Beauty Obsessed

So here we are again.  For obvious reasons,  this month has been pretty lean in terms of shopping, especially on the beauty front, where I reallydon’t need anything, anyway.  And it was pretty easy to resist almost everything; when you have a goal in mind (to have the most awesome of times in New Zealand), and a life change (double the mortgage!), it’s really a no-brainer.  And actually, the purchases I did make were all before everything happened – the only thing I bought since then was a body lotion, which I needed (though…maybe not as pricey, but I was in a town with a Holts – IMPOSSIBLE to not buy ANYTHING).

As usual – The Guidelines:

1) Makeup: Purchase no more than 10 items per season (excludes replacing staples of foundation, concealer, powder)
2) Nail Polish: Purchase no more than 5 polish per month
3) Skincare/Haircare: Use one, Buy one

And here we have it!

Purchased (August 20-September 19):

- Kiehl’s Creme de Corps ($37.50CAD)

- Mill Creek Botanicals Biotin Shampoo ($9.89CAD)

- Kariderm Neutral Natural Soap with Shea Butter & Vitamin E ($5.29CAD)

- Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Lotion ($24.99CAD)

- OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest ($10.50CAD)

-  Zoya Dea ($8.75CAD)

- Zoya Anchor Base Coat ($12.50CAD)

FYI: The L’Occitane shampoo I purchased back in July I returned, unopened.  I was just too nervous to use something so fragranced and really – I shampoo my hair like, twice a month, so why spend big bucks on something I hardly use!?  I haven’t yet tried the Mill Creek stuff because I just finished my last shampoo, but I have high hopes   I picked up the shampoo, bar soap and the Weleda lotion from Well.ca – my first order from the company – and I had a $10 coupon code, so it was a good first experience!

Also, you may notice lately I’ve been buying a lot of base coats – I really find it makes a difference with my polish wear time if I’m using a compatible base.  I’m trying to pick up one from each brand I own essentially, and already my polishes have been lasting SO much better.  I might be crazy, but whatever works, right?

It might not seem like I pared down that much, but when you add up the actual dollar amount I spent this month ($109) as compared to the last ($198)…yea, you see what I’m sayin’?  ~pats self on back~

Used Up (August 20-September 19):

You see those empties?  Not too shabby eh??

Ah, my old friends.  No need to discuss Aveeno’s Eczema Care Cream, or the body wash, or the Neutrogena Hand Cream again – you’ve seen ‘em all before.  Bye bye!

These were both just OK.  The L’Oreal Studio Silk & Gloss Curling Spray didn’t make my hair TOO crunchy, which was nice, but I don’t even know why I bought it because I hate spray gels.  Blah.  The Aveda Scalp Benefits Shampoo (which I bought last November if you can believe it! See how much I <don’t> shampoo my hair??!) was fine – I did like the way it seems to clean my hair without stripping it, and it made it soft – but I just don’t like the standard herbal smells of Aveda…I never learn.  Also, if you’re a fan of shampoos that lather a lot (I’m not, hence why I bought it),  you won’t like this.

On the right – Clinique’s Makeup Brush Cleanser.  Pretty good stuff, though nothing crazy.  It lasts a fair while and I like that if I’m really in a rush, I can spray, wipe and go.  I rarely do that though and typically spray, rinse, spray, rinse, dry.  Just to make it more difficult on myself.

On the left – I know you’re thinking “What the…!?!”  Well…does anyone remember when they carried the brand Pupa in Shoppers Drug Mart?  This was something they came up with, this ridiculous cow with a makeup palette inside.  It’s double-sided, too!

When I was traveling around Europe, this thing was GENIUS, with two blush, a bronzer, a powder, and a handful each of eyeshadows and lipglosses.  But guys – that was 6 years ago.  Since then, I’ve kept it in my office drawer ‘for emergencies’ and rarely used it.  When I moved my cubicle a couple weeks ago, I decided it was time to go.  Too bad, so sad, we had some good times!  ~Mooooooooo!~

And the pitiful makeup empties – they’re always so frickin’ tough to accumulate!  I finally finished that blasted tube of Jack Black’s Lip Treatment (two months later than planned), and my travel size of Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer.  I sort of fell out of love with it for a while, then got back into it when the weather cooled.  I found that it, on top of my Clinique City Block, didn’t mix well and I still got greasy throughout the day.  As a replacement for sunscreen (it has an SPF of 15) on rainy or overcast days, it’s pretty good.  Not sure I’d spend $70 on a full-size though (sorry Liz! *ducks*).

I also had a small sample of a L’Occitane Ultra Comforting Serum that seemed nice, but those kind of samples tell me NOTHING about the product as a whole, so no further comment there.  The mascara in the front is from Pur Minerals - and I used it once and just couldn’t.  Awful, awful stuff!  The brush was horrid and the formula was clumpy.  However, it could be old and I generally don’t make opinions on mascara based on sample sizes because it never seems true to form.  The mascara sample in the back is the famed Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara I’d featured in a couple FOTD’s, which sadly isn’t why my lashes are so curly (all-natural, sorry! *ducks again*).  But it was still nice and not even remotely clumpy and defined the lashes well.  Not sure I’d buy the full size though.

Lastly, we have a nail file.  I know that’s weird but I threw it in for fun, what the heck.  It is so worn down there is no filing to be had any more from this.  It was also in my desk at work, and it appears there’s food or some crap stuck to it – for that I apologize.  Another reason it has to go!

Phew!  Ok then – let’s Recap:

1) Makeup:  0 makeup items purchased [6 non-staples this season (Summer)], 1 palette and 3 samples used/tossed
2) Nail Polish:  2 polish purchased this month (20 total since the beginning of 2012)
3) Skincare: 3 skin/1 hair bought, 3 skin/2 hair used

Wha-wha-whaaaat!?  No makeup bought???  This is unheard of!  I didn’t even realize ’till I just did up those tally’s.  Wow!!  That actually makes me really happy – I’m trying so hard to use what I have an enjoy it rather than jumping on every next big thing.  I could handle a massive slow-down of makeup purchases for a while, no doubt!  And it’s likely to continue at least until I return from New Zealand, so hooray!!  And this ends the 10 per season for Summer…back to the drawing board for Fall!

Speaking of, I’m hoping to come back with less makeup than I bring while away – I’m packing the very dregs of a lot of little samples and ends of liners and stuff, so here’s hoping it’s gone over the course of 5 weeks.  Although, to be honest, I’m not even sure how much makeup I’ll be wearing down there!  In any case, I’m going to show you what I’m packing before I leave so you can be nosy and see for yourself

So, another month down!  Only four more to go before I can stop boring you with these posts, and I right!?  I’ll still continue with the continuous whittling down, but maybe not so regimented.  Though I always look forward to showing you guys – it’s like hoping for a gold star from the teacher   It’s likely – no, a for sure – that my next post will NOT be on time, as I’ll be away, but I’ll do a special edition featuring the stuff I used up while away when I return.  I hope it’s a HUGE one!

Which do you like more: seeing the purchases or the discards?  What’s your average monthly beauty budget?