I get a sense of accomplishment at the end of the year as I go through the number of beauty products that I have finished up and recycled. But oops, I goofed this year. I thought my goal was 125 empties, and I achieved that, right on the nose. But I went back to my Project Pan end of year post from last December, and I discovered that I vowed to keep my 2020 goal (that I reached) of 130 empties. My bad, I screwed up. Oh well, no one really cares and there’s no prize for reaching the goal. But I am still a bit disappointed that I am 5 empties short of my actual goal. There’s always next year. I will see if I can make the goal of 130 in 2022.
I Bought This, PR Samples, Affiliate LInks
So what did I use up in December? As usual, lots of skincare products, and a few other things. Here we go!
Skincare
You can tell that I am really a fan of City Beauty skincare. What can I say, so many of their products work for me! And just this morning, I finished up another CB product that is one of my first empties for 2022.
City Beauty Lid Lifting Treatment: I really don’t need to say anything about this skincare product, other than to reiterate that it was one of my favorites and best discoveries of 2021. Repurchase? Yes, I stockpile it.
City Beauty Advanced Retinol System: Advanced Retinol System was another new product from CB that came out this past fall. It’s a product duo with a dual chambered pump bottle that contains Vitamin C serum for the morning on one side and retinol for nighttime use on the other side. It was so handy to have the two together, and I loved them both. Repurchase? If it weren’t so darn expensive (priced over $100), I would. We’ll see next time CB has a 40% off sale.
City Beauty Line Blurring Wrinkle Filler: I don’t use wrinkle fillers all that often so it took me a long time to use this up. Wrinkle fillers usually work in two way: settling into and filling up wrinkles for a smoother look upon use and longer term to help skin rebuild itself and diminish wrinkles. To be honest, I don’t think they help enough, and sometimes they pill under foundation. Repurchase? No. I have another wrinkle filler from Neostrata that I need to finish up. And as I said, I just don’t find them effective enough for me.
(As always, if there’s something you want or need from City Beauty and they don’t have it on sale, click through my link and use NEVERSAYDIEBEAUTY as the code to get 15% off. While it’s not as good as their sale prices, it’s better than nothing.)
Derma E Stem Cell Eye Lifting Treatment: Another new favorite from 2021. I use this eye cream on my eyelid and underneath my eyes in conjunction with CB Lid Lifting Treatment. They’re my power duos. Repurchase? Yes, I will after I finish my tube of CeraVe Eye Cream. When I searched for it via Google and clicked on the link, it took me to Amazon where “it” is priced at $16.91 on Amazon with free Prime shipping. Though the product is labeled Stem Cell Eye Lifting Treatment, the photo shows Firming DMAE Eye Lift. You can see it in the ad below. It must be the same product, but they changed the name. I haven’t had a chance to look at the ingredient list, but I am guessing that’s what happened. The price on Amazon is $5 lower because they want to get rid of the old merchandise. Hmmm.
Hey Honey Good Morning Honey Silk Facial Serum: I really, really like this skin smoothing serum that does double duty as a primer. Repurchase? I bought a travel size from Ipsy which is how I discovered it. I bought so many cosmetics during the holiday season, I have to wait a bit before I buy more, but I will at some point.
Bath & Body
Crystal Coconut + Vanilla Magnesium Enriched Deodorant: Crystal is my go-to brand of natural deodorant because I get the best results. I really liked this new collection of natural deodorants, and I loved the coconut and vanilla scent of this variant. However, like all Crystal deos, it was a big container, and it took me a fairly long time to use it up. I got it in February of 2021, and over the months, it got stiffer and a little more difficult to apply. Repurchase? No, the Crystal Mineral Enriched Invisible Solid stick that’s sort of a translucent solid gel is my favorite form because it is slipperier and thus easier to apply. But I loved this scent and wish my preferred form came in coconut and vanilla.
Health & Beauty
First & Free CBD Softgels, 25 mg capsules: I like the First & Free CBD Softgels. 25 mg seems like the right dosage for me: it is calming and helps me relax to go to sleep. The only downside is that, unlike gummies, they need to be taken with a glass of water or other liquid so they aren’t always convenient. Repurchase? I have to look and see if I have one more box of them, but if not, I will.
Joy Nutrition (aka Joy Organics) Premium CBD Gummies, 10 mg: I have to review the products I received from Joy Organics, and I will probably do a CBD post soon because I have a couple of other brands as well. I am definitely on the CBD bandwagon because I find it helpful for sleep, minor pain relief and for calming anxiety. Because these strawberry lemonade flavored gummies are 10 mg each, I find that two work better than one. Repurchase? I am going to check to see if they come in a stronger formula like 20 or 25mg.
Sample Packets
I tried 3 sample packets during the past month, and frankly, I don’t know why I am even talking about them because I didn’t take notes, and I already forgot what I thought about them except one. Anyway, they are:
Sunday Riley Good Genes: This serum with more skin friendly lactic acid is a cult favorite, but I honestly don’t remember anything about it. For those of you who use it, what do you like about it?
Dermalogica Precleanse: I do remember a little bit about this cleansing oil. It was very nice, gentle, hydrating, and it did turn milky when mixed with water. It did an excellent job removing my makeup. Purchase? Doubtful because I have a big bottle of DHC Cleansing Oil that is very similar but much less expensive.
Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment: This nighttime serum contains 10% AHA and 10% PHAs. There was enough in the packet for me to use it at least 3 times. The first time I tried it, it felt like it was burning my skin. Ugh. So I waited a week and tried again: same thing. I waited a couple of days and tried again, and it still hurt. I kept at it hoping that my skin would get used to it if I waited a few days in between, but it didn’t. Purchase? Absolutely not. I was surprised that this AHA and PHA combo was so strong and irritating for my skin. I will stick to my retinol and my glycolic acid serums. Has anybody out there tried this serum?? If so, I’d love to hear how it worked for you.
So this is how I ended 2021, just short of my goal. How about you? Did you use up more or less in 2021?
Project Pan posts are my favorite! They inspire me to do my own cleanout.
Thank you, Cynthia, for taking the time to comment and let me know that you like Project Pan. I’m also glad to hear that it’s a motivator. I have to go through my vast stash and get rid of a lot of expired stuff…soon!
Great job!! If you run out of ideas to write about 🙂
What about something on how you store of keep track of the products you have. HAPPY NEW YEAR
Happy New Year, Gloria! So happy to hear from you. Hope your holidays went well. Your suggestion is such a good one. But after I wrote about my storage methods several years ago, I have been overwhelmed with products, especially skincare. I am truly embarrassed to say that my two storage units as well as a large MUA travel suitcase are filled to the gills. And even worse, the remainder of the products are in the shipping boxes they came in on the rug in my office. It’s pathetic. I need to give even more away than I have, but the post office has raised its rates for shipping dramatically and skincare products are heavy and expensive to mail, boo hoo. I give away things I know I can’t use to our local Buy Nothing group, but there’s still a lot. I wish you lived nearby and could take some of this stuff!
What an impressive job, Allison! Amazing that you finished 3 City Beauty products! Ah, and you finished my favorite Derma E eye cream! Well done!
Lola+Seicento recently posted…Woosh Beauty Spin-On Lip Glosses in Beige Frosted and Pink Natural
Thank you! Hopefully, I’ll make my goal in 2022 😉
You should be patting yourself on your back for finishing that many products this year. I know I don’t come close. When I was wearing makeup regularly I’d finish (time wise) mascaras and Mary Kay eye makeup remover. It takes me a good 8 months to finish up a Crystal deodorant. It’s such a good buy because of that.
Thank you! Yes, without going anywhere and wearing makeup on the regular, it’s hard to use things up like before!