Category: Body
Target Beauty Capsule – At-Home Luxuries
I may have splurged a bit this month and picked up two more Target Beauty Capsules…
The first capsule is At-Home Luxuries and contains 9 luxurious spa items. It’s very likely that I will NOT be using the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Hemp Body Oil – I hate the way cocoa butter smells, as well as that hempy smell. I am also unlikely to use the HUGE Resin Gua Sha – I haven’t tried the tiny one from last month’s ipsy yet. I am also not interested in the Olay Premium Body Rinse Off Body Conditioner Shea Butter. What is the point of a lotion hyou have to rinse off? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
I will, however, try out the rest of the products in the box: DERMA E Hydrating Eye Cream; Que Bella Professional Illuminating Holographic Peel off Mask; Hair Food Avocado & Argan Oil Hair Mask (yassss); ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub Pouch; Artnaturals Collagen Booster; and SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Brightening Body Lotion.
This box comes with ANOTHER $5 off $15 coupon, but it is also in-store only. HUGE bummer!
The At-Home Luxuries Target Beauty Capsule is $14.99 and still available! Use your Target Red Card for 5% off.
Hairy Ulta Haul
Sometimes, you just gotta stock up on a few things. The price went up on NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Conditioner Refills ($23, was $22)! I also used up an Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($10), which freaked me out, so I ordered 2.
My Shhhowercap is on its last legs, so I’m auditioning replacements that are not $43. This Kitsch Striped Luxe Shower Cap ($24) is working out so far – it doesn’t have the rubber strip like the Shhhowercap, but it’s keeping things dry so far. Fingers crossed. I also threw a set of Kitsch Large Dome Claw Clips ($10) in my cart – I have SO much hair right now.
A few impulse sale buys – KVD Beauty Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in “OG Lolita” ($10, down from $20). I’ve been wanting to try this shade…but imagine my shock that the packaging was the old Kat Von D Beauty labelling. How old is this lipstick? At least a year and a half old…ugh. It did not smell and wore just find, but still annoying. I also snagged a 75% off Pacifica Plant Magic Polish in “Buena Fortuna” ($2.50, down from $10).
There were a lot of gifts with purchase in this order., even with my $5 off $40 coupon. I got a Free MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation deluxe sample with my $25 makeup purchase, as well as a Kylie Cosmetics Concealer. I’ll probably never use either. I also got free 18 piece Day Tripper bag with my $85 purchase, which came with Kenra Volume Spray; Patchology Chill Mode Soothing Cannabis Seed Oil-Infused Eye Gels (I used a different set of Patchology Eye Gels this morning – I cannot tell for sure, but I think they helped…but not sure); Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream; Exuviance Overnight Transformation Complex; MAC Studio Fix+; Vichy Mineral 89 Booster Quotidien Fortifiant; Benefit The POREfessional (I have SO much of this stuff – but I use it, so it’s okay); Korres Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream (I hope it does not make me poop); Bliss Drench & Quench Cream-to-Water Hydrator; Clinique My Happy; Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara in “Very Black”; Hanksin Hyaluron exfoliating AHA Treatment; Rusk Puremix Native Fig Replenishing Shampoo & Conditioner (I just got this in the last sample bag); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (I love this balm – I just found an old one in my lipstick and trashed it because it smelled funny); Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum; Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm; and Philosophy Nature in a Jar Cica Complex Recovery Moisturizer. There’s some good stuff in here!
This is it for Ulta hauls…I think. Just $457 to Diamond.
Double Semi Annual
I hit this summer’s Semi Annual Sale twice, so I figured I might as well cover them at the same time.
My first trip was the first week of the sale, at my closest location. Right as you walk in, there is a huge display of 75% off items. I got back-up Body Creams in “Kaleidoscope” and “Chocolate Covered Cherry”, as well as trying out a few new scents. I got Shower Gel/Body Cream combos of two scents from the Aromatherapy line: “Sunrise Yoga” and “Hot Spring Spa”. They both smell amazing and quite different than the floral/sweet scents filling up my shower. I finished off my haul with a few 75% off Hand Soaps and $3.50 Wallflower refills. After using my $10 off $40 mailer, I ended up spending $39, but according to my receipt, I saved $122!
My second haul from a different location was quite small. I got Lily a 75% off “Cherry Limeade” Body Spray/Lotion combo and a 75% off “Capri” Shower Gel for the husband. This location had bath poofs, so I stocked up! I spent $21 here, but only saved $32.
Neutrogena Ulta Haul
I usually have enough free samples of sunscreen to keep me going, but with my son’s Summer Band practice and my upcoming vacation trips, I took advantage of a Neutrogena B2G1 Free deal. I got Neutrogena Clear Face Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 50 ($15.99) for him, while I picked Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50 ($15.99) and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ ($14.99, but FREE with offer). On top of the sale, I also got a free Cherry Cooler Bag with a $25 brand purchase – I’ll bring that on vacation, too!
I’ve been obsessed with Lilac lately, and wanted a lilac heavy perfume. Instead of trial and error, I went with straight lilac in Pacifica Beauty French Lilac Spray Perfume ($22). It’s very nice, although a bit powdery smelling.
Rounding out my order, I added a few EcoTools bath poofs (Bath & Body Works had been out, so I’ll settle for EcoTools) and Exfoliating Cotton Pads.
My $65 order netted me a very nice 13 piece sample bag with basd Refreshing Body Lotion in “Citrus Grapefruit”; Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator; Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel; Keys Soulcare Skin Transformation Cream (ohh, this is Alicia Keys’ new brand); oSea Undaria Algae Body Oil (um, what?); dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon Transformative Night Gel-Cream; Rusk Puremix Native Fig Replenishing Shampoo & Conditioner; Cetaphil Sheer Hydration Replenishing Body Lotion; CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser; Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (yasssss – good stuff); COOLA Refreshing Water Cream Sunscreen SPF 50; and Tula Skincare 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream. Is it me, or are “transformation” and “replenishing” getting totally over-used now?
I love that Ulta still gives you the gift with purchase, even if you use a coupon. My original total was $65.94, but I still got my goodies after using that $3.50 off $15 coupon.
Megababe Ulta Haul
Get ready for post after post of Ulta Hauls – they keep having great sales on stuff I need!
I was attracted to one of the Wednesday Beauty Breaks a few weeks ago – it was a 4 piece sampler from Megababe with $50 purchase! I’d been dying to try Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant, but it’s always sold out. I got a deluxe sample of Rosy Pits, as well as Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick, Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer, and Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar.
Ulta happened to be having some great sales on body products, so I picked up Megababe Chest-o Presto Clarifying Body Acne Mist ($18 – my son has not had overwhelming results with Pacifica Bacne Warrior, so I am trying this one out on myself and so far, it seems to be helping with the breakouts on my chest and back), Ulta Super Soothe Gentle Daily Cleanser ($10 – very cucumber-y scent), and Tweezerman Rose Gold Slant Tweezers ($20.70, down from $23 – my daughter wanted tweezers, so I gave her my old ones) for myself. I got Ulta Sunless Tanner Facing Mousse ($1.29, down from $3.24) for the boy child – I maybe regret buying him the Self Tanner. I got eos Shea Better Shaving Cream ($1.99, down from $3.99) for the girl child. I was able to use the usual $3.50 off $15 coupon.
My order also came with a 27 piece Beauty Sample Bag (free with $35 purchase): Australian Glow Facial Bronzing Mist with Rosewater (although I love rosewater, the boy will be getting this one); wet n wild PrimeFocus Primer Serum (I have one of these on my sink right now); Buxom Wanderlust Primer-Infused Blush Sample Card; Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum (again, to the boy); Weleda Skin Food; Crepe Erase Body Smoothing Pre-Treatment (just like the Infomercial!); Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris; Skyn Iceland Arctic Elixir; Urban Decay Primer Potion; Hempz Pink Pomelo & Himalayan Sea Salt Herbal Body Salt Scrub; Hey Honey Sweet Treat Wild Berry & Honey Yogurt Recovery Mask (the tube is jacked up – pretty sure it is empty); it Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream (I think I have two of these already); Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil; Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm (going to the boy); Alterna My Hair My Canvas Cool Hydrations Nourishing Masque; NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner; The Route The Party Peel Golden Illuminizing Peel; John Frieda Frizz Ease Leave-In Conditioner; Nioxin Scalp Relief Cleanser, Conditioner & Soothing Serum; Banila Co Miss Flower & Mr. Honey Propolis Rejuvenating Ampoule; Estee Lauder Beautiful Magnolia (intriguing scent, I have a bottle of the original Beautiful and this one is very similar); NudeStix Lip Glace; Barefoot Scientist High Dive Hydration Cream (I NEED this for my dry ass feet); Lancome Hydra Zen Gel-Creme; Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask; Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer; and Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream. What a great batch of samples!
I’ve got three more orders to review after this, so I’ll post my spend to Diamond Status after the last one.
Sale Before the Sale
Although we’re in deep into the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale, right BEFORE that sale started, I got an email that ALL Hand Soaps were $3.95…with a $10 off $40 coupon AND free shipping. I jumped right on that!
I picked lucky 13 different Hand Soaps, which brought the price down to $3.18. Not bad, but if I was better at math, I would’ve just bought 11. If I’d have only bought 11, then the price would’ve been $2.57 each!
I am currently using the “Fresh Cut Lilacs” in my bathroom. I have been OBSESSED with lilacs lately – I’m thinking about planting a bush.
Target Beauty Capsule – Fresh Finds
Goodbye Target Beauty Box, Hello Target Beauty Capsule. At long last, Target has released a replacement for their beloved monthly beauty boxes!
I ordered the Target Beauty Capsule over a month ago, as part of a larger order….but silly me, I didn’t check the address and ended up accidentally shipping it to my sister in New York. (I had just sent birthday gifts for her kids.) She graciously shipped my shit back to me – so much for my free shipping.
So the Capsule comes in a fun box with a little spinner and these products: Theory Freshness Care Essential Mint Fluoride Toothpaste (I usually use sensitivity toothpaste, but I’ve been alternating with this one and it tastes marvelous); Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Mini (it’s a spot lightening serum); Spring & Vine Shampoo Bar in Tea Tree & Mint (I have too much hair for this!); Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream; Luster & Lum Collagen Peptides Dietary Supplement (it’s unflavored and I have no idea what to do with it); Tom’s of Maine Plastic-Free Natural Strength Sensitive Creamy Coconut with Hemp Seed Oil 48H Deodorant; Humphreys Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner with Rose; Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo (going to my son); and a Reusable Silicone Face Mask Cover (I have no idea what to do with this…other that re-enacting that scene in The Office where Dwight pretends to be Hannibal Lecter with a piece of bologna).
This Target Beauty Capsule even comes with a beauty coupon – $5 off $15, which is better than the $3 coupon that used to come with Target Beauty Box.
Target Beauty Capsule is $14.99 and still available! Use your Target Red Card for 5% off.
April 2021 Ipsy Bag – Force of Nature
I am so, SO late posting about April’s ipsy bag – I don’t think I’ve ever been this late before.
I’ll be honest, I am getting a little bored with Subscription Beauty services – and running out of places to cram all these makeup bags. I haven’t decided whether I’ll keep getting the products and just stop writing about them, or cancel them…or what. I need to ponder what I’m going to do….
…but in the meantime, April’s bag was a mixed bag. My product choice was Tatcha The Water Cream, which I’d gotten in Sephora Smarts box a few years ago. It’s great under makeup.
Also in this month’s nature-themed box: Beau Gâchis Concealer Brush (just what I need – another fucking makeup brush); Glow on 5th Smooth as Silk Hand + Body Scrub; Grace & Stella Dead Sea Mud Mask (I used this last weekend – it’s okay I guess – a bit thin); and Nomad Cosmetics Tuscany Intense Eye Shadow in “Aperitivo”.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Decades Haul
I have been STALKING and WAITING for the Urban Decay Decades Mini Eyeshadow Palettes to go on sale ($12.50, down from $25). I’ve seen it on sale a few times, but the windows were so short, I missed the sale…but not this time!
I was most excited about the 90s palette – “1993” – a palette full of grungy, 90s shades. There is literally a metallic gold shade called “Grunge”. I’ve used it a few times and it is fairly versatile. The other palette I got was the 00s palette – “Soundtrack” – a palette full of shimmery shades, even one called “Y2K”. “Y2K” is my favorite – a color-shifting duochrome. This palette is not as versatile, but reminds me of my first few Urban Decay palettes, and “Throwback” is a dead ringer for “Polyester Bride”. If you know, you know.
Ulta just came out with a whole line of WandaVision makeup, but the only product that piqued my interest was the Ulta Beauty Collection x Marvel Studios WandaVision Wing Tip Liner Duo ($12). The felt tip eyeliner is nothing new, but the cat eye stamp is really cool! It took a few tries to get it right – on the first try, I put it on upside down, but I was able to fix it. I could’ve used this a few decades ago…my cat eye days are mostly behind me.
My poor son inherited my bacne, so I jumped at a new product designed to fight it – Pacifica Bacne Warrior Acne Fighting Spray ($16). He’s been using it, but the jury is still out on how effective it will end up being. It’s really hard to spray, so it’s not as easy to apply as you’d think. Pacifica products were BOGO 40%, so I got Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash ($6, down from $10) for myself. It smells SO good – like a coconut popsicle!
I picked up a pack of Kitsch Face Masks ($12.99) – my kids’ favorite masks for school. I qualified for a Tarte Beauty Break 4 Piece Gift with my $50 purchase. The set includes Shape Tape Foundation in “228 light beige”; Stay Spray Setting Spray; Maneater Voluptuous Mascara; and Base Tape Hydrating Primer. I haven’t tried any of them yet, but free is free. I didn’t forget to use that $3.50 off $15 coupon, either.
$919 to Diamond…
I Want to Smell Like FOOD
Ignore the bag, the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale is OVER.
As soon as I got the Valentine’s Day mailer, I knew I would be hitting the store again to pick up those delicious scents. I decided on “Chocolate Covered Cherry” (it’s SO chocolatey), “Strawberry Pound Cake” (a re-promote that I’ve been lusting after), and “You’re the One” (soft rose, winter woods and strawberry nectar – I couldn’t describe any of those scents individually, but together they’re heavenly). I was torn between “Strawberry Pound Cake” and “Raspberry Jam Donut”, but strawberries won out. I’ll keep an eye out for “Raspberry Jam Donut” in the next Semi-Annual Sale.
I got doubles of “Chocolate Covered Cherry” so Lily could smell good, too.
Body products were Buy 3, Get 3 and with the 20% coupon from my mailer (and a coupon for a free Wallflower), I only spent $78. I saved $111!