Showing posts with label Bio Effect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bio Effect. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Project pan 2026

Happy new year - welcome 2026. As in the few last years, I have a few items I would like to move out of my collection in 2026, or get some use out of. I have plans to finish several of the products, and then get a partial use, or make a dent into others.

Full sizes and a few deluxe sizes in my project pan 2026

Testers and deluxe samples in my project pan 2026

This year I have a mix of full size products, deluxe samples, and small samples in my project pan. Ten full size products, where I plan to use up nine of them, and use about half of one of them. A few deluxe samples that will be quick and easy to use in the course of a few months and give me a boost into the year.  

Neutrogena - Rapid wrinkle repair regenerating cream (48 g):
Weight at the start of 2026: 185 grams
Goal: Finish it
Why: I should only use this once or two times per week (and layered with another moisturizer), it has already expired, so I want to get some use out of it
Macadamia - Oil extract hair mask (250 ml):
Weight at the start of 2026: 130 grams
Goal: Finish it
Why: I bought it a few years ago now, my hair is quite dry at the ends, so this is the perfect time to use it up
Clarins - Radiance-plus golden glow booster (15 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: Maybe 1/3 of the product remains - as it sits on the upper part of the text; "Radiance-plus"
Goal: Finish it
Why: This has been in my project pan before - and I want to move it out of my stash this time
Dove - Summer glow nourishing lotion with subtle gradual self-tanner (250 ml):
Weight at the start of 2026: 233 grams
Goal: Finish it
Why: It is getting older in my stash
Kiko Milano - Intensive hand cream (60 ml):
Weight at the start of 2026: 55 grams
Goal: Finish it
Why: It is getting older in my stash, and time to use it up
BioEffect - Egf body serum (120 ml):
Weight at the start of 2026: 143 grams
Goal: Finish it
Why: It is a roll over product from my project pan 2025
Lancome - L'absolu lacquer in 323 shine manifesto (3 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: About half
Goal: Finish it
Why: It is small and should be easy to use up and I like the color. I also tend to switch my lip products during the season, and this being a small one, there is a higher chance for me to be able to finish a small one over the course of the year.
Mac - Strobe cream in Pinklite (50 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: The product sits perhaps 4 millimeters below the Mac logo on the packaging
Goal: Use up about half of the remaining primer - so the product will reach (when standing upright) just below the pink label on the front of the packaging. 
Why: I have a few primers waiting on the sideline, yet to be opened and I really do not want them to go bad (as I think happened to one primer in 2025). And also I really like this primer so I want to get some use out of it. From the results of my project pans in 2024 and 2025, I seem to be able to use up about half of a 30 ml primer, or about 15 ml in a year. This one has 50 ml of product, but I already have used a bit of it, as well as I finished the primer for my project pan in 2025 a few months before the end of 2025 - and then I started on this one. 
HarKlinikken - Balancing shampoo cleansing & neutralizing (250 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: The shampoo sits just below the text shampoo. 
Goal: Finish it
Why: It is getting older in my stash and would be nice to just get rid of some items from my bathroom cabinet. I already have a backup, and I don't even like it in perticular.
Clarins - Lip comfort oil in 04 pitaya (7 ml): 
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: About 60% of the product remains.
Goal: Finish it
Why: I was gifted this for Crristmas in 2022, so for an oil product, this is getting up there in age. I want to get my use out of it, and it will (at least for this season live in my work handbag).  
Spectro Sensitive skin care - Cleanser blemish-prone skin (200 ml):
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: 216 grams
Goal: Use it up
Why: My nephew bought it in the states for me years ago, and I have only used it a handful of times. It is supposed to be good for perioral dermatitis, and not irritate the skin. I still prefer my African black soap from Shea moisture, but it is about time for me to use this up. The sad part is I do not in particular like it, it does not foam and almost feels like cleaning your face with nothing. So realistically I would only use this for my morning routine, not not after makeup as I feel it would not clean any residue of makeup off.
Lancome - Rose sugar scrub gentle exfoliating scrub (15 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2026: 22 grams
Goal: Finish it
Why: It is small and should be easy to use up
Vieve - Super skin nova (1 ml):
Why use this tester: I have a tendency not to use testers, I just got this one, and I have this primer in a small size (12 ml) and I have not opened it yet - but still curious how it feels and if it is nice, so now I get a chance to use this new sample and test my new primer (still without opening the bigger one).  
Laura Mercier - Caviar stick eye color in Strapless (1 g): 
Remaining amount at the start of 2026: 1.7 cm of product when it is fully screwed up 
Goal: Use 0.5 cm of the product
Why: This was a part of the Sephora birthday gift from 2022, I have not used it often, and when I was about to use it the other day I felt the stick had become loose from the base, so I took the product in stuck it back into the base. This surely means the product has started to dry, and would be nice to get some use out of it. The color is described by Laura Mercier as a soft nude shimmer - I would also say it has a pink hue to it, so it should be an easy color to use throughout the year
Nature Republic - Snail solution emulsion brightening and wrinkle improvement:
Remaining amount at the start of 2025: About half 
Why use it up: It is small and maybe quick to use up 
BioSelect - Cretan remedy dictamelia ointment (1 ml) 
Why use this sample: I got this in Greece on holiday a few years ago, and I could for sure use this on the scar I have on my knee or on my super dry hands. 
Erborian - BB Creme au gingseng (1.5 ml):
Why use this sample: I have two sachets of this product, it has been very popular, or viral even, so it would be ideal to use.  
Summer Fridays - Rich cushion cream ultra plumping moisturizer (2 ml): 
Why use this sample : This also is a relatively new sample, as I got it with my Sephora birthday gift in 2025 and would be nice to use some of these samples while they are still new and "fresh" 

So all in all, I have plans to use up nine full size items, use 50% of the remaining amount of one full size primer, finish two deluxe size samples, make a dent into one deluxe size eye color, and finish four samples.

Other goals for 2026: After failing in a major way for all my other goals in my project pan 2025, I think I will not make some grand no-buy goals for 2026 - I know I have too much makeup and beauty products in general. But perhaps it would not be a bad idea to buy fewer color products in 2026 vs 2025 - which would mean fewer than 11 - so on average it means I can buy less color cosmetics than one a month. We will see what 2026 will bring. 

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Empties 2025

So what items did I use up during the year of 2025? Here comes the breakdown as well as the items I decluttered over the course of the year.

The big empties of 2025

Mostly skincare empties of 2025

Finished makeup items of 2025

Finished samples and a hand cream in 2025


Empties:
Lumene - Nordic bloom anti-wrinkle & firm v-shape serum (30 ml): I really do not remember how this performed, it had been in my stash for some time, so it was time for it to get used up.
Kérastase Paris - K genesis anti hair-fall fortifying shampoo (250 ml): This was a very nice shampoo, if it is worth the price tag, well that is another story, but when I bought it I was dealing with severe hair loss, so this shampoo, the Kérastase treatment and vitamins seems to have done the trick.
BioEffect - Osa water mist (60 ml): this is an amazing rehydrating mist, I usually used over makeup, sadly BioEffect is not carrying it anymore in it's lineup, something to do with the packaging I heard. The last remaining product turned out to be difficult to use, so I ended up cutting the corner off and putting the remaining product into a Muji spray bottle I purchased in in New York specially for that purpose. 
One Direction - Our moment eau de parfum (100 ml): This bottle was in my beauty goals for 2020 and my project pan 2023. Obviously I did not use it up in either of those missions, but none the less it has remained as my main fragrance since then, and I did finally manage to use it up. And finally I made room for a new fragrance purchase in the year 2025, after being on a fragrance no buy for years. 
Matas Natur - 2 in 1 rensemælk e-vitamin & aloe vera (200 ml): This cleansing milk was quite nice, but I still prefer micellar water for cleansing, but it was nice to switch it up. And I do believe I have a cleansing milk in my stash waiting to be used. 
Bioderma - Sensibio H2O micellar water makeup remover (250 ml): This apparently is the Rolls Royce when it comes to micellar waters. Yes it is really nice, and good for sensitive skin, significantly better than other micellar waters? I am not entirely sure, but I still like it.
Herbal Essences - Rose hips Shampoo (100 ml): This is an amazing shampoo and comes in the perfect travel size. Would 100% repurchase 
Guinot - Hydra fraicheur toning lotion (30 ml): This I was gifted with the Guinot advent calendar in 2022 - so it is about time I finish it. I liked it and did use it up.
Manufactura - Dead sea soft day face cream (50 ml): This cream I purchased in Prague a few years ago, and I did just manage to finish it as it was labelled to expire during the summer of 2025 - it was not the best cream for my perioral dermatitis, but ok to use a few times a month and I did manage to finish it exactly in that way, to take it with me on work trip overseas.
Vichy - Aqua thermal serum (30 ml): This was probably purchased in 2019 in Toronto, and in fact expired in 2020 - it did not have the same texture as the previous bottle I had of this, probably due to the fact it was expired. Further emphasizing the fact I really need to stop hoarding skincare products - and use the stuff I already have. 
The body shop - Aloe soothing toner (250 ml): Forever my favorite toner for sensitive skin. I rarely stray from this one, unless it is a sample or a gift. 
Ecooking - Primer (30 ml): This is a fantastic primer, and I will for sure repurchase, when I have used some of my backups up. 
Dr. Organic - Bioactive skincare - Organic Manuka honey skin lotion (200 ml): I have a good feeling about this brand, being clean and containing nice ingredients and it feels nice on the skin. Now it is onward to finish other lotions in my stash. 
La Roche-Posay - Kerium DS creme (40 ml): I did purchase this a few years ago, when I had peeling skin. I have not dealt with that for quite some time, still I decided to use this creme up as it has lived in my bathroom cabinet for some time.  
Beauty blender - Blender cleanser (90 ml): I got this a few years ago, and it is an amazing cleanser, quite liquidly and is excellent to clean sponges and brushes. 
Neutrogena - Norvegian formula hand cream fragrance free (50 ml): This is a great hand cream, thick and feels a bit like Vaseline, and keeps the moisture in your hands. 
Biossance - Squalane + omega repair cream (15 ml): A deluxe sample that definitely originates from Sephora. It is nice, not sure I would buy full size though. 
Zenology - Vitalising conditioner - sycamore fig (30 ml): This for sure comes from one of the hotels I visit every month, nothing to write home about, interesting spa like scent though. 
Clarins - Joli rouge satin lipstick in 711 papaya (3.5 g): It felt amazing to finish this one (although there remains a little bit of it left, as I mixed the remaining product that was below the plastic base at the bottom of the tube with my Sensai total lip gloss). But this bullet is completely finished. I do love the color, and have had several people complementing me on the fact it is a nice color that suits me well. I would consider repurchasing it later when I have fewer lipsticks in my stash, but it is really a nice summer color. But glad to have it done, as it is shamefully old.
Ilia - Limitless lash mascara - midnight (3 g): I love using these small mascaras, as if I get an eye infection (which has happened a few times in these last few years) as then I do not have to throw out a new full size one. The wand on this one is plastic, and has a comb on one side and bristles on the other. It was quite nice. 
Saie - Mascara 101 - black/noir (5 g): The wand on this one was plastic also, but quite short - and I prefered the Ilia wand over this one. 
Rare beuty - Mascara - black (8 ml): I tend to prefer plastic wands over bristly hairy wands. But this one was amazing for a bristly hairy wand. Plus the mascara itself was also very nice. 
Essence - All about matt fixing compact powder (8 g): I purchased this years ago on the recommendation from Miss budget beauty. Prior to using this powder I did use a loose one, and I do not really need a super mattifying setting powder, but it was nice to use it in a light way to set my foundation, and glad I was able to use it up. 
Diorshow - Maximizer 3D - triple action lash primer serum volume, curl & definition (10 ml): This mascara primer I do really like, I would have continued to use this tube, if I had not developed an eye infection - hence I did quit using this tube. 
Sigma - Sigmagic brushampoo - 100% natural liquid brush cleanser (7.5 ml): This product is much thicker than the Beauty blender cleanser. I did manage to get a few uses out of this, which came in handy after I finished the Beauty blender cleanser. 
Skinfix - Triple lipid-peptide cream (2 ml): I am very curious about this brand, so I was very happy to get it in Sephora, and I am likely to buy something from this brand in the future. 
Dr. Hauschka - Regenerating eye cream (1.5 ml): This eye cream is very consistent with the Dr. Hauschka brand - white and smells like all other items I have tried from the brand.
Abercrombie & Fitch - Authentic woman Eau de parfum (2 ml): I tend to travel with these mini fragrances for work, I just put on one spray and I am good for the flight back home to Iceland. And these small bottles last surprisingly long, until I finish one, and put another small sample into my travel makeup bag. I really like the smell of this one, and might purchase in the future. 
Biotherm - Aqua pure super concentrate (1 ml): I just used this for the sake of using it and get rid of it. The product itself, after testing 1 ml there is not a lot to say. 
Nature Republic - Avocado hand cream (30 ml): I do love the hand balms from this brand, and as can be seen on the picture, I cut it open to get to every drop. 
Milk Makeup - Hydro grip primer: This tester lasted perhaps for two applications, or three, I was not sold on it, but then again, I like more creamy primers vs. gel types like this one. 


Decluttered items and samples in 2025


Declutters:
Inglot - Beautifier tinted cream in shade 102 (1.5 ml): This was in my project pan 2025 - the color was way too dark and I ended up throwing it away. 
Inglot - YSM cream foundation in shade 45 (1.5 ml): This was also in my project pan 2025, also too dark, I mixed it in with another foundation a few times, but ended up not reaching for it, and in the end threw it away. 
Sunday Riley - Good genes lactic acid treatment (5 ml): Since I got this I used it perhaps two times, and as I have sensitive skin I am a bit hesitant to use acids, so this I am decluttering. 
Lancome - Galatée confort - Cleansing milk (50 ml): This I had in all honesty forgotten I owned and came across in my bathroom cabinet, it had turned from white color, to a yellowish brown and smelled strongly, so now this is being decluttered. 
The body shop - Brow and lash gel (10ml): This was in my project pan 2025, but I had to stop using it, as it left white colored clumps in my eyebrows when I used it. 
Becca - Backlight priming filter (15 ml): I think I have perhaps used half of this tube. I was planning to use it in my project pan for 2026 after I finished my Ecooking one, but after giving it a few goes, I am sure it breaks me out, as after each time of using it my skin gets red and bumpy so it is time to declutter it. 
Becca - Under eye brightening corrector (2.3 g): I had a full size backup of this one, which I decided to open, and it turns out that jar is much creamier compared to this one. So this one either had a different formula to the full size one or it has dried severely out since I purchased it. Also it had started to develop quite the waxy smell, almost like a box of Crayola wax colors, and I could not smell the same scent on the new one, so it was due for a declutter.
Maybelline - Eye studio gel eyeliner in brown (3 g): This I probably purchased in Florida in 2015 and I have not used it for years so it was about time to let go of it. It was surprisingly soft though when depotting it to recycle the glass. 
´
In the year 2025 I did manage to finish seven color cosmetics, and I have at least managed to finish color cosmetics for the amount of 16.200 ISK, or about 130 USD. And that is only the amounts for the items I have information about and then I do not have the price of any of the skincare. That would be an interesting thought though - how much do the cosmetics + skincare cost we use throughout the year?

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Project pan 2025 - final results

How did my project pan for 2025 go? Here are the results - which I have to admit might be an all time low results since I started doing somewhat of a project pan in 2016.

I managed to hit my goal on three products

Of these items I hit my goal on no item

Guinot - Lounge vie mains (15 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 20 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2025: 12 g - so I used about 8 grams of product, and the lotion is not finished
Dr. Organic - Organic manuka honey skin lotion (200 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 224 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2025: 22 g (empty packaging)
Bioeffect - EGF Body serum (120 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 159 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2025: 143 g - so I only used about 16 grams of this product.
Bioeffect - Osa water mist (60 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 83 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2025: 26 g (empty packaging) 
The body shop - Himalayan charcoal purifying glow mask (75 ml):
Weight at the start of 2025: 229 g
Goal: Finish it
Weight at the end of 2025: 223 g - I was nowhere near to finish this one, but I did have to add some water into it, as it had dried out quite a bit. My skin has changed quite a bit in 2025 from 2024 and has become more oily - so I might add this into my 2026 project pan.
Fenty Beauty - Gloss bomb in Fenty glow (9 ml):
Remaining product at the start of 2025: 2/3 of the gloss remained in the tube, and standing upright the gloss reached the T in Fenty
Goal: Use it up
Remaining product at the end of 2025: 1/2 of the gloss remains in the tube, and standing upright the gloss sits between Y and B
Ecooking - primer (30 ml):
Remaining product at the start of 2025: Half
Goal: Use it up
Remaining product at the end of 2025: None, it is finished.
The ordinary - 100% Cold-pressed virgin marula oil (30 ml):
Amount remaining in the bottle at the start of 2025: The oil sat just above the sticker on the glass. 
Goal: Finish it
Amount remaining in the bottle at the end of 2025: The oil sits just below the sticker on the glass. 
The body shop - Brow and lash gel (10 ml):
Amount remaining at the start of 2025: When standing upright the gel sat in the tube between the O and D in BODY 
Goal: Finish it
Amount remaining at the end of 2025: The gel sits between the H and E in THE - and I did stop using it over the course of the year, as it left clear flakes in my eyebrows and did not leave a desirable look. Now after being stored with the empties for 2025 and declutters, which is what will happen to this product now; it will be decluttered as the product has gone bad and is separating.  
Gosh - Kohl eyeliner in 005 nude (1.1 g):
Length of pencil at the start of 2025: 11.5 cm
Goal: Use 0.5 cm of it
Length of pencil at the end of 2025: 11.5 cm
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
Length at the end of 2025: 2.1 - so I did almost reach my goal and did manage to use 0.4 cm of it
Becca - Under eye brightening corrector (2.3 g):
Weight at the start of 2025: 22 g
Goal: Use it up
Weight at the end of 2025: Without the cap 19 g
Inglot - YSM cream foundation in shade 45 (1.5 ml):
Goal: Use it up
Results: The color was way to dark and I ended up throwing it away.
Inglot -  Beautifier tinted cream in shade 102 (1.5 ml): 
Goal: Use it up
Results: I ended up depotting this into a small cream bottle, and used it a few times to mix in with my foundation as it also was a tad too dark to use on it's own. 


So all in all, I just reached my goals on three of my items I had plans to use up, or use a specific amount of. As for my other goals, to be on a makeup and skincare no buy until Black Friday 2025 (with a few exemptions), use a face mask once a week and a hair mask two times per month. Truth be told, I did not stick with any of them. 
It is a similar results as in my 2023 project pan - where I also managed to only finish three items. This will help me focus for 2026 - and boil things a bit down for the upcoming year. To only have about ten items in my goals, and select them more carefully so I will be able to get better results for the year to come. 

For other goals I set myself for 2025: 
A no-buy until Black Friday in makeup and skincare for 2025: Well I failed that 100% 
Use a face mask once a week: Failed
Use a hair mask two times a month: Failed
Exemptions from the rules in the case of an emergency and products that do not count: I could buy two products in case of an emergency, as a matter of fact I did not have any emergency, and the birthday gifts from Sephora and Ulta would not count. So with that taken into account I did buy myself 11 color cosmetics (plus I got one more as a gift from Sephora) and bought whopping 13 items that could be considered as "skincare".

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. 
Goal: Finish it.
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".

Sunday, July 23, 2023

April - July haul 2023

So here is the update on my continued shopping spree of 2023 - this one is spray and brush heavy!! 


Haul in April - July

Testers + samples

Carroten face mask


Dior - Diorshow maximizer 3D triple action lash-primer serum (10 ml): I had been curious about this white mascara primer trend. I am not completely sold on it, I just find it a bit of a kefaffle of an extra step while putting on my makeup.
Nars - Afterglow lip shine gloss in Turkish delight (5.5 ml): This gloss Kim Kardashian made famous years ago. It has been on my radar for years, and in spite of one of my main goals for 2023 was not to buy a colored lip product during the year (as I have more than enough of them). But this product is BEAUTIFUL with a medium dark mauve pink lip liner! 
Moroccanoil - Brumes du Maroc fragrance mist (30 ml): This I had been eying for a few months, all since I bought the Moroccanoil body oil, as I loved the smell of it - this has a very similar scent, but still it smells less jucy than the body oil. 
Bioeffect - Osa water mist (60 ml): This I got tempted to buy in the duty free store in Iceland on my way to my summer holiday. Have not tried it yet as I have way too many facial spreys.
Mac - Prep+Prime Fix+ Goldlite (100 ml): I ran into this product at Nordstrom Rack, and got seriously tempted, did I need it? No! Did I buy it? Yes.
Nailberry - Strengthen & breathe base coat (15 ml): I had no intention to buy any more nail-polish products in this year, but I had a remaining credit in Elira from a birthday gift, and they were promoting 20% off everything, so I decided to finish it before it would expire or worse yet, I would forget about it.
Sol de Janero - Rio radiance cream - Cheriosa 87 fragrance - Illuminating mica (75 ml): I love the smell of this body lotion, and the shimmer radiance it gives off, it is perfect for summer. I was seriously tempted to buy the bigger size, but decided to opt for the smaller one, as I have more than enough body lotions stashed away. 
Rose Inc - Blush brush no.2: I was scouting for a blush brush to blend out cream blushes, and I was debating between this one and Sephora no. 47, but that one was sold out in 3 Sephora stores I visited during the Sephora sale this spring. Rose Inc were promoting a discount at the same time so I grabbed this one - to my surprise though, I still prefer to blend 2 out of my 3 cream blushes with my fingers.
It Cosmetics - Heavenly luxe complexion perfection brush no. 7:
Sephora - Pro crease 26 + pro crease 24: During the Sephora sale this spring, I was able to grab these brushes. And wow, did these blow my mind, I previously had some prejudice against the Sephora line - and gosh was I wrong! Now I want every brush they make!
Hourglass - Ambient powder brush: This I grabbed at Toronto airport as our flight was delayed, and we had some extra time to wonder around the airport. Oh my gosh, who knew you could even find Pat McGrath at an airport. But this brush was considerably cheaper at the airport - and it even came with a travel pouch, that snaps close with a magnetic snap. 
Rose Inc - Reusable cosmetics rounds: With my purchase from Rose Inc I could choose two testers, so I chose this one and the next one.
Rose Inc - Skin enhance luminous tinted serum in color 040 (6 ml): I had been super curious about this product, so to be able to get a sample with purchase was perfect. 
Marc Inbane - Perle de soleil tanning drops (1 ml): They were giving these away at Kringlan shopping mall in Iceland during some midnight opening early this summer. I had been curious about this brand, but with 1 ml I am not even sure I can get an idea about the brand.
Kalliston - Sun protect cream spf 30 (2 ml): This I got as a gift with purchase while on holiday in Crete. I will throw this in my suitcase for work and it will for sure be used - not sure I will put it on my face though, as I tend to be sensitive to ingredients in sun lotions.
Pharm aid - Aloe treasures - Intimate care mild antiseptic cleansing liquid (5 ml): At first I just assumed this was an aloe vera gel as there were big pictures of aloe vera plants on the tester - it was jus now I realized it is an "intimate mild cleanser" - which I find hilarious. 
Carroten - Be cool after sun face mask (20 ml): I bought this while on holiday in Crete - as it would be the perfect facial pamper in the sun. 

Now I really need to reel it in and stop purchasing brushes and facial sprays and focus on using some of these items up. As a matter of fact, I am over these shopping sprees - or so I keep telling myself, that might also have something to do with the fact I have a closet full of clothes I am planning to sell in one of these second hand store this autumn, and I have also uploaded some of them in one of the online stores in Iceland. 

So now it is more out with the old - and let's not drag too much in!!

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Project pan 2022 - final results

So now it's time for the final results of my project pan 2022 - (compared to how things looked at the beginning of 2022)


Products in my project pan 2022

Progress of a Mac paint-pot and Milani powder



Yves Saint Laurent - Volupté tint in oil - No. 4 (6 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022 (with packaging - as for all of the products): 20 g 
Wight at the end of 2022: 18 g (without stopper)
Goal: Finish it
Did I reach my goal: YES
Milk Makeup – Lip+Cheek – Werk (6 g): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 20 g 
Wight at the end of 2022: 18 g
Goal: Use this as my primary cheek product for 2022
Did I reach my goal: No, nowhere close, but maybe something close to 2 g?
Elizabeth Arden – Green tea honey drops body cream (500 ml):
Weight at the start of 2022: 368 g
Weight at the end of 2022: 245 g
Goal: Finish it up
Did I reach my goal: No, but I did use 123 grams of product, and this from the look of it, I have managed to use half of the product that was in the jar at the start of the year. 
Estée Lauder – Advanced night repair (7 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 16 g 
Weight at the end of 2022: 12 g
Goal: Use it up
Did I reach my goal: YES
Grande lash MD – Lash enhancing serum (2 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 20 g 
Wight at the end of 2022: 18 g
Goal: Use it 2x a week
Did I reach my goal: Well no, but I started the year out by using it 2x a week, that soon faded into nothing. Then when I visited this product again in November and used it a few times in a row, my eyes became super watery in the morning. And after watching a Youtube video about the active ingredient in this serum I did not want to use it again, and poured the remaining product out.
Lumene – Instant glow beauty serum (30 ml):
Weight at the start of 2022: 70 g 
Weight at the end of 2022: 65 g 
Goal: Finish it up
Did I reach my goal: YES
Lancóme – Hydra Zen Jelly mask (15 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 18 g 
Weight at the end of 2022: 11 g
Goal: Use it up
Did I reach my goal: Not quite, but did use 7 grams according to the weigh in.
Mac – Pro long wear paint pot – Groundwork (5 g): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 53 g 
Weight at the end of 2022: 53 g
Goal: See a difference in the dip in the pan
Did I reach my goal: No, I kind of put this product aside, and continued to use up the Gina Tricot eyeshadow that was a part of my Beauty goals for 2021
Milani – Prep+Set+Glow illuminating transparent powder (8,5 g): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 43 g 
Weight at the end of 2022: 42 g
Goal: Hit pan
Did I reach my goal: No, but I did use it as my main setting powder for the entire year 2022 - and according to this I barely used 1 gram of product, and even less as I had to scrape a hard pan from the top of this powder. 
Clarins – Lipliner pencil – 02 nude beige (1,2 g): 
Length at the start of 2022: 12 cm 
Length at the end of 2022: 11.6 cm
Goal: Use 2 cm of product
Did I reach my goal: No, I did not even reach quarter of the goal I had set for the year.

 
This year I decided to add on a few extras:
Crest – Noticeably white whitestrips – dental whitening kit (20 total strips):
Number of packs at the start of 2022: 5 packs of strips
Number of packs at the end of 2022: 0
Goal: Use it up
Did I reach my goal: YES
Dr. Bragi – Marine enzyme intensive treatment mask (10 ml):
Number of masks: 1
Goal: Use it
Did I reach my goal: YES
Skyn Iceland - Hydro cool firming face gels for forehead (6 g):
Number of masks: 1
Goal: Use it
Did I reach my goal: YES
Bio Effect – eye mask (2 sheets x 1,25 g):
Number of masks: 1
Goal: Use it
Did I reach my goal: YES

Other goals for 2022 were:
  1. Use eye shadows I own, to make similar looks to palettes I would like to own - did I reach this goal? Not so much.
  2. Keep an ongoing wish list - this I have done all year, and managed only to buy one eye palette 
  3. Use a face mask once a week - this maybe stuck with me for 12 weeks - then it was forgotten, but I do plan to make it a goal of 2023.
  4. De-clutter old items from my collection - this I did yes, when I decluttered one eyshadow palette, a eyeshadow single and four lip products out of my stash. 
  5. Use nail polish once a month - maybe used in January and February
  6. No mascara purchase in 2022 - I did buy one mini one as a part of the Sephora Favorites set.
  7. No nail polish purchase in 2022 - I did not buy one, but was gifted one as a part of the Guinot Advent calendar 
  8. No body lotion purchase in 2022 - fail as I did buy one small one from Sol DeJanero. 

Out of the ten main products in this project pan, I managed to hit my goal with three of them, which turns out to be a better result than from the two previous years 2021 and 2020. Even though 3 out of 10 does not sound so good, which makes me want to do better in 2023.

Do you have too much makeup and could do with a "project pan"?

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Project pan 2022

This year as in the the years before, I want to continue tracking my purchases and focusing on use some stuff up! So for 2022 I have selected ten items as usual I want to focus on, plus a few bonus items.

The products I want to "hit pan on" in 2022

Mac paint pot and Milani powder at start of 2022

Extra items I want to finish in 2022


Yves Saint Laurent - Volupté tint in oil – No. 4 (6 ml):
Weight at the start of 2022 (with packaging - as for all of the products): 20 g 
Goal: Finish it
Why: This was a part of my beauty goals for 2020 (at the start of the year it weighted 25 g) – and it is really about time to finish it up
Milk Makeup – Lip+Cheek – Werk (6 g): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 20 g 
Goal: Use this as my primary cheek product for 2022
Why: As I have a few cream blushes now, I have to start using some of them before they go bad
Elizabeth Arden – Green tea honey drops body cream (500 ml):
Weight at the start of 2022: 368 g
Goal: Finish it up
Why: this was a part of my beauty goals for 2020, which I later in the year swapped out for the Jergens cream – this cream weighed 427 g at the beginning of 2020 – now it is it’s time on the chopping block!
Estée Lauder – Advanced night repair (7 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 16 g 
Goal: Use it up
Why:There is little product left of this item, so why not finish it and be able to move it out of my collection
Grande lash MD – Lash enhancing serum (2 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 20 g 
Goal: Use it 2x a week
Why: I am not sure I can tolerate this product every day as you are supposed to – so I want to use it up this year by using it 2x a week
Lumene – Instant glow beauty serum (30 ml):
Weight at the start of 2022: 70 g 
Goal: Finish it up
Why: This product was a part of my beauty goals for 2021, I did not use it up, and it is one of my oldest foundations in my collection
Lancóme – Hydra Zen Jelly mask (15 ml): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 18 g 
Goal: Use it up
Why: it is a small tester and can be used up easily
Mac – Pro longwear paint pot – Groundwork (5 g): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 53 g 
Goal: See a difference in the dip in the pan
Why: I continue to put one of my cream eye products into the project each year, and now it’s time for this Mac paint pot
Milani – Prep+Set+Glow illuminating transparent powder (8,5 g): 
Weight at the start of 2022: 43 g 
Goal: Hit pan
Why: To rotate my powders, as I tend to use the same one all the time
Clarins – Lipliner pencil – 02 nude beige (1,2 g): 
Length at the start of 2022: 12 cm 
Goal: Use 2 cm of product
Why: This lipliner was a part of my beauty goals for 2020, but with Covid and mask-life I only used up 0,2 cm of it. This year I really hope to do better, and will be able to incorporate lip liners into my daily makeup routine. As well as it could be a good combo with the YSL lip oil
 
This year I decided to add on a few extras:
Crest – Noticeably white whitestrips – dental whitening kit (20 total strips):
Number of packs at the start of 2022: 5 packs of strips
Goal: Use it up
Why: I just got a dental clean late December 2021 – so it is perfect to use them up now as all the dental plaque has been removed.
Dr. Bragi – Marine enzyme intensive treatment mask (10 ml):
Number of masks: 1
Goal: Use it
Why: I tend to let things lay too long in my stash and not use it
Skyn Iceland - Hydro cool firming face gels for forehead (6 g):
Number of masks: 1
Goal: Use it
Why: To get rid of some of my masks
Bio Effect – eye mask (2 sheets x 1,25 g):
Number of masks: 1
Goal: Use it
Why: It has technically expired so let’s use it up

Other goals:
  1. Use eye shadows I own, to make similar looks to palettes I would like to own
  2. Keep an ongoing wish list
  3. Use a face mask once a week
  4. De-clutter old items from my collection
  5. Use nail polish once a month
  6. No mascara purchase in 2022
  7. No nail polish purchase in 2022
  8. No body lotion purchase in 2022

What about you - any goals?