June 2015 Project Use It Up Update

Woohoo progress!! I am halfway through June and I have used up 6 of the 7 products I chose for the month! 

This shower gel is the only item in my June project that I am still working on. I really enjoy this scent and I am glad I still have a full size body wash left once this is gone. 

I am setting a goal for myself to use 10 makeup samples and 5 skincare samples before the month is over, since I am almost done with this project already. 

Lindsey

June 2015 Project Use It Up

For my June project use it up, I will continue to focus on a few items from my Christmas challenge and try to use up a few items that have been sitting in my collection not getting any love. May went surprisingly well, so I am trying to challenge myself with the items for this month. Here they are:

1. Bath & Body Works Carried Away Shimmer Mist. 8 oz. Value $14. I have had this body spray for years and it only has about 1 oz left in it. I like the Carried Away scent, but I don't like the shimmer formula anymore. This scent goes well with Sugar Plum Dream so I am trying to use these up at the same time.

2. Rainbow Honey Petit Four Perfume Roller ball. 0.13 oz. Value $3.84. This scent is so delicious. It reminds me of a sweet cake and biscuit scent. It is only 0.13oz so I hope I can use it up within the month. I am really enjoying using this as long as I can remember to.

3. Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover. 4.75 oz. Value $10.89. This is the eye makeup remover I have been using since January and it is finally almost gone. I really like this and once I finish the other deluxe sizes I have in my collection, I will probably repurchase it. 

4. Bath & Body Works Sugar Plum Dream Shower Gel. 3 oz. Value $5. I love the formula of the shower gels from B&BW. I am trying to work through all of the smaller sizes of these that I own, so you will probably see one a month until I finally run out. This is a very sweet candy-like scent and both my daughter and I really enjoy it. 

5. Bath & Body Works Sugar Plum Dream Body Lotion. 3 oz. Value $5. Body lotions from B&BW go so much faster than triple moisture creams, so I am trying to work through all of them and only plan on purchasing the moisture creams and shea creams from now on. 

6. Batiste Dry Shampoo "Savanna". 1.6 oz. Value $1.90. This can is almost gone and I'm glad. This is my least favorite scent I have tried from Batiste. I think it is just too spicy. Since I have been finding the bigger cans at TJ MAXX, I want to get rid of all of the sample size cans in my hair drawer.

7. Batiste Dry Shampoo "Blush". 1.6 oz. Value $1.90. I received this dry shampoo in the Sample Society box in February and still have not gotten around to using it. This month I will. 

I am excited to start working on all of these items and see what I can get used up in June. My empties value for the month of May was a crazy $530.51 and I have used up $1,752.58 since the first of 2015. 

Have a great day and feel free to join me in this challenge.

Lindsey

12 Empties of Christmas May Update

I am one month into #12emptiesofchristmas and have actually made some really good progress. Most of the products I have been focusing on are going fast, so I am hoping I can finish this challenge early. Maybe even by Halloween. Here is my progress in month #1.

1. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick "Naked". I love this shade. I wear it at least twice a week, so it is going pretty fast. I have used about 1/4 of an inch of product and I have around 3/4 of an inch left. 

5. Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist. I have been using this almost everyday and really enjoying it. I am halfway done with this mist and used around 1/2 inch of product in the last month.

12. Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover. I feel like makeup removers go really fast and I don't even wear makeup everyday. This remover does a good job and I really do like it. There is only around 1 inch of product left in this bottle now compared to when I started this project. 

10. Oahu Coconut Sunset Triple Moisture Cream. I loved this scent. I was happy to use it everyday and I might end up repurchasing it even though I don't need any more lotions. Finished 05/25/15. Value $12.50. 

11. Batiste Dry Shampoo "Dark & Deep Brown Hint of Color". This was a really good dry shampoo. I may consider repurchasing it, but right now I am working on a couple mini cans and I  recently bought the "Cherry" scent of this brand. Finished 05/23/15. Value $7.99.

Empties Value (so far) $20.49.

Starting next month, I plan on doing blog style updates on the 24th of each month since the challenge ends on Christmas. 

Lindsey

12 Empties of Christmas

Today, I am going over the 12 items I have picked for the 12 items empties of Christmas.  The #12emptiesofchristmas challenge includes picking out 12 full size items that you want to use up before Christmas. This is been going on for a little under a month now and I will be showing all of the products I have picked out.

1. Urban Decay RevolutionLipstick "Naked". Value $22 . This is a nude pink shade that I really enjoy. I wear this shade often, so I'm sure it will get used fairly quickly. I have already finished a mini size in this color so I know that I love it, when this is finished I'll buy a replacement.
2. NYX Powder Blush "Peach". Value $4.99. This is not the most pigmented blush I own, but I really like using it as a topper on other pink shades. When I wear it by itself, I have to use a lot of product. With constant use, I don't think hitting pan on this blush will be too difficult.
3. NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder "Translucent". Value $2.99. When I originally picked out the items for this project, I don't think I was thinking straight. With one month of constant use, this powder has shown no progress. It is a good powder and it does not take a lot of product to set my foundation , so I feel like it is going to take the entire eight months to use this up.
4. Soap & Glory Hand Food "Sugar Crush". Value $7. When these hand creams went on clearance at Sephora, I accidentally ordered two. I like this scent and formula, so I figured I would just include one of them into this challenge.
5. Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist. Value $22. The scent of this mist is something I have had to get used to while using this product. It is a nice hydrating mist, but the sprayer is kind of strong. Four out of five times that I use this, I spray a cotton pad then apply it to my face. Otherwise, whatever I am wearing gets covered. 
6. Bath & Body Works Carried Away Shimmer Mist. Value $14. I have had this mist for at least two years. I really enjoy the Carried Away scent, but the shimmer is a little juvenile now. i have been using this on my legs and arms before I go to bed since it is not really a spray I can use during the daytime on my clothes.
7. Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation "205 Natural Beige". Value $7.99. This is a great foundation. It wears beautifully and has great coverage. Unfortunately, it is too dark for me right now, so I am hoping I get some sun this summer so I can wear I or mix it in with my lighter foundations. 
8. Bath & Body Works Tokyo Lotus & Apple Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist. Value $14. I love this scent. I picked it up at a SAS and a piece of me wishes I had gotten more than the one spray. The only downside to the packaging is I hate the sprayers on the full size mists. I may pour this into a travel size spray bottle so I am more likely to use it. I plan on wearing this with the matching body lotion I bought at the same time.
9. Bath & Body Works Autumn Pear & Cashmere Woods Triple Moisture Cream. Value $12.50. This is such a nice scent. I love the formula of the moisture creams and I know once I start working on this, I will have it done in four or five weeks. 
10. Bath & Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset triple Moisture Cream. Value $12.50. I love this scent! I will probably buy another one of these at the June SAS, but I have had this one for over a year so I figured I should use it up before it goes bad. 
11. Batiste Dry Shampoo "Dark and Deep Brown Hint of Color". Value $7.99. Batiste may be my favorite brand of dry shampoo. I like this one because it doesn't leave the white cast that most dry shampoos do. Once I am done with this bottle, I will probably try a different "scent" since I am still looking for one I like as much as "Mamba".
12. Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover. Value $10.89.  There are not very many eye makeup removers that are as good as Lancome Bi-Facil, but this may be one of them. I really enjoy this remover and it does a god job of taking all of my eye makeup off including my stubborn brow products. 

Feel free to join me in the tag @jencoempties created and follow me on instagram @blushingbeautician . Have a great day.

Lindsey

May 2015 Project Use It Up - Finale

Wow, May is already over. This month seems like it went by so fast, but that is probably because I spend over a week of it sick. Surprisingly, even though my progress in the first half of the month was not as much as I had hoped, I flew through the products in the second half of the month. Here is what I thought of the products.

1. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Triple Moisture Cream. 8 oz. Value $12.50. I really enjoyed this scent. I prefer the triple moisure / shea formula over the lotions, but I have so many regular B&BW lotions to move through, I may pick up another set of this scent when the semi annual sale starts next month. Finished 05/25/15.

2. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Shower Gel. 3 oz. Value $5. This formula is my favorite for body washes. It lathered well and both myself and my daughter enjoyed this scent. Finished 05/24/15.

3. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Fragrance Mist. 3 oz. Value $6. I can honestly say I prefer the travel sizes of mists over the full size from B&BW. The sprayer is stronger and it takes less work to apply than the larger "fine" fragrance mists. Finished 05/26/15.

4. Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb. 0.5 oz. Value $19.50. I really enjoyed this serum. The smell was a little earthy but that didn't bother me. It lasted me the three weeks the packaging said it would, but I don't know if I would spend $40 on six weeks of serum since I did not really see it do anything special for my skin. I was glad to try it though. Finished 05/20/15.

5. Dermalogica Multi Active Toner. 1 oz. Value $10. I really like this toner. Unfortunately, the sprayer on this was way too strong. Towards the end I started spraying the toner on a cotton round, then applying it so I didn't drown my face. I would consider purchasing a full size since I receive a Pro Discount from Dermalogica. Finished 05/20/15.  

Empties Value for May "project use it up: $53

I have already taken pictures for June, and will have a post up about them before the week is up.

Thank you very much for stopping by.

Lindsey.

May 2015 Project Use It Up Update

I have been working on this project for almost two weeks. I have made some great progress and I think I will be able to finish at least three of these items. Here is my progress (these pictures were taken on 05/14/15):

1. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Triple Moisture Cream. 8 oz. Value $12.50. I have finished another couple of ounces of this lotion. I just have to keep reminding myself to use it everyday since I have only been using it once every two or three days. 

2. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Fragrance Mist. 3 oz. Value $6. This is the item I am the least likely to finish. I really like this scent, I just need to start throwing it in my purse to use throughout the day.

3. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Shower Gel. 3 oz. Value $5. I love Bath & Body Works shower gels. I actually like the smaller sizes better because I like to change up my scents every months or so. This will definitely be used by the end of the month. It is a great scent!

4. Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb. 0.5 oz. Value $19.50. I only have a few more nights left of this serum. I really enjoyed this. It seemed to have a slight cooling effect to it, but that may have been because the room I do my makeup in is constantly cold. 

5. Dermalogica Multi Active Toner. 1 oz. Value $10. I have found the easiest way to use this toner is to spray it onto a cotton pad, then blot it on my face. The sprayer is way too strong for the bottle, but the product is good. This will be done sometime this week.

I am enjoying the products in this months project, but I am ready for a new scent. Hopefully I can get at least three or four of the five items finished this month. 

Lindsey

May 2015 Project Use It Up

I have decided that along with the #12emptiesofchristmas and #panthatpolish challenges I am participating in, I would give myself an additional goal in May. I have four additional items and one of my #12emptiesofchristmas items that I want to finish in May.

1. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Triple Moisture Cream. 8 oz. Value $12.50.  I love this scent. I bought it last summer and then forgot all about it. I am excited to start using this again. I have used about 1/4 of this already.

2. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Fragrance Mist. 3 oz. Value $6. I received this free as a gift with purchase a couple of months ago. I like to use a lotion along with the matching mist and body wash, so I am sure I can get this finished in May. This is brand new.

3. Bath and Body Works Oahu Coconut Sunset Shower Gel. 3 oz. Value $5.  I also received this free as a gift with purchase. Since I will be using all three together, they should all be easy to use up. This is also brand new.

4. Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb. 0.5 oz. Value $19.50. This was a promo item that I added onto a Sephora order during the VIB sale. It is fragranced, but the scent doesn't really bother me. I really enjoy this brand but I don't know if I would spend $40 on a serum... This has about 2/3 of it left.

5. Dermalogica Multi Active Toner. 1 oz. Value $10. This is the brand I studied under while I was in school. I purchased a holiday kit from Ulta in January, but this size can be purchased from Dermalogica' website as well. I like this toner, but this bottles sprayer is too strong. I have to hold it at a full arms length to not spray too much. This only has around 1/3 left to be used.


I don't think I gave myself any items I cannot empty. I might post an update half way through the month. What items are you trying to use up this month?

Lindsey