Project Pan #4: 6 Months of Makeup Empties!

Last Summer, I set myself another Project Pan target to see if I could use up 15 makeup products before the 7th January 2018 - here's how I got on!

I've been doing regular Project Pans to declutter my makeup stash for a while now (check out my previous posts here), and they've been a great way to help me rediscover forgotten favourites that have been hiding at the back of my collection. It's also a good way to save yourself some money and is a real motivator to keep you going when you're on a 'No Buy'! 

If you haven't heard of a Project Pan before, you basically pull out all the makeup that you want to use up, set a time frame, and well, use it up! You can follow the rules/goals of someone else's Project Pan (check Instagram, Youtube or Facebook groups), or simply make up your own like I did which was to use up 15 makeup products before 7th January 2018. 

I fell short of the mark by one product, but I'm still pretty pleased that I managed to use up 14! Below is everything that I finished off and whether I would repurchase them again:-

Base Products, Foundations & Concealers

• ILIA Vivid Foundation in F3 Santorini* - (review & swatches here) - This has been my go-to foundation for the past few months, especially since the weather started to turn colder as it's quite moisturising. I love the dewy, 'fresh face' finish that this foundation gives, it blends well and I would recommend it to anyone who wants buildable coverage, but doesn't want to look like they're caked in product. F3 Santorini was a great match for my olive skin and I didn't have any problems with oxidation or anything like that. It's expensive though which is the only downside! Repurchase? I would love to buy this again when I've used up some other foundations, but it's definitely a treat purchase!

• La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Creme SPF 30* - (review here) - I used this CC a lot during the Summer, and it's ideal for toning down and helping to cover up any redness. I found it gave me a lot more coverage than most CC style products, so it's a nice one to have in your makeup stash for those days when you don't want to wear a foundation. Repurchase? Maybe when it's Summer again as I didn't reach for it at any other time.

• Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturiser Tint SPF 30* - Another Summer favourite was this beauty from Perricone MD. I really loved this tinted moisturiser as it feels so silky soft on the skin and gives a lovely, healthy hint of colour that's perfect for 'no makeup days' and holidays. Repurchase? Yes. 

• RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up in 22* - (review & swatches here) - This little pot of multi-purpose goodness lasted for almost a year thanks to its 'a little goes a long way' formula. You can use it as a foundation or as a concealer, and it works well both ways, though I tended to use it more as a light-medium coverage base. Repurchase? Yes.

Bronzers

• Vita Liberata Trystal Self-Tanning Bronzing Minerals* (review here) - I finally used up a bronzer! This loose mineral-based bronzer from Vita Liberata contains DHA which gives you a light, buildable, gradual tan in the process, and can be used on both body and face. Gives a gorgeous, healthy-looking glow which looks great all year round. Repurchase? Yes.

Eyeliners & Eyeshadows

• Eyeko Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner (review here) - I've lost count of how many times I've repurchased this as it's one of my favourite liquid eyeliner pens. I love how easy it is to use and it has a beautiful glossy sheen to it. Stays put all day on me! Repurchase? Currently using Kat Von D, but I'm sure I'll go back to this at some point!

• Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Black Amethyst - When I don't want to wear straight up black, I found myself constantly reaching for this liner instead which comes in a gorgeous blackened-purple shade. Adds a little something different to a smokey eye and pairs incredibly well with dark brown eyes. Smudgeproof and long wearing. Repurchase? Yes.

• Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Black Velvet - (review here) - An old time favourite of mine, I've been using this seriously underrated Daniel Sandler eyeliner for years and must have gone through at least three or four of them. Affordable (less than a tenner), pigmented and can be used to create a wicked, thick and grungey smokey eye. Repurchase? Yes.

• ILIA Silken Shadow Stick in In Between Days* - (review here) - Oh how I enjoyed using this eyeshadow stick for about a month or so, and then it started to dry out and crumble! This shade was a pretty warm golden shimmer for everyday wear, but it needed a primer underneath to stop it from creasing on my oily lids. Repurchase? No.

Mascaras

• GOSH My Favourite Mascara* - (review here) - I'm definitely a big lash kinda gal, so natural looking mascaras never really do it for me. This was fine for casual days, but I didn't use it very often and then it dried up. Repurchase? No.

• Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara* - (review here) - Now this is my favourite mascara! I love everything about it - it makes my lashes look thicker and bigger, doesn't smudge or flake, and stays put until I want to take it off. Perfect! Repurchase? Yes.

• DHC Double Protection Mascara* - (review here) - Despite enjoying this mascara and putting it into a favourites post last year, I've since changed my mind because it dried up so quickly. The formula itself is great, but I'm so disappointed to see it dry out so fast. Repurchase? No.

• PUR Fully Charged Mascara - I picked this up in a GWP and was excited to try it, but sadly this mascara was a fail for me. It flaked, smudged and just turned into a mess within hours of wearing it. Repurchase? Nope!

Lip Products

• Korres Lip Butter In Wild Rose - I didn't manage to use up any lip products this time around, but I wanted to include this tinted lip butter from Korres as it's very pigmented and can easily pass as a lip stain in my eyes! Provides a super pretty rosy red tint to the lips and feels really moisturising. Repurchase? Yes.

Have you ever done a Project Pan like this?

Have you tried any of the products that I used up?

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2017: Part One

It may be freezing cold and raining outside, but love IS in the air this weekend as couples prepare for Valentine's Day next week. If you're searching for a gift for your loved one, here are some of my suggestions across a range of different price points.

 For Makeup Addicts: Pür Love Your Selfie 2 Palette* (£34, link)

Shopping for a makeup addict but not sure what to get them? Palettes make great gifts and have that added extra 'wow' factor as you get lots of products all together in one handy kit. Neutral colours are always a good safe bet and this Love Your Selfie 2 palette from Pür has a beautiful mix of wearable day-to-night shades including some stunning earthy shimmery tones.

The cruelty-free palette comprises of eight eyeshadows, a baking/setting powder, a peachy/gold-toned highlighter, a bronzer, a great everyday medium pink lipgloss, a velvet matte lip pencil in a berry shade, and a black volumising mascara. The mineral based powders are all silky soft, pigmented and easy to work with, and I particularly love the mascara for big lashes, whilst the lip products are also gorgeous additions to have in a set like this. It's a fab palette for travelling (there's a huge mirror included) with as you only need to pack foundation and concealer with it, and you're good to go!

 For Luxury Pampering: Mauli Rituals Reawaken Hand & Body Wash* (250ml, £23, link)

This is the gift for someone who truly appreciates the art of luxury pampering. I'm a big fan of Mauli Rituals bath products and their Reawaken Hand & Body Wash has a sensuous fragrance that's both relaxing and uplifting at the same time. Their unique blend is composed of over 80% organic ingredients and features highly therapeutic essential oils such as Lime, Blood Orange, Jasmine, Grapefruit, Rose, Sandalwood and Frankincense. SLS and 'nasties' free, it lathers up a treat and makes the skin feel soft and fresh. A pampering treat fit for a Queen.

 For Fragrance Fans: Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely Eau de Parfum* (30ml, usually around £25 - currently on offer at Debenhams for £11, link)

Perfume is always a popular big seller for Valentine's Day and there are lots of amazing bargains happening right now, both online and in stores on the high street. A personal favourite that I've spotted is Sarah Jessica Parker's contemporary classic fragrance, Lovely, which is currently on sale for a mere £11 at Debenhams - what a steal! Lovely is a sophisticated and unashamedly feminine perfume with top notes of Bergamot, Lavender and Apple Martini, mixed with middle notes of Patchouli, Paperwhites and Creamy Orchid, on sultry base notes of Cedarwood, White Amber, and Musk, and comes in a chic vintage inspired bottle.

 For Him: Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme Eau de Parfum* (50ml, £54, link)

The new Gucci fragrance for men which launched earlier this month has been getting some rave reviews and I imagine that it'll be a highly desired gift for this Valentine's Day. Treat your favourite man to Gucci Guilty Absolute and keep him smelling good with an exquisite blend of exclusive Gucci trademarked ingredients such as Woodleather and Golden Wood, mixed with a trio of Patchouli Oils and Vetiver. This is a seriously sexy masculine fragrance - just check out Jared Leto in the accompanying ad campaign! Well if it's good enough for Jared...

 For Budget Friendly Beauties: The English Soap Company Luxury Guest Soaps* (£2.95 per pack, link)

Not feeling the commercialism of V-Day or simply on a budget or after a small gift? These adorable heart-shaped soaps from The English Soap Company offer a cute luxury-feeling gift for less than £3 per pack. They come in a wide range of different fragrances which all smell incredible making them ideal for using in the shower and bath, as well as a hand soap. I'd recommend the Oriental Spice and Cherry Blossom scent for something different and Spring-like.

For The Beauty Fan Who Has Everything: Ecotools Limited Edition Anniversary Collection* (£19.99, link)

You may have heard that Ecotools, one of my all time favourite makeup brush brands, has undergone a makeover recently to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. The new updated design sees their brushes get a brand new look, whilst still retaining their wonderful eco-friendly credentials such as using handles made from only renewable bamboo and recycled aluminium ferrules. 

This awesome Limited Edition Anniversary Collection set features six full-size makeup brushes; an Airbrushed Finishing Brush, a Controlled Setting Brush, a Spoolie Brush, an Angled Crease Brush, a Flat Eye Liner Brush and an Eye/Lip Blur Brush. These are all made with high-quality, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly synthetic bristles which are really soft and blend beautifully with both cream and powder formulas. All of the brushes come housed in a rose gold recycled aluminium, travel-friendly brush holder too - what a great set!

Part Two of this special Valentine's Day Gift Guide will be uploaded tomorrow!

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5 Vegan Beauty Products To Add To Your Makeup Bag

Thanks to the popularity of Veganuary this month, I've seen a lot of people discussing vegan beauty products on my social media feeds recently, with many of you looking for recommendations and reviews. So here are just five vegan beauty suggestions that I've rounded up that would be great additions to anyone's makeup bag - vegan or not!

Pür 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup* (8g, £30, link)

Mineral makeup is one of the easiest areas to find vegan alternatives in, and a well-known, highly praised brand are Pür. They have a large selection of vegan-friendly makeup available, and their 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup compact is one of their bestselling products. Late last year, the brand celebrated their 10th Year Anniversary (a seriously impressive feat when you think about how many makeup brands seem to come and go these days), and they released a special Anniversary edition of their bestselling hero product in the most amazing bling-tastic packaging to mark this important milestone.

The crystal encrusted compact houses a pan of pressed mineral powder foundation which is infused with a plant-based Ceratin Complex that has anti-aging benefits, as well as Waltheria Extract that helps to naturally lighten and brighten dark spots and an uneven skin tone. It's also free from harsh chemical dyes, petroleum-based oils, fragrance and fillers, so it's ideal to pick up if you have sensitive skin, and has the added bonus of SPF 15.

The pressed powder is super silky to the touch, blends beautifully and makes it easy to achieve a light-to-medium coverage that looks natural, yet flawless (think 'your skin but better'). It wears extremely well throughout the day, doesn't cling to any dry patches or accentuate pores, and it feels practically weightless on the skin. I can see why this is such a classic bestseller! I have the shade 'Golden Medium' which is a good match for me, and there are 8 shades in total to choose from. Pair it with your favourite buffing/kabuki brush, or treat yourself to the matching Pür 10th Anniversary Edition Chisel Brush* (£15, link) which has soft, cruelty-free, synthetic bristles.

 Living Nature Eyeshadow & Compact* (currently on offer for £9, link)

Although I use both pressed and loose mineral foundations, when it comes to natural eyeshadows, I much prefer them to be pressed as it can be a little messy fiddling around with an extra small pot of loose powder! If you're the same, check out Living Nature's range of cruelty-free makeup which includes these easy-to-use, mess-free, mineral based eyeshadows. 

The shade pictured above is 'Slate', a soft matte grey/black that makes a killer base for a powerful smokey eye. This shade is currently on offer via Botanical Brands, and comes with a handy compact that you can fill with four eyeshadows to make your own bespoke palette. There's a double ended sponge applicator in the compact, but I never use these - get your hands on a proper brush like the MUA E10 Precision Eye Blending Brush* which is cheap as chips for less than £2.

 PHB Ethical Beauty Botanical BB Cream* (30g, £18.95, link)

For days when you're short on time or want an easy fuss-free, 'no makeup makeup' look, a BB Cream is the base that I'll always reach for. One of the best that I've tried in a long time comes from PHB Ethical Beauty, who are an inspiring British family run business with a primary focus on creating products that are handmade from 100% naturally derived ingredients. Everything is also certified vegan, cruelty-free, and halal (no alcohol), and they donate 20% of their net profits to helping to improve the lives of animals and people in the UK and abroad. How cool is that?

Their BB Cream is packed full of skin-friendly ingredients such as Rosehip, Aloe Vera and Grape Seed Oil, so it won't clog pores and is suitable for sensitive and acne prone skin types to try out. I love the lightweight texture as it essentially feels like a high quality tinted moisturiser, but it has a little more coverage than most making it a trusty base option for days when I don't want to wear a lot of makeup. Available in four shades.

 Know Cosmetics No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner* (0.25g, £12.50, link)

Love lipstick, but hate rummaging around in your makeup bag trying to find a lip liner that'll match it? Or worse still, finding one that you think matches, but in natural light makes you look like you've got a thin caterpillar perched on your upper lip (trust me, we've all been there!)? Stress no more, all you need is this lip liner and you're good to go! 

No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner is basically a silicone-based clear lip liner which forms an invisible barrier that stops your lipstick from feathering/bleeding. I used to use one from The Body Shop a few years ago, but since trying this one out, I can confirm that it's much more effective and actually does what it says on the label. The ingredients aren't natural based unfortunately, but there's nothing animal derived in it, so it's a good choice for vegans who want to avoid beeswax which is commonly found in a lot of lip products.       

 Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipstick in Goddess* (5g, £12.50, link)

When it comes to finding vegan lipsticks, some brands only offer a small, limited range, but Lippy Girl currently has 14 shades available, ranging from demure nudes and everyday neutrals to on-trend wintery reds and 90s browns. I particularly love the shade Ski Bunny, so much so, that I had to repurchase it immediately last year when I accidentally lost it! All of their lipsticks are eco-friendly, natural, organic, and suitable for vegetarians and vegans as they only use natural mineral pigments, alongside organic and wildcrafted natural waxes and oils. 

Their newest shade is called Goddess which looks like a dark, vivid purple in the bullet, but translates to a pretty dark berry/wine colour on the lips. The formula is a little stiffer than mainstream lipsticks, but after a couple of swipes, it does soften slightly, and it doesn't feel drying on. Goddess is a versatile shade as you can wear it as a subtle tint (as shown below), or build it up for more vampy coverage. It does have some blue/purple shimmer to it that I'm not 100% crazy about, but I wanted to include it to show that not all vegan lipsticks are safe neutral shades!

What are your favourite vegan makeup products?

Have you tried any of these?

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