Project Make a Dent No. 2 | It's Official

Project Make A Dent 2016

Is this Project Make a Dent still a thing? (I have been pretty off the beauty world and blogosphere radar lately.) Regardless, I was so satisfied with my year long commitment to a select group of makeup items in 2015 that I chose a new round of products for 2016.

It may be April but I had actually started this back in January at the start of the new year. But don't worry, these photos were truly taken back then so you will definitely be able to see changes (if any) at the halfway update in June. Now this post is just a matter of making it all blog official.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - Before results

L to R: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Maybelline Angelfit Pore zero Base SPF 25 PA++, and Lancome Teint Miracle in 6W Buff

These are the base products that got chosen for the journey. Both the Clarins items were brand new when this PMAD began. They came in a value set from Sephora a while back. Both sound to be promising primers for makeup. The Instant Smooth, of course, is suppose to hide pores and lines, while the Beauty Flash Balm says to "instantly moisturize, brighten, and tighten" according to Clarins & Sephora.

I decided to add another primer, Maybelline Angelfit, to the pile because it is also getting old. It may even be past it's due date but it hasn't broken me out yet (I don't think). No matter what is left after this year, it is probably time to toss at the end. So why not try to make the most of it!

This Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation was passed onto me by J. When I want to feel made up but still be on the natural side, this product comes in handy. It isn't my favorite everyday foundation though, that place definitely goes to cushions. In fact, when I am not using the Lancome one I reach for the BB Cushion instead. I didn't include that with the PMAD because I don't have the "not reaching for it" problem like with these products (surprisingly).

Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - Before results

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

A closer look at the Clarins primer. Brand, spankin' new! From personal experience, this tub of primer make look little but potted products go a long way. I already foresee the possibility of one or two of the three primers not being used much this PMAD round.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - Before results

Top L to R: Maquillage Face Creator, Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder in 220 Natural Beige, and MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly GameBottom L to R: MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me, Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade,  Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette in N-1

Project Make A Dent 2016 Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder 220 Natural Beige - Before results

Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder in 220 Natural Beige

After the great success I had at finishing a pressed powder last year, I couldn't wait to tackle the rest of the powders I had in my stash. I remember buying this FIT Me! powder around when it first came out but never really using it. Sometimes I feel that the shade looks a bit dark on me but it is negligible. The powder has very clear speckles of shimmer in it but it doesn't really translate onto the face, so don't worry about looking like the characters from Twilight. It isn't my favorite powder but it gets the job of setting makeup done.

Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - Before results
MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me
MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly Game

I know picking two items in the same category usually means one will be forgotten through the year. But with blush...I just have so many that I wanted to at least give myself the opportunity to put a dent in 2 of the many during this year. From January until now, the former prediction is holding true: I've been using Pet Me exclusively. But hey, it is a safe color for all year round. Now that it is getting warmer though, I can see myself reaching for the orange-y shade of Utterly Game a little more. We'll see?

Project Make A Dent 2016 Etude House Model Face Color 2 Model Shade - Before results

Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade

Oh the player from last year showed up again for 2016! How can it not? Look at the pan sighting! It was just begging to be panned out.

Now to be honest, around February or so, I must have swirled my makeup brush in the product a little too roughly and...it suffered a powder casualty. It broke into bits and pieces and fell onto the floor. It couldn't be saved. This still counts as panning, right?

Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - Before results

N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in 720 Sunny

The replacement after the accidental pan-out of the original bronzing/shading powder for this PMAD. Like many other products I own, the bronzing powder is getting too old. My blog records show I got this in 2010... But I will be a little more forgiving since it is a powder and I do spray my powder products with alcohol every now and again. I can't attest to how a fresh version of this bronzing powder will work (or if N.Y.C. even still carries this) but mine picks up and applies pretty sheer. This isn't a problem for me since I don't do defined contouring anyways. It just adds a little color for a more subtle shading effect.

Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - Before results

jane Shimmering Blush in 01 Natural Blush

The second add-on item to this Project Make a Dent, jane Shimmering Blush. If anyone realized that I showed the Maquillage Face Creator palette in the group photo but not in a solo shot, you were right! It is because I decided to stash that for travel-only. It is such a handy makeup palette for on the go that I wasn't ready to completely use it up this year.

The jane Shimmering Blush isn't really a highlighter nor is it easy to only pick up the white highlight color. Nonetheless, I used it as such because of it's shimmery factor. Depending on how much I swirl a brush into it or how dense the brush is, the blush colors don't show up too prominently.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - Before results

Visee Glam Nude Eye Shadow Palette in N-1

I've learned from last year. I need to put more effort into using eyeshadows. I decided to go for a different palette this time around as encouragement. Maybe the last one just wasn't enticing enough? This Visse Glam Nude palette has a few skin tone like shades. If my sole purpose was to pan an eyeshadow that would work well! But there are also two darker/coppery shades available in case I have a change of heart towards eyeshadows.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - Before results

L to R (clockwise): Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 680 Temptress, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in 418 Caring Coral, and Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

2016's plan for lip products: lip balms and my-lip-color colors. Well, I guess that's practically what 2015's selection was as well. But these give an even more natural looking color pay off...? I know some people don't like the Colour Riche Balm's because the color pay off is pretty non-existent but for me (speaking as someone who only as this 1 shade in my stash) it is just right. I wouldn't necessarily use this in place of a lip balm though. To me it is a good sheer lip balm that can look lip gloss-y without the tackiness.

There you have it, Project Make a Dent 2016 Edition!
Let's see what happens in June at the half year mark. Maybe my predictions won't be true? Or since I'm reflecting on this in April the potential hiccups in the project will be more fresh in my head this time around.

Project Make A Dent | End Results

Project make a dent 2015 end results

Hold on...I know...it isn't 2015 anymore. We are so far into 2016 now but I just don't feel right sharing the new Project Make a Dent edition without concluding the last. Plus, everyone likes to see empties right? Especially makeup ones!

Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam highlighter Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam Half way results highlighter
Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam highlighter end results

I mentioned last post that I had a makeup tossing spree. After seeing so many BB Creams go in the trash, I was so excited to actually see at least one be completely used up (nanoce BB moist cream). The Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer wasn't completed finished but close enough. I can't say I really enjoyed using it but I didn't hate it either. It was a nice consistency to mix into BB creams to boost coverage.

In the end the Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion got practically no love. I spent most of the year using the nanoce tube and an IOPE BB cushion that I decided to use up before it dried out. At the end of the year I also decided it was time to toss the Hada Labo BB Cream. I purchased that back in 2011...2011! (The good thing about my past haul posts is being able to track the general length of time I've had products for. Note to self to continue those in the future.) Benefit's Highbeam also didn't get used at all last year. I found myself reaching more towards powder highlighters instead.

Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush Half way results highlighter Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush
Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush end results

Ahh, makeup pans... The things that we always hear others talk about but never get to see ourselves. Let me tell you, if you want to pan out a makeup product, it takes more or less a whole year's worth of dedicated use to reach it. So all those blushes that I showed in my collection post will probably take me a couple decades worth of time to finish.

Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent half way results
Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent end results

The first item that I completely panned out, mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff. This one didn't take quite take the whole year, maybe around 9 months? But do consider I had already hit a little pan when this PMAD first began.

Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way results
Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent end results

Makeup item #2 to pan out. I believe I finished this also around the 9 month mark. This was a surprise but in reality as more pan started to show and the less product there was, it became more delicate and crumbly. On a day where I was a little too hurried and I swirled my makeup brush a little too haphazardly, the rest of the Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely Pink just fell apart onto the floor.

Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way results
Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent end results

By the end of 2015, I wasn't able to completely empty out this powder makeup product. Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade came a long way though. It went from barely touched in 2014 to about 40-50% used. Not bad though, right?

MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush half way results
MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush end results

I put my whole focus on finishing the powder blush in my PMAD stash that the MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle received no attention. Plus, it is much quicker to swirl and apply a barely-there powder blush than to have to carefully put on this really potent cream color base.

Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way update
Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent end results

Halfway through this project, the Maquillage Face Creator wasn't getting my attention except for the highlight colors. However, when I had to travel for a few months this palette became my makeup friend. When space is limited and time to make myself up in the morning is questionable, a palette with highlight, blush, and contour/shading all-in-one is a lifesaver! The one thing that bothered me was the all the little makeup brushes I had to use in order to pick up the right colors without accidentally mixing. White highlight and brown sparkly contour doesn't exactly blend well together!

Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way update
Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent end results
Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics half way update
Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics end results

I know I've said that if things are out in plain sight to see I would more likely reach for it. Well eye makeup (especially eyeshadows) and lip products are the exception. When I think natural makeup, I think "skin looks nice and clear" and sans eye & lip products (even if the colors are as natural-looking as can be). The next edition of PMAD would definitely require much more proactive usage of eye and lip makeup.

What do you think, mission accomplished? Kind of? Sort of? Halfsies?

Finally Feels Like Spring

What beautiful sunlight we have.
What nice breezy weather there is.
What pretty flowers are a bloom right now.
How nice to meet you again, Spring.

Daily makeup skincare products on top of bedside table

I am alive! If anyone here follows me on Instagram, there were a few more updates there than here in the past half a year or so. This seems to happen a lot doesn't it? But inspiration comes and goes with me I guess.

Daily makeup skincare products on top of bedside table aerial view

With the nice weather and bright sunlight around more often now, I felt like my room needed a little clean up. Hey, it isn't called Spring cleaning for nothing! Sunlight definitely makes all the dust specks more noticeable.

I also realized that I haven't shared how I stored my beauty goodies since 2012...that's a whopping 4 years time lapse! To be honest though my storage setup didn't change much in that time period. (If anyone is interested in the before situation, here's a link to my makeup and skincare storage in 2012.)

Daily makeup skincare products on top of bedside table portrait view
Daily jarred skincare products and makeup brushes on top of bedside table Daily makeup and bottled skincare products on top of bedside table

This bedside table I have has come a long way. Back in 2012, when I first moved in, it was my computer desk. After I finally found an actual table, it became a typical beside table..."Knick-knacks and Other Junk" drawer. As of now this single drawer system is the home to a good part of my beauty stash.

All my daily (or try to be daily) makeup and skincare goodies have a permanent home on top of the table. Everything is plain to see and easy to grab. I have found that I am super inconsistent with skincare, let alone makeup. If things are hidden or difficult to get to, it is more than likely that I will not even bother to reach for it. This way I set myself up to use these products. So far, so good!

Makeup storage in bedside table drawer

Other than the repurposing of the bedside table, my makeup organization situation really had not changed much over the years. However, last year, I had the sudden urge to go through everything in my makeup collection. This was in the midst of the whole "simplify your life" and "downsize now" trend. Plus, I knew in the back of my head that there were just some things that I was holding on to for way too long. So it herald the "Great Beauty Purge of 2015 for Mandy"!

I tossed away many many tubes of old BB Creams, powder products, and lip products during the purge. It felt so nice afterwards to be left with a somewhat reasonable collection. The process knocked some sense into me: don't buy so much since you can't use it up fast enough! (Hence the lack of haul posts. But don't be fooled, I have bought beauty goodies here and there. The purchases are just so sparse that I forget to take record of it.)

Now all the makeup items that used to sit in 4 separate drawers (1 for foundations and concealers, 1 for powders and blushes, 1 for eye and lips, and 1 for brushes) sit perfectly in 1 giant drawer. The location of it also helps since I do my day and night routines right to the left of this bedside table.

New makeup storage in Ikea Expedit drawers Facial masks storage in Ikea Expedit drawers New skincare and miscellaneous beauty products in Ikea Expedit drawers

Now the IKEA Expedit drawers that used to house my opened makeup stash has been filled with the new and unopened items in my collection. All the cushion refills I hoarded in Korea, eyeliners and mascaras, masks, etc. everything separated to, again, be more easy to see. I used to keep everything in one basket but it is really hard to tell just how much of what I was hoarding when things are piling on top of everything else.

*Imagine another image with a drawer of nail polishes and nail decorating things. I forgot to take a photo of that and am too excited to post to make up the shot now.

Daily cleansing skincare products on top bathroom counter

The other part of my skincare routine of course are the very important cleansers. Ever since I started using makeup and sunscreen, cleansing oils have been my one and only remover friends. (Okay, I strayed once or twice with cleansing waters but I figured out oils were the ones for me.) As the trend of my storage goes, these guys sit out in the open as well on the bathroom counter. No excuses! Must take off everything before bed!

*Again, please imagine inside the bathroom cabinets there are other new cleansing, exfoliating, and hair products waiting to be used.


Ahh, there! My first post of 2016. My new and tidied beauty collection and storage.
Hope you enjoyed if anyone is still following my little blog!
How has your makeup collection changed, if it has?