Products I Threw Away

When I did my last post about products that I finished, I also took pictures of products that I am going to throw away. Notice that I didn't say that I have thrown them away. They have been sitting in a box in my office ever since. Maybe if I do this post, I'll actually let them go in the garbage.

Clearly Natural Essentials Lilac soap - I think my main problem with this soap is that I let it sit for too long. I had it for over a year before I used it. When I did start using it, it didn't smell like lilac anymore (if it ever did). I tried using it, but I finally just gave up.

Meow Snarky blush sample - I normally throw samples like this into my swap box, but due to some stroke of brilliance (please note the sarcasm), I dumped it all into a swirl bowl before I decided that I didn't really like how the color looked on me.

ELF lipsticks - I got these in a swap. I don't really wear lipsticks, and these are starting to look funky around the edges. I would be scared to use them. I never tried them, so I can't comment on the formula.

Everyday Minerals Soft Bronzer - This pulled too orange on me. Again, I had decanted it into a larger jar than it originally came in, and it would be too much work to get it back into a container that would be good for swapping.

Revlon Grow Luscious mascara - This mascara felt tacky to me long after it dried. It drove me nuts.

ELF mascara - This was either a terrible mascara or it was so old that it had pretty much dried up by the time I used it. I could barely get any color on my lashes, let alone any length or volume.

Urban Decay Supercurl mascara - It's been a while since I used this, but I think this was another mascara that felt tacky all day.

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 - I didn't like this and stopped using it so long ago that the SPF had expired.

Jordana Squeeze n' Shine gloss in Lollipop - This gloss looked gorgeous in the tube, and I bought it on clearance. Unfortunately, it felt really goopy on the lips.

Got2b Playful cream pomade - I have no idea how long I've had this stuff. I don't use anymore, and I'm tired of having it sitting around.

Aromaleigh Color Infusion Botanical lipstick in Sassy - This was another item I got in a swap. I got it a couple of years ago, so it's time for this to go away.

Everyday Minerals Lavender pressed eye shadows - This pressed palette smells like crayons, which is an indication that it has gone bad. I might keep the compact around for potential future pressing.

Everyday Minerals Fairly Light pressed foundation - This doesn't have the crayons smell, but I've had it for about as long as the pressed shadows. I got it in a swap, and it's too dark for me. Again, I might keep the compact.

ELF Cream Shadows - I got these last year through a deal on Target.com. I think I spent $2 total for both compacts (with free shipping). When I ordered them, the site description said they were cream liners, so I was surprised to see that they were cream shadows when they arrived. They are useless. They crease in two seconds (maybe 5 with a powder shadow on top).

While this doesn't make a noticeable dent in my makeup collection, it's nice to get getting rid of products that I don't use. I need to pull more things for swapping as well. I'm one of those people who tends to keep things around thinking that I might figure out some way to use it in the future, and I rarely do.

Are you good about cleaning out your stash? Do you regularly throw out, swap, or give away items that you don't use?

Prize from Jennifae's Beauty Blog Giveaway

I was the lucky winner of the January giveaway on Jennifae's Beauty Blog, and I received my prize last weekend. If you haven't checked out Jennifae's blog, please do. She does great swatches and reviews everything from indie makeup brands to high end items.

My prize was six full-sized blushes from Everyday Minerals.

Here's a picture:

I am most excited about the full size of Jump Rope. It is a color that I became interested in right around the time that EDM stopped selling it. I was able to get a 5g jar of it in a swap a while back, but I'm happy that I now have a full size to use.

Three of the colors I received are brand new to me: Theme Park, Opening Day, and Corner Office. I'm looking forward to trying those out.

I already own full sizes of New Shoes and Wake Up Call, so I haven't decided what to do with those two yet.

Thanks Jennifae for such a nice giveaway!

Best of 2011 - Face

I figured doing a few posts of some of my favorite products from 2011 would be a good way to start things out. I have three posts planned: this one, cheeks and lips, and eyes. I maybe could have done another post for brushes, but I decided to include them with the specific category where they are used (face, cheeks, or eyes).

Liquid foundations/tinted moisturizers – I wore mineral foundation for about two years straight. Although I liked it, I was having issues with the powder pooling on different areas around my face. Not attractive. I usually have a hard time with foundations being too dark, but starting this summer, I have picked up several liquid face products that work for me. I have enjoyed using them, but I’m still looking for a HG foundation.

 These are the three liquid face products that I use the most (from left to right): Tarte's Amazonian clay full coverage balancing foundation in Fair (currently only sold on QVC or on ebay), Lumene Double Stay Long-lasting Makeup in Vanilla Meringue (found on ebay), and Holika Holia Essential Petit BB cream (found on ebay).

Meow Pampered Puss Foundation – Once I started using liquid face products, I started using this as a setting powder. It is sheer enough that it doesn’t look cakey, but it also adds the extra coverage that I need. I use Inquisitive Siamese.

Meow Concealer – I have been a big fan of mineral powder concealers for several years now. Since they don’t need as much blending as liquid or cream varieties, they seem to stick better to the specific spots I want covered. Meow’s concealers are great because they have a concealer that matches every foundation shade.

Both of these products can be found here.

 Silk Naturals’ Sleep in a Jar Light Peach – I have dark undereye circles, and I struggle to cover them. I’m still looking for the perfect combination. So far, this is the best product I’ve come across. Even if I do find a creamy concealer that works well, I think I will still continue to use this. I love using it after I have applied all of my eye makeup (barring an inner corner highlight and sometimes mascara). It helps clean up smudging and adds that finishing touch that makes me look more awake.

 Sleep in a Jar can be found here.

Everyday Minerals Eye Kabuki Jr. – I love this brush for applying my Sleep in a Jar. It is a small, dense brush that just works.

This brush can be found here.

ELF Professional Concealer Brush – Most concealer brushes seem too big to me. I love how small this one is because it allows me to get the precise application that I want, and you can't be the $1 price tag. 

This brush can be bought online here. I wouldn't recommend buying this brush online unless you want to make a big ELF order and have a good coupon code because their shipping is a flat rate of $6.95. For the few ELF products I get, I prefer getting mine at Target. Drugstore.com is another place that sells ELF. There is a bit of a markup in price, but you get free shipping with a $25 order. 

What were your favorite face products for 2011?