Project 10 Pan (Day #7: Bath and Body Works)

Made it one week on Project 10 Pan!  I know I said NO fragrances, so I'm wondering if scented candles from Bath and Body Works counts as a fragrance?  Right now they are having a 20% + Free Shipping Deal (on orders over $50) with the code "COOL2050."

If you love their candles like I do, that means you can get 5 candles for $40!!  The normal price is one candle for $20, so to be able to get 5 for $40 ($8 each) is pretty incredible.

The last time I looked, here were the options for candle scents at this price:

Aloha Waikiki

London Calling

Summertime S'mores

Lakeside

Paris Daydream

Sea to Santorini

Rio Glow

Coconut Lime Verbena

Tropical Spice

Island Colada

Passion Flower

Ice Cream Shop

Mint Chocolate

Have you tried any of these?  What is your favorite Bath and Body Works candle scent?

Project 10 Pan (Day #6: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Demolition)

I almost didn't make it to Day #6 of Project 10 Pan!  

The reason... Urban Decay on HauteLook.com.  HauteLook is a flash deals website with amazing discount prices on beauty products, accessories, and clothing.  Right now, they are selling UD 24/7 Glide On Pencils for $6 (regular price $19) and Stardust eyeshadow for $5 (regular price $20).  Can't beat that!  

I'm currently finishing my 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Demolition.  This product does "glide" on so smoothly (quite impressive) and it is the perfect dark brown color for a natural makeup look.  I just wish you didn't have to sharpen it because Stila has spoiled me with their Smudge Stick Eyeliners, which allow you to twist for more product!  I guess you can't have everything :'-(  

  
What's your favorite eyeliner?

Birchbox July 2013

Birchbox came a little late this month, but better late than never!  I signed up for the annual subscription ($110 for the year, which makes each box about $9) before starting Project 10 Pan.

I'm very happy with this box! 

Inside my box:

Body Drench QuickTan Gradual Self Tanning Lotion (full-size $18)

Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer (full-size $32)

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect (full-size $32)

Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow in Ivory (full-size $36)

Birchbox Bobby Pins (Set of 6 is $5)

Most excited to try the Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation!!

Have you signed up for a beauty subscription? If so, which one did you pick?

Project 10 Pan (Day #5: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal)

Still going strong on Project 10 Pan!!  Hasn't it only been five days?  o__O 

True, don't judge me...  I'm still proud of myself!

Number two on my P10P list is the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal.  

This was actually a gift, but I think they sell for around $6-7 at Target.  I was extremely curious to try Maybelline's uniquely formulated cream blush.  It's like a little bubble of product that softly squishes under the pressure of even the lightest touch.  It reminds me of soft silly putty.      

The blush initially goes on a little cakey, but then it does blend really well.  Overall, I enjoy using it and I think the color "Rose Petal" is great for everyday wear.  

Have you tried the Dream Bouncy Blush?

Sample Stash #2

This week, I am working my way through some of my samples!  I literally have a mountain of samples to work through!!  I do like trying a variety of products because every so often I do find a holy grail product that I cannot live without. <3

This batch has TWO amazing must haves.  

1. Michael Todd Organic Lemon Toner ($18 for full size) 

2. Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask ($55 for full size)

I would say these are two of the best products I have tried in awhile!!  The Michael Todd toner is gentle on the skin and it made my skin feel significantly softer and healthier.  I put a few drops on a cotton pad and wiped it all over my face for an instantly fresh face <3 LOVE this product and will definitely be purchasing the full size.  I'm also really into masks lately and this Ren mask is hands down the best one I have tried so far!  It smells strongly of citrus and there is a very slight tingling sensation a few seconds after you apply it.  It is supposed to sit on your face for a few minutes before rinsing it off.  I'm pretty sure my recently clear complexion is largely due to the combined use of these two products.

All the other products did not "wow" me to be honest.  

The Gel Haute Polish remover is meant to remove gel polish (sorry, I just finished using this product up so it should actually be in an empties post).  The liquid in this bottle evaporated really quickly :-( it definitely didn't last as long as I wish it would have, so I don't think I'll repurchase it even though it is only $5 at Neiman Marcus.  It did do the trick to remove my stubborn gel polish, but so does my much cheaper, regular remover.  Pevonia balm is supposed to help with fine lines, but it was greasy and took a long time to dry ($79 for full size).  This is another product made for men, but I figured I would try it anyway.  I will not be buying this one.  The other two (Ulta and Bare Minerals) are facial moisturizers that don't smell bad and do work to soften and hydrate the skin, but they don't stand out as anything special.  Ulta moisturizer is $15 & Bare Minerals is $30.  

Hope this was helpful!

Have you tried anything from Michael Todd?

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer + Giveaway

Smashbox is giving away 150,000 samples in their July giveaway!  The Smashbox giveaway ends July 31st!

<333 Kristin Chenoweth ever since Wicked!

I still have a few samples I need to use up!  Primers are supposed to give your face a smoother appearance, but I remain slightly skeptical about how much of difference it really makes.  

 I'll give it a shot for a week and see if the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer becomes a "must have" item in my collection.  If you already use this product and want to buy more, Ulta.com has the 0.4 oz (12 ml) travel size on sale right now for $10!

Do you use a primer or do you skip this step in your makeup routine?

******* UPDATE 7/31/2013 ******

I WON!

Shoe Collection #1

I have a LOT of shoes.  I'm afraid to count how many!  The newest pair in my collection are these Metallic Pointed Toe Pumps from Dailylook.com.  They were originally priced at $54.99, but are currently on sale for $34.95.  Plus, if you use the code SUMMERFLING, you get an additional 30% off so they would be less than $25!  Great deal!

I'm sort of... fun-sized :-) aka really small, so I'm always looking to add some height with a good heel!  Lately, I have been loving the gold toe look!  

I love how versatile these shoes are.  I can wear them with business attire during the day and with cute dresses at night when I go out with my boyfriend!  They work for all situations :)

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear all the time?

Project 10 Pan (Day #4: The Body Shop Raspberry Lip Butter)

Number One on my Project 10 Pan list is my Body Shop Raspberry Lip Butter.  I've had this for a couple years now :-/ and you can tell I've barely used it!  You can buy these for $6 at The Body Shop, but I think I bought mine as part of a package (5 for $15).    

I don't know why I constantly negligent this item. It has such a wonderful smell (a mix between candy and fresh fruit) that makes it seem almost edible!  It's also really moisturizing and stays on for hours.  

I just have SO many lip balms that I rarely reach for ones in pots because I don't like to put my finger in them.  If I do use a pot, I try to use a tool to scoop out the product just to keep it germ free!

I have no idea how long it will take me to use this guy up!  Hopefully not too long because there are already so many new products I want to buy when Project 10 Pan is over <3

Do you like your lip products to have a smell or not?

Philosophy Full Of Promise Dual-Action AM/PM Treatment

I finished a sample from Sample Stash #1!  The Philosophy Full of Promise Dual-Action AM/PM Treatment is a whopping $75 from Ulta for 0.5 oz of day serum and 0.5 oz of night serum!  The product is a clear gel that is meant for use in the morning and before bed.  It is supposed to make the skin look healthy and firm.

I used it a couple of times, but for obvious reasons, didn't notice any difference.  It's hard to judge a product that requires long-term use by a sample size.  I will say that there was no strong odor or fragrance, it did not break me out, and it absorbed into my skin quickly.  I can't stand when a product just leaves you feeling greasy because it won't sink in!

In general, I do love Philosophy products but I don't think I'll be purchasing the full size of the Full of Promise Treatment because I don't feel it is worth $75 for 1 oz of product.  Also, I have about 10 other serums I need to finish up first before I go out and buy any more!

Do you have a favorite Philosophy product?

My Perfume Collection #1

I have about a dozen perfumes that I need to finish in my perfume collection.  I just love the bottles they come in!  I'm such a sucker for cute packaging.  My favorite fragrance of the bunch is my Burberry Brit.  

Burberry Brit For Women

It has such a light, pleasing, floral fragrance that is just SO amazing.  My boyfriend and his friends always notice when I'm wearing it and compliment me on the scent.  I think you can get it 36% off ($55.63) at Perfume.com.  I've probably only used about 1/4 of this bottle even though I've had it for such a long time!

What's your favorite perfume?  

Wish List #1

Since I've put myself on a spending freeze with Project 10 Pan, I've resisted buying a bunch of new products.

Here is my current wish list in no particular order:

-Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed
-Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Juicy Melons
-Diorskin Shimmer Star in Rose Diamond
-Mac Stilife
-Mac Mineralizer in Soft and Gentle
-Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer (I first heard about these from FleurdeForce.  Also, Pauline recently reviewed these on her blog Addicted to Makeup)
-Dior Addict Eau Fraiche
-The Body Shop's Seaweed Clarifying Toner
-It's A 10 Miracle Leave In Plus Keratin

I just LOVE to shop!  Especially for makeup!!  If I last even a week on Project 10 Pan, I'll be shocked myself :-)

What's the next thing you want to buy?

Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme

Apparently I need to brush up on my French!  It has been awhile since I took it in high school :P  "Pour Homme" is for men and "Pour Femme" is for women.  So this sample from my Sample Stash is a cologne :-(  I tried it on my boyfriend, but he didn't like it at all.  He is attached to his Giorgio Armani.

The full price for the D&G is $59.00 at Sephora.  Instead of throwing away the sample fragrances that I don't want to use on myself, I actually use them as air fresheners in the kitchen after I make something with a strong odor (like garlic or seafood).  That might seem really strange, but I'd rather smell Dior or D&G than Lysol.

I probably just haven't found the best air freshener yet.  What do you use to make a room smell nice?

Project 10 Pan (Day #3: Revlon Lip Butter)

Number 6 on my Project 10 Pan list is the Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake.  I literally can't remember the last time I actually finished an entire tube of lipstick!  

I've actually been using this off and on for awhile (probably about a year) so I've managed to get it pretty low.  Sorry it doesn't look very pretty, but it has been so hot in California lately that I have to be really careful not to leave any of my makeup in the car or else it turns into makeup soup!

I love the bright pink for summer and the price is really affordable.  The regular price is $6.50 each, but I bought mine for $5.00 with a buy 2, get 1 free deal from Ulta (a year ago they cost $7.50 each).

The lip butters are somewhere between a lip balm and a lipstick because they are so hydrating and creamy, but they still add so much color to your lips!  Strawberry Shortcake is one of my favorites.  

Do you have any lip butters? If so, what are your favorite colors?

Sample Stash #1

Here are just a few samples I picked out from the mountain of samples I've somehow collected.  I think most of these came from a Nordstrom purchase.  I'm planning to use each item and do a mini review soon!

P10P is still going!  I've had these samples for a couple of months, but I'm just now getting around to using them.

What's the best sample you've ever received?

Project 10 Pan (Day #2: Skin79 BB Cream)

In my previous post (Intro to Project 10 Pan), I described my plan to finish using 10 products in my collection and attempt to save some money. 

Number 3 on my list is my Skin79 BB Cream.  

This is great for summer because it is lightweight and has SPF 25.  The packaging is super cute (I love shiny things) and the pump makes for easy use and little mess.  I will definitely repurchase this item once I finish more of my other BB creams (I have loads)!

Which BB creams have you tried and liked?

Color Me Monthly Subscription

I read on the blog, Unpack the Box, about this flash sale from Color Me Monthly where you can sign up for the first month of nail polish for only $1!  This is a Friday Flash Sale that ends July 28th!  Color Me Monthly is a nail polish subscription service that sends you one polish every month (regular price: $7/month) with no shipping cost.  I had never heard of this company before, but I'm curious to see how a CMM polish compares to my favorites (OPI, Butter London, and Essie)!

Nail polish was specifically excluded from the P10P list of prohibited items so my $1 purchase does not break the rules!  Day #2: still going strong!

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes

This item was in my July Beauty Army Box and it was my first time using a Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelette.  I've heard a lot about them and was excited to see how it would work for me.

These have a light smell of cucumber and I appreciate that it isn't an overpowering scent.  It was very gentle on my skin and removed the majority of my makeup.  I did use an Ahava All In One Toning Cleanser after to remove the rest of the makeup on my face.  Overall, I was really pleased with this product.  

Good thing I liked it because I already have an order on the way from the Yes To company.  They actually ran out of stock of the items I purchased after I had placed my order.  My order still hasn't arrived and it has been about two weeks!  :-(  I used a Living Social (www.livingsocial.com) discount $25 for $50 worth of product; plus, since Living Social was having a July special (code July20) for 20% off any order, I ended up paying the discount website $20 for $50 worth of product.  

Here is my order:

1 Yes to Cucumbers 45 ct Facial Towelettes - VALUE SIZE! - $8.49

1 Yes to Blueberries Healthy Hair Repair Shampoo - $7.99

1 Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream - Light - $15.99

1 Yes to Blueberries Softening Facial Exfoliator - $9.99

1 Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub - $9.99  

With tax and shipping, this order cost me a total of $32.

This purchase was made before my P10P started.

Project 10 Pan (Day #1)

Years ago, someone in the beauty world created Project 10 Pan (P10P).  Even though people aren't doing it as much now, I still think it's a good idea because I have a LOT of items I need to finish before I buy anything else.  It's going to be so difficult (let's be honest, it's going to be torture) not to purchase new items, but I've been on a spending spree lately and I have to cut myself off!

There are several variations online, but here are my rules:

- Includes makeup, lip balm, hair products, skin care products, and perfumes.
- May not purchases ANY items listed above until the 10 items listed below are completely used up.

Project 10 Pan Products (in no particular order):

#1 Body Shop Raspberry Lip Butter
#2 Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal
#3 Skin79 BB Cream
#4 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Demolition
#5 Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant
#6 Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake
#7 Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub
#8 Dior Maximizer Lash Primer
#9 H2O Plus Spa Sea Salt Hydrating Body Butter
#10 Clinique Lip Gloss in Cream Soda

Has anyone else done this?

Beauty Army (What's Left Of Box #1)

For some reason, I thought it would be a great idea to receive a monthly box of beauty samples.  That decision was made before I decided to do a Product 10 Pan (which I'll post about soon) and discovered that a monthly box of new products is the LAST thing I need.  As I was going through my makeup/beauty collection looking for products to use up, I realized that I probably have a lifetime supply of samples!!

So, for better or worse, I recently received my first monthly Beauty Army box.  This subscription service allows you to pick the six products you receive in your box.  I believe the selection to choose from changes daily & is based on your style preference.  It costs $12/month or you can get an annual subscription for $132 ($12/month + one free box) My next selection date is scheduled for August 6th!

Box #1

Empty because I already used products!

What I got in my box:

- Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream

- Yes To Cucumbers On-The-Go Facial Towelette

- Cotz Face For Natural Skin Tone (SPF 40)

- Addiction NV Gel Liner Pot in Starstruck

- Menza Daily Face Wash

- Pida Exfoliating Gel

I used the Pida Exfoliating Gel before one of my baths by massaging the gel onto my dry skin.  It felt like the soft granules were doing a good job of exfoliating and removing any dead skin, but I probably won't be purchasing the full size at a list price of $54.  I have far too many other exfoliators I have to finish up before I can even consider getting a new one!

I was ABSOLUTELY impressed with the Menza Daily Face Wash.  It lasted me almost a week!  I know this product is supposed to be for men, but I don't care what gender a product is supposed to be made for as long as it works.  It was soft and gentle, didn't have a nasty chemical smell, and really worked to remove any "spots" I had.  The full size is $40 and I'll seriously consider purchasing this product once I finish the basket of facial cleansers I need to get through first.  

You may notice that going through the products I already own will be a recurring theme.  I am an addict.  I need help! :-)

I still need to try:

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelette

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream

Cotz Face For Natural Skin SPF 40

Coin used for scale.

The Addiction NV Gel Liner Pot in Starstruck is beautiful!  It is a bright silver color that I have been using almost daily with my Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack (to create a gradient effect).  I love the cute little pot and there is a surprising amount of product inside too!

(insert gel liner pot)