Decluttering in 2017: Project Pan

One of my goals this year was to de-clutter and use up products that I currently own rather than hoard things and end up with drawers full of makeup/skincare/haircare that have expired and never been used.

I gained inspiration for this initiative from fellow bloggers (StashMatters, CurlySpringBlossom, A Brash Attitude) who recently participated in a series called Project Pan, where they attempt to use up a pre-specified number of makeup products over a 3 month period, tracking their progress along the way.  Unfortunately I am not as dedicated as they – I’d fail miserably if I tried to focus on only using one eyeshadow quad for 3 months…as such I applaud them for their commitment to their cause ;).  So I decided to expand on their idea and do my challenge over a course of a year, with a mid-year check-in to update my progress.

The first step for me in this process was to go through all my makeup, skincare, body care, and haircare and sort them into three categories:

  1. Products that I am currently using and will continue to use;
  2. Products that I’m not using and have no intention of using (separate post coming up on those!); and
  3. Products that I’m currently not using but I want to use/use up.

In the last category I sorted out any products that were 1-2 years are older and that compiled the list below.  I know the expiry dates for beauty products varies but in my mind if I truly like a product, I should be able to finish it up in year, maximum 2 years, aside from larger products like palettes and/or powder products (ie. blushes).

I’ve further sorted my list into two categories – Products I Want to Hit Pan On and Products I Want to Completely Finish.  It’s not realistic for me to think I’m going to use up an entire eyeshadow palette in a year, never mind 3.  But I should be able to hit pan on several shadows in a palette, along with a single blush, right?

Time to get into the details…

PRODUCTS I WANT TO HIT PAN ON

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Approximate age: Old

Goal: Completely use up Virgin, Sin, Naked and Toasted; make some progress on the rest of shadows (aside from Creep & Gunmetal).

Notes: I can’t remember if this was the first palette I ever purchased or if it was the Too Faced one below but this thing is OLD…and it shows.  Although given it’s age, it’s rough exterior and the fact that I’ve travelled with it extensively for years, the shadows still perform as well as they did from day 1, which is impressive.  I really do love this palette and it’s one that I’d repurchase (whenever I finish it up!)

Too Faced Matte Eye Palette

Approximate age: Old

Current state: Hit pan on 4 out of 9 shades

Goals: Completely use up Tufted Suede, Chinchilla, Fresh Linen and Vintage Violet and make a dent on others.

Notes: Another relic of a palette however this one is no longer available.  Which is too bad because the shadow quality was really impressive.  I say was because it has dried out a bit but it’s still very usable – probably better than some newer shadows I own to be honest.  Again, the packaging has taken a beating but the shadows are still fully intact!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette

Approximate age: 3-4 years

Current state: No visible pan on any shadows

Goal: Hit pan in at least 4 shadows

Notes: I received this palette as part of a Tarte Holiday set quite a few years back (I can’t remember which one it was).  In keeping with the theme of holiday palettes, there are some great shadows in here and some not so great ones.  I do love the range of shades and some of the colour combos though.  I kind of forgot about this palette so I’m looking forward to playing around with it again!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush (Flush)

Approximate age: 2+ years

Current state: Some wear

Goal: Hit pan

Notes: Blushes are probably one of my favourite beauty items – I can’t ever get enough of them.  I have a few Tarte blushes and I love them all, however I’ve noticed that this is becoming slightly drier the older it gets (a theme with Tarte perhaps?). The formula on these blushes can be a little dry to begin with so before it becomes completely unusable I want to see if I can hit pan on it.

PRODUCTS I WANT TO FINISH

Givenchy Play for Her

Age: 5+ years

Current state: Hard to tell – 1/2 bottle?

Have you ever had a perfume that just never seems to want to die, no matter how much you use it? I’ve dropped this on tile floor and and the only thing that happened was a chunk of plastic broke off (hence the pic). The scent on this is starting to fade and it doesn’t linger as long as it used to; it’s a good scent for winter so here’s hoping I can finish this up before summer!

Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Glycolic Acid Cracked Heel Treatment

Age: Approx. 1.5 – 2 years old

Current state: 1/2 jar

I really do like this for cracked heels, which is something I suffer from in both the winter and summer months.  If I apply it regularly it really does make a noticeable difference.

It’s a Ten Miracle Leave-In Product

Age: 3-4 years

Current state: 1/3 of bottle

If you’re looking for an intense leave-in treatment, this might be the one for you. This has a laundry list of things it’s supposed to do including repair dry damaged hair, add shine, smooth & control frizz, seal & protect hair colour, detangle, prevent split ends, stop hair breakage, create silkiness, enhance natural body, and act as a flat iron & thermal protector.  I’ve been using about once a month for the last few years and I do feel it does most of what it claims to, but sometimes it can be a little much for my fine hair.  Next I’d like to try Miracle Leave-In Lite.

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil

Age: 1.5 years

Current state: 1/2 of bottle

I received this hair oil in a Luxe Box and even though I don’t find it does anything amazing, I do find it helps tame fly-aways and smooth dry ends (temporarily).

Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Multi-Correcting Cream

Age: 1 year

Current state: 1/2 of jar

Usually if I can’t make a product work for me, I’ll find an alternative purpose for it, if possible.  That’s the case with this moisturizer.  It’s a thick, highly fragranced cream and I much prefer gel-based moisturizers or lotions for my face; as such I’m using it on my neck as a night cream.

Shiseido Ulimune Eye Power Infusing Concentrate

Age: 1.5 years

Current state: Unable to tell – 1/2 bottle?

I never really felt that this eye cream was all that effective, although in fairness, I’ve yet to find one that is.  However, I do feel like I need to start consistently using an eye cream so this will get me in the habit until it’s time to purchase another.

Tarte Maracuja Oil

Age: 2 years

Current state: 1/2 bottle

My favourite way to utilize this oil is to mix it in with my foundation, particularly if I’m using a more matte or drying foundation – it makes it less dry and more wearable for me.

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips

Age: 1.5 years

Current state: 6 strips left

I had really high hopes for these pore strips but unfortunately they just don’t work as well as the cheaper Biore option.  They’re not bad enough NOT to use though.

Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Age: 1 year

Current state: 1/2 bottle?

I actually really like this foundation but there are other foundations I want to try – but not without finishing up one first.  I only need to use about 1 – 1 1/2 pumps for a good application so even with 1/2 a bottle left, this should still last me a while.  I’m totally guessing on how much is left in the bottle though.

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Fresh Complexion Oil Free Foundation

Age: 2 years

Current state: 2/3 of tube

I like this foundation but it’s better on my skin for the summer months as it dries to a powdery finish and has light coverage.  It is surprisingly good for it’s price though – I think I only paid $6.99 for it; would recommend it!

Maybelline Instant Agent Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Concealer

Age: 2 years

Current state: 1/2 of tube

I like this concealer but it’s time to just finish it up, as much as I hate to stray from my new found love – Tarte’s Shape Tape.

bareMinerals Well-Rested CC Eye Primer

Age: 1.5 years

Current state: 1/2 of tube

This is a good colour-corrector for my eyelids but it doesn’t work well as an eyeshadow primer at all.  I’ve been using it on days where I just wear mascara in order to cancel out any veins and redness on my eyelids and it works well for that purpose.

blinc Lash Discovery Duo

Age: 1+ years

Current state: Unopened

I’m pretty picky when it comes to mascaras but I haven’t even opened and tried this set yet despite purchasing and using other mascaras.  I don’t have high hopes for it as I’m not certain that a tube mascara is for me but I need to at least give it a shot.

NYX Creamy Round Lipstick (Paris)

Age: 2 years

Current state: 1/4 remaining

This lipstick is super creamy and soft and the bullet has cracked in half on me more times than I can count.  It is a super moisturizing lipstick though and I do like the colour so I’d like to just finish it up.

bareMinerals Marvellous Moxie Lipstick (Speak Your Mind)

Age: 2+ years

Current state: 1/4 remaining

This is very similar to the NYX lipstick above, except it’s not as creamy (which isn’t a bad thing).  Unfortunately they seem to have discontinued these which is disappointing as I’d definitely repurchase them if I could.

Rosebud Perfume Co. Strawberry Lip Balm

Age: 2+ years

Current state: 1/3 remaining

I don’t know why I ever buy lip balms in this form – I hate them!  Despite it’s packaging this actually is a decent balm so I’m keeping it in my nightstand to use before I go to bed.


Phew – I have a lot cut out for me in 2017 but I’m confident I can do this.  I plan on doing a check-in around June or July so keep your eyes peeled for that and wish me luck!

Thanks for reading!

Comments

  1. Polished and Inspired says

    I love this idea of trying to use up some of your older products! Also, I can’t believe you’ve hit pan on some of the shadows in two palettes. I’m close on the Naked palette (actually, same shades as you, haha), but I stopped myself from using those colours because I didn’t want to hit pan on some shades and not others…it made sense in my head at the time 😛
    Man, blushes take forever to use up! Best of luck hitting pan on that Tarte blush! And just good luck on your Project Pan in general. YOU CAN DO IT!

    • prettyrufflife says

      I fully expect not to ever hit pan on those smoky shades at the end of the Naked Palette but once I hit pan on the others, I think I’d probably just repurchase the palette….I think. I’ll see how I feel at the time I guess. It’s been a great palette though!
      Thanks for the encouragement – I’m determined to hit pan on that blush! 🙂

  2. stashy says

    Awesome plan! As a fellow makeup addict, it’s a real challenge not only to hoard makeup, but to not finish up stuff before moving onto the next new thing. I’ve been a lot better with skincare – use one up before opening up the next. But makeup is a whole other story! But I’m telling you – using the same quad for 3 months was such a torture… never ever again! 😛
    Your UD palette is so well loved – you can definitely finish those shades you noted!
    I hate to break it to you but it’s near impossible to hit pan on a blush!!! MAYBE if you take a pointed blush brush and ONLY dip in the center of the pan each time. I never realized just how LITTLE blush you need per application.
    Hey I think I have that same Bath & Body Works Cracked Heel Treatment – got it for Christmas like 2 years ago and have not even OPENED it!
    Foundations you can definitely finish – I’d say an average bottle of foundation lasts 3-4 months with daily use.
    Ugh I hated that Blinc tubing mascara! I got that same set as you from the Black Friday sale. I used it twice and tossed it!
    Goooood luck!

    • prettyrufflife says

      lol I remember how painful you said it was to use a quad for that long – I usually switch up my eye makeup everyday so I knew there’s no way I could wear the same ones for 3 months. I commend you for that!
      Definitely give the B&BW Cracked Heel Treatment a try – I find it works really well!
      Believe it or not, I have hit pan on a blush before – Nars Orgasm. It was my only blush though and I don’t remember how long it took me to use it up. Hitting pan on this one is going to be a challenge but I’m determined to do it! 🙂

  3. Chris says

    That is a very ambitious goal! Hit pan on a BLUSH?!?! I don’t know if I’ve ever done that. LOL! Beautiful palettes, by the way!

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