Project Pan Again: More Speed Reviews

Project Pan Item #57: Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
Reviewed here.

Project Pan Item #58: Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B. Fragrance Body Lotion
This lotion came as a set with the perfume, which was the first fragrance that I ever purchased, way back at the beginning of college. It is my favorite scent by far. I don't know how I happened to get it right the first time around, but no fragrance since has ever worked as well on me. With every other perfume that I own, I find that I might like them for a short period of time but something always gets to be a little off about the way they wear on me. Not so with L.A.M.B. Sadly, this fragrance has been discontinued. Luckily, I have a back-up in storage. As for the lotion, I really enjoyed it. It was quite light and thin in consistency, so it spread easily over the skin and sunk in quickly. It certainly was not greasy or oily. It provided decent moisture, although I'm not sure that it would be sufficient for if you're very parched.

Project Pan Item #59: Butter London Kitten Heels
Reviewed here.

Project Pan Item #60: Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
My roommate re-gifted this one to me. It is a lot like the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser (reviewed here) that I have been loyal to for years and years. It is similar in consistency but perhaps slightly thinner, plus it foams when you rinse it. Otherwise, it leaves the same squeaky clean feeling when you use it. Now that I'm through with this tube, I will be returning to my trusty Neutrogena cleanser because it accomplishes the same effect as far as I'm concerned.

Project Pan Items #61, 62: Maybelline The Rocket Mascara (Waterproof)
I liked this enough to go through two tubes of it but I'm not committed. While it did a nice job of thickening the lashes, it could get clumpy. The wand was fat and had such short spikes that I had to apply a bit more force in order to wedge my lashes between, which sometimes meant I smudged the mascara onto my lids. I'm on the hunt for something better.

Project Pan Item #63: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye
Reviewed here.

Project Pan Item #64: Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme
While I have generally been impressed with Estee Lauder's skincare, this is one item that I was not a fan of. Something was off about the fragrance. It initially smells like a nice floral but it very quickly distorts into something sort of sickly, almost like an old matronly sort of scent. It was a thicker cream, and sort of greasy feeling. I also found that it would pill as I rubbed it into my skin. I only managed to finish it because I started using it exclusively on my neck, where the oiliness of the product didn't bother me so much.

Project Pan Item #65: Estee Lauder DayWear
Reviewed here.

Project Pan Item #66: Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Balm in Soothing Sorbet
This one was a disappointment. It didn't feel particularly moisturizing or soothing. In fact, a lot of times my lips felt more chapped once the product wore off. The shade was a bit too similar to my natural lip color so it did nothing to enhance it. I would not recommend this.

Project Pan Item #67: Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Cherry Me
I actually finished up this tube of Baby Lips balm prior to trying the Dr. Rescue one reviewed above. I much preferred the original formula, which had better slip and moisture. I also preferred the shade of Cherry Me. I would not mind repurchasing this but the packaging is a deterrent for me. I find it to be a bit garish and juvenile.

Project Pan Item #68: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat
Reviewed here.

Project Pan Item #69: Blistex Moisture Melt SPF 15 Lip Protectant/Sunscreen
I quite liked this product initially. The formula is a bit like Vaseline but more gel-like and thick. It left my lips feeling soft and moisturized. It has a nice light scent. However, while there is still quite a bit of product left in the tube, I am only getting oil out when I squeeze. I suppose the product must have separated out in the tube. For that reason, I don't care to try this again.

Project Pan Item #70: Physician's Formula Nude Wear Concealer
Reviewed here.

Project Pan Item #71: Urban Decay Primer Potion (Sample Size)
Reviewed here. The original formula is probably my favorite primer to date. I highly recommend it!

That's all for now! I can't wait to throw all these things out.

Project Pan: Speed Reviews

More Project Pan

Here are some more items I have used up, with just some brief reviews:

Project Pan Item #65: Butter London Kitten Heels
Smelly feet? This will help! This is a deodorant foot cream that has a light clean scent. I'm already onto my next tube. Butter London used to make one in a strong woodsy, natural sort of scent but I think they discontinued it, which is why I started using this one in Kitten Heels. The former scent had stronger deodorizing capability but the fragrance could also be a bit overwhelming. This one is not obnoxious and it does a decent job at keeping my feet fresh.

Project Pan Item #66: The Aloe Source Jojoba Radiance Cleansing Polish
This is a trial size item from a Glossy Box. I kept it in my shower and used it as a morning cleanser. I enjoyed its refreshing scent. It was densely packed with small polishing beads that they weren't too coarse or abrasive. I liked this but it is not something I will be repurchasing because I don't find anything particularly special about it, and it s not something I can easily find in stores.

Project Pan Item #67: Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
Reviewed previously. Still loving it. I'm on my next one already.

Estee Lauder DayWear

Project Pan Item #68: Estee Lauder DayWear
I've reviewed this before, and I have gone through so many tubs of these. It's my favorite moisturizer!

Project Pan Item #69: Naobay Oxygenating Cream
This is another item I received in a Glossy Box. It was a nice moisturizer with a fresh, clean scent. It's texture wasn't as creamy as the Estee Lauder DayWear but it wore nicely, wasn't sticky or greasy, and I enjoyed it. I have no intention to repurchase it though, just because I love the Estee Lauder DayWear so much. Plus, it does not include SPF.

Project Pan Items #70 and #71: Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Creme
I got these as parts of Gifts with Purchases for buying either the Estee Lauder Daywear or the Advanced Night Repair Eye. The Re-Nutriv Creme is a much thicker, richer moisturizer that I used as a nighttime moisturizer right before bed. It has an elegant scent, and it was a wonderful moisturizer. I'm sure it was great for my skin during the very dry, cold winter months but it's not like I noticed any dramatic difference in my complexion while I used it. I would be happy to use it again if I received it in a GWP, but I will not be purchasing it on my own just because I don't feel I'm at a point where I need to have something heavy duty for aging skin.

Project Pan Item #72: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
I first tried this product a long, long time ago, possibly in high school but definitely during college. It has a wonderfully refreshing grapefruit scent and I like the way it can lather and foam. The beads are bigger and coarser than the ones in The Aloe Source's cleansing polish but they're also much less dense so they're not abrasive. I use this as a morning cleanser and I feel that I get a nice, squeaky clean from it. I am already on the next tube.

Project Pan Item #73: Soap & Glory Hand Food
God, the scent is amazing. I loved this. I think I got it as a bonus point thing from Sephora a few years back. It was a great hand lotion that didn't leave my hands feeling too greasy. I have to say though, the scent does go bad so don't let it sit too long.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

 Project Pan Items #74 and #75: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent
I initially got this because of all the hype on YouTube. When I first started using it, I applied it with a dense brush only over the T-zone area. I found that it looked heavy, and it didn't end up keeping me matte anyway. However, one day, I decided to apply it all over my face with a fluffier brush and I found that the effect was much more rewarding. It has a way of smoothing everything over so that everything just looks finished and polished. I still find myself shiny by the end of the day but I don't mind because I think that's natural. I'm sure if I applied more of this throughout the day it would help but I can't be bothered to touch up. I like that this is very affordable and easily accessible, so I plan to continue repurchasing it.

Project Pan Item #76: Rimmel Match Perfect 2-in-1 Concealer and Highlighter
Reviewed previously here. Loved it, and I have another tube ready to go.

Finally, there are a few items that I have already documented under Project Pan but I just wanted to show that I made further progress. I am now ready to call it quits and throw these out:

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flawless

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake

Tarte's Natural Cheek Stain in Flawless was Project Pan Item #56 (reviewed here), and Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake was Project Pan Item #38 (reviewed here). I have been very into pink cheeks this past year and while this may be excessive, my current makeup routine calls for three blushes. My regimen started with the Tarte blush, followed by the Maybelline Bouncy Blush, and I finished off with a powder blush. I found that the cream blushes underneath helped the powder blush to last longer, and they helped to enhance the flush. I think I have now exhausted these two cream blushes, so it is time for them to retire.

That's all for now!

Project Pan: Another Round!

Here goes another round of finished products that have previously been reviewed:

Project Pan Item #57: Physician's Formula Nude Wear Concealer

Project Pan Items #58-59: Estee Lauder DayWear

Project Pan Item #60: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Project Pan Item #61: Swedish Skin Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Project Pan: More Repeats

Oh how satisfying it will be to finally throw these out! Here are some previously reviewed items that I have used up yet again:

Project Pan Item #49: Seche Vite

Project Pan Item #50: Swedish Skin Eye Cream

Project Pan Item #51: Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover
(Truth be told, I've gone through several more of these...)

Project Pan Item #52: Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser

Project Pan Item #53: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Project Pan Items #54, 55: Estee Lauder DayWear Creme

Back with Project Pan!

Project Pan

It's been a long while! I've used up quite a few products in the interim. Here are some items that I've reviewed previously and finished up.

Project Pan Item #40: Swedish Skin Eye Cream

I have a bunch of these to use up but I'm currently using my favorite Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye.

Project Pan Item #41: Maybelline One-by-One Mascara

This is the second tube of this mascara that I've finished. I liked it a lot and wouldn't mind repurchasing it.

Project Pan Item #42: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (Hibiscus)
Hibiscus was a new shade for me. It was very close to my natural lip color, perhaps even a tad lighter on some days, so it was a good neutral, easy-to-use shade for anytime. I generally like the Burt's Bees tinted lip balms but my favorite of the ones I've tried is Rose.

Project Pan Item #43: MAC Fluidline (Blitz & Glitz)
Blitz & Glitz is supposed to be a very deep, dark brown with some shimmer but the particles are very subtle, and the liner on the whole just ends up looking black. I have no problem with that and the product itself is great, but if you're looking for something that will look different than just a plain black, then don't expect much from this shade.

Project Pan Item #44: Estee Lauder DayWear
Still loving it, and still using it.

Project Pan Item #45: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat
Will mostly likely go back to this as soon as I'm done with my current bottle of Seche Vite.

Project Pan Items #46, 47: Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover (not pictured)
I've definitely gone through at least 2 of these but possibly more! I'm working through another now and plan to continue repurchasing it.

More Project Pan!

Here are additional items I've used up that I have reviewed before (click on name for link to review). Some were finished a very long time ago before my move last year. They were just sitting around waiting to be photographed and recorded.

Project Pan Items #27-28: Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye

Full-sized pots

Still my favorite eye cream! Macy's has a good Estee Lauder gift with purchase at the moment so I will be restocking on these!

Project Pan Item #29: Essie Grow Faster

There is a bit left but it's not very usable anymore. Even so, this bottle lasted me quite a long time if I'm remembering correctly.

Project Pan Item #30: Estee Lauder DayWear Creme

Trial-size pot

Still my favorite moisturizer! I have a brand new full-size pot ready to go.

Project Pan Item #31: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

Estee Lauder: Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator

Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator

Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator

Here is another post from May 2012. Enjoy!

Here are Project Pan Items #24-25: Estee Lauder's Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator.

I pointed out in my last post that I adore Estee Lauder's gift sets because I enjoy most, if not all, the products they include. Here is yet another item I sampled from their gifts with purchase.

The Idealist Illuminator is a white, pearly fluid with a consistency similar to a liquid moisturizer. The smell of it is to die for and the effect it gives is gorgeous. I mix a generous dollop of this with my foundation before applying it to the skin. It is hard to describe because it is so subtle and natural, yet it clearly enhances one's complexion with a soft, brightening effect. It is quite amazing.

I really don't have much more to say other than that. It is the best illuminator I've tried. I have not tried many, but I have used ones in the past that were much too pearlescent and gave the skin a greasy sheen. This one is lovely because it looks so natural. It is expensive at $58 for 1oz. My sample size was .24oz and I got decent use out of it. Definitely try to get one as part of a gift set if you're interested in this product!

Blended in (hard to see radiant effect but that's because it's so natural!) 

Estee Lauder: Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

I wrote a series of posts back in May 2012 that I never got around to publishing because I never photographed the items.... Here they are now, almost a year later! I've updated the Project Pan #s to continue off of my current number.

I have been accumulating a little pile of finished products, and I'm finally feeling productive enough to go through and blog about them!

First up are sample sizes of Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum (Project Pan Item #22-23). May I just say, I absolutely love Estee Lauder's gift sets. I definitely recommend that you consider purchasing Estee Lauder when these sets are available because not only is it a great way to test out their products, but they're also generally filled with amazing items. I have not yet been disappointed with anything I've tried from these sets. It was through them that I discovered my favorite eye cream (the Advanced Night Repair eye, reviewed here) and moisturizer (the DayWear Creme, reviewed here)!

Back to the subject of the post- the Advanced Night Repair is a serum that is designed to "[repair] the appearance of past damage and [address] the visible damaging effects of environmental assaults— UV light, smoke and pollution— before they become permanent," "[help] prevent future damage," and "[deliver] high levels of hydration." The serum is runny but not too liquid. It smooths over the skin easily and leaves it feeling softer and more supple. I like that it does not leave behind oily residue. I also think the smell of it is quite nice.

When I first tried this product, I wasn't entirely sure how to use it so I tested it in various ways: as a nighttime moisturizer; as a daytime moisturizer; and as a base before my daytime moisturizer. I agree that it is hydrating but I don't feel that it is sufficient to warrant its use as a standalone moisturizer. Bear in mind that I have dry skin outside of the T-zone.

Then one day, I was watching a Tanya Burr video (pixi2woo on Youtube) in which she mentioned that she loves the Advanced Night Repair as a treatment for damaged skin. This was at a time when I was dealing with spots and scrapes on my upper lip area and trying desperately to minimize scarring/discoloration. I started applying the Advanced Night Repair to this area in hopes that it would promote healing and prevent scarring. I can't say how things would have turned out if I hadn't done this but I like to think that the Advanced Night Repair had a positive effect on the healing process. Still, I was also using Neosporin, cocoa butter, and my normal moisturizer(s) on the area so I can't single out the effect this serum had.

To wrap up my thoughts, I feel that the Advanced Night Repair is a nice product in that it feels lovely to use and there is nothing wrong with it per se. However, I can't be certain that it delivers on its claims to protect and/or repair the skin. Its effects aren't revolutionary or dramatic enough for me to believe in its hype. I'm sure it did not hurt anything, and it may even have helped my skin, but only in conjunction with the other products in my regime. At $52 for 1oz, it is pricey. My sample size was 0.5oz so it was a great deal to receive it as part of a gift with purchase! I definitely recommend that you try to snag a set that includes this if you are looking to try it out.

Project Pan: DayWear Creme

DayWear Creme

Project Pan Items #18 and #19: Estee Lauder's DayWear Creme. I've finished up two! One was trial size (the one photographed) and the second was full size.

I don't even know how many of these I've gone through at this point (reviewed before here) but DayWear continues to be my favorite lotion. It has kept my skin nice and moisturized despite the bitter cold and dryness that I've been experiencing here in Boston. I plan to get more once I see a good gift with purchase (Estee Lauder's tend be great!).

Project Pan: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

And here is Project Pan Item #5, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye. I've reviewed this before here, and my thoughts have not changed. I love this stuff! I already have a back-up pot ready for use once this one is done (which will be very, very soon).

Estee Lauder DayWear: Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme

Estee Lauder DayWear

Estee Lauder DayWear

Here is Project Pan Item #3: Estee Lauder's DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15. I got this as part of a gift set and, as I am finding to be the case with most everything I try from Estee Lauder's skincare range, I truly adore this moisturizer. It has topped all other moisturizers that I have tried.

It comes as a light green cream that feels luxurious and rich but not at all greasy when applied to the skin. It has a lovely fresh cucumber scent. Boston's bitingly cold weather left my skin in disastrous state, so I was determined not to let it happen again when I went to New York a few weeks ago. I took DayWear along with me, which I applied both day and night. I also topped it in the daytime with Origin's VitaZing (reviewed previously). What do you know, my skin survived without developing awful dry patches or redness!

The product claims to "defend against signs of premature aging and diminish their appearance. Helps safeguard skin with advanced broad-spectrum sunscreen and Estée Lauder's best UVA defense. Visibly reduces the first signs of aging, like dullness and fine, dry lines. Skin feels smoother, looks fresher and healthier instantly." I can't comment on the protection it offers against aging since I can't see what hasn't developed, but I would be inclined to agree that antioxidants and SPF should prevent signs of aging. I do feel that my skin tone and texture has improved lately. It may be in part due to the DayWear creme, but it is also likely due to changes in my cleansing routine (I've started using the Clarisonic system, as reviewed here). Simply put, I can't confirm or refute the claims. All I can say is that I do love and enjoy this moisturizer.

It goes for $43 for 1.7 oz, which is not cheap, but I would definitely repurchase this at that price. It is the best moisturizer that I have used. I can't find any flaws (except maybe the cost). Definitely check it out at a counter if you're looking for a good day creme!

Estee Lauder: Advanced Night Repair Eye

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

I originally got Advanced Night Repair Eye as part of a gift with purchase. I was blown away with how much I liked it. It is actually my favorite eye care product! I ended up getting the full-size when I finished the sample.

The formula is amazing. It's not a cream, nor is it a gel. I'd say it's more like a serum but denser. It glides on smoothly and leaves the skin feeling silky. It is incredibly soothing, which is why I love it so much because my eyes are easily and often irritated. It dries quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residue. It is basically everything I could ask for.

I can't vouch for whether or not it reduces or prevents wrinkles. I think I'm young enough that those aren't a concern quite yet. I've seen reviews from people saying that it reduces dark circles. I have not personally had that experience but to be fair, I was never looking for it. I just wanted a product that would moisturize and hopefully protect the skin around my eyes. This does that in a very nice way.

I completely recommend this, especially if you have sensitive eyes! This felt so nice going on when my irritated eyes felt like they could not handle any products. A 0.5 oz pot is $49.50, which I think is average for an eye cream but not a trivial amount by any means. Try it out at a counter to get a feel for the texture. I think you'll be pleased!

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye