little white truths

Another month comes to a close and I've got another bundle of empties to send to the recycling bin. Woot woot!

I've finished off a good amount of full-sized products in April, and I'm happiest to see the end of the three Bodyography items. I love them all, but I've had them for ages now and they seemed to last forever, so I'm glad I can put them aside and play with something else for a while.

So without further ado, here's what I've finished this month:

Bodyography Natural Finish Foundations in 160 and 165

I've talked about these enough via Project Pan so I won't go on about them too much here, other than to say that these are so far the best foundations I've ever used. 

I prefer a lighter base so I tend to stick to tinted moisturisers and BB/CC creams, but these look so natural on the skin that you can believe you're not wearing anything. I've reviewed them here. Repurchase? Yes.

Bodyography Veil Foundation Primer in Tahitian Glow

Full review here. This is a great primer that smooths the skin and creates a good base for makeup, plus it gives you a natural glow that's extra nice in the warmer months. 

My only issue with the product is that it's quite silicone-y and I've recently realised that I prefer silicone-free primers that offer hydration more than anything else (maybe because my skin is dry), so I probably wouldn't buy it again. I do recommend it though if you're fine with silicone products and need something that performs. Repurchase? No.

Argo Naturals Rose Water Tonic

This became an HG face spray of mine almost from the first use: it plumps and hydrates my skin beautifully and the effect lasts for ages so I didn't get through it as fast as I do other sprays. I've reviewed it here.

The only bad thing about the product is the packaging (it's one of those sprays that's too directed and forceful), but I decanted mine into a different bottle straight away so that's an easy fix. I'll miss this now that it's gone and it's definitely one I'll look at buying in future. Purchase? Yes.

BareVitamins Skin Re-ver Upper

Full review here. I picked this up from strawberrynet for a song and I quite liked it, but not enough to buy it again.

It sinks beautifully into the skin and spreads well, plus it has a brightening effect and my skin looks fresher, cleaner and younger after use. I've used better serums however so I won't come back to it. Repurchase? No.

The texture of these wipes is different from any other wipe I've tried: they're quite thick, soft and silky, and they feel great against the skin. They also contain a good amount of moisture, but they only work well on 'easy' makeup like powders and don't do much for the harder stuff like eyeliner and mascara. Repurchase? No.

Glamourflage Mellow May Lip Balm

Full review here. This wasn't a great lip balm so I ended up using it on my tootsies after my nightly shower because it's clear and it worked well to keep those hydrated.

It's thin and slippery and doesn't stay put on the lips for long, plus I found it quite drying on my already dry lips so I didn't want to use it there. Happily the tin is cute so I'll be keeping that to store things like safety pins. Purchase? No.

Urban Skincare Co Infuse Body Balm

You've probably seen a bundle of empties of this product before because we scored a few of them when we stayed in a hotel last year. Full review here.

The cream smells good and it's super hydrating and nourishing without leaving a greasy residue. It also absorbs and spreads well, so a little goes a long way and this 35ml sample didn't vanish in a few uses, as some body creams tend to do. It's definitely one I would use again. Purchase? Yes.

Elucent Whitening Hand Cream

Full review here. Now this one I didn't like. It's quite a thick cream and it has a faint scent that reminds me of a product I've used in the past to bleach my teeth. The smell is rather off-putting, and it makes me wonder what's in there that gives the cream its claimed 'whitening' effect, and whether I should be using it on my skin.

Also, it doesn't absorb well and it leaves a residue, so I ended up getting through this by using it on my legs. Glad to see the back of it! Purchase? No.

I won't go on about these here because I've done that enough via Project Pan, though I will say that I wasn't a huge fan of either and wouldn't use them again. They're not bad products, it's just that I've used better ones and I'm glad I've finished them. Purchase? No to both.

In sum

Gosh, another month down. The best products in this lot are the three Bodyography products and the Argo Naturals face spray. I also like the Urban Skincare body cream, but everything else I can take or leave.

Have you finished anything amazing this month? I'd love to hear : )

I used to be a bit suspect when it came to micellar products because I'd used the fabled Bioderma version a bundle of times and never had any luck with it. 

Samples of the stuff kept showing up in sub boxes and I would dutifully use them and attempt to discover what all the fuss was about, but time and time again the product just didn't work for me. I've no idea why, but I found it useless as a makeup remover - to the point where using plain water felt like it was doing a better job.

Anyhoo. I've put that Bioderma version in the 'not for me' basket and have gotten over my suspicion when it comes to micellar cleansers because I've now found some wipes and two waters (this Garnier item being one of them) that do what they say they will do, which is all one can ever ask for from a beauty product. Plus this one's cheaper than Bioderma's offering, so it's all worked out in the end ; )

Garnier claims/product details:

• Removes makeup, cleanses and soothes skin on the face, eyes and lips in one step without the need to rinse off
• Micelles are an active cleansing ingredient that act as a magnet to capture impurities, makeup and sebum on the skin without vigorous rubbing
• The result? Perfectly cleansed and refreshed skin without vigorous rubbing or rinsing
• A soothing formula without perfume to suit all skin types, even sensitive
• The 400ml format corresponds to 200 applications (on a cotton pad)
• RRP $12.99 AUD for 400ml, but do shop around

Verdict

The end of April crept up on me this month and I hadn't started giving thought to my monthly favourites until yesterday. 

Happily I only needed to scan my bathroom to know which products have been getting a serious work-out this month, and I've decided to just use the photos I have of each of my five picks: the MOR soap is unwrapped and doesn't look as fancy as it once did (it just looks like a white round of soap); and it's also dreary outside today so I don't fancy my chances of taking a fresh round of shots anyway.

Also, note that I don't have any makeup favourites this month, largely because I've been focusing on my Project Pan products and there's no particular makeup item that I've been reaching for more than anything else. So I don't want to just grab something randomly to make this list of favourites more 'balanced': I'd rather just talk about those things that I've been seriously loving this month.

So without further ado...

I've reviewed this here. As you may know, I'm not a soap person and I normally pass on any soaps I receive in sub boxes to my husband, but I had to keep this one because it smells so good and it's from MOR (one of my favourite bath & body brands).

It's just a beautiful product that screams luxe and it's also an effective cleanser: it lathers well and leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft without stripping or irritating it. I've been reaching for it instead of the body gels I have open because I'm loving it so much, so it had to get a mention because it's unusual that I'll reach for soap as a preference. Such a yum product.

Alpha-H Balancing Moisturiser and Gentle Exfoliant

You're probably sick of hearing me go on about Alpha-H skincare, but I have to include this as a monthly favourite because I've been loving it throughout April and it's done great things for my skin. I've reviewed it here.

It's a moisturiser but it contains glycolic acid so it has an exfoliating effect too. What I love about it is that my skin just looks brighter and more radiant after use, plus it feels firmer and smoother too. It's designed for oily/combination skin, and while my skin is dry, this works wonders for me in terms of hydration, so don't discount it if your skin is like mine because it may work for you too.

O&M No Knott Conditioning Detangler

This was one of those rare surprise finds and I only bought it because it was on clearance at one of Australia's cheaper online retailers: I added it to my cart to bring up my total so I could get free shipping. So glad I did! I've reviewed it here.

It smells great and leaves my hair feeling beautifully soft, nourished and manageable, and looking shinier and healthier too. It's one of those products that does exactly what it claims to do, and it's made the whole combing process so much easier than it used to be. I have a feeling that I'll repurchase it when my bottle is done, because I've never used anything like it that works this well.

Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

Full review here. This is an amazing product and I'll be really surprised if I ever find something better. It's a cult-favourite mask for good reason: it works with a minimum of fuss and it seems to work on a variety of different skin types.

So many masks are flooding the market these days but few I've tried do exactly what they say they will do. This does. It refreshes and renews the complexion, plus it reduces fine lines and improves skintone, firmness and radiance. My skin always looks good after using it, and I really can't fault the product - other than to say it ain't cheap, but if it works then I can overlook that.

Ren Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

Ren has quickly become one of my favourite brands for 'treatment' products (as opposed to standard moisturisers/cleansers) and this is another item that tops my skincare list. I've reviewed it here.

I really don't know how to describe the results I get from this product, other than to say that it absolutely meets all its claims. Yes it instantly revitalises and visibly rejuvenates the skin; yes it smooths, firms and tones; yes it reduces signs of fatigue and imperfections; and yes it evens out the complexion and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I definitely need to buy a back-up of this because my tube is looking well-loved!

In sum

Just looking at all these goodies makes me want to use them right now, and I reckon it's a great sign when you've been using something for a while and you still get just as excited as you did when you first discovered it. I feel that way about all of these items so this tells me that they're clear winners.

Let me know what you've been loving this month!

You may remember that the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask has been on my wishlist for ages after seeing Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends give it a rave review. I trust her skincare reviews because she seems to like a lot of the products that I do, so when I saw her gush about the pumpkin mask, it went straight to the wishlist.

I'd been keeping an eye out for it but it had vanished from Beauty Bay's Peter Thomas Roth collection (it's back in stock now) and Mecca doesn't carry it either. However, Beauty Bay had a sale over the Easter period and I came across this little kit, which retails for around $70 AUD but I did get $20 off the total of my order - which included the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, another item from my wishlist - and the two products just crossed me over the line to qualify for the discount.

Fresh out of my three-month spending ban, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab both!

The kit contains five of Peter Thomas Roth's masks, in decent 50ml sizes:

I only have two face masks on the go at the moment and I've been in the market for another one. I'd had my eye on some items from Glamglow but I've recently tested those and they didn't grab me - plus they're super expensive. Most of the masks in this kit retail for around $46 AUD each (less than half of what a Glamglow product will set you back), so if I love any of them, it won't break the bank if I want to pick up a full size.

I'll comment briefly on each mask now and then I'll review them separately as I open them, following up with a round-up post on the kit as a whole in case anyone's interested in grabbing the set, as opposed to any individual product.

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask

This is an anti-ageing treatment that aims to minimise the ageing effects of stress and help re-energise dull skin. It's infused with pure 24K gold, which locks in moisture and keeps the skin firm, and the mask is designed to deliver intense hydration, revealing plump, firmer looking skin. 

I'll probably open this first because it's exactly what my dry skin needs right now!

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Mask

This aims to purify, refine and decongest. It contains ingredients that have been used for centuries in Ireland and Asia, and it should draw out dirt, oil and impurities and leave me with smaller-looking pores and glowing skin. Sounds good! 

I do have a purifying mud mask open at the moment so I'll finish that first before opening this one. I've never found a mud mask that beats my HG Cellilux Glacial Mineral Gel (which is unfortunately really hard to come by everywhere else but Singapore), so fingers crossed this one's just as good.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask 

Ah, the mask I can blame for the purchase! It's apparently a highly effective exfoliating treatment that addresses dull, ageing and congested complexions. It should peel away dull surface skin cells to reveal a fresh and youthful radiance, and it contains crystals used in microdermabrasion treatments to completely polish the skin.

I do have a microdermabrasion product open at the moment, but it's a few uses away from being finished so I've been on the look-out for a replacement product for a while (one of the reasons why this mask was on my wishlist). Can't wait to finish it and start using this one!

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask 

This is an ultra-gel, non-stinging, anti-irritant gel masque for all skin types - even the most sensitive skin. It's recommended for daily use as a hydrating and calming masque, and may also be used under the eye area to reduce puffiness.

Now this sounds interesting. I'm not sure I've ever used anything like it. I hadn't looked into this one until now (the top three products were enough to make me want the kit and I didn't bother researching the other two), but I may well open it soon because I could use it on 'non mask' days if my skin needs something extra. Fingers crossed that it's good.

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask 

This is a cooling facial mask that rejuvenates mature, sensitive and lacklustre complexions. It aims to repair the skin, promote surface regeneration and restore suppleness while rebuilding the moisture barrier for healthier hydration levels. It also heals irritation and soothes and tones the skin.

On second thoughts, I might open this before the 24K gold one: my skin is dry and irritated at the moment so I do need something to help with that and nothing else I've been using has addressed it completely. Hopefully this will do the job.

In sum

I can't tell you how excited I am about this little set! I love the Ren Glycolactic Radiance Mask I'm using at the moment but I have no other mask (aside from the aforementioned Cellilux product) that really works for me, so I hope that at least one of these products is a winner. Plus $46 for the full-sized masks is less than I'm used to paying for the really good ones, so it'd be awesome if I could find a gem or two in this lot.

I'll let you know how I go : )

Happily it's been a pretty big Project Pan month for me and I've managed to finish a Lime Crime lipstick (included in a mini update recently), and in the past few days I've also knocked off my two Bodyography Foundations, plus my Emite Highlighting Pen. Woot woot! Now that's what I call a good month : )

So here's my list as it now stands:

Above are my finished items. You can see that the Emite product is so dead that I've had to scrape the last bits out, and the Bodyography foundations are looking nicely empty: made possible because I used these almost every day throughout April (I was determined!).

Do note that I've reserved around five pumps each of the foundations (enough for five applications, mixed together at one pump each) because the formula is my HG liquid foundation and I wanted to save the last little bits so I could compare it to new products as I open them in the next month or two. I thought it was wise to do this so I know if anything else I use beats the formula (doubtful ; )).

Now let's have a look at where my other products are at:

My Evelyn Iona Concealer is a great product but it doesn't offer enough coverage for me at the moment under my eyes because I'm so sleep-deprived, so I've been using it more for concealing redness on my face than anything else. I have a back-up for this so I don't mind getting through it.

There's some nice pan showing on my 'Tini Beauty eyeshadow! Another product I have a back-up for, so I'm more than happy to get through it. I use this every day as either an eyeshadow or face highlighter, and there's still plenty left. I find powders so hard to get through but I'm determined.

My Shanghai Suzy Lipstick in Miss Sarah Jane Neon Coral started out looking pretty well-loved and it's looking more and more so as the days pass. Not long to go on this one: two months at the most? I tend to finish lip products the fastest because my lips are so dry that I'm forever applying something to them.

The Nella Fantasia Pore Control Astringent Gel is a newer inclusion and it still feels like one of those products that I'll never see the back of. It's 180ml in size, which is part of the problem, but even with twice-daily applications I can't seem to get through it! Maybe it will feel lighter next month.

Considering how much I didn't like this Australis contour kit, I've still managed to get some good use from it : )

The highlighter shades are fine for setting my base because I use so little of them (I have dry skin and need to go super lightly with powders) and they're quite finely milled so they work fine for that. The middle contour shade is good for my brows and the other two I'm using as dry shampoo. Here's to re-purposing products that don't work for you!

Ach, the never-ending pencils ; ) The Bloom pencil is looking quite a bit smaller, and the Dd'ell product is also starting to shrink a touch. The Teeez liner is a twist-top product so you can't see how much is gone (about half) and I probably use the least amount of that one each time because it's so pigmented. Slow and steady wins the race...

That's it! Now that's thirteen products and I wanted to keep my list at around fifteen, so I've decided to include two more for now and I've got a couple waiting in the wings for when I've finished other stuff from my list.

Revlon Age Defying CC Cream in 030 Medium

I've reviewed this here. It's a fantastic product but I wound up with two (one came in a sub box after I'd already purchased mine) and I'd like to finish this second tube so I can focus on trying new things. 

Now that the Bodyography foundations are gone, it's also my oldest base product so I'd like to use it while the sunscreen it contains is still effective: it's been open for around ten months so it's definitely time to get cracking. There's still a lot left and I don't expect it to be gone for a few months because I probably won't be using it every day: I want to mix things up now that those Bodyography products are gone.

GHD Straight & Tame Cream

This is my oldest haircare product and I really want to get through it so I can move on to other things. I've reviewed it here. It's not a bad product but I prefer John Frieda's Frizz Ease, which is what I'd be replacing it with if I didn't still have it. 

I've no idea how much is left because the container is black and I can't see through it, but I suspect there's still heaps in here because hair products last me centuries: I don't use things like this every day and I only use a little each time when I do use them. Fingers crossed I'll be through it by the end of the year so I can buy myself some Frizz Ease for Christmas : )

In sum

Phew! These full updates always take it out of me so I'm glad to have this month's one done. The end of April has snuck up on me a bit so I'll have to get the empties and favourites posts happening in the next couple of days too.

Until next month!

This one's a brightening treatment that aims to instantly give the look of radiant, luminous skin. It was my favourite of the three GlamGlow products I sampled and the only one I might consider buying.

Palmolive Naturals Active Nourishment Shampoo & Conditioner




Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-blemish Masque


MOR Blood Orange Hand Cream

Ever since Violet Box folded I've felt a little like a subscription box junkie without a home: none of the other boxes on the Australian market have impressed me quite the way that one did.

Lust Have It can be hit and miss (and same same) and the customer service has its issues, and while The Parcel's offerings are becoming more interesting over time and the boxes are always good value, you wind up with a lot of products from brands you know well, so for me it doesn't have the x factor that Violet Box once did.

Enter Maslow & Co. After seeing an unboxing on Youtube and finding a coupon code (see below if you'd like one), I decided to cancel my Lust Have It subscription and sign up. Yes you're paying more for each individual box, but the boxes are bi-monthly so it works out to be better value than LHI over the course of a year.

I knew from the moment my first box arrived yesterday that I was onto a good thing: just look at that gorgeous packaging and presentation! The package felt luxe and heavy, and even though I'd already seen the contents online, I was still surprised by just how good everything looked. Even the booklet that comes with the box is beautifully presented and feels much more special than the description cards I've received with any other sub box.

In this post I'll give you a little info on Maslow & Co, and I'll do an unboxing and first impressions on everything I received. Later on I'll write full reviews of each product, so stay tuned for those if you're interested.

Note also that I got in touch with Maslow & Co to ask about the coupon code I planned to use, and the lass I spoke with was lovely and super responsive. She was also kind enough to give me my own coupon code to share with you all, so if you buy an annual subscription and use the code TRUTHS, you'll receive this NZ Box for free and your first 'official' box will be the West Coast USA Box, which ships in June. (I don't receive any commission if you use my code, and I'm not affiliated with Maslow & Co: this is just a code that will give you a free box.)

Look at all that goodness! This is the New Zealand box, and each box will focus on a particular country and include items from there.

Here's what Maslow & Co says about itself on its website:

Maslow & Co is a beauty exploration membership: bringing our beloved members the very best in beauty and wellness from our own backyard to beyond the border – all delivered to your doorstep.

Every second month you will receive a beautifully wrapped box brimming with handpicked beauty and wellness products, sourced from a chosen country.

Inside your Maslow box you’ll find a carefully curated selection of scarce and extra special samples, created by some of the most innovative and inspiring brands from our focus destination. These are not mainstream products, nor necessarily boutique; rather they’re premium, up-and-coming brands that are yet to be fully discovered. Until now...

For more info on Maslow & Co, see here.

Now let's have a look at the box!

Martina Organics Oil Cleanser (RRP $29 AUD for 30ml; received full size)

This cleansing oil is apparently hand-blended in small batches, and is designed to do more than cleanse: it also heals and hydrates your skin daily, while melting away impurities, excess sebum and makeup. A blend of argan, manuka and hemp fights acne-causing inflammation and treats existing blemishes, while jojoba clears pores and marula and jasmine treat redness and scarring.

I used this for the first time last night and absolutely loved it. Cleansing oils seem to be having their moment these days and many people swear by them, and I felt straight away that this particular oil might be the best one I've used to date. It smells lovely and feels wonderful on the skin, plus it did a good job of removing the gunk on my face. Can't wait to use it again!

Sans[ceuticals] Baobab Regenerative Body Cream (RRP $40.05 for 250ml; received 50ml sample)

Rich, silky and designed to hydrate, this body cream is designed to take anti-ageing beyond the face. The combination of vitamin a, omega oils, vitamin e and baobab lipids increases collagen production to improve skin elasticity and density, refining and regenerating the whole body. Can be used to treat eczema and psoriasis.

I tested this last night and it felt so beautiful and rich on the skin - plus it smelled lovely - although it did take a bit of work to get it to absorb. It may be one of those creams that works best if you warm it in your hands before application, so I'll try that next time and see how it goes.

Antipodes Chia and Kiwi Seed Superfood Serum (RRP $49 AUD for 30ml; received full size)

This serum contains a blend of oils from superfoods chia and kiwi fruit: chia seed is full of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, while kiwi seed oil is a rich source of vitamins c, e and omega 3. The serum creates a natural barrier to lock in moisture, reduce inflammation, stabilise oily skin and deliver a youthful glow.

I used this last night and this morning, and last night it smelled a little like fish to me, although the fishy smell wasn't as pronounced this morning and I could only detect it as a residual scent on my hands. It could just be me because I'm quite sensitive to smells and often smell things others don't, but I wanted to mention it anyway so you know what to expect. The serum itself is just gorgeous in texture and it melts beautifully into the skin, and it's just what my dry skin needs now that the weather's getting cooler. I have a feeling that my skin will really love this.

Infused with lime and ginger oils, this body polish is both sweet and zingy, refreshing the senses and softening the skin with cocoa butter and bamboo powder.

I used this in my shower yesterday and it smells wonderful and refreshing, and it's an absolute pleasure to use. I wouldn't buy the product because I'm not sure how well it cleans (it doesn't lather too well) and the scrubby matter doesn't seem to do a lot for exfoliation, but the product does leave your skin feeling wonderfully soft. It's the kind of interesting and unique product that would make a good present for the lass who has everything beauty-related, and I'll enjoy using it even though it's not something I would buy for myself.

Linden Leaves skincare range is designed to inspire a moment of peace in each day. This eye cream is a lightly textured, soothing treatment for tired and ageing eyes. It's enriched with white tea and melon extract for cell renewal and regeneration, while aloe vera hydrates.

I've used this twice now and have a feeling that it will end up being my favourite product in the box. It is indeed lightweight but it's still super nourishing and my dry skin loves it. Just go easy on the pump though: the full pump I squeezed out last night was far too much for both eyes, so pump it gently to start with and don't be trigger happy like I was!

This uses extracts of iris root, ginseng and kiwi fruit seed oil to boost radiance and elasticity, while assisting cell regeneration - the key factors to counter dull skin texture and visible lines.

I just used this and you can tell that it's designed for depleted or damaged skin like mine because it's rich and nourishing (you could also have received the Recovery Day Cream, which presumably was included in boxes for those who don't have dry skin). It has a light, refreshing scent and absorbs well, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works on my skin over time.

In sum

What an amazing box! Its RRP value is over $200, and for $40 AUD outlay that's pretty amazing. On top of that, I'll use everything and there's not a bad product in the bunch.

An annual subscription to Maslow & Co will set you back $240 AUD and the price for an individual box is $44 AUD (shipping included). Also, you don't need to sign up for a full year and can just choose particular boxes and purchase those if you'd prefer.

As mentioned above, if you'd like to receive this NZ box for free when you sign up for annual membership, just use the code TRUTHS at the checkout. Then the first 'official' box on your subscription will be delivered in June. I'm not affiliated with Maslow & Co and I don't receive any commission if you do use my code, but I wanted to have a code for readers anyway because I'm prepared to put myself behind the company.

Maslow & Co also has a shop and rewards program (for more info, see Malsow & Co's website), and everything about Maslow & Co that I've experienced so far has impressed me: the customer service; the presentation; the look and feel of the website; and the quality of the boxes themselves. Everything about Maslow & Co screams luxury and just receiving your box makes you feel special - that's what you want!

I reckon Maslow & Co's entry onto the Australian subscription box market is super exciting and a much-needed breath of fresh air, and I can't wait to receive my next box : )

You may not be able to finish products, and that's ok

This is an important one to note: I've touched on it above, but I wanted to include the point under its own heading. 

People who've been beauty junkies for ages often have a bunch of products that are already showing pan or have huge dents in them. For those like myself who started gathering a collection only a few years ago (keeping in mind that I'm always decluttering and passing on things I don't use), there's barely anything I own - I'm talking powders like eyeshadows etc - that I could possibly finish within a year (or whatever your set timeframe is).

If that's you too, there's nothing wrong with including items that you won't finish, but that you'd like to make a dent in. So for example, I've got a blush and a highlighter on my list at the moment that I can't hope to get through by Christmas, but at least they'll be looking a lot more worn by then!

Include 'easy' products to help keep you motivated

This is another important one, or at least it is for me. I always make sure that my list includes things that will be finished soon enough because then I'll be making progress and I'll feel like I've actually achieved something. 

So if you want to include eg a sample or travel-sized setting powder, that's not 'cheating' and there's no rule that says you can only use full-sized products. If your list includes some smaller items as well as ones that are in for the long haul, you're more likely to stay committed and last out the timeframe you've set for yourself.

I really should have put this point at the top of the list! If you're not going to get some enjoyment from at least part of the Project Pan process, then it mightn't be for you. Like many beauty junkies, I get a thrill from seeing a flash of pan appear in the bottom of my powders, and I'm super excited whenever I finish something and can remove it from my collection. To the rest of the world this may seem rather sad or bizarre, but I'd say that most beauty junkies will understand it ; )

Does Project Pan get tedious? Yes it does. But it also feels worthwhile for a bundle of reasons: you're getting use from things you've paid good money for (instead of being wasteful); you're making an over-sized collection a little bit smaller; you're perhaps even creating gaps in your collection that can be filled by fun new purchases.

There's enough good stuff about Project Pan that makes us keep doing it, but if you're not finding any enjoyment in the process, then don't put yourself through the torture. If you're committed to doing it, it's worth finding others in the beauty community who are doing it too so you can make new connections and keep each other motivated. That's the good stuff : )

In sum

That's my list! Hopefully something in there is useful for anyone thinking about doing Project Pan for the first time. If you have anything to add to the list, please do - I'd love to hear : )