Back when I started the no-buy challenge in February, I had no idea how long I would be running it. Three months? Six months? A year??? But I'm happy to say, I've fully completed six months now (remember, I started in February) and July was probably the easiest month of all. And I managed to finish a few fantastic products along the way.
No Buy Challenge Update
Going into July, I was a bit concerned about my progress in the challenge. June wasn't a great month for managing my triggers, and while I didn't overspend THAT much, I did bring a lot of stuff into my home that I've barely touched since, stuff I didn't really need but I just wanted. I think my guilt about it has also lead me not to USE any of the products, even though I know I eventually will. Or I hope I will.
Happy to say that all I bought this month was a $5 clear brow gel from Essence because my Anastasia one ran out. I would've preferred to get the ELF one, but it was sold out at my local Rexall and I didn't want to risk spending extra money buying it online. See? Progress!
July Empties
My pretties!
Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer - I don't see much point in this product if you wish to use any makeup over your moisturizer. I found it didn't play well with others and pilled quite a bit. It's too small a tube to test thoroughly but it didn't really impress me much.
Dove Advanced Care Go Fresh Anti-Perspirant - I'm not generally a huge fan of Dove anti-perspirants, I prefer the coverage I get from Degree, but this stuff isn't bad. The smell is a bit stronger than I prefer, but it doesn't cling to my clothes like some other stick formulas do. I wouldn't buy it again though, I think I got this one for free in a kit.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - There's a reason this is one of FAB's best-selling skincare products, it's basically a dream cream. It's a multi-purpose cream but for the price it runs at, I just use it on my face. It hydrates really well and isn't too heavy for daytime, while it's also fragrance-free, which great for people with sensitivities or who simply hate overly-fragranced skincare. Love this stuff, have bought it a few times and will definitely again.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask- I started using this in the winter time every other night when my skin was just way too dry from the brutal weather we were having. As we limped into spring I started to use it less and less as I found the gel formula wasn't really working with my combination skin come springtime. My boyfriend has very dry skin however, and gels work super well for him, so he helped me finish up this jar this month, and now he's hooked!
Lush Rosy Cheeks Fresh Face Mask - I'm not really allowed to buy any more face masks, but if I was, this would be right up there at the top of my list. I don't use clay masks often, maybe once a week, but this one is so soothing with calamine and rose petals that it feels like a treat to put on. My skin feels refreshed after using it and never TOO dry or raw.
Ole Henriksen Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub - This stuff is absolutely heavenly. I have a few favourites from Ole Henriksen but this has shot right up to the top of my charts. I think this is my second deluxe size of this product, and it's definitely something I'm going to replace eventually. I don't tend to need it often during the summer, but it's so great in the winter to help exfoliate dry skin, and it warms up as you rub it on your fingers and onto your face and almost feels like you're having a REAL facial, except at home and way cheaper.
This is my "this smells so bad" face.
Seventh Heaven Black Sesame Peel-Off Mask - I've been a big fan of Seventh Heaven products since they were Montagne Jeunesse, and have been using their products for close to 20 years! Prices haven't really changed that much but the variety of products they offer has improved greatly. Unfortunately as much as I usually like their peel-offs, I really disliked this one. It stunk of rotten flowers and after 30 minutes it was STILL extremely goopy on my face. I ended up peeling off half and SCRUBBING the other half off my face with a face brush. Definitely would avoid this one.
Tarte Lipsurgence in Exposed - I've been on a HUGE lip gloss kick this summer, which is about time because the matte lip can only reign for so long. On top of that, I've also been going through my deluxe sized lipsticks and glosses the same way I'm trying to use up my small sample perfume. The Lipsurgence line has a bit of sparkle and shimmer, and has a hint of a vanilla scent when applied, and I was really surprised at how easy wearing it was. It adds just a touch of colour to the lips and although a bit sticky, isn't uncomfortably so.
Victoria's Secret in Crush - This is a sweet, summer scent that doesn't last long, but does leave a light hint of spice that makes it more interesting than some of the offerings Victoria's Secret had when I was a kid. I was actually quite surprised when I tried on this sample, I didn't expect to like it this much.
July Tosses
The Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes - I don't know why I didn't chuck this earlier, this liquid lipstick does the annoying thing so many of them do and FLAKE off, leaving my lips scaly. Great colour but NO THANKS.
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium - I received this in my big Benefit beauty haul a few years ago and should've chucked it ages ago. The colour is too dark for me unless I've gotten a LOT of sun and it's way cakier than I like my concealer.
So...? Sinful Lip Balm - I'm not a huge fan of potted lip balms so I just left this one on my sidetable as a before-bed lip balm. But I've had it for a year or two and I think it's not good anymore. The scent was a vanilla coconut but now it's just sickly sweet and too goopy.
Shiseido Inkstroke Eyeliner - I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this eyeliner. I've never used a potted eyeliner before and it made the nicest wings I've ever seen. This sample is all dried up now but I'm definitely going to add this to my "to buy" in the future! Read more about it here.
Veelightful Cuticle Balm - While she doesn't make products any more, this was an item I purchased from my friend's nerdy beauty product store. Her cuticle balm is the bomb but I lost this one and re-found it recently and it's separating on me.
