Team project Pan December 2022

 I did a really big declutter last month, more this month as I organized my collection for going into 2023- I still own more than any 1 person probably needs, but it's a lot more manageable at this point. 

I didn't purchase any beauty products this month so that feels good too. Though I did have 2 products come in as gifts. 

Empties:

Thrive Brilliant Eye Brightener -Shadow stick in Stella. Great for the inner corner or the whole eye. I've had this product for years, but I finally finished it up. I just picked up a Mac paint pot, that will replace for sometime to come, but if you like the simplicity of a stick this is great.  If you prefer a wood to plastic option- try the Eyeko dual ended stick in cookies and cream for a similar effect. $25

Ivory Oak Goat Milk Soap-- I have 1 bar I cut into 4ths that I've been using up as a hand soap and another as a bar in the shower- the shower bar is what I have finished. It is in my all time favorite scent of Eucalyptus Mint. $7.49 

Ivory Oak Oatmeal Honey Goat Milk Soap I had 1/4th of my oatmeal honey bar left and have used it up. I would not purchase this particular bar again, because I don't like the texture in the product $7.49

Dry Bar Prep & Prime : Noir When I tell you this is a holy grail item please listen.  I can finally keep my unruly hair under control. I can finally manage having the long beautiful hair all my friends had when we were kids.  If I'd had this in my childhood it would have saved so many screaming matches and fights with my mother.  I have tried dozens of other de-tanglers and nothing even comes close.  It is 100% worth the price and I will always have one on hand.  $26

Laroche-Posay Lipkar Wash AP+ I had high hopes for this one. But for my face it's not a good fit. It left my skin feeling dry. It's the consistency of white glue and yields less than ideal results. I have been using it as a body wash in the shower and haven't had the issues I had with the skin on my face, but my skin is extra pilly after I use this product- so I guess it's exfoliating, so that's good, but I wont buy it again. $16

Earth harbor laguna is a body oil I apply all over about 1x a week. I feel like it restores moisture that I am missing, but it’s too much for me to use everyday. I really to enjoy it and it did last quite a while with my weekly use. I would consider it again-especially if I could get it for $20 or less as I think that's my ideal price for the product.  $26 

Earth Harbor Luna Rain deluxe sample This is one of the 4 pieces in the Kit listed below in progress.  My experience with this (7 days) is very similar to the response my skin had to the Sunday Riley "Good Genes" I attribute that to them both being AHA formulations.  Earth Harbor coming in at about 2/3rds the cost of the Sunday Riley. I don't really feel the need for either of them in my life at this point, but neither is a bad product. $8 ( based on current cost of kit on sale)

Earth Harbor Mermaid Milk Deluxe Sample Marketed as a moisturizer, I am not it's target cliental.  This is probably great for those oily skin folx and I'm sure in my teens and early 20's it would have been a hit. But I'm getting old and my skin is getting dry and this just doesn't cut it. Also the smell is a bit off putting. A little too sea-kelp ocean like for me.  Also the name and description contradict each other with one saying it's a Glow moisturizer and the other claiming a demi-matte finish.  I think the name is a crock and the description is where it's at, but I'd say this is full matte finish. $8 value based on current sale price. 

Eos Lip balm Better off getting carmex would not repurchase $3.49

Bliss Moisturizer. I got this earlier this year in a Fabfitfun box, but didn't like it for my face, I had used probably 1/4 of what was left as a full body hydration after a shower, than when I went to use it a 2nd time I spilled the majority of what was left on the floor and finished it off for a second full body hydration.  Would have used it again for the body if it wasn't all a waste on the floor. I would not use it for my face though. It wasn't hydrating enough for me. $24

Karuna Drench Sheet Mask- I got 4 masks from this brand in my most recent fabfitfun box. Price listed is what 1 mask sells for on the website. Clearly designed for hydration based on the name, this sheet mask has a light floral scent.  I wouldn't wear it as a perfume, but I don't mind it in a mask that is temporary. As for the hydration- I don't feel like it did much-I wouldn't purchase again.  $5

Blue dot lifting mask. One of the few face masks I really enjoyed. I thought I would had the ear loops and the under chin part, but I actually really love it.  I feel like it holds the product on my face and I find the loops very comfortable. $3.90

Mary Kay Satin Hands Hand Cream It's a nice gift set to give to people- I am sure I finished the other products ages ago- this was just the hand cream. It's nice but I wouldn't buy it for myself.  $12 for the hand cream alone. 

Living Proof PhD Mini Shampoo- Purchased in November when I had to be home for a family emergency- Used up during holiday travel $16

Living Proof PhD Mini Conditioner Purchased in November when I had to be home for a family emergency- Used up during holiday travel $16

Clay slip mask mini - I don’t dislike it  but I feel like if this was in my cleanse I would want another cleanse, but in my routine this is the double step so I don’t think I’d buy a full size, but it has a nice lather and skin feel- very gentle. Came as part of a kit- Based on the cost of the full size- this mini has a value of $7

Progress:

Mud Masky Is an Australian clay mud mask that came in my fall Fabfitfun box.  It's just a pink clay mask.  I feel like I cannot notice a difference between this and a drugstore brand that charges a fraction of the cost, but there isn't anything wrong with it. It went on fine tingled a little and rinsed off in a few minutes. I could see myself adding it to my routine 1x a week before a shower for easier rinsing. Their website claims it has up to 10 uses- if that's the case its $5 a mask which isn't horrible, but we'll see what my usage looks like. 8x uses so far

Glossier Balm-dotcom - Birthday Cake It's not universal because it has sparkle so I personally wouldn't use it anywhere other than my lips. My lips got super dry being in the hospital for a lot of November and then the dry air of winter set in and this isn't great for defending against that. I used up about half of the tube this year. I will keep it in my purse, but it's not my go to balm of choice. 

Earth Harbor Sampler kit- I got this at a HUGE discount (Paid $14) through fabfitfun- I have enjoyed a lot of Earth Harbor in the past and wanted to try a few more. The kit comes with a Luna (night serum), Marina (day brightening serum), Mermaid Milk (moisturizer) and Glow Mask (Gel Mask). (total value $32 (on sale) will give each product an $8 when I use it up). 

Farmacy Honey Halo Hydrating Cream- I purchased this on recommendation from a friend years ago- I have the jumbo 3.4 oz- The honey smell was nice at first, but the allure has worn off-I don't love it. Also I've been reminded why I don't use it on my face- it makes my face itch- but I haven't had that reaction thus far on my body- so I will be using it as body lotion only.

Natasha Denona Blush/Highlight Duo - I had planned to declutter this at the end of 2022- but an end of th year vacation (after taking about a month off this product) reminded me why I love it.  Its compact and easy to travel with, it is the perfect blush and highlight for me for a natural beauty look, but I wont use it every day in 2023 I will save it for travel. It likely had 300 uses in 2022, so it that way I am ready for a change, but I'll hold on to it. I don't feel there is value in most products form this brand- but this blush/highlight duo if you can find a set of shades that work for is you completely worth it.  I hit pan on the highlighter in February and on the Blush in June. 

Declutter:

Rare Beauty Sponge This is horrible. It made my face look like a textured wall.  There is a reason this is being clearance out. Don't waste your money $7

It's a 10 Miracle leave in Product. It's a flop.  This leave in hair product is one of many I tried on my way to the Dry Bar Prep and prime. This one was a flop.  I gave it several attempts with 3 different shampoo conditioner combos over the year and it left my hair feeling heavy and weighted down.  The smell also leaves a lot to be desired. $21

Naked Smoky Palette-I've had this palette as long as I've been married. I broke the lid in our last place  so its very much 2 pieces now and I tried to use it yesterday for a monochromatic look for spirit days at work and realize that it doesn't blend well, the colors are really patchy and I only reach of it for spirit days and for halloween (maybe 3x a year) and it's 5+ years old, so I don't need to keep it. They don't sell this one any more but naked palettes are $44 so that's what I'm going with

2 Pat McGrath eye shadows.  I kept these 2 colors (red and gold) for spirit days at work. However the last two times I've worn them I've had really bad reactions on my eyes. She wont sell individual shadows so I've assigned an assumed cost of about $10 a shadow for a total of $20 for 2 large pans

Eczema Honey Itch Cooling Pads Is a tub of facial rounds that are designed to cool down itchy skin.  I didn't not find them useful though I used up about half, and after moving them 2x since owning them it's time to chuck them in the bin. $16.95

Lume Acidified Body Butter I've probably put "this is the last one" a dozen times this year, I keep finding them. I dislike this product, but in addition to purchasing some myself I got them for ages as samples in boxes. $5 

Foot Cream- Blood Orange foot cream to be exact.  You know when you brush your teeth after a glass of OJ, how it makes you wan to gag? Well this smells like that tastes- menthol and citrus do not belong together.  $20 

Color Fx custom drops- They don't make this shade any more and it's a mini- so counts as an item but not for cost

Urban Decay Metalized lipstick in Jungle- It's a green sparkle.  It was fun- it had a purpose, but it's old and gone off. Urban decay lipsticks go for $19

Guerlain Lip Balm- Coral I have different packaging, but its the same core product.  I wanted to like this, but it's too pink for me and the smell I just cannot get past- it's too fragrant for me to have on my face and close to my nose for that much time. $40

Smashbox eyeshadows in turned on and psyched which are a sunset pink and sparkle brown and those just aren't things I'm reaching for. No price found 

Colour Pop Super Shock Shadow It was in a limited edition shade for their birthday. I am getting rid of it for 2 reasons- 1 hard pan 2 it's so glitter heavy with no real color pay off and it's not something I reach for at all. $6

Too Faced Melted Matte Lipstick holiday Mini in sugar cookie-  It use to smell like an almond cookie and now it smells like cheap vodka- this was a very light - concealer lip on me and it's old $13. 

Nomad Eyeshadow- Single packaging broke and I was unable to de-pot it. 

Tarte Deluxe mini finishing powder- I have dry skin I dont wear powders

2 Laura Mercier translucent finishing powder- deluxe mini- see above

Lipstick Queen- Saint Wine- Loved this in the same phase I loved Black Honey from Clinique- That's been at least 7 years ago so by. $26

Margaret Dabbs London Enriched nail polish-  No idea where this came from or how old it is, but its in an awful color and smells of death. No price found

Ciate London Nail Polish- Spinning teacup I almost never wear nail polish and when I do it's only Gel colors for me.  I am not in middle school and don't wear pastel nails anymore. $12

Seche Vive Top Coat Ineffective $13

Makeup Revolution lip gloss I actually liked it, but it lost it's life in the washer and dryer. $7 

Bite Beauty Matte Lip Creme-  Bite has bit the dust as a brand, and so has this lipstick for me.  I loved this formula when it first came out it was matte but not liquid it had great colors (at one point I probably owned 5 or 6) but this last to go.  It is so drying, it has gone bad and just tugs at my lips.  I am sad because I don't own another lipstick this color it's an red leaning orange bright and punchy. It will be missed, but I will replace it eventually with something hydrating and enjoyable to wear. Bite is no longer sold- price is approximation $20 (or you can spend too much on amazon for something that is most likely expired) 

Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able foundation-  I went to use it and it was a weird consistency and smelled funny and may have been growing something- so not only did I not put it on my skin I tossed it in the bin.  Marc Jacobs has since ended it's makeup line- so I will use what I purchased this for as value- On sale in 2020 for $28 (50% off)

Secret Brand antiperspirant - It gave me hives - I must be allergic to one or more of the ingredients $8

Running totals

Empties:                                                         Decluttered: 

85+16=101                                                      105+26=131

1951.72+ 211.37=2163.09                              1705.97+325.95=2031.92

Then and now

 In April of 2020 I took an inventory of my makeup collection.  Today I inventoried the same categories.  Below are the results.  My noticing is that my collection has WAY more skin care and categories I didn't even bother with last time, but what I did include has seen some major shifts.  I have used/decluttered a lot of face products, but still have way more than I need.  

I have the same number of eyeshadow palettes but none are the same- everything I own now is new since 2020 in this category. 

I still love lipstick, but I've reduced by a lot. 

Anyway here is the comparison. 

A few of my favorite things 2022

I'm sure I've forgotten things, but this is what has been important enough for me to remember to write it down. 

I don't have an item for every category like I've tried to do in the past, because frankly, I've become more selective and only put things I can honestly recommend to people without any hesitation.  

Beauty 

Hair: Dry Bar - Prep and Prime. I have always had hair that gets knotted easily- as I child it was the cause of most fights with my mom.  So when I tell you I've tried nearly ever brand of de-tangler on the market from drug store to more expensive than this - it's true.  But I will never buy another brand every again.  The bottle lasts me about 6 months and is amazing and worth every penny. $26 

Hair: Living Proof- PhD Shampoo and Conditioner- I used this throughout most of 2020 and 2021 this year I thought I'd try other products, and that was a mistake.  Other products cause build up on my hair and create an environment for oil production- where as with this combo I only have to wash my hair 1x a week. Which for someone who both loves and hates showers for sensory reasons that's helpful. $30 each

Tool: Hair Brush- This brush makes one of my least favorite tasks easier. This and the Prep and Prime Save the day. It's easy to hold in either hand, gets through my hair without fuss and is easy to clean. $12

Tool: Gimme Hair Bands These are the first and only hair bands I have tried that never pull out any hair. I've been using the same band for 3 weeks and there isn't a single hair stuck to or wrapped around it. I have the thick and medium sizes. I like the thick more, but I definitely think it's designed for people with even more hair than I have or really curly hair, but they have bands for thin hair as well. I haven't had a single pony tail headache since I started using these. $10 for a pack (12 in a pack for Fine Or Medium and 6 in a pack for thick)

Tool: Make up eraser I use to use makeup wipes- Now I just travel with this and it's something I use daily. I probably have 3-4 full sized, 1 small and this black Friday I picked up the 7 minis in the wash bag.  They are gentle on the skin but tough on makeup- And so much better for the environment than the 1-time use wipes.  $10-25.

Soap: Ivory Oak Farms If you follow my blog at all you know I've fallen in love with this brand- Sadly none of my faves are on their website right now as they are a small batch farm but if you can snag the following you will not regret it:  Unscented- all of the benefits none of the smells for my more sensitive friends,  Pumpkin Spice, and my all time fave Eucalyptus Mint. I divide my bars into four to make them last longer and 1 bar will last 4-6 months at the sink and 2 months in the shower. $7.49 

Cleanser: Farmacy Green Clean I posted my most recent purchase here- the trio I picked up for the holidays, but they whole line is great (except the "Clean" one that has a formula fail)  This line is great. I again tried other products this year that while not bad are simply not this good.  This takes off a full face of high coverage make up, sun screen, water proof make up with complete ease and does not dry out my skin or leave it greasy- though I almost always double cleanse it really isn't required with this.  The trio was $46 but a full size single is $36 and it does come in a jumbo size as well. 

Clothing/Shoes:

Dress: Old Navy - This dress defined summer and early fall for me.  I love this dress so much I own it in 3 colors (Slate Blue, Black, and Aqua). I love Old Navy for expanding their Tall sizing beyond pants - it's size inclusive company that's affordable and that's not easy to find. The dress has a cut out in the back, but its discrete enough I can wear it to work. It allows for airflow to keep me at a comfortable temperature. Price Varies

Lounge/Sleep: American Tall- Joggers and American Tall: Cozy Crew. Finding winter PJs or lounge wear that is long enough in the pants and sleeves has until this year been impossible. Until I tried my husband's favorite brand: American Tall. They are for women 5'9" to 6'6" and men 6'3" to 7'1".  I own these items in 2 colors, Black and Cream- they are light weight enough to wear in warmer (not hot) weather and cozy enough to keep me warm on lazy days at home. I wear a Large top and bottom in the regular tall length.  Bottoms $49, Top $39  

Shoe: Vessi- Everyday Classic While these are a newer addition to my life this fall I am completely smitten.  It took me awhile to get use to how snug they fit (sensory issues) but I have adjusted and really like it.  They have a very large toe box that gives my feet room to spread out. They are also completely waterproof.  I live in the PWN I need these. I have worn them in rain and snow and slush. They are terrific travel shoes and are yet another-husband recommendation that worked out. $135

Purse: Pom Pom London- Mayfair Bag tan- I had previously been carrying a black coach cross body that I've used for the last 5+ years and while I still love it, I had seen these everywhere, like that it was a bit better designed (more pockets) and that it had zippers instead of just a flap. I use this bag every day and love how much it holds. It comes with the bag a leather strap and your choice of 2 additional straps to change the style. $113. (Must use code listed on page - currently Bankbundle)

Bottoms: Beta Brand- Sassiest Pants- These aren't pants but its not a skirt but I love it.  So much so that I'm buying a second pair in a smaller size. I really struggled with things fitting this year and shifts in weight and this has been a go to feel good outfit- in a world when not a lot did.  They have petite, regular and long and are very size inclusive.  I've tried other betabrand pants and really like them too. 

Home:

Squatty Potty- It does what it is supposed to do and makes my life easier and it looks nicer than the plastic ones. $39.99

Best Pillow Ever- Yet another "my husband knows best" you can adjust the fill of this pillow to meet your needs. It comes in Queen or king- I would recommend the Queen, but it's personal choice.  This is a thick pillow and can be made even larger with addition fluff that it comes with.  $35-$40 

Cotton Baskets I have a total of 11 of the baskets from this line around my home.  We have 2 larger ones (Tall 13") in the open space in our nightstands. 5 (short 13") at the foot of our bed which has open storage and 4 (tall 11") to help keep my bathroom organized. They are easy to use, they look nice and having them around the home helps unify our space.  Plus it's target so they are affordable. The line ranges in price from $8 to $30. 

Not a Maximalist- Not a minimalist

 Minimalism while beautiful was never going to be a thing for me- I struggle with object permanence- aka if I cannot see it, it doesn't exist.  This is clear if you open my fridge- or cupboards- I need items I use and eat to be on my sight line. My husband gives me a hard time - and rightfully so for buying food I never end up eating. It's not that I am trying to be wasteful I just completely forget that I've purchased it and put it there.   This also impacts the clothing I choose to wear being whats on top of the pile over anything else resulting in me wearing many of the same items over and over again. 

When I was a kid and had a bad day- my mom would take me to target.  While not a bad thing I did build some unhealthy habits related to shopping as a way to gratify mental health issues.  I've spent the last several years working on the makeup obsession that was a result of some of that and while I will continue to work on using up products rather than buying more in that department I'd now like to go in to my closet and dressers that are bursting at the seams often with things I don't wear.  I also struggle with only keeping things that fit me now.  As someone who has struggled with food and disordered eating for the majority of my life I'm finally learning to love my body as it is and dress for the way I look today.  But I have a lot of decluttering and letting go to do and I know it's going to take time.

I am ending 2022 with a closet clean out, things I have no personal attachment to that are the "easy" things to let go of, mostly because I've found better options for those items in my closet (dresses I like more, pants that fit better, things that aren't scratchy) and making a plan for determining what I do and don't use so I can declutter this aspect of my life.  So while I will likely never be a minimalist, I can streamline for myself so I get use out of what I have and only keep what I actually enjoy wearing. 

I also want to reduce what I am bringing into my home and set aside my normal shopping habit money for a longer term goal of a sauna. Which is something that could actually bring me joy every day. 

If you have any recommendations for how you figure out what can stay and what can go I'd happily take the feedback and recommendations. 

Claire