Spring Clean Out

At the end of March, I moved into a new apartment. I packed up my little studio apartment and cleaned out a full sized storage unit! Needless to say, I realized I had A LOT more than I thought. Overwhelmed with possessions, I decided to start pairing down my closet. This lead to research online about organization. Then I stumbled upon this idea:

Woman gets rid of 10 things a day to declutter



A very good idea, actually! So about a month ago, I began religiously getting rid of 10 items a day. Some days it was 10 items, and other days 15.

When I found a free moment throughout my day, I realized that my mind would wander to thinking about items that I wasn't using in my home. Using this method, by the end of my day when I returned home, I would usually have a plan for what I wanted to remove from my home by either selling it (ebay and craigslist I love you!), donating it to salvation army or tossing it (sad, but true).

I remember a time when I first started earning money when purchasing items gave me a euphoric feeling. Then when I was earning more money, I was spending more and this feeling lessened. The more I spent, the less enjoyment I got out of my possessions. I was becoming suffocated by my newly acquired things. Moving put this all into perspective for me.

Now, getting rid of things is giving me the same sort of "high" that I once got when I was purchasing things. Cleaning out once sought after possessions and realizing how much I spent on these items, only to donate them or toss them makes me think more before spending my hard earned money. Not only am I losing money, but landfills are filling up and the consumer machine continues to run faster and faster to fill our perceived need of things.

Donations and things to sell..

Have I used this in the past year?

I'm enjoying living with less and less each day. Ideally, I'd like to own only the things I use on a very regular basis. After doing some research on the mental process of giving things away (yes people have actually worked this out), I determined the best question to ask myself was, "have you used this in the past year?". With the majority of my items, asking myself this question easily forced me to give the item up. As this process continues, it is easier to convince myself to let go of the items that were once never going to leave my closet (the ones I haven't used in the past 12 months). When I am at the end of this process (if there is an end??), I hope to give up all items not used in the past 12 months as well as infrequently used items.

Kerastase Nectar Thermique

from the Kerastase Website: 

                                 Protects hair from the harmful effects of heat-styling tools. 

Nourishes, softens and moisturizes hair. Gives hair optimal shine from roots to ends. 

Improves hair straightening and drying performance.

A combination of Royal Jelly Extract that provides nutrition with carbohydrates, 

lipids and proteins and Gluco-Seek which provides protection with xylose, 

UV filters and guar gum results in heat styling protection and soft and supple brilliance.

At the suggestion of my colorist, I decided to purchase this. The reviews on makeup alley also sold me- rated 4.7/5. I purchased this mainly as a heat protectant and something that would lessen breakage in styling. 

Makes my hair silky soft and easily manageable. I have really course, wire-y (is that a word??) hair that is naturally curly. I straighten and have lots of highlights.  

I've noticed that drying time has decreased and I think moisture is sealed out better than when I'm not using this product (see: less frizz). 

On my quest for better hair, I'm starting to think it would just be a lot easier to stop fighting the curl and let it be. We shall see.. 

Back to MAC

Since I've been concentrating efforts to use up products, I've pooled a few B2M items. 

These include: 

MAC Glaze Lipstick in Pervette

I got this two summers ago, in the height of my makeup craze. I wanted to love it, I really did. I remember the SA at Mac responding to my inquiry of the product with, "oh no, that's too 80s" and I should've taken her warning. The lilac duo chrome is just too much. I could layer it with a gloss, and this I tried, but I would just be doing it to use up the product- so away it goes. 

MAC Suntints in Just a Smidge and Lilt of Lilly

I was in LOVE with these when I first got them. I even thought I should grab more before they sold out.
The consistency of these is very thick and it feels like they aren't doing anything to the lips, if anything, just drying them out.


MAC Nail Polish in Cool Reserve and Beyond Jealous

 Cool Reserve (the light purple), just doesn't look good on my skin tone. I realized this after my purchase of Sephora's famous Metro Chic and how much MC blows CR out of the water.

Beyond jealous looks OK- but it's just not my color. Think it's greens that just don't work.


MAC Moisture Cover in NW 20

This is beyond a shame! I love the product, but NW 20 is not the shade. I am an NW 20 in every other MAC product, except for this one. It is much too dark for my complexion and I figured I would darken up during the summer enough to be able to use this, but it never happened. 

MAC Fluidline in Waveline

I'm a huge fan of Blacktrack fluidline, so was expecting Waveline to have equally strong pigmentation. It does not. When applied, Waveline is very light and not at all as it appears in the pot. I feel it even goes on streaky when you try to build up the color. 

 Just for fun, this is a new picture I grabbed at my recent trip to IKEA. I'm always paranoid that I'm going to injure the delicate frame on my way through the store and home, but this time, we made it out unharmed! I'm not sure where to put this yet, maybe by my new study area...

No, I'm not dead...

Wow, it's been a while. Lots has happened since I've last posted. I began a PhD program and have lost my life in the process.

So in the vein of makeup, what's new? Well, I took 2 months off from buying absolutely anything (save for food, gas etc.).  I broke this new years resolution ( I guess you could call it that- even though I started it after NYD) a couple days ago to buy: a flashlight, a replacement headlight for my car (that's new too!) and mascara (need to toss every 3 months!).  I've just been trying to use up makeup and downsize everything. I've gotten to the point in life where I've experienced a short while of excess and have found that excess does not equal happiness. Excess leads to chaos. It leads to a growing desire to consume, acquire and to compete. For me, it was just the chase of wanting things. I'd purchase (the chase) and then once conquered, the new products/clothing/objects would hold no excitement for me. I'd push them aside- never taking tags off or taking them out of their boxes and continue to hunt online for the next new obsession. Not exactly the healthiest hobby.

So, I cut cold turkey and I realized I could live without and even enjoy being without.

As for my new school and program, I feel (and maybe this is just me being self conscious, but whatever...) that if I do wear makeup and dress nice, spending extra effort and time on my appearance makes me feel like others judge me. Almost like I'd be taken more seriously if I didn't do any of this. As for my makeup routine, I've been basically wearing the same makeup for a few months now. Neutral eye, cat eye (can't be without it), light bronzer and blush with balm. And my hair is blonde now :)

Update

Wow it's been forever! I apologize as things have been truly insane here on my end. I'm back in the city from a two month hiatus in upstate NY helping my mom recover from her biking accident. It's really amazing how it feels to be gone so long and then return- almost like you were never gone, but in a foggy dreamlike state for a while.

Any who, I've managed to become less obsessed with acquiring products/makeup and the like and more interested in using up products, paring down, streamlining and finding the best of the best (but only what I really really need). So in other words, a minimalist approach, but with some fun excess. The hard work of sending in applications to graduate schools and taking the GRE has paid off and I was admitted to 5 of the 6 schools to which I applied. The school I ended up selecting admitted me to their PhD in Mathematics program as well as offered me a Teaching Assistant position that not only frees me of paying for tuition, but also grants me a monthly stipend. Being paid to go to school- can't beat that!

As many other beauty bloggers/youtubers have found, the beauty community is becoming increasingly catty and challenged by readers/viewers. This is unfortunate as I entered the arena hoping to share my love for makeup and not to be faced with adversary. I also noticed that my videos were almost all hauls- exciting they are, but I needed a lot more diversity. I took down all my videos and vowed to put more effort into YouTube and this blog. Now that I will be a teaching assistant and also in year 1 of 7 more years of college  (!!!!), I need to be more wise with spending. This will make an interesting challenge for cosmetic and product purchasing.

One of my favorite YouTubers is tsandra5 who has embarked on a LolliPop26-ish project 10 pan. There's nothing better for me than throwing away packaging and knowing that I've taken full advantage of the product and gotten my money's worth. This will be another focus here. It's also the perfect opportunity to review the product, as the newness has worn off, you've used the whole thing (know it is worth it)  and can give a complete review- not just your aspirations for your new purchase.

Fall Favorites: Nail Polishes

Lately, I've become rather obsessed with nail polish. It's fun, different yet not radical and relatively cheap. So these colors above are my favorites for the season and the ones I've found myself reaching for over and over.

(From L to R):
OPI Ski Teal We Drop
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
Sephora by OPI Under My Trench Coat

The first two are without shimmer and gorgeous, deep fall colors. Ski Teal we Drop is a different blue than I usually see and I knew I had to own Lincoln Park After Dark because of my current location.
When MAC's F/W Nail trend was released, I was in love with Earthly Harmony, but after some research discovered Sephora's version was cheaper and had a better application (MAC formulas are famously hated). Amazing "griege" shade. Perfect for fall.

I'm up in Montreal for a few days on vacation. Gross weather so far- lots of rain. I'm trying to scope out a new knitting project. This may be a good task for tomorrow. The cold weather is making me want some new cold weather accessories that will be a snap to make.

Flashback Find: GAP Dream Body Spray

Remember the breakout of bodysprays? I'm thinking it was mid 90s and came with the explosion of Bath & Body Works. I think I was in the 8th grade and I discovered this scent. Lovely.
The description found online: Dream is a mix of white freesia orange flower and pure cloud.
And yes it is. 
It's amazing how scents can throw you back to the last times worn. Body sprays are so easy and cheap, I couldn't resist picking this up for $3.99 at the GAP outlet near my house. 

Maybelline Smooth Mousse Foundation

A new foundation? Yes, I couldn't pass this up when I found the Maybelline sale at Ulta. Buy one get one 50% off! I've been hearing amazing things about this foundation from the two Ginas on YouTube, so I had to see for myself what all the talk was about. This stuff is great! I love the coverage, medium and buildable, but not cakey. Love the application- creamy and smooth (as to be expected by the name). Never applied foundation with a sponge before, but the one included isn't bad and is quite efficient (although with a lot of usage, I'd recommend buying disposable sponges). I've been using this for about a month now and have no reason to switch to anything else. I think I paid $7 for this and my shade is in 200 Creamy Nude. 

MAC Venomous Villains

Well well, another MAC collection to be released this week (perhaps today or tomorrow at maccosmetics.com). Initially, I bought into the excitement of this collection and felt I NEEDED TO HAVE IT!! As time has passed (and perhaps it's just too many collections in a row), I now feel I can pass on most, or all of the collection.  Malificent is badass- but really the only one. So here's my list before the revelation:

Both MES from Malificent

Briar Rose Beauty Powder

Toxic Tale Lipstick

Stange Potion Lipglass

Revenge is Sweet Lipglass

My reasoning these aren't absolutely necessary:

-I really never wore the Style Black MESs so that will likely be the case with these. 

-Briar Rose is a lot like Well Dressed or maybe NARS Angelika minus the sparkle.

- Toxic Tale is gorg!( I may just order this and this alone), but a color I'm honestly never going to wear.

-Strange Potion is similar (not an exact dupe) to Perennial High Style from Liberty of London (and this I rarely reach for). Also similar to Jazzed (I've heard).

Revenge is Sweet is really the only one I don't have anything really like, but again, is another lipglass really necessary?

These are my thoughts and if I were to get anything, those listed above I feel are the best choices. Also maybe the beauty powder "Oh So Fair". 

some of the best swatches can be found at naturalnchicmakeup (and no, not knocking temptalia, but everyone knows her swatches!).

Happy Monday!

By the way, I'm thinking of lightening my hair like this:

Illamasqua's Katie Blush

ILLAMASQUA!!!

Wow what a lucky find!! When I made a random trip to Sephora here, I found out they had Illamasqua stock! I was beyond excited, but managed to only walk away with one of their blushers, Katie. I've heard very good things about this blush and since I'm in love with Excite, I figured this would be another fantastic selection. 

Katie is a beautiful cool shade of pink. Very pigmented. I thought this would be a unique color for me. At the time of my purchase, my mom asked me, "How do you keep track of what you already have?" and "Isn't that a color you already own?". I shrugged this off and thought no way! this is a fantastically different shade! I must have it!

Low and behold, she was right. I had packed a small amount of makeup to my trip to NY (even though I may be here a few months) and also had Well Dressed from MAC in my bag. Very similar to Katie and I even think has a nicer finish. Katie comes off almost chalky- lots of powder. MAC's is well milled with some shimmer (not a lot, but just enough).

I'm also at the point in makeup collecting that I don't think it's really necessary to collect all of the infinitely similar products. This is close enough to Katie (maybe not an exact dupe), but on the cheek, I think it's hard to tell a difference.
I'd pick the very popular Well Dressed over Katie any day. Sorry Illamasqua, you will be returned to Sephora.