beauty

#projectuseitup: quarantine empties #4

Empties from the last quarter of 2020. What I used, what I recommend, what I’d buy again.

Vitafusion Melatonin gummies – the only form of melatonin that helps me sleep and doesn’t give me nightmares. I’ve been using these for a few years and continue to repurchase.
NatureMade Magnesium Citrate – Citrate is supposed to be the most readily absorbable form according to research I did a while back… this one relaxes my muscles when they’re tight without making me too tired or weak. Will repurchase.
MyKind Organic Elderberry Gummies – I started taking elderberry after having a bad flu in 2016. It’s gotten me through many a cold season, and I’ve been taking it semi-regularly since last March. It tastes good and also helps with my allergies, so might as well. (there’s plenty of research on elderberry if you search on PubMed)
Rainbow Light Women’s Multivitamin – I switch between individual and multis based on whatever weirdness is going on in my body and/or dietary changes (ie-B12 when I’m leaning into the plant-based meals). I’ve noticed changes in my hormonal issues while taking this one. (Recommended dose is 4 caplets, but I only take 2 to supplement what I get through diet).

Function of Beauty custom conditioner – FINALLY an empty! I was a little to extra when I customized this blend. It was WAY too rich for my hair but not moisturizing enough. It became the most expensive shave cream I’ve ever used.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion travel size – My skin was a little dry this summer and I happened to have this in my stash. Not my favorite, but it did the trick.
LaVanilla Healthy Deodorant – I love how these make my pits feel but it’s not always the most effective for stink control during the summer months.
ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub and Seriously Soothing Cleansing Cream – frequent repurchases and two of my favorite face products, but I’ve switched these out for the Ethique plastic-free cleanser bar.
Sappho mascara – not an empty, but it’s more than a year old at this point and it started to smell weird… trash. It looks nice but transfers terribly!
Schmidt’s Wondermint toothpaste – I think I found this at Marshall’s in the pre-quarantimes… Anyhow, it was in my stash and I quite enjoyed it.
Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Acid – not the best I’ve tried, but it’s HA so it did the job.
Bliss makeup melt cleanser – This stuff smells AWFUL! Like petroleum or something. I bought it to see if it worked as a dupe for the Glossier milky jelly, which I do actually really enjoy. It is NOT. I’m so glad it was a mini because I’m not sure I could’ve committed to the full size.
Evan Healy Rose Geranium Toning Face Mist – A lovely mist. This is my second time receiving it in the Whole Foods annual beauty bag and it’s just as nice as the first time. Leaves my face refreshed, but gets used up pretty quickly.

Brandless Body Scrub – this company is now defunct… their scrub was decent though.
Overtone Coloring Conditioner in Pink for Brown sample (not pictured: green for brown, red for brown): I LOVED the pink for brown! The sample size is enough for one application on my hair (long, straight, fine textured) and adds a vibrant tone to my sun-bleached ends with a subtler color on my roots. The green didn’t really work for me, but the pinks and reds are going to be repeats going forward! It takes a few weeks to wash out of my hair and gives my grays a pastel color.
Ethique ginger snap face scrub: not an empty but an intro! As I mentioned, I made the switch to ethique for face wash… The scrub is a little harsh, but the cleansing bar feels lush.
Adagio tea sample – birthday wish freebie tin. A sweet surprise.
Stabilo point 88 mini fineliner – these are some of my favorite pens, I have lots of colors to get through…
cheeky mouthguard – Disappointing product rather than an empty… I tried cheeky to replace my last mouth guard but the whole experience was a disaster. I ordered it last February, it took more than a month and no shipment (this was before lockdown). When it did arrive, it was poorly packaged, had no instructions, and was missing the supplies to ship it back. I almost asked for a refund but decided to send it after waiting so long. when I received it, the impression barely fit my teeth and was missing half my molars. I was so tired by then that I didn’t even bother to reach out to customer service again and called it a loss. I was holding on to them, trying to make them work, but it’s hopeless.

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makeup capsule: week of 2.10.20

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Still no eye shadow this week… I might be brave and try some eyeliner, but perhaps not.

This week I’ll be using:

Twinkle * Apothecary the Stain on cheeks – still loving it and it’s just the right amount of blush without looking madeup
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream – almost an empty!!!! maybe 1 more week left…
RMS uncoverup 22 – for concealing
Wet N’ Wild Retractable Brow Pencil – for ze brows (per usual)
Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Love – this is a pure red to replace a recent empty (really, a declutter) – note, this takes a REALLY long time to set
Rituel de Fille lipstick in Fortune Teller – a dark, deep plummy red that I need to start using (another recent acquisition)
Kuumba Made Egyptian Musk fragrance oil
Smith’s Rosebud salve – a classic

I post #motd stories on my capsule closet insta @emilia____grace

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makeup capsule: week of 2.2.20

This week I’ll be using:

Twinkle * Apothecary the Stain on cheeks – this is a perfect flush
Twinkle * Apothecary bronzing balm – to highlight my cheekbones (also works as a blush for me)
RMS uncoverup 22 – for concealing
Wet N’ Wild Retractable Brow Pencil – for ze brows
Kosås lipstick in Royal – a plummy rose shade
Twinkle * Apothecary Mulholland perfume – a lovely flower-based scent that dries down to a powdery jasmine

A streamlined #makeupcapsule this week. Why? Because my eyes were nearly shut on Saturday morning and I think I finally found the culprit behind the eye dermatitis I had last year….

dun dun dun

ELF MAKEUP BRUSHES!

Yep. Brushes, not shadows. For nearly 9 months, I stopped using eye shadow (hence, my failed #projectpan), thinking I was allergic to an ingredient in the shadows.

A few months ago, I picked up some new brands and bought some Morphe brushes. This time, no dermatitis. I thought it was over, all healed.

Not so.

On Friday, I switched to one of my old elf brushes (one I hadn’t touched in months) and BAM swollen eyelids and what looked like contact dermatitis up to my brow bone. I’m a delicate flower and allergic to sooo many things. I suspect a fiber in the synthetic bristles is the culprit, so I’m putting these in quarantine, but I’m pretty sure I have my answer.

I post #motd stories on my capsule closet insta @emilia____grace

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makeup capsule: week of 1.27.20

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A new series for 2020! Part of my #projectuseitup and #projectpan

I committed to panning several of my products in 2019, to limited success, so this year I’ve started working on a weekly capsule to make regular use of what I own and determine what needs to go. My collection is fairly tame compared to some, but I still have more than I can use up in a year. My goal is something similar to the #30wears concept for clothing–making regular use of my makeup through intentional wear.

If I buy it, I have to use it.

(I’m also including scent as part of the capsule.)

This week, I’ll be using:

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC cream in Light (soon to be an empty!)
Sappho New Paradigm mascara in Black
Wet n’ Wild Retractable brow pencil in Medium Brown
RMS concealer in 22
Twinkle * Apothecary’s the Stain
Twinkle * Apothecary’s Bronzing Balm
Kosas Rosewater (it has a few uses left – this was 2019’s project pan) and Royal
Smith’s Rosebud Salve (I use this every morning and have for years)
Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics (this palette has weird aspirational vibes for my 2010 self who wanted but couldn’t splurge on the original)
Kuumba Made Egyptian Musk fragrance oil

I post #motd stories on my capsule closet insta @emilia____grace

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loves & latest: March 11, 2019

monday musings

loves

reads

audiobooks in general

I used to hate the thought of someone reading to me (personal weirdness involving mouth sounds), then I discovered the magic of audiobooks and the talented people who narrate them. Audiobooks are making my commute 100% better, giving me 2 hours of “passive” reading a day, and allowing me to catch up on podcast assignments without worrying about adding another book to my reading list.

I download my audiobooks for free through my library’s Libby, Hoopla, and audiobook lending programs.

establishing a beauty budget

I recently come to terms with my beauty spending and realized that I am not an all-or-nothing person. I am project panning and looking to keep my spending to a minimum, but I don’t need to fall into total austerity. This is an area that revealed how far my Upholder tendency goes, as I found myself experiencing [unnecessarily] obsessive thoughts regarding my spending in this area. Setting a budget is the middle-ground for me.

general

writer youtube and blogs

As I prepare for a new writing project, I’ve been diving into the writer community, looking for inspiration, lessons, and new ways to approach my work. One of my recent favorites is Sarah Cannon’s Heart Breathings blog and channel – a great resource for anyone who wants to start work on a writing project.

I recently purchased her HB90 planner template (because she’s also a planner addict) and can’t wait to set it up for April (it’s a 3 month, 90 day planner).

latest

podcast

bluestocking-circle Listen to the latest episode of The Bluestocking Circle Podcast – Episode 19: Star Trek & Galaxy Quest… we have so many thoughts.

If you want to hear three lady nerds talk about their favorite books and movies, give us a listen on Podomatic, Apple Podcasts,Google Play, or Spotify. Also available on YouTube.

project pan: 2019, #1

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Friends, I’m doing it… I’m hopping on the #projectpan train.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve made some serious strides towards adopting a more conscious, minimal lifestyle (note: my minimalism may not look like your minimalism and that’s ok). I’ve been posting regular empties and “project use it up” updates, but this is the first time that I will be committing to a Project Pan.

I recently posted a makeup capsule where I shared all the products I currently own (give or take a couple of products that were in my bag at the time), and I’ve selected 4 items to use up, or make a serious dent in by the end of the year.

The project

Besame’s 1946 red velvet lipstick (aka the Agent Carter lipstick): This is a perfect shade of deep red on me, but it’s starting to go off and I want to use it before I lose it. I’ve been saving it like it’s a rare, precious thing. No more!
Kosas Rosewater: I love this lipstick. It is the best “your lips but better” shade. Unlike red velvet, I’ve been wearing on a regular basis from day 1. I’ve never used up an entire tube of lipstick *gasp*, so this will be an easy victory.
Tarte’s tartelette tease eyeshadow palette: So far, so good on the eyelid dermatitis issue… If all goes well, I see myself hitting pan on first kiss, wink, and bff in a few months.
Nest Fragrances Midnight Fleur: Yes, I’m including fragrances in this pan. Scent is an essential part of my beauty routine (I was spoiled by parents who love wearing fragrances), and this is a lovely floral that doesn’t make me want to gag. Originally part of a duo, I used up the other scent last year. While I have several other fragrances to work my way through, I can see myself returning to Nest in the future.

I believe in SMART goals and this seems doable. Want a glimpse at the other products in my collection? Check out the video below.

Are you a recovering makeup junkie? Working on your own #projectpan?

Let me know in the comments 🙂

video: current makeup capsule

My current makeup capsule and a preview of what I’m planning to pan in 2019. My goal is to learn is to fall in love with what I own and curb future beauty spending…

Sorry about the noise in the background. I live on a noisy street.

Are you on a no-buy or project pan? Comment below!

project use it up: Nov – Dec 2018 empties

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Another round of empties… and it’s a total mixed bag!

loves & latest: December 10, 2018

monday musings

Loves

Reads

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick

I love a good time-slip and this book is the perfect blend of history, mystery, and romance. I had a serious book hangover after reading it, and can’t wait to read more by Nicola Cornick (she has a long history as a romance writer, but this is her second work of historical fiction). Her first historical novel, House of Shadows, is equally engaging.

Beauty

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure

I love blush. I love blush almost as much as I love lipstick (and that’s saying a lot). Mood Exposure might just bump Benefit Dandelion from my holy grail makeup collection (not least of which, because Hourglass is cruelty free, whereas Benefit is not). It’s the perfect blend of color and highlight, and gives the right amount of glow to my cheeks. It makes me look fresh-faced and ready for the day every time I swipe it on.

I have the mini travel size and I can see it lasting for years, you don’t need much at all to get a good amount of color.

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Podcast

Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with a podcast 🙂

Our most recent episodes include:

If you want to hear three lady nerds talk about their favorite books and movies, give us a listen on Podomatic, Apple Podcasts,Google Play, or Spotify.