Month: May 2017

 
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Marina

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Oh Marina…

I am in total love with Julep’s matte shimmer formula – even more than the Sinful Colors Kylie ones. This is my other pick for MayJulep Classic with a Twist “Marina”. I’d expect an ocean-y blue color for “Marina”, yet Julep made it royal raspberry matte shimmer. Whyyyyyyy?

This is two coats over Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat. It lasted for a decent amount of time, even with no top coat. Go “Marina”! I am loving this color on me.

“Marina” also makes a better Raspberry Beret than the one I did last year. Just sayin’.

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Influenster Vox Box – Darling Vox Box

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I wasn’t expecting to qualify for another Vox Box so soon…but hey, not complaining!

The Darling Vox Box is definitely MOM-oriented…I’m a MOM, so I definitely appreciate the help. The first thing to catch my eye in the box was the Duncan Hines Perfect for 1: Chocolate Lovers Cake. It’s basically a tiny packet of cake mix, formulated to microwave in a mug…perfect for NOT sharing with little crumbsnatchers!

Also in the Darling Vox Box: Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask (Yassssss); Live Clean Baby Gentle Moisture Tearless Shampoo & Wash and Baby Gentle Moisture Baby Lotion (I’ll admit, my kids are past the prime age for these products, so I gifted to my sister – her little ones have super-sensitive skin and will benefit from the formula); a Country Crock Buttery Spread Coupon (I’ll be using this for an upcoming gathering); and the real MVP of this box…Nature’s Bounty Energy Gummies. HOLY FUCKING SHIT, these things are magic. They have all the benefit of an energy drink, but none of the drawbacks. I am VERY sensitive to caffeine – If I drink any after noon, I won’t be sleeping until one in the morning. The gummies aren’t driven by caffeine (although there’s a but of naturally occuring caffeine from the kola nut), it’s mainly B-12 and guarana. I take it in the morning and feel energized for the day, but I’m still able to sleep at night without a sleep aid like Tylenol PM. 10/10, will buy again!

As always, products were received complimentary for review purposes. Want some free stuff? Check out Influenster for yourself…

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Give Me Some Nude Lip – 3rd Edition

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Even though I was able to resist the 2nd Edition of Sephora’s “Give Me Some Nude Lip” – I wasn’t able to resist the 3rd. Really, the only reason I didn’t get the second was because I already had a full size of Urban Decay “1993”, but I had none of the ones included in this set.

Inside this 3rd “Give Me Some Nude Lip” ($28): Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in “Kristen” (very…MOIST); Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Enamored Hi Shine Lip Lacquer in “Sugar Sugar” (haven’t tried this one yet); NARS Cosmetics Velvet Lip Glide in “Bound” (Somewhere between a lip gloss and a matte liquid lip, it stayed put most of the day and was very hydrating); Tarte lippie lingerie matte tint in “Revealed” (I thought I hated chubby lip pencils, but this one is nice and long-lasting and a nice medium brown); Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in “Spice Girl” (I have regrets about wearing this to work today – my lips were stinging for a good hour and a half…and looked no plumper); and Urban Decay Vice Waterproof Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Trivial” (Full size – and the best shade of the bunch). This was a good buy – I can see wearing all of these, except for the Lip Injection.

I also splurged on Taste Beauty Felicia the Flamingo Lip Balm ($10). Even though I hate using my finger to apply lip balm, I will make an exception for this cute little flamingo float.

I used a code to get a Deluxe Sample of Atelier Cologne Clémentine California. I love the smell – like fresh Cutie Clementines – but it doesn’t seem to last very long on me. I’ve worn it twice this week and it faded by the time I got home from work. I was also pleasantly surprised to receive the exact samples I picked: philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanserphilosophy Time In A Bottle 100% In-Control, and SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer.

How am I gonna get to Rouge Status by the end of the year? I have $674 left!

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Sephora Play! May 2017 – The Rising Stars

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Oh Sephora, you are full of surprises. No flamingos, but surprises.

Instead of a drawstring bag, they included a clear plastic snap pouch this month. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it. Maybe I can throw it in my pool bag?

I’m most excited to try the sample of belif Hungarian Water Essence – I’m a big fan of their Aqua Bomb. Also in this month’s box: rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask; Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (I’m not sold on cleansing oils); tre’StiQue Mini Highlight Stick in “Maldives Luminescent”; Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in “GreyStone”; and Tocca “Stella” (blood orange and lily – I’d actually wear this one!).

Not sure about all the sticks this month, but the scent makes up for it.

If you haven’t signed up yet, you’re crazy. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.

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May Ipsy Bag – Summer Friday

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Ooooooooh! More pink flamingos!

First off, you know I have those same glitter flamingo sunglasses – I bought them at Party City. I’ve never thought about putting them on a pineapple though.

…And then I saw the flamingo on Jelly Pong Pong Supercharged Super Intense Eyeshadow Duo in “Electric” (Yes, I get excited about a random brand of eye shadow just because there is a flamingo on the packaging). Also in this month’s super cute, clear, ice cream-covered bag: Urban Decay Cosmetics Afterglow 8-Hour Highlighter in “Sin” (never tried their highlighters before); Pixi by Petra Endless Silky Eye Pen in “BlackNoir”; Hey Honey Besame Mucho Lip Balm; and Luxie Beauty Luxie Dreamcatcher Precision Foundation Brush 660 (not a big fan of foundation brushes, but I’ll give it a spin).

Ipsy is getting their groove back!

If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.

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Garmonbozia

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“Bob, I want all my Garmonbozia.”

As I sit here waiting (just a few minutes now) for the return of Twin Peaks, I figured I’d share my Garmonbozia with you.

 Garmonbozia is pain and suffering, but is also represented by creamed corn. How do you make your nails look like creamed corn? And why would you? I figured I could just go for a “wet” look. I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and two coats of Sinful Colors “Bye Felicia”. I topped with Zoya “Monet” and “HK Girl”.

I didn’t think I could stand the yellow nails, but they are kind of growing on me.

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May Birchbox – Low Effort High Impact

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Pink Flamingos!

For real, the first thing I noticed in this month’s Birchbox was The Beauty Crop Fabulous Flocking Lashes Mascara. SO cute.

Also in this month’s “Low Effort High Impact” box: CLEAN Reserve Rain Reserve Blend Eau de Parfum (it actually DOES smell like rain); COOLA Mineral SPF 30 Daydream Makeup Primer (love me some COOLA); PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray; and Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion (NOPE).

I totally spaced and didn’t click on the sample choice email for April. Oops, I get what I get and I don’t have a fit. Not a bad box, except for the self tanner.

If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.

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Green Formica Table

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Twin Peaks is so close I can taste it…so you’re gonna have to put up with a bunch of Twin Peaks-themed manicures.

I’ve been thinking about “Green Formica Table” for ages and ages. (Or technically, “This is a formica table. Green is its colors.) Going off of memory, this is how I remember the green formica table and I was too lazy to watch Fire Walk With Me again…or google it. I think I did pretty well.

I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and two coats of Sinful Colors “Happy Ending”. I topped with a single coat of Hare Polish “The Owls are Not What They Seem” and then finished with Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat.

If you’re familiar with “Happy Ending”, it’s a bright kelly green. The jelly brown in “Owls” darkened it up just enough to make it look like aged plastic, plus the matte-ed glitter made it perfect.

Just two more days until Agent Cooper returns…isn’t it too dreamy?

 

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My Kids Won Mother’s Day

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I’m sure your kids are awesome and all…but my kids won Mother’s Day.

They (and the husband) straight up snatched my Bath & Body Works coupons from the mail pile and went to town.  The big gift was the exclusive Mother’s Day Tote, which came with “Blushing Pink Rose Petals” 3-Wick Candle (already lit and in my boudoir); “At the Beach” Ultra Shea Body Cream; “Vanilla Flower” Hand Soap with Olive Oil; “Warm Vanilla Sugar” Bath Fizzy; “Heart of Gold (Berry Sweet)” Hand Cream; “Heart of Gold (Berry Sweet)” PocketBac and a Glittering PocketBac Holder.

Not only did I get the exclusive Mother’s Day Tote, but they also took advantage of the B3G3 sale and  got me Shower Gel, Lotion and Spray in “Rose Champagne” (from the new French Collection) and “Magic in the Air”. They did good – I don’t have either of those new scents, but they are exactly what I would have picked myself. There was also a travel size “Pink Cashmere” Lotion. Weird.

I smell even better than normal now AND I got some really nice hand-drawn cards. I won children-making.

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Target Beauty Box – May 2017

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$10 for this month’s Target Beauty Box for Mother’s Day? That’s outrageous!

Considering what’s in this month’s box…it’s not outrageous at all. Just the wet n wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in “Nice to Fuchsia” is $4.99.

Also in this month’s box: Nexxus Therappe Shampoo and Humectress Conditioner (oh, back in the good old days when my mom would splurge on Humectress and I would “borrow” it); Acure Pore-Minimizing Red Clay Mask (I LOVE CLAY); Nubian Heritage Bath Bombs (again, no bath tub); Vichy Pore-Purifying Clay Mask (MORE CLAY BITCHES); Nexxus Vitali 8-in-1 Masque (Fancy and spelled with a ‘que’); Guess Dare; and Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish.

So, $10 for the box, free shipping and 5% off with my Red Card AND another coupon for $3 off $15 beauty purchase (I didn’t use the 2 I got last month).