Finally, after being diligent for months I am done with my two projects. And let me say - thank goodness for that. I was getting quite bored of it. For those of you that have not been following my blog until lately, let me say welcome (lol) and quickly explain the project. The idea is to refrain from purchasing anything new until you have completely finished up 10 makeup products (Project 10 pan). I also did a spin off project at the same time where I didn't buy any new lush items. I plan on purchasing some new lush goodies and a few things from MACs To the Beach Collection (out May 27th) so I will have some makeup hauls soon!
I have been keeping you very updated on Project 10 Lush, so I will just do a mini review of the final product that I used up, a little shower gel called Flying Fox. Flying Fox smells lovely, a mix of jasmine and honey, two of my favorite scents. This is the type of scent I reach for in the evenings, but it also rejuvenates me in the mornings since I love the smell. I will probably repurchase this in the future, but for now I want to try out some new products since I haven't gotten to buy anything new lately.
As far as Project 10 Pan goes, last I blogged I had completed 4 products. Here are the final 6:
- My Carmex "bland" lip balm, which I somehow liked enough to finish up. I don't have much to say on this balm except that it sat on my nightstand for a couple months and so it was bound to eventually get used up... I'm not sure I would repurchase though, I have way too many more balms to finish up first.
- C.O. Bigalow Cinnoment Mentha Lip Shine: one of my favorites that I have repurchased time and time again; it smells like cookies. I always have one of these in my purse, which is why it was one of the first to be used up. I can't help but smile when I have this on, it smells (and tastes) so good!
- Mac MSF Natural in Light Medium: This one was tricky to finish up, just because it is not the right shade for me. I am actually a Medium in the winter and a Medium Deep in the summer, but by the time I realized this I had used too much to feel right about selling it on a blog sale, so I decided to use it up. I wore this on days where I wasn't going anywhere important but I still wanted some coverage. It took a few months, but this product is now finished.
- Clinique Superfit Foundation: I actually had 2 of these sitting in my drawer that were both about half completed, so I decided if I used them both up it could count as one product towards my project 10 pan. I had used this foundation for years when I decided I wanted to venture off and try something new, and found my beloved Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation. I don't dislike this foundation, I just got bored with it and the makeup junkie inside me wanted to try out new products. I am glad these are used up though; they were making me feel a bit guilty sitting in my drawer, unlike some MAC ones that I can justify not using because they break me out.
- MAC Plush Lash Mascara: I used this up because I knew it was going to go bad soon, not because I loved it. Mascaras can't be trusted after the 3 month mark (of opening/using it) so I keep track of which ones are going to go bad when, and this one was next in line. Out of all MAC mascaras plush lash is my favorite, but I prefer L'oreal Telescopic or Benefit Badgal Lash.
- Victoria's Secret Lip Plumper in Baby Pink: I love this stuff. It gives your lips a soft pink tinge, and tingles just a tad to let you know it's plumping up your lips, but doesn't burn like some lip plumpers. The packaging is also pretty, very streamlined and feminine. The only thing I didn't like was the applicator, I am not a big fan of the click up brush tip applicators; they don't seem very sanitary!
I am very happy to have completed this project, as it was generally a pain in the butt. The second you set limits on yourself you immediately want to defy yourself, but I managed to be 90% good. I say 90% because I was sent some free stuff over the course of this project, so I did get the pleasure of trying out new things without actually breaking the rules, but I think if I had not I might have cheated - hence only being 90% good. I award myself a B+ for this project. Also, I found that lip glosses and mascaras are the easiest products to use up, probably because I apply copious amounts of them daily.
For those of you that were doing this project along with me, how is it coming? Let me know in the comments! I think you can leave a comment with your twitter account now, which is kinda cool (I installed a new program).
Speak Soon!
Elle Fowler
Project 10 Pan is quickly becoming a pain in my butt. It seems to drag on forever, but I am trudging forward in the hopes that there will be some sort of satisfaction at the end. After weeks of finishing nothing up I finally had a few products come to the end of their lifespan:
- Mac Eye Makeup Remover - wasn't sure if I should count this since it is not makeup but I figured it counted. It's not like I can run out and buy another one though, since the shopoholic in me had a backup. Believe me, I considered "forgetting" I had one so I could go get another and then realized I was acting like an insane person.
- Nars Laguna Bronzer - Best bronzer ever. I have been through a few of these, but I don't think I have ever been as diligent and responsible as I was with this one. I literally waited until it crumbled up, then used up the crumbles! I don't recommend doing that by the way, because more ended up on my carpet than on my brush (but don't tell my mom!).
- The next two are mascaras, which I found easy to use up because a) I use a lot at a time, and b) I was using quite a few at once, so several needed to be used up and tossed. The first one is Fresh Supernova, which I really did enjoy. This was actually my second tube of it, but I probably won't repurchase for awhile. I want to explore new ones before buying duplicates just to appease my buying habit. The second one is L'oreal Telescopic, which I will be buying again because it is so inexpensive, and honestly one of my all time favorites. I always try to keep a tube of this around.
I have a few more products that are contenders for the project but still have a lot of work to go, so we will see. I might take a mini break after I finish 5 products if I finish project 10 lush just so I can chill for awhile - I don't want to be boring.
Out of these products I am really enjoying the benetint, although it is totally ridiculous how tiny that bottle is. I bought that $10 one hoping to save money instead of getting the big $28 one, and it is about a twentieth of it's size. Not exactly the best move, lol. I have been using it more as a cheek stain than a lip stain, just because it is a bit drying on the lips, but I like the color a lot. It gives you the just-got-swept-up-in-a-snowstorm look.
4 out of 10 isn't bad, right? For now, I'll keep working at using these products up, but don't be surprised if I allow myself a cheat haul (for good behavior :). Now I am going to get in my super comfy can't-get-out-of-bed bed and watch Lost, since I am about 4 episodes behind. I like to think Lost and my mini snickers bar is a reward for being mega productive today, since I cleaned my closet (moved around enough stuff for Bear to sit on the shelf), helped mom with dinner (we got pizza delivered), shipped some of my contest winners packages (spent an hour trying to figure out which state the Australian address was from. WA = Washington? Apparently not...), and saved a life (moved a caterpillar from the sun porch to the grass).
Busy as a bumblybee right?
Elle Fowler
I spent a good part of my day today perusing about on Sephora, which was a bad idea considering that I'm on a product buying ban. I have compiled a wish list of what I would want to purchase if I wasn't on p10p - don't be surprised if you see any of these spouting up in my collection when the project is over! I'm such a sucker for the cute packaged gift sets on Sephora - it's one of my favorite parts of Christmas every year because I get a few from my parents. I particularly like shopping on Sephora because they have a great return policy - you can return items even if they are used if you do not enjoy them.
The first one is the new Sephora LashStash. I have tried two of the previous lashstash's and found some amazing mascaras in them. I like these because you get to try out 10 deluxe sample sized mascaras for $39. That sounds like a lot, but it's not when you think that you could not even purchase 2 of these full sized mascaras with the same amount of money. This is what is included:
- Hourglass Superficial Lash
- Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara
- Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing and Strengthening Mascara
- Benefit A Little Bit BADGal Lash Mascara
- Smashbox Lash DNA
- Laura Mercier Thickening and Building Mascara
- Fresh Supernova
- Sephora Lash Stretcher
- Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain
- Cargo LashActivator
Out of these I have tried the Fresh SuperNova, which I LOVED (it might be one of my p10p completions), and Benefit BadGal, which I also liked. The other ones I have never tried, so this sample set would be great for trying out lots of mascaras to find my new favorite! You know, since I just had eye surgery it would probably be good for me to throw out ALL of my used mascaras and start over, you know... so I don't get any infections :p These sell out so quickly though, I wouldn't be surprised if they were gone before I finish p10p.
The next one had me swooning - I didn't realize this existed? If I could try one new thing right now, this would be it. It's the new NARS Orgasm Illuminator and it looks beautiful! The blurb on Sephora says, "NARS Orgasm Illuminator lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic." I must admit, the name always makes me blush a bit, but I have the blush and I do really love it. It's not famous for no reason, ya know? For anyone who has tried it, please let me know if it is worth it! This will be one of the first items I pick up after p10p, unless I hear it is horrible.
Another brand that is known for it's "cute packaged gifts" is Benefit. I looked through all the ones they have online now and fell in love with the Legally Bronze
kit. It comes with a hoola bronzer, which I have used up and loved, a high beam (which is like a highlighter, kinda like the NARS one), a gilded which is a tequila-gold colored eyeshadow pencil (which you can't buy separately it seems, I looked), and a badgal brown mascara. This kit seems like it would give the perfect summer glow :) The best part is that it is only $35! That is NOT bad for 4 full sized products. The only thing missing is a that "gal primer", which I really want to try!
One brand I have never tried but have always wanted to is Philosophy. I have heard great things about this brand from several people, and I love their packaging! Are there any products worth trying? What about their famous Hope in a Jar? Let me know if I am missing out, or if it is worth just skipping :)
Another item, that wouldn't be on my wishlist because I have all the products, but I just wanted to share because this is what I have been using on my face, is the Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit. It comes with a mini foundation primer, a mini tinted moisturizer, an undercover pot, a secret camouflage brush, a camouflage powder brush, a velour puff, and an egg-shaped sponge. This is a bit expensive at $65, but Laura Mercier is expensive in general, and it gives you a chance to try out a ton of her products for the price of one product.
Let me know what your wishlist items are! Or, if you have recently gotten any new beauty products tell me what you think! What is worth it, and what it not?
Elle Fowler
Hey everyone! Long time, no blog post :) I'm currently laying in bed watching Ice Age with my littlest sister, so I figured I would show this blog some love. I adore the little squirrel!!
Over the last couple days I have contemplated embarking on Project 10 Pan. If you don't know what this is, it's basically for people who have more makeup/beauty products than they need. You refrain from buying anything new until you have completely finished up 10 products of your choice. The "pan" reference comes from hitting pan on a product, you know, like when the tin part shows :) It's quite a good feeling to know you actually got your moneys worth out of a product. Many other YouTube gurus (lollipop26 being my inspiration) have tried this out, some more than once!
Lately I have been having buyer's remorse over some products, so that is why I am thinking about trying this out. I think it will be good for me. The hardest part about it is finding the right time to do it, and since I am having LASIK eye surgery in 2 weeks this is good timing for me... I won't be thinking about makeup for a little while after! (or maybe I will... knowing me lol.) I did some preliminary research on the MAC collections coming out in the coming 2 months to make sure nothing was absolutely worthy, but the next collection I am excited about comes out in May (the to the beach collection). I better be all finished by then! Commence lip gloss applying 25 times a day!
I don't need my collection looking like this, tons of products
in the exact same color.
I think I would do an "Elle version" of this project and allow myself to buy something if I REALLY, honestly, do not have anything like it in my collection (which is saying something because I have a lot) or if it's an everyday product that I run out of (like concealer, I only use one kind).
Anyway, would anyone want to join me on this project? Maybe if we can all complain together it will be easier!
-Elle Fowler
