Spending Ban/Project Pan

Anyone who has ever been a student and received student loans will know that March can be a tough month. In fact any of the months that come right before your loan arrives are difficult as funds are running low. With my bank balance looking a little unhealthy recently I thought a spending ban was in order to help me through until loan day, a day which feels almost as good as Christmas morning.

Ive set myself the challenge to use up or "hit pan" on the following products. Until I have completed every last one I hae banned myself from spending any more money on cosmetics. However I have hauled a few bits recently so if you see them pop up, I bought them before I started the ban!

I know it looks like a lot but a fair few of these are nearly finished so wont be too hard to complete. Ive put the details for everything below to help myself (and you guys if you wish) keep track of my progress.

Make-up

 Mured Skin Perfecting Primer - Use up. Done!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light - Use up. Done!

Jemma Kidd Light as Air Foundation in Light - Use up. Done!

Nars Mini Orgasm/Laguna Duo - Hit pan on Laguna. Done!

ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Duo - Use up.

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner - Use up.

Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Mascara - Use up. Done!

ELF Hypershine Gloss in Vixen - Use up.

Avon Magix Illuminator - Use up. Done!

ELF Eyebrow Treat & Tame in Ash - Use up.

Avon Brow Pencil in Blonde - Use up. Done!
MAC Teddy Eye Kohl - Use up. Done!

Avon Supershock Gel Liner Pencil in Bronze - Use up.  Done!

Smashbox Double Exposure Cheek & Lip Colour in Speedracer - Hit pan. Done! 

Avon Pro to Go Lipstick in Provocative Plum - Use up.

Carmex Cherry Lip Balm - Use up. Done!

Skin/Hair/Body

Naturals Almond & Milk Body Cream - Use up. Done!

Bumble & Bumble Styling Creme - Use up. Done!

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub - Use up. Done!

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter - Use up. Done!

Nivea Creme - Use up.

Schwarzkopf Gliss Shine Tonic - Use up. Done!

John Frieda Go Blonder Lightening Spray - Use up. Done!

Milk_Shake Conditioning Whipped Cream - Use up. Done!

Garnier Ambre Solaire Self Tanning Dry Body Mist - Use up. Done!

Samples & Sachets

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps - Use up.

Lady Gaga Fame Black Fluid Perfume - Use up. Done!

Juicy Couture Couture La La Perfume - Use up. Done!

Rodial 5 Minute Facial - Use up. Done!

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum - Use up. Done!

Monu Warming Aromatic Mask - Use up. Done!

Dermalogica Clean Start Welcome Matte SPF15 Moisturiser - Use up. Done!

Vanitas Versace Perfume - Use up. Done!

Do you think Ill make it through all these before spending money? I think so, I find posts like this a real encouragement to cut down on my spending and use what I have first. 

xoxo

What's in a name?

One evening in November 2010 I was bored, discovered the beauty blogging world and decided to try my hand at it. "Dollymix962" was very randomly the first thing that popped into my head, and since then it stuck. My blog, youtube channel, twitter and instagram all run under the same Dollymix name. 

This was never my intention at the time and back then I probably should have given my blog name more thought. Then again I didnt expect to be sat here 2 and a half years later still pondering over blog posts. Ive never really loved my blog name, its meaningless and annoys me slightly. The numbers at the end actually get on my nerves...why did I even put them there?!

So heres my issue. Do I change my blog name to something more me, or do I stick with Dollymix962? I cant decide whether its a good idea or not to change my whole blogging/youtubing identity...after all Cheryl did keep the "Cole" for her stage name long after slimy old Ashley was gone, so maybe I should do the same with my far more modest "brand". 

Even if I was to change it Im seriously struggling on what I would change to. Perhaps something not too far different, "Hayley Dollymix" is my twitter name so I could stick with that. On the opposite side I could go completely different, but my imagination for thinking up something remotely individual and catchy just isn't working for me.

The few new ideas Ive had have been "Hayley's makeup mix-up" or "Hayley Talks Beauty". See, my imagination isnt the best!

So, Im aware this blog post is a load of ramble of my typing out my thoughts, but if anyone has an opinion on what I should do I would greatly appreciate any input or ideas.

Thankyou! 

xoxo

Benefit Hervana

Ever since I saw Benefit's Hervana blush launch I knew I wanted it. All of the more muted tones swirled into it were right up my street, only Benefit's price points werent so I waited and asked for it for Christmas just gone. I always feel that if you have to wait a long time for something you want you really appreciate it more when you eventually get it, and that was the case with Hervana for me. 

Firstly, I adore the packaging and love the quirky, fun names and themes that Benefit always seem to get spot on. I think this box and product design are my favourite so far. 

As you can see Ive actually used the little brush that comes free in the box. Usually these brushes arent up to much but I really like tat this is a little angled one and actually works perfectly well and will be great for travel.

Now getting down to whats important, the product. Its a gorgeous swirled patterned blush of four different shades, a cream, a mid toned pink, a more rosey pink and a purpley fuschia shade. I find the best colour is given by swirling all the colours together to give a nice fresh pinky glow to the cheeks. It gives a slightly shimmery finish but nothing too full on as only the two lighter shades appear to be properly shimmery.

Im so glad to have this added to my collection, its a great every day blush and goes with just bout any mke-up look I want to do so great value for money. Hervana retails for around £24, which may seem steep but these Benefit boxed blushes seriously last ages as you get 8 grams of product. With the likes of MAC blushes you get 6 grams so the high price isnt too bad really, especially with colours like this that will get a lot of use.

xoxo

My Skincare Basket

I like to keep a lot of my skincare in this handy little basket beside my bedroom mirror. Aside from bathroom related items (cleansers, masks, etc). I do most of my skincare in my bedroom so it makes sense to keep everything I use on hand. Here's a quick run down on each product and my thoughts. 

I have other toners that I prefer to The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, but I've had this bottle in my collection for a while now so want to get through it. Its nice as it doesn't strip your skin and feels hydrating without being greasy, just a nice little step between cleansing and moisturising.

I got the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with a Feel Unique order, and get the feeling its trying to be like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, which Ive never tried so cant really compare. I just keep this here to use it up, its nice but I dont feel as though I ever need to reach for it.

I couldnt be without my Alpha H Liquid Gold, every blogger and their dog raves about this and for good reason. I use it every other night before bed as a treatment without moisturising after and the next morning my skin looks glowing and fresh. Magic.

The Anti-Blemish Skinetica is another sample product kept here to use up. I havent noticed any magical spot fighting results so use it as a toner when my face feels a little oily which it is alright at doing. Its nothing special to me though.

The Origins Super Spot Remover works like a dream at reducing redness and spot size, and fast. This iny bottle has lasted me forever, you only need a tiny bit. It gives that stinging feeling whic to me means its doing something and it quickly gives results, even reducing any soreness I may have from a spot.

The Dermalogica Clean Start Dream Matte Moisturiser is yet another sample to be used up. Im not the biggest fan of it in terms of how little moisture it provides, but like the matte finish for days in the house when Im not putting on makeup. This would probably suit those with much oilier skin than mine better.

You've probably heard me raving on and on about the Origins Vitazing before, so Ill keep it brief. Its a fab base for summertime giving a nice tint to the skin, Im even breaking it out now on sunnier spring-time days.

The Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser is a staple for me, its fairly basic and kind for my skin and can always be relied upon to give a nice hydrated feeling to the skin. I dont really feel the need to try anything other than this.

Im coming to the end of my tub of Origins Ginzing Eye Cream and will certainly be repurchasing. Its a great eye cream for mornings with its brightening, light reflecting formula which I find really brightens up my under eye area. 

I just use this old Batiste lid to hold a few cotton buds, I use these for so many things when Im getting ready so its just really handy to have a few on hand to get rid of any mascara smudges or other "emergencies". I like to keep a little mascara wand there too for when I do my brows, just so I always know where it is. 

I love the feeling the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub gives to my lips, leaving them super silky and soft. I rarely use this though as it can be a bit of a faff and the sugar gets everywhere (maybe Im just clumsy). It tastes amazing too.

I rely so much on my Johnsons Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads. I only need to use them on days where Ive worn heavier eye makeup but just find theyre so convenient, especially after a night out! The pre-soaked cotton pads work wonders at breaking down mascara and liner and dont sting my eyes at all, fantastic.

The Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins is my absolute favourite night cream. It smells amazing and feels so nourishing when applied to the skin. Its a step I really enjoy before bed because it feels like Im doing my skin some good (wierd?). I always wake up with lump soft skin the next morning, another compete staple to my skincare routine. 

I keep this little tin of good old fashioned Nivea Creme handy as I sometimes use it as a moisture mask. I just whack a load of it on if my skins feeling dry if I have a few hours before going to bed and just let it soak in gradually. Goodbye pesky dry patches!

Another Origins product Im obsessed with comes in the form of Eye Doctor, my moisturising eye cream I use at night. I odnt need the brightening properties off Ginzing for bed so find this hydrating option more suitable. Another product where I feel Im being kind to my skin when applying it. 

I keep the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream For Face With SPF 50 (such a mouthful) n hand to encourage me to apply SPF. I must admit I often skip this step but do like the product when I remember to use it.

The Clarins Facial Self Tanner is amazing for giving your face a lovely healthy tanned glow. Its not scarily dark, never goes patchy and can e slotted nicely into your skincare routine after cleansing. Theres nothing I dont love about it.

Im in the process of trying to use up the Soap and Glory Bright Here Bright Now. Its basically a brightening light reflecting cream. It does brighten my complexion if its feeling a little dull but I never really reach for it so am just trying to use it up and wont repurchase it.

The Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment is a strange product, like a mineral foundation but for going to bed. It actually gives a nice coverage too and doesnt transfer onto pillows which I find strange. That isnt really its main purpose though, it generally improves and brightens your skin in your sleep with its mineral content. I really loved this before I discovered the Liquid Gold and now that does a similar job but on a much more intense level, so I often forget to use this now. I will use it up though as it was stupidly expensive!

Last but not least I have the Mavala Double Lash, which promises to lengthen, strengthen and thicken lashes with nightly use in just 30 days. Im now on to day 28 of using it and ave noticed good results so a review will be coming on this soon.

What products do you think Im missing from my routine and need in my life? Im always open to recommendations of new things to try!

xoxo