Dec. 2015 Empties - Hits and Misses

Hello lovelies, I have today my empties from the month of December.

Maybelline Clean Express Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover. This was my second one of these I believe, and I won't be repurchasing. I have a different eye remover to get through, but I don't really use them that often to be honest. If I am playing with makeup and I do something really dramatic, then I use it, but I dno't like to reach for the extra step. I typically wash my face in the shower and that gets rid of everything. I don't wear waterproof makeup either so I don't really need a product like this.

Avene Thermal Spring Water. This is something that I got in ipsy. I have a backup of this, but I think this one got really old because it started to smell like the can if that makes sense. I didn't feel comfortable using this on my face anymore. I prefer other sprays over this because it comes out pretty strong. Wouldn't repurchase.

Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions. I love this mascara and already have 2 backups. It makes my lashes literally look like falsies, to the point I have actually been asked if they were my real lashes more than once! Will repurchase forever...my only problem with this is that it flaked a bit, but I put up with that for the effect it gives my lashes.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara wand. I used this to comb through my brows because I feel like it is the perfect size for that, however the brow pencil I have been using is way too creamy and the wand keeps getting gunked up. I have cleaned it enough and I got a spooly and eye brow brush in my ipsy this month so it is time to retire this.

Skyn Iceland Eye Gels. I put these in the fridge before I used them because I heard that helps. However, I didn't really feel like these did much. I have another set so I will have to test it out again I guess. 

Eco-Beauty good day, day moisturizer. This was nice, kind of smelled like fresh cucumbers. I loved that even though it was a foil packet, it came with a twist cap and was actually a larger size. I used this for a while before I finished it. Nothing incredible though, so I won't be repurchasing. 

Equate Makeup Remover Wipes. Nothing new here, I will repurchase these because they are a great value. I use these to wipe down my desk, to remove swatches, to clean my hands if I get makeup all over them. I just wish the packaging was better because the last few dried out because I had completely ripped off the cover by accident. 

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. By far my favorite cleanser. I especially like it to take off my makeup. My skin looks its best when I use this. I have a few other cleansers to get through, but once I do I will definitely be repurchasing! 

epice Purifying Exfoliant. This worked well enough. I felt like the little particles in this were too harsh though, like they were cutting my skin. Won't purchase.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Cleanser. This was nice, not a big enough sample for me to know how well it worked because I left it in the shower and someone used it all up. I only used it twice, but I do have another sample like this so I will have to test it out again...maybe just not leave it in the shower haha!

I feel like I finished up a decent amount of products this month. I hope that 2016 continues this way but with more makeup involved. 

Shadow Panning Pandemonium Jan. Goals

Hello lovelies, I decided that I will post the shadows I want to hit pan on monthly, so in the beginning of the month I will post my goals and at the end I will post whether or not I actually hit pan on them. I will probably start posting my goals and updates on the same post so that I am not wasting everyone's time to have to check back again the next day. 

I chose 3 shadows this month, 2 of which are actually in a project pan and I want to get a move on them. 

First is the Wet n Wild single in Brulee I believe. I have this in my z-palette so it is always pretty readily available for me to use. I use this to set any primer or base that I have put down. It is also a great browbone highlight shade. 

Second is Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne. This is my favorite rose-gold all over the lid shade. Also a really gorgeous inner corner highlight when I am doing a matte eye but still want some sparkle.

Last is the peachy shade (#6) from the Hard Candy Birthday Suit palette. It is such a great shade for going through the crease. I like having something warm there and this is perfect for that.Very easy shade and pairs well with the other 2 shadows.

I have pretty good dips in all of these and I am not too worried about hitting pan, however I have never really done this before so I am hoping it is as easy as I think it is! 

Daily Post Jan. 1

So I am ready to get into this daily writing thing. I have a list of writing prompts and I am having someone choose a random number and I will just respond to that post. I encourage who ever is reading this to comment down below their responses as well. Lets get into my head:

What did you most enjoy doing this week?

This week I enjoyed New Years Eve. There is something about the idea of starting fresh that kind of really gets to me. I didn't really set any resolutions though because I am satisfied with where my life is at and while I decided that I want to make a couple of changes, it isn't something that I would consider a resolution because I feel like once I attach that word to something, that is it, I won't actually accomplish it. Anyway I also loved the fact that I didn't have work, I got to eat my body weight in junk food (paying for it today!), and just hung out with my family and watched Impractical Jokesters. By far the funniest show I have ever watched in my life! Really enjoyed starting off the new year laughing, it seems symbolic of how my year should go.

15 Things From 2015

1. I have been reading a great deal more. Didn't reach my goal of 24 books, but I did get to read 12 of them which is more than I am sure that I read in the year before.

2. I've finally passed the entrance test for the College of Education. That much closer to being a teacher.

3. I got a planner and realized that no matter how much I try, I really can't live by a book. However, I like seeing everything in list form and on my calendar. I'm only slightly OCD.

4. Finally gave reading science fiction and fantasy books a read, learned that I actually enjoy reading them.

5. I learned that I need to let things go and allow them to happen as they will. I can't control everything.

6. I have a very snarky and sarcastic (sometimes hurtful) sense of humor, and the people that love me the most put up with it.

7. I have another niece; who I love even though I have never met her. Next year will bring another niece and nephew inshallah.

8. Religion above all else. Really helps you get through times that there seems to be no end to. It is the light at the end of the tunnel if you will.

9. I get a thrill when things come in the mail. Specifically packages. I like to buy gifts for myself.

10. I enjoy taking care of others. Returning all the love that was given to me throughout my 22 years of life.

11. My makeup desk is my sanctuary.

12. Reading Harry Potter and then watching the movies is incredibly frustrating. They cut out way too much!

13. Having good friends that you can count on is kind of awesome.

14. I hold on to some useless things...I am never going to look at those notes from 2012 again, why do I still have them?!?!

15. Cluttered space = cluttered mind. Need to remember to keep things clean and simple sometimes.

15 of 2015! Favorites of the Year!

Hello lovelies, I bring you all today my top 15 of 2015! This isn't just makeup products, I wanted to include some other things as well. I will just get right into it in no particular order! Safe to say that I will definitely be repurchasing every single one of these items as soon as I run out of them.

WetnWild Contour Palette and Essence Blush

1. The Wet n Wild Contour Palette -- specifically the contour side -- has been so nice to use for my daily makeup looks. It is perfect for people with lighter skin tones like myself. It is the perfect contour color and it is hard to go over-do it with this product. I find that when I am in a rush but still want some dimension to my face I don't have to worry about it not blending out properly or being to sharp.

2. Essence Silky Touch Blush in Babydoll. I don't think I have ever loved a blush as much as I do this one. When they say silky touch they literally mean silky touch. Such a beautiful shade. I have never been so attached to a blush before. I normally jump around because I have so many of them, but I used this for a solid 2 months without even thinking about switching it out. Such amazing quality for such a low price! 

Maybelline color tattoo, Rimmel Scandaleyes x2, NYC Liquid Liner, Chella highlight crayon.

3. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. I love these as bases, but specifically this color. I feel like it works so well underneath so many different shades of shadows. It is also beautiful on its own for a quick look. 

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes in Turquoise is my perfect blue. It definitely pulls more blue than it does green and I am happy about that. This color has a way of making my brown eyes really pop and look brighter. I have been loving this for years, but I feel like this year anytime I went somewhere it was appropriate, I did a blue eye look and I always used this in my waterline as well as my lower lash line. My favorite blue eyeliner.

5. Rimmel Scandaleyes in Nude. This is my second one of these that I have. I find that out of all the scandaleyes line this is the one that stays on my waterline the longest. I always have this still in my waterline at the end of the night, even when everything else is a mess on my face. 

6. NYC Liquid Liner. I know that everyone raves about this, and that is with good reason! I was really struggling with doing wings and lining my upper lash line because I couldn't get the hang of all the felt tip liners that are supposedly the easiest way to do a wing. The brush tip on this product is such a dream to use. It takes a little getting used to at first, but once you get it down it is incredible to use. I went through a daily wing phase which is something that I never thought I would go through. This is what perfectly winged liner dreams are made of. 

7. Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Crayon -- or really the idea of it -- was really nice to use all year. It is so easy to highlight my brow bone with this as well as my inner corner on minimal makeup days. I loved that it is a matte pencil. I got this from ipsy, so I probably won't repurchase this specific one but I know there are some at the drugstore that I have heard about and want to try once I eventually get through this one. Let me know your suggestions down below! 

Essence Barely There, Jordana RocknRose, Rimmel Kate 08

These are ll things that I found later in the year, but I know that I will always have them in stock because I have never loved 3 lip products as much as I do these ones....and I have a LOT of lip products! 

8. Essence lipstick in Barely There is the most perfect "My Lips But Better" color. I have lips that are on the darker side so nudes don't look as nice on me. I have settled for the mauvy-brown colors and this is that and so much more. It isn't the most long-lasting lipstick, but it is so comfortable to wear. Also it doesn't wear down weird. 

9. Jordana Easy Liner for Lips in Rock n Rose. I already have a backup of this. This is the color that I expected Rimmel East End Snob to be. That one is too pink for me, but this doesn't have any pink in it at all. Pinks don't look that great on me so I try to avoid them. This is the perfect base for so many of my lip products. It also looks great on its own! 

10. Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 08. This is again just another color that looks great on me. I actually bought a second one to keep in my back pack for those days when I am running late for class as well as for touch ups after I eat or drink my coffee. Such an easy color to wear. 

11. Luxie 205 Tapered Blending Brush is a staple for me. I got this in an ipsy bag and have been obsessed since. It is so fluffy and applys my crease color perfectly. I use this on a daily basis and those days where I deep clean my brushes, I do my makeup and then wash them so that it is ready for my the next day. I have never felt an eye brush so fluffy and soft as this one. 

Powder, Blush, Duo-fiber Face, Setting

12. I kind of cheated here. I am counting all the Real Techniques brushes as one. These 4 are specifically the ones that I use on a daily basis and that in a heartbeat if anything ever happened to them. They are so soft and apply my makeup so well! The powder brush is so big and fluffy and is perfect for not only setting my face. but if I go overboard on the blush and bronzer can blend them out perfectly. The blush brush I have used for blush and bronzer and it works so well for both of those things. The Duo-fiber face brush is perfect for applying blush and bronzer as well. If I am using something really pigmented, I feel like this is the brush that helps me apply without going too heavy handedlly. The setting brush has been a savior while I am using my It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye concealer. It blends it out so beautifully. I need to get another one of these so I can use it to set underneath my eyes as well. 

13. Glowy skin is another favorite. I love using highlighter on a daily basis. I feel like having glowy skin can change so much. When ever I have a matte look I feel like I look a little tired, old, and one-dimensional. Strobing becoming a thing was the coolest thing to me. I mean I don't strobe on a daily basis, but I have found that I really do love applying highlighter and giving my skin something extra.

14. Bronzy/Peachy eye looks. I am obsessed with doing one color all over the lid and blending it out in to the crease. Over the summer I was trying to pan a bronzer that had some shimmer in it as well as a bronze eye base, and that is when I fell in love. I would use my bronzer on top of the base (that was only applied to my lid) and then blend it out through the crease. There was little shimmer that was detectable in my crease so it looked like I had applied more effort to my look than I actually did. I have also been loving throwing peachier shades in my crease to warm looks up. There are so many beautiful peach crease shades out there and I didn't even know it!

15. Project panning has definitely been a favorite. I actually started getting into it later in the year, but it is a favorite nonetheless. There is something so satisfying about actually being able to finish products or hit pan on products. There were some items that I finished that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. I will continue to do it through next year because of how much I have been enjoying it. It has also brought me back to my blog again. I don't think I would have posted nearly as much as I have been if I was going on the way that I was before. The project pan community is also a big bonus. There are so many people cheering one another on and it is so motivating to have them there. 

Well there are my favorite 15 of 2015. It has been quite the year, and if you want to know what else I loved about it go check out my other blog: writingreader27.blogspot.com I have as much planned over there as I do here in the next year! Bitter sweet that 2015 is ending, but way to excited for next year to dwell on it. Happy new year everyone!! 

Project 15 Pan

Hello lovelies, I bring you yet another project pan. However, this one isn't seasonal or have an end date really. I know that I said I should stick to projects with a deadline because they are more motivating, but instead of a deadline this one will have a grand prize at the end of it. I usually keep my projects strictly makeup, which is probably why I can never complete one successfully, but this one will include skin and hair care as well. I added them in and made the total so high because my prize at the end of this will be to subscribe to Boxy Charm. It is something that I have been wanting to do, but with the size of my collection and the amount of samples I have, I could never justify it. Once I reach my goals on these products then I can get it and I won't feel as guilty about it. I added more than makeup because whenever I see unboxing, they usually have skin and hair care in there and quite frankly, I have a lot of that as it is right now. I really need to get them out of my collection and this will help me do that. Now onto the products!

Makeup:
1. Wet n Wild - single shadow in Brulee - hit pan - I am trying to hit pan on as many shadows as possible this year and I figured including it in some projects will help me with that. I love to set my eye bases and primers with this color. Hitting pan shouldn't be too hard wince I did break this one a bit when I depotted it.
2. Elizabeth Mott - Champagne - hit pan - Again I am trying to hit pan on my shadows. This one I have been loving lately. It has a really nice rose gold tint to it and looks beautiful as an all over lid shade without being too much, but also look beautiful as an inner corner highlight in a more intense way. I don't doubt that I will hit pan on this soon since I have been targeting my brush into the corner of this shadow for a while now.
3. CVS Sample Brow Pencil - Taupe - I figured this is too light for my brows on its own, but since I will be using the brown one I can probably work with it along side it too make that one lighter and this one darker. It will take me longer to use them that way, but I am confident it won't take too long!
4. Wet n Wild - Contour Palette - hit pan on highlight side - I am already trying to hit pan on the contour side and figured since I already have it out, I should probably just get some use out of it anyway. It is alright, but not my favorite so I will be happy to just hit pan as soon as possible.
5. ELF - Blushed/Bronzed duo - I want to use up the entire blush. I feel like that is something that I really just need to do. I already have pan so hopefully it won't take too long to get through it. I do like this blush, but it is old and really just needs to be gone. They don't even make this duo anymore so that should tell you how long I have had it!
6. Covergirl - Lipstick - Rush - I like this lipstick, hopefully it won't take me too long to get through it. It is a nice everyday color for me.
7. Colour Pop - Super Shock Shadow - Hanky Panky - hit pan - I bought this and have only used it a handful of times. I don't want it to go to waste by just sitting in my collection. I don't get the hype over these shadows, I definitely have ones that I prefer over it. Since it isn't a powder this doesn't count towards my goal of hitting pan on shadows.
8. EVIO - cream blush - Ash - I got this tiny sample in ipsy, it isn't that old but I want to see it I can finish it up. I feel like it would pair up nicely with the ELF blush. I just have to remember to use it. It really isn't that big of a sample, but cream blushes tend to take a while to get through I feel.

I accidentally added the Briogeo hair mask with the makeup, oops. 

Skin/Hair Care:
9. Soap and Glory - Hand food - I have had one of the smaller sizes go bad and smell absolutely terrible. I don't want that to happen to this one, so I threw it in. My hands have also been really dry since we are in the colder months of the year, so this is a necessary step that I find myself skipping a lot.
10. Briogeo - Don't Despair, Repair - This is a nice hair mask. I have only used it a handful of times, but I do want to get through it. I feel like it takes me forever to get through hair masks especially now that my hair is shorter than it used to be. Hopefully this won't take too long though.
11. Simple - Miscellar Water - I have had this for a while now. It works well enough, but I can't just take off all my makeup with it alone. I added this because I really want to try the Garnier one but am holding back until I finish this one up.
12. Mario Badescu - Facial Spray - I like this, but have had it for a while and it seems like it has taken me forever to get through the little less than half that I have gone through already. I like to spray my face with this throughout the day since my skin has been so dry so I am hoping that I can finish this sooner rather than later.
13. Garnier - Blackhead Eliminating Scrub - I haven't even touched this yet. I hope it won't take me that long to get through it, but this is the one that isn't in my shower. I prefer to exfoliate my face in there, but figured it would be more challenging this way.
14. Be Fine - Daily Moisturizer - Just another thing that has been taking up space for way too long.
15. Doo Grow - Mega thick growth oil - I have had this for a while. I don't know that it actually works, but the bottle is sticky and I don't like that the cap isn't really secure. I want to have it out of my collection and if I can get my hair to grow, well that is just an added bonus!


It is a lot to get through, but since boxy charm is $20 a month and comes with 4-5 products, I want to make sure I really look at what I have and go from there. I don't want to just keep hoarding things because they come in subscription boxes. I think I am going to only have it for 3 months and than do another one of these projects. That way I can keep everything under control. It makes sense to finish 15 and then get 15 right? I am excited to start using these so I can get my hands on that subscription service!

Last minute additions! I always worry when I do project pans and there is a set goal that I am trying to reach that there will be one or two items that end up taking way too long to finish and it is really discouraging, so I decided to add in 2 more products just to be on the safe side. 

ELF - Brush Cleaner - I need to remember to do quick in between cleanings and not just wait until I have no more brushes and force myself to wash all of them at once. Hopefully you can see the line, there isn't too much left in here. 

Calvin Klein - Endless Euphoria Roller Ball - I am not the biggest fan of this perfume, but it isn't the worst. I have worn this a few times but the perfume is still at the top of the bottle. Hopefully it won't take me too long to finish this up. 

Makeup Use Up 2016

Hello lovelies, lately there has been a new tag going around called Make Up Use Up 2016. Essentially what it is, is a master list of all the makeup that you would like to use up in the year 2016. Some people have only chosen their numbers, some have chosen some products to fill the spots. I have already figured out all the products that I want to go through this year. Now I have my goals for each product type as well as a stretch item or 2. I picked that up from Elle is for Living. In her video on youtube she said that she had her main goals as well as the stretch goals, which are products that she is going to try a finish and stretch beyond the goals that she had set up for herself. This seemed like a great plan, and I decided to do the same. On that video she posted the names of everyone that is participating on youtube.

My List:

Powders - 3

NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder

Wet n Wild Coverall

Wet n Wild Reserve your Cabana 

Rimmel Stay Matte - stretch

Blushes - 2

ELF Blushed/Bronzed Duo

Be a Bombshell the One Stick in Sunset

Eye Liner - 4

Rimmel Nude

Rimmel Black 

Revlon Charcoal

Pacifica Fringe

Rimmel Turquoise - stretch

Sephora Chloraphyll - stretch

Eyelid Primers/Bases - 3

Be a Bombshell Submissive

Maybelline Barely Branded

NYC City Proof 24 hr.

Trestique Aspen Pine - stretch

Brow Products - 4

Loreal Brow Stylist Plumper

It Cosmetics Brow Power

CVS Sample Brown

CVS Sample Taupe

Lip Liners - 3

Rimmel East End Snob

Jordana Rock n Rose

Essence In the Nude

Lipsticks - 4

Bare Minerals Get Ready

Kat Von D Love Craft

Covergirl Rush

Covergirl Sultry

Wet n Wild 902C - stretch

Lip Gloss - 3

Artistry Champagne

Mary Kay au Naturel

BBW Watermelon Sorbet

NYX Creme Brulee - sretch

Lip Balms - 3

Maybelline Babylips Yummy Plummy

Maybelline Babylips Peach Kiss

Maybelline Babylips Strike a Rose

NYC Apple Plum Pie - stretch

Foundation/BB Cream - 4

Rimmel Stay Matte

Urban Decay Naked Skin BB Cream

Garnier BB Cream

Revlon Nearly Naked

Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder - stretch

Bronzer - 2

NYC Smooth Skin Sunny

ELF Blushed/Bronzed duo

Concealers - 3

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye

Mac Studio Finish

Maybelline Fit Me - stretch

Highlighters - 2

Benefit Watts Up

Temptu Pink Pearl

ELF Pink Tastic - stretch

Face Primers - 3

Smashbox Photo Finish

Pixi Flawless Beauty

dr. brandt Pores No More

Benefit Porefessional - stretch

Total: 43

Stretch: 11

All Together: 54

Stretch Items

There is my list and some photos to go along with it. Everyone said they were going to check in around the 6 month mark, I may go along with that or I may update sooner and more often, like every 4 months maybe. I will see where I am at in 4 months and decide then. Getting through all of this wont put too big a dent in my collection as a whole, but I am excited to use these up this year and get to try new things once they are out or even repurchase a few of them! Happy panning everyone and I hope that 2016 brings us lots of makeup usage!