Technically my second beauty goal, but one I could actually start on day one of 2018. Project Make a Dent has helped clear out a good sized amount of my aging makeup collection over the last few years. The one part I missed most was seeing the progression shots since I never made it official in 2017. Even though I know very well that I pan out powders, the actual comparison shots give me so much more motivation. Hence my dedication to letting everyone know this year: I HAVE MY 2018 PICKS!!
*I am still going to be using newer makeup that I have. But since PMAD is about rediscovering and making a dent in older products, I won't include those in this series.
Okay...I am embarrassed to admit how long some of these guys have been in my collection for. The oldest is from 2009 and the newest 2014, everything else sometime in between. Get at me. Tell me what a fool I am and how nasty it is. I deserve it! The best thing about having kept up with all these haul posts is the access to a digital, easily-searchable purchase diary.
My only defense is the older items are all powders and I have occasionally sprayed them with alcohol over all these years. With the "newer" cream products, they've only been recently opened within the last year or two. None have an off-smell nor any visibly different formulation changes. I have tried all the items recently and have been reaction-free as well.
VDL MULE Ultimate Cover Palette A03
One of the later purchases and even later opens in the stash of oldies. I remember purchasing this at a VDL shop in Edae towards the end of my study abroad time in Seoul way back in the summer of 2014. I believe there were two shades then; A03 was the darker of the two.
I originally wanted to buy a bunch of items from the MULE brand at the JUNG SAEM MOOL Inspiration salon/shop in Gangnam. I loved her skin-like transparent makeup style. I even went as far as to track down the building in the midst of alleyways and side streets yet couldn't bring myself to go inside. I thought I looked too shabby and would be out-of-place.
Then I found out that VDL and MULE had some sort of collab happening. While the products weren't 100% the same as the MULE ones, it was close enough to give me a taste of what it had to offer without all the intimidation of a high-end salon. I ended up blindly buying the Ultimate Cover Palette with just my confidence in Jung Saem Mool because VDL was a completely new brand to me.
Even though I bought this mid-2014, I hadn't actually opened and touched the creams until early-2017. There were just too many foundations and cushions already opened over the last few years; I couldn't bear to have bacteria fester and needing to toss it with it barely used.
The finish and coloring of the foundation aren't my favorite; it leans very matte, powdery, and not yellow enough for me—catching onto all my flakes and textural issues. I prefer to mix some of the foundation with Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer for a more liquid like application. On its own, the foundation offers medium coverage (varying with the application method used). When I mix it with the Nymph Aura Volumer, I get a much lighter coverage.
I haven't gotten around to using the pink blush shade. But the coral shade is pretty.
Kate Lasting High Coverage Powder Foundation OC-C
Bestie C helped me get this way back in 2012 when she visited family in Hong Kong. I think I opened this in 2016 after I finished the Maybelline Fit Me powder halfway into the 2016 edition of Project Make a Dent. I ended up using it a lot the rest of that year. Somewhere along the way in 2017, I moved onto translucent setting powder and have even gone setting powder free for some time now.
While I love having one less step in my morning routine, I would really like to get through the end of this powder foundation because it has been in my stash for far too long. I don't hate it but I also don't love it. I can't comment on the coverage since I never use it like a foundation, only with a big fluffy brush and with a light hand. The finish is very matte though which I have grown to avoid.
Skinfood Salmon Dark Circle Powder
Now the "Oldest product in this stash" award goes to this loose powder: 2009! I can't believe it myself. Yet it is true; search "Skinfood" and "powder" in my search bar and you'll see it in a post dated then. I long threw out the accompanying cream concealer. I'm not that crazy.~ Since this was a powder I gave it a free pass and kind of forgot about it all these years. Again, I tried this on many occasions in December and hadn't seen any reactions. So in it goes to the pile to be used up.
I like how lightweight the powder is without caking up over time. I swear I have seen my eyeliner hold up better when I powder the enire eyes area versus when I don't, especially my very outer corners where anything tends to smudge the easiest.
MAC Cosmetics Mineralized Skinfinish in Pink Power
The continuation item from last year. I just really want to see this pan out, especially since this was a 2011 purchase and I'm pretty sure I had my fingers and brushes all over it since then.
The bronzer shade isn't my favorite, a little too orange on me if applied wrong. I enjoyed the highlighting shimmers while it lasted. Both looked natural enough and sheen-like without any obnoxiously large glitter particles. It got way too difficult to get the product though as I reached closer to the pan, I need the smallest brush and had to pay careful attention to not pick up any bronzer.
Milani Minerals Blushes in Sweet Rose and Luminous & MAC Cosmetics My Highland Honey
This may be the pitfall of PMAD No. 4. The last time I had too many options in one category of product I ended up ignoring most of them, ahem lipsticks in PMAD No. 1 and 2. My reasoning behind this year's picks is to try and dedicate a different season for each: Sweet Rose in the colder months, Luminous and My Highland Honey in the warmer ones. I've had the Milani blushes since 2012 and MAC since 2010. Time has been long overdue to give these some attention.
I have way too many blushes that are kind of similar in color and are way old in my collection. If I don't incorporate multiple blushes in a Project Make a Dent I may be using the blush I have for 10 more years at the rate I finish them.
Color payoff for all is pretty good. Milani ones are more pigmented than this particular MAC blush but it is a bolder shade so I don't mind.
VDL Tint Bar Triple Shot in 502 Triple Burgundy and 101 Triple Pink
Another purchase I made during my first trip to Korea in 2014. I may not have known about VDL then but I sure came back with a bunch of their stuff. I love the idea of these triple color, gradient-ready lip products. Before Maybelline came out with their version which looked exactly like the VDL ones.
Pink and Burgundy stood out the most to me of the shades VDL offered. Both apply sheer but are easily buildable. They apply like a lip balm in that it has a sheen and a tad sticky but isn't the most moisturizing product out there; they definitely aren't drying though. I may keep it in my bags and/or coat pockets for touch ups since I would also like to incorporate newer lipsticks into my makeup routine on a more regular basis.
Urban Decay Naked Palette
I remember the hype over the original Naked palette like it was yesterday. Everyone all over YouTube and Blogger lost their minds a little with how great a color selection and pigmentation it was. I remember getting and using the palette for my high school prom look in 2011, just don't ask me what I actually used. After then I probably reached for this a couple dozen times over all these years? Otherwise, it's sole purpose was to look pretty in my stash.
But that time has passed! I shall give it the love it deserves. I mean I did spend all that money on it...
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~
