The Used Up 2024:1

In this post I will go through all of the makeup and skincare items that I managed to empty sometime during the first half of 2024, January through June. Some items wear near empty when the year started and some were were unopened, but they all ran out during that time period. 11 items in total and out of those three were makeup products.

As per usual I’m not including all beauty consumables in this bi-annual post. Categories not included are body care, nail care, haircare or any type of SPF (unless it is a skincare/makeup item that just happens to have SPF in it). I still prefer not to track those categories.

I want to highlight some things about my skin that can be useful to know before reading my thoughts on these products. I’ve always had combination skin that is prone to dehydration. But I am noticing my skin changing a lot because of ageing (I’m 42) so I am slowly adjusting my routine to its evolving needs. I still get the occasional breakout and can get quite shiny during the day, but my skin is less oily and a bit more sensitive now. I only react badly to products on occasion and I still have not discovered any ingredient related allergies.

Let’s dive in!

Cleansers

My current routine: If I have a cream cleanser or something similar I use it in the morning before skincare/makeup and then I use a balm cleanser as a first step in removing makeup and/or sunscreen in the evening. I might go in with a second round with the same cleanser that I used in the morning or the balm again. But I have been less prone to double cleanse in the evening compared to before. I usually have a couple of cleansers in action at any given moment.

The Glow Mud Cleanser by Pixi (135 ml, 279 SEK) has been a staple for some time and I mainly used it in the shower in the morning. The big difference this time around is that I will not repurchase it. Simply because I find that my skin prefers even more gentle cleansing nowadays and I will heed to that. So I have grown out of this cleanser, but it was a great product for the younger me.

I tried the Squalane Cleanser (150 ml, 266 SEK) by the Ordinary in 2020 but in the smaller 50 ml size. I enjoyed it then but felt I ran out too quickly. This time I bought the 150 ml and had no such feelings. I really like this mild cream to oil cleanser. I did not use it as instructed (dispensing it into hands and then rubbing them to melt the product into an oil before applying to the face) but simply just massaged it onto my face directly. It dissolved my makeup just fine but I also enjoyed it as a morning cleanser. I can see myself buying this product again in the near future. A good basic staple at a great price point.

Then we have the big no surprise to anyone – Golden Amber Probiotic Cleansing Balm (125 ml, 399 SEK) by M Picaut. I still love using this cleansing balm and repurchase as soon as I run out. As I have previously written – The smooth honey-like texture and warm and comforting scent is a joy to massage onto my face. It does not sting my eyes or leave any residue after removal.

Then we have a product that is new to me. It is the Skin Enhancing Treatment Cleanser (100 ml, £43) by Lisa Eldridge. It is marketed as a hybrid balm cleanser, face mask and facial massage treatment and that in itself is an intriguing concept. The uphill for product is that I already adore a similar product, the Golden Probiotic Cleansing Balm by M Picaut. So my standards are super high. The big difference between the two is that the Skin Enhancing Treatment doubles as a face mask/treatment and that is how I tried to use it. The texture is smooth and lovely and the scent is subtle. I was not very impressed at first (again, high standards) but the more I used it the more I enjoyed it. I can see myself picking this one up again when I make an future order from the brand, as a treat. This is the first skincare item I have tried from Lisa Eldridge and I am now keen on trying the face mist as well.

Toner & mists

My current routine: I usually have a hydrating spray on hand that I use after cleansing, before serums. Sometimes I use a toner as a complement, either a hydrating one or an exfoliator. In the evenings I might finish with a more nourishing mist (with oils) as a last comforting step after hydration, but I do that very infrequently.

The Hydrating Accelerator by Josh Rosebrook (100 ml, 399 SEK) is recurring favourite that would recur more often if I only could get my hands on it. It is currently not stocked at Caeleste and I had to buy another mist to replace this one. I bugs me a lot that it is out of stock so often and that it takes so long for it to return.

Moisturisers & oils

My current routine: I use a variety of creams depending on what my skin needs. In the morning after serums I like to put on a basic moisturiser before adding SPF and/or a primer. I have lighter and heavier creams (I’m using the term heavy lightly here – I have combination skin after all) and adjust the combination according to seasonal variations like the climate outdoors/indoors. For daytime the goal is to have a face base that does not pill or look patchy when I apply makeup on top. In the evening I like to use a more robust and comforting cream since I do not need to worry about the makeup bit. I use an eye cream both morning and evening and the main goal is to hydrate the skin without stinging my eyes or melting my mascara. I use oils sparingly but I like to have one on hand for facial massages or as an extra comforting layer when my skin needs it.

The Rose Quartz Supreme Rich Cream (50 ml, 749 SEK) by M Picaut is still my go-to cream for night and even day during the colder months. I love that it is in a pump and so easy to dispense. I enjoy the scent and the texture and find that my love for it makes me blind to the fact that the price point is high. I still repurchase this cream every time I run out.

This was my first bottle of the Energizing Eye Cream (30 ml, 499 SEK) by Acasia. A nice eye cream that lasted a long time with a pump that was easy to use and dispense the right amount. I will consider buying this product again but right now I have another brand in use.

Base makeup

A single base makeup item this time. A staple, the HD Studio Photogenic Concealer (3 g, 109 SEK) by NYX in the shade Green (CW12). Sadly this product seems to be discontinued and I am looking for a replacement. I have another tube in action right now but when they are gone they are gone.

Mascara & brows

Starting with the Expressioniste Brow Pomade (5 g, 350 SEK) in Clear. It keeps my brows in place and looks great whilst dry. This was my second tube of this specific product but I did not repurchase another one immediately when I ran out. Not because I did not want to use it again but rather I wanted to see how necessary a brow tamer really is in my routine. After many months without I can now say that I do miss it. Sometimes I just want to shape my brows a bit and put stray hairs in their place. So I might by a new tube of Expressioniste Brow Pomade soon again.

Then we have a mascara from MAC, the Extended Play Gigablack Lash (5,7 g, 310 SEK). I purchased this since it is a long lasting formula that can be removed with warm water. Compared to my previous mascara from Surratt, this was similar in effect but not as easy to build. It smudged a tiny bit less than the Surratt one (se my previous posts for info on the Surratt mascara) so they are comparable products to me. Good but not great. However I am searching for something that smudge even less than those two. I am currently trying a similar mascara (long lasting that can be removed with warm water) from Heimish and so far it is a winner.

And that was all! It seems like a small amount of items for six months. But I have been wearing makeup a lot less lately and that affects how I prep and cleanse my skin as well. Less product use, less empties I guess.

Thank you for reading!