project use it up – marginalia and such

#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.

Follow me on

#projectuseitup: quarantine empties 3

Quarantine empties, part 3! or, what I used up between July and September

EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 – This used to be my favorite physical sunscreen, until I noticed that it started to dry out my skin. I came back to it this year when I was struggling to find a non-makeup based spf for daily wear… that may have been a mistake. The dryness returned and I think this may be one of the culprits behind my eye dryness/sensitivity. Will not repurchase.

Thayer’s Witch Hazel, Rose Petal – A travel size from last year’s Whole Foods beauty bag. My favorite is the cucumber, but the rose is ok. I dislike rose scents in general, but I dislike waste more, so I poured this in a spray bottle and used it like a face mist. I have one more to use up (from this year’s bag and hope they replace it with a different scent in future bags).

Andalou Naturals, Meyer Lemon C Creamy Cleanser – Not my favorite, but not the worst. I won’t repurchase, but it met the need for a cream cleanser when I couldn’t find my ACURE cleanser.

LaRoche-Posay, Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – I really liked this but couldn’t find a replacement when I ran out, so I’m going back to the CeraVe hydrating cleanser, which is similar but not as soothing IMO.

Dr. Bronner’s Almond Pure-Castile Soap – an old standard. I use this to make a foaming hand wash and as a travel all-over wash (when travel was a thing that actually happened).

Vitafusion Melatonin gummies – Basically can’t sleep without these. They’re the only type of melatonin that does not leave me groggy the next morning.

Farmacy Cheer Up brightening eye cream – I picked this up soon after it released and the texture was lovely, but it does NOT like the Florida heat because it went from mousse to weird gloopy gel long before the 6 month use by date. Also, 6 months is too short for such a large jar. They need to find better packaging to stop this product from going off so quickly.

Bath & Body Works, Vanilla Coconut & Fashionably Latte antibacterial gel – When covid was starting to become a real thing, I took a last minute, random trip to BBW and stocked up right before they ran out. When antibacterial disappeared from all stores, I still had a nice stock of these.

Andalou Naturals, CannaCell Happy Day Cream – My favorite day cream. Tried it as a sample and bought the full size because it worked so well on my skin. Not too oily and just a little dewy.

Arnica Montana 200ck tabs – do these work? is it a placebo? I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot when all else fails.

Twinkle * Apothecary Orange Blossom perfume – One of Twinkle’s monthly scents, a perfect blend of orange blossom and vanilla that gives me nostalgic, Cuban baby perfume vibes.

2 random pens!!!! – always a success 🙂

Follow me on

#projectuseitup: quarantine empties, pt. 2

Not going out is definitely having a positive effect on the number of things going out vs. coming in.

What I used up in June and July.

ACURE seriously soothing cleansing cream: hands down, my favorite cream cleanser my evening cleanse. It leaves my skin soft and smooth, and is a constant repurchase.
Rainbow Light Women’s Multivitamin: Rainbow Light is my favorite multivitamin brand. I used to take their Once Daily, iron-free blend but something about the formulation changed and started to make me nauseous. The Women’s Multi is a capsule and easy to swallow. It also includes several of the herbs and supplements I take for PCOS/hormone balance, so I don’t need to take a handful of pills.
Solgar B Complex 50: I’m a flexitarian and take B vitamins when I lean more heavily in a plant-based diet. I’ve since switched to a spray-based b12 (when needed) because I get my Bs in the multi.
Rosehip oil (blue bottle): Just a generic rosehip oil that I use as part of my nighttime skincare routine. Rosehip brightens my skin (it has vitamin C) and offers light moisture.
Adagio teas, Alexander Hamilton tea blend: Not a Hamilton thing, just a random sample I received with an order :). It was an unexpected treat; just the right amount of light coconut flavor in a mild green tea blend.
Candle minis – Currently Reading by Novelly Yours, Old Books and Reading at the Cafe by Frostbeard: I’m systematically working my way through the candles I purchased in the last year. Novelly Yours was part of a self-care book box and smelled like a sweet coffee latte, while Old Books is an old favorite that smells like fresh grass (to me, at least) and Reading smells like a thick chocolate drink (better for winter, but I only had a little sliver left).

Follow me on

#projectuseitup: quarantine empties

In which I continue to use up my stash…

Eden’s Garden, Fighting Five Synergy Blend essential oil

I don’t believe essential oils have the power prevent disease, but there is something to be said for their healing properties… I’ve used this essential oil for sinus infections and colds, and have found it helpful in opening up my nasal passages and clearing things up. Will it clear the air of contagion? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, I’m willing to try it.

Eden’s Garden is a non-MLM essential oil brand and their prices are just right for my budget.

Have since repurchased in the larger size (but not the largest, because I’m not made of money).

Humble brand natural deodorant, Palo Santo, Frankincense & Vanilla scent

In my quest for the best natural deodorant, I came across this. It’s not perfect, but the scent is nice and woodsy. I would consider repurchasing, but need to get through the rest of my stash.

ACURE, Ultra Hydrating Green Juice Cleanser (sample)

ACURE is a regular part of my empties. I like their products and find them reasonably priced (for the eco-beauty sphere). This one did the job, but it’s not as hydrating as the Seriously Soothing or Anti-aging cleansers that I regularly use.

Follow me on

makeup capsule: week of 1.27.20

p1010115-2

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

Follow me on

video: July – August 2019 empties

My cats jingled more than ever during this recording… apologies in advance. Microphone batteries being shipped as we speak…

MENTIONED

NOW Super Enzymes
VitaFusion Melatonin gummies
Thayers Unscented Witchhazel Toner
Alba Acnedote astringent
Brandless Green Tea Shave Gel
ACURE Radically Rejuvenating Cleansing Cream
Andalou Naturals CannaCell Happy Day Cream moisturizer
Hempz Age Defying body lotion
Johnson & Johnson’s Cottontouch baby lotion
Aveda Cherry Almond softening shampoo
Farmacy Honey Potion mask
LUSH Snow Fairy body wash
Nest Midnight Fleur eau de parfum
Sally Hansen InstaDri
Brandless gel pens
Stabilo fineliner

Follow me on

#projectpan: July 15, 2019

Not gonna lie, I’m mostly failing at the moment. It’s too hot to wear much makeup, and a red lip fells to dramatic when all I want to do is hide somewhere cold.

Some minor progress on Kosas Rosewater and the Tulip fragrance oil is my current go-to.

Follow me on

project use it up: perfume empty!

project use it up - new

I used up my #projectpan perfume! In my last #ProjectPan2019 update, I noted that my tiny bottle of Midnight Fleur (Nest Fragrances) was nearing it’s end. I’m happy to report that it’s now empty. Success!

I’m trading this in for Tulip’s Lemon Sugar perfume oil and Lush’s Kerbside Violet solid perfume

Lemon Sugar reminds me of Tokyo Milk’s Honey and the Moon more than Fresh Lemon Sugar – a slightly sweet, sultry scent with a base of honey.

Kerbside Violet is reminiscent of the Violet-scented baby perfume I adored as a child. It’s extremely nostalgic. I’ve had it for about two years and it’s time to make a dent in it.

Follow me on

video: April – May 2019 empties

project use it up - new

A long overdue review of ALL THE THINGS! Supplements, skincare/bodycare, and pens(!).

I promise to list the items in coming updates. Life has been… complicated.

Follow me on

#ProjectPan 2019 – April/May update

Project pan 1

That was then.

This is now.

Nest Fragrances: Midnight Fleur EDP

You can’t really see it, but there’s just Midnight Fleur left for a few more weeks. Expect this in my May empties.

Verdict: I’m not usually into florals, but this is deep and sultry. Would buy again.

Tarte: Tartelette Tease eyeshadow palette

img_8056-1

Yes! I have made some progress. Eye allergy snafus aside, this one is a winner. I’ve made some major dips in wink and first kiss, and seeing some progress on heartbreaker and crush.

Verdict: A good, versatile palette that works for day or night. Great for neutral looks or a natural, smokey eye. One of the few palettes that doesn’t irritate my eyes or lids.

Lipsticks: Kosas Rosewater & Besame Red Velvet

img_8055-1

This is the real challenge: using up a tube of lipstick before it goes bad. Red Velvet is on the cusp of going off, so I’m planning to try to wear it more often in the coming weeks. Marking my progress really helps and makes me feel good about my effort.

Verdict: Rosewater will forever be my perfect, pink lip. My keepcup does not love it when I wear this red.

I also shared some thoughts in my recent makeup declutter video.

Are you doing a project pan? How do you stay motivated to stick with it?