Sorry for my absence lately on my blog. I've been away on placement and been super busy planning my mum's birthday and writing lesson plans. Today I am back with my second update for my project pan. The months seem to be flying by!

This project is really pushing me to make use of my makeup. It is exciting to check in and see progress, it really helps to motivate you to continue.

Before getting into all my progress I will let you all know that I won't be switching anything out this time around. When I started this I had the expectation in my head that every month I would use something up or hit a goal and be able to involve new products. That is definitely not the case and doing this has taught me how long it actually takes to use products up.

Eye Shadow - Bh x Carli Bybel (original)
I think eyeshadow is an area of strength for me. Since I am such a creature of habit and always reach for the same shades on a daily basis it is easy for me to make progress. Within one month I even hit (baby) pan on one shade (matte brown)! My goal was to hit pan on three shades so only two more to go.

I find the bh shadows to be on the powdery side but very easy to blend. The shimmery shades, in terms of pigmentation can fade throughout the day but the mattes are quite good. I am enjoying this palette and am glad I included it. By next month I hope to hit pan on the matte cream shade.

Bronzer/Highlighter - Urban Decay Naked Flushed
I ended up repressing the bronzer so the photo in this update will look different. I am making steady progress with the bronzer and have used up quite a bit of the highlight! I won't have an issue finishing this off.

Brows - Chi Chi Brow Pomade (blonde)
I feel like this product will never show product but I am starting to made a dent on one edge. I will definitely never buy another brow pomade in my life because one tub lasts forever haha.

Blush - Nudestix Bare Back
I didn't use this much this past month because my cheeks broke out pretty badly. I wanted to let them breathe as much as possible and when I was wearing makeup I wanted to apply as minimal product as possible. You'll see the very little progress I made better down below.

Foundation
For this category, the only "foundation" I used up was a sample size of Adorn's cream foundation. It is better than nothing. I am also making good progress with my mineral powder foundations as they're what I'm reaching for lately.

Lips

Colourpop Oh Snap
I'm surprised I actually made visible progress with this lippie stix this time around. I barely reached for it purely because my all time favourite lipstick was added to the project. I'll continue to use this until it is empty or I'm absolutely sick of it.

3ina Lip Oil

I did draw a line on this a month ago but because it is an oily product it kept rubbing off. I was roughly at the bottom on the 3ina logo when I included this so I am making good progress. This lip oil is a pretty easy product to pan because I apply it multiple times a day. If I put my mind to it I could finish it by the next update but I am spacing out using it so I also use my other lipstick.

Gerard Cosmetics Vintage Rose
My absolute favourite lipstick! I'm really happy with the progress I've made and it is the lip product I reach for most. I think I want to focus on this so it can get out of my project sooner and I use other lip products too. But I am loving having this in my project.

Here are my updates for stick products:

Just to keep myself sane and motivated throughout my no-buy/project-pan, I am putting together a wish list. These are the products I will allow myself to buy when I have used up or hit pan on a significant amount of products I own from the related category.

I am planning to transition to non-toxic beauty products so this is my wish list!

Body care
Chocolate Sun Cocoa Fleur tanning atomizer - hopefully I can get it shipped to Australia!

Butter London 8-Free Nail Lacquer (Mum's the word) - I rarely ever wear nail polish and I've never had my nails done. When I do paint my nails I often go for nude shades or a deeper pink mauve shade. I already own a nail polish by Mineral Fusion but would like to try other brands.

Makeup
Ecco Bella Blush - I want to store face/eye products in a z palette type of case. These blushes come just as the pan and don't contain talc (something I find breaks me out when worn too often). I am also someone that doesn't need multiple blush shades so I hope to find my perfect shade then only ever have to repurchase refills.

Lily Lolo pressed bronzer (Montego Bay) - This is one of the pressed bronzers I've found that have natural ingredients as most seem to be loose. The Urban Decay bronzer that I love has a sheen/slight shimmer to it so I thought this would be the perfect healthy alternative.

100% Pure anti-ageing Pomegranate Lipstick (Foxglove) - of course I am mentally planning an entire new non-toxic lipstick collection. Lips is my favourite category however, I've noticed I only reach for the same few shades. I love the packaging and shade of this lipstick so it will definitely join my collection.

Luk Beauti Food Lip Nourish Natural Lipstick (Tea Rose & Pink Juniper) - of course I couldn't pick one shade so I've added two very similar ones to my list. I may even pick up a few shades for the purpose of reviewing and swatching. I didn't find much on this brand but I love what they're all about and their ingredients. Also the packaging kind of reminds me of the Too Faced lipsticks, which I love the style of.

Eco Minerals Flawless Foundation - I have tried multiple organic, natural and toxic free complexion products already. I am currently using some by Lily Lolo, Scout Cosmetics, Hynt Beauty and have used ones by Inika Organic and Adorn Cosmetics in the past. I will eventually purchase a liquid foundation but there are so many that I need to do more research. One base product I am sure I want to try is this flawless foundation (powder) by Eco Minerals. The thing that has drawn me in is that they offer refills so I could just top up my existing packaging, less waste makes me happy! They also offer samples so I could easily pick out a few shades to find my perfect one.

Eye of Horus Brow Define Dysnasty (medium) - I am an eyebrow powder lover but I do enjoy the ease of a pencil with an attached spoolie. This looks similar to everyone's favourite ABH brow wiz or the NYX one. I've only ever tried the one by NYX and liked it so I'm excited to eventually use this.

Vapour Organic Beauty Luminous Foundation - Just the fact that this foundation has luminous in its title and is housed in a stick format makes me want it.

Fragrance
La Vanila perfume - this brand has always caught my interest but I own way too many perfumes to buy another. Whenever the day comes where I need a new perfume, this is at the top of my list.

That is my current wish list/plans for future purchases. I am thinking of doing an update on this post, maybe next year to see what I actually purchased and if I ended up liking it, or prefer another green beauty product etc. Also, I will track my transition via Instagram and my blog so keep an eye out for future posts.

I think the 1st week of every month will be a good time to post my updates so here is my first one! I actually started my project pan a tad earlier than I posted the introduction so I have had a month and a bit to work on the products - keep this in mind when you see my progress.

I have some exciting news to share with you all in terms of progress. But before I jump in to the check in I just wanted to mention a change I am making to how I will do this project. I have decided that every time I reach a goal on a product I will swap it out for another one. Just to ensure I am rotating my collection and not ignoring it for an entire year.

Now for the update...

Eyeshadow palette - Tartelette in Bloom

My goal for this palette was to use up flower child and pan two other shades. Because I did so well on this palette quite quickly, I did a poll on my Instagram asking if I should attempt a pan that palette or exchange for another one. Despite pan that palette winning the poll, after some thought I think it is best I swap in another palette.

I ended up reaching all my goals for this palette. I used up flower child completely. I was so excited when this happened because I have never used a shadow up before. Not long later I hit pan on smarty pants and only last week I hit pant on charmer. I am tempted to continue using this palette because I love it but I've rarely used the Carli Bybel x BH Cosmetics palette since it is new to me, so I am swapping that in.

Bronzer/Highlighter - Urban Decay Naked Flushed

Unfortunately, one day when I went to use the highlight the bronzer crumbled a little. I am considering repressing the bronzer with the highlight on the left side of the pan but I've never done it before and don't want to disturb the blush. I'm not sure what I will do about that but my progress has been going well. Visually you can see I have expanded the pan on both shades but I am not in any hurry to use this up so I am happy with the progress. I do wish it didn't break but oh well, it's well loved.

Brows - Chi Chi Brow Pomade

I didn't have a set goal for this product and what I have learnt already is that a little goes a long way. It will be pretty impossible for me to ever use this up. I have decided to strategically use product from the centre of this pot to track progress and there is a noticeable dip in person. I am excited to see if I could reach the bottom by the end of the year?

Blush - Nudestix Nudies all over face color matte in bare back

There has been some slow and steady progress with this. I use it a handful times a week and have actually started enjoying it on my lips as well as cheeks.

Foundation 
I completed my Inika Organic BB cream last month. So one down, 4 to go. P.S. I am not including the three BB/CC creams I used up in my prior trash talk as I technically used them up before starting my project.

Lips - Colourpop ultra glossy lip in Weho (sample size), Chi Chi lipstick in O.M.NUDE!! and Colourpop lippie stix in Oh Snap

This category has good and bad news. I will start with the good, since it is listed first.
I used up Weho entirely. I am glad it is over and done with because I did get sick of wearing a gloss. I am not usually a lip gloss wearer so it was a struggle to consciously reach for it. I did enjoy the formula and shade very much but I wouldn't repurchase the full size. This has taught me to stick to other forms of lip products, although I do want to try a bare minerals gloss one day. 

Now for the bad news. I lost my Chi Chi lipstick at Ed Sheeran's concert. It must have fallen out of my bag because I cannot find it anywhere. I am actually upset for it to be gone because I really enjoyed using it and could have easily used it up. When I have less lipsticks in my collection I would consider repurchasing it because the formula is great, it is comfortable and the shade is gorgeous. Since I have lost it I added in another lipstick to replace it. You will find out which one soon.

In terms of Colourpop's lippie stix I am not really too concerned with it. I don't really enjoy the shade when it is on my lips as I find it too look greyish. Also, due to the summer heat is has melted a little so it doesn't twist up and down as well, plus it gets pretty messy when I do use it. Since it is still fine to use, just a little messy, I will still continue to use it. I also find I prefer this product when I dab it onto my lips or apply very little, this just means the progress will be slow.

Now for products I am rolling in.
To replace the lipstick I lost I am going to include Gerard Cosmetics lipstick in Vintage Rose. I own two in my collection and it is actually my favourite lipstick of all time. Since I have a brand new bullet just sitting around it makes sense to enjoy and use this one up.

I am also rolling in another lip product. The 3ina lip oil. I love this product so so much. It is hydrating, comfortable, gives off a glossy appearance without being sticky. It sinks into my lips quite quickly so I do have to reapply regularly. This will be a massive plus for me since it means I can use it up quicker. Once I use this up I do want to try the Inika certified organic lip serum. Just because the ingredients are a lot better and we consume our lip products.

For eyeshadow palette, I mentioned it above. It will be the BH x Carli Bybel original palette. It is brand new so at this stage I am aiming for any progress. By next update I hope to have dips in two shades.

I feel like the above markings will be a better way to show you all (and myself) progress on non powder products. The 18th of March is when I thought to do this so there was already some progress on Oh Snap and Bare Back. In future updates I'll be going by this rather than images so I thought i'd still include it now.

In terms of my no-buy it is going fabulous. I can't believe I still haven't purchased one makeup item. I do have Sephora gift vouchers that I said would be excluded from the no-buy but all I've bought with one was a new brush to replace an older one. I'm very impressed with myself and it is allowing me to enjoy my current collection!

So that is it for my update. Are you doing a project pan too? If so, how are you going, I'd love to know!

Reached goal on 5 items

- Tartelette in bloom flower child (empty)

- Tartelette in bloom smarty pants (hit pan)
- Tartelette in bloom charmer (hit pan)

- Colourpop ulta glossy lip in weho (empty)
- Inika Organic BB cream

I officially have enough posts in my trash talk series for someone to read one every day of the week! I'm not sure who would do that but I just thought I'd mention it 😂

Over the summer holidays (yes, Australia is opposite for those reading from the other side of the world), I accumulated quite a few products. You'd also be aware that I am attempting a project pan so, by the end of the year, I hope to include more makeup products within these posts. For now, let's talk trash...

The Body Shop - Almond Milk & Honey body lotion

$20 

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This is a product I don't generally use up. When it comes to moisturising my body I often opt out of that step but I'm glad I used this up. This body lotion claims to soothe uncomfortable tight, itchy dry skin. I found it to be really hydrating and did not leave a greasy feeling. I'm unsure whether I would repurchase it as I have a few other lotions that I need to work my way through, but I did really enjoy this one so I would consider it.

NYX - Dewy Setting Spray

$14.95

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

A nice daily use spray if you can be bothered taking the extra step. It did leave a very dewy finish to my face which sometimes made my makeup feel heavier? Or at least made me notice I had makeup on my skin, which at times was not a pleasant feeling. I guess this did work but isn't a must for me so I won't be repurchasing. I also do prefer the Urban Decay All Nighter over this.

Josie Maran - Pure Argan Milk

(sample)

⭐

As someone with dry skin I did not think I would ever say this, this was too much for my skin. In the sense it was over hydrating but my skin didn't really absorb it. I found it to clog my pores and whenever I used it I had those small congested bumps afterwards. I ended up tossing it before using it up so luckily it was just a sample.

Models Prefer - BB Youth Boost

$16.99

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This is a beautiful BB cream. It sat so nicely on my skin and I absolutely loved using it. The only reason it lacks that final star is because of the shade range - there are only two. I found it to be a little too ashy/pink for my skin tone so for this reason I won't repurchase but it really was a lovely product and gave my skin such a healthy look.

Stem - Hydrating Face Fluid

$23.10

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

If you have sensitive skin and struggle to find a moisturiser that works for you then this is a great product. It is hydrating yet has a thin consistency so it absorbs nicely into the skin. For dryer skin types this pairs nicely with a facial oil for added moisture. I have a review on it here. I would consider purchasing this in the future.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip

$6.50

⭐ ⭐

Regular viewers of my Instagram stories would know I am tossing Midi, Beeper and Clueless from Colourpop as they are old in my collection and were well loved. The other Ultra Matte Lips I am decluttering (rehoming). These three in particular have had their formula change over time and just crumble off my lips. I personally wouldn't repurchase this formula from Colourpop as I am not the biggest fan of liquid lipsticks. Due to their formula and comfort they get quite a low rating however, the shades are gorgeous.

Nourish London - Kale 3D Cleanse

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I loved this cleanser, 30% because it changes colour when it comes into contact with water and being rubbed on your face and 70% because it worked well. Kale is one of my favourite vegetables so if it is in a cleanser I immediately love it. It left my skin feeling clean and brighter looking (over time). Even though I really enjoyed using this I won't be repurchasing as I have a pretty solid skincare routine right now so I don't require another face wash. 

Palmer's - Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil

$10.49

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Another one bites the dust. I won't say anything about this as it is in every skin diaries or trash talk I have written. There is one new thing I have to say about this though, *SHOCK ALERT* I won't be repurchasing this any time soon as I have replaced it with LUSH's ultrabland cleanser. This could make an appearance in the future though, I am missing it.

Derma E - Nourishing Rose Cleansing Oil

sample

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This product is similar to the Palmer's cleansing oil however, is a much thinner oil. I did enjoy using it but like I said, I don't require it in my skin care routine. If you aren't a fan of cleansing oils that leave your skin feeling oily then I recommend this one. It is very gentle on the skin and removes makeup quite well.

Chi Chi Cosmetics - Super CC Cream

$29.95

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This is one of those products that I changed my mind about the more I used it. At the beginning I didn't really like this CC cream. I found it broke up on my skin or left me looking cakey. After working with it and getting to know the formula I actually loved this product. I found it worked best on my bare skin and if I was going to powder it then loose powder seemed to work best. It offers great coverage but doesn't feel heavy on the skin. I will say, when I paired it with primer, concealer and pressed powder it did feel heavy and I hated wearing it. This is more of my go-to product when I had to wake up at 6:30am for work and wanted quick coverage and a very minimal makeup look.

When I work my way through more foundations I will figure out which were my absolute favourites and if this still makes the list I would repurchase.

Physician's Formula - Organic Wear CC Cream

$18.27

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

It appears that BB/CC creams are a common theme for this trash talk. I really enjoyed working through the ones in my collection over summer because they're the perfect base product. For a lighter coverage, and I mean barely there, this was a great option. It has really basic ingredients that are good for your skin which I appreciated. I found it applied best with my hands as it really helped the thicker cream melt into my skin. It wasn't cakey as it was super light-weight and undetectable. I won't repurchase for the time being and I want more coverage if I am going to wear makeup. I see myself buying and wearing this when my skin is clearer and I have a full time job because it would work better for that.

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Rosewater Mask

$18.95

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This was an ok hydrating mask. I did enjoy the consistency of it, I found it sunk into my skin nicely and when I rinsed off the excess my skin felt soft and hydrated. The strange thing is that it is formulated for sensitive skin types but I found it burnt mine sometimes? Due to this I wouldn't repurchase.

Brite Organix Masques in mango and coffee

$15 each

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I love a good hair mask. Not only do these work well but they are practical and come in a variety of scents and hair needs. I have multiple more in my collection so I will be well off for a while.

I find I can get 4-6 uses out of each pouch. Keep in mind my hair is above my shoulders. They're easy to use, not oily or sticky, I love them. The reason they have 4 stars is because I personally find straight up coconut oil to be a super beneficial hair mask and that is my #1 favourite. These are still a great alternative if you don't want to melt coconut oil to make your own.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

$18 (4ml)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Prior to trying Inika Organic's long lash vegan mascara this way my absolute favourite. I would even say they may be equal first in terms of how they make my lashes look. I am trying to be good and only have 1 mascara at a time but I would definitely repurchase this in the 4ml size. It lasted me quite a while and my lashes looked so fluffy and natural, yet I could get them to look dramatic if I wanted to. I love the size of the brush, I love the formula, I love everything about it

I even love the packaging and wand so much that I think I will repurpose it to be an eyebrow and eye lash oil serum or just keep the wand to act as a spoolie.

Organic Care Coco Repair Shampoo

$6 (larger bottle)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Can you tell I don't keep a theme to these posts, I'm always all over the place because I literally pick things out of a box as I go. Anywho, this is the only shampoo brand I've used ever since I can remember. I have always used natural/organic hair care in my life so I can't really compare it to anything. I like it and I find it cleans my hair, although I don't have oily or problematic hair. It gets the job done and I will continue to use it. My favourite range of theirs is the dry nourish range though.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Hand Cream

$7

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This is an exciting product for me as I've never used up, let alone owned a hand cream before. It was a joy to use this every night before bed or even throughout the day because it didn't leave any weird residue. It sunk in nicely and my hands were not slippery at all. I enjoyed the smaller size and scent, I am considering repurchasing it in the future.

Natural Instinct Hydrating Facial Wipes

$7.99

⭐

I rarely dislike a product that is good for your skin but I just didn't find these wipes to be "moist" enough to remove makeup. They also dried up pretty quickly so I wasn't able to use them all.

I appreciate that they are also biodegradable but they didn't work for makeup removal. I guess in the future I could maybe use them as hand wipes? But for now, its a no from me.

Keratin Complex

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I purchased this when I was in Italy so I have no idea where to find it or if it even exists anymore. I did enjoy this spray as it left my hair feeling nice but I can't repurchase it.

Grants of Australia Mild Mint with Aloe Vera toothpaste x2

$2.60

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

My favourite SAFE toothpaste. It feels like a "traditional" chemical toothpaste in the sense it feels and tastes minty but it does not irritate my teeth whatsoever. It is also an affordable green switch that anyone can make.

Derma E Overnight Peel

sample

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I have dry skin, texture and scarring so I love peels. I don't know how to describe what this product did but it somehow make my overall appearance nicer. I would repurchase once I work through a few other skincare products.

ARCONA Cranberry Toner

sample but usually $55

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Ahhh, I hate to love this because the full size is so pricey for a step I usually skip. It is refreshing, hydrating, gentle and just magical liquid in a bottle. I don't know if I would purchase this but I indulged in it while I had it. It also smells amazing. I will have to think very deeply about repurchasing it but I really did love it. P.S. Repurposing the bottle to use for traveling. Reduce, reuse recycle!

Blissoma Tone Intense Hydration Tonique

sample

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Another toner I loved? I never used toner before, I never saw the purpose of it but I actually enjoyed this one too. It is in a spray bottle which I love a little more than the previous one because it's convenient. It is also cheaper at $32. It worked quite similar to the ARCONA one and since this one is marketed for dry skin it worked wonders for me. I am also repurposing this bottle for travel and may repurchase.

Eye of Horus bio Lash Lift mascara

$38

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

If you have sensitive or easily irritated eyes then this is the mascara for you. It gives off a very natural appearance to your lashes but I also found the wand to be a little difficult to work with at times as it can gather excess product. If you remember to wipe the excess off then it is completely fine.

Tilk - Love me hand cream and regenerate me facial cream

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

First off the hand cream. Since I am a newly converted hand cream user this was another one I enjoyed. Similarly to the body shop one it didn't leave a strange film behind and I actually found it to be a tad more hydrating. It helped with dry skin and I don't know what they're called but you know when your nails peel on the edges and if you rip it off they bleed? Those things. It helped prevent those but even soften it enough for me to cut off easily. It was a great one to use at night time as it comes in a little pot.

The regenerate facial cream left my skin feeling hydrated and soft. It didn't irritate my skin in any way nor did it break me out. I found it had an almost mousse like consistency but very airy. I did enjoy it and now I'm excited to try out their other products they sent to me.

Both of these products are vegan, natural and travel friendly, which is awesome!

Nourish London firming facial oil

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I am a big fan of facial oils, in fact I have a drawer full of them and have no idea when I'll get to using them all. Thankfully I find I go through them at a pretty good pace as they pair well with my dry skin. I've tried many oils in the past and currently, this one sunk in nicely, didn't break me out (which some can) and had a thin consistency. If you're familiar with facial oils you can tell when it is a good one and when it isn't. My preference is a thin consistency that sinks in well, typically with oils you don't want your skin to feel or look oily. Two to three drops is plenty. 

This is another bottle I can repurpose and keep for travel. It is a good small size for me to transfer my larger bottled oil into.

Sukin sensitive Facial Moisturiser

$5.49

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Finally, the last item. I know these posts can get long so I will write a little about this and then I'm done. I used to be a fan of cream moisturisers and this is a great one but I've gone completely oil based. It is light and gentle like it states, sits nicely under makeup, affordable and natural.

If you made it this far then I am very impressed! What is something you have used up recently?

A no-buy, something that could be good for some or challenging for others. I've done a few no-buys over the time of being a beauty lover and I am currently on a year long one. I've figured out and learnt a few tips and tricks so I thought I'd share.

1. Make a makeup inventory
This tip is the most important in my option. You physically how much you own, how many products you have in each category etc.

I've put mine together via excel but you can do it in your bullet journal, word, a notebook or a follower of mine (Tanya) suggested an app: Momento.

Having a monthly tally will also help to keep you motivated as it will tell you how much you're actually using up, whether it is money-wise or the quantity in a certain category.

My previous blogpost is all about how to make a makeup inventory!

2. Start off with a low-buy
Instead of going completely from frequent makeup purchases to none at all, consider taking baby steps. You could set a monthly or yearly makeup budget, whichever works for you. Or you could only purchase a new product for X amount of products you use up.

For me, I will only repurchase something if I run out of products in that category. For example, I only own two black mascaras so once they're used up or dried out I will allow myself to buy another one.

3. Set yourself challenges
If you're the type of person that likes challenges or setting goals with makeup then consider doing a pan that palette or project pan. There are heaps of types on youtube, there's project 10 pan, 18 by the end of 2018 and so on. You would have seen my intro to my first project pan a few weeks ago so,  I'm only picking a few products to see how I go.

A few of my favourite YouTubers that promote using the makeup you own:
Kelly
Elle
Samantha
Liv
Tash

I find binge watching these ladies (and a few others that pop up in recommendations), really helps me stay motivated to use what I own.

4. Don't give in to new releases (how?!)
This is sometimes easier said than done. However, Elle has a great video about FOMO (fear of missing out) which has really helped me not care for new releases. She makes a great point that those products will a) always be around, or b) if it's limited edition and you fall in love with it, you won't be able to repurchase it any way.

5. Shop your stash
Switch things up often, play around with your makeup to create new looks you haven't tried before.

Hopefully these tips are helpful, as well as the youtubers I have recommended. Let me know if you're giving a no-buy a go, if so, how long?

Greetings friends. For some reason Project Pan videos have become my obsession. I love seeing well loved makeup products and I know, when I hit pan or use up a product in my collection I am extremely excited. After all, it does mean you use what you pay for, rather than let it sit in your collection.

I am going to attempt a project pan this year and because it is my first one I won't make it too challenging. I am picking products I currently enjoy using or old favourites that deserve more love again.

Here's what I'm planning to pan:

Eyeshadow palette - Tartelette in Bloom

Ok so I don't want to pan or use up this entire palette because that probably won't be possible. I have done damage with one particular shade already (flower child), so I plan to use that shade completely but also pan two other shades.

Bronzer/Highlighter - Urban Decay Naked Flushed

Another product that is already well loved. Because I have used quite a bit of this highlighter and bronzer already I hope to use the two shades up completely by the end of 2018. I'm not a big fan of the blush shade for my skin tone but I will push myself to use it rather than leave it untouched.

Brows - Chi Chi Brow Pomade

I've included this one because I am curious to see how much of a pomade I can actually use up within a year. I only have two brow products in my collection so this one is 100% included just out of curiosity.

Blush - Nudestix Nudies all over face color matte in bare back

This is a product I am in love with lately, I love how easy a cream blush is to use. You can use this product on your lips, eyes and cheeks. I mainly use it on the cheeks but I think this would be pretty easy for me to use up a decent amount of.

Foundation 
Possibly cheating with this category? But rather than choosing certain products to use up I just hope to use up a total of 5 foundations this year. Whether they are liquid or powder I don't mind, I just would like to reduce my collection so I can try more products.

Lips - Colourpop ultra glossy lip in Weho (sample size), Chi Chi lipstick in O.M.NUDE!! and Colourpop lippie stix in Oh Snap

My favourite makeup category, yet one I really struggle to work my way through. I think this will be the most challenging for me because I don't really stick to one lip product. I've chosen a few that are shades I know I can wear every day and are a variety of finishes.
The Chi Chi and Colourpop lipsticks were actually part of my 5 in 1 review last year, so I'd really like to make more progress on them. Also, I'm not a big lipgloss wearer but I also want to finish up the sample size of Weho I have.

They are all the products I will specifically be focusing on throughout 2018. Are you planning on doing a project pan or have you ever done one? Let me know!

I am sure I have said this before and I am going to say it again, buying foundations is my weakness. This time I splurged (thank you to a gift voucher I received for my birthday) on the Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation. I remember KathleenLights mentioning it as one of her favourite foundations for dry skin. Usually the foundations she recommends also work for me as our skin tone and type is pretty similar, so I thought why not?

The Becca foundation retails for $72 AUD, so I thought adding in my review would be helpful especially since it is so pricey. On the Australian Sephora site it comes in 7 shades: fair, light, beige, medium, tan, dark golden and deep bronze. However, in store I noticed there was an 8th shade - porcelain. I picked it up in the shade fair, even though light had better undertones to suit my skin it was a tad dark and it oxidises slightly once it dries down making fair a better option.

So, what does this $72 foundation claim to do? 
It is "a flexible, liquid foundation made from pigments that blur and perfect to reflect your skin tone." 

The coverage "feels ultra-light and buildable, while it evens and perfects your complexion. Every weightless drop of fluid imparts subtle luminosity that blurs imperfections and leaves a soft-focused glow. The foundation features a curated array of flexible shades that flatter all skin tones."

"For flawless results, shake well before each use to ensure that the pigments and luminisers blend perfectly."

It is also formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates.

BEST FOR:
Normal, normal to dry, dry and very dry skin types. If you have combination or oily skin they recommend you use their matte primer and a finishing powder. Based off my experience, unless you are willing to play around with the foundation and blot, I would steer clear if you have oily skin.

The glow isn't too much on my dry skin and makes my skin look very healthy. I also find I don't need to powder, but again my skin is quite dry so there aren't any oils coming through.

SWATCHES:
This swatch was taken when I had my summer tan, hence why it looks so light for my skin tone. It is a better match to my winter shade however, it is not 100% as it has slight pink tones in it too. When it was on my face (selfies below) I wasn't as tanned as I am now so you can kind of tell I am a little more yellow than the foundation shade. Since it is a sheerer formula I am able to look past this though!

THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
Before I forget, this foundation is a water-based foundation so it works best when paired with water-based primers and not oil.

Despite it being weightless and ultra-light the coverage is there. If you've read my skin diaries and have seen my bare skin you will know I have quite a bit of redness to cover. In one sheer layer it evened out my skin tone and I was able to build it up on my cheeks which achieved a medium coverage that literally looked like my skin.

The foundation is quite undetectable on the skin however, it can cling to severe dry patches. Especially if you are silly like me and burn your forehead in the sun which results in it peeling. I think any foundation or product would cling to that sort of dryness/flaky skin though. It didn't emphasise the dryness from old acne scabs and it smoothed over my fine lines. Because of this, I would also recommend the foundation for mature skin types as it is super hydrating and luminous so it won't age the skin in any way.

If you don't like a pretty intense dewy look to your skin then you won't be a fan of this. For someone that looks dehydrated nearly every time makeup is applied I appreciated the dew and healthy appearance this gave my skin. Some review I read mentioned that the foundation settled into pores but I don't have large pores so that wasn't a concern for me. If you do then maybe keep this in mind or pair the foundation with a pore filling primer.

Personally, I'd only layer this foundation twice on my dryer skin type because I can see how it could cake up. Since my acne is already quite dry from tea tree oil or other treatments, applying too much product will only emphasise that. With two layers I achieve decent coverage without it looking cakey. If I do require a full coverage I would reach for a concealer rather than continuously layer on foundation.

The best way to apply this foundation is to use a brush. A sponge would soak up a lot of the product as it is water-based. It can take a little while to properly buff it into the skin but when you do it will look very natural. I am able to wear this foundation on its own with no other makeup and it just makes my skin look fresh and hydrated.

A slight downside to the foundation is that it does dry a shade or two darker than when it is first applied. It isn't too drastic but if you are thinking of buying this foundation try a shade lighter than what you would normally be and see if that dries down to your perfect shade. Like I mentioned above, the shade light was almost perfect for me but when it set it was too dark.

Lastly, I have barely have issues wearing this foundation during the heat. Sweat can make it look ever so slightly cakey which is why I don't really suggest it for oily skin types, but there are ways to combat this. The heat can make it look even more glowy so a little powder will be beneficial on these days.

I will attach an image of a 37 degree day when I wore this foundation. I was outdoors for part of it and I think it held up pretty well.

As you can tell in the third (most realistic as it is by a window) photo, it offers a very natural finish to the skin and lets your skin peak through. Despite my acne and redness it really does even out my skin without looking like I've applied foundation.

PACKAGING:
The foundation comes in a similar package to their backlight priming filter. It is encased in a frosted glass bottle and a bronzey lid. This foundation doesn't come with a pump like other foundations do, it has a dropper which can sometimes get the opening pretty messy. I don't love nor hate the application because I like applying it straight to my skin with the dropper but I do need to be careful not to get too messy with it. It is a unique idea but it can be hit or miss for different people, based off your own preferences.

I find the appearance of the foundation to be very luxurious which is what you would expect for the price. Also, you get 30ml of product, similar to other foundations.

Since the Becca Backlight Priming Perfector (review here) worked so well with my skin I did have high hopes with this foundation. I am glad the $72 wasn't a waste because it is a lot of money. I would suggest you try a sample before purchasing just to ensure it works with your skin and you like the glow it gives.

Every January my family and I go to spend the month at the beach. For the past few years I encourage myself to pack light and only bring the products I absolutely need. So this post is sharing what I packed and in a way, my favourite makeup products since they made the cut or products I plan to use up this year.

Base

• Models Prefer all-in-one Healthy Glow BB cream - a product I'd like to use up
• Hynt Beauty DUET Perfecting concealer - fave!
• Nudestix nudies all over face colour matte in Bondi Bae and Naughty n' Spice - favourites
• Savvy Perfect Base Foundation - suits my tan, full review here
• Evelyn Iona Green Tea Primer - new to my collection but promises to be hydrating

Eyes

• ZOEVA cocoa blend palette: Even though this palette technically suits Autumn better than Summer, I plan to hit pan in it this year.
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes mascara
• Eye of Horus Brow Fibre Extend: cruelty free and natural alternative to Benefit
• Chi Chi Brow Pomade - waterproof!

Lips

• 3INA lip oil balm - my current go-to
• Eye Of Horus bio lipsticks in Venus pink, Artemis nude and Aurora peach - these give off a matte appearance while not drying out the lips

Brushes
I know this isn't makeup but I wanted to include it because I never know how many brushes to pack when I travel so this may be helpful to others!

• A foundation brush
• large powder brush: this is my favourite
• 3 eye brushes: I like the EcoTools travel ones because it includes an angled one for the brows

I'm not bringing any cheek brushes as the Nudestix come with them on the end.

Late last year a new love was born, my obsession with Nudestix. I love what their brand stand for and the simplicity yet multi-use purposes of their products. There is just something about makeup in crayon form that really appeals to me.

I'm sure you've seen the multiple posts that have graced my Instagram feed so it was only fair to write up a blogpost dedicated to my Nudestix collection.

So far I own:
3x Nudies all over color matte in the shades: Bondi Bae, Bare Back and Naughty n' Spice.
3x Lip/Cheek pencils in: Love, Whisper and Mystic.
Satan was limited edition in a Christmas set I received two years ago.

From what I own I am currently head over heels for the nudies all over color matte sticks. They can be used on the lips, eyes and cheeks. This makes them perfect to travel with or great to speed up an early morning makeup routine. Bondi Bae is the perfect bronzing tone for my skin and the two blush shades I own also work perfectly. I find they last all day on my dryer skin or even when it is hot and I am sweating. Some people don't like the brush that is attached to them but I do, despite them being dense I like to use it to pat the product in and lightly feather out the edges using a flicking motion.

The lip/cheek pencils are what made me fall in love with the brand. They don't last as well as the previous product on the cheeks as they are creamier but they work wonders on the lips. They're moisturising and comfortable yet give amazing pigment and lasting power (on the lips).

Here are swatches of the products in my current collection:

In the very near future I plan on trying the magnetic matte lip color, concealer pencil (probably when my skin clears because I worry it won't be enough coverage) and nudies all over face color bronze + glow.

What Nudestix products do you own? Do you also love the brand? I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!

Ahh summer, the time of year I dread because it's too hot to wear makeup but at the same time I want coverage. During summer nights when I have a party or am going out there are a few changes to my makeup routine that occur so I thought I'd share. Especially if you have scarring, redness, acne or dry skin.

Base
Full coverage foundations are a thing of the past in the warmer weather. The heat + my already dry skin is not a great combination with thicker foundations, they tend to look cakey. I opt for something with light-medium coverage like the EX1 Invisiwear foundation. Since it has a natural matte finish on my skin I like to apply it with a sponge. If you have acne or scarring you may think lighter coverage and a sponge isn't going to do anything for your skin but trust me it works. The purpose of the foundation is to even out your general skin tone.

To cover the redness, cue heavy duty concealer - Hynt DUET Perfecting concealer. If your skin isn't too bad and you only have a few red spots to cover then you could just use this product and be done with it. However, for me to achieve a lightweight yet full coverage appearance the thin layer of foundation plus concealer helps me to achieve that. This concealer has a natural, healthy finish which I love, but if you have oily skin or sweat then I'd recommend you set it with powder. For this routine I don't use powder because my base holds up without it.

In terms of bronzer, blush and highlight I use a mixture of products depending on my outfit or the look I am going for. Today's look incorporated Milani baked blush in Bellissimo Bronze as blush/bronzer and Urban Decay Naked Flushed trio in Naked (highlight shade only).

Eyes
Keeping the eyes basic and opting for a bold or glossy lip is my go-to for a night out in Summer. For brows: NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder, this is literally all I ever use year round. Also, if you know me you could guess the eyeshadow. It is the Tarte Tartlette in bloom palette. I gravitate towards the bottom two rows rather than the cool tones. In particular - flower child, smarty pants, sweet heart and rebel. Mascara is Urban Decay Perversion.

Lips
I wanted to include a few options here because like I said, I either go for a gloss or a bold (red or pink) lip.

Here are a few of my go-to lip products for a summer night:

• Nudestix Cream Lip + Cheek pencil in Love
• Colourpop Ultra Matte lip in Succulent which is no longer available so here are a few alternatives: Chi Chi & Creeper
• NYX Butter Gloss in eclair - these are not sticky at all!!
• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul mixed with Milan (this is shown in my selfie)

I am trying to make it a habit to write up more foundation/base product reviews. Especially because I feel like my skin is on the more difficult side to cover, I feel like it would be more helpful for you all. I'm including wear test photos as well as how well the foundation covers my acne and scarring. So, let's get into my thoughts on the 3INA 3 in 1 foundation.

Before I jump into my thoughts I wanted to include the blurb that is on the box. I'd also like to add that this foundation is paraben free, cruelty free and vegan! On the 3INA website this foundation is one of their best sellers.

Ingredients, (for those whom are wondering):

AQUA (WATER), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, MICA, DIMETHICONE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, METHICONE, SILICA, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZOPHENONE-3, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ASCORBIC , ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, TALC, VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS FRUIT EXTRACT, SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM EXTRACT (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (SUGAR CANE) EXTRACT), SIGESBECKIA ORIENTALIS EXTRACT, RABDOSIA RUBESCENS EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS FRUIT EXTRACT (CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT), CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT (CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT), BHT, ACER SACCHARUM EXTRACT (ACER SACCHARUM (SUGAR MAPLE) EXTRACT). +/- (MAY CONTAIN): CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE).

This is one pump onto my finger. The formula is on the thicker side but don't let this fool you into thinking it feels heavy on the skin.

Now for the fun part: my thoughts and experience.
I applied this foundation at 10:20AM. It gave off a natural finish with medium coverage, when built up to two layers. If you skin is clearer than mine then this foundation could appear to give a fuller coverage.

When the foundation is initially applied to the skin it feels slightly tacky but once it dries this feeling goes away and you do not need to set it with powder. Especially if your skin is on the drier side like mine. Although my skin is dry, it did not emphasise dry patches and it didn't settle too badly into any fine lines (only settled in the eyelid/under eye region).

Once the foundation set I applied cream products to my skin, since that is my new obsession! They all applied well and didn't take off the foundation in any way. The cream products I applied were: Mecca highlight balm, Nudestix matte colour in Bondi Bae and Naughty n Spice.

In terms of the next two updates, there isn't much of a difference between the photos. The 3INA foundation gave my skin a healthy appearance and still did not cling to dryness nor settle in my smile lines. I actually slept in the car for over an hour while wearing this foundation and it didn't even wear off or become patchy.

At the 9/10 hour mark is when you can notice the foundation breaking down. You can tell by the photo that the coverage has decreased and more redness is peaking through than earlier in the day. I normally don't wear foundation this long so this doesn't bother me too much. On the bright side, at this point it still had not clung to my dry patches and barely creased in my smile lines, only slightly.

Overall, for the price I was impressed by this foundation. I do want to test the waterproof claims so I am planning on wearing on wearing it when I go swimming with the dolphins next weekend. I will update you all via my Instagram on how it performs.

I'd recommend this foundation to be worn during the day time as it does contain SPF. If you have dry skin it will sit nicely over it and if you have acne or redness you will need a concealer on the areas you need extra coverage. I would also suggest a 7 hour wear time for this foundation to ensure it stays looking fresh and doesn't break down or wear off in areas. For the price it is a great foundation to check out and try if you can!