Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

Over the past month I have been very diligent about working my way through the overwhelming cacophony of lotions and potions that I have. After incorporating my face things I wonder how I will ever finish. Maybe this is just one of those things that can keep on going forever!

Moving forward I am was on my last bottle of body lotion, FINALLY! When my mother gave me a gift card to Bath & Body Works and they announced a buy three get two free sale shortly after it felt like the universe was trying to tell me something: "Buy more lotion!" I listened and picked up five more bottles of random scents. I hope I like them all, it's hard to get a feel for specific smells when you're in a store immersed in a bouquet of them. Considering I had nothing left (yummy smelling lotion wise) I'm ok with my move and I'm sure I'll be fine for a while. On another note, with the imminent season change are there any scents you are craving in particular?

Check out my progress here.

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

And another one bites the dust! I have been continuing with this additional challenge and am slowly but, surely making my way through the heaps and heaps of products I have. It has even gotten to the point where I am running low on lotion. Yes, that's right only a small bottle and a half left. Just when I thought I was going to be able to shop for more lotions via the grocery or drug store (I had my coupons ready to go) my Mom gave me a Bath and Body Works gift card. I guess we all know where I'm going for more when I finally run out... 

Something that I have noticed in my storage space is a an overwhelming amount of facial products. Not makeup but, cleansers, toners, and acne treatments. I think my initial intention of taming my occasional acne problems has gotten a bit out of control and I really need to work on using everything I have before I buy more. Sounds familiar... I'll update the overall list and let you know how it's going.


Check out my progress here.

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

I have been keeping on with this personal challenge to use all the products that I have before I run out to the store to buy more. I have developed a preference for bottles (lotion, face wash, etc.) that have pump dispensers. It is such an easy way to keep yourself from over-using things when just a dab will do ya. That being said, it is definitely prolonging the process as I am becoming less and less wasteful. Yay?

On another note, I was a little sad to finish this bottle of Jojoba Oil lotion from Crabtree & Evelyn. The proverbial “they” are not kidding when they said the strongest sense tied to memory is smell. The aroma of that lotion reminds me so much of my grandmother it is out of control. I don’t get to see her that often and it’s always nice to be reminded of her in little ways. What smells make you nostalgic? 

Check out my progress here

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

Do you remember last year for Christmas when I got a million 10 new additions to my product arsenal? After that I was expecting this year to have the same kind of results but, luckily for me that was not the case. All I got was this one bottle of shower gel from my Secret Santa at work. Lucky me?

On another note, I have someone new joining me on my product challenge! Mary from Budget Grad Student will be tackling her own product excess with the hopes that she will be able to use everything and save money. If you are interested in joining us just shoot me an email!

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

When I first started this product challenge I thought it would have an eventual end but, for every thing I finish I feel like another one pops up. Now the holidays are upon us which means probable additions to the already large group of lotions and potions that I have are imminent. Now I realize it will never end and there will always be another bottle of good smelling stuff looming in the distance. Is it a bad thing? No, I guess not but, I was hoping to get down to a more manageable amount of things. How would you tackle the product challenge? 

Check out my updated list here!

Don't forget to enter the $100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway!

I Complete You Update

I like to smell nice! I swear I have been using other things too I have just gotten very good at not using more than I need. I guess deodarent is one of those things that doesn't get rationed out as stringently or that I wasn't overusing to being with. I would go with that latter...

Check out my updated list here.

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

I'm still chiseling away at the mountain of products that I have. I am seeing less and less of those tell tale Bath & Body Works bottles under my bathroom sink (that's where I keep most of the extras). At this point I don't know if I would go into B&BW to purchase my favorite fragrance but, then again maybe I would. Cotton Blossom was a refreshing and crisp scent that I always got compliments on.  

Check out my updated list here.

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

It has been a while since some of these types of posts. I have still been cleaning, lotioning, and perfuming myself I guess not as quickly as my list needs me too... or maybe I just have too much stuff. O, wait I think we already established that.

Check out my updated list here!


Don't forget to enter the Orient Watch USA Giveaway!

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

No, that's not the same bottle of lotion from last time, just the same company. This one was "grapefruit" scented. I learned I love grapefruits, as in the real fruit to eat not so much the scent of it as a lotion. This one in particular was very spiced, musky, or "medicine-y" as my new boss put it when she asked me not to wear that smell anymore. Yeah, that was awkward... I guess some people are are sensitive to different smells. Thankfully I was almost done. Would you ask someone to not wear a scent you didn't like? How would you go about it?

Check out my updated list here!

Don't forget to enter the Perricone MD Product Giveaway!

FBFF: Beauty Products

1. What's your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?

I don't really wear makeup or more specifically, I tend to only wear makeup on special occasions. Can you tell the difference? Maybe a little? Ok, that's fair... I would say that one thing I like when I do wear makeup is spray on foundation, it's so lightweight and really covers nicely!

2. Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live without?

I cannot be without lip gloss. BF thinks it's an unnecessary thing like, my chapped lips are all in my head... he's so completely incorrect!

3. What's the best hair product you've ever used?

I have really thick curly (sometimes) and frizzy (most of the time) hair. I am IN LOVE with Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment! It is, at this point, the only thing the only thing I put in my hair and when I was wearing my hair curly... it was one of two things. It's on the pricier side but, totally worth since for regular use just a dab will do ya. I literally had one jar for years! Just a little in your hair after blow drying and it looks perfect; it also works great as an overnight treatment every once and a while.

4. Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?

Well, I don't really wear make up but, when I was high school I used to wear lip-liner (I have no idea why) and super shiny lip gloss thing. My mom called them chuleta lips... which means pork chop in Spanish. I wouldn't say that it was shame or apprehension inducing at this point; just silly of me.

5. When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?

We all know I have a product addiction but, I don't know if any of the things I like show off my personality. 95% of the things I use on a daily basis are meant for cleansing/smelling nice. Yes, I like to smell nice how indicative of me as a person... no wait, that's not right. I suppose the scents I choose sad something about me. For the past few months I've been into really musky scents but, now that the spring is upon us I'm excited to change to lighter, sweeter scents.

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

So I have knocked a few more off the list! Deodorant is, of course, necessary. O, not for you? Well... you smell. This colder than normal winter is also making lotion a critical item, my skin is really taking a beating! Is it the same for you or do you have another essential winter item in your beauty arsenal?

Check out my updated list here!

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

Lorena asked me the other day if I had recieved any products for Christmas. I had but, I was waiting to exchange gifts with Alex to see if she had anything to throw in the mix... she didn't and that is OK! I do like the things I did get from everyone (including myself apparently) but, my favorite has to be the courtesy goodies from LUSH.

     

If you don't know LUSH, you should meet them, one sec... this is my friend LUSH, they invent their own beauty products and fragrances. They make them fresh by hand using little or no preservatives or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients, and tell you when and by whom they were made. Lovely Alex introduced me to them after a visit to London and I have loved them since before they were found in the USA. Thank goodness they hopped the pond, the long distance thing wasn't going to work forever!

When we asked BF's Mom what she wanted for Christmas she said she wanted peace on earth, good will twoards men, and some sweaters.We got the sweaters and thanks to LUSH we got her World Peace as well. I had originally ordered it through Amazon (if only it was that easy) and I guess in the hubbub of the holidays my order got passed over. I emailed them a few days before Christmas to check on the status and LUSH called me back that day to apologize profusely for the oversight, ship me the desired product overnight express and send me a few goodies for any trouble the oversight might have caused. Yup, it was the easy! 

Check out my updated list here!

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

It's been a while since I have had any news on this front but, finally I have finished something else. We'll find out in a few more days if I have some new things to add to the list. I wouldn't mind more of this fragrance, Peony blended well with alot of my perfumes... Do you like to mix and match your lotions and perfumes to create new fragrances or are you all about keeping it uniform?

Check out my progress here!

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

I have finished a couple more things in my never ending product challenge. I am racing against the clock because the holidays are coming up and I know someone is going to buy me the standard gift basket from Bath & Body Works. If that's the case at least make sure it's my "favorite scent"!

One of the things that I didn't like about these products is that the containers are not recyclable! I mean who still does that?! I know moving forward if when this ends I am going to check the containers before I buy things. Would you (or have you) put a product back on the shelf if the container wasn't recyclable?

Check out my progress here

Friend Friday: All Natural

1. The move to do away with soap, shampoo and deodorant has been growing in popularity in the last year. What are your thoughts on this trend?

People are entitled to do what they want to do but, as we can see from my product addiction I like to smell nice. As I went over in my original post on that topic I definitely want to cut down on my excessive product consumption but, I will always use deodorant, soap, etc. It seems a little

2. Be honest how often do you wash your own hair?

Every other day if I wear it curly, every three or four days when it's straight. I only ever have my hair washed by someone else when I go to the salon for a cut or a blow out. Are there really people who go to the salon just to have their hair washed? I want to have the money for that, then still do it myself or maybe I misunderstood the question...

3. Have you tried to go the more natural route by forgoing shampoo? What happened? Or would you be tempted to try it?

No that prospect scares me, it would be horrible for my hair and my face. I can't just see the greasy hair and breakouts now...

4. What products do you use and have you ever gone with more organic alternatives?

Well for my hair I use whatever shampoo/conditioner is on sale and is moisturizing. Generally Suave or Herbal Essences. I actually don't use too many products other than that. When I wear my hair straight I use Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, a more natural thing to add some shine and control the flyaways after I blow it out. When I wear it curly I use Got2B Spiking Glue. It sounds extreme but, haven't found the hold I like in a gel yet and when this worked I stopped looking for other products.

5. What about that daily shower? Would you forgo that opting to shower three times a week instead?

No, just no. I like feeling (and being) clean! There are some rare occasions where I don't shower one day and by the next day I feel gross even though I wash my face, brush my teeth, and everything else other than a shower.

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

So, we're here again: I've finished something else. Black Amethyst (the fragrance from Bath & Body Works, not the real deal) is one of my favorite smells especially in the cooler weather. It has a more sultry scent that says I'm bundled up in sweaters and tights and still kinda sexy. O, that's not what it says to you? Fine, maybe someone is a little off today! We digress... I have been wearing it like crazy as the temperatures drop and went through what I had left in this bottle pretty quickly. But, I see something lurking in the shadows... what could it be?

Hmm... another bottle. I don't mean to complain but, sometimes this challenge seems a little insurmountable. I'm all for having extra of a good thing but, my extra amounts can be daunting. Are there any products that you keep multiples of on hand? This specific situation I can explain, someone (me) must have sent out a bulletin said when asked about gifts last Christmas that this was one of my fav smells and I got a few lotions as gifts. When I finish this challenge (if that ever happens) I would totally buy this smell again; like I said before, it's one of my favorites. What are you're favorite fragrances?

I also lost deodorant on my way back from California. I don't know if I left it in BF's parent's house or the hotel we stayed at in Vegas but, it is MIA. At least it didn't lose it on my way there, eek! But, if that had been the case I would not have spend a week without deodorant, I would have followed my own advice, not panic, and head to the local CVS.

Check out my progress here

The Roundup: 6 Months

As I mentioned before October is the sixth month of my personal style challenge so far and it's not slowing down! I am having a blast making my wardrobe work for myself while continuing to save money! In the past three months I have worn an additional 54 outfits to work utilizing 29 never before seen tops, 9 new to you dresses, 4 pairs of pant like things, 9 not worn yet skirts, 2 new pairs of jeans. I also utilized 4 additional pairs of shoes, 12 pairs of earrings, and 4 new handbags. I think it will get more difficult as the weather starts to cool down, I feel like I don't have as much clothes that is suited for this type of weather. At the same time, I'm pretty sure I said something like that when I finished my first three months...

In the past three months I have spent $79.60 on clothing and accessories. The number is a little high because it was my birthday and I treated myself but, I don't think it is unreasonable at all. There was even one month of no purchases! The grand total for the past 6 months is $125.60. I can't imagine that I have spent that little on clothes in quite some time and I'm ok with that. Hopefully I can stick with it!

I also participated in an additional three challenges (two of my own design.) I welcome all those that have joined me and shopped their own closet for fall trends, as well as, completing their products. I hope that more people continue to do so with the latter, I appreciate the company and there is a good reason to participate in that one. I also did my first closet makeover for a friend, it was so much fun!

Thank you so much for all the comments and support, it totally keeps me going as I move closer to the end of this year. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

I remeber when I was growing up and I would watch my mother get ready to leave the house. She would always quickly dust some blush on her cheeks and slick some pink lipstick on her lips, press them together and out the door we would go. It seemed so glamorous and I could not wait to be able to partake in that ladylike practice. But, the only thing that I was allowed to purchase or use for the longest time was Chapstick. Ironically, lipgloss is one of the only things I use on a daily basis, I just finished one and had to thrown one away, it looked funky... What was your first make up item?

Check out my progress here

Update: "I Complete You!" Product Challenge

Another one bites the dust! I just finished one of my (many) bars of soap. That's one thing that I might not be able to stop stockpiling. One thing isn't that bad right? I just happen to like nice bar soap! Should I ignore it if I happen to find one with an intoxicating smell or, even better, that on sale!? I'll try but, I make no promises... What is the one personal care product that you couldn't live without?

Check out my progress here

Update: I Complete You Product Challenge

 

I'm sticking with this and have finished another lotion and the first (of many) deodorant although, I threw away the containers before I took a picture. Do you really care? If so I will make sure to get that done the minute I have finished the next one. Thanks for all the support when I post these updates, I really appreciate it!

 

I have been working on putting a stand alone page for this challenge but, things have been crazy busy, hopefully I can get to it this weekend... It's not to late to join me in this or my fall trend challenge just comment (here for the trend challenge) and I will include you. I love having company!

• philosophy Raspberry Mousse Shower Gel
• Bath and Body Works Green Clover and Aloe Body Lotion
• Boots Mediterranean Bergamot, Orange, and Olive Body Butter
• Jergens Soft Shimmer: Skin Radiance Moisturizer
• Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula
• Bath and Body Works Cotton Blossom Body Lotion
• Bath and Body Works Peony Body Lotion