Finish 13 by Halloween + Paper Bag Challenge Midpoint Update

Hullo, all! I'm about halfway through the Finish 13 by Halloween challenge, so I figured this would be a great time for an update. I'm also realizing that I picked a bunch of products with containers that make it difficult to photograph progression. Sorry, I suck. :/

Let's talk about what I've managed to finish first! The Bare Minerals Sheer Sun liquid bronzer ended up being one of my least favorite products ever because it stayed sticky on my skin for quite a while; also, I thought the color was a little orange and unflattering on me. I managed to finish it, though, by mixing it in to my foundation to make my neck and face match. The tube of St. Ives Apricot Scrub was empty as of this past weekend. I think I went through it so quickly because I'm wearing skirts and dresses to work right now, and I like my bare legs to be exfoliated and smooth. I have to repurchase this stuff ASAP. And after a number of spritzes, my 4ml Tom Ford Tuscan Leather decant is now totally empty!

There are a few products I've made pretty good dents in, but photographing said dents is almost impossible. The Milk Makeup Ubame mascara and Isehan Sunkiller Perfect Strong Moisture sunscreen are down to at least 50%--I was able to shine a flashlight through the Milk tube, but the Isehan one is totally opaque, so I'm going by feel. I'm thinking both will be empty by the end of this project. The same goes for the Anastasia Brow Gel; it still contains some product, but I'm really scraping the sides of the tube. There are definite dips forming in the Nuxe Reve de Miel balm and the YSL Creme de Blush, but none of the progress photos accurately demonstrate the change, and I know I won't finish them entirely.

We used my black Sharpie to label boxes for my brother's big move and now I can't find it, so I hope this picture of the Maybelline Dream Lumi Pen will suffice! Still making slow but steady progress with this old faithful. I think I'll click this bad boy up to the fading "E" at the most, and then it has to go in the trash.

I don't think I'll finish the Milk Makeup Gel Brow pencil, either, but I've already used up about an inch of the product (a big deal for me), and I'm sure I can use up another inch before fall kicks in to high gear. The Marc Jacobs Highliner pencil is a different story and will definitely be finished by the end of this project.

I openly admit that Glossier Jam hasn't been touched more than twice over the past month. For whatever reason, I've been skipping over my sheerer lipsticks and liquid formulas for my traditional, full-coverage bullets. I've especially been enjoying my creamy pinks these past few months. Jam is another product I don't expect to finish, but would like to make some progress on, so I'll just have to remind myself to give it its due during the week!

As for my PK Perfumes Gold Leather: I focused more on Tuscan Leather, slash, the Paper Bag Challenge, so I'm not as far as I'd like to be. I promise, though, that I've put a little bit of a dent in to my purse spray!

Speaking of the Paper Bag Challenge, here's my spreadsheet thus far:

I'm stunned by how much progress I've made. Actually, I'm going through a lot of my fragrance vials before they're even "scheduled" to be tested; I might pull another three for this coming week. I have been pulling some tough scents, though, for this exceptionally hot and sticky September, so I'll likely get back on schedule soon.

It's amazing how easy it is to make decisions on fragrances when you force yourself to wear them, then ask, "Do I truly love this and will I wear it often?" In many cases, I've liked the smell,  but not enough to wear it frequently, or I wouldn't purchase a full bottle, or it just isn't right on me. Dame Perfumery Black Flower Mexican Flower is a perfect example: it's a fantastic vanilla scent, and I love it in the air and on other people, but on me, it goes a bit rubbery and sour. Wishful thinking isn't going to make it smell better on me, y'know?

So that's the update! How are your project pans, beauty roulettes, and product challenges going?