Thoughts of 2023

I have a habit of saving pretty boxes! Pink color is still my weakness, after all these years.

Thoughts about 2023 and 2024

Year 2023 I have found a good balance! I haven't made too much impulse purchases and those that I have are not that ridiculous. I have actually shopped my stash and finished half used products. Also as painful as it is, I've also thrown away old things. I am procrastinator by nature. But the task will continue in 2024.

Sometimes I feel like trying to use a huge pile of expiring products is work. Not a hobby or necessity anymore. Trying to find out alternative ways to finish things, keeping inventories, hate panning, overusing, maybe having worse skin because using too many unsuitable moisturizers... What is the point? The products are supposed to work for me, I am not supposed to work for the products! What a waste of time, resources, energy!

For 2024 I will continue practising merciful approach to my hoard, shopping, wellness hobbies... I rather enjoyed just giving up practical thinking and buying luxury makeup (Dior) for the hell of it this year. The same for more expensive gym clothes. I just feel better, I deserve it (as long as I can afford it of course). I guess right now I feel that I don't need anything, I just want things.

For anyone curious (and interesting reminder for myself) this is my tanned skin next to a very pale, truly white skin. I am shade light in most foundations (sometimes even fair depending on the range and undertones) but next to a pale person it is easy to see why I gravitate to blush/lip shades catered to medium skintones! My skin seems to eat brown color and strongly bring out red, also pink. Purple blushes (like Nars Sin) tend to look more natural red-ish. Only explanation I can come up with is the strong yellowness/warmness.

Current Favorites

February

May

July

November

December

I choose my favorites whenever and however I like. Clearly at the end of this year makeup has become more important. 

I am very predictable: my favorites are basics! Easy feminine fragrances, basic inoffensive moisturizers and daily makeup items like powder, eyebrow gel and mascara! Except sulfur, that one is pretty weird in case you haven't experienced the wonders it can do. 

Last year I chose my favorites only 3 times so this is improvement. 5/16 items from those 2022 posts are something I have repurchased at some point. 

I would recommend all of these products:

Etude House Soon Jung Moist Emulsion

Paula's Choice Calm Restoring Moisturizer

De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

Dr Ceuracle Cica Regen Vegan Sun SPF50+ PA++++

Paula's Choice Anti Aging Eye Cream

Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish

Got2be Glued 4 Brows & Edges Gel

Essence The Nail Care Oil

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder

Dior Lip Maximizer Mahogany

Dior J'adore EdT

Maybelline Sky High Waterproof Mascara

Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Jane Iredale Mineral Base

Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EdT

Kevyn Aucoin Neo Bronzer Sunrise Light

Empties

January to February

March to April

May to June

July to August

September

October to December

Shopping

 

 

 

Not sure I managed to add all purchase photos! Must check later.

Shopping:

January To February: about 149 €

From March To April: about 75 €

From May to June: about 68 €

From July to August: about 161 €

From September: about 156 €

From October to November: about 283 €

From December: about 200 €

Spent altogether during 2023: 1092 €

Most expensive thing I bought: Dior Mini Perfume Set (72 €), Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EdT (61 €)

The cheapest thing I bought: Blistex Lip Balm Sensitive, Essence The Nail Care Oil, Essence The Extreme Nail Hardener, Nofo Exotic Flowers Shower Gel, Vaseline Advanced Repair Hand Cream, Banila Co Clean it Zero Mini Set (ranging from 1-3 €)

Number of products bought+gifts: approx. 90

Skincare: approx. 18

Makeup: approx. 18

Bodycare: approx. 24

Haircare: approx. 8

Other, e.g. fragrance, nails, samples: approx 22

"Regrets": 

Essence The Extreme Nail Hardener (did nothing, didn't stay on nails)

Rexona Maximum Protection Antiperspirant Sensitive (smells disgusting on me)

Loved:

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash*

Exuviance Overnight Transformation Complex*

Rexona Maximum Protection Antiperspirant Sport Strenth*

Maybelline Sky High Waterproof Mascara

Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet EdT*

Head&Shoulders Shampoo Classic Clean*

Nizoral Shampoo*

Dior Lip Maximizer in Mahogany

Got2be Glued 4 Brows & Edges

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream*

Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser

Depend Gel IQ Set

(Repurchases *)

Thoughts:

My goal for 2023 was to spend 400-600 € thoughtfully but look at the numbers, it didn't really go that way! I spent almost double at 1092 €. Let's try a more reasonable goal for next year 2024: I will spend 1000 € or less and the purchases must bring joy. In 2023 I spent on things I don't usually buy like nail polishes.

Bonus:

Professional facial/nails/cosmetic treatments: 115 € (lash&brow lift)

Hair stylist: 380 € (3 appointments)

At home hair dye (+cut): 0 €

Gym card: 348 €

Personal Trainer: 0 €

Home exercise equipment: 80 € (a bench)

Vitamins: 70 €

Protein drinks: 30 €

Exercise clothes+shoes: 385€ (just clothes, mainly tights)

Overall not too bad (altogether 1408 €). This year I did not spend money on personal trainer or exercise clothes as much but I did actually get my hair done and tried lash&brow lift once - actually I'm not sure why I never booked another appointment. Money, time, just didn't make a big enough difference?