Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Project pan 2025

For the year 2025 I will be focusing on a few items, both makeup and skincare for the year to come, as I usually do. Along this project pan I will be doing a makeup + skincare no buy for 2025! My ultimate goal will be to get better results on reached goals for 2025 vs. to my project pan 2024, which reached 37.5 % success rate. So my goal for 2025 will be to reach my goal on over 37.5% of the items in the project pan 2025.

10 of the 14 products in my project pan 2025

Lipstick, color corrector and testers

Guinot - Lounge vie mains hand cream (15 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 20 g
Goal: Finish it
Why: I got this amongst many other items from Guinot in a Christmas calendar in 2022 - I have not used so many items from this calendar so it makes sense to use some of the items, including this hand cream.
Dr. Organic - Organic manuka honey skin lotion (200 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 224 g
Goal: Finish it
Why: This was gifted to me in 2019 and thus one of the oldest body lotions I have so it makes sense to use it up and move it out of my stash, and work on other things.
Bioeffect - EGF body serum (120 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 159 g
Goal: Finish it
Why: It has already expired with a label marked June 2023 - so it is past it's due date and it would be good to finish it.
Bioeffect - Osa water mist (60 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 83 g
Goal: Finish it 
Why: I bought it in 2021, and it has a best before date 05/2025 so this is the year to finish it. 
The body shop - Himalayan charcoal purifying glow mask (75 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 229 g
Goal: Use it up
Why: It is getting old, and I have not much use for it anymore - as my skin tends to be more dry than oily- but it might be nice to use once a month or so.
Fenty Beauty - Gloss bomb in Fenty glow (9 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2025: 2/3 of the gloss remains in the tube, product sits at T in Fenty.
Goal: Use it up.
Why: It is far from being my favorite gloss, but it might pair nicely with the Charlotte lipstick for work.
Ecooking - Primer (30 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2025: Half.
Goal: Use it up.
Why: I did manage to use half of the primer in 2024, and it is a cleaner product, and I do really like the formula, I decided to continue working on this primer vs. the 3 or 4 others I have in my stash. Plus the packaging gets super messy. So it is ideal to use it up and in 2026 I could move onto a different primer. I still like this one that much I could well consider to buy it again in a few years.  
The Ordinary - 100% Cold-pressed virgin marula oil (30 ml):
Amount remaining in bottle at the start of 2025: The oil sits just above the sticker on to glass.
Goal: Finish it, by using it in my hair and mix in with my moisturizers.
Why: Oils tend to go bad, and I have had this in my stash for quite some time. I originally bought it to use it in at the ends of my hair, but I found it a bit of a too dry texture compared to the hair oils I had used in the past. So it would be ideal to get some use out of it, before it goes off. 
The body shop - Brow and lash gel, clear (10 ml):
Amount remaining at the start of 2025: The gel sits in the tube between the O and D in Body on the side of the product.
Why: This is guaranteed the oldest item in my stash.
Gosh - Kohl eyeliner in 005 nude (1.1 g):
Length of pencil at start of 2025: 11.5 cm
Goal: Use 0.5 cm of it
Why: To get some use out of it before it dries out. 
Charlotte Tilbury - Nude matte lipstick in Very Victoria (3.5 g):
Length at the start of 2025: 2.5 cm from plastic base
Goal: Use 0.5 cm of it
Why: I have focused on a few lipsticks in the years past, so now it was time for this one. It is a nice color of pinky brown, just a tad more brown than my lips, so it wears off nicely. 
Becca - Under eye brightening corrector (2.3 g):
Weight at the start of 2025: 22 g
Goal: Use it up
Why: It was a part of my project pan 2023, and I did not finish it then, so it is time to use it up. Plus I have a full size backup I would love to move onto. 
Inglot - YSM cream foundation in shade 45 (1.5 ml):
Goal: Use it up
Why: It is old in my stash of testers, and it would be good to get some use out of a few of them. I have no idea how the shade is, so it might end up just ending in the trash, as 45 sounds like a medium shade. And I have fair skin. 
Inglot - Beautifier tinted cream in shade 102 (1.5 ml):
Goal: Use it up
Why: Same applies to this one as to the previous tester - get some use out of my tester stash, so it is ideal to add two samples, or "give me" products that I should be able to use up with ease and boost the amount of items I will be able to use up, and increase my usage percentage.

Other goals for 2025 include a makeup and skincare no buy until black Friday 2025 - as I started my no buy around that time in 2024. So instead of shopping in 2025 I intend to enjoy the items I have in my stash and play with the items I already have, instead of buying more. Other goals for 2025 include using a face mask once a week and a hair mask two times a month.
Will I allow myself some exception from the rule? Yes, for the months January - November 2025 I will make an exception from the no buy makeup and skincare rule in two cases, where I can buy two products in kind of emergencies if you will. What the emergencies might be, I am not sure - but will give an exception for the no buy rule for two products during this period. Also I will be able to get the Sephora and Ulta birthday gifts in February, and those birthday gifts do not count as the two products I will be able to buy in case of "emergencies".

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Empties 2024

So how did I do in 2024 on using up stuff? Let's take a look..

Skincare, cleansers, spf and facial sprays

Skin care, concealer, gloss and more

Items used up on holiday

Facial soap, powder and lip balm

Sheet masks and skincare samples


Items I used up:

Kiehl's - Creamy eye treatment with avocado (14 ml): I did like this eye cream, the only annoying thing about it, is the fact that the formula always separates from time to time, oil away from cream, so you have to shake it back together. 
Lancome - Hydra zen anti-stress moisturising cream (30 ml): This facial cream is super light, and worked well over the summer. It was not moisturizing enough for me in the winter. 
Clinique - Take the day off cleansing balm (125 ml): This was a part of my project pan for 2024 and I do really like it, even though I promised myself not to repurchase I already fell to temptation at TJ Maxx. 
Lumene - Pure arctic miracle micellar cleansing water (500 ml): This item I purchased years ago whilst in Finland visiting a friend, it had started to get a bit yellow in the bottle, and I could see like floating oil on top of the liquid inside the bottle, so it was about time for it to be used up. 
The body shop - Aloe calming toner (250 ml): This toner has remained my tried and true toner for a few years. 
Nivea - Care & orange shower cream (250 ml): This I purchased while on holiday in Greece years ago. It was an average shower cream.
Supergoop - Zinc screen 100% mineral lotion SPF 40 (50 ml): This bottle is labelled at the bottom to expire in April 2021 - finally it is finished. I now already have two sunscreens going. 
Evian - Brumisateur facial spray, moisturizes, refreshes, tones (50 ml): This was gifted to me from one of my airlines passenger, and as it comes in a small bottle, I kind of swapped the toner I intended to pan in 2024 out for this one, and moved it into my work purse and aimed to spray it once per flight. There is a tiny bit left in the bottle, but I can not spray it out. So it is pretty much done, seriously doubt I would buy it though. 
Rudolph care - Acai facial mist toner (30 ml): If I remember correctly I purchased this one in the duty free at CPH airport a while back. I ended up putting it in my travel bag, and that way it was used up quickly and I am sure I will use the bottle for something else in the near future. 
Dr. Organic - Organic snail gel (50 ml):
Biossance - Squalane + omega repair cream (15 ml):
Five vits - Daily shampoo (40 ml): This and the conditioner is in one of our hotels we stay at in the US for work. It is the perfect size for travel and was used up either on a trip or when I go to the gym. It is a decent shampoo.
Five vits - Daily conditioner (40 ml): Decent conditioner, I have dark colored hair, and am not in particular fuzzy about shampoos or conditioners. And usually find them to be of an ok quality, the same goes for this one - the scent I love in particular, it does not smell like any conditioner I have smelled before.
Vichy - Aqualia thermal rehydrating cream light (50 ml): This I purchased in Canada summer of 2019 - so it was way past it expiration date (8/21). And the fact that the serum remains in my stash seriously has made me rethink about buying so many items that they keep on expiring in my closets before I get around to using them.
Abercrombie & Fitch - First instinct eau de parfum (2 ml): I really like the scent of this perfume. I do not smell after I apply it, so I guess it suits me well. I might even consider purchasing it as I seem to have developed a sensitivity to fragrances in the last few years, and many of the scents I try spraying on in store, and wear throughout the day tend to give me a headache or I can smell them through the remainder of the day (and I mean not in a good way).
Clarins - Mascara supra volume in 01 intense black (3.5 ml): I really loved this mascara, and that even for a natural bristle brush wand (I used to love plastic wands). This I believe came in a gift set I purchased for myself. Would consider repurchasing if I did not have a backup stash of 4 or 5 mascaras or more. 
Rimmel - Wonder'full brow 24hr waterproof brow mascara with fibres (4.5 ml): This I won in some online game, and got it for free. It is actually amazing! I am not sure what the color is, I assume it is 002 and I love it in my brows! Will repurchase for sure when I get through the clear gels in my stash. 
Crabtree & Evelyn - Pear and pink magnolia hand therapy (25 ml): A nice hand cream, not amazing though. 
Drunk Elephant - Beste no. 9 jelly cleanser (30 ml): This I got as a part of a Sephora birthday gift a few years back. Since it has lived in my gym bag, and now just got finished.
Ecooking - Night cream (50 ml): I loved this night cream, and as a matter of a fact, I think it is the first night cream I ever purchased or tried. It smells a bit herbal, but I believe it is a clean brand and has good ingredients. 
Bio effect - EGF day serum (2 x 5 ml): I have no recollection on where I got these from, gift with purchase or what, but they were nice, but happy I got to use up a few samples/testers this year.
The body shop - Aloe soothing toner (250 ml): Another empties of my favorite toner, it has since last empties bottle been reformulated and now is in a different packaging. Thank god the formula has not changed too much and is gentle enough on my sensitive skin. 
Taramar - Night treatment (10 ml): Me and my crew were gifted this from one of our passengers who worked for the brand and was going abroad for a meeting. It has a BBF date: June 2022 - so glad I got to use it up, even a bit after it's BBF date. 
Lily Lolo - BB cream in light (40 ml): This is a nice and clean formula, and did not irritate my skin at all. It also is a light weight formula, which is perfect to apply with my fingers, and blends out nice - which I usually prefer vs. a fussy formula. 
Bio effect - EGF body serum (7 ml): I have a full size of this product, it is really nice. But a tester of 7 ml - I can not remember how much skin that covers...
Dior - Diorshow Maximizer 3D triple action lash primer-serum (10 ml): This I stopped using after I got an eye infection, but omg it's AMAZING - I love it. Have already repurchased an updated new formula.
Guinot - Nouvelle Vie cream first signs of aging (15 ml): Another Guinot item from the Guinot calendar I got for Christmas 2022 - I ended up putting it in my work bag for when I stay in the US or Canada for work - perfect size for travel.  
Yves Saint Laurent - Gloss volupte probably in shade 30 (6 ml?): This gloss I have had for years, and as you probably can see on the picture, it is completely empty, removed stopper and all! The sticker underneath it has lost all it's writing, so I am guessing it is the shade 30.
Collection - Lasting perfection concealer in Fair 1 (4 ml?): Almost all the writing on the packaging has rubbed off, so I am not sure how much product was in this concealer, but the packaging sold now from the brand contains 4 ml, so I am guessing it is the same amount. This has lived in the last years in my travel makeup bag I used for work abroad. I did remove the stopper and used it up - or at least to the point I am not getting any usable product on the wand. 
The body shop - Cool cucumber softening body butter (200 ml): This was a part of my project pan 2024, and was used up whilst on holiday in Greece, where I made it my mission to finish a few items up to be able to keep my checked in luggage under 14 kg on my flight leg from Rhodes to Athens. This body butter I had not used a lot before starting my project pan, and to my surprise it was in fact cooling, and gave a cool sensation after using it - which made it perfect for holiday in Greece. As I did not prefer to use it just before bed at home in Iceland. 
Five vits - Body lotion (40 ml): This had lived in my travel cosmetics bag for work, and ended up with me on holiday to Greece, where it was used up. 
Peter Thomas Roth - Mega rich body wash (27 ml): This I got in a hotel years back, and took with me on holiday to Greece. And used it up
Proganix - Cherry blossom + (Vitamin B5) Anti-fade weightless argan oil + uv protection (100 ml): This I am sure I bought about 9 or 10 years ago whilst on holiday in the US. A hair sunscreen, I only tend to use this on holiday, so of course it was thrown into my suitcase for a holiday in Greece, where it was finished. Ideal to use for a day at the beach or for sight-seeing. 
Hawaiian Tropic - Sunscreen lotion sheer touch spf 30 (236 ml): This is an excellent sunscreen, this I bought in the US and I am sure it differs a bit from the Hawaiian tropic sunscreen they sell in Europe in regards to ingredients. I tend to use zink based sunscreens for my face, and chemical sunscreens for my body - and this one did not irritate my skin. 
Shea Moisture - African black soap with shea butter (99 g): This still remains my go to facial cleanser or facial soap. I discovered it a few years back as it was recommended for perioral dermatitis. It does not aggravate my skin, does not strip it too much. As it is a piece of soap bar it is difficult to keep track of when I finish it, plus I keep one bar at home and one in my travel bag. But I know for a fact that I did finish the bar I had in my travel kit for work. So I am sure this is under-represented in the last few years empties.  
Milani - Prep + set + glow illuminating transparent powder in shade 02 (8.5 g): This item was a part of my project pan 2022, I did not finish it that year, and ended up using it at the end of 2024. I used it as a setting powder and it worked very well as such, did not dry my skin out, and not too glowing. 
Villimey - Varagaldur (15 ml): This remains my favorite lip balm, and will be repurchased for sure some time in the future. 
The Face shop - Real nature Olive face mask with olive extract (20 g): This I purchased in Toronto a few years back, in my stash it as a matter of fact expired in 2021 - I still decided to use it, once as a sheet mask, and then a lot remained in the packaging and I was able to slather it all over my face probably three times after I used the sheet mask. It is a nice face mask, but I did not notice any miracles. but sure it boosted moisture in the skin. 
Nature republic - Real nature mask sheet olive (23 ml): This is the same face mask as the previous one, just in a new and seemingly rebranded packaging. This my friend gifted it to me who went to Korea. And happy to report that this one had not expired yet. 
Caudalie - Vinoperfect radiance serum complexion correcting (10 ml): This bottle I did use up on my project pan 2024 - but it is missing in the photos, as I seem to have misplaced the bottle. I really loved this serum and would consider repurchasing. 
Caudalie - Vinoperfect radiance serum complexion correcting (3 x 1.5 ml): These are small samples I got at Sephora, of the same product as mentioned above.  
Tatcha - The indigo cleansing balm (1.5 ml): Another sample I got from Sephora. It was nice, would I consider buying it after trying it in a single use packaging? In one word; no.


Decluttered items of 2024


Decluttered items:

Sunday Riley - A+ high dose retinoid serum, 6.5% retinoid blend, CoQ10 + honey (5 ml): I have had this sample since 2019 and was about to give this a whirl early this year, but when the product came out, it was all separated and runny - so down the drain it went. Not sure my skin would tolerate a high dose retinoid anyway. 
Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24 hr gel cream eyeshaddow in 35 On and on bronze (3.9 gr): This I have owned for years, and it was a part of my project pan for 2019. I have made some small progress on this since 2019, but it is very thick, stiff and difficult to use. As I have plenty of newer creamy eyeshadows in my stash, it makes more sense to use them rather than this one. 
W7 - Brow grip (13.5 gr): My friend was decluttering a few items from her stash, and gifted this to me, it turned out to work out the same for me as for my friend - it leaving whitish clumps in my eyebrows so it was only used about 2 times, and now ends where it belongs in the trash. 
Unknown brand - Double liner (? gr): My mom gave this to me a few years back, it was a gift with some magazine she bought. Light champagne pink on one side and vine red on the other. I have perhaps used it 4 times, and now it needs to move out. 

So this in all amounts to the fact I used up 25 full items, 11 small sized items and 8 samples (44 in total). Compared to last year I used up 49 items in total, but fewer fuller items and more samples. So for sure using more samples, takes a toll of your full sized items. Of the decluttered items in 2024 I decluttered 3 full size products and one sample. Compared to 2023 I decluttered 3 full size items and no samples.

Monday, December 30, 2024

Project pan 2024 - final results

So here are my result for my project pan of 2024. I managed to reach my goal on some of the products and others not so much. But you live and you learn - and perhaps I will be able to set more realistic goals for my project pan 2025.

Picture from the start of 2024 - red x signaling goal reached

End of 2024 comparison

Powders and concealer duo progress

Bullet progress of 2024


Clinique - Take the day off cleansing balm (125 ml):
Weight at the start of 2024: 140 g
Goal: Finish it 
Weight at the end of 2024: finished - empty packaging 110 g - which tells me I used up 30 g of cleansing balm. 
The body shop - Cool cucumber softening body butter (200 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2024: 207 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2024: I finished this on holiday in Greece, and did end up throwing the tub away - but I have another empty tub from the body shop of the same type - that tub empty weighs 38 g - so I assume I used up 169 g of body butter. 
Mario Badescu - Facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater (236 ml):
Amount remaining at the start of 2024: The remaining product in the bottle reaches just above the upper part of the label. Even though I had decanted some of this product into another bottle I take to work, so in reality I have more product remaining of this facial spray than this bottle by itself suggests. 
Goal: Use 1/3 of this bottle by the end of 2024
Amount remaining at the end of 2024: The remaining product in the bottle reaches just below the text "established 1967" - with some product remaining in the small bottle - So maybe I did reach the 1/3rd goal?
Smashbox - Photo finish foundation primer (7.1 ml): 
At the start of 2024: Unused
Goal: Finish it
At the end of 2024: Used 1/3rd of the primer
Caudalie - Vinoperfect radiance serum complexion correcting (10 ml):
Goal: Finish it
At the end of 2024: Finished
Ecooking - Primer (30 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2024: Almost full, the product just does not "touch" the top of the bottle.
Goal: Use about half of the bottle.
At the end of 2024: Used half of the bottle as I set out to do, so this was a sparkling success.  
Sensai - Total lip gloss (4.5 ml):
Weight at the start of 2024: 26 grams
Goal: Use it up
Weight at the end of 2024: 24 grams. The grams might only say 2 gr, but there is considerably less left of the product, you actually have to swirl the wand around to get some product on the wand.
Charlotte Tilbury - Lip cheat re-shape and re-size lip liner in pillow talk (1.2 g):
Length at the start of 2024: 11.7 cm
Goal: Use 1 cm of it
Length at the end of 2024: 11.2 cm - 50% success?
Benefit - Hervana blush (8 g):
Weight at the start of 2024 (without the included brush): 41 g 
Goal: The goal with this item is not so much to use it up, but more focus on it and get some use out of it.
Weight at the end of 2024: 41 g - I in fact have hardly used this at all - and I have the most average (not super accurate) baking scale. So if there was any process it would not show it anyway.
The body shop - Bronzing powder shade 03 medium matte (11 g): 
Weight at the start of 2024: 48 g
Goal: Use it up
Weight at the end of 2024: 46 g - I have in fact used 2 g of this bronzer, and increased the pan quite considerably, but did not reach my goal to use it up.
Miild - Natural mineral concealer duo in 01 light ample (2.4 g):
Weight at the start of 2024: 46 g
Goal: Form dents into the two pans - and use it on the day to day on a no makeup-makeup days, when I keep my makeup to a bare minimum with mascara and concealer. 
Weight at the end of 2024: 46 g - so I did use 1 g of these concealers, and there is a little bit of a dent in them.
Bourjois - Smokey eyes 09 vert de gris eyeshadow trio (4.5 g):
Weight at the start of 2024: 22 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2024: 22 g - used this eyeshadow trio hardly at all in 2024.
Clinique - True bronze pressed powder bronzer in Sunblushed (1.3 g):
Weight at the start of 2024: 13 g
Goal: Use it up
Weight at the end of 2024: 13 g - I still have not hit pan on this bronzer, but it became a staple during the summer months and ended up in my travel makeup bag I use for work and I think I will continue to stash it there as it might actually end up being used up getting semi regular usage. 
Nars - Audacious lipstick in Anna (4.2 g):
Length at the start of 2024: 2.2 cm from the plastic base
Goal: Use 1 cm of it
Length at the end of 2024: 1.7 cm form the plastic base - so I used 0.5 cm or 50% of the amount I set out to use. 
Clinique - Chubby stick shadow tint for eyes 04 ample amber (3 g): 
Length at the start of 2024: 2.5 cm fully screwed up
Goal: Use 0.5 cm of product
Length at the end of 2024: 2.3 cm fully screwed up - so I used 0.2 cm which is another goal not reached.
NudeStix - Nudies all over face dewy color in Bohemian rose (1.8 g): 
Length at the start of 2024: 1.6 cm
Goal: Use it up
Length at the end of 2024: 1.2 cm - so I just used 0.4 cm of it - another goal not reached, but did manage to get some good use out of it.

So of the items I set a goal for myself in 2025 I reached my goal on 6 out of the 16 items - or 37.5% of the items.

Other goals for 2024:
I succeeded in the following goals: not to buy a face mist, no primer purchase, use a face mist at work
I failed on the following goals: not to buy any mascara (as I bought 2), not to buy a cream or a serum (I bought two full size creams, and a sampler set), just to buy one makeup brush (I bought 2), only purchasing two colored lip products (I brought in 4 of them - some of them gifted by Sephora other bought) and did not manage to use a face mas once a week. So on the "other goals" section for 2024 I succeeded on 3 of the 8 goals - or again 37.5% - the exact same percentage as on the items I set a goal for in 2024.

So going forward into 2025, maybe I might reconsider my goals. For example for lipsticks, based on the usage of the Nars lipstick, I might set a goal of half a cm for the usage for the year to come, as that would actually be a goal I might reach! For body products, I have a tendency to reach my goal for the usage on them, so they should not be a problem. Small or sample items I did also manage to finish in 2024. It does not matter what items I will focus on in 2024 - I will at least aim to reach more than a 37.5% success rate in the year to come. 

Saturday, December 28, 2024

October - December Haul 2024

Here comes the latest update on this years cosmetics and beauty shopping. I am sure I have bought enough for three or four girls during the span of the year. 

Toner, scents, spf, eye cream and eyeshadow

Face mask, brushes, blush, lip liner, powder and an eysshadow

Omnilux led face mask

Lindex beauty bag, Riddle parfum and a solid shampoo bar


The body shop - Aloe soothing toner (250 ml): My normal refill on this one - I love it and will continue to buy it. 
Bath and body works - If you musk, fine fragrance mist (235 ml): This I would have preferred in a smaller bottle, but the fine fragrance mists at Bath and body works only come in the full sizes. This particular scent is supposed to be a semi dupe of Glossier You, but to me it actually smells better than the original. And as I am finally about to finish the full size fragrance bottle I have been focusing on for the last few years, and sold the only body mist I had from Bath and body works in September 2023 - it was easy for me to get tempted to purchase. 
Innbeauty project - Mineral sun glow broad spectrum spf 43 (50 ml): This was recommended by Jessica Braun on YT. It is supposedly the perfect sunscreen under makeup, which I have been struggling to find, plus it is a mineral sunscreen which suits my perioral dermatitis skin better than chemical sunscreen. So it ended up in my basket during the Sephora sale - well "sale" as I got a 15% discount.
Kylie Cosmetics - Cosmic eau de parfum (1.2 ml): This sample I grabbed on one of the event evenings in Kringla.
Jo Malone London - Wood sage & sea salt cologne (10 ml): Again I got sucked in on a Sephora sale, 20% off everything mid December. This has been on my wish list for years, and as I am super sensitive to fragrance nowadays, I decided to dip my toes in, and only purchase a small bottle, and it does not come much smaller than this one, does it?
Merit - Solo shadow matte eye color in vachetta (5 g): I had been curious about this brand, and these eyeshadows. Usually this brand gets two thumbs up in reviews, but these eyeshadows have had very mixed reviews. I love the idea of a one and done eyeshadow, so after a series of eye-infections I bought them for myself as a treat.
Blue Lagoon - Eye cream with BL+ complex (5 ml): I won this in a "spin the wheel" game with the Blue Lagoon store in Kringlan, which turned out pretty good, as I finished my Kiehls eyecream within 2 weeks after getting this one. 
Nickak New York - Soothing aloe facial sheet mask (1x20 g): One of my amazing co-workers gave each of us in the crew a small gift bag, one of the items inside - this face mask!
Tromborg - Vegan brush nr. 5: This I forgot to "declare" and take a picture of in my July-September haul, as I bought it in Copenhagen in July. The brush is very nice, but I seriously question if the white handle is made of plastic, as it is high shiny, milky tone of white - and feels very plastic. On the plus side, it works amazing with the Tromborg silk from my January-March haul.
Vieve - Sunset blush balm luminous liquid blush in strawb (15 ml): This is my third item from this brand and the other products I simply love - I was planning a trip to Glasgow, where I was planning to swatch all the items from this brand I could get my hand on, but I ended up not going - so this was swiftly added to cart on Cult beauty on Black Friday weekend. Red liquid blush anyone?
Sephora - Pro powder brush 50: So much for my 5th goal in my project pan for 2024, only to buy one makeup brush - I ended up buying three of them. This one of course to go with the excessive amount of facial powders I own, and as a matter of a fact - picked up during the Sephora sale.
Jones Road - The lip pencil in nudist (0.92 g): On one of my work-trips to New York, I headed for Greenwich village, where one of the brick and mortar stores for this brand is located. 
Caia Cosmetics - Glow bronzer in gold coast (10 g): This had been on my wish-list for a few years, and I decided to grab it on a 20% off black Friday deal. 
Sephora - Microsmooth powder in 15 neutral (8 g): Did I need a face powder? No not at all, so why did I decide to buy this one during the Sephora promotion, with a 30% discount. Well the 30% discount might have something to do with it. 
Elf - Fine as fleck glitter eyeshadow in champagne showers (2 g): On one of the last Target runs of 2024 this one just accidentally ended up in my basket. 
Omnilux - Contour face led mask: This was without a doubt the most expensive purchase of the year, and that would hit the final nail in the coffin for a serious shopping restraint for 2025 in the department of beauty and cosmetics. 
Lindex beauty bag: I had seen this particular bag years ago in Lindex, light pink with rose-gold zipper - with solid bars inside so it stays open for easy access. I had resisted the urge till now, but when Lindex Iceland sent out a 1000 ISK credit code I caved. 
Ridddle perfum - Original (8 ml): This was a christmas gift from my sister, she has one herself and loves it. Apparently it suits people who are sensitive to scents so this sounds perfect for me. 
Fisher soap company - Champagne toast solid shampoo bar (79 gr): One of our passengers gifted all of the female cabin crew one of these shampoo bars. She is the owner of the brand and I am super excited to try a solid shampoo bar, and this would be perfect for holiday with restricted liquids. 

So what has 2025 in store for me? Well I think you guessed it - a serious retail rehab.

Monday, September 30, 2024

July - September haul 2024

As per usual some items keep rolling into my possession, let's not even talk about the stuff you see and grab whilst you are on holiday, or the items you purchase for your upcoming trip. 

Mix of Sephora, Target, Amazon and Denmark purchases

Wrinkles schminkles giftbag

Haul mostly from Helsinki and Greece

Biossance - Squalane + marine algae eye cream (3 ml) and Squalane + omega repair cream (15 ml): This I decided to use some of my Sephora points on, moistly as I forgot my moisturizer on a work trip to the US, and also as I was going on holiday and this was a perfect travel size moisturizer for the trip, and I had previously gotten a sample of the cream, and I really did like it.
Miild - Skin glow tinted beauty balm in 02 Soft coral (7.9 ml): This was a recent launch from Miild, and I simply could not resist. The hardest thing was actually to choose the color as all of their options were super cute.
Numbuzin - 2 Cica repair cream (60 ml): This I ordered on Amazon, as it is supposed to be similar to Dr. Jart ceramidin skin barrier cream.  
Miild - Cleansing cream, mild and light for dry and sensitive skin (100 ml): I decided to pick this up on a short holiday in Copenhagen. As this is a brand I am very interested in.
Derma - 30 Sun lotion high spf (150 ml): I picked this up in Fotex in Copenhagen, I was running low on my spf 30 and this grabbed my attention with the "bedst i test" label and being fragrance free.
Herbal Essences - Rose hips shampoo (100 ml): This I picked up in Target specially for holiday 
Herbal Essences - Rose hips conditioner (100 ml): The same for this as the shampoo, perfect size for travelling 
GIVE Beauty - Eye see in sparkle multidimensional eye pigment in the color Dazzle (5.5 g): So much for not falling for a discount! I had been keeping an eye on this product ever since I saw it featured in one of Erin Nicole's videos and had been wondering if I should pull the trigger on it or not. Then when I saw it was on offer, I did indeed pull the trigger.  
CeraVe - Hydrating facial cleanser for normal to dry skin (87 ml): This I also picked up in Target, as I managed to forget my mini Drunk Elephant deluxe sample size at the pool. So I needed a new facial cleanser to take with me to the gym or to the pool. 
Farmacy - Green clean makeup meltaway cleansing balm (20 ml): This I got as a gift with purchase with the Give eye sparkle. I have wanted to try this makeup cleanser, so now is the perfect time to try a mini one. 
Dior - Diorshow maximizer 4D (10 ml): I had an older version of this product (then called 3D) but I had to change it out as I got an eye infection and had to take out the mascara and the Dior 3D maximizer I was using at the time. I have yet not tried this one out, but if it is any good as the 3D I am sure it will be amazing.
Wrinkles Scminkles giftbag - Wrinkles schminkles morning after glow serum (60 ml), Forehead wrinkle patches (2 patches), Neck wrinkle patch, Chest wrinkle patch, mouth & lip wrinkle patches (2 patches), Eye wrinkle patches (6 patches), Self dissolving microneedle patches (4 patches), Silicone patch cleanser (6 x 1.5 ml), 2 scrunchies and a spa headband: This I won in a online Facebook giveaway, I have been curious about this brand for some time, now I can try these multi use patches.
Lumene - Nordic berry length & volume - mascara with cranberry and lash lengthening complex in brown (8 ml): I easily broke my "no buy" on mascaras as I came across the Lumene brand at Helsinki airport. I used to love their blueberry mascara, but as that type did not come in a brown color, so I decided to pick this one up. And I found out the price difference between this product in the supermarket in Helsinki vs. the HEL airport is 2 Euro cheaper at the airport.
Biafin - Skin emulsion (100 ml): Finally I ran into the OG Biafin cream, it is supposed to be good for sensitive skin, minor burns and rashes. 
Olivolio - Deep hydration foot care cream (150 ml): I have bought this before for my mom, and she absolutely loves it, so as I was recommended to use a foot cream, it made perfect sense to pick this up whilst on holiday in Greece.
Donkey milk treasures - Lip balm organic olive oil & beeswax natural spf 15+ (3.2 g): I seem to have managed to loose my spf lip balm, so I grabbed this one in the supermarket in Greece. The packaging is a little bit rinky dink, but the product inside is ok. 
Pharmacy skincare - L300 Normal to combination skin face cream light sensitive (60 ml): The skincare aisle in the supermarket in Helsinki was amazing, so it became the ultimate temptation to buy some skincare there, I was originally going to buy a cream from a Finnish brand that my friend uses, but that turned out to contain parabens, so I opted for this Norwegian brand instead.
Lumene - CC all over concealer in 0.5 light (8.5 ml): This concealer had a massive stand in the supermarket in Helskinki. Did I need a concealer? Definitely not, but somehow it ended in my basket anyway! 
Skinfix - Triple lipid-peptide cream (2 ml): This I got as a sample from Sephora by the entrance when I went in there one day. 

Pff.. now it is seriously time to pull the breaks on this shopping addiction.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

April - June haul 2024

It´s time for a shopping update for the last three months, at the beginning I was feeling like I was doing very well, and buying less than usually, well that took a turn... 

Sensai, Clarins, Lancome and L:A BRUKET

Brush, tools and assortment of products


Sensai - Kabuki brush with satin pouch: This came with the Sensai foundation promotion. And works amazing with the foundation. 
Clarins - Lip oil balm in 01 pale pink (2.9 g): As this is the second lip product I purchase this year I have finished my quota for 2024 I set in my project pan for 2024.
Lancome - Le 8 hypnose (8 ml): I got tempted by this product on a stock sale, even though I am officially on a mascara no purchase - but as it was only 1.500 ISK or 11 USD, and thus cheaper than many drugstore mascaras I got tempted and decided to buy it.
L:A BRUKET - No013 Foot scrub soap (240 g): This I grabbed on a sale for over 50% off, I thought it might be genius for my sometimes tired cabin crew feet, as it includes pumice and oils.
Sensai - Total finish foundation in TF103 warm beige (11 g): I fell for the re-packaging launch of this product as it is claimed to be a cult favorite amongst Icelandic women. And it came on a discount and with a kabuki brush in a pouch. I was a bit baffled by it at first though, as I felt it did exaggerate fine lines on my face, but I found the solution to that to put less powder on. The rule of less is more is proven once again.  
Sephora - Pro foundation 56: I bought this during the Sephora sale where all Sephora products were on 30% discount. I decided to grab this as I feel like the BK brush 101 foundation brush being a bit to big at times. The Sephora 56 is much smaller, and gives a lighter coverage, which I prefer most of the time. 
Every drop - The original beauty + lip spatula (2 pack): I ordered this from Amazon (see here) to be able to get hard to reach remnants of products, glass jars with a pump in particular. The problem is though that the longer and bigger spatula, is too wide, a whopping 1,6 cm wide, and the pink part is not very flexible, and thus it does not fit into the average cream and foundation glass bottle, and I might have to cut a part of it off! 
Real Techniques - miracle concealer sponge: This I got tempted to buy to use with my Miild concealer, as it has a tendency to cake a bit and separate under the eyes - I had the idea that this might blend it out 
Sally Hansen - Cuticle massage cream (11 ml): This I stumbled upon in CVS, and as I had a coupon for purchase, which basically meant that this was for free - I snatched it as it comes highly recommended by a friend of mine. 
W7 - Brow grip - instant brow grip (13.5 g): My friend was decluttering a few beauty products and offered me to take what I wanted, and this looked interesting, so I decided to give it a try.
Lume - Whole body deodorant - invisible cream in soft powder (14 g): What a perfect idea, to be able to buy such a mini deodorant to give a new brand a try. And perfect for travel!
Covergirl - Clean fresh clean color eyeshadow in 222 dreamy pink (4 g): This was presented in a few Youtube videos as a potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk quad. I do not own the Charlotte quad, but it has been on my wish-list for quite some time. The Covergirl quad surprisingly though, especially the pinky shade, nr. 2 from left - pulls very warm on me, borderline orange. I am not sure if the Charlotte Tilbury quad would do the same. 
Kiehl's - Ultra facial overnight hydrating maque (3 ml): This I believe came with the Sensai foundation - and will be used for sure.

Initially I started to think I was not doing so badly for the last three months, but when everything comes together I was not doing so well at all, and I who had my eyes set out for a infra red face mask, and going on a mini weekend holiday next weekend, I am not sure at all how the year is going to go.

Monday, March 18, 2024

January - March haul 2024

So here is my haul for the first three months of the year, they are a mixed bunch, some are purchases I made abroad and some are birthday gifts. My project pan for 2024 is not completely going as planned, as I stocked up on an item I had really no plans to stock up on... but I hope it will go better moving forward in the year 2024.

Glow cream, toner, cleanser, creams and a tinted moisturizer

Glow powder, fizz tamers, lip products and eye wands

Face masks

Barbie beauty bag


Bondi Sands - Gloss finishing glow instant luminous bronzed sheen for face and body (100 ml): My friend gave this to me for my birthday, we had seen it used by someone on social media and it looked really nice, she was so sweet to remember, and gifted it to me amongst other things. 
The body shop - Aloe soothing toner (250 ml): I grabbed this during a sales night in Kringlan shopping mall when The body shop was offering 20 or 25% off of everything in store. As I have almost finished my current bottle of this, I thought it was ideal to buy one on a discount as there are just a few weeks 
Clinique - Take the day off cleansing balm (125 ml): I had made it one of my goals in my project pan for 2024, not to purchase it again until I had finished some of my makeup removers, but it was on such a good price I caved in and bought it for later. 
Peach & Lily - Matcha pudding antioxidant cream (25 ml): As a Ulta member, and happened to be close to an Ulta store in February (my birthday month), I did go in store and got to choose amongst pre selected items and was torn between this and a Kopari body cream, and ended on choosing this one. 
Ecooking - Night cream (50 ml): I grabbed this item whilst at work, during a flight back and forth to Kastrup airport Copenhagen, but as we had an unusually long stop in at CPH I ran into the duty free and bought this plus the Tromborg item listed below. I had just finished the jar of this I had before, and I LOVE it.
Dr. Jart - Ceramidin cream mist, intensive moisturizing (110 ml): My friend who gave me the Bodi Sands product also gave me this ceramidin cream mist, as I had mentioned to her I was very curious about this product (again I had seen on some instragram feed of an influencer). 
Saie - Slip tint broad spectrum spf 35 sunscreen tinted moisturizer (40 ml): I got tempted to buy this during one of my many Sephora visits, as it contains mineral spf, and could be perfect for work.
Garnier Fructis - Sleek and shine frizz tamer (8 ml): This I came across in one of the US drug store and thought it would be amazing, it is not so great. But it will suffice to use while I stay abroad for work for simple hair fixes, but for the stubborn small hairs, it does not work.
Kosas  - Air brow clear lifting treatment gel (1.77 g): This with the Kosas lip oil was a part of the Sephora birthday gift for 2024. There were a few options, and I was going back and forth between this one and a skincare set from Youth to the people. But for the makeup hoarder I am of course I opted for more makeup. 
Nature Republic - Honey melting lip in 01 Apricot (2.7 g): I saw Stait of Kait featuring this in one of her videos, and it sounded super nice, so I decided to grab in whilst in New York for work. So there went 50% of my colored lip product quota for 2024.
Tromborg - Baked minerals in silk (5.5 g): I had been eyeing this product for years, and finally pulled the trigger during a turnaround in CPH. It is a little bit dark and golden for a traditional highlighter (they also sell a lighter color called Highlight) but as this has been hyped among Danish beauty-bloggers for year I went with Silk.
Vieve - Eye wand in Hazelnut (1.4 g): I came across this brand not too long ago, and I had been very intrigued about it. And as I went on a short holiday with my friends to the UK, I decided to order some products and have them shipped my hotel in England. I chose this color as it is a medium brown shade and probably super versatile.
Vieve - Eye wand in Sand (1.4. g): I decided to grab another item from Vieve, as so many times before, I was torn between another eye wand and a liquid blush. But opted for the eye wand as I am trying to reel it in on the liquid or cream blushes. 
Kosas - Wet lip oil gloss plumping treatment gloss in Unbottoned (2 ml): The other half of the Sephora birthday gift. I swatched the color in store, and from there, there was no going back. The makeup birthday gift it would be. 
Purederm skin solutions - Deep purifying pink 02 bubble mask peach (25 g): Another friend of mine is also a lot into skincare, and gifted me this facemask and the following two packaged skincare products. 
Iroha Nature - Pre-soaked pads hydrating toner cica + blueberry (10 pcs 25 g): At first I mistook this for a facemask, but what a genius product, pre soaked toner pads. Perfect for travel.
Iroha Nature - Aloe vera and hyloronic acid Soothing and hydrating face mask (20 ml): The third skincare product I got gifted from my friend for my birthday.
PS - Moisturizing avocado sheet mask (23 g): Avocado face mask for 1 Pound at Primark, I just had to.
Primark - Barbie beauty bag: When I spotted this in Primark, I just could not resist and had to buy it. 

This was quite a lot for three months, but a few of the items were indeed birthday gifts. But as I got a few facemasks, I really have to put some effort to use these single use sheet face masks.