Project Pan February 2019: My Beauty Empties

This is the second month of Project Pan, the effort to use up more than 100 products during 2019, that I am participating in with a group of other beauty bloggers. It’s a voluntary thing, and not everyone will participate every month. But you know I will! I am bound and determined to finish up more stuff and recycle it. In addition, I am making an effort to get rid of expired, though unfinished products that have been hanging around in my stash, vanity or medicine chest.

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So this was another good month for empties for me. In fact, I have a couple of more full size items that are just about empty but I have enough already so I’ll save them for March. Let’s see what it moving on.

Beauty Accessories

• Turbie Twist: I bought this Turbie Twist about three years ago to keep my hair off my hair while I’m removing makeup and washing my face. Once I got a cuter terrycloth headband from The Vintage Cosmetic Company, I began to use my Turbie Twist to help me keep the heating pads on my eyes for my dry eye treatment instead. I have to put moist heat on my eyes for 10 minutes every day, and I am always jury-rigging products to do it. Turbie Twist did a good job till the velcro stopped sticking together. Time to say goodbye. Repurchase? I actually looked for a similar Turbie Twist at Ulta and on Amazon, and I guess they retired this style. Instead a bought a 3-pack of something similar on Amazon that’s less expensive and seems just as good.

Skincare

Skincare is always the big category for me, and this month is no exception. I used up a new favorite and tried a bunch of travel size samples.

• Acqua Alle Rose Gel Detergente: I discovered this facial cleanser at a very cool boutique in Savannah. Wish I could remember the name coz it’s worth visiting. Anyway, I liked this rose-scented non-foaming gentle gel cleanser a lot. It is also billed as a makeup remover, and though I don’t use it as a makeup cleanser (I use micellar water), I use it as a second step in my cleansing routine, and it’s great that I can use it on my sensitive eyes to remove last vestiges of eye makeup. Repurchase? Yes, I did though I am saving the new bottle for spring.

• PCA Skin Facial Wash, travel size: I received this bottle of the clear gel PCA Skin Facial Wash in a kit of travel size skincare last summer. I took it with me on several trips, and I enjoyed using it. It’s a clear gel, and it does turn creamy when mixed with water. It is gentle and non-stripping. It also comes in an oily skin version. Purchase? Though I liked it, I am using more affordable alternatives, but I do recommend it. It’s an excellent cleanser.

• Vichy Mineral 89 Booster: I liked this hydrating booster. It’s a thick, slightly heavy and slightly sticky face serum that did help hydrate my skin. Repurchase? Although I liked the serum and I loved the ombre glass triangular pump bottle, I have found other hydrating serums that are lighter weight, faster drying and/or less expensive. I’m saving the bottle, however, I will transfer a similar Korean hydrating serum into it.

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair BarriAir Cream, travel size: I liked this travel size tube of new FAB Ultra Repair BarriAir Cream so much that I reviewed it. It’s a lightweight but very effective gel-cream that repair skin’s barrier. It’s perfect for all skin types and all seasons. Purchase? Not right now because I am drowning in moisturizers, but I will at some point. It is a terrific moisturizer and skin repair product.

• LXMI Creme du Nil, travel size: I got this moisturizer in my Barney’s Beauty Bag, and I liked it a lot. It’s rich and very hydrating. Purchase? I liked it, but I have too much skincare.

• SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair SPF 34, travel size: I also got this daytime moisturizer in my Barney’s Beauty Bag. I really loved it. It was lightweight, didn’t leave a white cast. It also comes in SPF 50 that I’m very interested in for the summer. Purchase? It is quite expensive at $68, but I would like to see if I can find a sample of the higher SPF.

Bath & Body

Bath & Body is my other big category for empties. I love trying new B&B products, especially those that come in different scents.

• RITUALS The Ritual of Ayurveda Harmonizing Foaming Shower Gel, travel size:  I got this shower gel in the Small Gift Set of travel size Ritual of Ayurveda bath and body products. Although I have gone through a few bottles of the foaming shower gel from the Ritual of Sakura line, I had never tried this scent. What struck me as strange is that the scent in all four or five of the Ayurveda products that I tried were different. Weird. I did like the scent in the foaming shower gel, and it was indeed “harmonizing” and calming. I love Rituals Foaming Shower Gel as shave foam. It’s terrific. Repurchase? I liked it enough to repurchase it, though I also like Sakura.

• Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, 2.5 fl. oz. size: I had been dying to try this body cream for ages because I had heard nothing but raves about it. It’s a rich, fragrant cream that is supposed to have a tightening effect. I did not experience the tightening. Though it would be hydrating when I first applied it, I found for my super dry skin that the hydration didn’t last. Repurchase? Though I loved the tropical scent, it was incredibly expensive especially since it didn’t provide lasting hydration for me. So no. At some point, however, I will try the travel size of the new Coco Cabana version in the aqua jar.

• Molton Brown Rose Absolute Shower Gel, travel size: You know I love Molton Brown Shower Gel, and as a fan of rose scents, I was happy to get to try the Rose Absolute scent. Purchase? The Rose Absolute scent reminded me of dried rose petals. I liked it, but it wasn’t one of my favorites.

• Mitchum Advanced Control 48 Hour Gel Antiperspirant, Powder Fresh: By and large, I switched to natural deodorant about 3 years ago. However, on days that are super hot and humid or if I have something stressful to do, I will revert to my tried & true Mitchum. Repurchase? Yes, I did.

• Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm: This is the heavy guns of lip balms for my super dry lips. In the winter, this is the one I use most often, especially at night. It is medical grade lanolin. It’s the same product as Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm in the pink tube. Repurchase? Yes, I did.

• Grande Lips Hydrating Lip Plumper, Clear, travel size: I got this sample in my Sephora Play bag about a year ago, and I was hesitant to use this because I thought it might have irritating peppermint oil or something else in it. But I was pleasantly surprised, it is very gentle. I think that Grande Lips has hyaluronic acid and collagen in it, and that’s why it’s called Lip Plumper. Honestly, I don’t know if my lips look truly bigger, but they certainly look healthier and juicier when I wear it. Purchase? If I didn’t have a million different lip balms and plumpers, I would. I will buy one of the Grande Lips lipsticks one day.

Hair

• Vitabrid Scalp Shampoo, travel size: I got this generous travel size bottle of Vitabrid Scalp Shampoo in my Barney’s Beauty Bag. Scalp shampoos were very popular in 2017-18, and I wasn’t sure what they were about. I thought they might be like dandruff shampoos and I was concerned about using them. After trying Vitabrid, I think I may have been wrong in my assessment. Vitabrid Scalp Shampoo was a terrific shampoo. It created a good amount of suds, it cleaned my hair and scalp thoroughly, gave my hair a little squeak that I like after rinsing, and in conjunction with my conditioners, it left my hair looking and feeling great. I liked this shampoo a lot. Purchase? I have a lot of shampoo in my stash to use up, but I recommend this shampoo.

Makeup

• Essence Liquid Liner, medium brown: I loved this medium brown felt tip liquid liner from Essence. I have never seen this shade anywhere else. Sadly, it was one of Essence’s limited editions. Repurchase? Wish I could, but it no longer exists!

• AmorePacific Age Correcting Foundation Cushion SPF 25: Isn’t that the most beautiful compact? I think it is. I have decided that I’m not a big fan of any cushion foundations. It seems that their ship has sailed. Though I think you can still buy some cushion foundations including from AmorePacific, I’m glad that it turned out to be somewhat of a fad. I find cushion foundation to be way too messy. The puff or sponge that comes with the cushion is difficult or impossible to clean, and my fingers always get dirty trying to apply it. Also, most cushions provide light to medium coverage, and I am usually looking for medium to full coverage. Nevertheless, this was a very nice lightweight foundation and I liked that it had SPF 25. Repurchase? No. I’ll stick with liquid or stick foundations, thanks 😉

• Benefit They’re Real Mascara, travel size: Benefit They’re Real Mascara continues to be one of my favorite mascaras. I love the formula that’s semi-wet and adds both length and volume. I adore the wand with spiky plastic teeth for great separation. Purchase? I still have a couple more waiting in the wings.

• Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Primer, travel size: I got this travel size tube of Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later pale pink eye primer in an Ipsy bag a while back, and I like it a lot. Most of the eye primers I get are yellowy or brownish, and I hate that. Although this one is pink, it goes on clear. It’s hydrating and long wearing. Repurchase? I was all set to repurchase it, and I found two tubes of Miliani Eye Primer. Although I don’t love the yellow-brownish tone of the Milani Eye Primer, it does work and I already own it. When I finally use them up, I’ll buy the Elizabeth Mott instead. I’m still ticked off that Urban Decay changed the formula and packaging of my former fave, UD Antiaging Eye Primer.

Fragrance

I need to take notes on the fragrance samples that I use because I often can’t remember them unless I really loved or really hated them. Next month!

• Sylvaine Delacourte Fiorentina EDP, travel size: I adore this light, powdery perfume with the key notes of Florentine Iris and musk. It’s perfect for everyday and for all seasons. Nevertheless, I wish it had greater sillage (broadcasting-ness) and long-lastingness – or maybe it’s just me because nothing seems to be working on me lately! Repurchase? Fortunately, I have 2 or 3 more of these spray vials!

• Royal Earth from The Harmonist, sample spray vial: Royal Earth is very similar to SD Fiorentina with the same key notes. I just love the fragrance, but it has the same issues, it doesn’t broadcast the scent well enough and the scent goes away too quickly, though right now it is lasting longer than it ever has, lol. Repurchase? I have a couple more of these tiny sample vials, but I won’t buy more since it’s so pricey. I wish there was a way to give it more oomph!

• Replica By The Fireplace from Maison Margiela, sample spray vial: If I remember correctly, this fragrance did smell like a smoky fire. I have a friend, Rach, who loves fiery scents. I wonder if she would like this one? Purchase? It wasn’t for me.

• Citrine by Nest, sample spray vial: So far, I haven’t found a Nest fragrance that suits me. I hoped Citrine would be the one, but it didn’t suit me. Too sharp. Purchase? No.

Expired Beauty Products

This month, I am forcing myself to get rid of a few products that have been around too long or that I don’t like. They’ve gotta go.

• Hourglass Cosmetics Caution Extreme Lash Mascara, travel size: I had heard good things about Hourglass Extreme Lash Mascara, so I was excited to see this in one of my beauty bags. But sadly, nothing about this mascara worked for me. The bristled wand was waaaaaay too long for me to manipulate, and I often got mascara on the inner corner of my eyelid. Ugh. And the formula didn’t work on my lashes. In no way did I get extreme lashes. Instead, my lashes look skinny, sparse and short. Glad I got to try it in a beauty bag.

• Reviva Labs 10% Glycolic Acid Cream: At one point when my cleaners were coming to help me clean my house, I put this jar of Reviva Labs 10% Glycolic Acid Cream away to clean up and I forgot where I put it and therefore forgot about it. Nevertheless, it was a terrific glycolic acid cream. Affordable, relatively lightweight and non-greasy. I was able to use 10% GA. Unfortunately, this jar is at least 3 years old. Reviva Labs is a terrific, affordable, natural skincare brand that I don’t hear much about anymore. It’s no longer sold at Ulta, boo hoo. But it is sold online on their website, iHerb.com, Vitacost.com, and Walgreens.com. At some point, I will repurchase this product.

• Reviva Labs Nasolabial Fold Multi-Peptide Cream: This cream was supposed to soften the vertical folds between the nose and lips. Somehow I never got in the habit of applying a separate cream to that area even though it was a perfectly good moisturizer. I’m sure I could have used it on my full face. Now it’s more than 3 years old. Buh-bye!

• LATHER Tinted Lip Balm: I knew that I wouldn’t be able to wear the Tinted Lip Balms that I received from LATHER about 3 years ago because they have peppermint oil in the formula. For my lips, peppermint is a no-no. Because I loved the red shade so much, I thought maybe I could convince myself to wear it, but I couldn’t.

• Blue-Eyed Girl Nail Lacquer, shade Clear My View, mini: I must have gotten this beautiful glittery raspberry polish in an Ipsy bag a while back. The shade was beautiful and I loved it. But over time, it has gotten so thick that it’s no longer usable. Sad to see you go!

So that’s it for this month. I used up 10 full and large travel size products and a whole bunch of sample sizes. Yay! If I can keep this up, I am definitely on track to make my goal.

Here are the links to the other bloggers and bloggers who so far are participating in Project Pan this month:

• CosmetopiaDigest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN3hEccq2D4
• Polarbelle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-490c-JOlI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1SMEOj9LxlQKIfNxOxdkbLDVYR_dl6VUB9n3fCmGzX_hFbreizKopQrcU

What did you use up this month?

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

Website | + posts

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