Author: Lara
I Think I Have an Idea
I googled Rayman to see what it looks like and now I am traumatized. It’s this bean shaped…creature…that has a head, hands and feet. Sounds normal, right? It’s not, because there is no neck, arms or legs. I feel like I am not explaining it right – but I cannot think of another way to describe the main character of these video games…fuck Rayman for the nightmares I will surely be having tonight.
What’s the point? The point is that Fancy Gloss “I Think I Have an Idea” (from April’s Polish Pickup) is inspired by Rayman. So I googled it. And now Rayman is my new sleep paralysis demon. Oh, and did I mention that it’s a really fun thermal polish is peachy pink when warm, but a muddy purple when cold?
This is two coats of “I Think I Have an Idea” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Raspberry Pop“.
Grape Expectations
I’ve been feeling a bit like Miss Havisham these days…so why not “Grape Expectations”?
…I know I am married with two (almost grown children) – I just meant I like sitting around in my dusty-ass house, wearing a dirty wedding dress and eating old cake.
This is Sally Hansen x Ring Pops Insta-Dri “Grape Expectations”. They did a really good job with these polishes – they look like ring pops!
I started with Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat, then two coats of “Grape Expectations”, and ended with Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
Bee Balm
By now, it’s pretty obvious that I’m a sucker for clever and/or cute packaging. Bee Balm has that in SPADES. I saw it on insta and I had to order…
…and I might have gone overboard. I cannot STAND paying shipping…so I ordered enough for free shipping. Looks like everyone I know is getting some Bee Balm, too. I got 2 Honey, 2 Strawberry, 2 Peach and 1 Watermelon. They also came out with Pina Colada right after I ordered…but I need to use up some before I order more. Oh, and I ordered extra applicators in case I break or lose them.
The thing is – it’s just lip balm in a pot. I have been avoiding lip balm in a pot, because I hate sticking my finger in it and possibly contaminating it. Bee Balm solves that with a tiny little applicator held in the lid…and it looks just like a honey dipper! Why doesn’t all lip balm in a pot come with an applicator?
My only complaint is that they seem to be using the Kohl’s pricing model – always on sale for 75% off. I’ve only ever seen it for $5, supposedly on sale from $19.99. Sure, Jan. I concede that the “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” sale right now is a smoking deal – that’s $3.75 each! Go jump on this deal RIGHT NOW – https://mybeebalmco.com/ .
I Like Big Bum Bums…
…and I cannot lie.
It’s hard to pass up a coupon that includes Prestige Brands, even if it’s just a measly 10% off.
The many samples and deluxe samples of Bum Bum Cream are almost gone, so it’s time to buy the big boy – Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Refillable Body Cream ($48), 8.1 ounces of Bum Bum goodness – and it’s refillable! I also splurged on a purse spray of Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa ’62 Eau de Parfum ($26) – it smells SO GOOD.
I scrolled the clearance page and found the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x Ring Pop Nail Polish Quad Giftset ($2.20) and Ring Pop Nail Polish Holder ($2.50). That’s 55 cents per polish!
I also qualified for FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna 4 piece Beauty Break. In addition to a sleek tote bag, I got a Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in “Fenty Glow”; Eaze Drop’Lit All-Over Glow Enhancer in “Bronze Jasper”; and Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara in “Cuz I’m Black”. I’ll probably only use the tote bag and the mascara…
Only $508 to Diamond in 2025.
Barbiecore
Yes, these nails are PEAK Barbiecore…
My only disappointment with the way these nails turned out was the color of pink I picked. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Petal Pusher” (a freebie from last year) is more of a pastel peach than a pastel pink. Of course, I could always say I was going for a Peaches ‘N Cream Barbie vibe…or even a Barbie skintone vibe.
I got these Barbie nail decals a month or so ago at MINISO. They were only $5 – very affordable. Now I want to go back and get Kuromi nail decals!
I started with Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat, two coats of “Petal Pusher”, and then the MINISO decals. I topped the decals with Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber, which may be the cause of the bubbles, and then Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
The Killing Moon
I am totally out of the video game world – I’ve never heard of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty? That’s the name of the game that inspired this polish from April’s Polish Pickup.
I love thermal nail polishes and Cadillacquer “The Killing Moon” is a beautiful one. I wish I had tried it with longer nails, so that I could get more of the black tips, but my daughter keeps leaving town…and doing dishes DESTROYS my nails.
This is two coats of “The Killing Moon” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Raspberry Pop”.
Welcome to IKEA
Do you ever have a creative idea come to you as you’re falling asleep? And then you become obsessed by the idea and you keep thinking about it, and you cannot stop thinking about it…until you DO IT?
These nails were one of those liminal ideas…and it turned out disappointing, to say the least. My sleep-addled mind forgot that yellow + blue = green, so that’s how I ended up with mostly greenish nails, instead of resembling IKEA branding. I tried, okay?
I started with Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and two coats of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “C is for Cookie” on my first four nails. I left my thumb plain and then topped the next three fingers with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Think BIG”. My pinky got just two coats of “Think BIG” – and I cannot help but think of the bathtub after Big Bird shaves their legs…(yes, I’ve always considered Big Bird to be non-binary)…I topped with Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
IKEA nails lasted exactly two days. LOL.
June 2024 Ipsy Bag – Sunny Days Ahead
I don’t remember picking GIRLACTIK Fruit Superfood Sugar Face Scrub, but I must have…because ipsy said that’s what I chose. I’ve used almost the whole tube…it smells divine, but the exfoliants are sharp and jagged – and WHATEVER YOU DO, don’t get any in your mouth. It’s nasty bitter.
Also in this month’s bag: Benefit Plush Tint in “Cream Puff” (this color is bad on me and it got on everything – gross product); Jazmine Cosmetics Brow Boss – Brow Styling Wax (What on earth would I do with this?); JLo Beauty That JLo Glo Brightening & Firming Serum with Niacinamide (oh, I know about this stuff – I think it aggravated my psoriasis); and Wander Beauty Mile High Club Length and Define Mascara.
It’s not an awful month, but it’s not great either. Am I considering canceling ipsy after a decade? Mayyyyyybe…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?
…mine is…wait, I have to pick just one? Dead Alive, no…Bride of Chucky, but what about Evil Dead II? Or is it Scream? Carrie, Midsommar, The Midnight Hour…too many to even list…
Danglefoot Nail Polish “What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?” is inspired by one of those…Scream, of course. It’s a blue-toned black polish, with a red/maroon shimmer and silver holographic flakes. It’s from March’s Slumber Party Polish Pickup.
This is two coats of “What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Raspberry Pop“.
A Bigger Bum Bum Ulta Haul
Ulta coupon codes that include prestige brands are getting rarer and rarer…the ones that came with June’s Diamond Love List was only 15% – what happened to the 20% off coupons???
I jumped on the chance to get more BUM BUM…the 33oz refill of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Play Body Wash was $49, versus $56 for the same amount in a bottle. I hope they start offering refills of the Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo and Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Conditioner ($26 each).
I have a hate/hate relationship with my leg hair, so I am trying out Tree Hut Ocean Glow Moisturizing Shave Oil ($12.99), upon Lala’s recommendation. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet…I gave the poor lady who did my last pedi an extra tip, don’t worry. I also got a Tree Hut freebie – Tropic Glow Mini Sparkling Gel Wash. I added Ulta Beauty Exfoliating Round Cotton Pads ($3.49) for funsies.
$579 to Diamond in 2025.