Month: July 2020

 
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Clementine California

I’m the type of person that will spend $25 on a tiny tube of the best smelling hand cream ever made…only to discover that she had already used up her Deluxe Spray of the matching perfume.

I did literally jump to order Atelier Cologne Clementine California Hand Cream and it IS the best smelling hand cream on earth. Even though I used up the bigger spray I had, I was able to find another sample vial of it from a Play! box, so I can be matchy matchy.

I used a code to get a deluxe sample of NEST Wild Poppy – I’ve been wearing it and I like, although not as much as Clementine California. For my regular samples, I got Playa Everyday Shampoo and Supernatural Conditioner (I already used the foil pack – they are very beachy smelling), and Miu Miu Twist, which I REALLY like.

$173 to spend to keep my VIB status in 2021…it will be a struggle.

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Semi-Annual Lame

I’ve been watching the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale online and it was slim pickings, so I figured I’d have better luck in person. I masked up…and was very disappointed.

There was just no good deals on body care. The 75% off section was a single table with a handful of ugly Easter Bunny candle holders. I was interested in picking up a set of “Strawberry Poundcake”, which I would’ve considered for 50% off, but there was no shower gel left.

I did end up picking up 5 Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizers at 5/$8, which is a so-so deal – they are usually about $1 each. I also replenished my Wallflower Refills at a non-sale price – 5/$26. I was excited to get a new Flamingo Wallflower Nightlight Plug for 50% off ($7.25, down from $14.50).

I feel like Bath & Body Works is taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation and not offering good sales on hand soaps and hand sanitizer, due to the current demand. Supply and demand – that makes sense to me, but not sure why there are not good deals on other stuff, like body care. I guess I’ll hang tight until better deals come along.

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Captain Marvel Vibes

It must be my OCD/hoarder tendencies, but a nail polish without a name just bugs the everliving SHIT out of me. NEITHER of these Wet ‘n Wild WIldshine nail polishes have a name! I searched all over the internet and couldn’t find these shades, either on the main brand page or on any blogposts. What’s that about?

The first thing we watched on our new Disney Plus subscription was Captain Marvel, so her blue and red costume must have been on my mind when I put this combination together – it wasn’t intentional!

This is two coats of the Wet ‘n Wild Blue polish over Glisten & Glow Base Coat. I used the pink, red and white Wet ‘n Wild glitter on the tips. I may have glooped it on too thickly, because the Glisten & Glow Top Coat did NOT play well with these polishes. It was almost as if the top coat was floating – dried – on top of the wet glitter polish. Several of my nails wrinkled and folded around the edges – it was ugly as hell. Oh well – thin coats, ya’ll!

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Target Beauty Box – June 2020

Just one Target Beauty Box in June? How rude!

June’s theme is “Beauty Trendsetters” and includes products promoted by celebrity makeup artists and Instagram influencers. The first thing I noticed was a heavily photoshopped Kardashian glaring at me from the box. Turns out Khloe is a spokesperson for Tanologist Drops Sunless Tanning Treatments. 100% fuck no on this product.

The rest of the products in the box are a mix of cool and questionable. I’ve gotten samples of Lumify Redness Reliever Drops before and they’re pretty good. I’ve been using the Honestly pHresh Prebiotic Deodorant in “Sea Mineral” and it works as well as my other natural deodorants. I haven’t had a chance to use the tenoverten Rose Polish Remover Wipes or the Yuni Travel Shower Sheet Wipes. Ditto on the Waterl<ss Instant Moisture Dry Conditioner.

I’m intrigued by the Rae DeStress Capsules – lord knows I need to destress right now. I Tried to figure out what was in them by reading the package – a “Proprietary Blend” with Ashwagandha Root Extract and Bacopa Monnniera Whole Aerial Extract. Uhhhhhhh…I guess it’s not the most questionable thing I’ve taken, so I might as well give it a spin – down the hatch!

This box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. The box came with a $3 off $15 coupon, and the coupon has an extended expiration date of 10/1/20. I still have a coupon from last month left, so I’m glad Target is giving extra time to redeem.

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Vvvroom!

GAGGED! Sinful Colors Quick Bliss “Vvvroom!” has me gagging.

I usually don’t get excited about lavender nail polishes…or any shade of purple, really…but “Vvvroom!” is so pretty and shimmery – I could wear it forever. It was so long lasting, I felt like I wore it forever. This is one of the best $2.98 nail polishes out there.

This is two coats of “Vvvroom!” over Glisten & Glow Base Coat. I used Glisten & Glow Top Coat on all my nails, except the pinky. I had to see it mattified, so I used Sinful Colors Rubber Top Coat. I was underwhelmed by the matte look, it’s gotta be shiny.

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Yes to Ulta

That Ulta, they keep getting me with their “gift with purchase” offers. My $60 purchase brought me a 10 piece “Patio Prep” Sampler. The sampler includes: My Amazing Replenish Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner (This brand is new to me and I am excited to try it); L’Oreal Voluminous Primer/Base (I’ve gotten 3-4 samples of this and still have never tried it); Cover FX Mattifying Primer + Acne Treatment (Intrigued by this product – looking forward to trying this as well); Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum; Milani Bold Matte Lipstick in “I am Worthy” (I have not tried it yet, but it looks like my favorite shade, KvD “Lolita”); belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb (YES – I will never run out!); Hey Honey! 24Seven! Honey Day & Night Cream; and skyn Iceland The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion. No lie – this is the best sample bag I’ve received in a good long while!

The way I’ve been shopping at Ulta lately, is filling my shopping cart with things I want, waiting for a good promo or deal. Yes to… products were BOGO Half, so I picked up a few items for my son: Yes to Tomatoes Triple Threat Acne Treatment Kit ($12.99 and includes a sulfur solution like Kate Somerville – I might have to switch myself) and Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser ($5, down from $9.99). He acted offended, but I’ve noticed a real improvement in his complexion since he’s started using them.

I added to my conditioner hoard with John Frieda Wonder Drops – Frizz Smoothing Wonder Mask ($1.47 each and also BOGO Half). I got two and used one so far. It felt like a normal conditioner to me – nothing special. The packettes are smaller than I’m used to – only one application. I also ordered a Diane Hanging Shower Comb ($3.50) to evenly distribute my conditioning packs.

I liked the ColourPop Ultra Blotted Lip in my last order, so I ordered another one – “Cherry on Top”, a blackened cherry ($7).

EVERYWHERE is selling face masks now. I bought a pack of 3 from Kitsch for $12.99. They are good quality and breathable, so I’ll definitely buy more now that Texas has a Face Mask Order across the whole state.

I found a few 75% off clearance goodies: Ulta Transforming Clay Cleanser ($3.12, down from $12.50 ), which is supposed to change colors after 30 seconds, but changes color immediately – so weird. Also, Beauty by Popsugar Liquid Velvet Lip in “Be Racy” ($6, down from $24), which was way pinker than I expected and kind of tacky, as in made my lips stick together.

The last few things I threw in my cart were random – a Rebels Refinery Skull Lip Balm in “Mint”, because it reminded me of a lighter that I used to have, and a back-up Zoya Remove+ ($10). Oh, and don’t forget about that $3.50 off coupon!

After this purchase, I’m 40% to Diamond in 2021 ($719 to go)…but I have $61 in points. The new Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet Palette drops in a few days and I’ve got my eye on it…

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June 2020 Allure Beauty Box – Brighter Days

Now this is what I’m talking ’bout Allure!

The last few boxes have been duds, but this month’s box is an improvement. The star of the box is the FULL SIZE pūrlisse Watermelon + Charcoal Purifying Cleanser. It smells SO good and makes my skin feel so clean it squeaks.

The other big winner in this month’s box is belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera. I’ve loved the original Aqua Bomb for years and this new formula with aloe vera takes hydration to a whole other level. I’d actually BUY this product.

Also in this month’s box: Starskin 100% Camellia Nourishing & Brightening 2-Step Oil Sheet Mask; Yensa Super 8 Lip Oil in “Pink Shine”; Dashing Diva Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Palette; and La Roche-Posay Active C10.

The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.