Thoughts About 2020
Taking photos, editing, posting on blog, it really takes time! For some reason, I am always surprised. Maybe I should take this as a hint... if I buy nothing, I have nothing to showcase/take notes of either. :) But blog is such a handy thing, to go back and see when something was bought, what was bought, and was it ever used really. Also I need the photos to properly remember something, visual cues are important to me.
Comparisons / Swatches / Roundup posts:
I try to do comparisons from time to time... they are the most useful to me.
My skin
This year 2020 has been depressing in so many ways that I feel that I have also done less for my skin. Just, no energy, thinking, what's the point? This sounds pathetic to some people maybe. I am surprised I felt so unwell. This also made my scalp problems (oiliness, painful itchy bumps to appear on scalp, hair line, forehead) A LOT worse (fungal acne?). I believe it is stress related.
Currently I've started to use Differin (Adapalene Gel 0.1%) every day instead of every other, every third, or once in a while. I decided it would be easier to do that first before jumping to tretinoin. But every day use of Differin does make a positive difference too! So many things that didn't work for me before a) Differin, b) on every other/third day on Differin work for me now. Yeah, I know, my skincare has been all over the place the last 2 years and actually sticking with something for real feels nice! Actually now that being on Differin/starting on tretinoin works so great for me, my other skincare can be all over the place because I do not seem to break out anymore!
This year, I have definitely gotten more interested in makeup and tried many things. When my skin's condition is mostly under control, I definitely find makeup way more interesting than another peeling toner etc. I did have a phase when I wanted super natural look with minimal extra, but now I feel I just want strong doll blush or maybe 20s flapper look! I adore the strong big eyes, strong lips, short hair combination...
This year I have also used chemical sunscreens more than mineral ones. I tried many mineral ones in the beginning of my skincare journey because chemical ones seemed to burn my face and especially eyes. Now I have found chemical ones that I actually like! And I greatly prefer them over mineral. No whitecast and better SPF thanks to new filters and the fact that I can slather more on!
It seems, my skin is not very good at handling multi layering or many products in excess, I have talked about this earlier as well but it is getting more clear. For example, some sunscreens absorb better and are not as clogging if I do not moisturize beforehand. And sometimes my skin looks so much more clear if I apply only one simple serum in the evening for the night etc. It seems to be better to be under moisturized or possibly dry compared to well moisturized skin.
My skin seems to like constant (every day) gentle exfoliation, especially physical by konjac sponge, or peeling pads, or using pads with a peeling toner, or just a scrub. For me, cleansers and shampoos that people describe as somewhat stripping or drying, seem to be good options as well, at least compared to rich and moisturizing. Even while using retinoids. It seems like my skin is not able to slough the dead skin off on its own fast enough.
Finally, I just think people make skincare way more difficult than it needs to be. I have wasted so much money (by my standards) during the last couple of years trying different things. I do not regret because I do enjoy my journey and new discoveries. I think I am going to say soon the same thing about many of my make up experiments as well: wasted money. But so much joy and new knowledge as well!
I actually feel like I have some favorite products from almost every product category. I feel like I have some direction and I am not aimlessly shopping to try all snake oils. I feel like I could start waiting more for sales (especially end of the year sales: black friday, holiday, new year) and bulk shop my basics for a year or something for some products, because I do not have a need to find something better for those. And it would prevent me from checking websites/stores impulsively for sales and new exciting products.
What about 2021?
I am very hopeful about 2021 in general. It can't be worse than 2020, right...?
I want to concentrate more on eye contour care since that's the place where the aging shows first.
I have regained my interest in makeup and perfume (yay!). So I'll explore those more.
I have new Dermatica tretinoin 0.025 subscription (just got first bottle) and I think I will finally be free of most skin worries with such a heavy hitter. It also enables me to use products that otherwise would break me out.
I will try to exercise more in 2021 and that will include also stretching sessions and meditation.
I want to try a new hairstyle as soon as my hair grows enough (May?).
I want to explore the rest of my skincare samples.
I hope more brands would get available for me in the EU. I also hope the new customs situation and Brexit will not make my shopping life too difficult while also stopping me from unnecessary purchases (because I hate to pay extra).
I will try to limit my time browsing skincare communities, stores and sites.
Every time I want to purchase something, I'll come back to see the photos of my stash (inventory). That should stop me half of the time.
I want to buy more classic clothes/accessories when the right one happens to be in my way, like black/bourbon handbag, neutral trenchcoat, peplum blazer... Not that related to skincare, but skincare is related to health and well being and appearance and clothes do give the confidence boost as well! I want to treat my whole self.
Current Favorites 2020
I choose my current favorites whenever and however I like so I don't have much guidelines for that. They are not in order here either (timeline).
Looking at these products, I think my favorites are usually those borderline boring basics that just work with a touch of natural make up and very classic rose/vanilla scents. So, if I were smart, I would only purchase these or similar products in the future:
1) bland, light, scentless moisturizers for face and eyes,
2) best science backed acne/anti-aging treatment adapalene/tretinoin,
3) a bit of scentless extra liquid hydration (not hyaluronic acid based alone),
4) warm/neutral, nude makeup choices,
5) matte/satin sunscreen and
6) girly, floral, fruity scents in fragrance/shower gel.
Empties/Trash 2020
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| +Hada Labo |
I had a goal to finish all my old stuff and clear out the expired products this year. And to get a sense what I actually own and need. And how much/fast I use products. I failed and I still have old stuff to finish, but the ugly truth is, I could easily survive with a few well chosen basics.
I am delighted to see I have taken eye contour care into my daily routine and even finished eye creams. Also I have finished a few sunscreens so I must have been using some sun protection as well. I always wonder if I am using enough because I don't usually re-apply. Also, what a complete lack of finished makeup outside of mascaras!
I used roughly about 385 € worth of product this year (2020) including the "trash", average 32 €/month. Altogether 63 products. Last year (2019) I used about 320-360 € and I think I mentioned the value was about the same for year 2018. It is an average of 30 € per month. Of course these are just rough calculations so error margin might be huge.
Finished Products 2020
Number of products finished: 63
Skincare: 39
Makeup: 5
Bodycare: 7
Haircare: 8
Other, e.g. fragrance: 0
Cleansing Oil/Balm 4
Tosowoong Apricot Seed Cleansing Oil 1
Kicks Beauty Deep Cleansing Oil 1
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser 1
Mizon Great Pure Cleansing Oil 1
Cleanser 3
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Gel Wash 3
Micellar Water 2
Lumene Klassikko/Classics Micellar Cleansing Water 1
Simple Micellar Cleansing Water 1
Toner/Essence/Serum 4
Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 Serum 1
Laneige Water Bank Mineral Skin Mist Sample/Mini 1
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Clear Lotion 1
Skin&Lab K Plus Red-X Essence 1
Antioxidants 1
The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5% 1
Oils 1
Tea Tree Oil 1
Moisturizer 7
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 1
Korres Wild Rose Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial Sample/Mini 1
Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet Mini 1
Kilig Double Moisturizing Eye Cream 1
Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit C Cream Mini 1
Dr. Young CentellaSCA Cream 1
Tonymoly London Black Tea Cream 1
Exfoliation/Treatment 2
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% 2
Eye Cream 3
Nivea Q10 Plus Eye Cream 1
Filorga Optim Eyes Mini 1
Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream Mini 1
Sunscreen 7
Derma Face Sun Lotion SPF30 1
Clio Kill Protection Glow Base SPF50 1
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Sun Defence For Face SPF 50 1
Missha Time Revolution White Cure Blanc Tone-Up Sun Protector SPF50+ / PA+++ 1
Tosowoong Sun Block Natural Pink SPF 35 PA++ 1
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 SPF50 1
A'Pieu Madecassoside Sun Cream SPF39 PA++ 1
Lips 1
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 1
Makeup 3
Isadora Build-Up Extra Volume Mascara Waterproof Mini 1
Clinique High Impact Mascara Mini 1
Isadora Insane Volume Lash Styler Mascara 1
Shampoo 2
Head&Shoulders Classic Clean 1L 1
Cien Anti Dandruff Shampoo 1
Conditioner 2
L'Oreal Elvital Extraordinary OIL Oil in Cream 1
L'Oreal Elvital Extraordinary Oil Conditioner 1
Scalp Treatment 0
Hair Styling 1
L'Oréal Paris Stylista #Beachwaves The Beach Wave Mist 1
Shower 4
The Body Shop Spa Of The World Balkan Juniper Body Wash 1
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Cleanser 1
Eucerin pH5 Shower Oil Travel Size 1
Ceralan Cleansing Body Oil / Pesuöljy 1
Antiperspirant 4
Cien Men 48h Antiperspirant 2
Cien Antiperspirant Total Invisible 1
Rexona Maximum Protection Antiperspirant Sport Strength 1
Body Moisturizer 1
Crabtree and Evelyn London La Source Ultra Moisturizing Hand Therapy Mini 1
Other 3
Veet Easy Gel Wax Strips 2
Samples - a pile, 30?
Trash 8
The Body Shop Aloe Eye Cream
The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel
Etude House Mirror Holic Liquid Eyes Glossy Coating
The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Cream
Cien Extra Strong Hairspray
Wella Wellaflex Mousse Ultra Strong Hold
Four Reasons Silver Mist
Lumene Nude Perfection Glow Foundation SPF15 in 1 Classic Beige Kultahiekka 1
Shopping 2020
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| Only one was for me, the other one was a gift. |
+ 2 Differin
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| Gifts |
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| Gift |
January (some bought in December also): about 170 €
From February To March: 115 €
From April To May: about 56 €
From June To July: about 180 €
From August To September: about 170 €
From October to November: about 240 €
December: about 140 €
Spent altogether during 2020: about 1 071€, about 90 €/month
Most expensive thing I bought: Dior Rouge Blush 601 Hologlam (45€) and Armani Si Fragrance Set (??? 50 €?)
The cheapest thing I bought: Essence Stay 8 h Waterproof Lipliner in 01 Because Duh probably (2,20 €) and Catrice Dewy-ful Lips Lip Butter in 040 Dew You Care? (2 €)
Number of products bought+gifts: approx. 155 (impossible for a lazy person to count a precise number!)
Skincare: approx. 95
Makeup: approx. 60
Bodycare: approx. 20
Haircare: approx. 5
Other, e.g. fragrance: approx 10
At the same time I'm shocked and at the same time I'm not. When adding all these photos in row, it looks like a massive amount. I am a visual person so the pictures really help me. But I haven't purchased anything super idiotic and I have been buying a bit of this and that (not like only 100 shower gels for example) to experiment with. I think covid definitely played a role. I spent so much time at home and had to fill that time with something. Also, in my opinion, especially now that world is what it is, it is useful/smart to get a few backups of basics.
1 071 € (error margin maybe 50 € upwards to be on a safe side) is a lot. I'm thinking, for the next year I'd like to set my target budget at 600 €, 50 €/month. It is a reasonable amount. And plenty enough for splurging as well, because I am already all set for 2021 with basics like antiperspirants, shampoo, sunscreen...
It is a bit hilarious to compare the amount of product used during the year to the amount I have bought. I finished about 63 products, and I bought about 155 products. The value of product used is around 385 €, yet I still splurged 1071 €! Something doesn't add up, right?!
I don't have much regrets though! If I had to list some, I'd say Yves Rocher's Muguet Fragrance, Kilig Eye Cream, Biozell Hair Mask.
Things that I have loved a lot are for example SVR Blur Sunscreen, Luxie eye brush sets, Differin, Armani Si fragrance set, Garnier Micellar Gel Wash and Super UV Fluid SPF50+, Rexona Maximum Protection, Head&Shoulders Shampoo, Eucerin Urea Repair Face Cream, NYX Sweet Cheeks Blush, Wet&Wild Apricot in the Middle Blush...
Inventory
Skincare, bodycare, haircare. I tried to collect all in one picture, it includes opened and unopened backup products. I didn't take things from shower though so this is missing maybe about 10 shower products and the new advent calendar products. Honestly I thought I could fit both skincare and makeup at the same time on the sheet. :) Well, mission impossible. Many of these things are also almost empty/half-used. So maybe next year the situation is less chaotic.
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| 2020 Lookfantastic Advent Calendar stuff |
Makeup, nail polish. I think this all except two face brushes I forgot! Quite honestly I looked at this pile and thought to myself: "Huh. That's not bad." Maybe I am a bit crazy. I have too much nail polish though considering I wear it sporadically - sometimes I'm really into it and then goes 6 months without any. I also have only one concealer and it must be expired already but Idk it still works so I keep using it. I love blush so I could easily double their number and I wouldn't feel bad about it. I am lazy with my brows but I have a huge pile of brow products (10), I had no idea.
Because this post is already a mile long, I'll add a few closer photos of makeup. Here are my eyeshadow palettes. Actually I think I would prefer it if all my eye shadows were magnetic singles. I find palettes a bit difficult to work with because I always want one shade from here and another there. Idk, maybe I am just too specific about colors...
My most used shadows. I am boring, right?! But also I am not a wizard when it comes to eye makeup so I tend to play it safe. I hope to explore more in future. My most used are warm, light peach/orange, light brown both neutral and warm and warm beige/ivory. And one warm light pink, and two a bit cooler shades, darker brown and shimmery purple leaning taupe. And an orange brown that just looks very orange on me.
I have muted blue eyes in case anyone is wondering. My skintone is also light muted warm/olive/gray/brown (???). My natural hair is gray leaning light brown/taupe/dirty blonde with golden highlights. Lately I've been dying my hair dark brown to get contrast. Next I am going to go for black.
The reds (Colourpop) that are in the black magnetic palette don't seem to work for me easily. Make me look sick. The Maybelline Blushed Nudes palette on the right is super old and powdery and feels so cool toned that almost all shades look off somehow? The black small palette in the middle came from LF calendar and despite being brown and safe, I don't use it. I feel it irritates my eyes? The most used shades from it are the last two, lightest one and the bronze next to it.
I can't tell which is my favorite blush, but I can tell that Max Factor's Stunning Sienna is difficult to work with and makes me look sick unless my other makeup is top notch to balance it out. Natasha Denona's coral blush looks very pink compared to my other blushes but it still looks nice! Maybe it is the golden undertone. Dior's Hologlam is basically a highlighter on me. Catrice Soft Rose is too light, so I really have to pack it on for it to show. But it also makes a perfect eyeshadow shade. NYX Boom & Bloom looks scary, but actually it's not once it's blended on cheeks... it is a very distinct look but I think I can pull it off. H&M Bronze Blusher is a great shade but it is also difficult to work with. The orange shade in Isadora's Blush&Glow Wheel is amazing.
