Project Pans are a fun way to use up products in your makeup stash, and they've become a popular hashtag across social media as beauty junkies from around the world share their makeup empties with each other.
I don't know why, but it's strangely satisfying to finish off a beauty product like a face cream or a body lotion, and it's even more satisfying to finish off a makeup product, simply because they seem to last forever! My monthly Empties posts on here are some of my most popular and most read posts, so I've been starting to collect my makeup empties too and putting them in these 6 monthly Project Pan posts (you can check out my previous Project Pan posts here and here).
The general idea behind a Project Pan is to select a bunch of makeup that you want to 'hit pan on' or use up within a certain time frame, but it's pretty flexible and you can set your own rules and goals. As I managed to finish off 20 products last time, I set my goal for 20 again this time around, but I fell a little short at 15! Nevertheless, I'm still very happy with what I did use up as it's cleared out some much-needed space in my makeup collection which is always a good thing.
So then! Here's a rundown of everything that I used up makeup-wise in the past six months, and whether I would repurchase them again or not.
Foundations, Primers & Face Products
- INIKA Mineral Foundation in 04 Nurture - Unsurprisingly, I only managed to use up one foundation as I have quite a lot that I rotate between which means that I never seem to fully finish off any! However, INIKA's Mineral Foundation is by far the one that I use the most as it gives such a beautiful, natural looking finish to the skin and this shade Nurture is a perfect match for me. I've been using this foundation for years and have gone through a good number of them over that time. I don't think I'll ever be without it now. Repurchase? Already have!
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - I have oily lids so an eyeshadow primer is a must for stopping shadows from creasing or fading on me. UDPP is a firm staple in my makeup bag and like the INIKA Foundation, I've also been using this for years. It never lets me down! Repurchase? I'm on the hunt for a cheaper alternative, any suggestions?
- Liz Earle Healthy Glow Powder in Nude - You know you're onto a winner when you realise that this is the second Liz Earle blusher that you've ever used up! This shade is such a perfect, everyday nude-apricot pink colour for the cheeks. I think I've had this one on the go for about two years and I'm very sad to see it empty. Repurchase? As much as I love it, as I have so many blushers in my collection to use up first, but I'd definitely pick it up again in the future.
Mascaras, Eyeliners & Eyeshadows
- Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Mascara in Black Taffeta - A gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous mascara! It's been a long time since I was so impressed by a high-end mascara, but this beauty just hit the ball straight out of the park. Super pigmented, gives big volume lashes, doesn't smudge or flake and is just fantastic all round. Repurchase? The full size is a splurge, but I may treat myself if I see it on offer!
- Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Supreme Lash Building Mascara in Black - Whilst this is a good mascara, it doesn't build volume as effortlessly as the one above, and being in a similar high-end price bracket I would always pick the Givenchy over this one given the choice. Sorry LM. Repurchase? No.
- Eyeko Black Magic Mascara in Black - Usually I'm a big fan of everything by Eyeko (especially their liquid liners), but this mascara fell short for me. I found it quite clumpy and it dried out pretty quickly. Repurchase? No.
- Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice - I'm still struggling to find a natural based mascara that works as well as mainstream ones, and sadly this Jane Iredale mascara wasn't good at all. It flaked, smudged, clumped and dried out quickly. Repurchase? No.
- Benefit They're Real Tinted Lash Primer - I really enjoyed using this sample; it's basically a light brown tinted mascara which acts as a primer that you apply before your mascara. It gives your lashes a real boost and works with any mascara. Repurchase? Definitely considering buying the full size at some point.
- Illamasqua Precision Ink Eye Liner in Abyss - This is a fantastic liquid eyeliner. The nib is flexible but precise, and the formula is richly pigmented like a glossy black. No problems with smudging or fading and it lasts all day! Repurchase? Yes.
- Maybelline 24h Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze - I finally finished an eyeshadow - hooray! Loved this cream eyeshadow as it was so easy to apply with just a finger and looks great swiped all over the lid for a quick look in the morning. Repurchase? I have so many eyeshadows and similar products to use up first, but again, it's something I would pick up in the future.
Lip Products
- Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey and Precious - Remember when these were all the rage a couple of years ago on Youtube and the blogosphere?! I bought my fair share of them and these two shades have been my most used and repurchased. Honey is a great everyday pink and Precious is a simple nude/neutral that looks gorgeous with a smokey eye. Repurchase? Not right now as I have too many similar colours and lip products already!
- PIXI Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink - This was a cute little sample that I had in my handbag for a long time. Unique Pink is one of those shades that changes depending on the colour of your own lips so it looks a little different on everyone. It gave me a really pretty hint of pink and was nice to use when I just wanted a more subtle wash of colour on my lips. Repurchase? Tempted!
- Dolce & Gabbana Shine Lipstick in Precious* - I'm a sucker for a pretty rosy pink lip and this lipstick was just so perfect in many ways. The colour really suited me (see my swatch of it here), the formula was nice and moisturising, and the finish was lovely and glossy. Repurchase? I think this shade may have been Limited Edition, but I have similar ones from other brands in my makeup stash.
Nails
- Nail HQ Strengthener* - If you're looking for a budget friendly alternative to OPI's Nail Envy, check out this one from Nail HQ. I get the same results as Nail Envy but it's cheaper - yay!
Have you ever done a Project Pan like this?
Have you tried any of the products that I used up?
