Post #38: Oh, how it's been so long, We're so sorry we've been gone, We were busy writing songs for you

So, no, I am not a song writer, but the Panic! At the Disco lyrics seemed a fitting title after my very long hiatus. I define myself as an inconsistent blogger for a reason.

I am going to try to get more consistent though. I am trying to get more organized in my life.

For the entire month of May I hit my 10,000 steps per day goal, and I am hoping to continue that trend. I have a goal of doing it 100 days in a row, which brings me to August 8th. So I will keep you updated on that.

This fitness goal has helped me keep my other fitness goals to. I am going to the gym in the morning fairly regularly (24 out of 31 days in May), plus getting in roughly 4 runs per week (3 short ones [2.5 miles] and 1 long one on the weekends [6-10 miles]). I am training for the Boilermaker, a 15k road race that happens in July.

I have been good about my makeup rehab too. Since the start of the year I have used up $534 worth of makeup and beauty products. I have spent $454 on makeup and beauty products in the past 5 months. It is still a lot of money to spend, but I am trying to reduce.

I am also trying to work harder on getting through this PhD. I have been dragging my feet, but that needs to stop. I have a thesis title now, which is a new development since my last post: THE IMPACT OF LOW-ENERGY ION POPULATIONS ON THE DYNAMICS AND LIFE CYCLE OF FLUX TRANSFER EVENTS AT THE EARTH'S DAYSIDE MAGNETOPAUSE UNDER VARYING SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC CONDITIONS

Just take a moment to let that sink in.

Well this has to be just a quick update; back to writing and working on a poster for my next conference.

Post #37: February Empties - Makeup Rehab no. 2

02/01/18: Happy February! For the second year in a row, I am participating in #28shades, an instagram lipstick challenge started by my friend, Dorothy. We did it last year where we selected a different shade of lipstick everyday in the month of February. This year I am doing the same, but specifically, 28 shades of liquid lipstick. This reason is 2 fold. 1) I am not a huge fan of liquid lipstick, I prefer bullet lipsticks 2) liquid lipsticks go bad faster than bullets, so if I really enjoy any of my liquid lipsticks, I want to use them up before they go bad. This month will have me trying ALL of my liquid lipsticks, and I will choose to keep or declutter them.

My hope for 2018 is to use more than I spend. Each month I will post a blog with makeup purchases versus makeup empties.


Writing utensil empties: none

February Purchases

1. Nyx primer $14.00
2. Maybelline primer $8.49
3. Make Up For Ever eyeshadow palette $19.05

February Empties

1. Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant mascara $24.00
2. Japonesque Brush Cleaner SAMPLE $2.00
3. John Frieda Go Blonder spray $7.99
4. Pantene dry shampoo $4.99
5. Elizabeth Mott highlighter SAMPLE $2.00

February Declutters

1. Elf face primer $6.00
2. Nyx Lip Lingerie - Ruffle Trim $7.00 (shade no. 1 of #28shades)
3. Sephora - wonderful red $8.00 (shade no. 4 of #28shades)
4. Caked - Low Key $16.00 (shade no. 9 of #28shades)
5. MDM Flow - Retro $23.37 (shade no. 16 of #28shades)

Summary

Amount spent: $41.54

Amount used: $40.89

Values were a little closer this month. Here's to a low/no buy March.

Year to Date (01/01/2018 - present)

Amount spent: $194.76

Amount used: $71.36

Post #36: Billy Joel inspired Project Pan, Update #2

February 9, 2018

(albums in chronological order)

#1 Rimmel #10

1. Cold Spring Harbor - Rimmel lipstick #10 (value from Wegman's = $4.49)

#2 Benefit Watt's Up

2. Piano Man - Benefit highlighter Watt's Up (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)

3. Streetlife Serenade - Dior lipstick samples (4 of them) (true sample, no value)

4. Turnstiles - Rimmel eyeliner noir (value from Walmart = $4.44)

5. The Stranger - white cream eyeshadow (value ~$2.00) DECLUTTERED 01/31/2018

#6 Sephora eyeliner

#4 Rimmel eyeliner

6. 52nd Street - Sephora eyeliner silver (value from Sephora = $12.00)

7. Glass Houses - Hikari liquid eyeliner iris (value from Hikari's website = $15.00)

8. The Nylon Curtain - Urban Decay highlighter Sin (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2) DONE 01/20/2018 I really liked this highlighter, enough to buy the full size during the Nov. 2017 Sephora VIB sale.

9. An Innocent Man - Victoria Secret perfume Heavenly (value from Victoria's Secret = $55.00)

10. The Bridge - Make Up For Ever mascara (value from Sephora = $24.00) DONE 02/01/2018 I really like this mascara, it is my favorite high end mascara. I would repurchase, but I have a whole bunch of deluxe sample sizes to use up first.

#11 Revlon Stormy Pink

11. Storm Front - Revlon lipstick Stormy Pink (value from Wegman's = $5.49) <- patchy, I need to try a different lip liner, as of 1/9 I have been using Nabi's pink glitter lip liner.

12. River of Dreams - John Frieda Go Blonder Spray (value from Amazon = $7.99)

13. Fantasies & Delusions - Tarte liquid lipstick Birthday Suit (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)

lip liner paired with #11

See video here.







Had better progress this last month. Finished two things and decluttered the white cream eyeshadow. I have been using the Watt's Up, and I am not sure I like cream highlighter, but once I am done with it, I am going to keep using the other cream highlighters I have. I will be making no progress on the bullet lipsticks in the month of February, because I am working on my #28shades challenge, which is made up of all liquid lipsticks.

Summary

Project: Billy Joel Inspired Project Pan
Duration: December 9, 2017 - (est) December 9, 2018
Update #2 - February 9, 2018
Products used: 3 of 13
Value used: $28.00 of $134.41

Post #35: January Empties - Makeup Rehab no. 1

So, as can be seen in my Project Pan updates, I have started to be more conscience of how much I am spending on my makeup hobby. I don't need to buy more than I use. My hope for 2018 is to use more than I spend. Each month I will post a blog with makeup purchases versus makeup empties.

01/22/18: Hit pan on Snow Day in Too Faced Boss Lady Beauty Agenda palette.
01/24/18, 4 hours after buying the Urban Decay Heavy Metals palette, I am going on a 'No Buy' until further notice. I will not buy any more eyeshadow.
01/29/18: My resolve has been challenged. There is an indie brand selling Tim Burton inspired eyeshadows. I love me some Tim Burton, but at $8 a pop, I have talked myself out of the impulse buy.

Writing utensil empties: finished Bic Round Stic M - blue (01/06/2018)

January Purchases

1. Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit face wash (01/10/18) $8.49
2. Adam Levine perfume (01/13/18) $12.99
3. Urban Decay Distortion palette (01/14/18) $48.00
4. Nars foundation (01/14/18) $49.00
5. Nyx liquid eyeliner x2 (01/21/18) $5.50
6. Sally Hansen nail polish (01/21/18) $2.24
7. Urban Decay Heavy Metals palette (01/24/18) $27.00

January Empties

1. Secret Clinical Strength deodorant (01/12/18) $7.99
2. Elf redness reducing face primer (01/19/18) $6.00
3. Urban Decay highlighter sample (01/20/18) $2.00
4. Make Up For Ever foundation (01/21/18) $43.00
5. Smashbox insta-matte lip topper SAMPLE (01/21/18)
6. Nars foundation SAMPLE (01/23/18)
7. Maybelline makeup remover (01/23/18) $3.94
8. Maybelline mineral powder (01/24/18) $7.99

January Declutters

1. Pink Cream eyeshadow (01/21/18) $2.00

2. White Cream eyeshadow (01/31/18) $2.00

Summary

Amount spent: $153.22

Amount used: $70.47

So I didn't do so well this month, but, here's to next month.

Year to Date (01/01/2018 - present)

Amount spent: $153.22

Amount used: $70.47

Post #34: 30 by 30

January 22, 2018

1. Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick #10  (value from Wegman's = $4.49)*
2. Benefit lip gloss SAMPLE - hoola (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)
3. Revlon lipstick - Love is On (value from Wegman's = $5.49)
4. Nabi lip liner - shining red (value from Nabi's site = $0.99)
5. TCW lipstick (value = $2)
6. Lorac lip gloss - Free Spirit (value from Lorac's site = $17.00)
7. Maybelline liquid lipstick - wicked berry (value from Wegman's = $6.49)
8. L'Oreal lipstick - Classic Wine (value from Wegman's = $6.49)
9. Sephora eyeliner - silver (value from Sephora = $12.00)*
10. Prescriptive's eyeliner - violet (value from Prescriptive's site = $20.00)
11. Wet n Wild eyeliner - white (value from Walmart = $1.57)
12. Nabi eyeliner - satin blue (value from Nabi's site = $0.99)
13. Physician's Formula cream eyeliner - green (value from Walmart = $3.51)
14. Nabi eyeliner - gold (value from Nabi's site = $0.99)
15. Make Up For Ever mascara (full size) (value from Sephora = $24.00)*
16. Pur mascara SAMPLE (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)
17. Hard Candy eyeshadow stick - pink (value from Walmart = $9.59)
18. Maybelline cream eyeshadow - blue (value from Wegman's = $6.49)

19. Pink cream eyeshadow (value = $2) done 1/21/18 - so glad to get rid of this, I knew I wasn't going to use it. There was no reason for me to keep it in my collection. Since it is so old, and came as part of a larger set, I valued it at $2.

20. Pro Art shimmer powder - purple (value = $2)
21. Elizabeth Mott highlighter SAMPLE (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)
22. Peter Thomas Roth highlighter SAMPLE (true sample, no value)

23. Smashbox lip topper SAMPLE (true sample, no value) done 1/21/18 - This is the best example of how useful samples are. I got this from a Sephora order last year, and when this product first hit the shelves I was VERY tempted to purchase it. Thankfully, I didn't. I used up this sample, and although it definitely worked the way it was supposed to, making my non matte lipsticks matte, I did not like the feel and how it wore. This sample saved me from making a purchase I would have probably regretted.

24. Benefit foundation SAMPLE (1) (2) (deluxe sized sample, 2/5 of an Ipsy bag = $4)
25. Lorac eyeliner SAMPLE (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)
26. Smashbox LT blush - carnation (value from Sephora = $11.66)
27. Fresh Sugar lip scrub (value from Sephora = $24.00)
28. B&BW lotion - beautiful day (value from B&BW = $12.50)
29. B&BW spray - beautiful day (value from B&BW = $14.00)
30. Eos lip balm - red (value from Wegman's = $2.99)


* Items also in my Billy Joel inspired Project Pan.

The items in italics I switched up from the intro.

See the quick video update.

Summary

Project: 30 by 30
Duration: December 22, 2017 - (est) January 22, 2019
Products used: 2 of 30
Value used: $2.00 of $198.74

Post #33: Makeup Inventory by the Numbers + Goals

Towards the end of 2017, I started to take an inventory of my makeup collection. Now, at the start of 2018, I believe I have a comprehensive list of all of my makeup/beauty collection. Looking at the numbers, and the retail value of my collection, I was a bit shocked, and a little upset with myself. The values are larger than I expected, and definitely larger than they need to be for a poor college student with only one face to put makeup on.

That being said, I am not ashamed. I love makeup, and the value I place on it is so much higher than the monetary value. Makeup is fun and empowering, and I love challenging myself to try something new with my makeup.

Also, the majority of my makeup was bought on sale, so the retail value is higher than what I actually spent on it.

The following is a breakdown of my collection into categories and the first number is the current amount of full size, deluxe sample size, and true sample size items in each. The second number is the end goal that I would like to reach at some point. The third number is the number of each product I would like to finish in 2018.

Category: current number, goal number, amount to finish in 2018
Foundation: 17, 4, 10
Face Powder: 8, 4, 3
Concealer: 8, 1, 4
Face Primer: 3, 1, 2
Blush: 12, 1, 1
Bronzer/Contour: 5, 1, 1
Highlighter: 22, 3, 6

Eyeshadow Pans: 531, 267, 9
Cream Eyeshadow: 25, 1, 3
Eyeshadow Primer: 3, 2, 1
Pencil Eyeliner: 53, 3, 6
Liquid Eyeliner: 8, 1, 3
Cream Eyeliner: 8, 1, 2
Setting Spray: 2, 1, 1
Eyebrow Pencil: 6, 1, 2
Mascara: 8, 2, 4

Lip Gloss: 9, 0, 3
Lip Balm: 14, 3, 3
Bullet Lipstick: 77, 14, 6
Liquid Lipstick: 32, 5, 3
Lip Liner: 53, 1, 4

Nail Polish: 9, 3, 3
Hair Care: 20, 5, 6
Face Care: 20, 6, 11
Lotion: 22, 2, 7
Spray/Perfume: 13, 3, 5

Total # of items: 988
Total $ amount: $4043.77

Post #32: Billy Joel Project Pan UPDATE #1

January 9, 2018

(albums in chronological order)

1. Cold Spring Harbor - Rimmel lipstick #10 (value from Wegman's = $4.49)

2. Piano Man - Benefit highlighter Watt's Up (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)

3. Streetlife Serenade - Dior lipstick samples (4 of them) (true sample, no value)

4. Turnstiles - Rimmel eyeliner noir (value from Walmart = $4.44)

5. The Stranger - white cream eyeshadow (value unknown) <- considering getting rid of... I need to play around with it on a nonword day to see how it performs.

6. 52nd Street - Sephora eyeliner silver (value from Sephora = $12.00)

7. Glass Houses - Hikari liquid eyeliner iris (value from Hikari's website = $15.00)

8. The Nylon Curtain - Urban Decay highlighter Sin (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2)

9. An Innocent Man - Victoria Secret perfume Heavenly (value from Victoria's Secret = $55.00)

10. The Bridge - Make Up For Ever mascara (value from Sephora = $24.00)

11. Storm Front - Revlon lipstick Stormy Pink (value from Wegman's = $5.49) <- patchy, I need to try a different lip liner, as of 1/9 I have been using Nabi's pink glitter lip liner.

12. River of Dreams - John Frieda Go Blonder Spray (value from Amazon = $7.99)

13. Fantasies & Delusions - Tarte liquid lipstick Birthday Suit (deluxe sized sample, 1/5 of an Ipsy bag = $2) (5 uses as of 1/9/18)

See video here.

Unfortunately, I have made little progress on this project because I was wrapping up my 12 Pans of Christmas. As of now I only have two projects happening, this one and my 30 by 30. More progress will be made by 2/9/2018.

Summary

Project: Billy Joel Inspired Project Pan
Duration: December 9, 2017 - (est) December 9, 2018
Update #1 - January 9, 2018
Products used: 0 of 13
Value used: $0.00 of $134.41