2023 Makeup Empties

2023 - Makeup Empties

The time has come around again to share my annual makeup empties.

To conclude 2023, I wanted to share how well I’ve done with finishing the makeup products and ensuring I’m making the most of my makeup collection.

At the end of 2022, I’d managed to finish 19 products, but hardly any eyeshadows, so my aim for 2023 project pan aim was to use 30 products in total, with a particular focus on downsizing my eyeshadow collection.

In 2023 I exceeded my goal and managed to use up 40 products in total, valuing £250.

So what makeup have I actually managed to finish in 2023?

PRIMER (2) - £18

ELF Poreless Putty Primer (£10), NYX Glitter Primer (£8)

Both great products and ones I’d look to buy again.

Foundations (5) - £88.44

Rimmel 25 Hour Foundation - Shade 100 x 2 (£22), No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation - Cool Vanilla (£14.95), Clarins BB Cream - 00 Fair (£35.50), Max Factor Miracle Touch - Golden Ivory 043 (£15.99)

I continued to love Rimmels 25 Hour Foundation in 2023, and also introduced a new favourite of the Clarins BB Cream into my makeup bag, which I received a replacement of for my birthday. I’m yet to try the reformulated Rimmel Foundations, so I really hope that is as good as this one or I’ll be on the lookout for a replacement drugstore foundation.

Concealer (4) - £38.97

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (2) - Cashew, Biscuit (£8.98), Maybelline FitMe Concealer (£5.99), HUDA Glowish Brightlight Sheer Concealer (£24)

I continued to rely on old favourites in 2023 as far as concealers go (Collection & Maybelline), however, I must say that the HUDA concealer did positively surprise me and lasted a lot longer than I initially expected.

Powder (0)

Eyeshadows (21) - £56.45

Maybelline Color Tattoo (£4.99), LA Girl Eyeshadow from Haute Haute Heat Palette (2) - Fiesta, Sunbathe (£2.25 eqv), Barry M Bouquet Eyeshadow (£0.88 eqv), 2 x Revolution XX Eyeshadows (Bottom Left & Bottom Right) (£2.66 eqv), ELf Eyeshadow Palette - 3 Shades (Pink Shimmer Shade, Matte Nude Pink & Light Gold Shimmer) (£3 eqv), Sophia and Mabel’s Aphrodite Eyeshadow Palete - (Shimmery Pink & Matte Pink) = from Aphrodite Palette) (£12.50 eqv), Iconic Eyeshadow Quad (All 4 Shades)- £21.50, NYX Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette (5 Shades) - £5 eqv, Fenty 5 Palette (Dark Bronze Shimmer) - £3.67 eqv.

I was close to matching the 23 eyeshadows I’d used in 2021, however, compared to last year where I only finished a handful of eyeshadows, I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve made in 2023 and my experimentation with different shadow colours.

Since using these up, I have been kindly treated to a range of neutral eyeshadow palettes, which I hope to be able to get good use of in 2023 and take the opportunity to purge some of my older palettes in my collection.

Mascara (2) - £15.99

Technic Mega Lash Mascara (£4), Soap and Glory Thick and Fast High Definition Mascara (£11.99)

I can’t say I’d particularly recommend either of these, and continue to look for a holy-grail in the mascara category.

Bronzer / Highlighter - (3) - £10.16

Iconic London Blaze Chaser Palette - Bronzer & Highlighter Shades (£6.66 eqv), MUA Shimmer Highlight Powder - Radiant Cashmere (£3.50)

It would be wrong not to have finished one of my favourite (& newly discovered) makeup items of 2023, and what a bargain it was. Comparable to MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish, the MUA Highlighter is a lovely pink shade, that doubles up as a sheeny-blush. Admittedly the packaging got a beating, but what can you expect for £3.50. I’ll definitely be looking to repurchase this in the future.

Lip Products- (3)- £21.99

Revolution Rehab Lip Mask (£6), LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub (£7), Maybelline Lifter Gloss - 003 Moon (£8.99)

The Maybelline Lifter Glosses are definitely worth the hype. After thinking I wasn’t a fan of glosses anymore, I found myself reaching for this most days.

Check out my past Project Pan blogposts...

, by Beth

Christmas

What I got for Christmas: 2023

My 2023 Christmas & Birthday Gifts

Hello Everyone! I hope you've had a lovely festive break. I say it every year, but my goodness did 2023 go by in a flash. With 2024 plans already filling up my calendar, I’m excited to see what the new year has to offer.

As is tradition here, I wanted to share my 2023 ‘What I got for Christmas' blogpost.

It goes without saying that I am highly grateful for the generosity of my family and friends who have spoiled me this year, but I also strongly believe that it is the people you spend your Christmas with, and not the presents under the tree.

What I got for Christmas

I'm always overjoyed to receive gifts of experiences, so the very generous birthday gift from my boyfriend for a trip to Copenhagen at the start of December was well received ahead of the busy Christmas season. He also surprised me with a cute PJ top and my favourite flower bouquet - lilies and roses.

I'm a lover of gin and chocolate, so I was made up when I received a JJ Whitley Pink Gin and Maltesers Reindeers. In 2023, I developed the taste for Ginger Tea, so the gift of Clipper Tea in the ‘Sweet Ginger’ flavour was well received.

Before Christmas, I’d never heard of Martha Brook, however, this year I was very kindly treated to a 2024 Planner and personalised notebook from the brand to get my year mapped out.

I love topping up my bathroom drawers over the festive period, and this year was no exception. This year I’ll be trying out Boots Extract Shower Gels and Royal Jelly to keep my shower stash stocked up.

I’ve loved Sol De Janeiro last year, so I cannot wait to try the shower gel from the range, as well as finally getting to try the much raved about L’Occitane Almond Shower Gel.

I’d also been curious about trying a scalp massager for hair growth, and a wide tooth comb for brushing through my hair in the shower.

Receiving Laundry Shampoo for Christmas might not be for everyone, but I’d been wanting to try this brand ever since seeing the Tallow & Ash brand spoken about by Victoria McGrath (InTheFrow) and her raving about the great scents available.

I’ve shared my love of socks as a Christmas gift before, so this pair with hedgehogs in headbands put a smile on my face. I’m also a lover of planning, so receiving a notebook and a travel guide for Thailand are another perfect pairing for planning an upcoming trip.

I love for my flat to smell nice, and was very lucky to receive a Reed Diffuser from NEOM and a Festive Spice Candle to help make the place smell nice, as well as a plug in candle warmer to save me lighting the candles.

I’d treated myself to some airpods in 2023, but hadn’t a nice case for them so will now be able to carry them with me safely. I also ended up quoting Nanalan way more than someone in their mid-20s should, however, receiving a mug quoting the viral tik-toks brought a smile to my face on christmas morning.

I love the chance to try new scents, so the chance to try a selection of perfumes from Jo Loves is a great introduction to Jo Malone’s brand, without committing to a full sized bottle. I always love having perfume and body spray to hand, and love the ‘In the Stars’ scent from Bath & Body Works, as well as ‘Passion’ from Revolution that were kindly gifted to me.

I’d been meaning to replace my old black shoulder bag, so this lovely leather and suede bag from Monsoon was a lovely addition and I’ve already had so much use out of this.

Christmas always proves to be the prime opportunity to replenish my skincare and body care stash, and this year was no exception. I’d wanted to give the wristbands (that look much like sweatbands) a go for when cleansing my face and as I was running out of cleanser, serum and eye cream, receiving these for Christmas has given me the chance to give some new skincare from The Ordinary, The Inkey List and Origins a go.

Adding to my makeup collection, I was kindly treated to a refill of my Charlotte Tilbury Bronzer, which had run out just in time for Christmas and a great assortment of nude eyeshadow palettes. I’ve been on an Empties/ Project Pan mission this year, so I was very happy to see some new additions for my collection, including the Naked Mini Palette, ELF Primer and a refill of my favourite Clarins BB Skin Detox Fluid.

Dan and I were also very kindly treated to a joint gift of a cheese board and knife set, and a kit to grow your own herbs, which we have planted in our kitchen window in an attempt to grow Mint, Basil and Coriander.

So that's all for my 27th Birthday and Christmas Haul. I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the generosity of my friends and family - so thank you all if you are reading this!

Pages