PROJECT PAN | A to Z February 2018 Update

Hello everyone! If you've been following my Project Pan on Instagram, thank you! I'm super excited as this is my first major project pan. Anyhoo, I thought the blog would be the place for a round-up, a summary of updates on Instagram. So if you miss some updates, check the blog at the end of the month. But you you prefer instant updates, my Instagram would be the place for you. :) 

I wasn't sure how I wanted to organize my updates. So I've decided to separate it into the products I used for more than half the month, the products I got use in fewer than half the month, and the ones I didn't use at all. At the end, I'll show the ones I had to swap out for whatever reason and the ones I hit my goal.

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EMPTIES | December 2016 & January 2017

I've been holding onto my empties for over a year now so to justify my hoarding, I've decided to write about them. As I write this, it's Valentine's Day and what better way to end the night with some blogging about what I loved and what I didn't? 

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PROJECT PAN | A to Z 2018 Intro

If you've been following my Instagram, you'll know that I've started my first official Project Pan: A to Z Pan. I've been following panning accounts for so long and decided it's time I try my hand at this. My collection has gotten out of control and I think this will help me focus on using up items. This is just a fun format for those of us who get overwhelmed by our own massive collections *raises hand*. I've picked 26 items to coordinate with each letter of the alphabet. 

While this is meant to be a year-long project, I didn't post an update in January because I had started halfway into the month. So, this intro post is much more appropriate while I wait to post my first update at the end of February. Side note, while my blog is meant to feature only cruelty-free items, I wanted to include non-cruelty free items in this project just so I can focus on moving them out of my collection. I won't be repurchasing anything that is not cruelty-free and will clearly indicate those in the ensuing makeup bios.  

This is a long post so I would suggest you get comfortable, LOL. Let's jump into the items and my goals for the year!

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BEAUTY ROUNDUP | Year in Beauty: 2016 Edition Part 1

Welcome to my first post of 2017! It's been another 366 days around the sun and many a beauty love has been discovered. In previous years, I chose four products in six categories to talk about. Strategic buying made this year's list harder to compile because I really do love so many things! Some things will come as no surprise but there are others that are just getting their spotlight now. I'll link to related blog posts so y'all can get more information if you're interested. I've split it into two parts and this one will be all my makeup loves. So without further ado, here is 2016's Year in Beauty!

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BLOGMAS | Day 5: ULTA Birthday Haul + First Impressions

I've gotta say, hauls are one of my favorite posts to do because I love sharing all the cool loot I got. But then I feel massively guilty afterwards when I tally up how much I spent. They're a good way of reminding me what I've got so they're not all bad? As I'm writing this post, all of the items I am talking about are still in stock, so fingers crossed that if what I'm showing y'all today interests you, y'all can still get it!

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HAUL | Colourpop Fall 2016

If you haven't figured it out already, I've been a tad obsessed with Colourpop lately. I was always a late bloomer so I'm kicking myself for missing out on so many awesome shades! But I believe that it's better late than never so I'm making up for lost time with yet another haul. Most of the eyeshadows and highlighters are from their Fall release and so should still be in stock by the time this post goes up. And if you're anything like me, let's jump right into swatches!

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FOTD | Makeup to Beat the Heat

It's been scorching hot in California these past few weeks. Major adjustments were needed to keep me looking perky and fresh. Ditching my liquid foundation and cream products, I went straight for powder products for a long lasting finish that didn't melt off as soon as I stepped out of the refreshing blast of air conditioner. So if you have oily skin or live in a hot climate, I hope that this will help you stay looking put together all day long without the need for heavy duty cleansers at the end of the day!

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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN | Benefit's Watt's Up v NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick

We are in the height of the highlighting craze so I thought a Product Smackdown comparing my two favorite highlighters would be apt. I have come a long way from my powdery matte finish days. With the inundation of highlighting products, I have amended my routine to include subtle highlights. In my experience, cream highlighters are the best at achieving a natural, dewy glow. Benefit's Watts Up! Highlighter has been a long time favorite due to its subtle radiance. Recently, I found the NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick through a lazy browse on Ulta's website. Intrigued, I scanned the colors and saw that Chardonnay Shimmer suspiciously looked similar to Watt's Up and immediately put it in my basket. After a good trial, I'm ready to share my findings with y'all today!

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REVIEW | it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+

As an avid Korean makeup lover, bb creams and cc creams are nothing new to me. In fact, most Western versions disappointed me because they lacked the skincare aspect. Color options were slightly improved but formulations were mostly disappointing. When the it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+ was released, I turned away. However, a  glowing review from Emily Noel made me change my mind. Still slightly skeptical, I went with the travel size. After giving it several months of wear, I'm ready to share my thoughts!

{AT A GLANCE}

The it Cosmetics CC Cream fuses makeup and skincare. Claiming to offer full coverage without creasing or cracking in fine lines, it contains physical sunscreens only as well as various vitamins and botanical extracts for brighter, hydrated and smoother skin. This formula is paraben free for those concerned. it Cosmetics was recently acquired by L'Oreal and so may not be considered cruelty-free for some. In my case, I do consider in cruelty-free as long as they continue to not test either ingredients nor the finished products on animals during any stage of manufacturing AND do not sell in China. 

Each full-sized bottle contains 1.08 fl oz/32ml for $38usd. That comes out to $35.19usd per oz. The travel sized bottle contains 0.4 fl oz for $15usd. That comes out to $37.50usd per oz. Pretty comparable since travel sizes usually come out to be more expensive than buying the full size. Shade range includes 5 colors but the travel sizes only come in two: Light and Medium. I have mine in Light.

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REVIEW | Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer

Summer is on its way out here in the Northern Hemisphere but I'm going to hold onto it as best as I can! This was definitely the summer of bronzers for me. I fell in love with the bareMinerals' Skinny Dip last year so when everyone was raving about the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer, I had to give it a try. If you're bronzer-averse like me, I'd definitely recommend it!

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REVIEW | Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette

I'm super late to the whole Champagne Pop party but it's still fashionable to be late, right? I wanted to be completely sure about my feelings on this palette before I wrote this review but as always, I'm never on time. Still, I wanted to get this out because 4 out of the 5 products are available in duos so y'all can pick and choose what you like instead. So, let's get into this review!

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DE-STASHING PROJECT | Going Cruelty Free: Face Edition

Here's the next installment of my Going Cruelty Free De-Stashing Project: the Face Edition. If you aren't all caught up, that's cool, life's busy. The long and short of it is that I've decided to go cruelty-free. I'm starting off with my makeup because that's the easiest for me but then I'd like to sort through my skincare and haircare products as well. 

Note that these are mostly my non-cruelty free items with a few cruelty free items thrown in here because I have extra or just didn't care for them right off the bat. Eventually, I want to whittle down my cruelty-free stuff and develop a capsule makeup collection, if you will. So, let's start since I have a ton of products to go through!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Sonia Kashuk Knockout Beauty Spring Collection

It's nearly summer yet I'm still stuck on this spring release from Sonia Kashuk. The Knock Out Beauty Collection has a wonderful message behind it. Some brands are capitalizing on different social movements and jumping on the bandwagon while turning a profit. Some view that as problematic but I'm all for beauty with a cause. 

After seeing photos all over Instagram, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase three items: the Knock Out Beauty Skin Glow in Golden Gloves, Knock Out Beauty Eye Liner in Split Decisions and Knock Out Beauty Nail Colour in Roll with the Punches.

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DE-STASHING PROJECT | Samples Weekly Edit #1

As I mentioned in my Beauty Samples Hoarder post, I've made a commitment to use up more of my items. I like to save things for rainy days or for travel but they end up going bad before I get any use out of it. Stockpiling items has made my collection grow out of control and like I mentioned before, I've lugged all of these items through 3 houses and since I'm about to move again, I really need to clear things out.

Each week, I'll pull out at least 5 samples from 3 categories: hair & body, skincare and makeup, to use throughout the week. Every Sunday, I'll report back and give mini-reviews. I'll try to include swatches but since these aren't official reviews, I apologize ahead of time if there aren't any!

So with the introductions made, let's get into the juicy bits!

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UNBOXING | Tarte "Be Your Own Tartetist" 7-Piece Essentials Kit for June 2015

 This actually came in June but as my summer was quite hectic, I couldn't get this out on time. I don't know if the items will be released individually but I had the photos sitting in my folders so I hope y'all don't mind. Anyhoo, the Tarte "Be Your Own Tarteist" 7-Piece Essentials Set for June 2015 fit right in for the summer with the warm-toned shadows and the bronzing serum so let's get on with the review!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS | BECCA Radiant Glow Collection

With yet another heat wave hitting SoCal this week, a radiant glow seems fitting. For those of you just entering Spring, this'll be the perfect kit! The BECCA Radiant Glow Collection contains 4 items to help bring that glow to your face. The kit contains a mini Under Eye Brightening Corrector, a Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone, a Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, and a Beach Tint Lip Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal. Let's get on with the review!

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REVIEW | BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

I haven't reviewed a new base product on here in a hot minute. The hunt for a lightweight product led me to the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. While I love my full coverage foundations as much as the next person, I haven't the time to apply a full face of makeup like I used to. I wanted something lightweight with just enough coverage, contains adequate SPF while being moisturizing at the same time. I've heard such good things about the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Cream (what I'll be calling it from now on since the full name is such a mouthful) so I decided to give it a spin. 

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REVIEW | Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

If you're anything like me, you've got a couple foundations sitting there, unused and unloved because the color was off. I've tried a few methods to salvage my foundations and you can check out one method in my DIY Foundation post. But if you want to be a little fancy, the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops can do that and more!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS┊NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Summer is on it's way and while I love my liquid foundations, hot and dry So Cal weather has me sweating like a sinner in church. I've never given tinted moisturizers the time of day because I prefer medium coverage all day, every day. Since I've gone down the rabbit hole that is NARS, I decided to give the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer a go!

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TIPS ┊ Foundation 101

With the slew of foundation posts I've been blogging about last week, I thought it would be apt to share 10 of my favorite tips for applying them, whether powder, liquid, or stick. I wanted to update my Summer-proof Makeup Tips that I posted almost 2 years ago. Some of these tips have been bandied about on the interwebz before but hopefully, some of these tips will be fresh and useful. Without further ado, let's jump into them!

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