You know me – I love to use up beauty products! As I’ve said many times before, I hate throwing away products that are unused or only partially used (unless they’ve gone bad or expired, of course). Plus, I like to make room for new products.
And I like writing about the products I’ve used up. I think it’s helpful to let others know which products may be worth taking a look at and which might be better to pass on.
This year, I’ve teamed up with a lot of my sister beauty bloggers to take on the challenge of Project Pan. The goal is to use up 100 beauty products. I’m pretty darn sure I made it in 2018 on my own. I hope I’ll be able to do it again this year! By teaming up with other bloggers, you can read about the products that they’ve finished up, too, by clicking on the links at the bottom of this post. Hope you will!
And how about you? Want to join in and keep track of your empties??
Now, let’s see what I used up in January. I think I’m off to a good start!
Makeup Related Items
- Bioderma Hydrabio Micellar Water: If you have dry skin like me, Bioderma is a great mid-priced option. Super gentle and does a good job removing makeup and dirt. Repurchase? I’ve bought several bottles of Bioderma Hydrabio over the years, but right now I have a bottle of Koh Gen Do Cleansing SPA Water that I also love. Bioderma is similar but more affordable than KGD. I will repurchase in the future.
- Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads: I love these super soft, organic, larger rectangular KGD Pure Cotton Pads. I use them to remove my eye and face makeup. Because they are pricey ($15 for 60 pads), I only use them for that purpose, and I use cheaper Swisspers to apply toner and to remove nail polish. Repurchase? I did, and I’m on my third box. Love ’em!
- IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes Mascara travel size: I’m tossing this mascara because it’s old. The formula was OK, but I wasn’t a big fan of the wand with a big bulb at the end to get at the small lashes – I always seemed to be getting it in my eye. Repurchase? No. If I am buying IT mascara, I would go with Superhero.
Bath and Body
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- ViaBuff Body Exfoliator: The benefits of the ViaBuff Body Exfoliator is that it gently exfoliates while cleansing, and you can keep it for a long time because you just throw it in the washing machine. Plus you can customize it for your skin type. I’ve had this for about 3 years so I’m thinking it is time for it to go. Repurchase? Not right now, but I will. Actually, I will buy the smaller facial size. The big Body Exfoliator is a little too large for me.
- Humboldt Soap Company Body Mousse, scent Banana Mango: I made quick work of this supremely delightful and hydrating Body Mousse. The banana mango scent that is primarily banana is divine. It smells like a real banana. Repurchase? Currently I am using the delicious Espresso Chocolate scent and I have three others to try. However, Banana Mango is my absolute favorite scent among all 5 fabulous scents. I strongly recommend trying HSC Body Mousse. Truly fabulous product!
- Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Natural Dry Oil for Body and Hair, travel size: I love the deep nutty fragrance and the light, fast drying oil in this oil that I got in the Rituals Ritual of Ayurveda Small Gift Set. Repurchase? Yes, I bought a full size from Ulta.
- Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Nurturing Shower Oil, travel size: Although the Rituals Nurturing Shower Oil comes from the same scent family as the Natural Dry Oil – Ritual of Ayurveda, it smells completely different. It has a nice light floral scent. I wish it smelled more like the Natural Dry Oil. Nevertheless, the product itself is very interesting. It’s an oil that goes on clear and when the water hits it, it turns cloudy and somewhat sudsy. It’s a gentle body cleanser that is especially good for shaving my legs. Repurchase? No, not now. I have so many bath products, but it is an innovative product and I liked it.
- Character Skin Care Secret Agent Body Butter: This wonderful body butter is made up of a variety of natural and organic oils, beeswax and shea butter. It’s balm-like/shea butter-like texture is perfect for seriously dry skin. I used it every night on my feet, and then put on the super soft bed socks. My feet felt so smooth the next day. The natural herbal scent was terrific and relaxing. Repurchase? Not right now, but I definitely would. I need to use things in my stash.
- The Body Shop Vanilla Delight Bath Bomb: IMHO, this small bath bomb from The Body Shop was the perfect size: just enough for one bath. To be honest, I dislike big bath bombs because they are too big for one bath and it’s difficult to “save them” for another time. The Vanilla Delight Bath Bomb turned the water yellow (not my favorite color) and it smelled like a floral vanilla. Repurchase? I have to use up the other bath bombs and bath melts that I own, but I will someday. These are the way to go for me.
- Marvis Ginger Mint Toothpaste: I adore Marvis premium, non-fluoride toothpaste from Italy. I am in love with the retro packaging and the exotic flavors. Ginger Mint was not very peppery but did taste of ginger. I enjoyed it! Repurchase? I have 4 more tubes. I’m currently using Licorice, that I think could be a little more licoricey but I still like it.
- Molton Brown Serene Coco & Sandalwood Bath & Shower Gel, 1 oz. size: I got this sample in my Barney’s bag, and I was eager to try this scent because I am usually a fan of sandalwood. I was surprised that I didn’t love this scent. Though I like gender neutral and even masculine scents, this was just slightly too masculine for me though it did start to grow on me toward the end. I think it would make a great gift for a man who likes body wash. Repurchase? No, I have other MB scents that I prefer. But I do love trying the small sample bottles like this to try out a variety of their fabulous scents.
Facial Skincare
- Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads: I love how convenient these saturated glycolic acid pads from Nip+Fab are. I tried the regular strength pads earlier in 2018, and then the hydrating Gentle Pads. Repurchase? I must must must use up my Derma E Radiance Toner with glycolic acid first, though I’ve gotten lazy about having to reach for a cotton pad to apply it! After it’s finished (it’s a big bottle), I will try the Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme next.
- Zenmed Gentle Cleansing Cream: I loved Zenmed Gentle Cleansing Cream. The fragrance-free cream developed for sensitive skin or for rosacea was wonderful to use. Repurchase? I highly recommend this cleansing cream especially for winter or for sensitive skin. Because I have a full size tube of First Aid Beauty Cream Cleanser that I got in my Ipsy Glam Bag Plus, I will wait on repurchasing the Zenmed cleanser.
- Laurmé Ultra Hydrating Facial Cream: Laurmé Skincare, initially developed for those undergoing cancer treatments, is an unsung hero brand. The fragrance-free facial skincare products of this independent brand made with natural and organic ingredients need a bigger following! They are wonderful! I loved this creamy rich but not too rich moisturizer in a handy pump bottle. Repurchase? I think I have another bottle in my stash. I highly recommend this moisturizer for those with dry or sensitive skin.
- Skinmedica Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34 Sunscreen, sample size: I got this sample with a purchase from Dermstore.com, and I enjoyed trying it. It’s an essentially fragrance-free nourishing moisturizer with sunscreen SPF 34 that doesn’t leave a white cast. Repurchase? Right now, I don’t need moisturizer with sunscreen, but I liked this one a lot. It also comes in SPF 50 and they also have a mineral based sunscreen. It’s expensive ($68 for 2.3 oz. or $43 on Overstock.com), so I probably would stick with more affordable products from Paula’s Choice.
Nails and Hair
- CVS 100% Acetone Nail Polish Remover: I always like to have a strong acetone polish remover for those times when I’m wearing a hard to remover glitter polish. Repurchase? I am trying to use gentler, hydrating Zoya Big Flipper most of the time, but for those hard to remove polishes, straight acetone is the way to go. So I guess I will.
- Cleure Volumizing Shampoo, travel size: I wish the PR company for Cleure had sent me a full size bottle of this terrific fragrance-free shampoo formulated for sensitive skin. SLS-free, it washed my hair very well. In fact, it was almost like Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. Purchase? It’s only $12 for a full size bottle. At some point, I will after I make a dent in all the shampoos I currently own.
So I used up at least 11 full size beauty products and 6 travel size products in January. Not bad at all! Please check out the posts of the other bloggers participating in Project Pan! Most of the bloggers will be posting at 12:00pm EST/9am PST
Beauty Info Zone – http://beautyinfozone.com/beauty/what-does-marcia-actually-use-up-an-empty-post-of-sorts/
Confessions of a Makeup Addict – https://www.nikmakeupjunkie.com/2019/01/project-pan-2019.html
CosmetopiaDigest – https://youtu.be/Zh2GA9G2J1w
Honeygirl’s World – https://youtu.be/1mmQ278RVKI
Laugh, Love, Contour – http://www.laughlovecontour.com/2019/01/the-great-purge-and-project-pan.html
Polarbelle – https://youtu.be/spO6oivPWtI
Portrait of Mai – https://www.portraitofmai.com/2019/01/project-pan-reverse-rouge-progress-january-2019.html
Southeast by Midwest – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kTTKWq1Ys4
How about you? What did you use up in January?
That’s a good lot of empties! I figure I’m “informally project-panning” it most of the time, mostly trying to keep things rotated, though I do go through spurts where I’ll gather up all the things I think have been languishing for too long and make an even bigger effort with them in particular. My worst offenders are powder compacts. When it’s too empty to be particularly useful in my purse it goes in the vanity drawer, where I TRY to finish it up by using it while getting ready in the mornings. That’s where I fall short though. I usually wind up reaching for the full one in my bag because it’s easier… Sigh.
You can use Zoya’s remover on even the most ridiculous glitter polish. I do! The key is to use a soak-off method, which I guess IS what the tub stuff is mimicking, but I find it really messy. How do you not wind up with glitter all over your fingers?!? Is it just me who can’t use those tubs without making the world’s biggest mess? LOL I use my trusty Zoya remover, cheap craft felt, and foil. Wrap ’em up for 5 minutes and pretty much everything you’ve got spackled on your nails should come off in one motion. I cut my felt into pieces that are just a tiny bit bigger than my nails and I unwrap and save the foil for the next time. It’s great not just for glitter, but for any polish that tends to stain skin really badly during removal. Like blue. If it weren’t for the foil method, I would NEVER wear blue. Or I would, but I’d look like a smurf for two days afterwards!
I admire you, Rachel, for trying to completely finish up powder compacts. I remember I finished a Maybelline finishing powder compact about 3 years ago, but I haven’t even come close since then. But I agree with your thinking, completely, about trying to move things to wherever you’ll remember to use them and use them up! On the second topic, when it comes to removing hard to remove glitter polish, I am sooooo lazy. I cannot stand to wrap my nails – I just don’t have the patience. That’s why for the rare times that I wear glitter or Pixie Dust, would rather just stick my finger in the straight acetone. But I like your tip about using craft felt instead of cotton rounds. Maybe I’ll get some at AC Moore next time, and make myself do it!
I used to wear powder foundations exclusively and my shade was really hard to find, so I think that’s where part of my “I need to get every last use out of this thing!!!” notion comes from. Powder is infinitely easier than actually emptying a foundation bottle though! That’s what my least favourite eye brush is now used for- once I weasel the pump off the bottle I jam that brush in there and salvage what I can. 😛
I have zero patience for scrubbing at glitter. Zero. Nil. None. So I will gladly trade 5 or 10 minutes in order to get it off with no fuss. For the felt, cut up a bunch at one time so you won’t have an excuse not to use it. And unless you’re particularly ambidextrous just do one hand at a time. If insistent on doing both at the same time, make sure you put the foil on your dominant hand first, because it’s easier to work with your dominant hand when it’s already foil-clad than the other way round! Though getting them off when you’ve done this can take a bit of practice, lol… But on the upside, foil is conductive, so you can remain diligently tethered to social media and all your touchscreen devices. I can’t answer the phone wearing gloves (maybe someday I’ll get one of those newfangled pairs that will) but I can have someone on speaker AND look at my twitter feed, all while soaking off my glitter nail polish! hehehehehe
Such an impressive pile of empties, Allison! I haven’t done one in a very long time, and definitely need to! Like you, I hate wasting products and feel great satisfaction in using up what I have. So much so, in fact, that I will repurpose products rather than throw them away unused.
Thank you, as always, Helen! I think that’s so smart to repurpose products for which the original use isn’t working. I’ll have to try to remember that!
I’m always fascinated by empties posts. Yet I never have done one!
You should, Carleen, it gives readers a number of mini-reviews in one place. And doing empties posts encourages me to use things up!
Couple of things. First off, I love that you use the hydrating Bioderma, I love it and always recommend it as a gentle facial cleanser for the mornings if you have dry skin. Secondly, for the face cotton. Sephora sells the Shiseido Facial Cottons which are $12 for 165 sheets or $5 for 40, they have an amazing 4.9 out of 5 stars with over 10K reviews so I don’t know if you want to try the small pack once and see how they compare to the more expensive ones. Lastly, for the acetone. I totally get you on the wanting to use it to remove harder to remove polishes, however, what I actually do with glitter polishes is get the cotton pad really, really, REALLY wet with the Zoya remover and then PRESS it on to the nail and hold it there for a bit with FIRM pressure. After a few minutes I then take the cotton and wipe with a bit of pressure. It doesn’t come off as easy as it would with the acetone but it does come off with a bit of work and it healthier for the skin around your nail and on your hands. Just a thought 🙂
I like BioDerma Hydrabio a lot, though I just sprang for a huge bottle of Koh Gen Do Cleansing SPA Water 😉 I will definitely check out the Shiseido Facial Cottons that you suggested. I don’t know if the size is the same since the KGD organic cotton pads are big so I only need one, but if they are, it could be a very good thing since there are almost 3x as many in the box! Thanks for the tip! For glitter polish removal, I am as lazy as can be. I can’t stand having to spend a few minutes on each nail. Fortunately, for the every now and then that I use it (straight acetone), it does the job much faster and it doesn’t bother my nails or skin. I use my Zoya Big Flipper for “normal” polishes, the kind I wear most of the time.
What a fun link up to participate in, I love it. I love doing empties posts. You are definitely well on your way with this bunch of empties, holy cow!!!
I love reading empties posts too, for the reasons you mentioned. I was trying to add that in but got the comment submit button instead,
Lol!
I don’t know if I realized there was a goal of 100 empties. Since I mixed tosses in with my empties I’ll have to go back and count how many empties I actually had. You are really an inspiration when it comes to this post.
You used up a lot of empties Allison and just reminded me that I must not throw out my micellar water that I’m about to use up in the next month. I love that this will hold me accountable, but I also have to keep on top of not throwing things out before I document it. Ah, I’m so excited to see how far we all go this year with these products.
You’ve used up a ton of stuff already!! I need to remember to count the cotton round and face wipe packages.
There are some great products in here, good for you for using all this up!
Wow! You’ve used up a lot of stuff! I’m in awe.
Thank you, thank you 😉
Ooh so many empties! It’s always so fun to see what people use up! I’m a recent bioderma convert, I’ll be running empty soon!
I love that BioDerma has different formulas for their micellar water
That’s a great set of empties! I didn’t finish up as many as I would have liked this month but it’s been a good start.
You are inspiring me to do the Reverse Rouge. Wish I had started last month (December) when I used up a $225 jar of moisturizer 😉
You did a great job! I didn’t use up much in January but I’m always inspired by empties posts!
Banana Mango sounds like an amazing scent!! I need to jump on on this challenge because my collection keeps growing and nothing’s getting used up!
I think it’s a helpful way to spur yourself on to use things up
The fact that you can wash the exfoliator is a win-win for me. I tend to shy away from products like that because you hear horror stories about what grows in them while living in your shower.
Agree!
Well you did exceptionally well didn’t you!?
Wow Allison, you certainly went through a huge amount! I like the Nip+Fab Glycolic Pads, though I prefer the Night version – they’re stronger. I’ve heard very good things about the Koh Gen Do cotton pads; I have to try them out to see what makes them special.
When I finish my Derma E Glycolic Acid Toner, I will get the Nip+Fab Night Pads Extreme. I received the regular and the gentle from a PR person, but I really like a stronger formula
Daaaamn everyone is doing project pan!
You had a busy January! All these post on empties makes me feel like I need to join the challenge
If I don’t use up and recycle my beauty products, I will soon have to move! I love doing empties posts because it encourages me to use things p
Love it!! You emptied so many products!!
I would love to try that Marvis toothpaste! I am so bored with the standard mints.
I am such a fan of Marvis toothpaste. The flavors are absolutely brilliant. Hope you do try it some day!
Bioderma is great, even with my combination normal to oily skin. It’s definitely one of my favorites that I repurchase when I’m not finishing up others I already have on hand!
Bioderma is great coz you can choose the formula for your skin type.