* I have learned, that I use products slowly. I have learned, that I am not committed to anything unless I can truly see and/or feel the results. Anything that takes too much time or energy to use, I'll drop and forget. I want to try many things though and I will try to stick to samples to satisfy my curiosity in the future.
* One thing I've thought about a lot is the constant reformulating, repackaging, and discontinuing skincare lines. Ok, I might use products slowly, but it still pisses me off that I have found something nice and when the bottle ends, let's say, in a year and I go get another one - no can do! Doesn't exist anymore! Or I've used something nice for 3 years and gone through several bottles and suddenly it's not available. Especially Asian brands do this, so my advice is, don't get too attached to anything and always look for a back up in western brands as they are not that quick to move forward. Pharmacy products are good, they rarely if ever get discontinued or reformulated, if they are classics that work at least.
* Also another thing I've been thinking about is the quality of tools. Makeup brushes for example. I've bought cheap 1-2 € brushes off ebay for years and when they start looking, err, not so good, I've thrown them away. Now I have finally caved in and bought some (le gasp) 10 € brushes and they are so much easier to use. My makeup looks better. Just like that. What have I been thinking all these years!!!
* My skin has been up and down this year due to being sick. My hormones have been all over the place. I've had more scalp problems than ever before in my life. Probably constant problems with fungal acne too. So frustrating, but life goes on. Frustrating especially because 2018 was such a good year for my skin!
* My very important skin saving staples this year have definitely been Skinoren, Differin, Squalane, Nizoral and Head&Shoulders.
* I have also started to obsess over my lips and their dry, chapped condition that is usually only better during the summer. In winter, nothing works. I have tried to not care, but my new interest in lipsticks and tints have made this a huge problem. Adding a lip scrub helped a lot though! I absolutely understand now people's obsession with lip products and I am very fast going into trouble with wanting to buy and try many colors and formulas.
* I guess I should next invest in eye creams. As aging shows first near the eyes. Another thing is finding a pleasant enough sunscreen (both for eyes and face). But trying different things cost money so I have put these things off for now.
* This year I did take a new interest in makeup and it's been quite fun! It is not completely new world for me but it's been a while since I've played with different looks (in my late teenage years/early 20s).
* Just the other day I looked at my stash and thought: "Wow, I have so many pretty things. I am so grateful and lucky." This is the feeling I want to cherish.
* Just the other day I looked at my stash and thought: "Wow, I have so many pretty things. I am so grateful and lucky." This is the feeling I want to cherish.
* On average, I spent maybe about 320 € on everything I used this year (I just roughly calculate the values). Including all the products I gave away (didn't work for me), I spent around 360 €. Of course, again, this is based on only what I used/gave away, not all the things I bought or still have lying around. Last year, 2018, the amount was about the same.
* I have been making notes of my shopping since April this year I think too? Since April 2019, I spent around 500-600 €, roughly calculated! I am actually shocked! All that in 8-9 months? And mostly make up, brushes, eye shadows, too. And of course Skinoren, Differin. It really piles up, 20 € here and there. But considering I didn't really have much make up things beforehand, in the name of mental health and exploration, I gave myself permission for that. I want to find the things I look good in, colourwise and formula wise, and things that I have the energy to actually put on.
* I am going to keep tracking my purchases and empties here on my blog, it really gives me some perspective where the money actually goes. But for the year 2020, I am going to try a replace-only-buy with small exceptions, e.g. if my eye primers really make my shadows melt every day, I am going to try primers until I find a suitable one, and if there's a super sale of something I really want, I can get it. I think I will allow myself to get something for my birthday and christmas as well, also some other celebrations, if there is any (just don't make everything into celebration!). Also I can get several backups of my staples, e.g. Garnier Micellar Gel Wash and The Ordinary Squalane. I have already proved they will get used in time (I went through 4 of both this year).
* I guess here is a good time to admit I am still waiting to receive a couple of my recent purchases! But they are all amazing so it's ok! :)
* I guess here is a good time to admit I am still waiting to receive a couple of my recent purchases! But they are all amazing so it's ok! :)
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| Some of my favorites - although I still don't know how to feel about the Pycnogenol! |
Thoughts about my blog
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| I can't believe I snagged these for 5€ per piece! They became my favorites from the very first moment I used them. Very natural, versatile shades. |
Products that I've finished in 2019
About how many products I used to the end (so not counting mostly the ones that didn't work for me and I had to give away or samples):
Skincare
Cleansing Oils 1
Cleansers 4
Creams/Lotions/Emulsions 5
Sleeping Masks 0
Oils 6
Eye creams 0
Toners 3
* Neutrogena Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Toner 1* Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Purifying Toner 1
* Skin Watchers Pore Control Toner 1
Essences 0
Serums 3
Sunscreens 3
Antioxidants / Vitamin C 1
* The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% 1
Exfoliants 3
Treatments (sheetmasks etc)
Lips 0
Mists 0
Others 0
Body Wash 4
* Molton Brown Gingerlily Body Wash Mini 1
* Iisi Orange & Almond Shower Soap 1
* Skinfood Mint Sparkling Foot Scrub 1
* Ceralan Pesuöljy Cleansing Oil Wash (my partner used most) 1
* Iisi Orange & Almond Shower Soap 1
* Skinfood Mint Sparkling Foot Scrub 1
* Ceralan Pesuöljy Cleansing Oil Wash (my partner used most) 1
Body / Hand creams 3
* Kicks Beauty Skin Treat Virgin Olive Oil Foot Treatment 1
* The Body Shop Frosted Berries Body Lotion 1
* The Body Shop Frosted Berries Body Lotion 1
Makeup
Primer 0
Foundation 0
Powder 0
Eyeshadow 0
Mascara 0
Eyeliner 0
Lipstick/lipgloss 0
Highlighter 0
Brows 0
Hair
Shampoos 8
* Head&Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Classic Clean 3
* L'Oreal Elvital Extraordinary Clay Shampoo 1
* Head&Shoulders Classic Clean 2 in 1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 1
* Numis Med Urea Shampoo (my partner used most) 1
* L'Oreal Elvital Extraordinary Clay Shampoo 1
* Head&Shoulders Classic Clean 2 in 1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 1
* Numis Med Urea Shampoo (my partner used most) 1
Conditioners 0
* Cien Men Aqua 48 h Anti-Perspirant 5
* Veet In Shower Hair Removal Cream 1
Gave away
* SCINIC First Treatment Essence
* The Ordinary Serum Foundation
* The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
* COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
* Rosette Ceramide Gel
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| This was my 6 months' worth of empties this year! |
Inventory
Making this list felt like a huge task, honestly (still not finished!). I seem to have a lot of things, even though it doesn't look like that, when part of them is stashed in drawers. Many of them I've had for a long time, 1-2 years. Why haven't I used them yet? Why have I bought them or were they gifts/free? How many years does it take to finish them all? Are they still suitable for my skin type anyway? Are they expired or soon to be expired? How much money have I wasted? Ah, the questions. :)
Opened:
Skinoren Cream Azelaic Acid 20 %
Differin Adapalene Gel 0,1 %
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23 % + HA Spheres 2 %
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1 %
The Ordinary Granatctive Retinoid 5 % in Squalane
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2 % + HA
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10 % + Zinc 1 %
The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5 %
The Chemistry Brand Retin-Oil
The Ordinary 100 % Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Missha Time Revolution Blanc Tone Up Sun Protector SPF50 PA+++
Oskia Renaissaince Mask
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist
The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2 %
Lumene Micellar Water
Lumene Nordic Hydra Aerating Gel Mask
Dermosil Kaura Oat Hand Cream
Natura Siberica Alladale Wild Thistle Hand Cream
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Essence Honey Care Cuticle Mask
The Body Shop Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion
Unopened:
FairCosmEthics Body Lotion with Brazil Nut Oil
FairCosmEthics Body Cleanser with Cane Sugar
Barwa Siarkowa Krem Siarkowy
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10 % + Zinc 1 % x2
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7 % Toning Solution
Dermofuture Normalizing Moisturizing Elixir
Mizon Skin Recovery Night Repair Seruming Ampoule
Bandi Anti Rouge Peeling 10 % Gluconolactone
The Chemistry Brand Hand Chemisty Pro-Repair Skincare For Hands
Skinoren Cream Azelaic Acid 20 % x2
Differin Adapalene Gel 0,1 %
Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water
This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask Sample
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask Sample
James Read Gradual Tan H2O Illuminating Tan Mist Body
Missha Time Revolution Blanc Tone Up Sun Protector SPF50 PA+++
The Ordinary EUK 134 0,1 %
Ziaja Manuka Tree Deeply Cleansing Peeling Paste
Skinfood Aqua Grape Bounce Mist Toner Sample x3
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10 % + Zinc 1 % x2
Skin Watchers Pore Control Serum
Dr. Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil
Garnier Micellar Water
The Ordinary Retinol 1 % in Squalane
Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash Mini
Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence Mini
+ Everything in Lookfantastic 2019 Calendar
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