Olive & June Top Coat is my favorite top coat because it is thick, very glossy and very protective. Applying one coat every night truly does help my O&J mani last for at least a week. I think I’ve gone through at least 4 of these bottles of top coat in the past year. Repurchase? Yes, I already did.
Sample Packets
Tatcha Foaming Enzyme Powder, Gentle: Recently I wrote about how much I liked the Gentle version of Tatcha The Rich Polish, an exfoliating cleanser powder. Purchase? I am considering buying the travel size when Tatcha has its next Friends & Family sale.
Expired Products/Tosses
I have tons of old skincare and makeup products that I must get rid of. It’s ridiculous to keep them, so I have to encourage myself to do it. But at least I’m getting a start with the four skincare products above.
Paula’s Choice RESIST Omega+ Complex Serum: Boy, I hate to be throwing this half used up serum out! This is either the second or third bottle that I bought myself of Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex. Because I have so much skincare to test for review, I put this one in a basket and forgot about it. It smells “off”, so I must toss it. Repurchase? I have so many serums to test, that I won’t buy it now. But truly, it’s a good one!
Zenmed Oil-free Moisturizer with SPF 30: Zenmed is a dermatologist-developed skincare brand for those with acne and/or oily skin. I liked this oil-free Moisturizer with SPF 30 for summer use, but I forgot I had it and haven’t used it since at least last year. The efficacy of sunscreens dissipates after several months, so I have to toss it. Repurchase? Probably not, because my dry skin doesn’t usually want oil-free skincare products.
Algenist Prebiotic Balancing Moisturizer with SPF 15: Again, this balancing moisturizer was developed for those with acne and/or oily/combination skin. Not me. And a moisturizer with only SPF 15 is just too low. Repurchase? No.
PUR Exfoliating Deep Pore Cleanser: I thought this PUR Joystick Exfoliating Deep Pore Cleanser was a really innovative product for those with significant pores. It’s a solid stick that is somewhat scratchy on the skin. Although a great idea, I used it several times but thought it was a little too harsh for my dry, somewhat sensitive skin. It’s a couple of years old and I don’t use it, so bye-bye. Repurchase? No.
Project Pan Progress
This was a good month for me in terms of using up products. Without counting the empty Tatcha packet, I used up 17 products. At the end of July, I had 92 empties. Now I have 109. I think my goal for 2022 was 125, or was it 150? I know I’ll make 125.
How about you? Did you use up anything you plan to repurchase?
What a great month of empties. I’m sure you have a feel of accomplishment. Bravo.
My favorite post of the month:). You always encourage me to use us what I already have before buying more. And it’s good to see what you would buy again.
Thank you, thank you, Denise! I really appreciate it. Not surprisingly, many of my empties are products that I have purchased myself – although some of those started out as PR samples. Gee, some day I should do a post on PR samples that became staples in my cosmetics collection, lol. What did you finish recently that you’re going to repurchase?
Next time I go to the dentist I’m going to ask them about that enamel repair paste. It sounds really interesting!
Michelle+|+con+limón,+please recently posted…Cómo hacer una piñata en 5 pasos
You are young so you may not need enamel repair yet, but it is worth talking to your dentist or hygienist about.
ooooh! So many good items in this post! Thanks for info on that body serum. I have spots on my arms and legs and I think I’m at a point of preventing new ones but not necessarily “fixing” old ones. So not for me. And the toothpaste – I haven’t seen that one but I do like my renamel which also is smaller and more expensive but I do think it works. My family has a poor dental history and I think my paste helped. I also agree that the O+J topcoat is awesome. glossy and thick!
I’m so glad you got to try the Olive & June topcoat!!!
Very impressive job, Allison! I hate it when I have to toss products before using them. It’s hard for things not to spoil when you have so many open products, as you know all too well!
Lola Seicento recently posted…LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream Review
You nailed it, Lola! That’s the problem: too many open products! What a terrible problem to have, but yes, it’s real 😉
Funny you should ask! I was using Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Serum with a few drops of the C15 serum, and honestly, my skin had never looked better. But FOMO drove me to pay twice as much for a bottle of Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Serum. Suffice it to say that the Paula’s choice products produced a better result. I have already repurchased the Paula’s Choioce products to begin using again as soon as I finish the Kiehl’s product. I struggle with feeling that there is always something better out there for me – in more than just skin care! Thank you for your posts – I love your blog.
Gee, I’m not sure if I have tried the PC Super Antioxidant Serum yet, but I should look through my stash. That’s fantastic that it has had such a significant effect on your skin!! Isn’t funny that we always get lured in to try something new. I haven’t used any Kiehl’s products in a few years. In Montreal on St. Catherine’s St., we passed by the Kiehl’s shop and I was thinking about it, but when I’m with Jeff, shopping is not on the agenda. I’m like you, even though I wasn’t getting the results I hoped for, I would probably finish up the Kiehl’s too before going back to my love. Thank you so much, Denise, for your generous words. I truly appreciate it xoxo