New Year, New Empties!
New year, new empties! At the beginning of January I wrote out a "project pan" list. If you haven't heard of project pan, it's exactly what it sounds like. It's a project to pan (aka finish) your beauty products. I have quite a few new skincare bits that I would love to open, but I know as soon as I do some of my older products will be lost and forgotten. So in an effort to be more responsible about my stash, I've been focusing on using them up first.
I haven't panned everything on my list yet but I figured I had used enough to write a post about them. Last year I got really lazy about writing post and subsequently created trash mountain. In 2017 I would like to avoid resurrecting that beast.
Definitely Repurchasing
the Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc serum
I dedicated a whole post to this affordable little guy and my thoughts haven't changed much since then. I will say that towards the end of the bottle I noticed it getting a little thicker and goopier. In the end I mixed the last few drops with my the ordinary HA serum and spread it all over my body so I got to pan it without wasting it 👍
Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm
This is my HG night lip balm. It's quite heavy but it keeps my lips moisturized all night long!
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
I was unsure if I should put this in the definitely repurchasing or maybe repurchasing category because the empty is of a sample I received when I purchased the full size bottle. I only used it once or twice before it started to go funky so I can't really say if I like this foundation or not. Buuut since I already bought the full size it's going in this category.
What I can say is that it's definitely full coverage and it lasted well throughout the day with a primer. I also love that it has such a comprehensive color range!
Missha Anti Trouble Patch
I probably shouldn't have included it because this is only one sheet in a box but it's in the photo so I'll chat about it anyways. If you've never used any of these types of blemishes patches, they're little stickers that you slap onto wounds. In turn they speed up the healing process and help suck out all the gunk. I've been planning on posting a review on these for quite some time because I have some very, very satisfying before and after photos to share 😜 Hopefully I can get around to it in March!
Maybe Repurchasing
Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser
I'm happy to have finally panned this cleanser because I've had it for 5ever. It contains activated charcoal which is supposed to aid in removing excess oil and dirt from your skin, which I think it does. This cleanser has a thick texture and starts to heat up when it's mixed with water. It's very fun to use.
Unfortunately, that means it was a bit of a struggle to use up once I got to the bottom of the bottle. Because it's thick, it was difficult to pump out those last few inches of product. And because it heats up when in contact with water, I couldn't dump water into the bottle to dilute it to make it easier to use because then I would be activating the charcoal/ cleanser way too early (at least that's what I think would have happened.)
This cleanser is nice for the summer but too drying to consistently use in the winter. I don't think I would purchase a full sized one again but I can see myself picking up a travel size to use through the summer!
Boscia Luminizing Black Mask
I received this mask either as a 100 point perk or as a free gift with purchase at Sephora and am honestly surprised at how many uses I got out of it-- definitely more than a dozen.
It was really fun to use but I'm not sure if my skin actually benefited from using it all that much. It sort of helped with acne? Like the cleanser, I can't see myself purchasing a full size but I would totally snatch up a travel size or deluxe mini for skintertainment value alone.
Phyto 9 Ultra-Dry Hair Nourishing Day Cream
There was a time where this was my haircare savior. But ever since I chopped off half my hair back in June 2015, I've been taking care of my hair a lot better. Thanks to a combo of leave in conditioner and oil, I have minimal split ends. While my hair still likes this leave in conditioner, it isn't really necessary because my hair is pretty healthy.
If there ever comes a time where I ruin my hair, I can safely say I'll repurchase this. Until then I'll stick to my lighter and more affordable Ouidad moisture leave-in conditioner.
Belif the True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
I like this moisturizer because it keeps my dehydrated face moisturized without feeling greasy. But I don't like it as much not as much as Dr. Jart's ceramidin cream aka my one true love, holy grail, ride or die moisturizer. Then again I like to have options so I may end up buying this again somewhere down the line. Also as this is a bit lighter than the ceramidin cream it may work as a nice, nighttime moisturizer in the fall when it's starting to get drier, but isn't bone dry like the winter. And yes I use the seasons as a way to justify purchasing beauty products 😎.
Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment
Once upon a time this was my favorite mask of all time. I feel like talking about this mask is like beating a dead horse now. I like the results but I don't like the price nor packaging. I can't say I see myself buying another full sized jar as they seem to dry up too soon, but I will definitely snatch up as many deluxe sized samples as possible.
Glamglow Flashmud Brightening Treatment
My thoughts on this mask flip-flopped a lot. Some days I loved the effects I got from using this mask-- brightened skin, less breakouts. Other days it was too harsh and stung my skin. Like the supermud, I can't see myself investing in a full sized version, but I would buy the travel sized squeezy tubes that they sell at Nordstrom.
Sephora Collection Classic Line 24HR Felt Eyeliner
I've had this eyeliner for an embarrassingly long time. Even though I know you're supposed to throw out your eyeliner every 6 months or so... I don't. If it still works and isn't giving me an eye infection, I continue using it.
I love the tip on this liner, it stayed sharp for the however many months I've had it (definitely more than 12...) It doesn't stutter or skip when I use it unlike the KVD liners I've tried. The only reason it isn't on the definitely repurchasing list is because it has a sucky cap. It doesn't click in place and I'm paranoid that it will fall off in any moment. It never has and it didn't start to dry up until after the 12+ month mark but the fear is still there. It only comes second to my Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner.
Fresh Rose Face Mask
I do feel so relaxed when I use this mask, but unfortunately it irritates my eyes. If I apply this mask anywhere on my forehead or nose or upper cheeks, my eyes are start stinging. It's a shame because my skin feels so soft and hydrated after I use it. Because it's so pricey and irritates my eyes, I can't see myself indulging in the full sized jar although I would happily purchase a mini version.
Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler
During the VIB sale I splurged on a Surratt curler and the jury is still out on whether they're worth the splurge or not. What I can say is that the Surratt curler is less painful than this Tweezerman one, but this Tweezerman one still works pretty well. Plus, it's a lot more affordable. Maybe I'll repurchase this, maybe I won't. Who knows.
Will Not Repurchase
Ole Henrikson the Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser
This isn't a bad cleanser by any means but it isn't a cleanser for me. Call me crazy but I don't enjoy foamy cleansers. I prefer something smooth and jelly-like (like my HG Fresh soy face cleanser.) I haven't tested its pH but I saw one someone's instastories that it does have pH of 5-6. So if you're looking for a foamy cleanser with a skin-friendly pH, this could be one for you to try out.
Oh! Also it smells like straight up orange soda (which I saw as a positive.)
Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb
I looooove a good gel so of course I had to try out this Belif aqua bomb. While it feels nice when I first apply it, within a few minutes my skin starts to feel tight and dry. Then I took a peek at the ingredient list and saw alcohol was one of the first few ingredients, so it was no shocker that my skin didn't react well. If you have oily skin and don't mind alcohol in skincare products, this might work for you!
the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
I've already ranted about this serum a few times over on IG but basically, it does nothing for my skin. Nada, zilch, zippo. I've tried using it on one half of my face at a time and within 10 minutes I literally cannot see a difference. On the bright side it was uber cheap so I don't feel all that guilty.
Ouai Treatment Masque
This tube came in my January play box and while I was excited to try another ouai product, all that excitement flew away after I used it. It's soo lackluster. First off it has a very liquidy texture, similar to a shampoo as opposed to a mask or conditioner. After I used it my hair didn't feel particularly soft nor moisturized. Also the smell wasn't very strong or long-lasting which is a shame because most of the other Ouai products I've seen or tried have beautiful, long-lasting scents.
Lastly the amount of product per treatment is shamefully small. I don't have particularly long or thick hair and I barely had enough for one use! This tube came with 0.5 oz whereas a single foil that you buy comes with 0.3 oz. That means I would probably need to use two foils for one treatment! So not happening.
Perhaps if you have thin hair and find most masks to be too oily or heavy, this treatment might work for you.
Sally Hansen Grow Nails Now
I bought this on clearance two or three years ago and literally only used it once or twice. It smells off now so it's going straight to the trash.
This is why I shouldn't be allowed to shop sales. Especially at the drugstore.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
I picked this up as a 100 point perk sometime last year and was looking forward to finally trying something from the famed "ExfoliKate" line. Unfortunately this exfoliator was too much for my skin. In general I'm not crazy about physical and chemical exfoliators in one. If I am using one, I prefer it to be gentle. Nothing about this is gentle. It stings when I put it on my face and the scrub material is very abrasive. I ended up using it up on my arms to finish up the sample and say good riddance to it.
Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Ever since switching over to Asian sunscreens last summer I have little to no interest in American brands. And for good reason-- this one sucks in comparison to my daily Missha sunscreen. It's thicker, is more difficult to blend out, and can sometimes leave white streaks on my face. Also, it has that sunscreen stench to it.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer
This stuff is poopy. Read my last anti-haul to hear why I ain't buying it.
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask
It feels like everywhere I go, I'm given a sample of this. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I have at least 3 more minis of this mask in particular.
It's not a terrible mask, but it doesn't do enough for me to warrant paying $52 for it. It's soothing and cooling but not very moisturizing. I do like using it in the summer when it's super hot and humid out so I will happily use up the rest of my samples.
Chloé Chloé Eau de Parfum
I liked this but meh... not my favorite scent of all time. I don't regularly buy perfume so I must really, really like a scent to purchase it.
Fin
And those are all my empties for this year! I'm happy to get them out of the way because I'm already close to finishing up another batch of products thanks to my project pan 😉 If you've ever done a project pan before or are thinking of starting one, I'd love to hear your experiences!
I haven't panned everything on my list yet but I figured I had used enough to write a post about them. Last year I got really lazy about writing post and subsequently created trash mountain. In 2017 I would like to avoid resurrecting that beast.
Definitely Repurchasing
the Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc serum
I dedicated a whole post to this affordable little guy and my thoughts haven't changed much since then. I will say that towards the end of the bottle I noticed it getting a little thicker and goopier. In the end I mixed the last few drops with my the ordinary HA serum and spread it all over my body so I got to pan it without wasting it 👍
Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm
This is my HG night lip balm. It's quite heavy but it keeps my lips moisturized all night long!
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
I was unsure if I should put this in the definitely repurchasing or maybe repurchasing category because the empty is of a sample I received when I purchased the full size bottle. I only used it once or twice before it started to go funky so I can't really say if I like this foundation or not. Buuut since I already bought the full size it's going in this category.
What I can say is that it's definitely full coverage and it lasted well throughout the day with a primer. I also love that it has such a comprehensive color range!
Missha Anti Trouble Patch
I probably shouldn't have included it because this is only one sheet in a box but it's in the photo so I'll chat about it anyways. If you've never used any of these types of blemishes patches, they're little stickers that you slap onto wounds. In turn they speed up the healing process and help suck out all the gunk. I've been planning on posting a review on these for quite some time because I have some very, very satisfying before and after photos to share 😜 Hopefully I can get around to it in March!
Maybe Repurchasing
Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser
I'm happy to have finally panned this cleanser because I've had it for 5ever. It contains activated charcoal which is supposed to aid in removing excess oil and dirt from your skin, which I think it does. This cleanser has a thick texture and starts to heat up when it's mixed with water. It's very fun to use.
Unfortunately, that means it was a bit of a struggle to use up once I got to the bottom of the bottle. Because it's thick, it was difficult to pump out those last few inches of product. And because it heats up when in contact with water, I couldn't dump water into the bottle to dilute it to make it easier to use because then I would be activating the charcoal/ cleanser way too early (at least that's what I think would have happened.)
This cleanser is nice for the summer but too drying to consistently use in the winter. I don't think I would purchase a full sized one again but I can see myself picking up a travel size to use through the summer!
Boscia Luminizing Black Mask
I received this mask either as a 100 point perk or as a free gift with purchase at Sephora and am honestly surprised at how many uses I got out of it-- definitely more than a dozen.
It was really fun to use but I'm not sure if my skin actually benefited from using it all that much. It sort of helped with acne? Like the cleanser, I can't see myself purchasing a full size but I would totally snatch up a travel size or deluxe mini for skintertainment value alone.
Phyto 9 Ultra-Dry Hair Nourishing Day Cream
There was a time where this was my haircare savior. But ever since I chopped off half my hair back in June 2015, I've been taking care of my hair a lot better. Thanks to a combo of leave in conditioner and oil, I have minimal split ends. While my hair still likes this leave in conditioner, it isn't really necessary because my hair is pretty healthy.
If there ever comes a time where I ruin my hair, I can safely say I'll repurchase this. Until then I'll stick to my lighter and more affordable Ouidad moisture leave-in conditioner.
Belif the True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
I like this moisturizer because it keeps my dehydrated face moisturized without feeling greasy. But I don't like it as much not as much as Dr. Jart's ceramidin cream aka my one true love, holy grail, ride or die moisturizer. Then again I like to have options so I may end up buying this again somewhere down the line. Also as this is a bit lighter than the ceramidin cream it may work as a nice, nighttime moisturizer in the fall when it's starting to get drier, but isn't bone dry like the winter. And yes I use the seasons as a way to justify purchasing beauty products 😎.
Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment
Once upon a time this was my favorite mask of all time. I feel like talking about this mask is like beating a dead horse now. I like the results but I don't like the price nor packaging. I can't say I see myself buying another full sized jar as they seem to dry up too soon, but I will definitely snatch up as many deluxe sized samples as possible.
Glamglow Flashmud Brightening Treatment
My thoughts on this mask flip-flopped a lot. Some days I loved the effects I got from using this mask-- brightened skin, less breakouts. Other days it was too harsh and stung my skin. Like the supermud, I can't see myself investing in a full sized version, but I would buy the travel sized squeezy tubes that they sell at Nordstrom.
Sephora Collection Classic Line 24HR Felt Eyeliner
I've had this eyeliner for an embarrassingly long time. Even though I know you're supposed to throw out your eyeliner every 6 months or so... I don't. If it still works and isn't giving me an eye infection, I continue using it.
I love the tip on this liner, it stayed sharp for the however many months I've had it (definitely more than 12...) It doesn't stutter or skip when I use it unlike the KVD liners I've tried. The only reason it isn't on the definitely repurchasing list is because it has a sucky cap. It doesn't click in place and I'm paranoid that it will fall off in any moment. It never has and it didn't start to dry up until after the 12+ month mark but the fear is still there. It only comes second to my Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner.
Fresh Rose Face Mask
I do feel so relaxed when I use this mask, but unfortunately it irritates my eyes. If I apply this mask anywhere on my forehead or nose or upper cheeks, my eyes are start stinging. It's a shame because my skin feels so soft and hydrated after I use it. Because it's so pricey and irritates my eyes, I can't see myself indulging in the full sized jar although I would happily purchase a mini version.
Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler
During the VIB sale I splurged on a Surratt curler and the jury is still out on whether they're worth the splurge or not. What I can say is that the Surratt curler is less painful than this Tweezerman one, but this Tweezerman one still works pretty well. Plus, it's a lot more affordable. Maybe I'll repurchase this, maybe I won't. Who knows.
Will Not Repurchase
Ole Henrikson the Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser
This isn't a bad cleanser by any means but it isn't a cleanser for me. Call me crazy but I don't enjoy foamy cleansers. I prefer something smooth and jelly-like (like my HG Fresh soy face cleanser.) I haven't tested its pH but I saw one someone's instastories that it does have pH of 5-6. So if you're looking for a foamy cleanser with a skin-friendly pH, this could be one for you to try out.
Oh! Also it smells like straight up orange soda (which I saw as a positive.)
Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb
I looooove a good gel so of course I had to try out this Belif aqua bomb. While it feels nice when I first apply it, within a few minutes my skin starts to feel tight and dry. Then I took a peek at the ingredient list and saw alcohol was one of the first few ingredients, so it was no shocker that my skin didn't react well. If you have oily skin and don't mind alcohol in skincare products, this might work for you!
the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
I've already ranted about this serum a few times over on IG but basically, it does nothing for my skin. Nada, zilch, zippo. I've tried using it on one half of my face at a time and within 10 minutes I literally cannot see a difference. On the bright side it was uber cheap so I don't feel all that guilty.
Ouai Treatment Masque
This tube came in my January play box and while I was excited to try another ouai product, all that excitement flew away after I used it. It's soo lackluster. First off it has a very liquidy texture, similar to a shampoo as opposed to a mask or conditioner. After I used it my hair didn't feel particularly soft nor moisturized. Also the smell wasn't very strong or long-lasting which is a shame because most of the other Ouai products I've seen or tried have beautiful, long-lasting scents.
Lastly the amount of product per treatment is shamefully small. I don't have particularly long or thick hair and I barely had enough for one use! This tube came with 0.5 oz whereas a single foil that you buy comes with 0.3 oz. That means I would probably need to use two foils for one treatment! So not happening.
Perhaps if you have thin hair and find most masks to be too oily or heavy, this treatment might work for you.
Sally Hansen Grow Nails Now
I bought this on clearance two or three years ago and literally only used it once or twice. It smells off now so it's going straight to the trash.
This is why I shouldn't be allowed to shop sales. Especially at the drugstore.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
I picked this up as a 100 point perk sometime last year and was looking forward to finally trying something from the famed "ExfoliKate" line. Unfortunately this exfoliator was too much for my skin. In general I'm not crazy about physical and chemical exfoliators in one. If I am using one, I prefer it to be gentle. Nothing about this is gentle. It stings when I put it on my face and the scrub material is very abrasive. I ended up using it up on my arms to finish up the sample and say good riddance to it.
Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Ever since switching over to Asian sunscreens last summer I have little to no interest in American brands. And for good reason-- this one sucks in comparison to my daily Missha sunscreen. It's thicker, is more difficult to blend out, and can sometimes leave white streaks on my face. Also, it has that sunscreen stench to it.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer
This stuff is poopy. Read my last anti-haul to hear why I ain't buying it.
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask
It feels like everywhere I go, I'm given a sample of this. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I have at least 3 more minis of this mask in particular.
It's not a terrible mask, but it doesn't do enough for me to warrant paying $52 for it. It's soothing and cooling but not very moisturizing. I do like using it in the summer when it's super hot and humid out so I will happily use up the rest of my samples.
Chloé Chloé Eau de Parfum
I liked this but meh... not my favorite scent of all time. I don't regularly buy perfume so I must really, really like a scent to purchase it.
Fin
And those are all my empties for this year! I'm happy to get them out of the way because I'm already close to finishing up another batch of products thanks to my project pan 😉 If you've ever done a project pan before or are thinking of starting one, I'd love to hear your experiences!
P.s today is the last day to enter my giveaway over on Instagram 😏