Project 20 Pan Update

I'm here with an update on the terrible, horrible, insufferable thing known as Project Pan. Eeeek! To be honest I am not loving this, but it has to be done. I have come to a point in my life where having all this excess junk is really starting to mess with my head. I am NOT insane... I swear!  We live in a world where we are easily influenced and I will be the first to admit that when a new product comes out I feel like I must have it. I am trying extremely hard to break this habit, and while there were a few slip ups in 2012 I am determined to make 2013 my year to succeed! I will not keep wasting money when I have perfectly good things in my possession and I refuse to give into the hype and feel the need to buy everything and all things new. I have only used up 4 items so far in my Project Pan but that is good enough for me! So here they are....

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Foundation

This isn't a bad foundation but I am so glad to see it go. I have had this one for at least 2 or 3 years... I know gross! But I was determined to use it up and it is finally gone. I like this foundation but I am so pastey and the  color is a bit too dark for me. I think this is the lightest shade in their color range so I probably will not repurchase this foundation again unless it's summer time. This foundation lasts a long time, it has light to medium coverage if you build it up, and it doesn't get cakey. I think these range in price from $8-$10 but you can always find tons of Maybelline coupons in the newspaper or online.

ELF Mist and Set

I'm on the fence with this setting spray. I don't know if it made my makeup stay on longer but It did make my makeup look less cakey when I sprayed it over my finished face. It kind of melts all your makeup together to make it look more natural and it refreshes your face throughout the day if you are feeling a bit dry. I really don't know if I will repurchase this or not, I don't really see a huge difference when using this product. I would like to try to other setting sprays but I haven't found any that are inexpensive like this one. You can get this at Target for $3, HERE, and some K-Marts, Big Lots and Dollar Trees sell ELF cosmetics too. 

Miss Fields Chocolate Chip Cookie Flavored Lip Balm

I have had this forever... I don't even know when I got this. Ew! :( I used this up as a heel balm and it worked great! I didn't use this on my lips so I can't tell you how well it works as a chap stick. Sorry! 

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Love! I have repurchased this chap stick about a million times. This has got to be my all time favorite chap stick. It smells good, it makes your lips tingle since it has peppermint in it and its all natural which is wonderful. It does goes on a bit thick but that doesn't bother me one bit. These are about $3 which is expensive in my opinion for a chap stick but I always find these on sale or in a pack of 4 for a really good price. I highly recommend these and since they are natural I think the higher price tag is well worth it. You can ingest 4-7 pounds of lipstick in your lifetime. That is disgusting! So its kind of nice to know your putting a more natural product on your lips... cuz well your going to eat it.

xoxo,
Jackie 

Great CVS and Walgreens Couponing Deals this Week!

I just wanted to let you guys know about some really great deals I took advantage of at CVS and Walgreens  today! I already threw away the receipts so I cannot show you the exact deals but I can give you a good idea of what to expect to pay. Both stores had some really great Christmas clearance going on. Tons of toys, candy, clothes, shoes, gift sets, etc. were 50-75% off! CVS has a ton of clearance going on in their beauty section including makeup, skincare, and hair care so keep your eyes peeled for that stuff too! 

CVS

Stayfree pads buy one get one free

Use: Stayfree buy one get one free coupon from the 1/6 Smartsource 

* Make sure you get pads that are lower than $4.49 (due to coupon restrictions) 

This will make both packs of pads 100% free! 

Physicians Formula makeup $5 off automatically with your CVS card (excludes clearance)

Green Concealer Stick $6.49-$5= $1.49 

That is a great deal and its super easy since there are no coupons involved. Simply scan you CVS card and $5 will be deducted automatically! 

Arizona teas are also 2/$1 which is a pretty good deal and there is a limit of 6. Daniel loves this tea so whenever I see the sale going on I pick him up a bunch! 

Walgreens

Goody Ouchless Elastics 27 count $2.99 get back $2 in register rewards

Use: .50 off Goody Ouchless Elastics 24 count or higher from 1/6 Smartsource

.50 after register rewards 

If you have any questions leave me a comment below and I will get back to you! 

xoxo,

Jackie

Products I've used up!

As you all know I am on a mission to spend less money. I still have my urges to buy makeup and beauty products and I caved quite a few times last year when I saw really good sales or had really good coupons. I am still going to shop with coupons and get good deals and free items, but I am really trying to slow myself down quite a bit. I am the kind of person who sees a good deal and I feel like I have to get that certain item... even if I really do not need it at the time. So since its a new year I am going to start fresh and I am going to really limit myself on what I buy...even if its cheap and I really want it. Of course there will be times where I cave and buy things, but I am really making a conscious effort to stop being so wasteful and use up what I already have. 

As promised I am going to give you some short and sweet reviews on the finished products below. That way you can decide if you want to try them out! 

Here are a few things I have used up...

Equate Antiseptic Mouthrinse 

We really like this mouthwash. It's the Walmart brand and you can get it for less than $3. It works well, makes your breath smell good, and it doesn't have a funky taste like a lot of cheaper mouthwashes do. I recommend this mouthwash a lot, especially since it's exactly like Listerine and more than $2 cheaper. 

Colgate Optic White Toothpaste

I have used up 2 tubes of this toothpaste but it definitely causes some sensitivity which is not good at all. It makes me teeth super white which I love! I bought this at BJ's in a 3 pack, and I still have 2 more tubes to use up. I can't say if I will repurchase this toothpaste or not, I want to say I won't since it causes sensitivity but it makes my teeth look so darn white! If you don't have sensitive teeth go ahead and give this a try... but if you do I wouldn't recommend this at all. 

No Name Baby Wipes

These are from Big Lots and I got them because they were .70 and I figured hell I'll give them a try. We used these on Eva obviously and they were horrible.... Do NOT buy these. We cloth diaper during the day and use wash cloths and a homemade wipe solution, but when Eva is wearing a disposable at night or goes number 2 we like to use regular disposable wipes. I was trying to save us some money, and I am so freaking glad I only bought one pack. These were like cheesecloth. No Joke. They were thin and you had to use 4 or 5 for a poopy diaper which is such a waste. I am all about saving the environment and I recycle everything I possibly can, so when I have to use a ton of disposable wipes that really pisses me off.  Go ahead and spend the extra dollar on Huggies or Pampers wipes these are not worth your time. 

Secret Spring Breeze Deodorant 

I hate this Deodorant. It does it's job but it smells terrible. I prefer unscented deodorant and I prefer to use much more natural brands of deodorant. The only problem with the more natural brands it that they are expensive and I can get regular deodorants for free or super cheap when I use coupons. So sometimes I am stuck using nasty smelling stuff like this... because I am stubborn and when I can save $3 you sure as hell better believe I am going to do it. I still have one more of these to work through, right now I am using Tom's of Maine Unscented deodorant and I love it but its almost $4. I will not purchase this scent again that's for sure. 

Equate Medicated Acne Gel

This was pretty gross. It was kind of gritty and left a white residue on your face. I don't even know why I bought this because I never use things like this, but I forced myself to use it up just so it wasn't a waste of money. I will not repurchase. 

Covergirl LastBlast Luxe Mascara

I hated this mascara SO much! I have the LashBlast volume in the orange tube and I like that one a lot more.  This one was a blueish color and it had a pretty dry formula the first time I opened the tube. I felt like I had to apply a million coats to make my lashes look somewhat okay, and let me tell you I have stabbed myself in the eyeballs with this damn brush too many times to count. The brush is huge which I am sure a lot of people like, but I am so sick of stabbing myself in the eye with it. I will never buy this again... I really enjoy being able to see and this mascara really wants me blind for some reason. 

Pumpkin Spice Candle

This was a gift from my sister Iqui last year for Christmas. I LOVED this candle so very much. I am pretty sure she got it from Target but I didn't see a manufacturers name on the candle itself. My favorite fall and winter scent is anything pumpkin, and this is the only candle I have ever had that smelled up the whole house but wasn't over powering at the same time. This smelled ahhhhmazing and I miss it so much. :( I was so sad to see this one burn up, and I hope I can find it again next year. 

That's it for my empty products. If you have any questions just leave me a comment and I would be more than happy to help!

xoxo,

Jackie 

College VoxBox 2012

If you haven't signed up for Influenster.com... go do it now! This is a really cool site that will send you a box of free goodies every once in a while as long as you stay somewhat active on their website. If you are interested in learning more about Influenster.com click HERE and request an invite. After you get your invite and sign up all you need to do it start unlocking badges in whatever areas you like. I was only a member of this site for a month or two and signed on every few weeks to unlock badges and I got a box! It's really that easy. :)  I am not in college and somehow I qualified for the College box, but I am not complaining! Who doesn't love free stuff? I want everyone to know before reading my reviews of these products that I am not at all bashing these companies or Influenster.com. I am giving you my honest opinion, and I am so thankful that Influenster.com chose me to participate. So thank you very much Influenster.com! I greatly appreciate it! Here is what came in my College VoxBox...

NYC Show Time Glitter Eye-Liner Pencil  Retail $2.49

This eyeliner is really great! Its super creamy and has little glitter flecks... It glides on your waterline really nicely, it's soft, and doesn't tug at all. However the glitter can get in your eyes and cause some discomfort. I recommend using this on your top lid only, but if you are brave go ahead and live on the wild side and put it in your water line. ;) I really like this eyeliner and for $2.49 it's a steal! 

Impress Press-On Manicure Retail $7.99 

Are these not the cutest? I did not try these out for myself because I am not a big nail polish or Press-On nail kinda girl... only because I am a stay at home mom and every time I paint my nails I chip them right away. Rgh! After washing dishes or scrubbing floors I take a gander at my nails and half the polish has vanished into thin air! Not cool... at all. I gave these to my boyfriends sister because she loves painting her nails. Hopefully she likes them! But I have heard great things about the Impress brand before, a lot of people really like these nails. If you are interested in finding out more about them click HERE and you will find a ton of reviews on the Impress brand. 

Energy Sheets Retail $5.95

There are pretty gross... just saying. These reminded me of those Listerine strips that you stick on your tongue...ew. You just pop one of these on your tongue and POOF you have instant energy.... NOT! I have tried these twice and I have not noticed a difference in my energy levels at all. I had high hopes for these because I chase after a 16 month old all day and I get a bit tired sometimes. Daniel tried these as well and he didn't notice them working either. So it's not just me. Sadly I think these are a gimmicky product, and for $6 that's a total waste of money. Don't buy these... just drink a cup of coffee and you'll be fine! 

Pentel EnerGel-X Pen Retail $1.90 

$1.90 for A pen... not a pack of pens but one... one freaking pen! I am sorry but I do not like to waste money, and when I can buy a pack of ten pens for a buck that's what I am going to do! But I will be honest with you guys this is a NICE pen. :) It writes soooo smoothly, but like I said it's a pen. I am glad I got it for free because I don'y buy myself nice fancy pens, and this one is really nice. Remember when you were younger and you got all excited to go school supply shopping? No? Am I that lame? Yes, I was that kid. The one that was like YES! New pens, binders, and tab dividers... that's pretty Sweet! My best friend Katie and I would get together before the new school year started just so we could show each other our new school supplies! Geeks. But we thought we were super cool, and back then we would have been ecstatic to get cool pens like these. But nowadays I am like a pen is a pen. But enough of my ranting... this pen is nice, if you want to spend $2 go on ahead. Ill buy my cheap pack for $1 and Ill have 9 more pens that you! muah ha ha ha  ;)

Necco Tropical Wafers Retail $1.25

I hate Necco Wafers... chalk anyone? My mom LOVES the original Necco Wafers so I am saving these for her. I don't know if she is going to like this kind but we shall see! 

xoxo,

Jackie 

Project 17 Bottle Update!

I have finished 6 products from my Project 17 bottle! I am not going to lie to you guys and say that I have not purchased anything because I have... I am weak, I have no will power, I am obsessed. But the good news is that I am still making myself use up my older products before I move onto the new goodies I have accumulated.The picture below shows everything that I have finished and like I promised I will let you know what I think of each product. 

In order from left to right.

1) Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

I am not a big fan of eye makeup removers of any kind. I prefer to just wash my face because I feel like its a hell of a lot quicker, and there is a lot less tugging on my eyes and a lot less oily crap all over my face. This eye makeup remover works ok. I still woke up the next morning with mascara and eye liner smudged under my eyes and I feel that this products claim to be "oil free" is a bunch of bologna. After removing my makeup with this product I still have to wash my eyes so I can get all the oil off. There is also too much tugging on my eyes when using this product, but I will say that it does not sting at all and it does a fairly decent job at removing most of my eye makeup. 

2) CO Bigelow Grapefruit Lotion

I really loved the smell of this lotion! It was light weight but still did a really good job of moisturizing and sank into the skin quickly. I am pretty sure this product has been discontinued so I don't think you can find this in stores anymore. 

3) Aquaphor Healing Ointment 

This stuff is awesome. Its great for dry, cracked skin and it really helped my hands out this winter. I even used it on Eva when she was getting some dry patches on her face, and this helped so much! I will definitely purchase this in the future if I need it. 

4) Bath and Body Works Cucumber Melon Bubble Bath

Not a fan... at all. I do not like the scent. Granted this product was really old and probably way past it expiration date but it made my skin extremely itchy and pretty darn dry. It bubbles up really well, but I'd prefer a different scent. 

5) Nicel Daily Repair Cream

This actually had Equate Absolutely Beaming Moisturizer in it, the pump broke on its bottle so I went ahead and put it in this container. This product was good, but I don't see myself repurchasing it since I have fallen in love with Puristics skincare. This had an SPF in it which I love, and it moisturized my skin really well. This product is supposed to even out your skin tone, which I don't think it did, but overall its a good buy. 

6) American Eagle Shimmering Body Lotion

This smelled really clean and fresh and it was a deep moisturizer. I really enjoyed this! It does has shimmer though so its not great for everyday use. It moisturized really well, but I would not recommend layering this with perfumes or body sprays. The lotion is strongly scented and can be worn alone as your scent for the day as well as your lotion. 

xoxo,

Jackie 

HUGE Makeup Clearance at CVS!!!

CVS is having a huge clearance event on a lot of their makeup products. I went today and yes I bought a few things... even though I am on a Project 20 Pan. I am a huge failure... wah wah waaaah. Do not fret! I am still doing my Project 20 Pan, but being the makeup obsessed lady that I am I couldn't turn down a 50%-75% off sale! This clearance event is happening at all CVS' across the U.S. as far as I know. So if you are in the market for some new goodies I highly suggest you mosey on down to your nearest one... or 5. ;) I only went to one store, believe me I wanted to go to more but I had a napping baby at home and I was on a mission to finish my Christmas shopping for the boyfrand. So while Eva was at home snoozing with her Pops I decided to check out CVS while I was out and about and boy did I score! I only picked up 4 items, and I am very proud of myself for that. It was hard not to grab every single thing, but I really am trying to buy less makeup.  

Here is what I got! 

As you can see everything I got was 75% off, I only spent $8.65 and that is without any coupons! 

Milani Nail Polish in Mint Candy $4.60

After discounts $1.17

Revlon Colorstay Blemish Concealer in Fair $10

After discounts $2.49

Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara in Blackest Black $8.99

After Discounts $2.25

Milani Runway Eyes in 01 Designer Browns $9.49

After discounts $2.25

Total before discounts $33.08

Total after discounts $8.65

That's a total savings of $24.43! 

Now I am sure you can see why I couldn't turn this sale down! Now stop reading already and go get you some makeup!

xoxo,

Jackie 

Project 17 Bottle

Here I go again!

I am really trying to live minimally... well somewhat minimally. I still love my beauty products and I fully intend to keep buying more and trying new things, because well I am just unstoppable. But I really do want to cut back and only have the essentials and not a ton of extras taking up space and going bad. So along with my Project 20 pan where I am trying to use up 20 makeup products, I am also embarking on a Project 17 Bottle. I am going to attempt to use up 17 beauty products before I allow myself to buy anything else. The only exceptions to this project are that I am allowed to purchase a product if I run out of it and I need a replacement. Also if I can get the item for free with coupons then I am allowed to purchase it. I am not putting a time limit on this project either, I will not be finished until all 17 products are completely gone. I plan on updating you guys every few weeks to show you my progress and I will also give a mini review on each finished product. 

Here are the products I am going to use up! 

From left to right.

1. C.O. Bigelow Grapefruit Lotion

2. Tree Hut Coconut Lime Body Scrub

3. Got2b Kinkier Curling Spray Gel 

4. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover 

5. Suave Dry Shampoo

6. Nicel Daily Repair Cream

7. Precious Perfume

8. Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

9. Aquaphor Ointment 

10. Got2b Smooth Operator 

11. Super+ BB Cream 

12. Elf Zit Zapper

13. Up and Up Brand Lavender Baby Lotion

14. Bath and Body Works Cucumber Melon Bubble Bath

15. Small Jar of Vaseline

16. Loreal Go 360 Clean Facial Cleanser

17. Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser 

As always wish me luck! I can resist the beauty isles... right? ;) 

xoxo,

Jackie