Project Use Them ALL Finale!

What a day to give Thanks- I've finally made it to the end of #ProjectUseThemALL!!

I'll admit that I had to change the original outcomes I was hoping for by doing second makeup looks some evening, but hey- I played around with a ton of different techniques. I'm so happy to be giving Thanks- and not worrying about palettes for awhile! I won't be starting any new projects this year, but keep an eye out in 2018 for a proper Project Pan. I've been enjoying my Empties challenge, but it's time for something new.

Now, the final month of #ProjectUseThemALL:


1 November: Dior Cuir Cannage
2 November: Tom Ford Raw Jade
3 November: Burberry No. 25 Gold
4 November: LORAC Enchanting Elegance
5 November: Giorgio Armani Orient Express
6 November: LORAC Refined Romance
7 November: Laura Geller Delicious Shades of Cool
8 November: CoverGirl TruNaked Roses
9 November: Marc Jacobs The Free Spirit
10 November: Laura Geller Smokey Neutrals
11 November: Marc Jacobs The Vamp
12 November: NYX Custom Prismatics Palette
13 November: LORAC Tails & Top Hats
14 November: MAC Enchanted Eye & Face- Cool
15 November: Fiona Stiles Electra
16 November: Dior Golden Reflections
17 November: LORAC California Dreaming
18 November: Fiona Stiles Canyon
19 November: Dior Golden Shock
20 November: Tom Ford In the Pink
23 November: Chanel Signe Particulier

It took a solid 6 months and a lot of effort to use all of my palettes. I need to be more cognizant of my purchases- that's a lesson I have learned. I don't think I'll ever go back to using a palette for a month at a time again, so this has taught me the beauty of enjoying my collection.

#ProjectUseThemALL Update: October 2017

We're on the home stretch!

Here's where we were at the start of the month:

Date Project Started: May 15, 2017                 Number of Palettes Currently in Project: 165
Date of Last Update: September 30, 2017                   Number of Palettes Used: 113
Number of Palettes Initially Included: 156        Number of Palettes Remaining: 52

Here's where we currently are:

Date Project Started: May 15, 2017                 Number of Palettes Currently in Project: 165
Date of Last Update: October 31, 2017                   Number of Palettes Used: 145
Number of Palettes Initially Included: 156        Number of Palettes Remaining: 20

I talked about how I'm playing with my stash at night. It's been great, and I feel like my blending skills continue to improve. Plus, I can play with colors I can't experiment with at the office so it's all good. However, if it's a neutral I likely wore it to work.

I'm not sure where I went off on the counting, but I really do just have 20 left.

1 October: Milani Vital Brights

2 October: MAC Nordstrom C'est Chic

3 October: Laura Geller Nudes

4 October: Tom Ford Lavender Lust

5 October: Chanel Tisse de Automne

6 October: Charlotte Tilbury Uptown Girl

7 October: Urban Decay Urban Spectrum

8 October: Urban Decay Moondust

9 October: Milani Bare Necessities

10 October: CoverGirl TruNaked Goldens

11 October: Kat Von D Shade & Light- Plum

12 October: NYX Custom Palette

13 October: Milani Must-Have Naturals

14 October: BH Supernova

15 October: Milani Smoky Essentials

16 October: Makeup Revolution Unicorn Love

17 October: Zoeva En Taupe

18 October: PUR Revolution

19 October: Too Faced Cat Eyes

20 October: Too Faced Rock n Roll

21 October: Kat Von D Interstellar

22 October: Tom Ford Emerald Lust

23 October: LORAC Unzipped

24 October: Naked Cosmetics Trio

25 October: MAC Nordstrom x 15

26 October: MAC Navy x 9

27 October: Tom Ford She Wolf

28 October: Urban Decay Naked Smoky

29 October: LORAC Unzipped Gold

30 October: Laura Geller Smoky Neutrals
31 October: YSL Palette Fetiche

Well, I will complete this challenge in November! My goal is to do a final look with a festive holiday Chanel quad that I don't use that often but adore for Thanksgiving dinner. Here we go.

#ProjectUseThemALL Update: September 2017

I feel like September has been the month that has really turned the corner for me with this project.

Here's where we were leading into September:

Date Project Started: May 15, 2017                 Number of Palettes Currently in Project: 165
Date of Last Update: August 28, 2017                   Number of Palettes Used: 87
Number of Palettes Initially Included: 156        Number of Palettes Remaining: 78

Here's where we currently are:

Date Project Started: May 15, 2017                 Number of Palettes Currently in Project: 165
Date of Last Update: September 30, 2017                   Number of Palettes Used: 113
Number of Palettes Initially Included: 156        Number of Palettes Remaining: 52

I've got this, especially since I've been doing something different.

I never said I had to wear the shadows all day. To try to get through everything, I'm also doing a look at night if necessary to stay on track. This is how I can wear Lila for 8 days and still work through palettes. Plus, this is the best way to improve your makeup skills and try new things. Trust me on that.

2 September: Chanel Tisse Rhapsodie
3 September: Chanel Tisse Venitien
4 September: Tom Ford Crushed Indigo
5 September: Laura Mercier Artist's Palette
6 September: Natasha Denona 5-pan #11
7 September: Pur Trolls
8 September: UD Naked 3
9 September: Dior Petal Shine
10 September: CoverGirl TruJewels
11 September: Stila In the Light
13 September: Tarte Tartelette Tease
14 September: MAC Smoky Rose x 9
16 September: Tom Ford Nude Dip
17 September: ABH Master Palette by Mario
18 September: Chanel Tisse Rivoli
20 September: Tom Ford Cognac Sable & Cocoa Mirage
22 September: Chanel Tisse Camelia
23 September: MAC Pastel x 9
24 September: MAC Flamingo Park x 9
25 September: MAC Purple x 9
26 September: Milani Earthy Neutrals
27 September: Wet n Wild Comfort Zone, Viseart Theory Amethyst
28 September: Armani Luxe is More
29 September: NARS Depot Palette
30 September: Chanel Tisse Paris

#ProjectUseThemALL July-August 2017 Update

Before the laptop death, I was working on my July post, so I'm going to include that info. I made huge strides in August, mostly because I mainly laid off new palettes (I think I bought five- four of the MAC Girls and the ABH Subculture Palette)

July 2017:

I'll readily admit that July was a bit rough for me in terms of #ProjectUseThemALL because I got distracted with all of the new things that I've been playing with and reviewing on the blog. Exactly the opposite of what I was hoping would happen.

Since I've been hauling so many palettes, I wanted to give myself credit. I started with 156 palettes mid-May and I've crept up to 165. And that's not all of the palettes I've gotten (for example, Boxycharm palettes aren't on there!)

Rolling into July, here were our stats (remember, new palettes aren't being counted since it's those currently in my stash I'd like to use!):

Date Project Started: May 15, 2017                 Number of Palettes Currently in Project: 157
Date of Last Update: June 25, 2017                   Number of Palettes Used: 42
Number of Palettes Initially Included: 156        Number of Palettes Remaining: 115

I have to admit that July was a bit of a bust. I didn't meet my goal (getting it under 100), but barely. I was at 102 ending July.

Now, onto August.  I really did well. Saving money did me well.

Date Project Started: May 15, 2017                 Number of Palettes Currently in Project: 165
Date of Last Update: August 28, 2017                   Number of Palettes Used: 87
Number of Palettes Initially Included: 156        Number of Palettes Remaining: 78


There are 122 days between September 1 and December 31. I've got 78 palettes to use. That's 0.63 palettes per day. Let's look at it another way. There are 18 weeks left of 2017. I need to use an average of 4.33 palettes per week. Looking at what's left, I did a bit of sorting:


Neutral/Work Palettes:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario
Burberry No. 25 Gold
Chanel Signe Particulier
Chanel Tisse Camelia
Chanel Tisse D'Automne
Chanel Tisse Rivoli
Charlotte Tilbury The Uptown Girl
CoverGirl TruNaked Goldens
CoverGirl TruNaked Roses
Dior Cuir Cannage
Dior Golden Reflections
Dior Golden Shock
Fiona Stiles Canyon
Giorgio Armani Luxe is More
Giorgio Armani Orient Express
Laura Geller Delicious Shades of Cool
Laura Geller Delicious Shades of Nude
Laura Geller Smokey Neutrals
Laura Mercier Artist's Palette
LORAC Enchanting Elegance
LORAC Refined Romance
LORAC Tails & Top Hats
LORAC Unzipped
LORAC Unzipped Gold
MAC Enchanted Eye & Face- Cool
MAC Nordstrom x 15
MAC Nordstrom C'est Chic x 15
MAC Smoky Rose x 9
Milani Everyday Eyes- Bare Necessities
Milani Everyday Eyes- Earthy Naturals
Milani Everyday Eyes- Must Have Naturals
NARS Custom Depot Eyeshadow Palette
NYX Custom Palette
Pur Revolution
Stila In the Light
Tarte Tartelette Tease
Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage
Tom Ford Cognac Sable
Tom Ford In the Pink
Tom Ford Lavender Lust
Tom Ford Nude Dip
Tom Ford Raw Jade
Tom Ford She Wolf
Urban Decay Naked 3
Urban Decay Naked Smoky
Viseart Theory Palette 4 Amethyst
Wet n Wild Comfort Zone
YSL Palette Fetiche
Zoeva En Taupe

Colorful Palettes:
BH Cosmetics Supernova
Chanel Tisse Paris
Chanel Tisse Rhapsodie
Chanel Tisse Venitien
CoverGirl TruNaked Jewels
Dior Petal Shine
Fiona Stiles Electra
Kat Von D Interstellar
Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Quad- Plum
LORAC California Dreaming
MAC Flamingo Park x 9
MAC Navy x 9
MAC Pastel x 9
MAC Purple x 9
Marc Jacobs The Free Spirit
Marc Jacobs The Vamp
Milani Everyday Eyes- Smoky Essentials
Milani Everyday Eyes- Vital Brights
Naked Cosmetics Trio
NYX Custom Prismatics Palette
Pur Trolls
Revolution Makeup Unicorn Love
Tom Ford Crushed Indigo
Tom Ford Emerald Lust
Too Faced Cat Eyes
Too Faced Rock 'n Roll
Urban Decay Moondust
Urban Decay Urban Spectrum


I think the colorful palettes might be tough for me. Getting through all of those work-friendly palettes will be easy but it's items like the Moondust palette that perplex me. Hmmm... time to go grab one of those crazier ones and pop it on my lids ASAP.

#ProjectUseThemALL Update: June 2017

For the first of several planned posts today, I wanted to provide my first monthly update on #ProjectUseThemALL. For those who aren't familiar, this is my introduction post.

I've been maintaining a page on this site with the 158 palettes in this project here.

I'm quite surprised as to the amount of progress I made in just one month (26.5% of palettes); I feel confident that I'll pull all of my palettes by the end of the year.

I don't find the challenge restricting, which is why I normally get frustrated with projects and challenges. I enjoy my large collection. I don't foresee progress like this every month, but that's ok. This is more of a challenge to myself to use them all. If this goes well, I'm going to undertake a similar challenge with blushes and single shadows in 2018.

Although I've been buying a lot as of late, this project is also making me carefully consider palette purchases. I think I need to be more considerate across the board.

I made the choice to only concentrate on palettes that I had in my collection when I started this journey because they tend to be put aside for the new shiny toy. It's a given that I'll play with the new items almost immediately.

42 of 158 down. I'm hoping to be around 60 by the end of July.

Project Use them ALL Intro

From time to time, I find myself craving a makeup challenge- although I loathe overly restrictive ones. So, I think it's time to challenge myself once again to pull out palettes that are currently languishing in my Alex 9 Drawers.

About mid-May, I suddenly got the urge to start using all of my palettes again. That's where this project (Project Use them ALL) was born. I own way too much makeup for one person, and I'd like to really get to know what's in my collection.

Tomorrow the link for the official page tracking my progress will be live. As will some pictures to give you an idea what I'm working with!

Here's a peek into one of my now unorganized Alex  9 Drawer units with palettes that I need to use.

Yes, those are palettes without a home off to the side! It's in my best interest to get cracking on using these.

I'll post eye/face looks from time to time on my Instagram (@quirkybusyandbeautiful), so take a look.

For example, this is today's look!

I look forward to making my way through more than 150 palettes by 31 December. I hope you'll stick around for the ride with me.