Weekday Randomness: Testing progress, and I love my spreadsheet

Seriously, without my spreadsheet I would be lost.  Lost! (Click here to view it in all it's glory, and read on for how to use the features to filter what you are looking at!)  Recently a friend let me know that my spreadsheet is apparently appreciated by others as well, so I thought I'd post a quick guide on how to navigate it for the curious.

As you can see in the screencap below, my current Routine tab is just the tip of the iceberg.  The spreadsheet rabbit hole goes far deeper, my friends.

Updated 2016 Spreadsheet image
2016 edit: My spreadsheet has updated quite a bit since writing this post, but the sections for my routine, stash, sheet masks, and testing schedule are all present and still applicable.

In this post:
  • What I've been up to
  • My testing schedule and how much I lurve formulas that do math for me
  • How to navigate my Stash list using filters 
  • Upcoming reviews
In beauty adventures this month, I managed to not only completely lose my camera (it was eventually located in the bottom of the fruit bowl, buried beneath apples of indeterminate age, where it migrated while charging, apparently?) but also need a new computer.  Fortunately I have a very logical spouse who pointed out that the close proximity of my birthday to Christmas, and the fact that I skipped both last year for financial reasons, it was clearly a perfect opportunity to replace my laptop.  I did not complain; at least not until I experienced the unique hell of Windows 8, but that's a whole other show.

What I have been doing is testing things, working my way through the massive list of things in my stash and Try List.  Each time I update it, I am reminded again why love my spreadsheet so- as it faithfully accommodates my testing whims and fickle priorities with ease.


This lineup can, and has, changed in an instant, with products and dates shuffled around heedlessly, yet my formulas just patiently update all my ETAs in the future.  Who knew the satisfaction some fierce Spreadsheet-Fu could bring?

And it gets better!  I have now updated the tabs for my Stash list to allow viewers to filter it by whatever they wish (Brand Name, Product Name, has it been Tested yet) and here's how you do it.

First, go to the Tab for the Stash list at the bottom:


It's terrifying, I know.  There is method to the madness, I promise.

Let's say that you want to see the info listed by Brand.  Just hover your mouse over that header, and you will see a note pop up with instructions:


So, if you go to Data > Filter View, you will see you have several options, including Brand Name:


Once you select the category you want, you will be able to view the results filtered by that category as you wish! 


This means that you will be able to view things grouped by whatever data interests you the most.  I update the spreadsheet at least once a week, so if you are curious about what I'm testing or my initial thoughts about things, you can take a peek!

As you can see, I have been using the Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, matching AHA 8% Serum, and and OST/C20 Vitamin C serum daily (for some time) but actives are a long-term investment and I am being very cautious with how I introduce things and what I combine with them to ensure I am observing the effects accurately. 

And with that, we're done!  If you have any challenges navigating the spreadsheet, let me know!

All the best,
-Cat

4 comments

  1. This may sound silly but what does "actives" mean and what is the # of emptys column for?

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  2. Not silly at all! Technically, AHA and BHA are also actives, along with other acids, Vitamin C serums (mine is an LAA so technically an acid but not used for exfoliation) and things like Retinol. There are others as well, particularly in prescriptions given by dermatologists.

    The number of empties is for me to track what is in my empties box and also keep an eye out for when I am down to my last bottle of something (if I love it and plan to repurchase) so I don't get a gap in my routine if I run out. Because I purchase most of my products directly from KR, it can take 3-6 weeks to get here, which is a very long time to be messing around with my skin, and it punishes me for it. :(

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  3. I love this so much I'm gonna make a few spreadsheets for myself too <3 I could use a little order on my cosmetics.

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    1. I love my spreadsheets so, so much. It helps me shop carefully, because I can see exactly what I need, and what I don't need! ;)

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