Project Pan: Q1 Empties, A Consumer Confession

I began the new year off wanting to get through as many products as possible in 2026. Through selling my excess Japanese beauty haul from a 2024 trip and tossing products that served me no purpose (expired, mostly)— I was left with items that I knew I could work through.

Here are my empties for Q1 of 2026!

1. Head and Shoulders Shampoo

2. L’Oréal Ever Pure Glossing Shampoo + Conditioner 

3. Amika Hydro Rush Leave-In Conditioner

4. Spa-Scentials Scrub Me Softly - Exfoliating Foot Mask

5. Kosas Air Brow

6. Heroine Make - Waterproof Mascara

7. Heroine Make - Liquid Eyeliner

8. DHC Lip Cream

Many of these items were things I began using at the end of 2025. The Head and Shoulders shampoo is a staple in my shower, so I wasn’t sure if it was worth including in the list, but all empties are welcome!

The makeup items are replacements as they were 6 months (Heroine Make) to a couple of years old (Kosas). I have plenty of stock of the eye makeup and fully enjoyed using them in my everyday routine. 

I did pick up the DHC Lip Cream on my 2025 trip to Japan. It was a product I had seen go viral on TikTok and thought it would be worth a shot. I never did finish it, honestly. It made my lips feel coated and not in a good way. My lips noticeably became more chapped, but it was also smack-dab in the middle of winter. As I write this now, I did apply a layer to see if I am overthinking it and hope it was the weather playing a role. TBD on if it’s making it out of the bin or returning to my purse. 

Confession Time

Not only did I narrow down my products in Q1— I also added in more products. Counterintuitive, I tell ya. Tik Tok’s (my) algorithm did a number on me and somehow, I ended up on coupon-tok. Anyways, I’ve taken a break, but now I have an insane amount of laundry detergent, body care, and oral health care as well. It’s given me the opportunity to try out new products and also work on my scheming and scamming skills of big corporations….. or so they’d like for me to think. Maybe I’ll have a blog post on my experience of couponing one day.