Category: Face
March 2018 Julep Maven Box – Press Forward
I’ve held back on writing about this box for several days, as I wanted to test out the products for a few days.
March’s “Press Forward” box features a totally new type of product – Pressed Serums. For my box, I chose both the morning serum – you got this Pressed Serum Daily Moisturizer – and the nightly product – dream big Nightly Renewal Pressed Serum with BHA. (In a genius bit of product design, the identical tube tops are marked with a sun and a moon to tell you when to use them.) I’ve been using both serums, in addition to washing my face with love your bare face Detoxifying Cleansing Stick. I have noticed a difference in my skin – softer and smoother after just a few days. I’m having a hard time getting used to applying the products, which is not unlike covering one’s face with a Lady Speedstick.
I couldn’t go polish-less, so I used Jules for one of this month’s polishes – Boho Glam “Ida”, blue heron matte shimmer. I also got a special treat – gold four-leaf clover decals for St. Paddy’s Day. I hope they fare better than the roses!
Not a Julep Maven? Click HERE to join – I’ll get a $15 credit and you’ll get your first box free!
Sephora Play! February 2018 – Feel the Love
Missed it by THAAAAAAT much…
February’s Sephora Play box is themed “Feel the Love”, products that I’m supposed to not be able to live without. Hmmm, we’ll see about that.
This month’s fragrance is Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee. I’m just not a plain vanilla girl, plus, I already have a small bottle of this scent. The other products are a bit more interesting: Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel (I love a good mask); NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in “Let’s Go Crazy” (ooooh, hot pink); Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in “ROSEGOLD”; Sephora Rouge Matte Lipstick in “Rebel Chic”; and belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb (so many eye creams, so little time).
I don’t know that I can’t live without any of these products, but there’s a good variety of products for me to try out. A really good mix of products this month!
If you don’t get Sephora Play, sign up and feel the love. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
A Clean Face is a Happy Face
I told you I was going to place an Ulta order…
It got here quick, too. Ulta needs to work on their shipping though. It came in two boxes – one had just the Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Medium Brown” (been wanting to try a little lighter look) and everything else in the other box. The two boxes were the same size.
The #1 thing I wanted was the nail polish – essence “outta space is the place”, from their new Out of Space Nail Stories Collection ($2.99). It’s an iridescent white – I’ve never seen anything like it! I also picked up 2 essence Kiss the Mermaid Lipsticks ($3.49) – one for me and one for Lily. I’ve been using the fuck out of my Frog Prince Green Lipstick – this one is a blue stick that turns purplish pink.
I’ve also been wanting to try a few of the new Pacifica rose products: Pacifica Rose Kombucha Flower Powered Face Wash and Rose Flower Hydro Mist (regularly $10 each, buy one sale BOG40%off). The face wash is creamy and strongly scented. It foams A LOT – a little goes a long way. I’m getting use to the face mist – it’s a very different way to hydrate your face than the creams and lotions I’m used too.
I also grabbed two of the new Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Metallic Lipsticks ($4.99) in “I Don’t Dessert You” and “Satin Sheets.” I totally duped myself – these are dupes of Jeffree Star “No Tea, No Shade” and “Pussy Whipped”. Jokes on me!
The last thing I added to my cart was Ulta Warming Charcoal Cleanser ($10)….so I could get the free gift with purchase makeup bag. The cleanser does warm up, but not as much as others I’ve had. The cleanser is very, very gentle. This might be one of the better makeup bag gifts. Inside the bag: an eyeshadow palette, a blush/bronzer duo, Liquid Illuminator in “Northern Lights”, Plush Drama Volumizing Mascara, Nude Lipstick in “Pink Chocolate”, Mattifying Face Primer, Tinted Eye Primer in “Peach Glow”, Juice Infused Lip Oil in “Coconut”, Eye Liner Pencil in “Blackout”, Brow Shaping Gel in “Clear”, an eye pencil sharpener, Lip Liner Pencil in “Bittersweet”, a tapered blush brush and a $5 off $15 coupon. The colors are springy and neutral.
I have been choosing skincare samples from Ulta lately – I got a Skinfix Face Cleansing Cloth and Vichy Aqualia Thermal Creme Riche. I was also able to use the $5 off coupon from my last Ulta order.
$330.6o to remain Platinum…that’s like one hair appointment!
DIVINE!
Anyone who knows me even casually, knows that I have a thing for pink flamingos. They’re in my yard, in my house, on my clothes. Those who REALLY know me, know how much I love Pink Flamingos, starring the one and only Divine. And thanks to Kat Von D, now I can have Pink Flamingos in my makeup!
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of the Kat Von D x Divine Collection since sneak peaks started appearing online last year. It was finally released on VD, but didn’t hit Sephora’s site until the 17th. Yup, I ordered the morning of the 17th and it arrived just a few days later…
I ordered the whole collection, which consisted of the I am Divine Palette ($38), with eight all-new eye shadows, inspired by Divine. I also picked up the Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in “Divine” ($19), which is a creamy pinky nude. It’s the new Studded Kiss formula, too – super creamy and soft on the lips.
Before I start talking about the palettes, I’ll mention my samples. Yes, I finally received samples with a Sephora order! I placed my order via my PC instead of using the app and I hate to say it, but I think that might be the key. I got three foil packets: belif: The True Cream – Aqua Bomb (my jam); Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser; and Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil.
I also used a code to get a deluxe sample of of stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in “kitten karma” (haven’t had a chance to try it yet).
Just $875 to Sephora Rouge for 2019. If Kat keeps up with the releases like she did laast year, that won’t be an issue.
Obviously, I couldn’t wait to play with the palette.
The first time I try an eye shadow, I put it straight on my face, without any kind of primer. As you can see, there’s a decent amount of pigmentation even without primer. The green (“Pink Flamingos” ironically) really needs a primer to pop, but the matte blue (“Waters”) pops without it, as does the dark blue shimmer under my eyes (“Baltimore”). I’ll be honest, I’ll get more use out of the neutral colors in the palette, but I WILL use this palette.
The lipstick is very close to my natural skin tone. I tried it alone and was not wowed. I overlined my lips with “Lolita” Everlasting Lip Liner and it made all the difference in the world.
I am not at all disappointed in this palette and lippie – great job Kat!
February 2018 Birchbox – Follow Your Heart
This month’s box has some heft to it. I mean that literally – it was really heavy for a Birchbox.
The weight was due to two absolutely gigantic (for Birchbox, anyway) sample bottles – Love Beauty and Planet Smooth and Serene Argan Oil & Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner. Birchbox heard my prayers! Matching shampoo and conditioner in matching sizes! Sometimes lavender gives me a headache though…I’ll have to be careful with the shampoo and conditioner.
Also in this month’s curated box: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment (I’ve had this before and loved what it did for my skin); Doucce Cosmetics Luscious Lip Stain in “Steaming Red”; and Beauty Crop Wing Woman Liquid Eyeliner in “Black”.
No fragrances this month – I only miss them when I don’t get them.
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.
Gloomy Lotion
As cynical as I am, I’m a sucker for a new products. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on L’Oreal’s True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer in “Fair” ($14.99). (In my head, I always think Gloomy Lotion). I’ve been really liking the GlamGlow Illuminating Moisturizer. The Gloomy Lotion doesn’t smell as good, but it does the job – I like it.
Since I had a 20% off coupon, I filled my cart with a few other things to get to $50. I also wanted to try Maybelline’s Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil in “Medium Brown” ($7.99). I’ve been loving on the Ulta Slim, but this one is a winner, too! It’t only about 2/3 the length, so it might not be such a good deal pricewise. I got a $5 off a future purchase from those brands for my purchase.
I also got refills of my SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Complex Shampoo and Conditioner ($11.49). It wasn’t on sale, but hey, 20% off. Speaking of rose, I also had to try out Philosophy‘s new scent – Amazing Grace Nude Rose ($20). It’s similar with Ballet Rose, but instead of notes of leather, there are green notes. It made my husband gag, so that’s a really good sign.
Oh, and thanks for actually sending me samples, Ulta! I got a cared with three different shades of Too Faced Born This Way Foundation and a card with samples of L’Oreal Revitalift Serum and Moisturizer.
Only $397.23 to get to Platinum for 2019. Chances of hitting Diamond status? At this juncture, I’d say highly unlikely.
Give Me Some Nude Lip – Take 4
I am such a sucker for Sephora’s curated lip sets. I don’t know if it is the lipstick or the little lip shaped box that they come in. I’d say it was the box, but I REALLY wanted one of those lippies. So I got the new Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Nude Lip Set ($28).
The one I really wanted? NARS Lipstick in “Orgasm”. I had gotten a deluxe sample of NARS Orgasm Blush a while back and it is one of my favorites – all the hype is true – it is universally flattering. I actually put on makeup for the first time in weeks yesterday, just so I could see the blush and lipstick together – heavenly.
Also in the the glittery white lip box: Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in “Futurist”; Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in “Sugar” (really just a sheer gloss); Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in “Exposed” (I love a basic brown matte); Urban Decay Cosmetics Vice Special Effects in “Fever” (I’d be more impressed if these weren’t on clearance for $9 everywhere); and Smashbox Cosmetics Be Legendary Lip Pigment in “Mauve Wife” (this will be my fave – it’s like a cross between Lolita and Androgyny!)
Oh, and no dupes! I didn’t have any of these lippies!
I also used this order to get my Sephora Birthday gift – I chose the GlamGlow set with GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Treatment and GlowStarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer. My other chose was some Bite Beauty Lipstick – meh.
Can we talk about samples? Even though I got the 2 deluxe samples I used a special code for – it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser (divine) and Miu Miu L’eau Rosee (not a straight rose, but like running through an unkempt rose garden with roses and whatever happens to be growing there) – I DID NOT get my other samples. This is the third time in a row!
First I emailed Customer Service again, they quickly apologized qand gave me 225 points. That’s nice and all, but not a solution. I took to twitter and then DMed with Sephora. They admitted it’s been an ongoing issue, blah blah blah. I can tell you what the issue is – the samples are no longer showing up on the pick list that shows up in my box. I’ve been using the app to order, so next order will be placed online and we’ll see if that helps..
$932 to Rouge…but $282 to VIB Insider is more likely.
Sephora Play January 2018 – Happy You Year!
It’s January 31st, I had major surgery and I am still managing to cover all my January boxes in January. High Five!
This month’s “Happy You Year” bag is filled with products to revitalize. The first thing I squealed over is the GlamGlow SuperCleanse Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser – I LOVE GlamGlow!
Also in this month’s bag: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (just a foil pack, boo); Lancome Cils Booster Super-Enhancing Mascara Booster (don’t care); Smashbox Photo FInish Primerizer (primer AND moisturizer – genius!); Ole Henriksen Hygge HydraClay Detox Mask (I love me some masks); and Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream.
No fragrance though – boo!
If you don’t get Sephora Play, sign up TODAY. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
January 2018 Ipsy Bag – Game Face
I gotta get through these boxes before they cut me open!
This month’s “Game Face” ipsy bag is totally 80s! The products are anything but retro. The first product that caught my eye was the F.A.R.A.H BRUSHES Z-Tweeze Dual Ended Tweezer – I’ve never seen a product like this before and I consider myself a tweezer aficionado. One end has the usual wide slant tweezers, but the other end has pointy ones. I cannot wait to start attacking ingrown hairs with these!
Also in this month’s bag: CAKE BY CAKE BEAUTY Heavy Cream Intensive Body Balm; DIRTY LITTLE SECRET COSMETICS Eyeshadow in “Sangria” (sparkly red eyeshadow – yes please!); THEBALM COSMETICS Mary-Lou Manizer; and ANDALOU NATURALS Argan & Shea Styling Cream.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
January 2018 Birchbox – Find Your Happy
Even though I forgot to pick the products in my Julep box, I did remember to pick for my Birchbox. I picked the curated box, of course. Not that any products stood out to me, but the sample choices were either lame or repeats.
Of all the brands I get in Subscription Boxes, I’d have to say that I get Smashbox the most. I get a Smashbox product every single month. I’m not mad about getting another Smashbox Photo Finish Radiance Primer – I actually like this pearly primer. (I got it in September’s ipsy.)
Also in this month’s box: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner (So glad I got equal sizes of BOTH products); Laura Geller New York Fortifying Lashes Eyelash Primer (why?); and Clark’s Botanicals Age Defying Radiance Cream.
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.