2016 Pan That Palette

This is a bit of a tricky post. I’ve always seen the pan that palette challenges and thought about how cool they are and how much I wanted to do them. So I set the goal I would do that this year. I chose the Kat Von D True Romance palette in Poetica. I bought it at the end of summer 2014 while at Edmonton airport while coming home from Vancouver. I had heard a lot of good things about them and it suddenly came back in stock Andi quickly bought it. If I’m being honest, I bought it for that orange shade. Orange eyeshadow gives me life. It was beautiful. I used it sparingly the past year and a half and when the new year filled around, I thought it was the best candidate. Neutrals? Check! Pops of colour? Check! It sounds perfect!

And then I started using it. Don’t get me wrong, the formula is amazing but I just found myself not reaching for it. And when I did, I just couldn’t achieve the wanted look.everything has a little bit of satin or shimmer in it add sometimes I don’t want that all over. So I would add a few single shadows reported from my Stila palettes. It worked until I realized a few days ago that I haven’t used it in over a month.

So I sat down and had a talk with myself. One, I don’t use eyeshadow every day. I’m lazy and love to sleep. Two, I don’t always give myself enough time to properly do my eyeshadow some mornings. Add three, I’ve hit pan on three of my Stila shades. It just made sense to ditch the Kat Von D and start anew with my depotted Stila palette.

So now I have a tiny little adorable palette that is perfect for my everyday use. I have my warm muted brown as my crease shade, Stila’s Bliss from the In The Light palette. It’s my HG crease shade and I’ll be sad when it’s gone. Second is my highlight shade, a matte yellowy white. Third is Stila’s Kitten. It’s a great shade, need I say more? Then I have a sort of purple-brown shade with a metallic sheen from The Balm. The another couple Stila shadows, one a soft peach shade and the other a matte muted orange that is just perfect in every way. Finally, the last shadow is another The Balm shadow, a cool brown with a gold sheen. And it’s all housed in my smallest MiniMint palette and just looks wonderful.

This palette is perfect for everyday looks and simple. I’ve hit pan on the first three shades already, so panning this palette should be a piece of cake.

Wish me luck!

Lip Product Challenge

So, we all know I have a very slight obsession with lip products. You can see here for a bunch of lipsticks I got rid of in January. And I only cut my collection down by less than half. So, point being, I have a lot of lip stuff.

Which means I gotta start using some of this stuff. Thus starts a challenge!

If you’ve seen my current set-up and vanity, you’ll know I keep all my lipsticks in lipstick holders right on top of my desk, where it’s easy to see them. I decided to put those away and only keep out the stuff I’m currently working on, as well as some of my higher end lipsticks in my everyday organizer.I chose four lipsticks and three lip liners, one of them being a clear primer sort of lip liner. I also have a couple glosses in there too, but I’m not really monitoring my progress on them. I’ll start with the lip liners and end with the lipsticks.

First is the Urban Decay Ozone Pencil which is a lip primer/lip liner. I’ve had this for almost a year and a half, it came along with the 2014 holiday lip set and most of those lipsticks have gone bad so this needs to be finished.

Second one is the Elizabeth Arden Lip Liner in Red Door Red. I also have the matching lipstick that I love but I’ve had this close to three years. I did get this for 5$ at Shoppers so I didn’t spend an outrageous amount on it but it needs to leave.

Last lip liner is the Nys Retractable Lip Liner in Nude. I Like it though the colour is a tad too dark for my preferences but it’s okay. The formula is alright but I haven’t noticed my lipstick staying on better or anything life changing. I’ve been doing a lot of nude lips lately so it’s going pretty fast.

For the lipsticks, two of them are samples of the Urban Decay Revolution Liptick in Liar and F-Bomb. I like both of them a lot but I have so many similar colours that I just want the satisfaction of using them up. The formula is wonderful and I have three full-size lipstick from the range so I’m quite happy to use them.

Next is the Kat Von D Studded Kiss in Noble. It’s a supper pretty light pink and it’s matte. Not a colour I’ll use super often but I’d like to make a dent in it.

Lash is the Smashbox  Be Legendary Lipstick in Rosy Pink. It’s a pretty colour but I’m not a fan of the formula. I’m planning on putting it over top of Noble to try and use them both up, but I’m definitely not going to be something I will purchase more of.

So there you have it! I’ve given myself a few different options so I don’t get bored and I have told myself that I can use my other lipsticks too, I just have to think about using them. I have a lot of faith in myself that I can finish most of these up, preferably by the end of the summer but I don’t really have any set time goals. I just want these gone!

I started this April 4th and marked where I was then, as you can see in the first picture. Hopefully there’ll be a lot of use between this and the next update.

What about you, have you got to many lip products and are trying to use them up? Or is there anything else you’re trying to use up?

 

Show Me that Pan 1st Update

So, I think it’s been a couple months since I posted my first pan post and I can successfully say that my pans have gotten larger. Though it really isn’t apparent when I look at them, but compared to the first photo, holy crap. And I finished a couple of deluxe size samples! Go me!

See my first pan post here:Show Me That Pan

First up, I finished 3 things! One was not shown in the previous post, possibly because it was finished before. It was a Becca pressed foundation, nothing to write home about. I did finish the Becca highlight, which is sad but also wonderful. Love the Becca formula but the colour was not perfect for me for the non-summer months.

Smashbox Contour Palette- Highlight shade

Basically, the same as last time, haven’t used it much. Need to get on that.

Stila- Bliss, Kitten and cream shade(from the In The Light palette)

Look at all dat pan on Bliss! Go me! Also doing pretty well with the cream shade, which I used as an inner corner highlight and brow bone highlight. I surprisingly hit pan on Kitten, which I would never have thought of happening. I sometimes use that on top of the cream shade for the highlight, sometimes all over the lid. Bliss is always in the crease. Always.

So, 4 things have pan showing on them, which is pretty good in my books. And three of them eyeshadows at that! I really want to hit pan on a few more things, not necessarily just continuing what I have. We’ll see what ends up happening though.

March 2016 Destash

I am very predictable in my destashing. I can swatch everything and compare till the cows come home, but I will keep things even if I don’t need to. And then I have a bad day and the need to do good by my stash hits and I swatch everything and get rid of the stuff I haven’t touched since last swatching and comparing it. And then the cycle continues.

I got rid of a bunch of lip products, either close enough dupes or stuff that I just won’t use. I’ll try and sell things on my makeupexchange post or see if a friend would want it, but it’s not staying in my stash. Even if I’ve never worn it and it’s just sat in my stash, it’s going. I want options damn it, not the same thing in 10 different bullets and tubes.

Even though I still have well over 10 red lipsticks, but they all look slightly different swatched!

VIB Spring Sale: What I Bought And Why

So, as part of my 2016 Plan I told myself I would limit my Sephora shopping to about 4 times a year, usually at sales or my birthday. And would you know it, it’s already time for the spring sale!  So I bought a lot. I’m still trying everything out, but a lot is repurchased stuff or things I wanted to add to my collection.

Let’s begin.

I went in store on Thursday after lunch and bought some of my major wants. My first goal was the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops in G20. The colour is a surprisingly good match since it looks a little dark on my neck, but nothing that I can’t work with. My Sephora finally had a display for it so now I can actually swatch the shades which was ridiculously helpful. Super happy with this purchase.

Next was the Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Green. I need something to help with the acne scars and te texture of it is amazing. It really makes me want to go out and buy one of the conealer shades. Maybe once I’ve finished a current concealer.

I also bought another one of the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper since the one I was suing, while not dried out, was bought during last year’s spring sale. And it’s supposed to be thrown out after 6 months. So that was required. I was considering the Stila liner, but this one was a few dollars cheaper and I like it and I shouldn’t fx what ain’t broke.

I did pruchase a brush, which is out of the ordinary for me. The last one I bought was a few ELF brushes last december and before that was probably the Sonia Kashuk 15th Anniversary Set. So, I don’t really buy many brushes. But, my beloved Quo eye brush, kinda like a fluffy small teardrop shaped one that I use for my crease/transition colour, was getting a little scratchy, so I bought the Sephora Pro Tapered Crease #19 since it’s basically the same. It’s wonderful, doesn’t scratch my eyelids and works well. This is my second Sephora Pro brush and I would definitely be up for buying more though I have heard not so good things about their regular line, so I’ll stick with the Pro Collection.

Another tool I bought was the Nars Pencil Sharpener since I lost my previous one. Not very exciting, but I need something to sharpen my Nars and other brand big lip pencil things. The chubby sticks. You kow what I’m talking about.

I did also get a travel size of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara since I love it and I’m been out for awhile. I had the big size in my hand, but since it expires in six months and I’ve never actually used up an entire mascara, the travel size is perfect.

I did get a couple more mascaras, specifically the Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara since it’s a great base mascara, as well as the Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. I bought the UD  in a set along with their All-Nighter Setting spray and Primer Potion in Original, with an eyeliner to, all in travel sizes. It was the same price as a full size Perversion, and since I wa going to get a travel sized All-Nighter spray it just made sense.

I bought a sample pocket of the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask because I had it before and am needing a mask but couldn’t remember if I really liked it. It’s meh, as I have now discovered.

Next up is the Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Grace. This is my favourite lipstick ever. The formula is alright, it doesn’t last long which is my only real complaint but the colour is life. I just finished the mini size I had, the only lipstick product I’ve ever finished, so I had to buy the fullsize.

Second to last is the Formula X Delete Nail Polish Remover. This stuff works well and the packaging is bomb as fuck. This is my second bottle and it was a bit torturus not having since the other stuff I have doesn’t really work.

Last thing! I bought one of the Beauty Blender sets, the one with two pink BBs and the liquid cleanser. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get more, espcially since I was down to my last one. I usually replace these every 6 months, so stocking up was a necessity.

I also got some samples, but nothing really note worthy. I could have bought more, but nothng really screamed my name. I was thinking of getting a foundation but I still have a bunch to get through and none of the Sephora ones have really worked for me. I’m really happy with what I got, enough to scratch the buying itch but not in a grand excess. Everything was planned with a specific purpose. I just need to make it through the rest of the sale week without buying anything else. Good luck me.

First Quarter Empties: January-March 2016

I’m always so impressed when I see peoples empties posts and videos. So much stuff, so many products used up! Makes me question what I’m doing wrong, since I barely have any in a three month period. But I have been using up products and actually using things. It just takes a while, or so I tell myself. Onto the empties!

In some vague fashion, here are my thoughts and strong opinions:

1. Almay Oil Free Gentle Makeup Remover Towllettes– I really liked these! They were nice, moist and gentle. They removed my makeup as well as any other but I really liked how wet they are, which is a must have for me. I have no repurchased yet, but they are on the pricey side, so probably won’t repurchase unless there’s a crazy sale.
2. Sephora Instant Moisturizer(sample)- I liked this but not enough to pay for it.
3. Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk Intense Hydrating Treatment(sample)- This was okay, I really don’t remember it so it clearly wasn’t life changing. Will not purchase this.
4. Stila Stay All Day Precision Glide Bro Pencil in Auburn- I really liked this, though the colour was a tad warm once my hair grew out. I won’t repurchase just because I’ve found something I like just as much for a lot less, but I would consider it again perhaps. Definitely a really god product and takes forever to finish so that’s a plus.
5. The Face Shop Herb Day Lip & Eye Makeup Remover Wipes- Really good wipes, very wet but they have a terrible taste. They work really well, but I prefer a big wipe for my whole face rather than something just for my eyes and lips. Won’t purchase, but would not complain to get more of these in the advent calendar again.
6. Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel(sample)- I feel like I’m repeating myself, but I liked this. I won’t buy it since I have a bunch of cleansers to go through and like something better, but it works rather well. Doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and cleansers very nicely.
7. Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector- This does mattify but also really feels drying on the skin. Definitely not recommended for the non-oily parts of your face. I won’t repurchase, I prefer the MUFE one, which is similar but less drying.
8. The Face Shop Chia Seed Moisturizing Lotion- Technically not finished since I put it into another bottle so I could actually use it, but I have used it on my face and didn’t like it, so I’m using it on my body. Won’t purchase.
9. Lancome Bi-Facil(sample)- Cult classic that was just meh for me. It worked, but it felt oily and got in my eyes. Won’t purchase.
10. Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder in Bliss-  Got this at Winners one day, it was alright. Not the best colour match but not far off and did nothing for my oil. Won’t repurchase.
11. ELF Daily Brush Cleaner- Love this stuff to spot clean, I just need to use it more often. It spot cleans my brushes beautifully. Have repurchased and will continue to repurchase.
12. Clinique Take The Day Off Remover(sample)- Similar to the Lancome remover, worked well but a little oily for my eyes. Won’t purchase.
13. Formula X for Sephora Delete- Love this a lot, especially the packaging, which is similar to the Julep remover. Will repurchase ASAP.
14. Essential Elements Body Lotion- This smells so strongly of patchouli that I couldn’t finish it. Very moisturizing and the smell last for a while, but just smells awful. Will never buy.
15. L’Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Spray- I think it worked but I never really paid attention. I’m bad at that. There’s still a bit of product left but the spray doesn’t work very well anymore, spraying droplets instead of a nice spray. Might repurchase.
16. Avene Cleanance Expert- Really nicely hydrating, slightly helps with my acne, this is my second bottle and have just opened a third. Will repurchase.
17. Clinique Moisture Surge- I like this, it moisturizes without asking me oily, I think. I might repurchase when I’ve made it through my stash of moisturizers in about 2 years time.
18. Beauty Blender- It was time for it to go, I have repurchased and will continue to repurchase till something stupendously amazing comes along to unseat this from its pedestal. Nothing in my tools collection does what this does and you may need to pry it from my cold, dead hands.
19. Hourglass Femme Rouge in Grace(sample)- This is my favourite nude lipstick. The colour is gorgeous and I can’t seem to dupe it in a better formula, though a Rimmel one from their nude line comes close. The formula is a little slippery and settles into fine lines, I can forgive it for the colour. Not a terrible formula by any means, but I really want to find the colour in a longer lasting formula. Will be purchasing ASAP.
20. Marc Jacobs Precision Pen Eyeliner in Blacquer(sample)- Really liked this, but I don’t want to know the price. Will not purchase unless every other pen eyeliners decide to discontinue themselves all at once. But still very nice eyeliner.
21. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal(sample)- This is wonderful. Love the Becca Highlighters, Holy Grail for me. The colour not as much, Opal is just a tad dark for me, but absolutely gorgeous during the summer when I’m a bit more tan. Might repurchase, but I prefer other colours in the range.
22. Benefit Bronzer in Hoola(sample)- Holy Grail, love this thing. I have another sample of it before I buy it on its own, and I have others bronzers to finish first, but this is s nice on my skin. Will purchase in probably 3 years when my other bronzers are panned.

Magically, that’s it. A whopping 22 things are gone from my collection, which makes me so happy. I pan three different powder products which is a huge thing for me since I’ve never done that before, so pat on the back for me. I just hope I can replicate that in the next three months.

March 2016 Round Up

So, March happened. I think.

The month seemed to go by so quickly, with so much to do in a short amount of time that I barely remember what happened. Though I do remember not posting much. I blame school.

Anyway, even though March flew by I slipped. I shopped twice, which goes against my 2016 rules. To balance it out I won’t do any drugstore shopping in April, except for the VIB Rouge sale at Sephora on he second week.

What did I buy? Mostly good things, even if they didn’t end up working well for me. I bought a couple things from NYX, one of the new Intense Butter Gloss in Blah and the correcting palette. The gloss was a disappointment, especially since I’ve tried the regular butter glosses and loved them so much, but this one was just meh. I can’t put my finger on what I don’t like, but I’m going to try using it and try and figure out what it is. I will report back.

The correcting palette on the other hand, I know exactly why I don’t like it. It just simply does not work with my skin type and foundation. Whenever I use the peachy shade under my eyes, whether packed on or lightly placed, it makes my under eyes look terrible. I thought it might be the concealer but which concealer I use makes no difference, it just looks bad plain and simple. I can still see my dark circles and my concealer seems to be really dry and creases quickly. It looks fine from far away but I can tell. I know. The green, which I use on my bottom cheeks when most of my acne scars are, just doesn’t seem to blend. I try, using either a brush, my fingers or a beauty blender and it still just looks kinda green. And then when I put my foundation over top, I can still see the green! So frustrating, enough that I refuse to use it.

Now, even though the correcting palette was a fail, I did buy it with the intention of trying to see if I liked color correcting enough to try something more high end. I do, even if the palette was awful, so I’m going to pick up something from Sephora during the sale.

My second trip was another Shoppers trip, during their ‘spend x amount and get 20x the points’ event and some of it was necessary. I had run out of my Avene Cleanance Expert which, while doesn’t really do anything for my acne, does make my skin soft and provides a bit of hydration. So I picked that up, along with one of the new L’Oreal Pro-Matte Gloss which I really like I got it in a neutral colour and it looks really pretty. Not matte, but I did know that going in. I also picked up the Nyx Stay Matte But Not Flat powder foundation since I’ve been eyeing it since it came to Shoppers. It’s nice, knowing wowing but I need to try it a few different ways before deciding how I really feel about it. The last thing I got was a gift pack of the La Roche Posay Effaclar with a sample of the cleanser and toner that match with it. I’ve heard good things about it and I know I will be running out of the acne stuff I’m currently using soonish so I got it. Haven’t tried it yet but I will.

Other than that, everything has been going well. I think I hit pan on a couple more things, finished off a few products and destashed a few things. Not too terrible of a month.