Fifth post, and we're already talking project pan? Easy, girl.
For those who are new to the concept, a project pan is meant to help you use up a selection of products. The ground rules are quite simple:
- Select a number of products you want to use up.For example, I chose to finish 18 products in 2018. Other project pan ideas would be finish 22 before your 22nd birthday; or use up 4 by April, 5 by May, and so on.
- Decide on a time frame.Doesn't have to be very long or very short, it only has to be realistic.
- Pick your products.Most of the time, people would pick the oldest products first, or whatever they feel the need to get rid of. Try to keep them together and within reach.
- Track your journey!Some people might get bored or frustrated by a certain product, and then proceed to destash it. That is absolutely okay. Remember, makeup should be fun.
Once you get to the end of this post, you'll start to see the bigger picture, and understand what's the meaning behind project pans.
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What I picked:
- Laura Mercier Radiance PrimerWhen I first got this, I was so in awe. Illuminated! Fast forward two years and I wonder why I liked something this yellow.
- Bourjois Healthy Mix SerumStill a fan of this foundation, but it's getting old. I have a backup already.
- Bravura Azulene MoisturizerAh, Bravura. Beautiful tinted glass jar, beautiful indigo-tinged cream. Not-so-beautiful dark blue bits and flakes that come off when you rub your skin.
- Too Faced Chocolate Bar PaletteToo old. The pigmentation is frustrating.
- Bourjois Round Pot Blush in Cendre de Roses BruneFun fact: this is the first blush shade ever created.
- Colourpop Super Shock Shadows in On The RocksI don't know how they got highly raved, this product would disappear from my eyelids even just from a tissue rub. Glitter too big and not multidimensional.
- Lancôme Glow Subtil Silky Creme HighlighterGot this from a set. Slightly too dark for me. Creases when used as eyeshadow.
- NYX Plush Gel Lipstick in AzaleaWhy is the hype for this so short-lived? Delicious, plump, juicy gel formula that smells of plastic.
- Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow GelI have this tube open for almost two years and it hasn't dried up.
- BCL Browlash EXI don't hate this, but I really want to use my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ASAP!
- Shiseido Eyebrow PencilRandom purchase. It was below ¥200!
- Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara
Meh. - Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in MediumOnly one-fifth left! I really like this product and I already have a backup, but I'm feeling adventurous so I'd love to explore other concealers.
- Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer in 03Me and my bad habit of buying in bulk before even trying the product. Being an NC30 at that time, I purchased three of this in the same shade. Bad move, since this product oxidises a little. Gave a tube to a friend, finished a tube last year, and hopefully this one soon. Already have a backup in 02.
- Tarte Lipsurgence in Glaze (not pictured)Included in a set. Used to hate this but turns out super natural.
- Tarte Lipsurgence in Wonder (not pictured)People, never buy things just because it's on sale. I bought this and even though I don't hate it, I don't need it.
- Tarte Lipsurgence in Swank (not pictured)See above.
- NYX Lingerie in Exotic (not pictured)Fell into the hype. Surprisingly, I like it. Lightweight, rosy-toned.
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Project pan tips:
- Make sure everything is easily accessible. Move them to your daily makeup drawer, or to the front part of your shelf. I moved the first 14 products above to an old pouch, and keep the last 4 in my bag. Every morning, I only have to reach for the pouch and some tools.
- Create a strategy to make things work. Make sure the formulas you pick will play along and layer beautifully. For example, since I will be using a dewy, serum foundation on a daily basis, I choose to go lighter on my morning skincare and pick a matte sunscreen.
- Focus! You don't have to use everything that is in your project pan every single day, that would be boring. Instead, try to create a makeup routine that revolves around your picks, and complement with something from your regular stash.
- Give yourself room for choice. In my opinion, including palettes in your project pan would provide some variation and change, that might keep the project pan going. At the end, makeup should be fun.
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The first thing that struck me once I started my project pan, is how long it takes to actually finish up a product, and how little I need to create a full face. For starters, the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette can give me at least three different eye looks, from natural to glam.
Then why would I own five eyeshadow palettes with a similar color scheme?
I have yet to make a dent in a 2-gram blush pan, why do I own ten more?
As people who love playing with makeup and skincare, it make sense to own more than one or two product in each category. After all, if you find joy in the product, then why not? But the fact is, consumerism and easy access online shopping give way to excessive spending behavior on many things, including makeup. More often than not, I would purchase things just because it's popular, affordable, on sale, or allegedly a dupe of something expensive. If it weren't for those reasons, I wouldn't want it, and I definitely didn't need it. My purchases simply did not spark joy.
Hopefully, doing a project pan will teach me to be responsible and use what I purchased instead of hauling mindlessly and create a huge pile of unused stuff. Don't get five drugstore lipsticks because they're affordable; get that one NARS lipstick that you truly like. This way, I would be able to get things that will actually make me happy, not just for the sake of buying and owning makeup.










