Monday, October 7, 2013

Project Make-A-Dent: The Makeup Edition Volume I

In the midst of all of the current gifts with purchases, and our inherent desire to purchase even more makeup- I feel myself growing somewhat anxious given the sheer size of my stash, and my continued desire to consume more. This takes on a different level of urgency as the holiday collections are beginning to appear at counters, and the lust list continues to grow (worse still when they are limited edition). 

In fact, I have been thinking about this a great deal lately, and decided that while not an ultimate solution to consumerism, that I needed to make a concerted effort to use some of the things that I have. Then it came to me in the middle of the night- rather than putting myself on a "no buy"- which to me is like a diet where you can never eat anything yummy again- that I would choose my purchases far more carefully and selectively, and create a new post series whereby I select several products to use with some regularity. The end goal is to use them up completely, but not at the exclusion of using other things. These items will be kept together in a place that is easily seen and accessed in order to encourage their use. Then at some point-- perhaps on a monthly basis-- another picture will be taken to reveal how much has been used.

Each month I have revealed my Empties-- which is largely comprised of skincare products that I use up on a monthly basis, but seldom do I have makeup items in that pile. Undoubtedly it is a bit more difficult to use up makeup, but I say- let's try!

This is not just for me, but it is also a challenge to you to join me in Project Make-A-Dent. Everybody is welcome to participate. If you are active in social media then let's use the hashtag:#projectmakeadent, but no worries if you aren't. My Twitter handle: @lolassecret

What do you think? Are you in?

Copyright © 2013 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

48 comments:

  1. I love projects like this, i'm 2/3 of the way through a 100 challenge and i've stuck to it with the exception of two MAC lipsticks. I've finished no makeup so far (though i'll need to replace my mascara come the end). You've made me determined to actually finish a lipstick, hit pan on a blusher and finish off my Dior lipgloss before it goes weird.

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    1. Hi Louisa! Good for you for sticking to the 100 challenge! Nice work! Oh, please do join me in this quest to use up some of our makeup! It sounds like you have the proper motivation, and you certainly have proven to have the will power! I stuck all of these items in a little box that I see the moment I open my big cabinet. It was so motivating for me, in fact, that I literally used every single item pictured this morning! As it turns out they look quite nice together as well! I doubt that I will have the resolve to use all of them every single day- since I really do want to enjoy some of my newer things as well. That said I am determined to use up this Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu before it goes weird as well! Keep me posted on your progress! :-)

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  2. Follow your desire, Helen, as Lacan would say and enjoy all the holiday collections you love. You are a woman who loves beauty, how can you stop loving what you love! (Is this bad advice?) I cannot stop buying perfumes. I can put a ban on my red lipstick or foundation purchases but I cannot, for the life of me, stop buying perfumes. I have no social media at all so I cannot really participate but I support your efforts to use up your stash, of course. Tell us how it goes! and please do send my greetings to stylish Lola.
    xxxx

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    1. Hi wefadetogray! I absolutely love that you cite Jacques Lacan in this context!!!!!! Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!! Now if you cite Derrida, Hegel, and Heidegger- I will fall over! I think even more than just the issue of following my desire-- is the issue of fetishizing many of these makeup items that I/we covet! It's funny-- I am actually working on a lipstick review- and I even used "fetishizing" in the title. LOL!!!!!!!

      I can just imagine your selection of perfumes!! What are your current favorites???

      You don't need to be on social media at all to participate in this-- just give updates on your progress when I post updates. Stylish Lola is sleeping next to me right now! xoxo

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    2. You name some of my beloved ones, Helen! minus Hegel that is because I am a Nietzschean ;)
      I do fetishize perfumes for sure and, to some degree, all things beautiful (or beautiful to me) and my perfume collection is ridiculous. Right now I am loving, surprisingly, M Micallef Rouge 2 which is very sweet yet not cloying and I just love it. I have worn it for three days in a row. Also in rotation are my all times favorites for the fall Vanille 44 by Le Labo, Santal Blush by Tom Ford, Felanilla by Parfumerie Generale, Feminite du Bois by Serge Lutens and Frangipani Parfum by Ormonde Jayne (This one you may just love: lush creamy honeyed frangipani. It's a dream! I wear this in the summer and carry on with it until there's no sun above). I am being unfair though to all my daily flirts with other scents I sniff for the pleasure of it. xxxxx

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    3. Well, I don't think that I could call Hegel among my beloved ones! Nietzsche is more to my taste. That said, for teaching I tend to lean more heavily into Baudrillard, Benjamin, Barthes, and Foucault. Benjamin's The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction-- is a favorite to teach! His The Origin of German Tragic Drama, on the other hand, might make my students run for the hills and never come back! LOL! Do you teach Philosophy or Critical Theory?

      Your selection of perfumes is unbelievable I have been wanting to smell Vanille 44 for a while now-- I am going to have to take your list with my on my next Barneys and Neiman Marcus trips! The Frangipani Parfume by Ormonde Jayne sounds delectable! I can certainly see why you might fetishize such a list! xoxox, Helen

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    4. Another Nietzschean beauty loving soul! I teach women's studies theory and Latin American lit. My students love Foucault too but I am evil and I give them Bergson, Deleuze, Lacan, Irigaray, and Merleau Ponty no matter what. When I teach literature, definitely I give them Benjamin to read. What do you teach Helen?
      If you want to smell Vanille 44 you should hurry because it is a Paris exclusive so I am not sure for how long they will keep it on the US. I know that they brought all the city exclusives until some time in October. If you go to Barneys also sniff Datura Noir by Serge Lutens. I am wearing that today and I feel in heaven.
      xxxxx

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    5. I had a funny feeling that we had far more in common than makeup!!! Little things that you have said here and there tipped me off, but when you mentioned Lacan- I did a triple take! I figured that you must also be in academia-- I don't know many people outside of academia who gleefully embrace theory and philosophy! My field is Art History (all of my degrees straight across the board are in Art History), and by training I am an Early Modernist (Italian-- hence the "Seicento" in Lola Seicento!), but my teaching is far more interdisciplinary-- so you and I actually have plenty of overlapping between our respective fields. I teach Art History, Art & Film Theory, & Visual Culture (and my art historical engagement is most often far outside of my specialty with respect to teaching). The amount of theory & philosophy that I foist upon my students depends on what I am teaching (and whether it is upper or lower division), but there is always some sprinkled in-- even in the most rudimentary classes. I'm just so delighted by this connection that we share!!!!!!!! <3

      I will have to get to Barneys to smell Vanille 44before it is too late! I will also make sure to sniff Datura Noir! Have you gone to the Madison Avenue store since the remodel/relocation to the basement? If so, what's your take, Professor wefadetogray? xoxox

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    6. This is really interesting indeed; we also love cats with deep adoration! I am a student of Elizabeth Grosz so theory and philosophy are in my veins. Like you, I also try to be conscious of the amount of theory I sprinkle according to the level of the class I am teaching but I always sprinkle something, however small ;)
      I have not been to the new Barney's section. I am ashamed to admit my provincialism but I live downtown so I dont usually step beyond 34th St. I order online most of my perfumes and make up and I pay my respects to Barneys', Henri Bendel's and Neiman Marcus' cosmetic section a few times a semester.
      Let me know how it goes with your perfume adventure. It's a rabbit whole! A bottomless pit! Once you are on it, there is no turning back.
      xxxx

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    7. An understatement, I think! Yes, we definitely have an unmitigated love of cats as well! I am impressed that you studied with Elizabeth Grosz-- I'm not even in your field and I know her work. Speaking of Lacan, I have a wonderful story about him. My dad's cousin (also a French psychoanalyst)- sat next to Lacan at conference (my guess is back in the 70s), and apparently it was boring enough that she fell asleep with her head on Lacan's shoulder!!! Can you imagine?!!!!!! One would hope to absorb Lacanian theory via osmosis!

      I try to make theory as palatable as possible- there is just so much fear about it. I do my best to break it down into bite-size bits so that they don't choke on it. I love seeing them "get it"- so gratifying!!!!!

      I totally get it-- that's what happens- we end up going to places that are close by-- it's often not worth the trouble or expense to venture too far. That happens here as well, but in a different way than NYC-- since LA is such a car culture (what, walk a block when I could drive?!). I actually really like walking- even in a town where nobody else seems to! Ordering online is infinitely safer for so many reasons (generally) since seeing things in person can lead to dangerous levels of consumption. On the other hand, late night shopping online when your credit card is burning a hole in your pocket can be even more dangerous (not that I would know :) However, I actually often find that when I am wrapped up at work that I don't have much desire to go shopping.

      I will keep you posted on my perfume adventure! Just what I need-- another luxury rabbit hole to fall into!
      xoxox

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    8. I forgot to mention- I am a professor's daughter-- and I have been told that when asked my age at departmental functions/parties as a child that I always told them my age in semesters. You would think that I might have chosen a very different line of work!

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    9. To rest in Lacan's shoulder! That is such a funny story. He apparently was a bore himself. I saw some recorded lectures and despite his brilliance he was very affected and, well, boring! Those were really crazy times. Lacan being Althusser's therapist? Irigaray defying Lacan and getting kicked out of the University? Althuesser killing his wife and roaming the streets screaming in madness? The 70's!
      Awww so cute your story about telling your age in semesters. I realize now that I have conditioned my whole existence in terms of academic temporality. I was just planning a trip for "summer break" :/
      Yes! do keep me posted regarding your perfume adventures. There is a kinship between face/body oils and perfumes too (Mandy Aftel being responsible directly for the demise of my wallet!).
      talk soon and hugs to your felines
      xxxxx

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    10. Isn't that hilarious?! I had heard that he was quite affected as well. Nothing like making philosophy even more opaque than by being so full of oneself! I know what you mean- those were particularly crazy times! Of course then their was the rockstar status of Derrida-LOL! So funny to have had all of these "followers" who hung on his every word, and girls (re: women acting like girls) swooning around him!!

      I did eventually stop measuring my years in semesters, and it is probably a good thing since switched to the quarter system some time ago! Ah, yes- the academic temporality- I know it oh so well. To this day I measure the passage time by the academic calendar year rather than the "real" one.

      I fear the perfume rabbit hole. Mandy sent me her beautiful book Essence & Alchemy and I am so enthralled! I agree that there is a kinship between face/body oils and perfumes-- and Mandy is certainly the right person to make us gleefully go broke (at least we will smell good :)

      xoxo

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  3. I started traveling recently and have found myself going through samples like crazy; a WONDERFUL thing because I have so many. So many, that my FULL SIZE products have been sitting, getting old and that's not a good thing : ( Samples, to me, are a fantastic way of discovering skin combos that make my skin look better than I could imagine.. who knew?! But when it comes to makeup, I'm right there with you... so much to use up but simply not happening. Due to being so so SO pale, a blush lasts me 10 years (I kid you not. I JUST finished up my Bobbi Brown Pale Pink blush last week after buying it after my 2nd child was born!!) Foundation can take 2 years or more... mascara is 6 months... and so it goes. Yet, I find myself purchasing those shades that just scream BUY ME because the color is perfect for me. *sigh* Then there is perfume and well.....since I only purchase during events; MORE SAMPLES. Round and round it goes, lololol.

    I'm in, my friend. But this will be a TOUGH one. My goal is to toss out (yes, really), those products that smell off, have to be combined with multiple others to work (and even then are not the best colors for me) and somehow, someway, find those to send a RAOK to. Maybe this way I'll be able to work through all my stuff.

    One CAN hope, right? : )

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    1. Hi 3bDiva! I agree with you-- samples are fantastic for traveling- and I have used up so many of them as a result. I know what you mean about full size products sitting and getting old while traveling and using samples. It certainly makes no sense for us to let things that we spent lots of money on go bad though!

      Makeup really does take so much more time to use up. THat's amazing how long it takes you to get through a blush-- thankfully they last a good long time!

      I'm so glad you are in!!!! I agree with you that this is a tough one. I figure the best way for me to get through the Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu is to carry it with me-- and rather than sticking it in my makeup bag (which has to be unzipped and fumbled through) that I will leave it in my purse pocket where I keep my keys and phone-- that way I can easily get to it-- and will be encouraged to use it that way. Smart goal to get rid of the things that you won't use, or that are starting to smell off. Keep me posted on your progress!!! I'm excited!!!! :-)

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  4. Holy cow! Look at how much pan you have in the MACs and how dented your JC is!!! O.O
    That's amazing. So I put myself on a no buy because I seem to do rather poorly in the whole moderation thing. Suprisingly, I don't really feel deprived or anything. Isn't that weird? Probably because some of the things I placed orders for pre-no-buy are actually still trickling in. :D I'm a mess.

    I just wanted to write in to let you know you have a big cheerleader cheering for you in your section. :D

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    1. I'm trying, Belly- I really am! I would be tremendously gratified to get through some of my stash! The dent in the JC has been there for quite a while-- this is the US version that I bought when it was still at the counters. I wore it all of the time for a while-- and stil llove it madly-- but I figured it was the one blush that I had actually made a good dent in, and as such should try to hit the pan!

      I admire your no-buy, but having some of your recent purchases still trickling in certainly helps keep you from feeling deprived. Plus-- you have been doing so much with your gorgeous Shiseido Palette- that it might be a long time before you really feel the need ot go buy more e/s!

      Thanks for cheering! :D

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  5. I am most definitely in. The fact is, the holidays are bringing out that lust you mentioned on but over the last two years since I got into makeup, I have yet to hit pan on anything and the guilt of over consumption on top of not finishing what I have is setting in! I don't have any products I am actively trying to make a dent on, but perhaps this would be a good time to look for a few staple items to carry me through the winter and (hopefully) make a dent on those and use them up.

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    1. Hi Jay!!! YAY, I'm so glad that you are in!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! The holiday collections always bring out the lust, and truthfully I'm pretty sure that I will buy some things, but I also want to enjoy what I already have, and I am eager to see how well I will be able to make a dent in these products! Keep me posted on your progress, and what you ultimately try to dent! :-)

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  6. I was just thinking about this very topic today as I was purchasing 3 more lipsticks.....I also need to use what I have. I'm in!!

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  7. I was considering this very topic as I ordered 3 more Guerlain lipsticks today. I need to use up what I have- Groan. I'm in too!!

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    1. Hi Susan!! I know just what you mean- between my recent Guerlain and Tom Ford Lipstick purchases I started thinking about how much I need to use some of what I have! I'm so glad that you are in!!!! Keep me posted on your progress!!!!!!!!!! :-)

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  8. I know what you mean, I just hit bottom on a Clinique stick cream blush and it is so satisfying! Crazy! I love your feature where you show your empties too. It does seem to take forever to use up makeup. I have put a stop to buying Clinique and Estee Lauder, just to get the freebies, which I then never seem to have time to use. I now don't buy anything unless I'm getting a free bag of goodies. There are so many of those that come around now that it's not hard to do.

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    1. Congratulations, Cynthia!!!!! I know just what you mean-- I always feel so satisfied each time that I finish some makeup! It just feels so good, but it happens so seldom! I am trying not to be lured into buying GWPs UNLESS I really want and need something from the line-- or if the GWP is so unbelievably good (provided that I will actually use the gift).

      I'm so glad that you enjoy the empties posts-- it keeps me motivated to use what I have. Despite the fact that I have managed to amass a lot of beauty products- I am a very pragmatic person-- so collecting lots of makeup doesn't really reconcile easily with my pragmatism-- they are always at odds. You are so right-- it is very easy to wait for GWP-- lines seem to offer them more and more. I think that when one pays a premium for makeup and skincare that it is always nice to get those extras!!! Keep me posted on your making a dent progress!!!!!!! :-)

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  9. i don't know how to go about using up makeup, though in all seriousness I need to wake up and put on makeup first, haha! i don't know how anyone manages to put on things before work haha. I would love to do this project make a dent but i fear i'd get nowhere, haha!!

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    1. LOL!! You should do this project with me, Joyce. Just grab a few things that you have started to make a dent in-- and put them together in a place where you will see them easily and often-- I think that you will find that you reach for them more often that way-- and before you know it you will have made a dent in them. I decided the best way to use my RCS- was to carry it in my purse- that way whenever I'm out and about and want to apply a lipstick or lip balm-- it's right there. I just really want to see if I am capable of finishing any of these products!! YOU SHOULD DO THIS WITH ME!!!!! :-)

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  10. This is where I share a deep dark complex: I do finish makeuppy things on the regular, so much so that I am seriously wondering if my face is a cakey mess every day and the people around me are just too polite to say anything! lol
    This past year in particular, I seem to be hitting pan / finishing so many products -- I suspect my makeup buying goes in cycles as most of these are discontinued and 2005-2010 releases. It does feel really weird to be without a grey palette now and having to shop for one, after years of relying on my go-to's!

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    1. I wish that I had such a problem!! It would make me feel far less guilty for having so much makeup if I hit the pan on a regular basis. I have far less guilt about my skincare buying because I use things up regularly!! Have you tried the Burberry grey palette? It's a silky smooth favorite of mine!

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  11. I reorganized a lot of things so I decided to use a different foundation or bb/cc cream every day and give away what I don't care for. How many have I found in 7 days to get rid of? ZERO. Must be the hoarder in me.
    I did go through MAC lipglass though and found 18 that are past due so I'll be able to trade those in when I can get to a store.

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    1. Well, I probably wouldn't have wanted to part with a single foundation or bb/cc cream either! those things tend to keep for a good long while, and they are so expensive to begin with-- so why get rid of them unless they have either gone bad or are a horrible color match! WOW, 18 lipglasses?! That's an awesome 3 free lipsticks or e/s--GOTTA love B2M!!

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  12. What a coincidence! Just today I was thinking why nobody do any makeup empties (extremely difficult, i know)? Last month I chose some makeup products to be empties, but a month past, and I use almost everyday... that lipstick still looks the same as when I started off!!! HOW COME??

    Anyway, good motivation. Emptying makeup is really... what's the word... a persistent ambition. :p

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    1. Hi Tete A Tete! This issue has been bothering me for a while now, and I agree that it is extremely difficult to create makeup empties. My huge stash coupled with my many recent purchases really made me decide to get proactive about making a dent in some of what I have. Like I said in the post, it doesn't mean that I won't reach for anything beyond the designated pieces, but that I at least needed to make a concerted effort to start using some of them regularly. I know what you mean about using a lipstick repeatedly only to find that it still appears to look the same!!! It's just the craziest thing!

      A persistent ambition is the perfect way of putting it! Let's hope that we make some real progress!

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  13. what a coincidence? Just today I was thinking why isn't anybody doing makeup empties instead of skincare empties (which is easy, compared to makeup)? :)

    I have chosen a couple of "core" makeup products to be emptied last month, and one month had passed... despite using it everyday, THAT flippin' lipstick still looked the same as I have started off. HOW COME??? Very good motivation - this project. It would be interesting to see the results... maybe after 5 years? HAHAHAHA just kidding. :p

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    1. Such a great idea for choosing a couple of core products-- that will really bolster your success!!! Keep me posted!!!!!!!!

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  14. Hi Helen ;)
    I think this is a fantastic plan! I'm already in! The last couple of months I have made a concerted effort too to use what I have after my blog sale. I sold quite a few items I hit pan on, but felt the need to get rid of them because I had too much makeup still. It was a relief for me to whittle my makeup stash greatly, but with all these holiday gift sets rolling in I'm worried my stash will explode once again! lol...I've been trying to shorten my list of wants on Sephora in preparation for their 20% off discount- crossing my fingers they'll still have it in November. I already presaled a couple of items in time for Barneys gift bag event, but the bag wasn't the incentive- I'm really low on moisturizer & eye cream...oooh speaking of Barneys did you see that Sunday Riley has 2 new face oils? If you get any samples of them could you please do a mini review possibly? I would love to read your thoughts on them considering how many other oils/serums you've reviewed, I know you are expert in this field ;) Oh and any word from Jason at Burberry? I think they are having a trend event next week in Topanga & they are suppose to have a GWP from Burberry, but I want to swatch the Fall products first & whenever I call nobody is at the counter to answer my questions :(
    x Naomi

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    1. Hi Naomi!! I'm so glad that you are in! It's tough to do, I'm finding! I really am trying to make an effort though. It does feel so good to make a dent in makeup. It's so easy to accumulate, and so hard to use up! I'm glad that you were able to whittle down the size of your stash--I'm very impressed! Yes, all of these collections are so difficult to resist!

      I almost bought some stuff at Sephora the other day, but stopped myself because of the upcoming &F and VIB sales. I asked about the date and the SA said it began November 7th. However, she didn't seem absolutely sure of the exact date.

      Good for you for taking advantage of the Barneys pre-sale. I had heard that she was launching a new face oil, but I hadn't heard that it was going to be 2! I haven't had the time to go see the newly remodeled BH location yet either. If I get big enough samples that would warrant a review- I most certainly will. I have to use a face oil for quite a while to really feel comfortable writing about it in depth. Hopefully there are some generous sized samples to try out! If not, then I can certainly give you my first impressions.

      Jason left Burberry and went back to Chanel. I haven't heard a thing about what's going on with Burberry since he left-- but I should look into it. I don't even know who the line manager is. Their summer collection came out so late in the season-- I hope that isn't the case here too. I would love to see if all of the things that we have been keeping our fingers about seeing/getting will be at the counter by the Topanga Trend show. You might call Chanel and ask for Jason-- he can at least grab you anything that you might like-- and at the very least let you know if anything has arrived. When I last asked him it sounded as though they were expecting the the products to arrive at the end of last month. <3 Helen

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  15. Hey Helen, bravo! I have never attempted anything like this, and I don't know if I ever want to finish any of my products though! I mean, doesn't that mean I'll have to repurchase? Anyways, good luck with your project! I'd love to see what you eventually use up!

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    1. Hi Sunny! it's definitely not an easy task-- especially when I have so many newer things that I want to use most of the time. I am just trying to incorporate these products into my regular rotation-- because lat's face it-- there is no way that I will only use these things at the exclusion of everything else! So far I'm not doing as well as I had hoped, but I have managed to use the Covergirl eyeliner each day! We'll see how I do! Well, having to repurchase isn't such a bad thing, is it?! LOL!

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  16. This is perfectly stated and came at exactly the right time for me as I have been thinking the same thing myself.. I love makeup and know I have way too much yet the temptation of like you said the Holiday collections and limiteds.... I will join you wholeheartly and put aside some products to use up because I would LOVE to hit pan on something or use up an entire lipstick.. Yet I keep purchasing them. However lately, like you I told myself to become much much more selective... Like do I really NEED another eye shadow or lipstick at this point... Thanks so much!!

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    1. Hi hunnybird! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I'm so glad that you are in!! Like you- I love love love makeup and have collected way too much. You would think that would be enough, but I definitely always want more! I am definitely making a real effort to buy selectively-- but I will say making the point of using this pile makes me feel good and less wasteful or frivolous! Please keep me posted on your progress! :-)

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  17. This is so cool and the timing is so crazy coincidental! I'm totally with you on this! I was just going though my stash days ago and thinking I need to USE UP some of this stuff--or at least use it more often. I actually have super sensitive skin and a lot of stuff I just can't wear anymore so I've either boxed them away (for color comparison reference) or thrown them out. That felt really good.

    Then I ended up not feeling so good when I unwittingly found two eye shadows in my drawer that I had been planning to buy at the next VIB sale. I've had those for over a year and have not worn them once. *shakes head* I know people are drawn to the same things over and over but this is getting out of hand. At least I discovered this in time before the sale--bc otherwise I would really not be able to use up those shadows.

    I'm trying to stay my hand and only buy things one at a time for each part of my face to replace what I can no longer use (so if I develop an irritation, it'll be easier to track down the source). Or, only buy things that will encourage me to USE my stash--like makeup tools or primers. And I WILL be wearing those rediscovered eye shadows.

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    1. Hi magstermash! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I'm so glad that you are joining me on Project Make A Dent! Super sensitive skin definitely forces one to become highly selective about what you put on your skin- so I can imagine how great it feels to purge the things that you can't/won't use!

      I'm so glad that you found those two eyeshadows before the VIB event! Now you can purchase other things instead!

      What willpower you have! Your methodology is brilliant- it will not only save you piles of money, but it will definitely help you identify the culprit when something irritates your skin! Keep me posted on your progress!!!!!!!!!! :-)

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  18. I love this!!! I cant handle a no buy since so many great things keep coming out. I am in. I think this a genius idea. Can travel sized items count?
    xox- Jamie {Makeup,Life and Love}

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    1. Hi Jamie!! I am so glad that you are in! You can choose anything that you really want to use up-- I chose makeup since it is so hard to do, and since I have so much of it. I am pretty good about using up skincare, hair and body products on a monthly basis, but do a pretty wretched job when it comes to makeup! Keep me posted on your progress!! I will actually be posting my first progress check tomorrow morning! <3

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  19. Photos don't lie, eh? Keep up the great work, Helen! I may do the same; using photos to track my progress will help motivate me to finish the products I've chosen to finish in 2014. A catchy name like "Project Make-A-Dent" would also be helpful. Hmmm... what to call it... Hmmm...

    You've me thinking now. It may be smarter for me to think of 'denting' my products rather than full-out finishing them. More doable. One of my downfalls is all-or-nothing thinking so, yeah, you've given me some food for thought. Take care, Helen. Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi BooBoo-- They definitely don't lie, that's for sure! Do it-- please join me (actually us, now). Just use the hashtag #ProjectMakeADent and include @lolassecret then you can upload your pictures to Twitter-- so that we can all track our progress! You don't have to be too ambitious-- just pick a few things. Happy New Year to you too, Boo! <3

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  20. Eyeshadows are always so difficult to finish off, but I do love me some Patina :) It's a shade that is overlooked so often but such a beautiful and universally flattering colour :D

    x
    Phoebe
    Eat. Live. Love. Repeat.

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    1. Hi Phoebe,

      I agree-- it takes me so long to finish off eyeshadows! You are so right-- Patina is such a gorgeous and overlooked color! It's probably my very favorite MAC eyeshadow of all time! :-)

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