A birthday treat contemplation

My birthday month has arrived and I will for sure go and collect my birthday gift from Sephora for the year, also I am contemplating what and if I should purchase some cosmetics for myself for my birthday. 

So what am I thinking if I should purchase? Well I have a few items I have been contemplating. First of all I am very curious about the Rhode pocket blushes, in particular shades Sleepy girl or Toasted teddy - but then again I already have 11 cream, liquid or stick blushes in my collection, and all of them I have accumulated since or after 2020 - so the question remains do I really need to add one more? Yes some of the ones I own are not full size but still they will take a long time to finish, and over half of them are in a very similar shade, which I think is similar to the blush from Rhode in the color "tan lines" so that shade in particular would be ridiculous for me to purchase. 

Or do I rather want to wait for the Rhode bronzers that Hailey Bieber has been teasing online?

On the bronzer note, should I get the RMS ReDimension hydra bronzer, perhaps in the color beachwalk betty?

Or the Jones Road bronzer in the color Dusty rose? Or the cult classic Mac Give me sun?

Or should I consider purchasing is a Nilens Jord Cheeks & lips - which I would consider to be a blush stick. It is highly unlikely though I would purchase this one though as I would like to swatch them in person, and they are not sold in Icleand or USA. But the next time I am in Copenhagen this purchase might happen. The colors I think I would lean towards are: berry and chestnut - and some say guava looks nice.

Another possible blush stick I have heard raved about online for the longest time is the Jane Iredale glow time blush stick in the color balmy.

Or Merit beauty flush balm which is kind of a blush stick? Some time back I was thinking about getting the color "Stockholm" now I am leaning towards are: Aprés, Archival, Bespoke or Postmodern. 

I also found the Saie Super suede baked powder blush in the shade Ciao to be an intriguing color or should I look towards Hourglass ambient lighting blush in the shade mood exposure.

Another route to go would be getting a bigger eyeshadow palette: Makeup by Mario master mattes - the neutrals eyeshadow palette, which I have had my eye on since it launched.

Another eyeshadow palette I have also considered in the past are Idun minerals mineral eyeshadow palette in the shade lavendel, but they seem to have discontinued that color and launched four new shades.

Yet another eyeshadow palettes I have considered purchasing recently are the Jane Iredale pure pressed eyeshadow palette either in naturally matte or pure basics, also I have contemplated the Hung Vanngo color story eyeshadow palette in new neutral. Or even the Sensai eye color palette, which is a quad, which has three very nice colors; shiny foliage, night sparkle and petal dance. Another eyeshadow brand I have coveted is Viseart Paris, but they regularly launch new color nuances, but I think I would rather lean towards a cool palette with that brand vs. the cult favorite neutral mattes palette. I have also thought about the Mac palettes in the line Connect in color, but the big one is quite warm, and the smaller ones which have six shades - there are always a few colors in each one I would not use.

Should I do a big splurge and buy the Tom Ford eye color quad in Nude dip, or Prada dimensions holo nude eyeshadow palette in 07 peony? At 95 and 85 USD a pop is a bit expensive though.

Another item I have contemplated to purchase for some time now is another shade in the Merit Solo shadows, a cream shadow in the shade "studio" which is more pinky toned (or cool mauve) compared to the color I have "vachetta" (warm beige). 

Or should I get another Makeup by Mario master mattes long wear cream eyeshadow in mauve, a color I should perhaps have gotten instead of the color I got in this formula - but the downside is that this is a very quick drying formula. The color of this eyeshadow I think though might be similar to the Merit sudio.

Another eyeshadow I have contemplated and thought about purchasing is Just a sec eyeshadow from Jones Road Beauty - a beautiful potted creamy shimmery eyeshadow  - I swatched it once in store and omg it is gorgeous!! I am not sure what color I would choose though, maybe golden peach, bronze, topaz or cool taupe - I would just aim to choose in store in New York.

Or should I get a matte shade in the Armani eye tint long-lasting liquid eyeshadow?

Yet another item I have also had my eye on is Violette Fr Bisou balm, possibly in the shades Betise, Bonbon Coquelicot, Guimauve or Amour Fou. This is a formula I am very curious about - but then I have more than enough lip products, so I need another lip stick like I need a hole in the head.

Do you have a suggestion on what of these I should choose?

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. 

November - December 2023 Haul

 So here is my last shopping confession of the year

Skincare and lip balms

Brush, concealers, eyeshadow and hand cream

Nuxe - Honey lip care (10 ml): This I grabbed in Paris after searching for it in January 2023 without success, I found this in the first pharmacy I visited in Paris this December.

Lumene - Pure arctic miracle 3 in 1 micellar cleansing water (250ml): I already have a big bottle of this micellar water, but as I got stranded in Copenhagen for one night without any makeup or cleansers, so I grabbed the most needed items for a one night sleep in Copenhagen.

Cosrx - Advanced snail 96 mucin power essence (100 ml): This was on a major sale in Ulta Beauty on black Friday, and as I had the chance to grab one I did decide to snatch one up as I am running low on my snail gel I already have, and do believe this does miracles for my skin. 

Manufactura - Dead sea soft day face cream (50 ml): I purchased this on a holiday in Prague, as this brand came highly recommended and you always do need a face cream.

Lumene - Nordic hydra moisture balm (50 ml): This for sure was not a planned purchase, and as the micellar water was purchased as I needed a face cream for an unexpected overnight stay in Copenhagen. I do like the brand so I opted for a cream from this brand vs. something else.

By Terry - mini to go baume de rose lip care (2.3 gr): This I spotted at Prague airport and as this was a mini, and it is an item that is very hyped among beauty gurus I decided to give it a try.

Dermacol Prague - Master brush powder and blusher D56: I spotted a few of the Dermacol stores around the city of Prague, the makeup looked to be a bit of lower quality, but the brushes seemed to be of a decent quality, so I decided to grab one, and as a matter of a fact, I was having the hardest time to choose between two of them. 

Nilens Jord - Second skin concealer no.2 Shell (3 ml): This I also picked up in Copenhagen, in Magasin du Nord, I did need a concealer, as the bare minimum, and I did not have this type of concealer in my stash, this kind of a click pen with a brush.

Mac - Eyeshadow - All that glitters (1.3 gr): This is another item I snatched up on a black Friday offer in Mac, as they were having a discount of everything in their stores. 

Dermacol Prague - Magnolia flower care delicious hand cream (30 ml): This was gifted to me from the sales associate at the Dermacol store in Prage. Such a nice gesture, and will for sure come in handy as my hands tend to be dry.

Bare minerals - Multi tasking concealer broad spectrum spf 20 in bisque (2 g): I had been intrigued about this product for some time, and as I kept on getting red splotches on my face the current concealers I have at hand at the moment did not seem to stick I decided to give this a try. And it does work like a charm!! 

So that concludes my purchases for the year 2023 - and soon there will be time to outline my goals for 2024, both for project pan and as what to buy and what not to buy.

Do you have any plans regarding your cosmetics in the coming year?

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!!

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"?

November - December Haul 2022

It's time for the last haul of the year - I will really have to put more effort into scaling back my purchases next year - as I have backups upon backups of skin creams, serums, mascaras etc. in my stash. Anyway here comes the haul for the last two months of the year.

Serum, color makeup, testers and a makeup brush

Eyeshadow palette, hair products and eye serum

Five Caudalie testers (one missing in pic)

Milk Makeup - Pore eclipse mattifying primer (4 ml): This item came in a pack from Sephora; Sephora favorites sparkly clean set. 

Taramar - Night treatment (10 ml): We were gifted this item at work, as we met one of the Taramar representative on his way to launch the brand in Dubai!! Super cool, I have been on their email list for over a year, but still had not tried anything out yet - now I have the perfect opportunity to test this brand out and he also gave us a few other samples: Day treatment, Purifying treatment and The serum.

Biossance - Squalane + omega repair cream (15 ml): This came in the Sephora favorites set, and is perfect for work to take abroad or to put into my gym-bag :)

JVN - Complete conditioning mist (60 ml): I was super curious about this hair leave in treatment, but given my laziness to use hair products, I decided to go for the smaller size

Caudalie - Vinoperfect - radiance serum complexion correction (10 ml): this serum came with the Sephora favorites set, and is perfect for the work or gym bag! 

Saie - Mascara 101, black (5 g): Perhaps the only thing I do not need is a mascara, given the fact that I have at least 3 backups, but I think all of the un-opened ones are some version of a sample size.

Ilia beauty - Balmy gloss, only you (4.3 ml): I have been super curious about this brand, as it is apparently a clean one, and this as many products in this haul came in the Sephora favorites set. 

Rose Inc - Lip and cheek color, Heliotrope (4.5 g): This also came with the Sephora favorites set, and with the lip gloss from Ilia, were the two products I was most curious about. And after swatching the blush in store - I just had to buy this set. 

Hourglass - Vanish seamless concealer brush: A lot of my purchases these days are due to recommendations, usually someone from Youtube, this being no exception, this time it was Maree, who recommended this brush, but it was exactly what the dr. ordered as I had been having some issues blending my concealer under my eyes of late. And it works perfectly!

Jason Wu - Flora 9 - 01 Matte Agave (5.85 g): I had planned to purchase a different palette in Ulta on a black Friday offer in store, but when I swatched "Too faced Born this way the natural nudes" I found some of the shimmer colors to be too chunky for my taste, and just picked one up for my friend. So when I found myself in Ulta one hour later, feeling sad I did not fall in love with the Too faced palette, I decided to buy this on a whim and as a somewhat of a compensation for not buying the other one. It performs over average for a drugstore matt colors, and has a selection of matte colors perfect in the crease. 

Big Sexy Hair - Volumizing conditioner (1000 ml): This I picked up in Ulta during black Friday week - as it was on generous discount, and I was running out of conditioner and needed to pick one up.

Mac - Fix+ stay over alcohol free long-lasting setting spay (30 ml): I have for a long time wanted to try the MacFix+ and when I knew they had this one, an alcohol free version it sounded perfect. So I decided to buy this one in it's smaller version as well. 

Perricone MD - Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Eylid lift serum (15 ml): This I got tempted to buy after seeing it featured in a video from Tiffany D on Youtube. And as it came highly recommended by her, and I am starting to feel my age is catching up with my hooded eyelids I decided to grab it as it was on a 40% discount on the Perricone webpage.. but it was still expensive, even with the discount.

Eva Nyc - Mane magic 10 in 1 primer (160 ml): Yet another recommendation from Youtube, this time it was Jessica Braun, and with my hair being unusually long these days, the ends are super dry and brittle, so this is amazing to spray into my hair before I brush it through - and it does indeed prevent further hair breakage. 

Caudalie - Vinoperfect - radiance serum complexion correction (5 x 1.5 ml): I got these testers with my purchase of the sparkly clean set at Sephora - perfect for travel! 

That sums up the makeup, skincare and body care purchases for 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?

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!

Final USA + CAN haul 2018

In my last few stops in the States and Canada I grabbed a few items

The ultimate haul

Nurse Jamie - Uplift massaging beauty roller - 69 USD: As I saw Tati on Youtube highly recommending this item I decided to treat myself with buying it - decided to get it in black, as I prefer that color instead of the original purple. Intended use for myself, is to diminish my slowly emerging double-chin.

Mac - Eye kohl in Teddy - 22,05 CAD: As this has been on my wish-list for a few years, I decided to grab it in Toronto duty free. 

Laneige - Lip sleeping mask - 20 USD: A makeup artist acquaintance of mine highly recommended this lip mask, so ofc I had to pick it up and give it a try as my lips tend to be super dry in the winter.

Sephora Collection - Waterproof eye makeup remover (125 ml) - 15 USD: A friend of mine who is just as much or even more into makeup than I am, recommended this product, and stated it works just as good as the Lancome bi-facil eye makeup remover, at a fraction of the cost I decided to pick it up and give it a try.

Tom Ford - Bronzer brush 05 - 115 USD: This brush had so many good reviews online and on youtube, I really wanted to buy it. Originally I had planned to buy it next year, but as I heard from Michelle Wang on Youtube that Tom Ford is planning to change it's brushes into synthetic hair I decided to grab it this year as I prefer natural hair bristles over synthetic ones. And omg is this brush a dream. It is the softest face brush I own. I would love to own more of his brushes but the price tag is way to expensive, so I will just treasure this one. 

Victorias Secret - Love eau de parfum roller ball (15 ml) - 22 11 CAD (offer): Another fragrance was the last thing I need in my already too big of a perfume collection. But as it was on 50% off I decided to grab it - and in a roller ball version.

Pixi by Petra - Glow-y gossamer duo in Subtle sunrise ( - 16 USD: As I only own one highlighter, which is a cream-stick highlighter I wanted to try a powder one. I was trying to decide between a mini Bobbi Brown highlighter in pink light and this one by Pixi. After much contemplation and testing and swatching I opted for the Pixi one, as I found the Bobby Brown one a tad too glittery.

Real techniques - Blush brush - 8.99 USD: For some reason it was really important for me to grab this brush, but now when I have it, I have no idea why it was so important to get it.

So now I have managed to purchase two more items of my 18 item limit (which is my updated limit - original limit was 12 items of color cosmetics). Those two items being Mac Teddy eye kohl and Pixi by Petra highlighter, which brings my total to 17 items in 2018. Only one left - and if I can do without that is even better. 

USA haul

So as my summer job for 2018 as a flight attendant will bring me to the United States of America several times over the course of the next few months, so here come the hauls for beauty products for my first three stops:

Haul one

So in my first stop over in Seattle, I managed to pick a few items up:

Elf - eye shadow brush (1 $ + tax @Target)- I bought this one as a backup for an older similar Elf eye shadow brush, but sadly they have changed the hair bristles. And it does a terrible job at applying color to my eyelid. I have to try it on more eye shadows, but now I can only see it being used wet to apply pigments, or wet eye shadow - as it does an ok job at that.

Estée Lauder - advanced night repair serum (7 ml) (16 $ + tax @Nordstrom Rack) - I have really wanted to try this serum out for some time, but as my skin can't handle any given product, I really wanted to be able to try it out before investing in a full size bottle. And finally I stumbled upon a small sample bottle, and can't wait to try it out

Elf - pencil sharpeners - set of 2 - (1.22 $ + tax @Target) - I wanted to buy a closed pencil sharpener, for two sized pencils to put in my cosmetics bag, ready to go with me to work, and this one fitted the bill, and on at a superior price. 

Shea moisture - African black soap with shea butter, troubled skin/severely dry skin (230 g) (5.99 $ + tax @Target) - 

Two oceans - Soothing Aloe Vera, Purifying charcoal - Deep cleansing charcoal soap bar (225 g) (3.99 $ @Ross) - I just couldn't resist picking this soap up as it is made in South Africa, and contains Aloe Vera and is black in color, as the African black soap, so it might work perfectly for my perioral dermatitis, if not I can always use it as a body soap in my shower. 

Haul two

Sephora - Pro brow brush no. 20 (18 $ + tax @Sephora) - I grabbed this to put in my travel makeup bag - to go with the brow powder duo. And it performs perfectly.

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Brow powder duo - soft brown (2 x 0.8 g) (23 $ + tax @Sephora). I asked for assistance at Sephora, and was recommended the auburn shade, as I have a hint of red tones in my hair, but did not dare to venture in that direction, and she tried this on me and it looked great in the store. But in retrospect as I continue to wear it I feel like it is a bit to warm for my brows, so I might actually return this color and exchange it for medium brown.

Mac - eye shadow in Kid (6 $ + tax @Mac) - as this is possibly a limited edition re-launch I decided to pick this shadow up, as I had heard so much about it on Youtube as the perfect crease color. And I am constantly on a hunt for one of those. 

Haul three

Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow brush- detail smudge no. 230 (11 $ + tax @Target) - as I busted my Elf detail crease brush, which I used as a smudge brush, I decided to pick this one up in Target.

Neutrogena - makeup remover cleansing towelettes - 25 ultra-soft cloths (6.29 S + tax @Target). A friend of mine recommended these towelettes, and said they get off all traces of makeup, even waterproof mascara. So I grabbed the type that comes in the plastic tub, which will be very convenient on the go.

So by now I have successfully finished my entire original quota (of 12 items) of color cosmetics for the entire year of 2018.

I had a very similar project/goal going on in 2013 - except in that particular project I did not count any purchases into the total count that I purchased abroad. With that in mind and considering I have only finished five items from the haul I made in Seattle in 2013, and two of those items being mascaras, I really have to start using my products more before I hoard any more. Still I am going to raise the total number of colored cosmetic purchases for the year 2018 to total of 18 items. But those remaining six items left then for this years quota have to be considered carefully before purchasing. And they have to have a very particular function in my collection.

UK + GR+ DK + FI Haul

So far this year I have been on two holidays, one to Corfu, Greece, with connecting flights in London, and then to Copenhagen and Finland. And these are the things I grabbed on those trips.

UK + GR + DK + FI haul

Finlayson Coronna cosmetics bag

On my trip to Greece, I bought two items, one in the airport at Gatwick where I grabbed a Mac paint-pot in Groundwork. This is the perfect no effort, minimal eyeshadow product for everyday. Do not regret it for one minute.

In Sephora in Corfu I bought a Sephora Lotus face mask - which claims to be moisturizing and soothing. Obviously I have not used it yet, but come winter I am sure it will come in handy.

In Copenhagen I picked up the Essence Lash princess mascara. And this type was the one that I had heard the most positive reviews about. In fact I have been trying to get my hands onto one for a couple of years, but the Essence stands where I have bumped into them abroad tend to be very picked over, and sold out. So I was pleasantly surprised they had a full stand in Føtex in Fredriksberg Center in Copenhagen.

The rest of the shopping was done in Finland, where I bought several items from Lumene, the Finnish skincare brand and shampoo and conditioner from the Swedish brand Maria Nila.

Lumene Lahde [Source] Arctic spring water enriched facial mist. I bought this with the intention to replace my Body shop vitamin E facial spray which is almost finished.

Maria Nila Luminous colour shampoo and conditioner. They are vegan and cruelty free, and do not contain sulphates and parabens. I have tried a shampoo from their volume line and so far I like it. And as per bottle is about 10 EUR cheaper in Finland compared to Iceland I decided to pick them up.

Lumene soft touch hydrating toner for dry and normal skin. I still am using the toner I bought in DK last year, but it always good to have a backup ready to go. And as things in Iceland tend to be quite expensive, it always pays off to stock up while abroad.

Lumene Lahde [Source] Pure arctic miracle 3 in 1 micellar cleansing water. This was on offer, and also bought as a back up, when I finish the micellar water I am using currently. But now days I only use micellar water to remove my eye makeup.

Lumene Invisible Illumination - Instant glow beauty serum. This is a colored serum, and I did I choose the color: universal light. And claims to subtly enhance ones complexion, so it is probably a very sheer coverage.

Then I totally fell in love with this little cosmetics bag from Finlayson Coronna, so that also fell into my shopping cart.