In attempts at a fresh start for the new year, I thought I would share my December haulings today instead of the first Sunday of the next month as I normally do. It just feels right to end 2017, beauty-wise, with an accumulation of the little things I got and with a hopeful spending goal for 2018—scale it down unless "absolutely necessary" and even then I have to share my detailed reasoning for the hoarding.
(This post will be a practice of sorts since I have been pretty inconsistent with how detailed I get in hauls as of late.)
I know, I know. I stocked up on enough skincare to last me most of 2018 in the last few months. But everyone has been raving about Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant and curiosity has been slowing eating at me on the inside. The only thing that held me back was their price tag. C'mon!! One bottle of product from either brand is at least USD $50+ (usually edging towards the $80+ mark for the more popular stuff). I have been most afraid of trying anything and actually liking it...all my monies.
When Sephora sent out their emails for the $20 off $50 VIB Rewards at the beginning of the month, I immediately thought of the mini-sized Drunk Elephants duos. Luckily for me, Sunday Riley offered a mini-set at a seemingly reasonable price as well.
Both the Sunday Riley Flash Fix Kit (USD $28) and Drunk Elephant Rise + Glow Duo (USD $23) totaled to USD $51 which was just enough to make the best use of the VIB Rewards. Plus the good thing about Sephora is the Free Shipping minimum of USD $50 is accounted for pre-promo codes. I also had a $25 gift card to spend and ultimately paid $8.75 out of pocket (NY tax included).
I was genuinely surprised when my Sephora orders arrived. Yes, that is right orders with an -s. For two items that could fit into both palms of my hands, Sephora packed and shipped them to me in two separate boxes that were large enough to fit a school textbook inside. Extra much? I was also somewhat expecting the bottles to be larger for some reason. I guess I was comparing the ~$20 price mark to K-Beauty price and sizing.
2017 is the year that I rediscovered coupons and CVS. All the items in the above photo were purchase for USD $5 or less each after ExtraBucks, CVS promotions, CVS brand specific coupons, and of course tax.
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in 15 Lover (orig. $9.79) is one of the two unexpected purchases I made at the drugstores. The other being Lumene. To be honest, I really wanted to try the Maybelline Master Camo Color Correcting Pen in 10 Green (orig. $9.99) and saw that there was a "Buy 2 Maybelline and get $5 ExtraBucks" weekly promo. Since I already had a $2 off 2 Maybelline coupon and $10 ExtraBucks already on hand to spend, why not? I have been feeling a little experimental and also been more into matte lip colors recently. The total turned out to be USD $9.54 for both lip and face items.
With the new $5 ExtraBucks to spend, a $3 off L'Oreal coupon, and a $2 off deodorant purchase coupon, I immediately got both the L'Oreal Infallible Matte-Matic Mechanical Eyeliner in 513 Deep Brown (orig. $9.79) and Crystal essence Chamomile & Green Tea (orig. $5.29) for USD $6.24. I have been in search of a new eyeliner since using up the last of my Korea-trip stock. Deodorant is just a necessity that needs no explanations.
On a separate trip to CVS, the coupon machine spat out another $6 ExtraBucks with an expiration date and a 30% off 1 item coupon so the only natural thing to do was to head towards the beauty aisles. I tried my best not to be lured in by sales (like that BOGO Free Ardell lashes) or more lip products that looked nice but would highly likely be a drawer filler. The most practical decision was eyeliner since that is something I wear on the daily. Revlon's Colorstay Eyeliner (orig. $8.99) seemed to have better reviews compared to the liquid variety under the same Colorstay line so I grabbed Black Brown to try. The CVS location I visited also happened to be clearing out their Lumene stock at 75% off so I added the Lumene Sisu [Urban Antidotes] Defend & Replenish Antioxidant Mist (orig. $25.49) to my bag. That visit's total was $8.39.
And to the end the post with the only beauty item I bought on a whim and not with any kind of deal, Deciem The Chemistry Brand's Heel Chemistry (USD $15). I chanced upon the newly established New York store location in SoHo when Bestie C and I were waiting in line for Prince Street Pizza. I have been meaning to try more of Deciem's products but with the recent splurges I couldn't justify stocking up on even more products because I want to meet that Free Shipping minimum when making an online order. Having a physical location means I can stop by and just pick up any supplements I may need as skin issues come up, knock on wood.
Which is exactly why I walked out with Heel Chemistry. It felt like a "necessary" supplemental purchase since my feet were getting pretty ashy and callouses were quickly hardening even after having only finished peeling from the foot mask one week prior. The box also promised results after 2 weeks of usage. Even though I don't typically lotion my feet, that Before and After photo on the back of the box got me good. Maybe this can, at the very least, help me start the habit of lotioning my soles?
In the nearly 9 years since I dove head first into all things beauty, it took me a good 5 years before I somewhat comfortably wore base makeup on the daily. It took me another year or two for eyeshadows and another two to three for lipsticks. Yes, that's right...despite being mostly a "beauty blog" here on the interwebs it took me that long to gain that confidence. Even still my look of choice is barely-there, natural-ish makeup.
I amassed a ton of BB Creams and blush when BB Creams had yet to hit it big on the Western side of the world. Texture, consistency, and shading left most of those tubes to just sit in my drawers. Drugstore foundations were intimidating because there wasn't, still isn't, an opportunity to test pre-purchase and I am also not a fan of buying & returning. Higher-end varieties were just that, too expensive to justify for someone not yet committed to the makeup everyday routine. I thought wearing eyeshadows and lipsticks were typically attention grabbers and was never quite ready for it all if any.
Going through a cleaning phase knocked some sense into how unrealistic my makeup stash was compared to how much makeup I applied—at the time maybe a couple times a week...every so often. I tossed out bottles and bottles of the liquid stuff and was still staring at one too many powders, blushes, eyeshadow palettes, and lip products. That was basically the start of the first Project Make a Dent for me, way back in 2015.
Besides actually going through some makeup products, doing the PMAD's finally got makeup application to be a normal routine for me. Now it is just as natural as brushing my teeth and changing clothes in the mornings. I know how much time it will take me from start to finish and generally what techniques and products I have that work best. Even though there is still loads to learn, it isn't something that causes me stress anymore. Of all things to in the world to be stressed of, the fear of looking weird in makeup was foolishly one of mine.
That may look like a lot of steps but from the start of skincare to the end of makeup it only takes about 20 minutes tops if I don't suddenly try anything new in the mornings. If I used a cushion type base, I even shave off around 5 minutes of application time. My goal isn't to look perfectly flawless. I think the key to getting out the door is accepting that not every imperfect has to be painstakingly covered. Having all the products out in plain sight is also a game changer.
My daily routine is usually, more or less, the above photo. I work my way from left to right product-wise. Step one and two are to color correct with the JUNGSAEMMOOL Artist Concealer Palette in Blend and the Clio Kill Cover Pro Artist Liquid Concealer in Green, whichever I grab first. Then I mix the Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer with the VDL MULE Ultimate Cover Palette in A03 and apply it lightly all over with a damp beautyblender sponge (the MULE cream foundation is very dry and thick). I follow with a light dusting of the bronzer shade in the MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish in Pink Power and also highlight with either shimmery shades in the compact. Afterwards, I brush the MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Blush in Pet Me over top my cheeks; sometimes on the apples, other times right up to my temples.
I have recently started to "contour" my nose bridge with the Urban Decay eyeshadows in Naked and Buck shades. I use quotes because it is barely visible. I am practically incorporating this step for the sake of trying to use some of the shadow up. Since I lay some base color with the "contour" shades as well, I lightly dust either Half Baked or Toasted on my eyelids for some textural difference. I also bring some of that along the lower lashline to balance the look, it is especially helpful when dealing with a very smudgy eyeliner. If I use a liquid liner or more smudge-resistant liner, I would apply eyeliner as the last step in my eye makeup routine. When using the Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Crayon in Blacquer, I have to use a darker shadow, Urban Decay in Darkhorse or Hustle, to set it because the formula is way too soft. The only way I can use that specific eyeliner is via a light-handed half-eyelid line that is smudged out the rest of the way with a thin eyeliner brush. Otherwise, I end up looking like a crying panda within minutes!
When I am satisfied with everything else, I fill my brows with the JUNGSAEMMOOL Refining Color Bony Brow in Smoky Bony and lightly dab (or swipe on with a brush) the JUNGSAEMMOOL High Color Lipstick in High Matte Burgundy onto the inner area of my lips for a gradient look.
Even though I didn't make the Project Make a Dent official this year by sharing it on the blog, I was still trying my hardest to pan out things in my collection. I continued to work on the Visee Glam Nude Eye Shadow Palette in N-1 from PMAD No. 2 for a good portion of 2017. I upgraded to the Urban Decay Naked palette (circa 2011?) because I was honestly getting a little bored with the limited color selection. I hardly touched the Naked palette since purchasing it ages ago. While it doesn't look like much, most of the pans were filled to the brim when I first started. Now, look at those tiny tiny dips especially in Sidecar, Half Baked, and Toasted!
The other makeup item I stuck with from last year was the Pet Me Mineralized Blush from MAC. I was determined to see it to the end it after witnessing the progress from the last MAC blush I panned. It took daily makeup usage and an extremely excessive amount of brush swirling to see that much pan. I think it is safe to call it quits with this one once the new year hits, right?
Since I finished the bronzing/contour powder during the last Make a Dent journey, I quickly switched over to the limited edition MAC Wonder Woman Mineralized Skinfinish in Pink Power. It may be LE but I have also had it for years. This can't sit in my stash forever... I overfilled with joy when I saw the two highlighting colors diminish throughout the year. Contrastingly, the actual bronzer section looked to not have budge at all. But given how nicely domed it once was I can confidently say it has come a long way since January. I just hope it won't take me another full year to see the rest of the rings. The packaging is something I might keep around for the sake of it having been limited but at least the product inside wouldn't have gone to waste.
Otherwise, I finished a handful of eyeliners and cushion compacts throughout 2017 as well. They aren't as interesting to show in Project Make a Dents since I go through those kinds of items fairly regularly. They haven't been featured in any of my reviews of late either since the products themselves are on the older side (as in I've had them unopened for 1-2 years) and in the time period many of the products have been discontinued or upgraded. It is a shame though...I did find a few favorites amongst them and may never be able to find a better replacement. Well at least here is to another year of attempting to clear out my stash, rediscovering and trying out new things!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone~
Sandal season might be over but foot care is a reoccurring "To do" task for me. Even though I love the ease and convenience of my sock-less shoes, I have long traded them in for sneakers and boots now that the colder temperatures have set in. I would love to forget about foot peels, as I do with shaving in the winter, but memories of painfully deep cracked heels say otherwise. Prevention is my motto this season!
Since it would be an extremely boring and redundant to do the same routine I've done for previous foot peels again, I chose not to do any extra feet soaks to help speed up the peeling process. Unsurprisingly, It's SKIN Self Care Foot Peeling worked just as well as the SAEM's, The Face Shop's and Etude House's versions—it was just a much slower shedding this time around.
It'S SKIN's description:
Herbal extracts help soften and peel away dead skin for smoother feet.
Directions
1. Wear the self care foot peeling socks on both feet.
2. Put liquid from each pouch into the socks.
3. Soak feet for 1.5 hours and remove.
4. Wash feet gently with water.
Cautions
- Do a patch test if you have skkin allergy or sensitive skin. Put a small amount of liquid from the pouch onto the soft part of feet and leave it for 20-30 minutes.
- Do not use if you have a wound, swelling, or eczema.
- Do not use if you are diabetic or bleeding.
- Stop using if there is any redness, swelling, or itchiness.
- Do not scratch feet after using the product.
- Old skin with fall off naturally in one to two weeks.
- Do not forcibly remove dead skin when peeling begins.
- Foot baths in warm water helps the peeling process.
- Recommended frequency of use is once every 2-3 months. For more extreme cases it may require a second application at intervals of 28 days.
- Do not drink.
Ingredients
WATER, ALCOHOL, LACTIC ACID, SODIUM LACTATE, GLYCOLIC ACID, GLYCERIN, ARGININE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, SALICYLIC ACID, FRAGRANCE, DISODIUM EDTA, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, PYRUS MALUS (APPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (LIME) FRUIT EXTRACT, UREA, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER), ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) EXTRACT, LAVENDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) EXTRACT, THYMUS VULGARIS (THYME) FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT, PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS EXTRACT, MELISSA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT, MELALEUCA ALTEMIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF EXTRACT, MENTHA PIPERITA (PEPPERMINT) LEAF EXTRACT, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF EXTRACT, MENTHA SPICATA FLOWER/LEAF/STEAM EXTRACT
It'S SKIN (Korean retail): ₩7,000
RoseRoseShop: ₩7,000
*Availability and price of this on K-Beauty online shops vary.
The skin on my soles felt very thick and rough since the last peel was a good 3+ months ago. My heels, in particular, got so scaly that no amount of pumice stone scrubbing could get through the surface. These kind of masks are the only things I have found so far that works painlessly and almost effortlessly (I would much rather soak my feet in liquids once a month than rigorously scrub at it every night). The results this time weren't as clean but keep in mind the weather is much drier and my skin, as gross as it sounds, has been accumulating layer by layer for a long time.
Packaging
It'S SKIN Self Care Foot Peeling looks exactly like the previous road shop brands I've tried. The foot-shaped pouches come with ready-to-use serum and the plastic booties are double-layered and need to be secured via tying (versus a sticker).
Ingredients
The list of ingredients seem longer compared to the previous ones I've used but has the same general components: AHA's + BHA's + a bunch of essential oils.
Color & Scent
The serum is colorless and relatively odorless despite containing essential oils and fragrance. Again, I did not experience any sensitivity to the acids this time around either.
Before
Soaked my feet for 30 minutes in water prior to soaking it for 90 minutes in the peeling serum.
Day 1-5...even 6
Saw no changes. Didn't do any extra soaking.
Day 7-8
Feet finally started to see glimmers of the peeling process beginning: skin felt tighter and looked even ashier. No extra feet-soaks.
Day 9-12
Dead skin started to flake off; first where the skin was thinnest (between the toes) and then the arches and balls of my feet. The calluses were struggling but it slowly came apart as well over those few days. Still no extra soaks.
Day 13-14
80-85% of the skin completely shed off. The remaining 15-20% was all the heel calluses—that area had the most trouble and just didn't want to budge. After 2 weeks of patiently waiting, I accepted the fact that the acids didn't reach the remaining bits. A tried to pumice the stubborn skin off and finished the process with maybe 5-10% of dead skin remaining?
Thoughts & Recommendations
When the skin on my feet is thick enough to be clipped off like fingernails, these heavy-duty chemical peels are the only trustworthy products I can rely on. I am glad to know that all 4 of the different Korean road shop brands I have tried, It'S SKIN included, have in fact worked well...enough. It seems impossible to get every last bit of crusty skin with the rate calluses form on me. Heck, it has only been a week since the skin finished peeing and it's already starting to get ashy and scaly. Maybe I need to find something else to help maintain the baby soft skin post-peeling without the labor-intensive work that pumice stones require?
