200th post!

And kind of a random one, at that. I used up some more stuff. And I'm gonna see if I can go until October 15th before buying anything new (including makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish). I need to shrink my collection some. Or a lot. It's time for some major detox - I had a stressful summer and compensated by buying things.

Using things up feels good, but it's also a methodical process that keeps me away from a lot of my collection.

And, it's 5 days away from when Project Use It hits the yearlong mark. I wonder if I can get to 200 products by then? After the year, I don't know what I'm going to do about keeping track of stuff - maybe a monthly or biweekly post?

Things that are gone now:
*SN Bubbly GWP eye shadow - can't buy it again, but it was lovely. I even got a compliment on it from the lady at Ulta! I'm kind of looking forward to moving onto something else now, though. It was a tan champagne shade with lots of sparkles.

*Meow Pampered Puss foundation sample - Sleek Persian. I did like this enough to get a huge tub of it at their recent sale. Probably could have waited some more, as I still have an Aromaleigh full size and a tub of adorned with Grace. Oh well.

*Nuance Salma Hayek Tinted Moisturizer samples - Light. I took three of these, because they're really only good for testing the color if you only have one. Turns out three of these are also not enough to test out coverage. I ended up piling my normal stuff on top of it, because it was like it didn't do anything.

*Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer. This claimed to be a way to make your nails look better without polish. I say it's basically a very thin, very fast drying clear nail polish. I also say it's not worth the effort, which is why I had it sitting around for years and had to make a conscious effort to use it up so I could harvest the silver balls for a Frankenpolish.

(Since Sept. 2, 2010)
192 items gone
71 full size items gone

Detox Day 29

Ok, so if my no-buy is technically "makeup only," then I'm still ok. I went to CVS yesterday because I needed a few things, and came home with a Wet N Wild nail polish, a facial scrub/cleanser, and a waterproof spray sunblock (which I actually do need, as I just found out that I'll be chaperoning weekly field trips in June and July's Midwestern heat and humidity).

And I don't have a polish problem - this is only bottle 27.

Yesterday I also ordered some stuff from Garden of Wisdom, I'm expecting some lemon eucalyptus essential oil, a cedarwood essential oil, meadowfoam oil, a hair serum, a face mask, and some cromollient. The first three are going into an aromatherapy rollerball for when I have migraines, and the cromollient is going to be really good for making my own cleansing oils, and if I add a little bit to my shaving oil, maybe it'll stop gunking up the tub so much. The mask and hair stuff were throw-ins, really.

Then I decided to take a few things off Liza's overstock - her blotch-be-gone is really worth it.

So as a "no beauty products whatsoever" no-buy, I totally fail. I definitely have new skincare stuff, but stuff I know I'll actually use. Stuff to keep my face clear, sunblock, and something I hope will help with migraines (my preferred medication has been discontinued!) all kind of count as more health-related than anything (well, except the nail polish).

As far as what to buy when the no-buy was over, I thought about getting some stuff from the Korres warehouse sale, but then I decided against it. The I thought about getting a Tarte value kit from Ulta, but decided that the only thing I really wanted was the mascara. Then, I thought about doing an All Cosmetics Wholesale order, but now I think supporting Darling Girl would be better - especially since she has lip balms I can use now.

Then next month, Shiro. I'm going to let her get her website up and running really well before I splurge on kawaiishadows and longcat intertube.

I guess this was useful. Thinking that a smart buy is a better option for me long term.

Detox Day 22

22 days with no makeup purchases! The only beauty-related purchases I've made have been two bottles of conditioner, and one of those is a product I've bought and used up twice already (Garnier Triple Nutrition conditioner), so I know that'll get use. It came packaged with a travel size of the same stuff, which was a nice bonus because I'd run out of my trial size of it. The other conditioner I bought was the Garnier Pure Clean kind, which came packaged with a trial size of the shampoo. That was perfect, because shampoo is harder to use up if it sucks.

But I haven not bought any makeup! I'm still using stuff up, and it's going ok. I do have stuff planned for after this time period is over (mostly Korres stuff - they're reducing their US line and have a bunch of stuff on sale). I also have my eyes on a Tarte kit at Ulta (comes with mascara, brown gel liner, a cheek stain, a lip gloss, some loose powder, a liner brush, and a nice bag).


Anyway, I'm doing ok. Go see how Jill's doing at Just Peachy!

Detox update, contest update

Detox!
Day 15 - I went to Sephora yesterday later to get my free shower gel (it's my birthday, it's my birthday!!!), and got some free sample decants of a few things (mostly eye primers). I did not break out any money!!!

Friday, I looked at the CVS beauty section - it was kind of freeing to not have my wallet on me at the time (we were on a walk, and the man needed some stuff for himself). Nothing really jumped out like "Buy me!!!" I think I really have exhausted all my drugstore product desires - there's some new WnW stuff coming out that I'd like, but it's not going to be available in the next few weeks anyway. Nail polish box is full - can't get more of that. I have enough foundations to last a couple years, yeah.

Turns out a local Clinique counter is having an event where I can get some free stuff if I come in for a color matching thingy - and I like the free, so I might do that.

Contest!
Still have not gotten to picking a winner. I promise I will, soon, though!

Off to celebrate putting another stressful year in the past. :)

Day 9 of detox, a few random things

Detox update - Day 9:
Didn't buy anything. :) I did get my Sephora order in, and the sunblock stash is fun! I also like the Sin shadow pencil, but not for the reasons I'd thought - turns out it does crease on me without a primer. But! It's perfect for the lower lashline - wakes the whole area right up. They did forget to put my birthday gift in there, so I have to go to Sephora soon and pick that up. Maybe if I leave my money at home, I'll walk out with only the gift and some free samples.


Project Use It:
I also decided to restart my lip and eye product Project Pans, see if I can use up five more lip products and eight more eye products. I have too many baggies of stuff - and they need to be gone!

This week, I used up:
Liza's Lotions Luscious Lip Balm - Not my favorite lip balm ever, but it didn't cause me any problems. And I did use it up. :)

Aromaleigh planetearth (cool bright turquoise blue with tiny pink sparkles). I might end up missing this one a little, but I have about three more bright turquoises, so it's ok.

ES project pan - 2/8
Lip project pan - 1/5

122 items gone
45 full size items gone

Upcoming contest:
I need two more followers!!!


Revised shopping list:
I've since decided to scale back my SoBe order, am still planning on a Shiro haul at the end of the no buy, and am thinking about another Morgana Cryptoria order and a small Darling Girl order. After I use up a specified amount of Fyrinnae stuff, I'm reordering some favorite colors. I should * crosses fingers * FINALLY have a decent job come August, so that will make ordering easier. I also want to make another SN order around June (when I'll need more Vitamin C Serum - I think it's been helping!) and will want to try out some of the newer stuff then.