Project 10 Pan #2 (Day #1)

A few months ago, I started trying to finish the makeup I already own before purchasing new products.  The result was a complete and utter failure.

Lately, I have been on a crazy spending spree!  My fiancé saw my miscellaneous lip product drawer and said, "You have enough to last the rest of your life in there."  Sad thing is... he is probably right.

So here goes attempt number two...

Products I Want To Completely Use Up:

• Dior Addict Lip Polish 002 Fresh Expert
• Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Eyeshadow in Verve
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
• Stila Smudge Stick in Tetra
• Caudalie Beauty Elixir 30 mL
• Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake
• Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation Sample
• One Concealer From The 15 Professional Camouflage Concealer Palette
• E.L.F. Essential Hypershine Gloss in Blossom
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Protector Finishing Powder

Empties #3

This might as well be a favorites post!  I love all of these products and would definitely repurchase them again.

I finally finished my large bottle of Bioderma!  I bought mine from Amazon.com for $29 in January and it has lasted 9 months!  It easily removes all of my makeup... including my waterproof mascara!  It's super gentle & works like a charm.  Love it!

I also finished the sample size of Benefit's They're Real mascara!  This was actually free from Sephora.com as part of their birthday gift!  I love this mascara because it really does add a lot of length and volume to my barely there lashes.  I usually use two coats and it doesn't clump unless you apply more than that.

Also from Sephora, I bought a travel size waterproof eye makeup remover for $7.  Truthfully, I purchased this bottle because the bottom part is a bright blue color that I was instantly attracted to.  It is an oil based product, so you do have to wash your face after using it.  I just apply it to a cotton round and it easily removes all of my cream and powder eyeshadow.  The best thing about this eye makeup remover is how gentle it is on my eyes... no burning sensation, hooray!

Bath and Body Works always sucks me in with their 7 for $20 soaps.  The Fresh Picked Tangerines is Ryan's favorite one so far.  I also used a 10% off coupon + a free body wash on this purchase, so it was a pretty amazing deal!  I would definitely get this one again.

I didn't finish too many products this time, but I certainly love the ones that I did use.  The final item was a sample conditioner from L'Occitane, which is quickly becoming one of my new favorite stores.  It sells for $20, but I could tell immediately that it was repairing my hair!  Amazing stuff!!  

Have you tried any of these products?

My First Jouer!

Today is crazy!! I'll be working for at least 10 hours, but I wanted to take some time to write about what I'm wearing on my lips today.

I received a sample of Jouer's Moisturizing Lip Gloss (full size: $20) in my September Birchbox.  It's about the size of my pinky finger.  The color I have is called "Riviera" and it is a deep red with a small amount of shimmer.

I placed the sample on top of my French Press just to show how small it is!  Super tiny!! I wish it were a little bigger, but I guess this is easy enough to carry around with me.

This product feels super hydrating... like I put on lip balm!  It is probably one of the most comfortable lip glosses I've ever worn (not sticky at all).  At first I was nervous that the color would be a little TOO red, but it applies very sheer and requires a couple of layers to build the color.  Above I have on two coats and you can't tell in the photo, but the glossiness is amazing!

This is the first Jouer product I have ever tried and I'm really impressed with the quality.  I'm not blown away by the color payoff, but it does allow you to build up the color if you want to.  I'd definitely try out a few of their other colors & I've been dying to try the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint to see if it can control my oily skin!  

Have you tried anything from Jouer? 

Empties #2

Hello!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  I've been having a blur of a week (just accepted two jobs) and I'm planning a 40+ person themed party!!  Yikes!

For my empties, I'm sort of cheating because most of my empties are samples.  I just really like trying lots of new products.  I hardly have any "regular" products because I vary my shampoo, conditioner, lotion, foundation, blush, and lip product daily.  This probably isn't a very good thing to do, but it's what I like doing at the moment.

Here are the products I tried and finished:

• My H2O Plus Spa Sea Salt Hydrating Body Butter (from my Project 10 Pan... hooray!!)
• Ojon Rare Blend Conditioner ($34 for full size)  This was one of my favorites!!
• Menza Facial Wash (from August Beauty Army Box)
• Nelson J Argan Oil 7 Non-Foaming Shampoo (also from August Beauty Army Box.  It worked but I want my suds! I actually didn't care for this shampoo because I missed the bubbles.  They help me feel like I'm really cleaning my hair.)
• Bare Minerals Foundation SPF 15 (full size)
• Celine Dion Belong Perfume (sample that I've had since I can't even remember how long, but I won't be purchasing the full size because I really want Jo Malone!)
• Michael Todd Charcoal Facial Scrub (I LOVE! And will keep repurchasing over and over again.  I also received a good size of this in my August Ipsy bag!)
• Lancome Genifique Serum samples (Lancome counters were giving away a week supply of serum samples to try.  I was actually really impressed with this serum!  It was hydrating and did seem to make my skin more radiant!  I have two deluxe bottles so I can continue using it for the next few weeks!!)  

Have you ever tried anything from Ojon?

I Purchased Makeup!

I made it 26 days on Project 10 Pan before finally caving!  Last night I went to Macy's and wandered by the Lancome counter.  I was looking at their Teint Miracle foundation when the salesperson started telling me all the wonderful things about their Teint Idole foundation.  It is 24/hr, has SPF 15, leaves a matte finish, and is better for oily skin!  I was sold.

It retails for $45.  I bought it 15% off, so it was roughly $38.  With taxes, it ended up being roughly $40.  I signed up for the Macy's credit card and received two free gifts and a bonus eyeliner in Black.

Here is what I received for $40:

I'm still going to work on using the items in my Project 10 Pan, but I'm not going to restrict myself from  getting new makeup.  I'm just too much of an addict!!

Birchbox August 2013

Sadface!

Other than the lipstick, I am really quite sad about my box this month.  

There are two plastic packets of Malin+Goetz Grapefruit face cleanser 

A super small Coastal Scents eyeshadow quad 

KMS California Freeshape Hot Flex Spray

Tape (really?) ShowStoppers Designer Fashion Tape

Model Co Lipstick (pleased with this item - good Fall color)

I confess to being bummed out about this month's box because the plastic face wash packets only provide about 1-2 days of product.  The mini-quad is something that Coastal Scents usually sends for free whenever you make a purchase.

I do like the lipstick, but I ended up feeling like the box was pretty empty and the value just wasn't there.  I wish the boxes were more consistent (value wise) and were all more like the Birchbox for CEW!

Oh well, I'm excited the weekend is almost here!  It seems like everyone is moving or having a birthday  so it's going to be super busy!

Do you have any fun weekend plans?

Project 10 Pan (Day #21: Lancome Gift Time)

Three weeks on Project 10 Pan!  I'm really tempted to break my ban because Lancome is offering a pretty awesome gift if you spend $35 or more at Macy's.  This might be a great time to get another Teint Miracle!!

You get six products in the gift bag including:

• Définicils Mascara
• High Résolution Refill 3X™ Rénergie Multi-Action Absolue Premium BX ORCream SPF 15 Cream SPF 15 Cream SPF 15
• Advanced Genifique Visionnaire Multi-Action Reviva OR Youth Activation Concentrate Advanced Skin Corrector Reviva Concentrate 
• Blush Subtil and Lipstick (cool/pink) OR Blush Subtil and Lipstick (warm/bronze) 
• Tresor OR 
  La Vie Est Belle

Do you like this gift?

Ipsy Bag August 2013

Ipsy Glam bag is a monthly beauty subscription service.  A one year plan costs $110 (about $9.20 per month).  So it ends up being an amazing deal if you're sent a bag filled with good products.

Aside from not getting the Urban Decay lipstick, I'm really happy with my August 2013 Ipsy Glambag!  There are 5 products in each bag.  The August bag is a bright purple with gold lettering and inside I received the following products:

Noya Vanilla Chapstick 

NYX Cream Blush in Golden

Pixi Mascara

Pacifica BB Cream 

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

I was going to re-purchase the Michael Todd scrub anyway, so now I can hold off on that purchase for just a little bit longer!

Have you tried the NYX Cream Blushes?

Project 10 Pan (Day #16: Aveda)

I went to an Avenda salon today to get my eyebrows waxed because I had a credit there for $15.  Since the service regularly costs $16, I only had to pay $1!  I've noticed that the newest trend in eyebrows is straighter and bolder (less arch).  

I normally go for more of an arch, but this time I tried the straight look.

I also like going to Aveda salons because they are always offering something for free.  This time they are giving away free travel sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner!  I've been hearing good things from the people who have tried the Aveda Invati system, but apparently it is made for people with thin hair.  Aveda's Invati treatment isn't quite what I'm looking for...  mine is so thick that I just went to the salon to have it thinned out!

I'm going to give these bottles to Ryan since he has fine, thin hair.  

What is your favorite hair product?

What's In My Bag? (Santa Clara, CA)

Today I'm heading down to Santa Clara, CA!  I might be doing a little shopping at Santana Row, but I'm going to try really hard not to buy anything new!! I'll be taking just a few items with me in my  Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac, including:

-Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (obsessed with this!)
-Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation (testing it out!)
-Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack
-Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner (I picked up the travel size for $2 at Ulta)
-The Body Shop Raspberry Lip Butter (of course!)
-YSL Rouge Volupte Shine #13
-Wet n Wild Blush in Heather Silk
-Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

I'm going to visit some of my best friends & I'm so excited to see them!!  

Here we are in SF!

Have you been to the hearts in San Francisco?

Birchbox for CEW

Before going on Project 10 Pan, I decided I would make a few last minute purchases.  So a couple of days ago, my Birchbox for CEW arrived!  This was a special, limited edition box that was sold separate from the monthly subscription boxes on the Birchbox website.  

Mass Appeal - Birchbox for CEW

Included in this box, which I bought here for $12, is listed below:

Burt Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald

Nivea A Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon Moisture Rich Lip Care

Olay Pro-X Spot Fading Treatment

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic

Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-on

I also had a 20% off code so this box only cost me $9.60! Totally worth it!

Have you tried any of these products before?

Project 10 Pan (Day #8: Michael Todd)

Number seven on my Project 10 Pan list is my Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  This stuff REALLY works! I'm so impressed at how well it controls my oil and prevents breakouts.  The product is a really thick, dark gray color that is surprisingly soft when applied to your skin.  I love it!

Toners from Michael Todd have been a hit and a miss for me.

The Hit:   Michael Todd Organic Lemon Toner

This was part of my Sample Stash #2 and I absolutely love how clean and fresh my face feels after using it! It is made for oily skin and I swear this toner reduces the oil on my face without making it feel dry.  It smells great, works even better, & I absolutely love this stuff!  

The Miss:   Michael Todd Organic Blue Green Algae Toner

Here is the description from the Michael Todd website:

 Rich in vital nutrients, trace elements and amino acids, blue green algae and organic kelp in a base of soothing aloe vera juice penetrate deeply into the skin to speed the elimination of toxins, promote cellular renewal, naturally nourish and remineralize the skin. 

The reason this is a miss for me is the smell.  It isn't a strong smell and the smell doesn't last very long, but it just isn't a scent I really want to put all over my face in the morning.  It sort of smells like rotten lavender.  The Blue Green Algae toner does a great job at controlling oil, but so does the Lemon toner and the lemon scent is a thousand times better!

Do you own any smelly products?

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?

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!

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?

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?

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?

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.

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)