Foil Challenge

[ather]

I know we all talked about this but I need it in writing to hold myself more accountable! I have picked out around 28 foils that I am hoping to get through by the end of Feb. that’s 1 foil a day unless I decide to stack more than one! Here’s what I’ve picked randomly! 

 

[JoSometimes]

@Mellmars1185 I don’t recall any scent with these. A plus for anyone with sensitive skin. 

[itsfi]

I'm all for smooth skin @JoSometimes! Are either or both products something  you would pick up in a full size?

[JoSometimes]

@itsfi Maybe someday if it’s on sale. I wish they had sent like two or three so I could give it a full week trial instead of just a few days. 

[itsfi]

Yeah, it can be hard to really tell how a product performs with just one foil sample, especially with skincare @JoSometimes.

[CorgiMommy]

Really late with this but here are the 11 foils I used in September for a ytd total since August of 42. 

I most of them are repeats or products I already use.  The standout is the beauty blender brush cleaner sample.  This is my favorite thing to use to clean my brushes.  If you haven't tried it you should. 

Working on my October foils and will try to post sooner.  

 

[Mellmars1185]

@CorgiMommy Great foil empties! I am also curious about the Beauty Blender Cleanser. I was wondering how you use it. I have only used solid cleansers in the past or a liquid soap. @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Nice job @CorgiMommy; making a note about the beautyblender brush cleaner. 🗒

[ather]

September foils! 

 
Total of 15! I was thinking about which favs I had for the month of September but I think this could be the reason I couldn’t think of what I loved! I enjoyed all of them but I’m not committed to buying anything from this pile! Next months goal is 10, if I get more that’s great. I’m getting caught up on my foils and I have a trip planned this weekend and another in December that will help catch me up too. I’m so happy with my progress! 

[Mellmars1185]

@ather Awesome use of foils for September! I like your idea of aiming on the lower side for your goal. When I was aiming high I was no always meeting my goal. I also was just using them to try and meet my goal but not necessarily doing what made sense for my routine.

[ather]

@Mellmars1185  Thanks! I feel like November didn’t go as planned. But that’s ok! I’m sure December will pick up! My mom is also coming for the holidays so I can always gift her some if she forgets anything! 

[Mellmars1185]

@ather That is a great idea. How exciting!! ❤️

[itsfi]

That's awesome that you are getting caught up on your foils @ather, and super impressive that you enjoyed all these samples. 😍

[ather]

@itsfi  Thank you! This month I’m not so good! But I still have 3 more days to pick up my speed! 

[itsfi]

It ebbs and flows @ather. Some months are better than others. And some months, it’s all about working through our full size products. 

[ather]

@itsfi  I agree. I’ve been trying to balance both! But eventually I will be all out of fouls I hope! 

[itsfi]

omg, that’s awesome!! 🙌🏼 That would call for a celebration @ather! 🎉 

[itsfi]

September 2023 Foils

I realize these are not just foils but it's a pic of mostly foils. It's actually September Foils: The Sephoria NYC Edit. Everything I used or used up during my trip to New York last week / weekend. One of my goals for September was to use up 8-10 foils of new-to-me products. While I used 15 foils, only 6 of them are new-to-me products. 

Product Details / Mini Reviews: 

Spoiler

The anihana shower steamers are "likes". I consider these more a treat than a must have. The Orange Crush version makes for a great pick-me-up in the mornings or just when I need a burst of energy. Lavender Love gives off that relaxing small like vibe that is oh-so-nice when it's time to wind down for the night. I would repurchase either scent, but as I said, for me, these are more of a special treat than something I'd use everything, the caveat being that I did use these every day I was in New York, but that trip was a special treat for me. 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Clean Eye Mask Caffeine  are marvelous and a repeated repurchase. I used one the morning after I arrived in New York - I hadn't slept but for a couple of hours the night before and needed to at least look alert and awake. These did the trick. Used the other one my last day in New York because I was out very early in the morning and then spent quite a bit of time packing, so there was little sleep. 💖

Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer 💛🍯 is another repeated repurchase - this is good stuff. My skin loves it. It's rich and creamy without being greasy or heavy, or too thick and rich. Another repeated repurchase for me. 

The SEPHORA COLLECTION Peach Blossom Sponge Set is super cute and a good size for me. I've purchased a couple sets of these and have given some as gifts. I'm not sure I'll pick up another set but that's because I have other beauty sponges, including ones I love, so I really should work through what I have first. Wouldn't have minded if the peach scent on this one was stronger.

I've never tried the Moroccanoil body care products until now that is. 4 shower gels, 1 body lotion, and 3 different scents in this batch. Of these scents, my favorite is the Spa Du Maroc. The Ambre Noir is nice too, but I think I need to try it out again. Oud Mineral is fine; just not a favorite scent from the ones I've tried.

My plan was to pick up a nail polish while in NYC and do my nails before Sephoria. That did not happen, but I was able to get some nail art for my nails. Used the Cutex individually wrapped nail polish remover to take them off my last day in the city. These individually wrapped Cutex nail polish remover wipes are my favorite of these types of remover products.

This mini of the pH adjusting Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm is super adorable - it's just so cute and it packs a lot of product too! More than I thought something this size would. I liked this one - great to carry around but I have several pH adjusting lip products so this isn't one I'd pick up in a full size. 

Now that I have some dark blonde highlights in my hair means that I have to do a better job of upkeep to keep those strands from becoming too brassy as the color fades. amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo  & amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Conditioner are okay. I don't know if it's just these foils (as I'm pretty sure they're on the older side as far as my foil samples go) but the products seemed heavier, thicker than I expected. The conditioner, actually, was a little on the clumpy, glompy side. Wondering if it was just these particular foil samples. Hmmm... 🤔

I found these Bloom Nutrition Super Greens Powder Smoothie Mix sticks tucked in my bag when I was unpacking my things in the hotel; must have been from my last trip. I had one of these and a cup of coffee for breakfast while I was in New York. These are fine, convenient for travel, but I'm not sure I'll buy these again when I finish up the variety pack. 

MTD = 15 foils (along with 3 full sizes, 1 deluxe size) 

October Foil Challenge Goals:

Spoiler

I'm not sure what I'm going to do this month, goal or target-wise, when it comes to foils for October @ather. I have one work trip but it's tentative; if it happens, it'll be a short one. What to do, what to do... Let's do this - if the work trip actually happens, then my October foil goals will be 15-20 foils (or 3-4 per week); if it doesn't happen, then my October target is 10 foils (2 foils per week this month).

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Spectacular September (Sephoria) foils! The Anihana steamers definitely sound like a lovely treat.  I would imagine the lavendar would be a lovely calming spa scent. A well deserved treat, I may add. Ooo I still have to try the peach sponge. How long do you typically use sponges for before you toss them? 

[itsfi]

Love the illiteration @Mellmars1185! 😁 The steamers definitely satisfy the aromatherapy function - it helps make unwinding after a long day that much nicer. They're one of those things that are not a necessity but they do offer some value add that make them worth picking up every now and again. 

I've read that beauty sponges typically need to be replaced every 3 months (or sooner if you notice the product tearing, losing its bounce, having a smell, etc.), but I tend to replace mine every 2 months, or maybe even 6 weeks. It's more of a personal preference to replace them more frequently. 

[Mellmars1185]

@itsfi Thanks for the info on the Beauty Blender type sponges. Would you beleive I throw mine in my washing machine 🤭? No tears yet. Although, I do not use them a ton.i have had my one Beauty Blender for years. I have been using it more frequently for under eye concealer. Maybe it is time to open up the peach 🍑 ones.

[ather]

@itsfi  Great job! I love that most are favs. The steamers sound awesome! The amika sounds like the the samples might have been off. I’ve used the shampoo and I don’t remember it being thick. Hmmmm I have some of those amika samples at home. Maybe I’ll dig mine out and see if it is the same?