October 2012 Beauty Favourites!

I know October isn't quite over yet, but I've accumulated a small amount of products that have been favourites for this month.

I've been really good about not buying makeup, even before I started my Project 10 Pan. After going through my entire collection, I realized how much I have enjoyed shopping my stash, and have rediscovered some items that I had forgotten about.

I guess I'll start from left to right.

My first fave was Urban Decay's Eyeshadow in Haight. This is a gorgeous deep teal colour with a light shimmer. I loved popping this in the out corner, or running it under the bottom lash line. I totally forgot this was in my collection until I did some digging, and thought this would make a fun pop of colour for fall. 

I also loved my Sigma F25 brush. Due to it's pointed tip, this makes a great contouring brush. Perfect for hollowing out my cheeks to give my a very angled effect.

My Make Up For Ever Face and Body Foundation in #20 made the list as well. A very sheer, jelly like consistency, but melts into the skin when applied with fingers. This foundation is not highly pigmented, but just gives me the appearance of fresh looking skin. It's most definitely love.

Next is my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Refined. I've been in love with this for a long time, but never reached for it much before. I have large pores and sometimes I find highlighters don't sit nicely on my skin. This is an exception, and I I feel like I get a luminous look without feeling shiny or artificial. Great for all of the gloomy weather we've been having.

I choose my Kat Von D Sinner rollerball to be included as well. This is a favourite for the fall season, and I completely forgot how much I really do enjoy the scent. I find this works as a great "date night" fragrance for me, since I tend to stick to lighter scents, but I am glad this is in my collection due to its warmth and sultry notes.

And last but not least - my Benefit Benetint Lip Balm. It is most divine! This smells like roses, has a great red tint to it, and gives my lips a little boost. It's quite glossy, and also moisturizing, and once the gloss wears away, you are left with a beautiful apple stained pucker. Love it!

Well, there you have it folks, some loves for October!

xo

Project 10 Pan

Well, I'm officially starting my Project 10 Pan, which I am really excited about. What this means is I have to use up 10 makeup items before going out and buying anything else, with the exception of products that need to be replaced after a few months - ie: mascara.

Well, it didn’t take long to narrow down which products I am choosing for this project. This was inspired from my last post, and also because I had a few products in my collection that were WAAYYYY past their expiration date. Like I said before, it felt really great to use some things up, and I thought a P10P would be a great way to start using up some products that are getting pretty close to being done. I was going to include some skincare items as well, however I feel like my skincare routine doesn't change a lot, so it wouldn't be as interesting as doing makeup items, with the exception of one product.

A couple of these were no brainers right away when I started going through my collection. I couple of these items have hit pan already, and I thought I might as well keep on trucking along with them.

MACs Brulee Eyeshadow – one of the first colours I ever bought. Has been a staple for years, yet still on the same pan believe it or not. Oh, and please excuse my fingers in these photos, I have no idea why they look so red. 

Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit – I don’t believe this guy is available anymore. I find that too bad, because I’ve used it almost every day for the past 2 years, and there it still lots to go. You can see which colours I use more frequently.

 MAC Studio Fix Powder – END ALREADY! I’ve had this for about 8 months and she’s still going. I'm getting so close now!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer – you can definitely tell there is less product in the pans now after they changed the packaging. I’ve only been using this guy for 10 months, although I’ve heard some people use the old one for over 2 years.

MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick – I believe this was one of my first MAC lipsticks ever bought from a recommendation on Youtube, and will be glad when this one is gone. It is obvious that buying these lipsticks are for a good cause, however I always thought it was just alright, and was never wowed.

Sephora Instant Depuffing Roll On Gel – I’m about half way through this as well, and really like it for a pick me up in the morning. It has a great cooling sensation around the eyes, and I like that I get some moisture without it caking my concealer.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer – trying to use up only so I can try out my Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer.  I have one waiting patiently to be opened, but I wanted to use this first. This isn't a bad concealer, but over the years I've found other ones that work a lot better.

 Sephora Anti-Shine Primer – because I always need shine control. This also helps to make my pores looks smaller as well. 

NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base – my favourite eye primer. This one is getting close to being done, but thank goodness I have a few backups.

EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint – another favourite. I just love the way these feel, taste, smell, and hydrate. I have a backup of this as well waiting for me. It's funny the way it wears down over time, since it started as such a pretty little sphere.

And there you have it! I'm curious to see how long it will take to use these products up. It has always taken me longer than most people to get through things anyways. I have no idea how people can go through an entire blush in like 3 months. I guess I'm careful about not getting carried away with anything.

I will be sure to a post with my progress and keep you updated. If anyone reading this has done a P10P, I'd love to know how it went for you. I've been watching a few videos on Youtube on some of the girl's progress and I'm hoping I have the same will power to use all of this stuff up! Wish me luck!

Products I've FINALLY Used Up!

I am so annoyed at myself! I don't know what it is, but I never seem to be able to finish a lot of my beauty products up near the same time, except for this month. Of course, because this never happens to me, all of them have been disposed of... go figure. I went on a search to see what I could recover, but all of the garbage has been rounded up and taken by the garbage man today. I can hear the "losing horn" from The Price Is Right in my head right now.

I definitely want to take a moment to congratulate myself on using up some of this stuff that has been around for a while. I guess now that I have extra time, I'm more conscience of what needs to be either a) thrown out due to expiring, or b) I'm hoarding the last drops of something for absolutely no reason. 

So here we go, a complete list of the products I have used up recently.

1.  Philosophy Sugar Chick Bath and Shower Gel - an all time fave. It smells like marshmallow peeps, and is limited edition around Easter. I was definitely savouring this.

2. Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Parfum - this was the smallest bottle, and it look almost 3 years to finish. I love to switch up my fragrances, but this was one I would reach for when I needed a pick me up, or Marc and I were going on date night. I now have the largest size that was given to me, and can start chipping away on that.

3. Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Liner in Perversion - the blackest of the black eye liners I have tried. I had this buddy for a little over 6 months and could tell the consistency was changing. So it was time to send him away  to the trash man. Great liner though, especially for anyone with oily eyelids that has a problem with transferring. 

3. L'Oreal Ever Pure Moisturizing Shampoo - One of the BEST shampoos for my hair. Since my hair is short and I wash it everyday due to using a lot of product in my hair, I loved this for keeping it clean, but not stripping it. It will definitely be a repurchase once I use up some other shampoos kicking around.

4. Sephora Instant Moisturizer - another good staple. It's a basic moisturizer that is great for all skin types. I was using this at night time, along with my Dr. Brandt Resurfacing Serum. This just helped to keep the moisture up, while the serum does its magic. I loved the smell, and after working at Sephora, I felt their skincare didn't get enough love. I watched EmilieClarke on Youtube talk about how much she loved this, and felt like it would take off, but never did. I totally recommend it! For Emilie's review on this and other skincare products, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWah-n-Va0s

5. Benefit PoreFessional Pore Balm - Meh. I wasn't in love. Everyone on Youtube raves about this product, however I find it thick, and it doesn't matter how much I use, or how I apply it to my skin, it never works out. Whichever foundation I'm using just ends up sliding around or makes a disappearing act. I think I've just been too spoiled with using Dr. Brandt Pore Refiner, as my primer. It's a thinner consistency, but gives a more flawless look. 

And last but not least...

6. Essie's Good To Go Top Coat - Oh how I love thee! I used to use Seche Vite, but my nails would split and become brittle, not to mention Seche Vite used to get goopy to quickly. Essie, however, gives the same finish, same lasting power, without the splitting or goopyness. PLUS I can get it at Wal-Mart now! I think we're best friends for life now. I've already started a new bottle.


It felt really good to use these products up, and I though to myself "Why not try doing a Project 10 Pan?" I'm going to work on narrowing down some products that need to be used up, and will definitely post once I get that under control! :)

Happy October!

Talk about a busy month! There has been a lot going on. Marc and I went to the Norfolk County Fair, we had thanksgiving, our friend's son had his first birthday, Marc and I are planning our anniversary... the list goes on and on.

Thanksgiving has fantastic this year. We went to Goderich again, which is tradition, and this year had a nice time seeing my cousin Nathan, and his fiance, Sarah. They live in Timmins, so it is definitely quite the hike for them to come down this way, which means we don't get to see them as much as I'd like to. It was such a nice time with them though, and I really enjoy spending time with Sarah. They brought their gorgeous English Golden Retriever with them as well - Airlie.

He really is the coolest dog. He's so chill and just loves to be around everyone. When Marc and I have a dog, I really hope he has the same kind of personality. He was just such a joy to be around that weekend!

The weather wasn't what I was hoping for though, however we went for a 2 hour walk around the town, and down to the lake, so I did take a few pictures of the scenery.

This is the view from the top before taking the stairs down to the water.

It was definitely a blustery day down by the water, but it after the rain, I got a beautiful shot of the lake that I took from my cousin's backyard.

My favourite picture of the weekend.

Marc and I also spent yesterday afternoon with our friends Shauna and Mike. Their son, Sam, had his first birthday party, and we had such a nice time spending the afternoon celebrating him. Shauna and Mike have been such great friends to us. I really enjoy spending time with them, and was honoured to be able to attend the day for Sam. Everyone else that was invited to the party was family, and Marc and I felt lucky to be apart of it.

Here is the birthday boy playing before opening presents.

And this is him with his mom and cousins checking out his new toys.

        

He was such a ham for the day, and Marc had a lot of fun playing with him. Poor Shauna had a wicked cold, but she was one heck of a trooper hosting such a nice gathering. There was a ton of food and lots of good laughs. It was a really nice time.

This Saturday I will be doing my first freelancing makeup application for some ladies that have a family photo shoot going on, and then on Sunday Marc and I will be heading to Toronto for the day with his parents which will be a nice day trip. We're also planning our 5 year anniversary celebration, which will be happening at the beginning of November as well. The plan is to head to Niagara Falls, which has become a sort of tradition for us. Since Marc was in Nunavik last year, we spent our anniversary apart, so I'm really looking forward to having a romantic getaway together and reflect on the last 5 years of our time together. It will definitely be something to blog about for sure!