Project Pan: January & February 2026 Beauty Empties

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Before we get too far into March, I am going to try to go through my beauty empties for January and February together. I have a lot. But I have noticed that by and large I am always “reviewing” the same products. Frankly, I’m wondering if Project Pan makes sense any longer since I tend to stick to my staples. Please feel free to weigh in.

Here’s what I used up in so far in 2026:

Miscellaneous Products

Let’s start with miscellaneous products since I have fewer of those, and they tend to be products that you already know about.

• ban AHA Roll-on Deodorant, Pits: This AHA deodorant was sent to me a while back. It’s one of the best deodorants I’ve tried, but it took me a long time to use it up. Sadly, it is difficult to find at stores like CVS and Walgreens, though it is sold on the Ban website for $9.99. Recommend? Yes. 
• Mountain Mist Cashmere Vanilla Shea Creme: I loved the scent of this shea creme body butter that’s handmade at a home-based business in the mountains of Tennessee, Mountain Mist. It’s made with 30% shea butter, plant oils, glycerin, and plant extracts. It does a good job though maybe not as good as Cocokind or Eucerin at keeping my extra dry skin hydrated over time. Nevertheless, the scent is divine. Also, if your skin isn’t desert-dry like mine, this rich body butter would certain do the trick for you. It comes in Unscented (currently out of stock) and 10 fragrances. For $8, it’s well worth it. Recommend? Yes. When we go to Asheville, I will try to buy some more if it’s in stock at one of my favorite stores. If not, I may reorder and just pay for the shipping.
• JustCBD Fruit Gummy Bears 1000mg: Although I am ticked off at JustCBD because they have not followed through on sending my two orders, I like this brand of CBD. Recommend? Yes, I recommend the product. I also recommend the subscription service as long as you don’t try to change the timing of the delivery.
• Bon Patch Sleep: Other than the fact that I wish they would put some color or a visible logo on the clear patch so I would remember to take it off in the morning, I love this patch that helps me sleep. Recommend? Yes.
• CVS Eyelid Wipes: If you have dry eye or blepharitis, eyelid wipes are very helpful. Recommend? Yes.
• Defenage 150K Hair Follicle Serum: I stopped using Vegamour a while back and switched to more expensive Defenage 150K Hair Follicle Serum because I believe it may be more effective. Although I have been using hair growth products for several years now, my hair continues to make progress at returning at my temples. Recommend? Yes.

Skincare

Moisturizers/Anti-aging Creams

• Paula’s Choice Pro-CollagenPeptide Plumping Moisturizer: Lovely mid-weight peptide moisturizer that feels great on. Fragrance-free. Recommend? Yes, wonderful year-round peptide packed moisturizer in a pump container that maintains the product’s efficacy.
• IT Confidence in a Cream Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream: IT Confidence in a Cream is an excellent, very hydrating moisturizer for cold or dry weather. Fragrance-free. Recommend? I like this heavy-duty moisturizer, but for me, it’s not for year-round use.
• Korres Bounce Firming Moisturizer: Last year when I first tried this multi-benefit moisturizer during the mid-summer, I erroneously thought it was a heavy cream. I was wrong, it isn’t. It’s a perfect, medium-weight firming moisturizer. I love it. In fact, I just bought another jar. But it does have a fruity scent that disappears. Recommend? Yes, enthusiastically!
• Korres Golden Krocus Hydra-Filler Plumping Cream: This heavy-duty moisturizer is formulated with saffron from the crocus plant that is supposed to have anti-aging benefits, though I’m not sure what they are. Although I usually don’t have a problem with scented moisturizers, this one has a definite saffron smell that I find a little difficult to use. Otherwise, it’s a nice cold weather, plumping moisturizer. Recommend? Maybe not because of the scent, and it’s expensive.
• City Beauty Advanced Action Sculpting Cream: I use this sculpting, firming thick cream on my jawline to help it appear firmer. I’ve had decent results from using it, so next time City Beauty has a sale, I will buy another jar. Recommend? Yes, it works for me!
• b. glen QuSome Moisture RichCream, travel size: Honestly, I love the entire b. glen product line, and the Moisture RichCream is no exception. The fragrance-free moisturizer is a rich, velvety cream containing anti-aging ingredient glutathione among other ingredients. It’s great for hydrating but also for creating firmness and elasticity. Recommend? Yes, love it!

Serums

• City Beauty Dermal Reset Exfoliating Concentrate: While this is a perfectly effective exfoliating serum, I believe there are alternatives that are most effective and less expensive. Although I am a fan of City Beauty, this product isn’t one of my favorites. Recommend? Not really.
• Korres Sculpt + Lift Serum: I just bought another travel size bottle of this terrific lifting serum on Korres last week (the Duo along with Korres Bounce Firming Moisturizer for $59) because I find it difficult to be without it! It is instantly firming. It does have a light, fruity scent that goes away within seconds. Recommend? Yes, certainly. Plus, I just bought on HSN both a full size Sculpt + Lift Serum and my favorite Black Pine 360 Eye Lifting Serum for $59.97!! A huge deal and discount. Check it out soon if you’re interested because I don’t know how long the sale will last!
• Paula’s Choice 7% Ectoin Booster with Glycogen and Hyaluronic Acid: The white ectoin booster is great to use alone or mixed with other serums or with a moisturizer. I love the feel of it on my skin. In fact, a recently bought two minis to replace my empty full size bottle. Recommend? I definitely recommend incorporating ectoin into your skincare routine either on its own like this one from Paula’s Choice or incorporated into the formula of another serum or moisturizer. You’ll be glad you did.

Eye Cream

• Banish Instant Lift Brightening Eye Creme: Banish is a handmade skincare brand, and their products have no preservatives. The Instant Lift Brightening Eye Creme was a nice eye cream that I used under my eyes to lighten dark circles and attack wrinkles. It is also supposed to depuff eyes, but fortunately that’s not one of my issues. For some reason, I didn’t try it on or above my eyelids, hmmm, I should have. Recommend? Probably not unless you want to buy the Banisher 3.0 as well, because it doesn’t seem to be sold on its own. Nevertheless, it’s a nice, multi benefit eye cream that can be used anytime, though it was created to go along with the Banisher 3.0.
• Thrive Causemetics Bigger than Beauty Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream: This is at least my 10th tube of Bigger than Beauty Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream. In fact, it is my favorite eye cream for firming the skin above my crease. Plus, it is amazingly hydrating. Recommend? I couldn’t recommend it more strongly!

Other Skincare Products

• City Beauty City Lips Plumping Lipgloss, Clear: I still adore this plumping lipgloss with collagen and hyaluronic acid. It instantly makes my lips feel smooth, plumped, and healthier. Recommend? Yes.
• Nulastin Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, travel size: This travel cleanser is a physical exfoliator with grains in the creamy white formula. Although it is gentle and effective, I am not a true fan of products with exfoliating grains. I personally find them a bit harsh on my skin as well as difficult to remove. Recommend? Nulastin makes high quality skincare products, and if you like physical exfoliators, it’s surely worth trying.

Project Pan 2026

I still haven’t finished publishing my Project Pan reviews for a few months for 2025. My bad. Oh well.

Now for 2026, I have combined January and February to make things shorter. So far, I used up 19 products. Not bad.

How about you? Have you used up any cosmetics that you really like?