Category: Body
March 2024 Ipsy Bag – Rewrite the Rules
March’s bag itself is adorable – I love the painted agate design and it’s fully lines and everything. The contents though…
I have no complaints with my product choice this month – Goldfaden MD Plant Profusion Night Cream. It’s creamy and smooth, with a luxe scent. It’s almost empty, actually.
The rest of the products are unlikely to be touched: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Wax in “Shade 3” (you have to HAVE eyebrows to put wax in them); Jazmine Beauty Coastal Chic Shine Control Primer (ugh, another primer); Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Radiant Polish for Hand + Body; and WingMe Cosmetics Mega Blending Brush 15 (ugh, another makeup brush). Ipsy needs to step it up!
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.
Bum Bum Ulta Haul
When LaLa is in town, we HAVE to go to Ulta.
I *think* I was the one that introduced LaLa to Bum Bum Cream? We both LOVE Bum Bum Cream! We both grabbed the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Jet Set ($30), which includes Deluxe samples of Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel, and Cheirosa 6 Perfume Mist. I need full sizes of ALL of these! Oh, and did you know that they make Shampoo and Conditioner now? It ain’t cheap, so I’m waiting for a sale or coupon before I try it.
I’ve been on a indie nail polish kick for the last several months, but I couldn’t pass up this Sally Hansen x Sesame Street 4 polish set ($10.99, down from $19.99), which includes 4 shades inspired by Big Bird (“Think BIG”), Elmo (“Elmo Love Hue”), Cookie Monster (“C is for Color”), and Oscar the Grouch (“SCRAM!”). I also picked up a Garnier SkinActive Mattifying Micellar Cleansing Water ($11.99). I hope it doesn’t suck.
Oh, and the weekend we went, Ulta was offering $10 off $50 or $20 off $100 – including PRESTIGE! What a smoking deal!
$1,006 to Diamond in 2025.
First Ulta Haul of 2024
I know, it’s kind of hard to believe that I haven’t had an Ulta haul yet this year…to be fair, I ordered back on the 5th of February – I’ve just been busy with work, school, kids, a sick husband, excuses…so let’s get to it!
I am very easily swayed by the monthly Diamond Love List emails…When I showed off my new Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush ($108.50, down from $155), he gave me SO MUCH SHIT, since I spent so much money on the Dyson Air Wrap. My answer was that my child stole my Air Wrap and I am too lazy to walk all the way to her bathroom to get it…and my Revlon One-Step smells like burnt dog hair. And really, it was only $25.50 after using $83 of Ulta points…
I was talking to a girl in one of my MBA classes and she said that she would never buy a perfume without smelling it…hi, it’s me – I’m the one who does that, it’s me. I knew that I would LOVE Fresh Beauty Hesperides Grapefruit Eau de Parfum Rollerball ($29) before ever smelling it and I was right. It reminds me of my mom…
Lippies were 30%, so I loaded my cart: Flower Beauty Bitten Lip Stain in “Tempt” ($8.40, down from $12 – it’s very similar to the Colourpop Stain) and KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Vegan Transfer-Proof Liquid Lipstick in “Ghost Bloom” ($16.10, down from $23) for me; Makeup Revolution Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory x Revolution Brat Lip Gloss ($4.90, down from $7) and Makeup Revolution Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory x Revolution Lip Balm ($4.90, down from $7) for Lil. I also added in Hempz White Peach Rosé & Peony Herbal Shave Gel ($6.49, down from $12.99) because it was half off. A bit disappointing to use, as it wasn’t as slippy as the Caress Body Wash I had been using to shave.
I am deeply saddened that I didn’t get to a salon to use my $25 off beauty services coupon for another year of Diamond, but I did remember to use my free foundation coupon. This year, I chose Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder Foundation in “01 Stay Buff”, a $39 value.
My $30 makeup purchase qualified me for a 4 pieces NARS gift, which includes NARS Climax Mascara; NARS Lipstick in “Inappropriate Red”; NARS Bronzing Powder and NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner in “Via Veneto”. I probably won’t use any of it. I also qualified for a free hair gift, but it sold out before I could place my order. Boo.
It’s so rare that I spend enough for the massive gift with purchases…this one required a $130 spend! Inside the HUGE satiny makeup bag: drybar DETOX Thickening Dry Shampoo (giving to my daughter, so I don’t have to buy her some); Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Whiskey”; Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate; Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner (there’s licorice root in it, I’m scared); e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer; Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder; Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Primer; megababe Space Bar (I think I have 3 of these now); Lancôme Cils Booster Mascara Base (and 3 of these); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (yasss, the one in my purse is almost gone); Eau Thermale Avene Tolerance Cleanser; philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Clay Mask; Peach & Lily Glass Skin Face Polisher; Estee Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme Mask; Andrew Fitzsimmons Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner; NYX Epic Ink Liner in “Black”; Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder; Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash; Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam (NOPE); Maybelline Sky High Mascara; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum; Pixi Glow Tonic; Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen; Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Oil; Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow; Dermalogica Micellar Prebiotic Precleanse (precleanse? I ain’t washing my face twice); Living proof. Clarifying Detox Shampoo (but no conditioner?); and Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner. PHEW, that’s a lot of good samples!
$1,105 to Diamond in 2025…
Semi-Annual What WHAT!
Oh, my favorite sale of the year – Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale. Even though there is sale over the summer, the after Xmas sale is FAR superior…because that’s when the Halloween stuff comes out!
My first trip was a quick stop on my traditional ‘day after Xmas looking for cheap candy’ shopping trip. We ended up at the store near my office, which usually has a decent selection. Except for the “Sunshine Mimosa” Wallflower Refill, everything I got was 75% Halloween. I had been eyeing this goth candleholder for months and was thrilled to lay my hands on it for 75% off. I also grabbed some hand soaps and a bewitching “Everlasting Magic” Body Cream. I spent $28.61, and saved $73.17.
A few days later, Lily & I were shopping in Tyler with our LaLa and we stopped in again. I came across a csent called “Satin Slippers” and became OBSESSED. It’s white rose forward, which is a rare find. Plus, it was in the $4.95 bucket – super cheap! But alas, they only had Body Spray and Body Cream – no Shower Gel! I was able to find some more Wallflower, some Body Cream for Lily, and some “Vampire Blood” Hand Cream for my purse (nothing screams WEIRDO like pulling “Vampire Blood” lotion out of your purse in public). I spent $46.35 this time, but saved $83.58.
I wanted that “Satin Slippers” Shower Gel, so on the way home from Nac, I made up a plan to stop at a few locations to look. We stopped in Spring, but they didn’t have it either. Right before we hit home, we stopped at the location closest to home and…MOTHERLODE! Not only did I find my “Satin Slippers” Shower Gel, they also had “Everlasting Magic” – I bought two of each. I also bought another Halloween Candleholder, a Halloween Wallflower Plug shaped like a coffin, and MORE candles. I spent $82.24, but saved $144.37!
In total, I spent $157.20 and “saved” $301.02. Obviously, Bath & Body Works is ridiculously overpriced, but I love it anyway.
As we near the 10th anniversary of Beauty Hoard, it crosses my mind that people MAY not be interested in reading about every product I buy…but then it also crosses my mind that I don’t do this for other people, I do it for myself, to create accountability in my shopping addiction and my overwhelming need for beauty rituals.
Here’s to another decade of soap hoarding!
tgin Ulta Haul
I swear to god, when I ordered two bottles of tgin Rosewater Frizz Free Hydrating Conditioner, they were 40% off – but looking at the email receipt, they were regular price – $14.99? I don’t know what I did, it was a couple of weeks ago…but I know I am kind of annoyed. Anyway, it’s usually cheaper to get the shampoo and conditioner in my Amazon Subscribe & Save for $22.49, but I go through the conditioner pretty quick, so I thought $8.99 was a hot deal…I also thought I was getting tgin Rose Water Curl Refresher for 40% off, nope. Sigh….
I did, however, manage to get a bunch of staples for 30% – 40% off…my holy grail Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencils in “Dark Brown” and “Medium Brown” ($6, down from $10); Ulta Exfoliating Round Cotton Pads ($2.09, down from $3.49); Ulta Travel Size Super Soothe Gentle Daily Cleanser and Travel Size Shine Bright Creamy Cleanser (both $2.40, down from $4); Ecotools Exfoliating EcoPouf Loofah Bath Sponge ($2.09, down from $2.99); and HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner Packette ($1.79, down from $2.99).
At least I got to use my $10 off $50 coupon…
Just $99.85 to Diamond in 2024…I’ll be taking care of that with a haircut next week!
A Citrusy Ulta Haul
Have you ever smelled a scent that was so amazing that you had to stop what you were doing RIGHT THAT SECOND and order every product that you could find in that scent? That’s what happened to me when I smelled Hempz Citrus Blossom Herbal Body Moisturizer With Vitamin C. I got a tiny 2.25oz sample from Ulta and I immediately ordered a big 17oz bottle ($27.99). Of course, I am kicking myself this week – Hempz is 40% and that same bottle is $16.79. Run, don’t walk to buy it.
I rounded out my order with a few more citrusy products: Megababe Sunny Pits Daily Deodorant ($14), which smells EXACTLY like the Love’s Baby Soft Lemon that was one of my mom’s favorites and a clearance Ulta Scented Foaming Hand Wash in “Pink Grapefruit” ($3.50), another scent that reminds me of my mom. Now I can think of my mom when I smell my armpits and when I wash my hands.
Lily was out of zit stickers, so I ordered Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots ($4.99) for her. She said they didn’t work as well as Zit Stickas, so I don’t think I’ll be getting these again.
I got a free 5 piece Beauty Break from e.l.f. Cosmetics with my $50 purchase: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer; Whoa Glow Sun Protection + Makeup Primer; Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm; Luminous Putty Bronzer; and Hydrating Core Lip Shine in “Happy”. Oh, and I used my $3.50 off $15 coupon, OF COURSE.
$268 til Diamond in 2024.
Rosy Ulta Haul
I was running low on my absolute FAVORITE underarm deodorant – Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant ($14) – so I ordered one. I literally used the last smidge in the roller the day this box arrived.
We’re all adults here…I hope…so I’m just going to put it out there…after a hysterectomy and menopause, a lady might need a little help in the moisture department. I ordered Unbound Jelly ($18) and it does what it is supposed to do. No weird scents or flavors, it just gets the job done. Ulta is now carrying a wide variety of lubes and toys, so be forewarned. Good thing my teenagers actively ignore anything I write or put on social media!
Eyebrows are the most important element of my look these days, so I stocked up on a few more Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencils ($10 each) – one in “Medium Brown” for casual looks and one in “Dark Brown” for when I want to go full “Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in Mommy Dearest.” I got a free 9 piece gift with my purchase that includes an eye and face palette; ULTAmate Lashes Mascara in “Jet Black”; Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in a mystery shade; Lip Stain in a mystery shade; Poreless Face Primer; Matte Eye Primer; an eye shadow brush and a makeup sponge, all in a metallic pink makeup bag.
Not only did I use a $10 off $40 coupon and got the free Ulta gift with purchase…I also got a free 10 piece body care gift with my $60 purchase…which wasn’t really $60 because of the coupon. The gift included Hempz Citrus Blossom Herbal Body Moisturizer; Daily Concepts Your Facial Mini Scrubber (looks like the Dobie pad in my kitchen); Kniepp Mineral Bath Salt in “Under the Weather” (eucalyptus!); Whim by Ulta Beauty Peppermint Moisturizing Foot Mask; La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+; L’Occitane Amande Shower Oil; Completely Bare Don’t Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor (you KNOW I’ll be trying this); Megababe Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar; Dionis Goat Milk Shave Butter; and Fresh Milk Body Cleanser. I feel like I would use ALL of those!
Just $329 to Diamond in 2024.
Barbie Ulta Haul
Even though I know the quality is gonna be bargain basement, I went ahead and ordered the NYX Limited Edition Barbie The Movie Collection Vault PR Kit ($90). The set includes BARBIE Mini Palette in “It’s a BARBIE PARTY!”; BARBIE Mini Palette in “Turn Up the KEN-ERGY!”; BARBIE Jumbo Eye Pencil Kit; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Dreamhouse Pink”; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Perfect Day Pink”; BARBIE Mini Cheek Palette; BARBIE Butter Lip Gloss; BARBIE Jumbo Lash; and a BARBIE Flip Phone Mirror.
As I suspected the quality is mid…but it’s Barbie, so I don’t care. The eyeshadows and blush are fine, but the lipsticks are shit and smear all over everything. Lily wants the little flip phone mirror, so I’ll probabaly just let her have it, as well as the lashes. This set is a far cry from Colourpop’s Malibu Barbie Set, but it’s not total trash. I’m glad I ordered this when I did – it’s out of stock and I doubt it’s coming back.
There was a lot of other Barbie stuff for sale – hair ties, OPI Nail Polish, CHI dryers and straighteners…but the only other thing I got was Barbie x Moon Bubble Mint Whitening Toothpaste ($12.99). It’s kind of disappointing for a $13 toothpaste. It tastes like the Barbie and Spongebob toothpaste I used to buy for my kids when they were toddlers.
Oh, I also bought some stuff I had been saving in my cart. I got a Milani Green Goddess Transforming Lip Balm ($9.99) because I was hoping for a dupe of my beloved Frog Prince Lipstick…it’s not exact, but it’s decently close! The Tony Moly Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick ($12.50) works really well. I don’t know HOW is scrubs out my nose pores, but it does.
I also got a free sample pack with my purchase that included Mugler Alien (I fucking hate this scent and give it away the first chance I get); Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune; Prada Ocean Luna Rossa; La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum (my daughter showed me THAT TikTok and now I cannot help but think of roach pussy every time I see this brand); Tanologist Face + Body Drops (will be given to a child); KylieSkin Hydrating Face Mask (low key scared to try it); and Avene Solaire UV Sunscreen Fluid. This is one of the shittiest sample packs I’ve gotten in ages – like they are trying to get rid of nasty shit. At least I got to use a $5 off $25 coupon…
$366 to Diamond in 2024. (I got my hair did a few weeks ago – even though I used $175 in Ulta Points, I still spent $90 or so.)
July 2023 Ipsy Bag – The Great Escape
This month’s ipsy bag was a bit odd…
Not only were the items odd, but the bag was odd. The violet and yellow satin pouch is from ipsy’s sister brand Refreshments, which appears to be a monthly razor and/or deodorant subscription. I’d check it out if the the family wasn’t already set up on Dollar Shave Club (which is somehow no longer a dollar, but more like three or four per razor). It’s fine, I can always use more pouches.
This month’s product choice was Dew of the Gods Cutie Fruities Blemish Stickers. I haven’t been able to test them out yet, somehow my skin has been fairly clear this summer.
Also in this month’s ipsy bag: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA (I’ve been using this on my chest and bikini line – it makes everything so smooth!); Mudmasky Vitamin-A Booster French Clay Mask (I used this last week – it was like powerwashing my pores); Mo Beauty Divinely Defined – Precision Brow Pencil & Brush in “Light Brown” (it was empty and unusable, but I am too lazy to complain to ipsy about it); and Seraphine Botanicals Amla Nude – Silky Nude Eyeshadow Palette in “Dawn Light” (I actually gave this to my stepmother-in-law to wear to a wedding, so she could feel sparkly and fancy). A good – but odd – mix of products.
I’m glad next month is an Icon Box (curated by Vanessa Hudgens!), so I can get some full size products.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Last (Semi-Annual) Chance!
Believe it or not, I only hit Bath & Body Works ONCE during this Semi-Annual Sale…it was the first day of the sale, so they had lots of stuff, but the discounts weren’t there.
About a week in though, they had a really good coupon code – 20% off AND free shipping, so I loaded up my cart with hand soaps, plus some of the Aromatherapy line was 75% off, so I decided to try “Orange Flower Sandalwood” Body Wash and Ultimate Hydration Cream – it’s really good! Most orange products are sickly sweet, but the Sandalwood gives it a nice woody undertone.
Technically, I guess I hit the sale twice…I believe that TODAY is the last day of the sale, so go get some soap!