Project Panning

In February of 2018, I found out about something called Project Panning. It was a pretty big trend for a minute. My YouTube recommended section was full of videos on panning. Panning is, when it all comes down to it, about using your products.

I know that many of us have a lot of stuff.

While I look at minimalism with an impressed eye, I know that I will not be able to ever be a minimalist. I love knick-knacks, owning books, and not throwing things away. Often, my collector habits also exist within my cosmetic and beauty products.

I started 2018 with a pledge to not purchase anything from Lush. I have nothing against the company (I absolutely adore them, actually). But I had a massive storage container full of their products. Starting there, I learned about panning, and decided to rethink my collection as a whole.

This year, I focused on 18 products at a time, and my goal was to use them all up.

Altogether, I’ve used up 95 products (some full size, travel size, and sample size), at an assumed cost of $762. That is incredible, and I’m so glad I used so much up! But I wanted to share this, because I also purchased fewer beauty products this year! According to my Ulta beauty statement, I only spent $110 this year. I’m a bit bummed that it is over 3 digits. But I know that a good portion of that was gifts.

I bring this up, not because I think everyone should try panning, but instead because it made me think about my spending differently.

Since I was focusing on specific products, I realized just how long it takes to get through products. I also had to realize that liquid eyeliners dry up! I went through several in a week because I’d use them for one day, and I’d realize the next day that it was dry and useless.

I’m really proud of the progress that I’ve made when it came to my purchasing choices. I’ll be applying what I learned in panning to my book pile, and continue focusing on my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. While I don’t think you should stop buying makeup, I do think it’s worth seeing what you already have before buying. Smart consuming is important, and a part of how I’m working on my financial health this coming year.

What are your goals for 2019? Have you ever participated in a Project Pan, and what do you think of panning?

Click here for more beauty and books from Emily!