Getting Rid of Clutter: In your Makeup Bags

Do you ever feel like you have too much stuff but never want to throw any of it out? Do you know you will never use a product or item again but feel the need to hang on to it because it has a memory associated with it--or just in case you may need it 10 years from now? If you answered both of these questions with a yes then you  are just like me.

I have decided to start a series of blog posts related to clutter. I eventually want to move out of this apartment into a nicer apartment and I do not want to move all of this stuff with me nor want my new place to look as cluttered as my current place does. Also, is it fair to make all my family and friends move my clutter? The clutter posts will happen once a in a while, usually when I have an idea and actually clear some clutter. The clutter series may go on for the life of a blog, as no one ever truly gets rid of all their clutter, but will not be the only posts that I write. Clutter will not take over my life, nor will it take over my blog!!

This first Clutter post is one that is fairly simple to do without too much guilt! I challenge all of you to clean out your makeup bags after you finish reading this post. I am sure most of you will find at least one item to toss.

In my makeup bags I found items that are over 5 years old but ranged from not opened to used all up. I feel bad about throwing hardly used makeup out because it did cost me money once upon a time, but I will most likely never use the product again. I decided to toss mostly low end brand items out (such as the marykate and ashley collection and calgon, haha). My reasoning behind this is quite simple: they are very old and the cheaper the item cost me to begin with the lower quality it was to begin with thus it probably contains more bacteria than the more expensive items. I do not know if the second statement is true or not, but it is my theory.

The pictures below are a some of the items I threw out on my spree. I also threw out other makeup items and quite a few calgon perfumes that are not pictured. I have to remind myself that being a sweeper (I have a part time job entering sweepstakes, on top of my full time job and school) that I will win many many beauty items in the future. Also, being subscribed to Birchbox will guarantee me new beauty products every month.

Readers Challenge: I challenge you to go through your makeup bags and throw out items that are more than four years old, that you have not used in over a couple years, look or smell old, are dried up, or may no longer be flattering colors. Any questions or comments please leave them below.

Step by step we will get through the clutter together. Do not get discouraged when throwing out little items (such as makeup) thinking that throwing out small items will not get rid of your clutter. A lot of small items may fit into one box, but it all adds up to one box you can throw away!!

For a step by step guide for organizing and decluttering makeup products check out this amazing article on One Pampered Life. 

September 2012 Birchbox

I am a little disappointed with the September Birchbox. Mostly because I received my box so much later than everyone else, and the tracking took FOREVER to update. I contacted their customer service a few times, and while they were prompt with their responses, they basically just copied and pasted what they had wrote before. Don't get me wrong, I still like this month's Birchbox, it is not terrible, but I certainly do not love it. My feelings mostly come from the fact that I was so hyped up to get it and then it was not what I was expecting. Anyways....to the box.

So the items in this months box are:

1.) One Twistband 

2.) Tiny Sample of Kate Spade New York "Twirl" Perfume

3.) Color Club Birchbox Custom Nailpolish

4.) Tiny Sample of Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

5.) Sample of Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

6.) 3 Tea Packets of Mighty Leaf Tea

Also included; A coupon for $25 off a purchase of $75 or more at Madewell

So this box did have one more item than my last box so that is a good thing and I hope I continue to get six items in my box. Even though I will use most of these items I just feel that these items are okay, and not very exciting. I would love to see a full size cosmetic item in my box as others have. The twist band is so cute I will be sure to use that. I do not like to color nailpolish provided so I will be using that as a stocking stuffer. While I am a huge tea drinker, I do not drink Mighty Leaf, like ever. I will be sure to try it and let you guys know how it is though. 

Is this box worth $10: Yes, I feel that between the nail polish, the twist band, the 3 tea packets, and the travel size bottle of Boscia these items would cost over the $10 if you were to buy them all as is.

Is this box worth my $10: No. The nailpolish I won't use, but I know a few friends who would like it so I will give it to them for a gift. The tea I will drink but do not buy this brand. I can get much cheaper Cleansing Gel which works wonders on my skin. The only thing in this box that I would spend money on again in the future is the twist band. The coupon I will definitely not use since I do not have that much money to spend on clothes at the moment. 

The thing I love about Birchbox is that even though this was not my favorite box, I still can not wait for my next one! I understand that I am paying for a sample service, so while my posts are weighing the pros and cons of the $10 deposit on the box, I understand that I will not be receiving a box valued at much more than that. 

Disclaimer: These opinions are my own and I was not asked, nor do I get compensation, to review the box or these items.

If you would like to sign up for the Beauty Box yourself, here is the link: https://www.birchbox.com?raf=l4w14

Glade Expressions Collection Review

I signed up through BzzAgent to test out the new Glade Expressions Collection and review the products. The   Fragrance mist (pictured left) retailed for about $4. I found it at CVS and they only had one scent (the Cotton & Italian Manderine). I am sure I could have found other options at another store, but CVS is usually my go to store. I am happy with the scent though. It looks like an upscale bathroom spray, but it does not smell at all like a bathroom spray. The spray eliminates odors rather quickly. I live in a small apartment with two cats so this spray definitely comes in handy! 

As for the Oil Diffuser (pictured right) I had to go to FOUR stores just to find this product! I went to CVS, Walgreens, Shaws, and finally Target where I found it! I was not very happy about not finding the product very easy. Also, what was more of a bummer was when I found this item at target they only had one scent for this item ( the lavender and juniper berry). This product works very well and masks odors rather quickly. It is said to last 30 days. The product was on sale for target for $5.99. Another plus is that the diffuser blends in with furniture pretty well.

Want to get both items free? Both items are on promotion right now to get them free after rebate. Rebate Forms: Oil Diffuser and Fragrance Mist. However, it says on the rebate form that you must send in the sticker to get the rebate back! I found the stickers on SOME of the oil diffuser boxes at Target. Please be aware that the Rebate rules state that the sticker is a requirement, and that they may refuse to refund you if you do not send in the sticker. When filling out rebates please remember to read all of the requirements before sending it in. 

My Top 5 Beauty Picks

I have gathered up a few of my favorite beauty items and decided to share with the world how great these products really are.

1.) Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain & Balm: Passion $8.99
     Don't let the hefty price tag on this item sway you away from purchasing this. Of course I did not pay $8.99 for it, I bought it using a Revlon Manufacturer's coupon while it was on sale at CVS. I used Extrabucks to purchase it and received Extrabucks back for purchasing it. This lipstain lasts all day, even after eating breakfast and lunch. Obviously, it does fade from morning to night but it still outlasts many of the other products in its class that I have tried.

2.) Lancome Art Liner  $29.50
     I was lucky enough to receive this as a reward from Loreal for voicing my opinion on their products. I usually do not like liquid eyeliner (for some reason I am not very good at applying it and prefer the pencil) but this is so easy to apply and really looks great for any eye color.

3.) L'oreal B.B Skin Beautifier Magic, Fair. $11
    I did not think that I would ever purchase a BB Cream, but I got a sample of this product in a magazine in light. The light was a little dark for me so I purchased it in the only lighter color it comes in (Fair) and I love the product! I did not even need to put foundation on with this product. I will use it during the weekend when I do not want to wear heavy makeup. This BB Cream feels very light on the skin.

4.) Lancome Color Design Shadow and Liner Palette, Taupe Craze. $49
   Wow! I did not know how expensive these were until I just looked up the price for you guys! I luckily got two of these (one in Taupe Craze and another in Mauve Cherie) through the same program in which I got the Art liner from. These totally make my eyes pop and they come with instructions on how to apply them for a Day Look and for a Night Look. As much as I love these though I probably would not drop $49 on them once I need a replacement.

5.) theBalm Staniac Tinted Gel Blush for Cheeks and Lips, Beauty Queen. $17
     This item I got out of my August Birchbox. I was so happy with the August Birchbox that I can not wait for my next box. I hope that the products will be just as good. This product ranks number 5 on the list because while I do not love it I do like it a lot. It works a lot better, for me anyway, on the cheeks than it does on the lips. I will not buy this product once I run out of the sample but I will continue to use the sample until every last drop is gone. I would recommend this product if you can find it at a rock bottom price!