Savvy Thinker » Using up product

Using up products — how are you coming with this?

Karin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:44:04 +0000

I'm happy to report I've used up a couple of partial eye creams, by putting them next to the sink. When I remove my eye makeup, I immediately put some on, then wash my face in the shower avoiding my eyes.

I've also used up a couple of smaller sample products and the Avon product I just blogged about.

And I'm hopeful to find a new home for my lip pencils -- you know who you are!

What a great feeling to divest myself!

I'm going to work on using up the Chanel foundation that I've loved and is now discontinued. I have very little left, but I save it for special occasions. There is bound to be something better out there, and so far it is not going to be Chanel. Their colors are much too yellow for me, even with their new formulations. The SA was 'surprised' how yellow it turned on me. Well, it was yellow to begin with. She said, you must have skin that turns it yellow. My skin is not yellow; it is about as neutral as you can get. I would guess if your skin is red, the yellow would neutralize it and your skin would look beige. But with my skin being very light, it simply looks yellow in the foundation. Too bad, because I really loved the one that is discontinued and would have continued to buy it -- or at least bought one to stockpile if I'd known it was going out.

How about you? Have you finished off anything?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-24 23:36:20.

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FOTD Weds MK eyes +

Karin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:50:05 +0000

Yesterday was crazy busy, with end of year school stuff for the kids, not to mention a family birthday. I'm ready for the school year to wind down! This was a super quick makeup. I went with the MK because it usually turns out good, but I would have preferred to put the brown up higher into the crease. I'm going to look at the other pictures of when I wore this and remember to do it that way.

Eyes: Mary Kay Summer 2009 colors, except where noted; all other products the same as yesterday
Crease and outer corner: turquoise
Inner corner: brown -- would have put this higher, but already had the crease color down -- should have done lids first...next time!
Under brow: Lime
Lined top: Bahama Blue, pencil
Lined lower: Tahitian Gold, pencil -- first time I used it, and it is particularly pretty for a gold!
Brows: MK pencil
Concealer: MK

All face the same as yesterday, except:
Highlight up center of face: MK
Lips: AL Pout, rimmed with Revlon Pink Cami (and on the center of lips)

I'm trying to use up the discontinued Chanel foundation that I love and have been saving for best occasions. I thought I had about 3 days left, but it is going strong two weeks later. I'm tired of using it (because I'm trying to use it up)! OTOH, if I had kept it for best occasions, it might have lasted me 10 more years!

La Prairie sunscreen: I really don't like this under my makeup, but how else would I use it, since I wear makeup every day (and don't go to the beach)? I replace one of my moisturizing products with it, because it is moisturizing, but it is likely too rich for me. Maybe on my forearms? Ridiculous, the price, for it not to be on my face.

Hope you enjoyed looking!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-14 08:05:00.

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Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years

Karin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 18:20:04 +0000

Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years. Or sooner!

I will be posting individual reviews in each category, but they are not ready to go up. This is a short synopsis.

Avon has a comparison of before and after pictures, in recent catalogs of models at different ages, with and without their products, using corrective products for their age as well as skin types. What a difference!

I showed the picture to a friend who didn't believe that makeup was all it took. But any of us who know how we look with and without makeup, know it can be the truth.

She saw a TV show not too long ago where they debunked a particular product. I believe it was for the eyes. I told her that some eye creams do what they say, see below.

Meantime I saw a beautiful black woman the other day. She was wearing blush and lipstick, for sure. Her skin was luminous. I complimented her, then said, I bet she hears that a lot.

"Yes," she said. "And I never do anything to it. I have to thank my mother and father. I am a combination of my mother and my father's skin."

As we talked further, she repeated, "I never do anything to it."

Then, the kicker: "All I've ever done is use Clinique's 3 step for twenty-five years."

It works for her! And she didn't think she was doing anything?

My adage:

It is easier to prevent than to correct.

It was explained to me once that the only part of our body that we rarely cover is our face. Everything else can be hidden. Don't crimp on your face.

Do skin products really work?
Yes, some of them really do.

Nearly all lines show before and after pictures of women who used their products over time.

Do they have to be expensive?
No, but some of them are.

Avon makes some great skin care, age appropriate. They are also leaders in research and development.

Some drug store brands work; some department store brands. Guerlain makes many great products. Clarins. Clinique. Estee Lauder. Lancome. La Prairie. Olay. Shiseido. Cle de Peau. Avon. Mary Kay. I wear them all, and I always use Viviane Woodard moisturizer (since I was 18.) I am truly an equal opportunity customer.

Do you have to wear all products from one line?
No, but often SAs want to make you think so. OTOH, some products are meant to go together.

I wear different brands for different products. I don't wear one brand-specific. I do use some products together that are meant to be used together.

I go by how my face looks or feels any given day.

What about the weather?
Yes, change moisture products when the weather changes. In general, heavier formulations of products (creams) when it is very cold or you will be exposed to wind. During hot weather, lotions or oil control products. Use this same idea for your foundation. Use a lighter one in summer.

Exfoliate your skin
Moisturizers penetrate better if you exfoliate regularly.

There are many ways to do this: masks that peel or not; Retin-A or other similar products; scrubs (gentle, please, don't use a foot scrub on your face); cleansers that contain beads (Mary Kay Timewise is great, needs no toner, and comes in different formulas); diamond exfoliators (Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion Set is great.)

Sunscreen? Limit hours in the sun.
Faithfully! I never go without it.

Don't forget your neck. I probably did for far too long. I am currently using on my neck a sunscreen I don't like on my face. Hurray, gonna finish a jar.

My favorite sunscreen is:

I am currently using one with spf of 85.

How can you tell if it is only hype?
How can I tell if I need it, or if it works for me?
If you wonder if you need it, you probably do. Start preventative early, so you don't have to correct later.

Compare your skin with and without it. See my next post, that more fully explains how to make comparisons.

If you see no discernible difference or you don't like how it smells or feels, consider returning the product. Companies don't know, if we don't return products.

Serums used before moisturizers? C-products? Copper products?
These have their place.

Fine lines around the mouth?
Chanel has a good product.

Be faithful to use exfoliation. I've written earlier about both Beauticontrol and Mary Kay having good lip exfoliation-balm sets.

How about eye creams?
Do I really need a separate eye cream?
Yes, after a certain age for sure. And hopefully sooner as preventative. Eye creams work differently than face creams.
Eye creams are made for specific problems.
If you have fine lines; if you need lifting; if your eyes are puffy, there are products specific for each.
Lifting Products
In general, lifting products can be drying (tightening), so you might need to moisturize. You might notice your lines becoming more prominent. Use a lifting product during the day; moisturize at night. Or, layer them during the day.
Puffy eyes
If your eyes are puffy from water retention -- maybe you cried or you are traveling (like happens to me, even though I use my own pillow usually -- eye creams can help this. A magic product is Chanel's Precision Eye Cream. It takes care of puffiness. I haven't found anything better. And it works better than their mega uber expensive Sublimage line.

But if your eyes are puffy from genetics because of fatty deposits, no eye cream is going to affect that. Unfortunately, to take care of that means having surgical removal. This can be done at the time of an eye lift or separately, but it is considered cosmetic as far as insurance is concerned, whereas the eye lift portion would be covered if you are having trouble seeing because of the skin sagging around your eyes. Eye cream will keep your eyes hydrated.

Don't forget your hands!
See my separate post here.

That's all for now. Anything else you want me to share?

Book Girl says I should tell you that I'm 70, that way you'd think I look great. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not 70. On good days, in good light, with great makeup, I do not look my age. We won't speak of other times.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-03-14 14:21:57.

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Review: Avon Age Repair Elixir

Karin — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 10:07:12 +0000

You all know how much I love most Avon products. It should be no surprise that I tried this one. Avon is quite innovative in its skin care products. They are the first in many skin technologies and have a state of the art facility.

Pluses
The packaging is gorgeous.
The pump works great.

Complaints about the product
Like most people, I find the smell off-putting.

And others complain about how you don't know it's empty until it's empty. They wish it were see through. I agree with that, but the packaging is quite beautiful.

It would be nice to put less money into the packaging and add a bit more product. OTOH, this is an expensive product for Avon at $54. It is rarely on sale, and when it is, it is in combo with other products that you likely have not used up yet. And would people be willing to spend that money if the packaging were cheaper? It's the total aura that makes us even believe something is worth trying, let alone that it might work.

What did I think?
This is a product I decided to finish off in my quest to use up product. About the same time I read something that mentioned how it changed the look of your neck, so I decided to concentrate using it on the lower half of my face and upper part of my neck.

And I got about 2 days warning that the container was almost empty. For a couple of days, the product came out sporadically. I wondered if it were empty. It seemed fairly quick, but OTOH, I had used it for about a year 1-2 times a week, maybe, so it was about due.

But was it empty?
I'm one of those people who cut open containers to use it to the last drop. I wondered if this container would come apart and what I would find.

A la the Urban Decay eye shadow base which folks cut open and find more product left than they had likely used:

I popped off the plunger with a nail file. I pulled out the container with pliers. I wondered if the container would be like some others I had that were under pressure.

No, this was simple plastic. There was very little left in the container. That impressed me and was a good sign. The design of this container offers full usage with very little waste. Isn't that nice to know! If that container had been opaque with a sealed top, you would have no idea how well it emptied.

The top came off easily. I cut it open and used it all up this morning. I could have taken it apart tomorrow and had a fresh days supply. It probably would have been about two days worth because I only use one pump.

Does it work?
That's a hard thing to say. If you use good products already, like I do, there aren't dramatic results. I liked the feel every time I used it. I do think my neck looks better in the last couple of weeks. (I had never put it on my neck before; I only put it on my face.)

The smell leaves shortly, but it is off-putting. I think it smells a bit like fish.

This past weekend, I was going to buy the next generation Elixir Premium ($68) which was on sale by my Avon rep. I liked the look of it better on my hand. It looks as though it has some shimmer to it. But after hitting the air for a second, it smelled stronger and worse than the original. I decided to pass on it.

If you want a great Avon product that smells as good as it supposedly works: buy Anew Intensive Age Treatment. I'll possible review that later. Let me know if you need a rep, and I'll give you a link to my rep.

How do I rate it?
I'll give it a 3. It is expensive by Avon standards. They need to work on the smell. I'm sure I would have used it more, if it had smelled better.

But I used the empty container to hold a few lip pencils. It's really quite pretty.

How about you?
Have you ever used this? What do you think? Did you see a difference? Did you buy it more than once?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-24 23:22:59.

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Using up product — or not

Karin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 08:08:28 +0000

I'm not a minimalist. I learned a long time ago with perfume that I don't have to use up a perfume to get another. In fact it spoils a perfume for me, if I feel I have to use it, when it's not what I'm in the mood for.

I don't know about you, but I have product that I could use up. If I feel overwhelmed with stuff, it's time to clear it out. So I'm starting to.

I am an equal opportunity customer, when it comes to cosmetics. I don't care if it's expensive or inexpensive -- if it works. And I've learned that I don't have to use a product up to the end in order to try another product. Sometimes I just like having the option of variety. I use different forms of creams or lotions or even foundation, depending on the weather or the season.

And why, if I really like something, do I sometimes treat it like family silver? Who am I saving it for, if I don't use it? I should treat myself good and use it every day!

What to do, what to do...
Here's some ideas:
Throw it out!
You know you can do this, even if I can't!
Take a deep breath and toss it.

Give it away. Then it's no longer a burden to you.
Let someone else think about it.
Share it with someone who would appreciate it or needs it.
Gift it to a friend. Let them use it up!

Trade it with a stranger
There are site-specific websites that help you trade perfumes -- or cosmetics -- and other, like Craigslist, that would help you sell or trade the tile off your roof or the bikes in your garage.

Return or exchange it
If it doesn't work, don't feel badly about returning it to the store you bought it from. Do it early, rather than later. Companies don't know you don't like it, if you keep it.

Layer it with other product
I have Chanel No 5 in Douceur Satinee pour le corps...a lovely spray oil. I never used it for a variety of reasons: I rarely wear No 5, and while this is a lovely way to wear it, because there is no alcohol, so it is like wearing parfum (I do recommend this product), it would conflict with the perfume I really wanted to wear, and I prefer lotions.

So about a year ago, I started to mix it with lotion. I picked lotions that would pick up a note in No 5 or be changed by the No 5. As an added plus, I've used up one lotion, a fairly strong vanilla from Bath and Body Works that I never liked the scent of, and I'm working on another: Iris of Tuscany which I found at TJ Maxx a long time ago. It was very inexpensive at TJM, and if I could find it again, and if I didn't have plenty of other lotions, I would buy it again. It's made in Italy and quite lovely.

I take about a quarter size of lotion and spritz about 6-7 small sprays of oil into it in my hand, and I use it on my legs. It cuts the amount of No 5, gives me a lotion feel, and is far enough away from my face and dissipates soon enough, that I use it every day.

But it's like the proverbial pot of oil in the Bible, it never runs out! But at least I'm using it!

Use it on your neck
Facial lotions or creams that are either too rich or not rich enough for your face.
Sunscreen you don't like on your face. I'm almost to the bottom of one.
Mineral foundations that don't quite match your face.

If you don't like it on your neck or face, use it on your body
Elbows, knees, feet can use creams too rich for your face.

Mineral foundations
Use for eyeshadow as a neutral base for other colors.
Combine shades to make a new color that might work better.
If all else fails: use them on your neck or body.
They cover a birthmark nicely and help heal other problems.

Vow to use it up Reach for it first
I have an eye cream that I like; I just didn't reach for it often. The last time I used it up, I didn't think I would replace it, but then I did. So it sat there staring me in the face, making me feel badly.

I put it where I would use it as part of a 5 minute pick-me-up. When I woke and removed eye makeup that had smudged (even if I had removed it the night before), I would put a dab of this eye cream on, until I got around to doing my whole face. For my regular makeup, I'd layer on another eye cream. If I just needed a pick-me-up throughout the day, I'd put on a dab of the one I was trying to use up.

I'm happy to report, I used the last drop, today.

Use up lip or eye pencils
Draw on the tip of your index finger.
For blush: Add a small drop of moisturizer, mix with your other index finger and apply.
For eye shadow: Add a small drop of moisturizer or eye cream, apply as above.

All those little sample baggies of shadows or highlighters
Ones you don't wear as often or as well
Make your own mix by combining.
Turn eye shadows into highlighters. Turn highlighters into shadow.
Turn blush into eye shadow or eye shadow into blush.
Mineral foundation samples or full size a little dark
Combine them or use them alone as bronzers.
Mineral foundation samples or full size a little light
Combine them or use them alone as highlighters.
Ones you love
Replenish them from full size.
Put your faves into your travel bag so you don't have to think when you pack.

Eyeshadows
Turn eye shadows into highlighters.
Use them for blush.
Use them for brow color.

What's the last thing you used up, and how did you accomplish it?

What do you do to use up product?
Send me your ideas, and I'll post them or you can be a guest writer.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-12 10:48:42.

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FOTD NYX Chanel Benefit Too Faced

Karin — Sat, 01 May 2010 00:16:05 +0000

This is the 4th NYX trio from my amazingly cheap NYX haul.

It's very late here, and after a busy day, I'm just now able to post my FOTD, though the pix were taken this morning.

TS 26 Velvet blue, ocean frost, space Medium blue, white/blue, grayed blue
These blues were very pretty on. I will definitely reach for it again.

Base: Nude Frost
Lids: Meow Nicole S -- to make sure the blue wasn't too intense on me
Crease: Velvet blue and lightly over lids.
Lined up and down, plus outer corners: grayed blue, then pencil lined with Styli waterproof Sky pencil
White: under brow
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: Stiletto on top; Tarte on lower -- Stiletto has smudged on lower under eye, the Tarte is still perfect -- 15 hours later!

Lips:
Too Faced Trophy Wife + rimmed with NYX Silver

I really look bare faced here. Those of you who saw me in person today, did I look this bare faced to you?

No concealer, meant to, but I got sidetracked. I'm really liking the Dior Skinflash.
Primer: Laura Geller (used this sample from Sephora up -- yeah!) (This is the one that turned brown in the air/pot. If it is in a tube, not exposed to air, it might stay white.)
Foundation: Chanel
Rouge: Beauté liqui-gel Harlot
Powder: my sparkly mix, then BE mineral veil for bronzer
Benefit: Georgia Peach all over
Blush: MAC dolly mix
Highlight center of face and above cheekbones: MAC Mellow Mood + Benefit: That Gal

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-25 00:10:32.

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Using up product to the last drop

Karin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:45:50 +0000

Do you ever wonder what is inside the packaging of some of your product? Are you like me? Do you cut open most things to see what is left and use it up to the last drop?

This is one seriously strange, strange packaging, and I wouldn't mind being illuminated by someone.

The container claims to have 125 ml or 4.2 oz of product. In size, the container is larger by 1/3 than the 6.8 oz, 200 ml, bottle of Hydra-Serum Multi-Vitamin Body Moisture Gel (which is no longer made.)

In all honesty, this body oil is like the proverbial pot of oil in the Bible, it just does not quit! (I keep hoping!)

I cut it open with an exacto blade (carefully as it is very hard packaging), thinking there might be a little more in the bottom.

Then I noticed, after I cut it open, that the bottom has a hole in it, which means that there is no product in the container, just in that black tubey thing.

Which looks like it would hold about 1 oz at most.

So, seriously, how does it work? What do you think?

And it is still going strong, actually giving out larger, fuller sprays since I opened it up.

On another subject, I opened up Arbonne's REfinish Hydrating Body Lotion. It was difficult to do, but I did it. There was, possibly 1/4 - 1/8 tsp of product left in the container. I was unable to open the REactivating Body Serum, but I held it up to the light and angled the bottle in the direction of what little product was left in it (both push up from the bottom.) I got about 3-4 more days of use out of it and felt I had used it up to the last drop. At either $87 for the duo or $25 with other purchases, it's important not to waste.

Clarins Super Restorative Serum had several days worth of product still left in the container, when I opened it.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com
do not steal my posts, you know who you are!

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FOTD AL eyes + Chanel NYX lips +

Karin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:01:39 +0000

I've spent the better part of most days since the kids are back in school re-doing the house, organizing and changing -- all things impossible to do when everyone is under foot. Consequently, I'm behind in my blog but caught up in my life! I'm going to try to catch up with some of the pictures I've taken. This is today's look.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost
Lids: AL Luster pure eyes frost -- gorgeous color!
Dry lined top and lower: AL lisianthus satin petals frost
I started out thinking something completely different, until I saw these two samples side by side and thought I'd like to try them. Wow! how pretty they are! And I can wear this shade of coppery brown -- I still look alive, LOL!
Tight lined top and lower: ELF Plum pencil
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: Lancome Fatale

Primer: Vital Radiance Cool (a sort of peachy pink shade)
Foundation: 02 Linen Clinique Super Moisture Makeup a tad too dark, but nice -- I've finally used up all the Chanel that is still a fave because it was a perfect color and formula, but no longer made.
Rouge under powder: Chanel stick
Powder: Guerlain meteorites I'm going to use this up next. I had put it in a crystal goblet as they did in the store, but I took so long to use it up -- are you surprised? -- that I could hardly get any powder on my brush, so I ground it up in my Cuisinart, truly!, to make it useable. I think I also needed a pestle in order to get it really fine because there are some bigger bits. The over all color is a medium pink. Before the little beads of powder were ground there were beads of gold, pink, cream...
Blush: Arbonne Promise
Highlight: Arbonne the lightest shade of blush, bought intentionally for this purpose

Lips: Chanel Soft Mink + NYX Pink Frost gloss
Soft Mink is a gorgeous color, an interesting brown, and one I've loved ever since it was featured in Allure many moons ago. The bad thing is that it changes taste and texture way too soon for me to use it more than a few times. I've had to replace it at least 3 times. Bloomies is the only place that has had it lately.

Today I wanted to use it but not have it dominate -- that's for fall. It's still too hot here to be considered fall.

What do you think?
I was happy with the way this turned out. It's the first day in a few days that I've done my entire makeup. I was too busy with other things. But really, I love my look with makeup vs. without.

What did you wear today?

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, just ask.

Karin

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