I have noticed though that one reason I'm not going through things quite as quickly as most people is that I tend to use a very small amount - in fact, I've started to think it's too little for the product to be really effective. For example, I often use so little balm/ oil cleanser that it's not enough to effectively clean my whole face, or I skimp on moisturizer on my neck/ chest area. I'm now working on changing those habits, and hopefully that will also translate to products being used up faster (like, before their expiration date).
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Boscia White Bright Mask (absolutely no results, I dislike peel-off type masks)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Insta Naturals Age-Defying Skin Clearing Toner*, Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum* (reviewed here), Haba Whitening Squalane, Heroine Make Mascara Remover (review), Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser (review), Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask (review), SK-II Essential Power Cream* (review), Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Scrub (review)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (review), First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (my third container, review here), CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Paula's Choice C15 Booster* (review), Skinny Co. Coconut Oil* (I'll talk about this more in a future post), LiLash Lash Growing Serum (review, my second tube).
I don't have as many empties for body and haircare, but I used up two lip balms! That's quite an achievement, I think ;) Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Nivea Intense Repair Hair Conditioner (smells like hair dye!)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Caudalie Hand Cream, Tatcha Gold Camellia Lip Balm* (review - I went back to my HG Nuxe Reve de Miel), Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, Mitchum Anti-Perspirant (good deodorant but dislike the Powder scent), Cutex Nail Polish Remover, L'Occitane Bonne Mere Honey Bar Soap (that's the yellow sliver in the bottom of the photo)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): Batiste Dry Shampoo (already repurchased, my HG dry shampoo), Haus of Gloi Bubbling Scrub in Twice is Nice (great sugar scrub formula, love the coconut cookie scent), The Body Shop Brazil Nut Shower Cream, Lush Bubble Bar (I believe this was Amandopondo, I bought the Pop In the Bath this time).
Make-up! Oh, the excitement... of using up only four products, two of which were deluxe samples :) By the way, you can follow my make-up empties count on Instagram now - I was inspired by Vita to see how many make-up products I'll be able to finish this year.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/ Medium (review)
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque, Chanel Le Blanc de Chanel primer, bareMinerals Stroke of Light Undereye Brightener.
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): None right now.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Hanaka Vitamin A Marigold Sheet Mask (absolutely dripping with essence, almost no results), Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation in Porcelain (good shade match but too emollient for my combo skin).
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Etude House Sheet Masks in Bulgarian Rose and Fig, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Benefit Porefessional primer, Burberry Fresh Glow (just meh)
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): Clark Botanicals Anti-Puff Eye Cream (used up three sachets of this now and I'm still quite enjoying it!), Leaders Insolution Illuminating Sheet Mask (very hydrating and soothing, enough essence for two applications - Leaders is now available at Ulta, although I think they revamped their masks and I don't see this one).
If I take care of the expiration dates, nearly 90% of my stash must be trashed. I have boight losts lf products in between 2010 and 2014, but less in the last 2 years. I only toss products that smell weird or changed their color or consistency.
ReplyDeleteI also experienced, that I tend to use as less product as possible resulting that some products became ineffective. Especially when it comes to make up, most people seem to use way more eyeshadow, primer and stuff.
My downsizing project works quite well. I nearly stoppped buying products. I only bought some basics this year resulting that I did not extend my stash in the past 3 months. Currently I am downsizing samples. There are only a few to go.
I find that when I am in a "no buy" spending period, I am eager to consume more information about potential products I *would* purchase. Are there any products you're eager to sample that you've stumbled upon this year?
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I am a long-time Dermalogica UCC user and I, too, do not enjoy the mist. I'm loving this ongoing project, your reviews and look forward to more updates.
I adore your empties posts, you've definitely done better than me on that front as my empties post is quite low even though I'm doing it quarterly as well - oopsy! I have given away a bit here and there to family but think I need to go through and do a good clean sweep of some PR stuff to give away. I miss using Haus of Gloi scrubs, I need to reorder some as I mainly ordered moisturisers last time which last for such a long time.
ReplyDeleteHi Monika, I was on a low/no buy for more than half a year, and then I went on a crazy spree recently. HAHAHAHA! I'm not going to feel guilty about it, because it felt good buying and owning those few things I've been wanting, but that also means being conservatively moderate for the rest of the year. LOL! Still, I'm using up things, and nothing is wasted. Yay :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Monika, I've got Bobbi Brown's Extra Light Bisque on my shopping list. What are you trying now instead of replacing that?
ReplyDeleteHi Roz, I actually don't use a corrector right now - just my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (which is alright but can look a bit heavy/ dry under the eyes). Ideally, I'd like an undereye concealer that also corrects the blue under the eyes, but I haven't looked into a specific product yet. I know a lot of people swear by the Maybelline Age Rewind sponge thingy in the Brightener shade, I may try once I run out of my other stuff.
DeleteI liked the BB Corrector but for my skintone, I guess it was a bit too light sometimes - the shade is such a light pinky porcelain that it didn't have enough of that salmon tone to actually disguise the blue/ purple shading. It only made my under eyes look a little brighter due to how pale the shade was. But I could work better on your skintone, also depending on what you're dealing with in your under eye area. I hope that helps - if you have access to a BB counter, I would also recommend to ask the staff to try it on you and then see how you like it.