Monday, October 14, 2019

July-September haul

It seems to have become a standard for me to do an update on my beauty product purchases in about every three months. This being no exception, so here come the items I have purchased abroad and domestically in the last three months:


Face powder, mist, blush. strobe cream, eyeshadow, gloss and a lip brush

Nail polish, cleanser and foot scrub

Boots No. 7 - Lift & luminate triple action translucent finishing powder - Light/Medium (10 g): After I saw Jessica Braun sing praises for this finishing powder, I just could not resist buying it in Target on one of my visits to that store. Did I need it? No. Do I need it in the next 4 months? Probably not...
Mac - Strobe cream - pinklight (50 ml): I had heard so many good things about this product, I was really curious to try. so far I really do like it, it gives the skin a subtle glow and also works good if I mix it with my foundation. But to my surprise I found out later that you can purchase a smaller version of this product. If I had known that I would for sure have bought the smaller, over the whopping 50 ml bottle.
Sephora Collection - Pro lip brush #85: This purchase was probably the most sensible one out of this haul, as it is perfect to use to finish up lipsticks that are almost done.
Caudalie - Beauty elixir (30 ml): I have been curious to try this facial mist, as many of the beauty bloggers rave about it. And as I managed to lower my "stock" of face mists, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to grab this 30 ml one to try. 
L'oreal skin awakening blush - 01 peach addict (9 g): I am just a sukker for blushes and offers, even though I had decided that one of my beauty goals for 2019 would be not to make a purchase just because there is an offer. Failed once again.
Tromborg eyeshadow - Winter leaf (2,5 g): I really love the Tromborg eyeshadow I already owned, so I really wanted to add another one into my collection. And I picked a really basic usable color, brown, a bit on the darker side.
Clarins - Natural lip perfector - 06 (12 ml): This has long been a very popular gloss in Iceland, and I had never tried it so one day in the duty free I decided to give it a try.
Essie gel couture duo - Fairy tailor and top coat (13,5 ml): I previously had set the goal for myself in 2019 not to buy any colored nail polishes, but I had heard such good things about the top coat, and this duo was on a good deal, so I caved in and bought it.
Matas Natur - 2 in 1 Cleansing milk, e-vitamin and aloe (200 ml): When I was in Copenhagen this summer for one day, I went back to my old "stomping-grounds" in the Danish capital. Rented a bike and biked around all my favorite places, school and old neighbourhood, with a few stops in my favorite stores; Matas included. And they have really renovated the stores, and they look amazing! There I came across their Matas Natur line, which is formulated without all the bad ingredients you can find in cosmetics. And from that line this cleansing milk appealed the most to me - so it came home with me.
Footlogix - Exfoliating seaweed scrub (250 ml): Me and my mom went to a spa in Montréal this summer, and both of us really liked this product the beautician used on us. So we both ended up buying a bottle.

So 10 new items in the last three months? Seriously, as much as I have set myself a goal to finish in 2019? Now something really has to change!

Sunday, June 30, 2019

April-June haul

A part of my beauty goals for 2019 was no-buy January and no-buy March, which was very successful. And in February I managed only to buy 3 items.
Well from there things have been quite down hill... and here comes my haul for April, May and June:


An accumulated haul - replacements, backups etc.


I purchased two palettes

Two brushes and Inglot duraline

Vichy - Aqualia thermal hydrating serum (30 ml): As I am over half way done with my previous botle, I decided to pick up a backup, as I have really fallen in love with this product. Even though I was planning to go "stock free", but I guess I have to accept the fact that is really not my style at all.
Vichy - Aqualia thermal rehydrating cream light (50 ml): As I am getting so well along with the serum from this range I decided to grab the moisturizing cream also to use in the nearest future.
The body shop - Aloe calming toner (250 ml): as the Lumene toner did not work for me I decided to buy something tried and true, that does not irritate my perioral dermatitis so I went with this toner from The body shop.
Cutex care - Non acetone nail polish remover with coconut oil (200 ml): After I started working as cabin crew, my nails have become very soft, and tend to peeling. I have tried a few types of nail-strengthening nail-polishes, nothing showing any remarkable results. So now I decided to try a non-acetone nail polish remover, and I bumped into this one in Canada with coconut oil, so I decided to give it a try.
TanOrganic - self tan oil (100 ml): I have not tried any self-tanners for the body before, but I had gotten a tester for this oil last year, and as a matter of a fact I did like it. So I decided to jump on the o so popular self-tan train, and give this a try. Have I used it so far? No not really.
Drunk Elephant - Protini polypeptide cream (15 ml): This I got as a part of the Sephora birthday gift for 2019. I have tried it a few times and it works great for sunburned, dry and flaky skin.
The body shop - Vitamin E overnight serum-in-oil (28 ml): As the Inika rosehip oil turned out to be quite irritating for skin, again I decided to purchase something tried and true, and was this serum in oil the one I chose. I had already finished up a bottle of this product with good results for my perioral dermatitis, so I went with that again. 
Nuxe - Honey lip balm (15 g): As I decluttered the Laneige overnight lip balm, I decided to go for something more organic and sensitive skin friendly, and as a friend of mine has raved about this product I decided to give it a try.
Drunk Elephant - Beste No. 9 jelly cleanser (30 ml): This I also got as a part of the Sephora birthday gift for 2019 and am I quite excited to give it a try.
Inglot - Eyeshadow in 164 (3,3 g): As Inglot in Iceland was closing and hosting a 40% discount on everything I decided to go on a lookout for a dupe for my favorite pink eyeshadow. My favorite is from Boots, this is not a 100% dupe, but comes quite close, the one from Boots is a bit brighter and was I choosing between color 164 and J301 the pink satin color from the JLo line. But that was a bit too peachy compared to the one from Boots. It didn't take me long after I got the color home, I got a big buyers remorse. In retrospect I fell into the pit of discount offers, which was one of my goals not to fall into. Well you live and you learn.
Clinique - Chubby stick, shadow tint for eyes in 04 ample amber (3 g): This shadow I had been eyeing for over a year, or ever since Meg says raved about it in her duty free haul. It is a beautiful golden/copper color, and can be sheered out to a beautiful sheen of a color. Still I am a bit overwhelmed of the cream eye shadow products I have in my collection, which now adds up to three pencils and two pots, one of which is a part of my beauty goals for 2019
Becca - Becca X Khloé Kardashian & Malika Haqq Bronze, blush and glow palette - Made with love by Khloé (12 g): It for sure was not a planned purchase to buy this Becca palette, but when I saw it was on a 40% discount in Sephore, I just could not resist, and even managed to tempt my friend into buying one. But hey when a Becca face palette with 4 shades retails for 26.40 USD it is just too good of a deal to pass up, especially when you do not own any Becca products. It contains a highlighter, two blushes and a bronzer and so far it performs beautifully, not too pigmented at all.
Tarte - Maneater eye shadow palette vol 2 (9 g): This had been on my wish list for a few months. But I had not tired any Tarte eyeshadows, or any Tarte product before I purchased this palette. But with the manageable size and everyday colors, it can be the perfect everyday palette. It has a faint sweet chocolate scent to it, and have I used this as my main eye shadow palette for the month of June. It might be a bit drying on my eyelids, as after a few day wear I started to get flaky skin in my crease, but I am now trying to use an eye shadow primer first and then the shadows, so I will see if that is not working better, than applying it straight to my eyelids. 
Zoeva - 100 Luxe face finish: I had heard so many good reviews about this brush online, and as it is a mix of natural and synthetic bristles I decided to buy it. As I tend to prefer natural bristle brushes for powder products. And I intend to use it for my hourglass powder trio.
Zoeva - 230 Luxe pencil (rose golden): I opted to grab this brush also, at the same time from Beauty Bay with the other Zoeva brush, as the 100 brush didn't fulfill the minimum for a free shipping, so I actually broke one of the rules for my Beauty goals for 2019 - which included only buying two brushes this year.
Inglot - Duraline (9 ml): This I also bought as Inglot is closing in Iceland, and had all of their products on 40% off, but I have heard so many good things about this product, as it can revive dried up liquid eyeliners and creams. So I snatched one up to have on hand.

So am I planning a no-buy month coming July? No but am for sure going to keep my purchases in check, maybe, max buy 1 item. Will keep you posted.

Monday, June 17, 2019

Discontinued products due to perioral dermatitis

The last time I posted a summary of items I have stopped using due to perioral dermatitis was in April 2016. So I guess I have been quite lucky regarding to the products I have been using since then, as they have not seemed to aggravate my perioral dermatitis to the point it has caused a flare up. Well until now that is.

But now there are three products that seem to have caused a flare up with my perioral dermatitis 

The tree discontinued products


Laneige - lip sleeping mask (20 g): This I bought last year in the US at a whopping price of 20 USD. Sadly it seems to irritate my perioral dermatitis, BUT of the three products I am decluttering it does irritate my POD (perioral dermatitis) the least. But this I gave to a friend, hoping she will have better luck with it than I did.
Lumene - Soft touch hydrating toner, for dry to normal skin (200 ml): This is as a matter of a fact one of my favorite brands, so the fact that this toner did not work for me, almost broke my heart. But this product in conjunction with the next one, seemed to cause quite an irritation with my POD. My skin around my mouth became red and irritated, borderline "inflamed". But a nature-homeopathic "doctor" I saw thinks the chemical Peg-10 is the main culprit as she claims all the Peg chemicals wreck havoc with the skin barrier. If that is true or not, I have no idea, but the Peg-10 chemical in this product was one of the first five ingredients, so that gives the idea that there is a lot of Peg-10 in the toner. So I will for sure try to stay away from Peg ingredients in the near future.
Inika truly organic - Pure rosehip oil (15 ml): This also aggravated my skin, which is quite surprising, as it is a pure organic rosehip oil, which is supposed to be really good for perioral dermatitis. So the fact it did not work for me is quite annoying as well as it was a birthday gift from my parents. 

Has anything not worked for you lately? 

Monday, June 3, 2019

Delayed February birthday haul

So as I planned for the year 2019, January would be a no-buy month, and then in February I could purchase some items as it would be my birthday month.
So here comes a very delayed birthday haul!

Birthday haul in February


Clarins - eye contour brush (réf. 470131): I grabbed this on a 40% discount in Hagkaup, one of the biggest beauty retailers in Iceland. But I had actually been looking for a small eyeshadow brush to smudge eyeshadow under the lower lash line. And this fit the bill perfectly, and works very nicely. Too bad it is probably discontinued, and hence on a discount.
Inglot - soft precision lip liner in 63: I was looking for a darker every day lip liner than the ones I have in my collection, and would go well together with my lipsticks. And as this is one of the most popular lip liners in Inglot in Iceland, I decided to buy it for myself as a birthday treat.
Inglot eyeshadow in 461: This eyeshadow had been on my to buy list from Inglot for a very long time, as it is one of those perfect crease colors. It is a medium light brown, with a hint of shimmer in it, plus LisaLisaD1 recomended it.

What have you bought recently?

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Empties January - April 2019

So here is a small summary of the items I have used up in the first four months of the year + one declutter.


Empties + declutter Jan-April 2019


The body shop - Aloe calming toner (250 ml): an amazing toner, that did not irritate my skin, or my perioral dermatitis in the slightest. Love love love.
Pantene Pro-V - Radiant color shine shampoo (375 ml): an average shampoo, at a good price for the size of the bottle, have nothing to complain about it. But I am no shampoo snob, so I have no idea what is a good or a bad shampoo.
Jean Paul Gaultier - Scandal eau de parfum (tester): A nice sample of the Scandal perfume, not in love enough though to purchase. To strong for every day use in my opinion, plus I have too many perfumes
Herbal essences - Hydralicious reconditioning conditioner for dry/damaged hair (300 ml): my favorite conditioner, makes my hair so soft and nice, too bad it has been discontinued, but I do hope I find another shampoo and conditioner in their range I will love as much as this one.
The body shop - Vitamin E overnight serum-in-oil (28 ml): Another love from The body shop, really love this serum-in-oil, as it seems to calm my perioral dermatitis, will 100% buy again.
L'Occitane en provence - Verveine body lotion (250 ml): A light average body lotion, that was a part of my beauty goals for 2019. I will not go out of my way to repurchase.
Rimmel - Scandaleyes waterproof kohl kajal in 005 nude (1,2 g): This item is the one I decided to declutter from my collection as it basically fell apart on me, as the kohl itself fell out of the pencil, and as it was very dried out and loose in the pencil, I decided to declutter it. In theory I would like to get a nude eye-pencil, but I tend not to use one on a daily basis, plus I have found out that the pencils that come in a wood pencil, tend to last longer, over the ones that are packed in plastic. Or they tend to keep their moisture for a longer time.
Inglot - Bright amber - solid perfume (2,3 g): Another item I used up that was a part of  my beauty goals for this year. I did like the smell, but am not so into solid perfumes.
Dr. Hauschka - regenerating day cream - sample (1,5 ml): A tester I got of this very nice day cream, a light and easily absorbed texture. And would I in deed consider buying it in full size, well when I have made some dent in my stash of day-creams.


Have you finished anything up recently?

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Beauty goals for 2019 - Four month update

So how are my beauty goals for 2019 going, four months in?

A mark from start until now can be seen on some of the products

Solid perfume and eyeshadow update


The Bourjois shadow profile

So four months in and I have finished two of the ten products I set my goal to finish in 2019:

L'Occitane en provence - Verveine body lotion (250 ml): This product was my "give me product" of this project, as there were only about 60 ml left in the tube, and did I manage to finish this body lotion. It's texture was light and easily absorbed into my skin. But not sure I would repurchase.
Inglot - Bright amber - solid perfume (2,3 g): So glad this item is finished, I loved the scent, but not the "soldid" part, if it would come in a liquid form, I would consider repurchasing.

Measurable progress can be seen on another five products:

Lumene - Bright now vitamin C eye cream (15 ml): At the start of this project I estimated I had 4 ml left of this eye cream, and as I seem to have finished half of the remaining product, I guess I have about 2 ml left and should be able to finish that up in another four months.
Bourjois Paris - Happy light luminous serum primer (15 ml): I am about half way through this product, even thought I have perhaps only used 1,5 ml since I started this project. leaving me about 7,5 ml for the rest of the year. 
Origins - Drink up 10 minute mask to quench skin's thirst (100 ml): I have tried to implement mask Monday to use this product up, with not so much success, but still a bit of progress. 
Avon - Moroccan argan oil (30 ml): I have managed to use a bit of this hair oil, and will continue to use it.
Express - Love Express eau de parfum (10 ml): This item I did not mark, but if I compare it to the previous picture I have made small progress on it.

Non visable progress:

Cover Girl - Ready set gorgeous in the color 115 (30 ml): as this is a non see-through bottle, I have no idea how I am doing on this product, but at the start I had about 2/3 left, or about 20 ml.
Maybelline - Color tattoo 24hr - gel cream eyeshadow - 35 on and on bronze: The original mission of this product was to hit side-pan, but when I started to use the eyeshadow it was a bit dried out, so I needed to stir it all up into one spot. New goal? use it two times a month from now on? The only progress so far has been using up the stir-marks in the empty spaces.
Bourjois Paris - Smokey eyes trio - 09 Lady vert de gris (4,5 g): My goal for 2019 was to hit pan on the eyeshadow without pan in this trio. And I do believe I have made some progress on it, and is probably the most used eyeshadow in my entire collection in the time that has passed this year. 


How is your project going?

Friday, March 15, 2019

X-mas and birthday gifts

It is about time that I summarize up what I got for X-mas and for my birthday, which was on the 11th of February.

Nyx Ultimate shadow palette - warm neutrals, Chanel Soleil tan de Chanel - bronze universel 
and GlamGlow - waterburst hydrated glow moisturizer


GlamGlow - bubblesheet mask and Nyx - born to glow highlight palette


Morphe x James Charles 

Escada - Especially Escada delicate notes

Inika - truly organic - Pure rosehip oil


Nyx - Ultimate shadow palette in warm neutrals (13,28 g): a friend gave me this palette, which was something I had been contemplating buying for myself for months as I did not own any warm color eyeshadows prior. I am still having a learning curve in how to do my eye-makeup with warm colors, but it has a bunch of options that goes from neutral to dramatic, casual to events.
Chanel - Soleil tan de Chanel in bronze universel (30 g): another friend gave me this all so hyped bronzer for my birthday, something that was in deed on my wish-list. And in deed it is a lovely product.
GlamGlow - Waterburst hydrated glow moisturizer (15 ml): I got this with the bubblesheet mask for X-mas, and am I super excited to give this brand a try as I have not tried any of their products (apart from getting a free mini-spa mask treatment at the mall during a promotion).
GlamGlow - Bubblesheet oxygenating deep cleanse mask (1 mask): I am also super excited to try this mask out, as the brand is mainly known for their masks. 
Nyx - Born to glow highlighting palette (28,8 g): a beautiful highlighter palette my friend gifted to me over the holidays 2018. Slowly but surely becoming my favorite.
Morphe - The James Charles palette (75,7 g): my nephew was so kind to give me my favorite item for my birthday, a makeup item! And is this as a matter of a fact my first colorful eyeshadow palette, and my first Morphe product ever. So I am super excited to give it a try, and am in no doubt I can create a myriad of looks with it.
Escada - Especially Escada delicate notes (50 ml): I was gifted this scent from my parents for x-mas 2018. The scent is described as airy, fresh rose and grapefruit scent on Fragrantica.com
Inika - truly organic - Pure rosehip oil (15 ml): my mom gave me this oil for my birthday, but I had put it on a wish-list, as I heard rosehip oil is supposed to be really good for perioral dermatitis. So I am super excited to give it a try.

What is new in your "collection"?