Things I've Used Up- Jan 2014

I now understand how weird other bloggers and youtubers feel collecting their rubbish in a little pile somewhere, to take photos of and write about later. It is very satisfying however to see all the things I have actually used up all the way and it motivating to keep working on things from my project pan collection. I also like watching and reading these kinds of posts so I thought I would do my own!

Shower Products

1. Grace and Cole Peach and Pear Body Scrub
I liked this enough to repurchase another scent from the same range, but I think when I use that up I want to look around for something even more scrubby, this is very gentle.
2. Lacura Purify Exfoliating Wash
This doesn't have the best smell ever, but it works well. I have since bought another Lacura face scrub, but a slightly different one which I like more as is smells better.
3. Eslor Replenishing Scrub
A really nice product that I liked using, it smells (...and tastes, oops) really nice. I won't buy a full size however as it is very expensive.
4. Garnier Olia After Colour Care Conditioner
I LOVE this, I wish they made it as a regular treatment to use all the time! I also really like the colour and will keep using them.

Wipes

1. Coles Thick Baby Wipes Fragrance Free
So handy to clean up hair dye, make-up, vanity etc. and so much cheaper than make up wipes. I will re-purchase however I will get one with a scent because although it is 'fragrance free' it still has a smell and I don't like it.
2. Models Prefer 3 in 1 Cleansing wipes
I found these to be ok but I didn't love them, although I don't know why. I do really like the packaging as it stays shut and stops things drying out.
3. Savy by Designer Brands Make Up Remover Wipes
Meh, these do the job, I like that they have enough product to work well and feel quite refreshing, but I won't be buying them again. I also don't like the packet as it loses stickiness and the top wipe keeps drying out.

Moisturizers

1. Dreams Unlimited Body Butter (Body Shop)

I have had this for SO LONG and finally finished it. I don't know how anyone ever gets through full size body butters! It was a lovely smell but I don't need to buy it again. I might get more body butters in the future but there are so many I would have to keep trying different smells. 

2. Bellazzia Palm Tree Vanilla Hand Cream

Part of a set from target this one is the scent I liked the most. I have been using this as an all over moisturizer to get it used up. It works nicely and they were quite cheap too, so would make a nice treat or gift...but I can't seem to find it on the website now.  

Things I didn't Actually Finish

1. Macro Natural Vitamin E Cream

I go this ages ago when I was having trouble with some really tough dry patches. It works but it's very thick and heavy and I didn't enjoy the smell very much at all. It is well past expiry now and has changed texture inside a bit, so it has to go. 

2. Almay Moisturizing Eye Make Up Remover Pads

DO NOT WANT. SO oily, stings my eyes, is scratchy and I can't even use it on the rest of my face because it made me break out. 

3. Sukin Purely Ageless Intensive Firming Serum

I really like this and will repurchase in the future. I got another serum that I started using in a sample box and it ended up lasting around 6 months or so. This one has since changed texture as well so I don't want to use it. I found this especially useful at minimizing my pores. 

Make up 

1. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream

I got this in a Bellabox and was all annoyed that I got sent medium. However it turns out that it is a great colour for me. I find this gives just enough coverage. Alone it gives a nice natural look and pretty flawless skin if you have no major blemishes. When topped with a powder it can give a pretty polished look without all the effort. I will be repurchasing this and I will probably get the other version as well to try. 

2. Face of Australia Blush- Nutmeg

I love this and have already bought a new one. This lasted me just over a year using it every single day. I love the colour and texture and find that you can blend it with other colours, or use it on its own easily. 

Samples

1. McCell Toner+ McCell Emulsion

I got these as a sample with some Korean Products I ordered. They were alright but not so amazing that I would want to buy full size products. 

2. Sukin Facial Moisturizer

I really like this product and have the full size, although when I have used it up I don't think I will buy again as there are more products I would like to try. 

3. Palmer's Daily Calming Facial Lotion

I wrote about this before. I really liked the way it worked, but didn't like the smell. I think I might give this another try at some point, especially if I can get a deluxe sample or travel size.

4. Avene Clearance K

I don't really understand what this was for...I used it but it was a nothing product really. Wouldn't repurchase this, but I do like the brand. 

Bellabox Australia Jan- 2014

I just got my Bellabox delivered this morning, I was so excited I knocked my cup of water all over the floor on the way to the door.  Evidently I had good reason to be excited as it seems like a really good box with lots of products I will use and enjoy.  This is what I got on my doorstep:

 Opened to this:

Then this:

 And here are my goodies:

Using the card as a guide, I have worked out the values of what I got in my box:

ModelCo Fat Lash Mascara Full size- $20

Wotnot Facial wipes 5 pack- $1.59

Coconut Revolution Coconut body cream- $4.99

Palmolive Ayurituel shower gel- $0.85

Yes To Carrots lip gloss- 9.95

Avene Soothing Moisture Mask-$4.10

Avene Rich Hydrating Cream- $6.60

Total retail value: $48.08

So for me this month it is excellent value for $15. I'm not sure I will use the lip gloss, but I will give it a try and see, I usually don't like the feeling of lip gloss. I won't get to use the coconut body cream for a while as I have a lot to work through, but I look forward to it when I do!

It is a bit hit an miss with Bellbox at times, but it is always fun getting something in the mail, and for $15 it's a small risk. If you want to sign up, you can follow my referral link here!

No Spend/Project Pan

There is a new 2014 topic on the Vogue Forum for this so I thought I would make a post to keep track of my own.

I have two categories- Full size and samples. This is because I am subscribed to Bellabox, so I get samples every month but it will be good to keep track of them and ensure they don't just sit around being wasted.  My full size/larger size items are mostly moisturizers as I have accumulated quite a few. I need to learn to just buy the smallest size available of these things because I always get sick of them and want something new.
I might add a few more products as I find them or as I decide I want new ones and can't justify it.

Full Size/Larger Samples:
-Bellarize Hand Cream x 3
-Innoxa Hand Cream
-Lacura Aqua Complete facial moisturizer
-Innoxa Facial Moisturizer
-Sukin Facial Moisturizer
-Body Shop Body Butter (Used up today!)
-Aesop Body Balm
-Mirenesse Youth Switch Serum
-Daiso Royal Jelly Serum
-Rokk Ebony Heat Protectant
-Warren Ansell Salon Heat Protectant
-Amalay Make Up Remover Wipes
-Simple Gentle Eye Make Up Remover
-Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil Spot Treatment
-Aphelia Acne Spot Treatment

Sample Products:
-Sukin Facial Moisturizer
-Korean Brand Toner (Used up today!)
-Korean Brand Cleanser
-Palmer's Calming Lotion
-Eslor Soothing Cream
-Avene Facial Moisturizer
-Avene Exfoliating Cream

So those are the main culprits. There will be no buying of random products until these are used up. I have lots of other products to use that I will replace as they are finished that aren't on the list because I don't need to TRY to use them up, but I won't just buy new ones without finishing them. 

When I get through all of the full size products (which given the heat treatments will be a long way away.... ) I want to reward myself with some glitter pigments from Orglamix as I haven't tried any of them from the new line. 

Beauty Products You're Just Not Sure About...

I'm sure you have all tried something at least once and you just can't decide how you feel about it. For me right now I have this feeling towards the Palmer's Calming Facial Lotion.

I subscribe to Bellbox and got a small sachet sample which has been enough to try for a few days and I just cannot decide if I like it. I really feel like its good on my skin and it leaves such a nice velvety feeling... but it just smells so gross when you put it on. I dislike most Palmer's products for the smell and although this is not a cocoa butter smell it still has a kind of strange fake chocolate smell (although its fragrance free, so I don't know where it comes from).

The reviewers at Beauty Heaven seem to agree about the smell but overall still rate it highly. It is reasonably cheap too, but not so great if I get sick of the smell and don't use it up. I have lots of moisturizer to use up before I get something new, so I will have to just pay close attention when I go back to my other products and see if it was making enough of a difference to put up with the smell of it....