Products to use up by the end of 2014!!!

The "threat" of moving has passed... such is military life!  But I still feel this urge to downsize like a move is imminent.  We usually move every 3 years, and that was passed on July 2nd at our current duty station and we still have a month and a half of summer left.  I shouldn't even talk about it!  Moves can be fun, but they can also be stressful.  The kids are really excelling at school, truly gifted, and I do not want to uproot their lives at the moment...

Also...  I just made out my Sephora wishlist!  VIB by the end of the year.  I have goals people!  So since I tend to be an over achiever in the beauty department, why not plan ahead accordingly?  I will be sure to share soon. 

UPDATED!

I will start with skin care:

Previously mentioned in my current skincare post there are a few products that are more than half way done.  I want to continue using up those products.  Which shouldn't be a problem because it is really working out for me.  When my Olay night cream runs out, I will just switch to using my oils full time.  Likewise with the Olay eye cream DONE!, the Ole Heniksen will work fine day and night.

Here are some specific skin care items that I would like to work my way through as well by the end of the year:

Clinique All About Eyes Serum:  This is a nice product to depuff in the morning.  I like to slap this on right after washing my face, let it do it's magic and then follow up with an eye cream.  This product got lost in my Alex drawers.  Poor thing.

L'OREAL Youth Code Texture Perfector.  I don't really have an opinion of this.  I haven't seen any benefits of using this.  Hopefully with more consistent use, something will happen!  Stay tuned. 1/4 left to go!

Shiseido Pureness anti-shine refreshing lotion: I have a back up of this so I really need to be more consistent with its useage.  I will apply this product after cleansing and toning.  It is a salicylic acid treatment.  I have a quarter of the bottle left.  DONE!

Lotions: St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion Coconut Milk and Orchid Extract and Citrus and Vitamin C DONE!: These spray lotions are fun.  I'm not sure if they provide enough hydration for my skin though.  I have a lot of lotion to use up and these aren't my favorite scents.  They smell lovely but I have 2 super favorites and backups.  I'm hoping by leaving this out, I will be better about using lotion in general.  My skin gets really dried out in the summer! Stress Relief eucalyptus tea body cream and also Beach Sexy Tinted Body Lotion are both on the list to finish up as well.

Makeup:

3 foundations: L'OREAL Magic Nude Liquid Powder has about 3/4 left, Covergirl Outlast is nearing 3/4 BOTH DONE! and Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup (GAVE AWAY!) is pretty much full.  I have an obscene amount of brand new foundations lined up for winter and next summer at this and these are my 3 oldest.  L'OREAL and Covergirl are too light, Neutrogena is too dark/pink.  Neutrogena was a Bzz Agent #Gotitfree product that is quite nice but the color match is off. I'm hoping I can whip up a good color match by mixing.  This will be a tough area for me since I am really loving the Covergirl Outlast mixed with L'OREAL Lumi in W3.  It's perfection!  Well at least I will finish one foundation.  :)

Concealers: Maybelline FitMe in Light and Fair.  I really like these concealers.  It's strange that initially I did not.  However, I have many more in my drawer to use up as well.  I always know I can come back to FitMe ones though!  They are getting older and it's time to use them up. BOTH DONE!

Corrector:  I was going to list the Covergirl Olay corrector but who am I kidding.  It will never be used up in 2014.  However my Bobbi Brown in Light Bisque already has pan showing. MAJOR PAN! I really want to use this up and pick up the Armani Master Corrector which has been on my list for probably 2 years now.

Mascara: I have 2 more samples of Urban Decay Curling mascara to use up after an Almay intense I-color volumizing mascara and a water-proof L'OREAL Lash Out Butterfly mascara.  That should be plenty for less than 6 months.  ALL DONE!

Eyeliners:  My entire drawer basically but for immediate use Cailyn Gel Eyeliner Blue.  This gel liner is smudge proof and water resistant.  Should be perfect for the summer!  I picked up the blue at my first and only IMATS 2 years ago!  Eek!  I probably shouldn't even use it.

Bronzer:  Sonia Kashuk undetectable cream bronzer in warm tan.  I have hit pan on this beauty and absolutely love it.  However, it is a cream product so it is not going to last long.  I bought it last summer.  DONE!

Primers: L'OREAL Revitalift Miracle Blur and Clarins Instant Smooth are getting pretty old.  I also have 2 illuminating primers; Boost-It Instant Complexion Enhancer and L'OREAL Magic Lumi, equally in the aging cosmetic department.  The illuminating primers will work well with the 3 semi-matte foundations that I'm trying to use up!

Other random samples:

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector
Too Faced Primed and Poreless
Lorac POREection mattifying face primer
Sephora Anti-shine Foundation Primer
Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm
Guerlain Essence L'Or
Benefit Big Easy (I want a full size of this so bad!!!  But I have too much right now!!!)
Peter Thomas Roth Squalane Oil

I also want to finish up a Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit.  I can only stand to do this 20 minutes at a time so I have 2 applications left! DONE!

So not a ton of products... If I get through this round quickly, I'm sure I can find more. ;)

Week 15: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Week 15 is upon us!  April is in full swing (birthday is in 17 days!!!).

This week I wanted to focus on products that have been kicking around for a while, products I want to use up, favorite products, products that I know work well and that I can depend on.  I've shared (extensively) about what my skincare items will be here.  I'm not going to mess around with my skin this week!

So this is what I came up with!

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix.  The old faithful.  This is in shade 52 Vanilla.  I have more than a few uses but I want to use this up before summer is in full swing.  I've had it for a couple of years (exp 12 months!).

BB Cream: Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB, SPF 25.  This feels quite empty but product keeps appearing.  Since I am nearing the end, I will concentrate on using this one up in the next couple of weeks.

SPF: Still trying to figure that out.

Primer: I like to use L'OREAL Revitalift to smooth out fine lines on the outside of my eyes.  I also have the L'OREAL Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer to give my skin a little glow (as needed).  My skin has still been quite dry lately.  And then I included my complexion perfection duo, Urban Decay b6 spray and Guerlain L'or.  One more...  Clarins Instant Smooth for my t-zone.

Eyes:  For eye cream I have Olay Regenerist regenerating eye lifting serum.  Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Corrector in 230 and 2 shades of Physician Formula Conceal Rx, natural light and fair light.  And what the heck, L'OREAL MagicLumi Highlighter in 860 fair.  I have Tarte Smooth Operator to set all these concealers.

I've been skipping LashEM, I really need to remember that.  AVON lash conditioner and primer and L'OREAL Lash Out Butterfly mascara.  It's almost time to replace Lash Out.  Great Lash clear mascara for my brows which I am trying to focus more...

Primer is Benefit Stay Don't Stray.  I will be using my mark eyeshadows this week which are housed in MAC palettes.  The look so neat and pretty in these palettes.

 

 

 

Cheeks: mark blushes this week!  Also in a MAC palette.  :) and AVON ideal luminous blush in E04 Earthen Rose for a bronzer/contour. Which looks orange in the above photo, but I can assure you, it's not!

 

Face Powder: Tarte provocateur pressed mineral powder in Light 04.  This was a sample from ages ago.  It might be a little dark (not as dark pictured) but we will see how it works out this week for me.

 

So that's everything and it's a lot but I like to have options.  :)

Week 8 Empties!

Quite a few empties this week.  Progress...

I will mention the most memorable. 

I loved the Philosophy lip gloss in the silver pot.  It was the perfect pale pink color and plumped the lips.  I loved the packaging.  It was small, sleek and had a nice mirror on the inside. If I can find this again, I will definitely repurchase.  This was $3 at Big Lots last year.

I finished both the Freeman Beauty eclos cleanser and hydraPrimer.  Both of these came in a Klout perk gift.  I still have the pot of PM moisturizer which I love as well.  I have seen this kit at Rite Aid just under $30 I believe.

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deodorant.  A have turned a few members of my family onto this gem.  I will have to repurchase for the summer.  If you haven't tried this yet and have tried everything, give this one a go.  You won't be disappointed.  It wasn't my favorite scent at first but I don't even smell it anymore.

I poured the rest of my Urban Decay deSlick into a smaller travel size one to save space. 

I mostly used the Pantene Beautiful Lengths conditioner to shave my legs but my daughter really liked it because it made her hair very soft.  In fact she liked the combination of the Avalon Organics Peppermint shampoo and this conditioner as her "ultimate combo."  She is so cute.  I found both Avalon peppermint shampoo and conditioner to not have enough moisture for my hair.  I did like the peppermint smell.

The VO5 shower oil was not as moisturizing as I remember the hot oil treatments back in the day but I also have dryer color treated hair.  Just not enough moisture for me.  I have another one in the shower right now.

Benefit Eye Potent Eye Cream is a nice eye cream.  I only had enough to try for a week but I think it might be worth purchasing a full size.

40 Carrots Papaya Mask is definitely in my top 10 of all time favorite masks.  I will be looking at repurchasing this one for sure.

I thought that the Murad Cleansing wipe was very thorough and leaves a fresh, cooling tingle...  I will repurchase.

Week 9: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box!

March is in full swing and we already have a winter advisory starting at 4pm EST!  Ice and sleet are on the way.  In like a lion, out like a lamb?

I officially started training for a 5k and of course I pulled a hammy.  First time EVER.  Ouch.  Definitely a sign that my age is creeping up on me.  In all seriousness, it's a bit sore after a very diligent stretch.  Hopefully we will be back at it in a couple of days.

I have a lot of fun stuff in this week's box so let's get started!

Foundation:  I really liked the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous in Buff Beige and Lumene CC cream in light combo from last week.  As much as I want to use stuff up, I'm not going to keep things that do not work.

BB/CC/DD Cream:  In addition to Lumene, I have Kiehl's Skin Tone Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream, Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream, Supergoop! CC Cream (which I have on right now and dare I say I love it!) and DERMAdoctor DD Cream.  I got my B, C, D's covered this week!

Primer:  I have a couple foil packet samples to try of Smashbox.  The regular Photo Finish and the Green Photo Finish with Blemish Control.  I have a larger Photo Finish that I have used before as well.  Algenist Pore Corrector Anti-Aging Primer is in the stash as well. If I finish these, I have Clarins Instant Smooth for back up.  For eyes I have Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and Benefit Stay Don't Stray in light/medium.  I also like to use this under my eyes to help with concealer.

Moisturizer:  If I need a separate one, I included Origins Plantscription SPF 25.  But I think with all the BB, CC and DD creams, I should be covered in the hydration department.  I also have Jack Black Epic Moisture MP 10 Nourishing Oil for the evening to try out.

SPF:  All the BB/CC/DD creams I should be covered, but I included La Roche-Posay 50 since I will be out a lot running this week.  And it will be a staple from here on out! 

Eye Cream:  Estee Lauder is still hanging tough as well as Ole Henriksen.

Serum and/or treatment:  Ole Henriksen Firming and Sculpting Serum, Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Skin Tone Correcting Serum, and Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster.  Urban Decay b6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray kind of smells like hair spray.  Hmm...

Cleanser:  I opened up a Neutrogena Facial Bar over the weekend so that's at the sink.  In the shower I have my Biore Charcoal Cleanser.

Mask: Julep Mask Noir.  I want to finish it this week.  I might be able to squeeze out a couple more applications.  Thick stuff!

Exfoliant:  glo-therapeutics Refresh Facial Polish Facial Scrub.

Makeup:  I'm going to use Boxum Lash, the Balm Bahama Mama as bronzer, Sexy Mama translucent powder, and Hot Mama!  primarily as a blush this week.  I had had this AVON true color eyeshadow quad in muse for a while now and mark drama case which is a eyeshadow and eyeliner palette.  The drama case is unique.  I pull it apart from the side to reveal 6 eyeshadows.  When you pull it apart from the top and bottom, you find 4 eyeliner shadows.  Interesting...

Hair: Toni&Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist

Hands:  My hands are really dry and my cuticles are all torn up so I included Camille Beckman Frecnh Vanilla Glycerine Hand Therapy to help out.

Body:  These will be a single application I'm sure...  100% Pure Coconut Nourishing Body Cream.  I will probably end up finishing my Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter as well this week.

So that's what I have going on for Week #9!  Hopefully I can get through everything.  :)

Week 4 Beauty Box Results

Happy February Everyone!  Mr. Groundhog said 6 more weeks of winter...  Boo!  Looks like another rainy Spring here in the South again this year.

We are finally all thawed out from the massive freezing/rain/snow storm last week.  Which honestly, was pretty remarkable from a Northern transplant standpoint.  I know the Northern States were making fun of us for canceling schools for 4 days, but in all seriousness, it was pretty bad down here. We all saw Atlanta on the news.  Kids sleeping on school buses.  OMG.  Our schools were cancelled Monday night.  The freezing rain hit later Tuesday afternoon for us. 

I'm always a bit skeptical of weather forecasts.  There are so many variables.  But something told me to go ahead and grab milk and bread.  And good thing I listened, stores were closed for 4 days as well...  Base shut down and even my husband got a few days off only to work on the weekend though.  It was a nice relaxing Stay-cation and the kids had a blast!

We were out in the streets sliding on kayaks and wake boards on 2-3 inches of solid ice.  It does not make for good driving or walking conditions for that matter.  Even the dogs wouldn't walk on it!  Paired with the lack of snow plows and sand/salt trucks, we just had to wait until the sun melted everything.  Which took until Friday.  The sun finally made an appearance that morning and by 1pm, the streets were cleared.

That being said, I hardly wore any makeup last week.  And my skin was not happy about it.  Let's dive in, shall we?

So here is a little reminder of what I started Week 4 out with:

Here is what I ended up with:

I don't know what my skin reacted to, but I attributed it to the Dr. Jart Skin Saver.  It was the only sample I tried.  I didn't do any masks or other treatments.  By Tuesday, I didn't have a breakout, but small white bumps, just bumpy skin in general.  On my nose, cheeks, above my eyebrow.  Just random places.  As soon as I stopped using it after 3 days, my skin finally cleared on Saturday. I will have to do some research on what ingredient it could have been but the active ingredient in the set is ceramidin.  It is said to hydrate which my skin definitely needed and then with the cold Polar Vortex blast... 

I had to bring in the big guns and slather up with Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre.  It truly saved my skin.  My skin cleared and felt much smoother.  Very happy with the results and my skin is much hydrated but not too much.  It's perfectly balanced at the moment.

If I did throw on makeup it was my Ponds Luminous Finish BB Cream which normally is super hydrating, but wasn't even enough last week.  I am truly wondering if my skin is changing.  As much as I can't stand my oil producing facial glands, I am missing them!  Dry, flakey skin is not a good look on me!

I can't seem to get a good match with the L'OREAL True Match.  W3 is too dark/orange on me.  Lumi in W1-2 is too pink, or it just doesn't neutralize my natural pink/redness enough.  The N1-2 is super pink on my skin and when I did try it, way too light.  Why can't they just come out with a W2?  Mixing W3 and W1-2 isn't the perfect solution, it's really unnaturally pink.  I've tried!  I like the feel of it, it's light-weight, a bit silicone-like...  I'm just tired of needing at a minimum 2 different shades of foundation to match my skin.  Does anyone else run into this problem?  I will still try out foundations, but I would like  just one to be able to slap on and run out the door!

I did try out the POREfessional Agent Zero Shine but I bought this way prematurely.  Should have waited until Spring.  Dang 20% off at Ulta!  And I didn't get my free gift with purchase.  Ugh.  So far it seems like any other powder.  I don't really have an opinion of it at this time.  Only that I have a million other setting powders and it is not needed right now.  It does have a color to it, not completely translucent on the skin, on pale skin for that matter.  But I like the packaging.  It seems easy to apply on the go.  I will do a separate review but I think that this is going to be a return.  I would much rather spend my money at Sephora.  My last trip there was truly unbelievable.  The store was literally trashed.

Because my skin has been so dry, cream bronzer and blush are the only way to go!  I do not have much experience with cream blush.  This one by NYX in Boho Chic I've used a handful of times.  The first time was a hot/humid day and it sort of slid off, never really fully absorbing.   It seemed to blend in better this week.  I either use a stipling brush or my fingers.  I think the brush works best.  It's pretty sticky, almost like an opaque cream gloss that you would use on the lips.  I find with my fingers, by the time I have blended (rubbed) it into my cheeks, my cheeks are red from the manipulation (is friction a better word?) and it's difficult to see how much I have applied until my redness subsides.  I'm still on the fence about it. With the Super BB Skin 79, my face looks a little flat so contouring with the Sonia Kashuk cream bronzer is a must even on a "no makeup" day!  ;)  It blends with minimal effort as well. Overall, it is a nice product.

I added in the UD Naked Basics as the Bare Minerals does not have a lighter matte shade.  I like to use the dark matte brown called Black Tie Optional as a liner but I still need a highlight and a transition shade to help blend out all the shimmer!  My favorite shade is Invite Only, a taupey moss green.  It's a shimmer, but not glittery.  The shadows are smooth and buttery, the perfect amount of pigment.  Just a lovely palette overall that I would recommend.  I don't believe it is still available unfortunately but if you can find it, it's a nice palette for your collection. bareMinerals READY eyeshadow 8.0 The Cocktail Hour.

So nothing too exciting last week and I don't even have any empties to share.  Shocking I know.  But I already have a couple items for Week 5 that I have finished up during the last couple of days...

Are your samples out?  What are you trying this week?!

Week 2 Box: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Round 2!

Here is my Week 2 skincare/makeup box:

 

Foundation:  Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52.  This might be too dark.  We'll see!  I'm hopeful that I can finish this foundation by the end of the year.  I'm not sure if I have ever finished a foundation before it went bad/expired/separated.  I finished my Rachel K CC cream at the end of last year which was pretty exciting.  They have a new formulation that I want to try but I want to finish up my Dr. Jart BB cream first oh and then my Skin79, and then Pond's Luminous and then Garnier...  It's endless!  :)

Primer: For eyes, Jesse's Girl and for face, Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
Moisturizer: Weleda Iris Hydrating Day Cream and Josie Maran Argan Oil
Exfoliant: Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel

Eye Cream, SPF: Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream and Clarins UV Plus Multi-perfection SPF40

BB/CC/DD Cream: I'm not sure what this is...  It comes in multiple shades, called a tone corrector so I'm going with a CC cream. 

Another treatment: Nip+Fab  Viper Venom Wrinkle Fix with wrinkle blur technology.  Sounds promising!

 

Cleanser, Mask, Moisturizer:  I'm excited about trying this Eslor packet.  I really like using a skincare regimen from the same brand.  I feel like their ingredients coincide with each other/work together and there is no competition among the ingredients.  I worry that some of the products I use in conjunction cancel each other out when you are layering serum, moisturizer, SPF, primer.  So complicated...

This week I will have a cleanser, scrub, mask and cream from the same range.  Nice and tidy.

 

Makeup Category: Wet N Wild Comfort Zone.  Cult Classic.  It has seen better days and side note, this palette is not suitable in a Alex drawer that is opened frequently.  It jostles about and the soft shadows just crumble unfortunately.  No tears here though, I have a back up.  ;)  I haven't used this in forever.

 

I had a couple things from last week that are worthy of using up so I will add them to this week's box as well!

Any new products that you are trying out this week?  Do share!

Makeout 2013

Yeah, I'm a little late to the YouTube party but better late than never right?

Last year was a huge reality check for me in terms of what I had been spending at the drugstore on stuff.  Just stuff!  It took me a year to use up dozens of skincare items, shampoos, lotions, toothpaste...  The list goes on and on of the "stuff" I had stockpiled from my 2010 and 2011 coupon days.

Did I save money?  I sure did, hundreds, probably thousands.  Did I need all that "stuff?"  Nope.  Did I still spend hundreds probably closer to a couple grand on stuff that I really didn't need?  Yes.  It was sheer madness.  I thought by using coupons and saving money, justified the purchases.  Couponing started off with good intentions.  I bought lots of cereal, toilet paper and cleaners nearly for free.  Did we use these items?  Yes we did.

Drugstore shopping was a blast.  Rolling rewards (CVS extra care bucks, Walgreens Register Rewards and Rite Aid +up rewards) and leaving with bags of "stuff" was so much fun for me.  Getting paid to "buy" 4 Nivea body wash and 3 bottles of John Frieda shampoo?  Yes please!   That is until reality hit.  What was I going to do with all this "stuff?"  Where was I going to store it?  Would I ever use it all?  Listen, I wasn't a stockpiler like an extreme couponer, but I had enough to fill up 2 bathrooms.  Enough was enough.

So how did I do in 2012?  Here is my original post...  link!  Lots of cross outs!  I finished every bottle of shampoo, conditioner and every tube of toothpaste.  I did have a little help.  We are a family of 5.  :)  I gave away a lot, pitched some that I know I didn't like and returned items to AVON.

I still have hair products to use as well as self tanners and face masks.  These are things that I use infrequently and take a long time to finish!  The cloth drawer cabinet was emptied as I finished the products and re-purposed the drawers.  And here is what my bathroom cabinets look like now!

Before:

 

After:

The only shampoo I have is now in my shower.  It feels good.  It took my 11 months to go through most of the items.  I did buy somethings in December.  Do I still have a lot of skincare items?  Yes.  I love skincare.   My motivation to finish those items is to go more natural.  I'm doing research on essential oils and I want to make my own cleaners and serums.  I will leave skincare for another post!  :)

Now that I have that situation under some control, it is now time for Makeout 2013.  

I'm going to go through categories and what I need to use up before I repurchase.  Some categories will be impossible to fully "use up."  Those being for starters, foundations.  I have never used an entire foundation.  I came close to Lioele Beyond the Solution BB cream.  Blushes, most eyeliners, most eyeshadow, lipsticks and lipgloss also have proven to be quite difficult to use up before the dreaded expiration.  The sheer quantity I have of each category fully prevents this from happening.

My goal for Makeout 2013 is to get my makeup collection to a reasonable amount of products.  Reasonable to me that is...

Concealer:

I have 9.

None of them truly work on their own to conceal my new dark undereye circles (thanks stressful job and insomnia) and redness around my nose.  I am a cosmetic mixologist.  The Rimmel Match Perfection is too dark.  I mix with either of the 2 Maybelline Mineral Power concealers.  They are also both nearing 2.5 to 3 years old.  Really need to think about pitching them.  They were CVS clearance items when we lived in NY State.  (Since we moved to NC 2 years ago, I have a pretty good idea how old everything is... If I didn't buy it while we have been here, it's over 2 years old.)  The Rimmel is a recent purchase since the first of the year.  It was to replace the 2 Maybelline ones...  Time to pitch.  So now I have 7.

Glamoflage I believe I bought here in NC so it's almost 2 years old.  It took my forever to find it in stock.  It works well but in the summer it just adds to my oil slick.  It also has a tendency to separate...  Philosophy was a Big Lots purchase from last summer.  I forgot all about it!  It's a bit light but since it is so moisturizing, it has worked well this winter.  Mineralogie is a Beauty Army sample.  It is thick and works really well.  It's about a year old.  It can crease under my eye if I am not careful.

My 2 brighteners: L'OREAL Magic Lumi and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind.  Both work but the Maybelline Brightener really highlights my pores and circles.  Not the best look.  Might be good to mix it with the darker Rimmel.

Makeout 2013:  When the 7 remaining are used up I want to purchase a NARS concealer or the Kat Von D and the Giorgio Armani Master Correcter in #1.  That's my motivation to use these up.  :)

Eyeliners:

Woah, that's a lot.

 

I know for a fact that I have bought the following eyeliners since moving to NC and they are the only ones I use on a regular basis except for the blue liners:  

Urban Decay 24/7 liners from Hautelook sale

Milani Easyliner in Espresso

Milani Liquif'eye in Brown

Cargo Eye Bronzer from Glossybox

AVON Glimmersticks in mocha flash, nocturnal, brown glow

Tarte empasEYES inner rim brightener

Cargo EyeBronzer from a Glossybox

Stila  smudge stick in blue ribbon from a Birchbox

Ofra eyebrow from Glossybox.  Well that's an eyebrow pencil that I never use.

BareMinerals Big & Bright Eyeliner in Midnight.  Got it for free with a $5 purchase.  I bought a $5 gift card. 

Rimmel Spark it Up! in peridot.  This was a Walgreens clearance item.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on in Elderado was a free item from a purchase.  

All the others are more than 2 years old.  Technically eyeliners can be kept up to a year.  So I'm going to pull one brown PF that I use all the time and the MAC Surf Baby collection liner in Gilded White and the 2 clinique liners and toss the rest.  Since I don't use them, I'm not going to keep them.  I believe the Clinique cream shapers run on me so I will try them out this week.  If they run, they are gone as well.

New drawer!

  

Makeout 2013:  There aren't any eyeliners that I have been wanting other than more Urban Decay.  But since I have enough to last me for another 5 years.  No more eyeliners this year... period...  If I run out of black, I can get a black to replace it, etc.  But I don't typically reach for black eyeliner, I can use a black shadow as a liner.

Lipstick:

I have a modest amount of lippies.  I tend to favor the sheer varieties, i.e. lipbutters and lipgloss.  Just a quick glance into this drawer I've already tossed 2.  L'OREAL Infalliable Never Fail in 730 Grenadine.  I've had it close to 2 years and never been worn.  Also the NYX Lip Smacking in Earth Angel was worn a couple of times probably 4 years ago.  Time to let them go!  Also the L'OREAL Endless in Timeless Tawny is way too brown on me and that taste.  YUCK!  The other 2 L'OREAL's I have Cheryl Cole limited edition 297 Red Passion and 800 Fairest Nude both have that iconic smell and taste but to a lesser degree.

I don't need another nude lipstick.  I have 3; Maybelline Colorsensational Nude Nuances 865 and Revlon Fashion's Night Pout and Ungaro by AVON Lip color in Champagne.  Great formula by the way.  Very creamy.  Limited Edition from a few years ago.  I also have 2 Revlon Super Lustrous in 651 Porcelain Pink and 205 Champagne on Ice.

I'm looking at the Mary Kay's right now. I have 3.  Each bought for special occasions, specifically Marine Corps Birthday Balls.  Sweet Nectar, Whipped Berries and Inspiration.  Lipsticks can last up to 4 years.  I've had these 4-5 years.  They still smell the same.  I will keep these but if I don't wear them in 2013.  It will be time to toss them.

New drawer!

 

Makeout 2013:  I love my Revlon Lip butters but I don't need any more but I reserve the right to hit up a 40% off sale this year.  Same goes for the L'OREAL Colour Caresse Wet Shines...  Thankfully I don't need to shell out another $30 for a YSL.  :)

Lipgloss:

I have too many for my liking.  I remember driving all over the place looking for the Milani Haute Flash and they look ridiculous on me straight out of the tube. But I can't part with them.  I can mix them with other lip products to make them work.

I have one Revlon Colorburst in Strawberry Fraise.  I wear it during the summer.  I remember grabbing this from a CVS in NY right before we moved.  It was bundled with a Grow Luscious Mascara.  I have one MAC Lipglass from the Hey, Sailor Collection.  I love the Cover Girl natureluxe gloss balms.  Not as much as the Revlon Lipbutters though.  These are old, pushing 4 years.  I still reach for them.

I've never worn the Lorac.  I've tested them out but most of the time it's too hot in NC to have stickiness on your lips.  lol  They are starting to lose their watermelon scent.  Great Hautelook sale but such as waste.  :( 

I've narrowed it down to the few that I am keeping.  They fit in 1 drawer now!  Pitching what doesn't fit.

Makeout 2013: No more!  I forgot to mention the Revlon Kissable Balm Stains.  I have 2 and 1 Tarte Lip Surgence.  I don't need anymore of course but I reserve the right to hit up a 40% off sale at the drugstore.  But since I have a variety of colors, I probably won't.

L'OREAL infalliable eyeshadows:

Yes I have these in a separate category.  I have 19 of them.  Most from the permanent collection and from the all the limited edition collections that I can pull off.  I love these shadows.  They are effortless for me.  I can slap them on and run out the door.

Makeout 2013:  I can purchase more but they have to be unique and wearable colors for me.

Maybelline Eye Tattoos:

Yup, I've separated these out as well.  Another drugstore standout for me.  I have 16 of them. And a L'OREAL HiP cream liner...  some of these are better than others in terms of pigmentation and blendability.  I use Inked in Pink, Pomegranate Punk, Bad to the Bronze, Barely Branded and Barely Beige all the time.

Makeout 2013:  Unless the color is to die for, I cannot purchase another one.

All other eyeshadows:

I have too many.  So many palettes in fact that I started selling unopened and untouched palettes on eBay.  I couldn't justify holding on to them anymore.  These are my go to palettes and eyeshadow mostly because I keep them easily accessible. 

All 3 Urban Decay Naked Palettes, WetNWild Comfort Zone, Vanity and Brulee and Stila Cloud.

One day I will do a collection post.  I've done bits and pieces of over the years.  At the moment, it is too intense for me to handle.  lol  I've given a lot to my niece and she is about to get a lot more.

Makeout 2013:  I can buy the Lorac Pro Palette.  INLGOT if and only if I gift out most of my Wet n' Wild and various other drugstore eyeshadow palettes.

Powders:

I've hit pan on the Rimmel Stay Matte in Transparent, PF Healthy Wear in Translucent Light and PF Bamboo Wear in Creamy Natural.  The PF Bamboo Wear has a bit of a shimmer to it.  Some days I like it, others I don't.  It's also about 4-5 years old. I need to let it go.

The Benefit Sexy Mama is a bit dark on me right now but I can work with it.  I love the Airspun Loose Face Powder but I want to finish it up so I can try something else.  The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind is usually in my bag for touch ups.  I have been using the Colorscience over the winter as it is quite light.  

I don't reach for the Milani or the Lorac.  Milani is too dark right now and very full coverage.  Lorac is a nice undereye concealer powder that I really should be using more of!

I just got the Tarte sample with an order.  The color is a touch darker than Sexy Mama so it might be an early summer match.

Makeout 2013:  Every single powder that I own needs to be used until significant pan is showing and then I can purchase new.  I really want to try Bare Minerals again or Laura Mercier Loose setting powder.

Mascara:

I can skip this category as I have 5 samples to work through and I have no full size mascara currently.  I'm not sure what I want to try next.  Maybelline Falsies worked nicely.  I do need a waterproof.  

Makeout 2013:  I can buy one mascara at a time.  Urban Decay Cannonball has been calling out to me!

Blush:

Blush is a little insane right now.  I'm not sure what I like and what I don't.  They are all pretty old.  The PF ones I reach for the most but I really don't need much on my cheeks as they are naturally quite pink.  The cream Maybelline ones seem a bit frosty on me right now.  Not a good look.

I wear the MAC Hey Sailor Highlight powder as a blush one almost every day.  

Not pictured... the 2 NARS Nordstrom LE cheek palettes that I haven't touched.  What I need to do is donate these blushers and open up the NARS palettes.  I almost sold them on eBay but I just couldn't part with them.

Makeout 2013:  I keep wanting to get some new Milani baked blushes as well.  Basically I need to find some good blush.  Any suggestions?

Bronzer:

Most of these bronzers are too dark, too brown, too orange, too shimmery.  Most of the time I can get NYC sunny to work but not in the contour.  I look too done up.  Not a very natural look for me.  Maybe I'm uncontourable.  Is that possible?  :)

I've been trying to find NYX Taupe in stock...anywhere...  Ulta, Ulta.com, Cherryculture.com, Drugstore.com  No luck!

Makeout 2013:  NYX Taupe or an equivalent.  Or Benefit Hoola.  Haven't tried that one yet!

Highlighters:

I don't need any more.  I'm good.

Makeout 2013:  Don't even think about it.  My oil provides enough highlight.  Thank you very much genetics.

So basically, I can't buy until I use up.  For serious.  Except for those categories where I am giving myself some wiggle room.  Sounds awkward but I need to have realistic and achievable goals right?

I'm going to lump foundations in with skincare in it's own separate post next.  Most are BB creams so it's justified.  ;)

Are you participating in a Makeout 2013 or reducing your purchases on cosmetics this year? 

December Empties!

Well hello folks!  That time of the month again. I know I'm almost a month late on this one.  Better late than never... right?  :)

To say this month flew by is an understatement.  I'm pretty sure I said that every month but December really took off and now we are half way through the first month of 2013!

Simultaneously with this post, I'm working on a 2012 wrap up post, 2012 favorites post and of course the new year Beauty Resolutions!  Yay!  Which are pretty much the same as last year.  Work out more and stop buying makeup!  Still editing though.... 

I started to run out of things in November and December and boy did I make up for it.  Dang Friends and Family sales!  But that's what we save all year for right?  :)  I have a few hauls and a ton of reviews lined up.  I'm looking over my list and I have enough material for a few months.  :)

So let's get started...

December empties.  Ended with a bang.  For realz.

1.  Gillette Venus & Olay razors:  I've reviewed/talked about these a ton.  Along with the Schick Naturals, these razors are my favorite/go to that I know will be moisturizing enough and will not cause the dreaded razor burn.  If I use any other razor besides what my husband uses on his face, I will get awful razor burn.  I can't fool around in the shaving department. 

2.  Simply Saline Sterile Saline Nasal Mist:  I thought I would throw this in here.  Beauty related?  Umm yes?!  So winter is here, well for most, but here in the South we are enjoying record highs, 78 degrees, 83 over the weekend!  It's just gorgeous.  But December did bring with it cold dry air.  Saline mist for your nose is your friend.  It's moisturizing for one but also it clears out dust, pollen and dirt and clears congestion.  I'm a nurse and a mother of 3.  My exposure to illness and germs on a daily basis is very high.  I use this saline mist on the daily to clean out my nasal passages so that I am not inhaling those particles deep into my lungs exposing myself to those germs.  And it works.  This combined with Emergen-C, keeps me from getting sick.  Seriously.  Along with diet, exercise and sleep of course... But I don't ever get sick.  Ever...  (knocking on wood right now!)

3.  Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Deep Moisture Body Wash:  My skin was drying out from the cold air last month and I needed to pick this up to see if it would help.  I'm pretty sure it did.  My legs are especially dry right now that I haven't been using any body wash and lotion isn't cutting it.  It smells fresh and clean.  This body wash has a nice creamy lather too.  It has a lot of "bad" chemicals in it though.  I would prefer something more natural but this was at the commissary and I had a coupon.  :)

4.  L'OREAL Visible Lift Line-Minimizing & Tone Enhancing Under Eye Concealer 190 Fair:  This is a perfect example of the perils of hoarding makeup.  Good products go bad when you are distracted by other products!  I grabbed this last year during one of the CVS semi-annual clearances for probably pennies.  Loved it but then got caught up in using other concealers and products.  By the time I got back to this one it only had a month of goodness left.  It was working great for a few weeks and then it started creasing and I assume it is just expired.  But I loved it for the last few weeks of 2012!  Good coverage, blends in really well.  20 spf.  I did use up pretty much the entire tube.  I believe the packaging has changed on this one and maybe the name as well but it's a good one! 

5.  L'OREAL Preference Mega Browns:  I've been coloring my hair in Chocolate every 3 weeks for a couple of months now and it is working out beautifully.  3 weeks is the longest I can go.  The color starts to fade out and my root growth gets a bit crazy.  By 4 weeks I have a half inch of growth and I've gone too far.  I just use one bottle for my roots and brush it down to my ends and I'm good to go.  It's super messy though.  Probably because of the dark color but it's all over my walls and base boards.  This last time I was on my hands and knees wiping off everything and I still have splatter marks everywhere!  But $150 in the salon or $10 at home...  I like the $140 savings thank you very much.

6.  Dove Soap:  Yup went through 2 bars in December.  I love Dove.  Used it since I was a kid.  Probably will forever.  I can use it on my face in a pinch.  I have an amazing cleanser that I am using currently though...  Review coming up soon!

7.  Aussie 3 minute miracle:  I will always have this in the shower.  It's essential for when your hair isn't responding to the oils, creams, tonics, lotions and other conditioners in your shower.  It's stressed, tired and dried out, it needs a miracle.  This product will get your hair back.  This product is in the same category as Pantene.  Pantene always works with my hair.  Sure it's not the best.  It coats your hair, yada, yada, yada but it will always leave my hair soft, silky and smelling great.  I leave it on longer than 3 minutes.  I figure the longer the better.  Also the packaging is A+.  A lot of deep conditioners you have to reach your hands into a tub, it gets under the nails, water from the shower runs down your arms and fingers into the tub and it's just a mess.  This is a squeeze bottle.  Perfection.

8.  Pure White Tarter Control Pre-Whitening Rinse: this is a part of a teeth whitening set.  I really liked the way it made my teeth feel after brushing so even though the 5 minute whitening gel makes me gag something fierce, I still used this up.  The gel does whiten but those strips are just so much more convenient and I have less of a drool-mess fest.  I will review this separately.  So look for that in the near future!

9.  Colgate Total Advanced:  Not a bad toothpaste but nothing whitening about it.  Just documenting that I finished it up!  :)  I still buy it though.  lol

10.  St. Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub Blemish and Blackhead Control:  This is one of those iconic super products from my youth.  One that you can trust will deliver results.  It has changed a bit.  The smell is much different and the scrubbing beads are smaller but it still works.  If you are having a bad skin day or week, whip this baby out and all will get better.  Works for me.  But I think it worked much better back in the day.  Does it instantly clear out all your blackheads?  No, but it does help.  This was a free Facebook sample by the way.  Love freebies. 

11. & 12.  Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy shampoo and conditioner:  I already reviewed or mini reviewed this product and touted it's ability to stop hair from falling out.  No really it did.  I was going through this shedding cycle and it was getting scary.  I received these two travel size bottles in a beauty blogger swap.  It's a good idea to keep a bottle of at least the shampoo in your shower to use from time to time.  A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair.  Period.  Well along with good food, hydration and exercise...

13.  Bath and Body Works Black Pepper Bergamot:  Hands down my favorite scent of all time except Sensual Amber beats it out for #1 by a hair.  I mean, it's that close but I loved burning this candle in November and December.  I should stop by The Works and see if they are clearanced out!

14.  L'OREAL 20 Volume Developer:  Goes with the L'OREAL Mega Browns color.  I'm not a professional hair stylist but this developer works well for me!

15.  Nuance Raw Honey Color Protect Shampoo and Conditioner foil packet samples:  I really can't review this based off of a sample but the feel and smell of my hair after using this left me intrigued.  It's made with Wheat and Soy protein and Shea Butter, paraben free, sulfate free and not tested on animals.  As I smell the used packets right now, it has a "Sensual Amber" and "Black Pepper Bergamot" smell to it.  No seriously, it must be made exclusively for me.  I'm running out to CVS to grab a set so I can really test them out. 

16.  Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray:  I fly through these sample bottles.  I am using a full size at the moment.  I really like this stuff.  It does help control the oil though it's not perfect.  I'm still looking for the perfect product or combination of products for my oil slick.  I did have one day of dry skin.  It was Thanksgiving morning and I was applying my makeup and I had to start all over again.  It was awful.  So I think I do prefer my oily skin to that dry, flaky mess I had that morning.  I think...

17.  L'OREAL EverCreme Sulfate Free Deep Nourishing Masque:  This is a good alternative to Aussie 3 minute miracle if you wanted to stay away from sulfates.  I really like this one too.  This was my first time trying it out.  I have used the EverCreme line before as you know.  I'm sure I will pick up a full size in the future. 

18.  Philosophy Microdelivery Peel:  I will have a full review on this one.  I really need to pick up another.

19. & 20. AVON Makeup Remover Wipes:  Hands down my favorite remover wipes to date and I have tried them all.  They are quite pricey when not on sale, I think $7.99.  That's probably about average though.  A lot of wipes are priced between $5.99 and $10.99. I just ordered 4 at $3.99 and they are back ordered at the moment.  So I'm not the only one that loves them.  They have the perfect moisture content, the perfect thickness and they perfectly remove makeup.  I will do a separate review.

21.  Cotton jumbo sized balls:  lol  What's not to love about cotton balls. I go back and forth with cotton rounds and balls.  Rounds tend to disintegrate when I wipe them on my eyes and face which Is really annoying.  Cotton balls work well.  These are from Walmart and relatively inexpensive.

22.  Fekkai Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner:  Fekkai is one of those untouchable brands for me.  Just way outside my comfortable price zone for shampoo.  If I got it on sale I would do it for sure.  These shampoo is very concentrated.  I should have used only half the packet and since I overzealously squeezed out the entire thing into my hand, it was too late.  lol  It has a nice scent, lathered well.  It's a nice product. 

23.  Oral B Glide Pro-Health Floss.  This seems to be the only brand of floss that I will buy.  If I'm couponing, which I still have a ton of floss to use up from 2011, I will get what I can.  But this is a floss I know isn't going to hurt and tear up my gums.  Good stuff.  And minty too.  Yum!

24.  Pantene Medium Thick Hair Solutions:  Speaking of Pantene...  I haven't been keeping up with all the latest incarnations of Pantene.  I mean, there are dozens.  I swear the different formulations and flavors take up a quarter of the drugstore shampoo aisle.  But this one has that Pantene smell and feel.  It's nice just to have a bottle or a travel size portion to fall back on every once in a while.  Your hair will thank you.

25.  GlamGlow Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask:  So yeah, I bought this teeny, tiny tub of mud for $25 plus shipping from Hautelook.  So $30?  Tingling yes, exfoliating, if they say so.  I expected some kind of miracle for that money.  There is like 3 uses, maybe 4 in that thing.  To say that something is going to take care of fine lines, pores, sun damage, age spot, increase elasticity...  Those are huge claims...  I will admit it tingled, more like burned but my skin wasn't irritated by this.  It did feel smoother.  It did suck some oil out of my pores but in doing so the rebound oil I would get the next day after this was unreal.  I just don't get the hype.  Maybe if it was a larger size and I could of used it more consistently.  I get better results with the Shea Terra Black Soap.  Which I haven't used in a while.  I need to do that tonight.

26.  TRESemme Split Remedy:  I thought I liked this. I definitely liked the shampoo but after using this conditioner for 2 days, I couldn't get a brush through my hair.  It left it filmy or something.  It felt good in the shower but it just leaves the hair feeling gross.  Stay away from this.

27.  Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy:  I swear by this.  Plumps and moisturizer the lips overnight.  Keep it at your night table/bed stand, you won't regret it.  It's tasteless, virtually odorless.  Even my husband will use it.

28.  Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner:  Was my hair sleek and shiny after using this?  Yes.  Did it stay for 3 days?  Not my oily hair.  I can go one day without washing my hair.  My hair is already pin straight.  But it has a nice scent and left my hair soft but I wouldn't be able to go 3 days without washing again with any shampoo/conditioner.

29.  Atopalm Intensive Moisturizing Cream:  I have one more sample of this.  I love it for my hands.  It would be too intense for my face but it's perfect for my dry hands!

30:  Freeman Vita-K Professionals Age Spots:  This wasn't a miracle cure but I used this on my heavily freckled shoulders.  I think it did a good job of fading most of the small ones and lightening the larger ones as well.  I'm very happy with this product.  I received it in a Beauty Army Box.

31.  Freeman Vita-K Professional Spider Veins:  I have a couple areas of spider veining.  One I have had since I was a teenager and others that have sprung up during pregnancies.  They don't really bother me.  However, I did see some slight improvement.  Since I have finished the bottle, the areas have stayed the same so they didn't worsen.  I think that I should pick up another bottle and see what happens!

32.  Gillette Satin Care with Olay:  I always pick this one up.  The packaging is gold and it stands out so I know to grab it and it's the cheapest on the shelf at the commissary.  What's not to love about that!  I will continue to purchase.

33.  Yuko Anti-Frizz Restore and Refresh Shampoo and Conditioner:  I forgot all about this!!!  So glad I throw all my empties in a brown paper bag.  lol  This made my hair noticeably soft, smooth, hydrated and I went an extra day without washing.  I even mentioned it to my husband.  I told him I didn't care how much it cost, I needed it.  He agreed with me.  I was hoping that I got this sample from Birchbox but I'm not sure where it is from.  Amazon has it between $17-22.  I knew it had to be expensive!

34.  NuMe Hydro Punch Hydrating Shampoo:  This stuff is no joke.  Almost too moisturizing for my hair on the daily but perfect before and after a color.  It has that same Sensual Amber, L'OREAL Ever Crème Cleansing Conditioner and now that Nuance Shampoo that I'm going to run out and get smell...  Love it.

35.  & 36.  Maybelline Falsies and Maybelline Illegal Lengths Mascaras:  I bought this combo for my sister's wedding back in June, well a month before in May.  This is a lethal lash combo.  I found out about it from Melissa YouTube's 30plussome.  She is hilarious by the way.  So I grabbed these two on her recommendation and I will be repurchasing the both of them after I finish a couple of samples. 

37.  Benefit Stay Don't Stray:  I've had this for over a year.  Actually probably 2!  Yikes.  This tiny sample of eye shadow primer and that's the only reason I'm discarding it.  I believe there is still enough to keep using it but since I have other primers and this one is really old, it's time to pitch before I develop a nasty pink eye.  :)  I still can't figure out what is my fave primer.  It's a toss up between Too Faced Shadow Insurance, this one and of course Urban Decay.  They all seem to work equally well on my oily lids.  I will still crease with anything... of course...

38.  John Frieda Full Repair Deep Infusion:  I really couldn't wait to finish this off.  Not that it wasn't good, just that it lasted so long and I wanted to try something else!  I have a ton of oils to get through.  I used this exclusively for my ends.  It works great as a hydrator.  As a split end fixer or preventer, I'm not so sure.  Nothing magically repairs split ends like a good hair trim.  Seriously...  But this one is non-greasy and absorbs well.

39...  And a few other foil packet samples.  Nuance lotions.  Good stuff.  Nothing to write home about but I've tried a few products of the line and I like them.  Like them even better during a good sale of course.  Oh and Bb Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner.  I don't need anything thickening for my hair type but I do appreciate a quality shampoo and conditioner.  After using this, I'm kicking myself for passing up not once but 2 times during a Walgreens trip where Bb Cocoa shampoo and conditioner that were on clearance for $7 a piece this past summer.  Well for one, I had no business buying shampoo and secondly, I wasn't supposed to be in a drugstore per my New Year's Resolution.  But I still think back that deal I passed up...  :)

40.  Schick Hydro Silk Razor:  Looks good, felt good but razor burn ensued.  I kept using it too until I finally went out and bought the Gillette.  I know... silly.  Waste not want not though.  I was on a mission to clean out my bathroom cabinets in 2012.  Which you will find out soon enough how I did!

So I know you are dying to know how well I did this year using up my stock pile and emptying my cabinets...  All in due time! 

Chat soon!