June completely sped by. I feel like I missed it. But here we are in July, and it’s time for a Project Pan update.
I Bought This, Retail Gift, Affiliate Links
My total of empties for the year was 70 at the start of June. I didn’t use up as many products in June as in May and some of the earlier months, but that’s how it goes.
Here are my thoughts on products I finished:
Bath & Body
Ravish Soap Co. Beach, Please!: Beach, Please! is still one of the prettiest bar soaps I have ever used. I love the tiny shells and glitter at the top, and the bar itself truly looks like the beach. Although it is a bit harder than Nature Island Botanicals’ soaps to lather up, it does lather especially once it gets going. Plus, it doesn’t dry out my skin. It’s lightly hydrating and smells delightfully sweet. Recommend? Yes, if you like novelty soaps that have a light fragrance and are made from natural ingredients, this is one of the best. I have another bar waiting in the wings.
RITUALS The Ritual of Sakura Foaming Shower Gel with Rice Milk and Cherry Blossom: Although after many years of using RITUALS Foaming Shower Gel, I still wish the pump worked better. Nevertheless, I love the cherry blossom scent and the hydrating foam. It’s great for shaving in the shower, too. Recommend? Yes, in spite of the pump, it’s a lovely shower foam. And now, there’s a 3 for the price of 2 sale going on on their website.
RITUALS The Ritual of Sakura Hand Balm with Rice Milk and Cherry Blossom: Like the foaming shower gel, the Hand Balm is one of my favorite products from RITUALS. In fact, it is my nighttime hand cream of choice. It is very hydrating, completely non-greasy, and its light cherry blossom scent is delightful. Recommend? Yes, undoubtedly.
SKINCARE
Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream: This is the original version of Strivectin’s neck cream. I believe there is a light weight version and a Plus version now as well as travel and jumbo sizes. The original is very thick, but it definitely works. Recommend? I would like to try the new Plus and Light versions and see how they compare. Can anyone weigh in on the newer versions? I think I still have one more original jar in my stash.
Mamonde Rose Water Toner, travel size: I got this rose water toner in a Mamonde skincare set that I bought at Ulta a year ago or so. Mamonde is a natural, Korean brand (that I originally thought was French) whose two major collections are based on rose and lavender. The Rose Water Toner has no alcohol, and it’s gentle and delightfully fragrant. Recommend? Absolutely! I went to Ulta.com to buy another bottle, but Ulta no longer carries it, boo. So I bought another brand that I hope I’ll like as much. Mamonde Rose Toner is still sold on iHerb, Yesstyle, Stylevana, and others.
Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50: This chemical sunscreen lotion is one of my favorites. In the winter, I need to wear a richer moisturizer on top of it, but it’s fine for now. Recommend? Yes. I have another tube in my stash.
Tony Moly Plump-Kin Retinol Eye Cream, travel size: I bought this as an add-on purchase via Ipsy because I had been looking for an eye cream with retinol. I used it at night on my crow’s feet and under eye area. It was lightweight and not quite rich enough for me to use as an all-around eye cream. Recommend? If lightweight gel-creams work for you, this is worth trying because of the retinol. Also, the full size comes in an adorable pumpkin shaped container. It’s sold at Ulta, and you can use coupons to buy Tony Moly. I may need to buy a full size for the retinol, but also for the super cute jar.
Makeup
butter LONDON Glazen Blush Gelee, shade Flicker: butter LONDON Glazed Blush Gelee is aptly called a gelée rather than a cream because it is creamy but jelly-like, sort of like a mousse. I bought this about 3 years ago or maybe 4. The shimmery apricot shade was very pretty. It was a long-wearing blush compared to many cream blushes. It was supposed to be usable for 6-8 months, but mine dried out recently. Recommend? I don’t know if this is a blush for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Right now, it is on sale for $20 on BL’s website, marked down from $26, plus there’s an additional 20% off for July4th. Hmm, shall I buy another one, maybe in rose this time?
Health and Beauty
Just CBD Gummy Bears 1000mg, fruit-flavored: I love these yummy CBD gummy bears. Containing 10mgeach, they work for me especially if I take two. Recommend? Yes, I love ’em. I am about halfway through my 4th jar. I will repurchase soon. They come in different shapes, flavors and sizes. You can get 35% off your first order if you sign up for emails.
Tosses
Kjaer Weis Cream Blush Refillable Makeup System, Deluxe Sample: A few years ago, I went to a Kjaer Weis event held at a high end salon and spa in Newburyport MA. The founder of luxury, certified organic brand Kjaer Weis was there along with several of the company’s makeup artist talking about the brand and doing makeovers. I was given this deluxe cream blush sample in a small goody bag. I like their refillable makeup system, but the magnet inside the faux leather compact wasn’t strong enough to keep the pan from popping out from time to time. The cream blush was easy to apply, relatively long lasting, and the pinky-peach shade was very pretty. Unfortunately, it is old and since it has no preservatives, it doesn’t smell good. Time to toss it. Recommend? As much as I like the KW makeup I’ve tried, it is sort of out of my price range these days. But the way to make it more affordable is to shop the refills on Dermstore.com where you can use a coupon, and then put the refill in your own magnetic palette. Worth checking out.
Project Pan Progress Report
In June, I used up 9 beauty products, bringing my total at the halfway mark in 2022 to 79. Not bad.
Did you use up anything in June that you would recommend?
My Kjaer Weiss cream blush all went bad on me. Such a disappointment since the colors are beautiful. But at their prices I can’t buy another. 79 is great! I finished a RapidBrow that was empty as well as the done too soon RevitaBrow.
Marcia recently posted…Project Pan June ’22 Beauty Empties
I share your love of Rituals Shower Gel. Oooh is it delightful. That and Molton Brown are my faves.