u/beatrixie8

I’ve gotten to the point where I have very few Project Pan items left and I’m mostly using HG staples now. Each month my empties pile gets a little smaller!

HAIR
💔Pantene Pro-Vitamin Essence Weightless Leave On Treatment- made my hair feel like absolute STRAW until the next shampoo day. I kept trying it but finally gave up. There’s about 1/3-1/4 of the bottle left- I’m done. Would never repurchase.
🩷Garnier Fructis Curl Refresher spray- I loved the scent and this did what it was supposed to do on second and third day hair. Great price point too. I don’t wear my hair natural all that often but would repurchase at some point. I’m using a Curlsmith refresh product now and it’s very similar for WAY more $$.
🩷Dove Scalp+Hair Therapy conditioner. Works great to soften and detangle. Light weight enough for my fine hair. Would repurchase but I’ll probably try a different Dove conditioner next time. There’s no scalp benefit because it only goes on the lengths and ends.
🏆IGK Good Behavior anti frizz and heat protectant spray- HG! Will repurchase. Works great after I blow dry if I’m using more heat like a curling or straightening iron. Smell good too! I usually buy the full size but had this mini for travel.
🩷Cake the Deep Treat hair mask- smells awesome. Works well. Not too heavy. Would repurchase although I will probably try a different hair mask next time.

FACE
🏆Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer- LOVE. This is my 3rd or 4th tube of this. I use nightly and sometimes in the morning before spf as well. Works great to sandwhich with tretinoin.

BODY
🏆Dove+crumbl Strawberry Crumb Cake beauty bar- BEST BEST BEST bar soap ever. This was limited edition and I only have 2 left. The scent is perfection and it cleanses well and isn’t drying. Would repurchase if it ever came back!
🏆Dove+crumbl Strawberry Crumb Cake deodorant- same as above. I LOVED this. I scraped every bit out of the tube. I wish this line was permanent.

MAKEUP
🏆Ilia Super Serum skin tint- HG! I always repurchase and have for years. It’s great for normal to dryer skin. Feels incredible. Lasts all day. People often comment on the scent being bad but I don’t smell much of anything. Perfect product!
🏆Tartlette tubing mascara- LOVE! I use it with the primer. I’m on my second tube now. This replaced the Thrive Cosmetics tubing mascara I had been using for years. This one’s even better! Lasts until you take it off. Removes easily with water only.

PERFUME
🩷Kayali Eden Juicy Apple- smelled nice but not my fave. Would not buy a full size. Was fun to use an apple scent in September for a few days though.

Obviously, these are not all things that I started AND finished in one month- many had been started months or even years earlier, but I ended up finishing up quite a few things in the month of August!

I was really glad to finish up several of these items that didn’t work for me for their intended purpose, and I had to find alternate uses for.

HAIR
🩷Epres bond repair treatment. I have been using this about once a week since February of this year. I do like the way my hair feels after having used it, but I don’t know that I necessarily need to keep using it once I finish up the last two bottles that I still have.
🆗Joico purple shampoo. This is fine. It’s a purple shampoo. I have silver hair so maybe once a month I like to use a purple shampoo. I don’t think I would necessarily pick this one again, but I didn’t hate it.
❌Native hydrating shampoo in bare coconut scent. GROSS. This smelled absolutely disgusting like coconut scented plastic. I also didn’t like the way my hair felt after the one time that I used it. I ended up using it to clean my toilet.

FACE
🏆Garnier micellar water. I love this stuff. I don’t use it every day, but I use it for taking off eye makeup occasionally. Sometimes I buy the big bottle and then just refill the little bottle to store in my medicine cabinet.
☹️Paula’s Choice intensive repair cream. I have purchased this a few times and sadly it no longer works for my skin- not sure what changed, but it did not make my skin feel good. I ended up using it on my hands and it is a nice creamy lotion for that purpose.
☹️Paula’s Choice vitamin C serum. Apparently vitamin C does not work well for me. I haven’t been able to find a vitamin C product that doesn’t make me break out. to use this up, I used it as a hand and body lotion because it’s a creamier serum consistency.
☹️elf vitamin C eye cream. I liked this until I realized it was giving me millia around my eyes. Like everything else this month, I ended up using it on my hands.
🩷NYX dewy setting spray. I really liked this. It did not react with my skin which was good and it did give a dewy finish. I don’t use setting spray every day but I would re-purchase this the next time I feel like I want one.

BODY
🩷The Ordinary glycolic acid toner. A little goes a looong way! I bought this to use on my body. I used it on my under arms sometimes and I also used it on other parts of my body that tend to get bumps and it worked well. I would buy again.
🩷First Aid Beauty KP bump eraser. I’ve had this a couple of times. It works well as a body exfoliator. I would repurchase if I ever find it again at TJ Maxx for a good price.
🏆Loving Tan 10 Minute Express. This stuff is absolutely amazing. I’m on my second tube of it will continue to re-purchase forever.
🏆b.tan I Want the Darkest Tan Possible. For the price (which is like $9!) this is the best self tan mousse I’ve ever used. I will re-purchase to supplement my use of tje 10 min Loving Tan, which is extremely expensive.
🏆Dove x crumbl strawberry crumbcake beauty bar. This is my absolute most favorite bar soap I’ve ever had in my entire life. It was limited edition, and I bought a bunch of it but now I only have two bars left, and I’m sad. Really hoping that Dove comes out with another yummy smelling beauty bar before I run out.
😶body loofah. I bought a couple of these at either the dollar store or grocery outlet. These were not great but they were OK for the price. I got a few uses out of them but would not re-purchase.

PERFUME
🩷Kayali Utopia Vanilla Coco sample. Enjoyed using this but don’t need a full size.
❌Kayali Yum Bougie Marshmallow sample. This smells good on other people, but I do not like it for myself.
🏆Kayali Vanilla 28 travel spray. I adore this scent. I have the larger body mist version to use now.
❌Jimmy Choo. This smells nice, but it’s not my preferred scent profile.

NAILS
❌World Market cuticle oil. This came in a cute little set at Christmas time with a hand cream. It’s patchouli amber scent- it smells amazing, but it was oddly drying for a cuticle oil!
🏆Bliss Kiss cuticle oil pen. I have repurchased these so many times and keep one everywhere. The best!

MAKE UP
🩷Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk. I’ve had this particular lip liner pencil for so many years! I like the color, but it finally has gotten to the point where no matter how often I sharpen it, there’s parts of the wooden pencil portion that scratch my lip! So even though there’s a nub of it left, I’m tossing it. I will not spend this much $ on a lip liner going forward.

HAIR
👑Pantene Sheer Volume shampoo- this is the best shampoo for my fine, wavy hair. Cleans well, doesn’t strip, leaves it very soft.
👑Ouai Detox shampoo- I go through maybe two of these little ones a year. I use this a couple times a month to really deep clean my scalp. Works great, smells good.
😐Ouai fine hair mask- nothing special but it does smell amazing.
😐K18 AirWash dry shampoo- the hype is not real on this one for my hair type. It’s just OK. I really prefer IGK First Class.

FACE
👑Paula’s Choice Essential Glow moisturizer SPF 30- HG for years! Moisturizes well, layers perfectly with any makeup, and leaves a nice glow without being glittery or shimmery.
🩷Ulta Milky Toner- I really like this. I’ve repurchased it a couple of times. I like to use it in the morning after I rinse my face. Gives a light moisture and just makes me feel awake.
🩷Paul’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliator- I really like this, but I now prefer the Paula‘s Choice mandelic acid liquid. It’s a bit more gentle for my more mature skin.
❌Vanicream Vitamin C serum- sadly this made my face break out so I used it up on the back of my hands. It has a nice light consistency that I wish worked for me.
👑Clinique Take the Day Off cleansing balm- I LOVE this stuff. It takes everything off, rinses cleanly, and makes my skin feel so soft. But it’s expensive, so I only buy it if I find it at TJ Maxx for a good price.

BODY
😐exfoliator/luffah- I got a few of these at grocery outlet. They’re just OK, nothing special.
🩷Paul’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA lotion- this stuff works really well on any bumps or body acne- a little goes a long way and this lasted me FOREVER.
👑👑👑Dove x crumbl Strawberry Crumb Cake beauty bar- this is the best bar soap I’ve ever used. I love Dove bar soaps in general, but this scent is so perfect for me. It was limited edition and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get it again, but I have three or four bars of it left. I go through these about one every six weeks.
😐Hempz Sweet Pineapple and Honey Melon body lotion- this smelled delicious and moisturizes pretty good. I just don’t love Hempz lotions, I decided while doing this year’s project pan.

NAILS
👑Bliss Kiss cuticle oil pen- I keep one of these everywhere and they are so convenient and work well. I go through about one a month.
😐Four sided nail buffer/file- I think I got this a grocery outlet. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever used, but it did the job.

I have been posting my monthly empties and thoughts this year so I decided to lay all my empties out at 6 months for a visual to myself (I plan to do this at 1 year too). It seems like a lot to me! I’m almost through my backstock of everything and have started only repurchasing items I truly love. I still have a few body lotions and face toners in my “project pan” to use up. And a bunch of hair products.

I don’t need to use this many different products on a regular basis. I have learned some lessons over the last 6 months of being very intentional about using the products that I have:

1. I don’t need body scrubs, and I’d rather use an exfoliating mitt or loofah on occasion.
2. I don’t need shower gel. I prefer a bar soap and it’s all I really need.
3. I don’t need any shave products. I’ve had laser hair removal and on the occasional time that I do need to shave a few strays, I can use soap.
4. I don’t like body oil and I don’t really need it. I prefer to just use a body lotion or body butter and my skin is perfectly happy with just one moisturizing product.
5. I started washing my hair MORE often and it’s SO much better! Every other-ish day works well for me.

Keeping my empties has been eye opening for sure!

FACE
🏆Paul’s Choice Hydrating Gel-to-Cream Cleanser: HG- been using this for years and have another on the go. It’s gentle but removes all makeup.
HAIR
😻ColorWow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer mousse: I really like this. I’ve had a few bottles of it and would repurchase after I finish up some other mousses I have. It gives good volume without being stiff or sticky.
🏆 Pantene Miracle Rescue 10 in 1 multitasking spray: new HG- on my second bottle now. Smells awesome and makes my hair very soft and tangle-free. Lightweight enough for my fine hair.
🏆Epres Bond Repair Treatment Concentrate: HG- been using this about five months, once or twice a week. Makes my hair really soft and smooth. I like it.
BODY
🏆Dove+crumbl strawberry crumb cake beauty bar: HG- I love Dove bar soaps, and this scent is perfection to me. Cleans my bod and isn’t drying.
🙃Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30: This is fine, it smells awesome. I did not use it completely up before I realized it expired three years ago! So no idea how long I’ve had this. There’s probably about a quarter of it left, but I’m tossing it.
🙂Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion: This is a perfectly fine body lotion, but nothing special. I don’t get the hype and I’m glad I only had a small tube of it. I prefer the eos body lotions that are much more moisturizing to me.
🏆Cremo Casked Vanilla Antiperspirant & Deodorant: new HG- I bought this for the scent but ended up absolutely loving the formula and it worked great so I purchased another one when I ran out. It controls wetness and odor and BONUS, made my pits smooth and even toned. I couldn’t find it easily the second time, so I had to order it.
MAKEUP
😑Victoria Beckham Concealer samples: these were just samples, but the consistency was so thick for a concealer that I would never purchase a full-size.
☺️Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions tubing mascara. This was my HG for years and years, but I recently switched to the Tartlette tubing mascara and primer and I love it way more, so used this last one up and I’m moving on.
🙃 Victoria Beckham Vast Lash mascara: this could be so amazing because the formula is mostly great, but it’s so gloppy coming out from the tube onto the brush. I don’t know if the packaging needs to be changed or if it needs a better brush, but I had to waste so much of the product to wipe off the brush before application that it’s not worth it for the price. Bummer.
😡Sephora Boost+Lock eye primer: THE WORST. It just doesn’t work as an eye primer at all- my eyeshadow didn’t last any longer and was possibly even more short-lived with this underneath. I’m decluttering this because it’s just terrible.
PERFUME
🙂Maison des Animaux Fever Dream sample- It’s described as fruity with vanilla and amber woods. This is typically right up my scent profile alley and I did enjoy it, but not enough to buy a full-size.
😐 Maison des Animaux Nostalgia sample- the notes include jasmine, ylang, vanilla, cedar and tobacco. That sounds like it would be my dream scent, but there’s something lost in translation on my skin and it’s too sharp - not for me.
🏆Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy travel decant- I absolutely loved this and would consider buying a full-size. I love the sweet fruity notes.

I love and would or have repurchased everything here except the AMIKA dry shampoo (don’t love the smell and others work much better for me) or the Kayali Eden Sparkling Lychee (smells great but I don’t need another perfume!).
🏆eos Strawberry Dream body lotion
🏆Dove+crumbl Strawberry Crumb Cake beauty bar
🥰VO5 Strawberries & Cream shampoo
❌AMIKA Perk Up dry shampoo
🏆Epres bond repair treatment
🥰Milani cream blush
🙂Kayali Eden Sparkling Lychee perfume sample
🏆Vanicream daily facial moisturizer
🏆Paula’s Choice mandelic acid
🥰Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
🏆Babe Original Amplifying Brow Serum

HAIR
😺Biolage Volume Boost shampoo and conditioner- amazingly used them both up in the same month! I like these but probably won’t repurchase. They smell really good and do their job but nothing special.
BODY/HANDS
😺Ouai Body Cleanser in St. Barts- I got this for the scent because it is so nice! This is perfectly good body wash- feels great, nice lather, but I’m just not a huge body wash person so won’t repurchase.
😺Hempz Body Moisturizer in original scent- I’m a big fan of the Hempz body moisturizer, but they have so many good scents that I would not buy original on purpose again.
🏆World Market Amber & Patchouli Hand Cream- I got this in a little gift set at Christmas and it ended up being one of my most favorite hand creams I have ever used. It moisturized so well and the smell is absolutely incredible. If World Market brings this back next Christmas season I will stock up! Absolutely would repurchase!
🏆Bliss Kiss cuticle oil pens x2- these are my staple. I always have at least one in my monthly empties. In April I used up two. I keep them in my handbag and all around my house and use them all the time.
FACE
❌elf All Set for Sun spf + setting spray- this was OK. I didn’t like the way it felt on my face so I ended up using it on my arms and hands to use it up. Would not repurchase.
😻Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream- I got this as a free gift with purchase, but I did really enjoy it. I would not purchase it on my own, but I would not be sad if I got it for free again!
PERFUME
😺YSL- Black Opium Over Red- LOVE this scent but it has zero staying power so I won’t repurchase.
🏆YSL- Black Opium Le Parfum- this is one of my all-time favorites. I purchased a full-size when I finished up this travel spray.
😺House of Gloi mystery sample- someone gave me this so I don’t know which scent it is, but it was fruity and delicious!
😺MDA- Cloudbreath- this was really sweet and light and fluffy just like you’d expect something called cloudbreath to smell like! I enjoyed it very much. I don’t need a full-size but it’s a good smell.
🏆Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar- I absolutely love this scent. I have it on my full-size wish list.
😺Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato- I like this very much but there are other pistachio scents I prefer. I don’t need more of this, but I enjoyed wearing it for a few days.