Beauty Challenge -- Twelve Months of Beauty Inventory

[haleyvvvv]

[EDIT-Updated to not limit to a year, legacy posts for all years.]

A few years ago I was inspired by a challenge on Instagram and we did a makeup inventory. ✨❄️December 2022 Challenge - 12 Days of Makeup Inventory - Show Off and Catalog Your Collection!!❄️✨

I was a little behind on planning this year (job interviews, life, not being able to login to the BIC), so I thought we could make this a yearly challenge for 2024+ and broaden it across all beauty categories. 

Why participate?

• I know I went back to my posts to find "dupes" for things that were limited edition (Melt Pumpkin King, in my case).
• It's a good idea to look through your products every bit to review for quality and cleanliness.
• Curation is important.
• Knowing how much in your stash can help with your Low/No Buy or keeping an eye on your backups. 
• The fun of organizing your collection!!

Rules 

Please no negative comments about the size or contents of others' collections, this is a place to celebrate our collections. Self-reflection is always welcome though 💖. Please don't take this as an impetus to declutter (unless you want to!). 

I'm going to try to get a little contemplative with mine, to see if I would purchase again or not. But don't feel obligated to join that part!!

Timeline

• January - Face Primers, Nail Polish
• February - Foundations, Concealers, Cleansers and Mists
• March - Bronzers and Contours (singles), Serums and Treatments
• April - Blushes (singles), Moisturizer and Oils
• May - Highlighters (singles), Sheet Masks
• June - Face Palettes, Non-Sheet Masks, Tools (Brushes, etc.)
• July - Eye Primers, Single Eyeshadows (free standing or in custom palettes), Body Cleansers, Body Scrubs, Body Lotion, Body Glitter
• August - Eyeshadow Palettes, Shampoo, Conditioner
• September - Brow Products, Eyeliners, Mascaras, Hair Treatments 
• October - Lip Balms, Lip Liners, Lip Glosses, Perfume Samples
• November - Lipsticks, Travel Sized Perfumes
• December - Setting Powders, Setting Sprays, Full Sized Perfumes and Body Sprays

[missjeanie]

Okay I got primers done yesterday and will try for nail polish tomorrow! 

I realized when I first considered doing this project that it would force me to go through some things in my stash.  I currently have things organized in such a way that open make up and skincare are all in one dresser.  Then another organization system has all of my unopened products.  In that shelving system I have full size products all grouped together then three bins of what I'd call travel size or delux size products divided by skincare/haircare and makeup. Going through those unopened products would take some time.  But I'm going to use this an opportunity to declutter a bit of those mini's as they've gotten a bit out of control. 

This photo has three categories for me. 

Lower portion are opened primers with the exception of the Estee Edit primer that appears to be brand new though I'm guessing could be a decade old. 

Spoiler

-Project Inn Beauty Face Glaze.  I'm not even sure this is actually a primer, but I've only ever used it that way so it's included here.  I only used this a handful of times and do not recall if I like it or not.
-Benefit Porefessional.  I haven't used this in a long time.  It should be used or tossed I'm sure. 
-Tatcha Mini.  I remember using up a full size of this at some point and have had this stashed in my travel make up bag.  Should probably use it up and move on to something new as it's been open in there for about a year. 
-Becca..... ya..... how long have they been closed now?  I know I opened this up after they closed, but there is no reason for me to have it open still. I can also tell there may be nothing left in it.  Will find out tomorrow if it's going to be an empty.  I probably should have checked that yesterday.
-Bobbi Brown Face Base.  I've used this off an on for years (not this container, this container was only opened at the beginning of last fall). My dry skin that lives through a full on winter is in need of all the hydration sometimes.  
-Estee Edit. I swiped it on the back of my hand and it's still creamy.  Should I use this... probably not.  Am I going to try it out anyway.... yes.
-Gxve primer oil.  I have another bottle of this somewhere.  I'm guessing at my SO's place, or camp.  I do not find this to be especially priming, but it's more of a facial oil that I've slowed down on using of late. 
-Milk Primer.  This is the primer I've been trying to use more often and is currently in with my 'everyday' make up.  It's fine.  I don't think it actually makes my makeup last longer though.

 Upper right hand of photo

Spoiler

These are all what I'd call full size products that I have not yet opened.  I believe the Maybelline and Dermablend were gifted at UBW last year.  The Bobbi Brown box I picked up thinking I'd enjoy a smaller jar for travel. I will try them all once I whittle down some of the other products that are open. 

Upper left hand of photo

Spoiler

These were the four mini's I pulled out that were in my new deluxe size makeup bin.  I'm interested in trying the Rare which is a favourite of a friend of mine.  The Laura Mercier and Hydrating Benefit were two that I may like, and the It cosmetics felt so light that I figured I may as well try it as it's only likely one or two uses.

These are all mini's that I found going through my deluxe size bin that are unopened.  I'm not really interested in any of these so they'll be going into a bin that I'm calling my "Freebies for Friends" bin.  Friends and family can go through and take anything out of the bin they're interested in.  

I'm not someone who regularly uses primer.  I generally want a primer to help my make up last longer, and I just don't know that I've tried one that really does that for me.  So I was kinda shocked that I had so many of them.  A little eye opening tbh.  I feel like some of the categories to come may end up being waaaay more work that I want them to be.  But if I can keep up with my 'Freebies for Friends' bin ... maybe I'll be in a better place at the end of the year? 

[Samtian]

@missjeanie Ooh lovely collections! I forgot about the Estee Edit brand. 

[missjeanie]

@Samtian I had to look it up, because I was convinced I've somehow had this since 2000.  It looks like the brand closed after about a year in 2017.  So it's only 9 years old at this point lol.  That's really telling..... I'm actually ashamed that I've had makeup unopened that long. Must do a really solid low buy year!

[itsfi]

This is a good variety of primers @missjeanie. I had forgotten all about the GXVE but like you, I used it more as a facial oil than a primer. I'll be curious what your thoughts are on the hydrating version of Benefit's Porefessional primer (not that I need another primer) - the original was too potent for me, even my oily T-zone so I can see how it would be a phenomenal pick for someone with oilier skin. I couldn't get the MILK primer to work for me but found the setting spray in that line to perform better at making my makeup last longer. Your "Freebies for Friends" is a fabulous way to pay it forward. 👊

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Funny you mention the Milk Makeup setting spray, I just finished one that I'm pretty sure I've had open since October of 2024, maybe 2023.... I know I got it at Sephoria NYC, so whichever year that was lol.  While I did find it helpful to kind of marry all of my make up components together, I'm not sold that it helped anything last longer.   Which makes me think I'll need to do one of the Beauty Product Battles, Throw Downs and Showdowns at some point to test out setting sprays.  

[itsfi]

You should do a throwdown @missjeanie.; it would be great to get your thoughts on what works for you and doesn’t. Thread is there whenever you’re ready. I started doing a comparison of these and a few others last year but got pulled away by something else and didn’t get to posting. Two I’ve finished so I should probably pivot back to it. Note to self …

SEPHORiA NYC was 2023. I think I passed along the MILK setting spray to someone who would get more use out of it because I haven’t seen it in my stash (though that’s not to say it’s not around here somewhere 😆)

 

[missjeanie]

@itsfi Now that I'm seeing your photo I do think I have a mini of the CT setting spray to try out too!

[Titian06]

@missjeanie - I find it hard to know if a primer works or not until I try one that doesn't.  I guess that's why I only have two.  They work for my combo/oily skin:  one for the warm/hot months and one for the cool/cold months.

[missjeanie]

I do find that a lot of them help my make up lay down as others have mentioned @Titian06 , I think I just need to find one that really helps with the longevity! 

[haleyvvvv]

Thank you for sharing your primer collection, @missjeanie !! 

I love your Friends and Family Freebie bin; it's such a great way to pass thing along to someone who's going to get more use out of it but decluttering stuff is so hard.

The Bobby Brown face base is such a classic, especially in the winter for my dry skin. For me, I've been using primers less to extend my makeup but more to hydrate and smooth my base, but think a good skincare routine could also take that place.

[missjeanie]

I'm so bad at decluttering @haleyvvvv !  I know I won't end up doing all of the segments of the inventory but I'm looking forward to sneaking some in so I can fill up the friends and family freebie bin.  

I had the BB Face Base stashed away in a make up bag and I'd almost forgotten it was in there! Needless to say I will be priming like crazy to use a few of these up!

[Shosh85]

@missjeanie  You definitely have a nice collection going on there! 😃 I'm in the same boat as you.... I hadn't realized how many primers I had until I started digging them out for this thread! I just started experimenting with primers again, I haven't found one that I would say really helps keep my makeup in place either, but I do like them for other benefits. I actually think my favorite product to use as a primer, isn't technically a primer ...... Glow Recipe Plum Plump™ Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum 1.0 oz/ 30 mL  works really well for me as a makeup base. 😉

[missjeanie]

@Shosh85 Ohhh I love a hot tip, Thank You!  I believe I have a mini of this somewhere, I'll pull it out to see if it helps me!

[Shosh85]

Nail stuff:

 👆 This is the majority of my collection. Each of these containers holds 48 polishes 

 👆The over flow. Ran out of room in the main containers. I'm a little behind on ordering another one 😬

👇All the extras:

Spoiler

Extra nail stuffSwatch sticks

ETA....... all my primers 😉

 👆 The 3 on the top row are ones I've tried and thought were ok, but not great. Probably wouldn't purchase again.

The rest on the bottom are ones that I have yet to try. 

 👆These are my favorites and work the best with my dry skin. Another top favorite that's floating around my house somewhere and not pictured here is, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer Blur Primer Gold 

The almost empty container is the, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Grip Trip Hydrating Primer 1 oz/30 mL 

[shaeschaeshea]

@Shosh85  your nail collection looks amazing! 😍

[Shosh85]

Thanks so much, @shaeschaeshea! 😃

[Samtian]

@Shosh85 😍 Those polish collections wow! 

[Shosh85]

Thanks so much @Samtian!! 😃

[itsfi]

Not that I need another primer, but that Lorac Pro has captured my attention @Shosh85. How's the consistency / texture compared to the Bobbi Brown primer?

[Shosh85]

@itsfi  I think I actually might like the Lorac a little more than the Bobbi Brown 😉 The Lorac has a light and creamy consistency, while the Bobbi Brown is more thick and creamy. I feel like the Lorac just feels lighter and absorbs into the skin better. It also moisturizes better in my opinion and due to the pale greenish color, it helps a bit with redness/evening skin tone. I get more of that "glowing within" look. 

Here's a visual comparison that might help get a better idea of texture:

 Bobbi Brown👆

 Lorac👆

[itsfi]

Awww, that's helpful @Shosh85, thanks. The Lorac primer looks like it has more of a gel-creme consistency. The BB is a tried-and-true for me; I'll keep the Lorac on my list for when I make more of a dent in my current collection of primers.