July check-in!
Purchases: I spent $255.61 this month on items from Fresh and The Ordinary, along with a new face wash, collagen peptide powder, and a spf moisturizer, bringing me to $602.21 spent to date in 2019. From Fresh, I got the Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask, Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Cream, Sugar Face Polish (trial size), and Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Serum. From The Ordinary I got the Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density, Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, and Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squaline.
Used Up: I used up quite a bit of products, including the Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel (mini), The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (Previously Advanced Retinoid), The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum, Fresh Rose Face Mask (point perk), Farmacy Green Screen Daily Environmental Protector with with Echinacea GreenEnvy™ (point perk), Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (point perk).
Decluttered/Gave Away: I decluttered the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Mini (worked as intended but the scent was too flowery for me), Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser, BECCA Velvet Blurring Primer-Perfecting Base (Sephora point perk...it separated before I could use it), and Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder (used up half but didn't see much of a difference). I gave away the Qhemet Biologics Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade and the three Summer Fridays masks to my sister because she was interested in them.
Favorites of the Month:
- Makeup: MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour- I haven't worn it in a while, but returned back to it. I love how it evens out my skin tone and doesn't feel heavy. Definitely want to repurchase it one day, but I want to get through this and my other liquid foundation before I purchase another one
- Skincare: Black Girl Sunscreen- I typically only use SPF during the summer months, and have gone a very long time without wear SPF, but when I found out about this product, I jumped at the chance to order it. It's very moisturizing, hasn't broken me out, a little goes a long way, and it ca be used on the face and body. Plus, I'm happy to support a black owned business
- Hair: Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend- Such as penetrative yet light oil for the hair and body. I typically use it as a hot oil treatment or to seal in moisture after applying my hair cream
Aha moments:
- I don't have as much of a love for buying makeup as I used to. Instead, I've shifted my attention to finding the best products to address my skincare needs. With makeup, I've become a creature of habit and prefer buying products that are tried and true for me. With skincare, I want to find the best products to not only address my skincare concerns, but also to have a more efficient streamlined regimen. I would rather have less products that do everything than a ton of products that address little.
- I've noticed that I do a great job at using my skincare and haircare products, but need to do better at tracking when I begin using liquid or cream makeup products.
- I also saw this video by Mixed Makeup on the 11 skincare products you don't need (but are nice to have)
Goals for August:
I've already purchased some items that need replenishing, but my main goals for August are to continue using up products that are almost done. I have a lot of items that with consistent use, I should be done with by the start of October.