Project Ten Pan Summer 2015

          I am jumping on the Project Pan band wagon. I have so much makeup that I am using regularly and I really need to use up some of my collection because it is getting seriously out of control. I have selected 16 items which seems a little ambitious for my first attempt now that I am actually typing it out  but I have already taken all the photos so it is happening. If I use up 10 products I am calling it a success. I may or may not replace products as I use them up and if I do I will do so with a like product (lotion with lotion, eyeliner with another eyeliner). I have given myself a loose deadline of two months and if I feel like I need a third I will just keep it going. Not a whole lot more of rules going on here. I will post an update after one month and either a finale or another update after the second month. 

         Now is the point where you go get a beverage, feed the cat and settle in because this in going to be a long one. 

          I tried to pick a mix of products so that they wouldn't take away from each other. Some of these are kind of gimme items and I do feel like I can use quite a few of these up. The note cards are a little crooked in the photos but I marked each product using the bottom of the card to the top of product in the container. I will use the same cards to mark progress in each update. Let's start with hair products, here we go: 

Ecru Acacia Protein BB Cream 

          I got this in an Ipsy bag quite some time ago, it is one of those leave in products that you put on damp hair before you start to style.  It is a decent product but I do not find it does anything amazing for me but I would use it again if I got it in another subscription. There isn't much left to use up but a little goes a long way. I do feel this will be rather easy to use up. 

Marc Anthony Repairing Macadamia Oil Shampoo 

          I bought this when Target was closing because it was severely marked down. It is a good shampoo but I find since it is so moisturizing that using it with a heavy conditioner will make my hair look greasy. While I might use it again I won't be seeking it out, the smell is amazing though. I believe this is another product I won't have a problem using up, it's just a matter of focusing on it. 

Phytorelax Laboratories Argan Oil Treatment 

          I have had this for years and really want to get it used up. I resisted hair oils for a long time but I picked this up at Winners because that's the way I like to try new things. Winners always has great products that I would not necessarily pay full price for but at a much more reasonable price. I like this product and have used it daily in the past and it gives shine and moisture without making my hair greasy. I have put this in my shower so right before I wrap my hair up in a towel I can put it on the ends of my hair. This is a product that I am concerned about using up because I only use two maybe three pumps at a time.

Body

Julep Rock Star Handcream 

          This is a Julep purchase, for a while I was obsessed with this cream. It is just so moisturizing and with the Glycolic Scrub it just makes your hands so smooth and soft. The smell is very strong and to some kind of old ladyish.  There is not a lot left so I do not think it will take long to use up, I won't be able to put it on at work because of the scent but I will put it on my desk at home. 

True Blue Spa Nourishing Yogurt Shower Smoothie in Pineapple Papaya

           Last summer I bought this in a couple different scents at Bath and Body Works and both really smell like a yogurt smoothie you would drink. It is a very thick formula with little scrubby bits, appricote seeds maybe? I think this one will be gone fairly quickly and I have so many others to use after this is gone. 

MacBeth Collection Hand Cream in Peony Pomegranate Blush 

           This is something I just want to use up to get my money's worth out of. It came in a set from Shoppers and it love the smell but can not stand the texture. It goes fine on my legs but on my arms or anywhere else it just feels sticky for a good minute before it absorbs. I will be throwing it out at the end of this product whether I have used it up or not. 

Face 

Julep Bare Face Cleansing Oil

           Another Julep product I was obsessed with. I got one in my Maven box some time ago and used it religiously. It's perfect for removing makeup before you cleanse as it just melts even the most determined goop off your face but is still very gentle. The second bottle has been sitting in various places in my bathroom for probably a year now, time to go. It shouldn't be too hard to use up and it will get me to remove my makeup after work. 

Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Cleansing Mask

            Another product I have had for far too long that I want to use up. I don't notice if this really helps blackheads exactly but it does feel like my pores are deep cleaned at least. I get some little bumps on my chin and they come with dry skin, I find this gets rid of that issue immediately. It's a quick mask that at the very least gives you a deep clean. If I don't use this up it will be close to done by the end of this project. 

Dr.  Brandt Pores No More Anti-aging Mattiying Lotion

             Another gimme item, this is a little sample I got from Ipsy. I love getting Dr. Brandt samples since they are always good products and there is no way I will pay the full price for them. Mattiying products are always interesting to me for my oily skin, this one isn't the best thing ever but it makes a little bit of a difference. I will just wear this under my makeup until it is used up. 

Bio Idoine Night Facial Cream

           I tried a Little Life Box a few months ago and loved it, this was one of the products that came in it. I usually fall asleep before I can put in night cream but I do find this makes my skin fill hydrated and firm the next morning without feeling goopy and gross. If I remember to use it I should be able to use this up fairly quickly. 

Make Up 

NYX Love in Rio Eye Shadow Trio

            I have so many eyeshadows from subscription services, this one from Ipsy. My only real goal for this is to hit pan on the center shade, it is a very shimmery taupe colour and I usually use it all over my lid and up to my brow bone. Even if I hit pan on the centre pan I will keep using it until the end of the project. I am not sure if I will keep it after this wraps up or not, it seems a waste to just throw it out.

Julep Blank Canvas Mattifying Primer 

          This is the very first primer I ever tried and I repurchased it a few times, it works pretty well but I feel like there is something better out there. An excellent product but I just want to try new things. 

Tarts Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full Coverage Foundation in Ivory 

           This as my first real high end make up purchase a couple years ago and it was my holy grail foundation. It is really thick and lasted all day without budging in the summer no matter how hot it was. Just the past winter I had dryer skin and it wasn't as amazing. I was exited for summer so I could enjoy this again but it's just not the same and I'm heartbroken. I want to use this up and eventually the back up I had already bought before I realized things were never going to be the same. 

Lord and Berry Eyeliner #1001 Black

            I am not a hug fan of this eyeliner, it's nice I guess but it's so soft that it doesn't really stay in place. It is alright for my waterline but not great. I just want to use it until it all fits in the lid, once this project is done I am tossing this. It isn't a bad product I just have other eyeliners I prefer. 

Too Faced Lip Insurance Lip Primer

           I have had this little sample for a while and I really thought it was almost gone until I pulled up the stopper and scraped it all down. I am no longer confident I will be able to use this up but we will see. I find it does make my lipstick go on smoother, I'm not sure about making it last longer though. 

Julep Lip Gloss in Glowing 

             I so desperately need to work through some of my lip products. I picked this because I have had it for a while and being such a sheer colour I can wear it with any number of outfits or makeup looks. I'm a little concerned I won't get through it but I am sure I will make a dent. 

           I am excited to start my very first Project Pan, I want to use up some items and clear out some of the clutter in my makeup collection. It is just so satisfying to use up these things. Hopefully I don't get too bored with what I have picked. In one month I will post about my progress and challenges. I am most concerned about the lip primer and gloss, the sticky lotion and hair oil I'm not sure if those will end up in the empties but a lot of these products should be done and gone by the time I end this project. 

Thanks for reading!

A.

@dirty_cupcake

HUGE Drugstore Haul April 2015

          I did way too much shopping, some from Target and some from Shoppers and I am super excited about every item. You may want go grab a coffee or a beer because this is going to be a long one. 

Swatches are below the descriptions in the same order pictured. 

          With the exception of the first lipstick all this is from Target. This would cost over seventy dollars and I paid fifteen dollars! How could I possibly pass that up?! 

Essence Long Lasting Lipstick in Wear Berries    $3.49

          This is a brand I never really looked at, it seemed cheap so beyond clear brow gel I never tried anything from Essence. This lipstick is so creamy, has great coverage and just sits so well on my lips, with out any goopyness. I have used much more expensive lipsticks that I have liked less, eventually I will pick up some other colours, I think I have enough for now. 

L'Oreal 6h Infallible Lipliner in Pink and Coral  $8.99 regular price

          These do not go on as smoothly as I would like but they look lovely on. I do not have many lipliners and I want to start using them under my more sheer lipglosses to give them a bit more colour and staying power. If this lasts anywhere near as long as the Infallible lipstick it is going to be my new favorite thing. The Coral one is more of a brown tinted pink than what I would consider to be coral. 

Annabelle Metalic Lipliner in Sparkle   $3.69 regular price 

          I would not normally pick up a metalic lipliner but at 80% off of that price why not. I'm glad I did because it looks perfect under the Julep gloss I included in my project pan. It doesn't go on very creamy but once the gloss goes on top it feels very moisturizing. 

Annabelle Twist Up Retractable Lipstick Crayon in Mimosa and Bubble  $8.59 regular price 

          I love these, very creamy and smooth. They both look great alone and with gloss over top. I feel like they would have pretty decent staying power. 

Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Coraly Nude    $7.59 regular price 

          I also love this, velvety matte crayons do not usually look right on me but this is beautiful! It also makes a great base for the Julep gloss. 

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Frosted Beige   $7.99 regular price 

          I would not use this by itself, I have a hard time finding nude lipcolors that work for me. At first I was disappointed by this but when I layered it over the next product I fell in love. I think this gloss would work over the L'Oreal lipliner in coral. 

NYX Lipstick in Honey   $5.99 regular price 

          I have two other lipsticks in this line and love both of them. This one I would not be able to pull it off by itself but paired with the NYX gloss it looks beautiful. I am more hesitant to wear a nude lip than a bright red or pink, I am excited to give this look a try. 

Maybelline Super Stay 14 hour lipstick in Fushia    $2.69 is the price on the receipt but I thought they were more expensive than that. 

          If I remember correctly my cousin (that is you Em) loves this brand of lipstick so I picked it up for her. She can not say enough good things about it. It has amazing staying power, rich colour and all without drying your lips. It also smells nice which is strange. 

NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Plum Purple   $6.99 regular price 

          I have said it before and will say it again: I am hopeless at liquid eyeliner. I am so very willing to give it a shot for this beautiful colour. 

Aren't they all beautiful?! 

         Ok. Break time, go pee and get a snack. I will wait. 

Smashbox Try it Kit   $22 

          Happy Easter to me! I have never heard anything bad about Smashbox, other than the prices are too high. Included in this kit are sample sizes of:

Photo OP Eye Shadow Trio in Filter 

           It's is such a cute little eyeshadow! I like the packaging, it just swings out of the cover. This would be perfect for tossing in a purse or traveling. The shadows go on smooth and blend well together. I love the darkest colour, it is perfect for the crease or blending out for a smokey eye

Vanilla, Sable and Sumatra 

24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer 

          "A shadow primer that locks on more vibrant colour for a full 24 hours with no fading, creasing, or smudging." I have slightly greasy eyelids so creasing is sometimes a problem for me. The sample should last a long time since you only need such a small amount and it is  so creamy. I am pretty excited about this product. 

Full Exposure Mascara

          I would not say this is the most volumizing formula but it goes on very easily, lengthens and with no clumping or flaking whatsoever. Very pretty but I have mascaras I prefer over this. I think I am going to only use sample size mascaras from now on, that way I can have all different kinds and still use them up before they go bad.

Photo Finish Foundation Primer 

          I have heard so many good things about this primer. I did not want to drop $40 on it without trying it first. I just want to find a primer that can fight my oily skin. 

          This is the last bunch I swear. Stay with me. 

KT Elastic Sports Tape   $12.99

          I have a busted shoulder that didn't get treated or taken care of in time to heal properly so sometimes I need to be taped together. This stuff is a life saver. I have never tried this brand but have read some good reviews and I sincerely hope it lives up to them. 

Quo Make-Up Removing Wipes    $12 

           These are certainly in the top five of all the makeup wipes I have tried. They took off waterproof eye makeup like nothing. Shoppers had the regular wipes packaged with the little pink pack of eye makeup remover wipes. These are perfect for my gym bag, purse or the days of heavy eye makeup. 

Maybiline Fit Me Concealer in Light   $9.99 on sale 

          I realized I have no concealer, too bad I couldn't get some before my skin cleared up. This is the perfect colour for me. I have a hard time finding concelers that are are the right colour and still have full coverage, I am too pale apparently. 

Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Primer    $23 

           I am hoping I like this better than the Smashbox primer since it is nearly half the price. The lady in the Beauty Boutique reccomended it for oily skin. It really does feel like velvet when I swatch it on my hand. 

Maybiline Dream Wonder Powder in Porcelain Ivory    $15.49

           I love this powder, this is the second or third time I have repurchased this. It just sets my makeup so perfectly without looking cakey, on a low key day I skip the foundation and just go for the powder. 

          Ok I lied to you. I have one more product but it is a quick one. 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Daily Cleanser    

           I bought this after I tried another Neutrogena cleanser that Momma has. It removes makeup easily, cleans away oil and does not leave my skin dry. I love the cleanser I have (Bioré Charcole Cleanser) but it was drying out my skin. I think I will make this cleanser my daily and use the Bioré one once or twice a week. 

        That is it for real this time. I am so excited to try these products out, if they work out they may make it to a favourites/top 5 post. Either way they will be in the empties eventually. 

Thanks for reading!

A.

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@dirty_cupcake

          

Product Raider  - Check out the products I helped myself to while I was creature sitting for my family

Let's Just Take A Moment For This:

          This is my lip colour collection:

          

          There is 75 lip colours here and I know I am missing at least two that are in my desk at the office. I have problems. To be fair some of these were gifts, free samples or from sample subscriptions. 

A.

Ipsy March 2015

          When I first saw the video Ipsy put out I wasn't overly excited for this month but that might just be because I don't like the videos because I was pleasantly surprised. 

          Not loving the bag itself, but I think it could grow on me. I like that I got a variety of products, some makeup, a skin care type item and a hair product.

Marsk Mineral Eye Shadow in Lucky Penny 

     Received full size 0.04oz $22.50

          This was the item I was least excited for. I do not like loose pigments at all I just find they are a big mess and I never use them. That being said the colour of this is beautiful, is quite build able and once it sets it seems like it would last. I am looking forward to trying this out tomorrow. Swatch below) 

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Creme Oil

     Full size 4.2oz $22.95, received 1oz $5.46

          I always love a hair product, I have had products from this line before and I loved them. This is a blow dry creme with argan oil that is supposed to be a lightweight, moisturizing creme ideal for fine or normal hair. I prefer hair products meant for fine hair as they do not weigh my hair down or leave as much buildup. This was the item I was most excited about, I would be happy with a whole bag of hair products. it also smells amazing.

Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Anti-aging Mattifying Lotion

     Full size 1.7oz $60, received 0.26oz $9.18

          I will take Dr. Brandt products every single month. Mostly because there is no way I will ever pay that much for them even though they are worth the insane price. The tube is only about half full which is disappointing but the primer from Dr. Brandt I got in a previous bag lasted 17 times longer than I expected so I am not overly upset. 

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick in Little Suzie

     Received full size $6

          I was hoping to get the dark purple lip colour because I have so many pink lip colours already but the more I look at this in the mirror the more I love it. It reminds me of the Butter Lip Butter in Parfait but with more staying power. It just goes on so smoothly and it does not feel like you have a heavy lipstick on. Once I use up some of my lip colours/go through them to get rid of the ones I do not like I will buy some other shades of this line. Swatch below.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter

     Recieved full size $18

          I was looking forward to this product as I am just starting to play with highlighting and contouring. It was much larger than I thought it would be so that was a nice surprise. The product goes on so smoothly and blends like a dream. I can not wait to use this and I hope to make it part of my regular makeup routine. Swatch below.

Swatches

          Overall I am really happy with my bag, I will use almost everything. I do not know if i will really use the Marsk shadow but it is a nice product. Everything else I well absolutely use, a good month for sure. 

Total value: $61.14

Thanks for reading!

A.

December 2014 Ipsy - Thinking of You

          Originally I wasn't going to look at my Glam Room at all, wait until my cousin Em got here with her bag so we could do an unbagging video but she didn't get hers in time. A video may come along of her unbagging. I ended up looking the same day it got delivered. 

  

          I am happy with my bag this month, a variety of products and all things I have put it into my regular routine. 

         

        Beauty Without Cruelty Premium Aromatherapy Facial Cleanser 

          At first I was not overly excited to get a cleanser but figured it was a useful item, who can't use a travel-sized face wash? I have not used another cleanser since I tried this one. My regular cleanser is the Body Shop Tea Tree Foaming Facewash and it is very effective but a little drying for winter skin. BWC has a great, clean scent that almost smells like creamsicles somehow. The gel texture foams up and rinses clean. I will be looking into purchasing this in the future to alternate with my stronger cleanser. 

     

          Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish 

          Just look at that sparkle! I don't normally like loose powder eyeshadow but this is beautiful. It isn't so sparkley that I look like I'm about to go on stage and it stays on quite well with very little creasing. It looks great with the Be A Bombshell makeup base we got in a previous bag. This product also has many other uses depending in what base you get with it. You can use it as lip gloss, nail polish and other makeup items when combining it with the other products Cailyn you have. Check it out at Cailyn.com   

                                              NYX Butter Lip Balm in Marshmallow 

          This is a great product, a moisturizing balm with a hint of color. I was pleased with the color I received originally but it didn't have enough coverage for how red my lips are. Mrs. G received the Parfait color, a Barbie pink color and it works a lot better for me so we traded. 

           

       Sexy hair 450 Blow Out Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray 

          This. Is. Amazing. I have tried a million different heat sprays and protectors and they always weight my hair down, make it look greasy, or just do not work. This smells nice, makes my hair shiny, smooth, less frizzy, and it doesn't feel like I have a bunch of gunk in my hair. I will be buying this. 

Tarte Lights Camera Action Mascara 

          I was really excited to receive this product and I was not disappointed. It gives my lashes tones of length but it could provide more volume. As far as I am concerned you can not have enough sample marcaras. 

                        I am very happy with my December bag, I'm using everything. 

  Thanks for reading! Comment, share and spread the word. 

A.