Category: Face
January 2018 Julep Maven Box – Advantage Point
I totally fucking forgot to “curate” January’s box. Oops. I remember looking at this month’s collection, but I guess I forgot to go back in and finalize my selections.
What they sent me is fine though. I’m not out of love your bare face Detoxifying Cleansing Stick, but it IS a product I use and enjoy, so I ain’t even mad. The colors they sent me are plain, but not dupes of shades that I have. I got Classic with a Twist “Jenn” – Mahogany Creme – and Wonder Maven “Geri” – Blushing Beige Creme. See – very “naked” polishes!
No candy or treats in my box. Boo.
Not a Julep Maven? Click HERE to join – I’ll get a $15 credit and you’ll get your first box free!
Sephora Play! December 2017 – Glam Straight
I know, I know. Again. Don’t even say it.
December’s box is full of party products – special products for a night out. Before I could even get excited about any of the products, I was in awe of the Art Deco pouch that came with this month’s box. It’s total Gatsby.
After the pouch, I was drawn to the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream – it’s a soothing cream that eliminates redness. My scabby winter skin could use the help. Also in this month’s box – Atelier Cologne Clementine California (so happy – I just used up a travel spray of this); drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1, Clinique pretty easy liquid eyelining pen in “black”; Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Mat in M401 “Hot Red”; and Smashbox Cover Shot: Golden Hour Eye Shadow Duo. I could almost do a full face with this box. I’dd look really weird with no eyebrows though.
Do you get Sephora Play? This is far and away, the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
December 2017 Ipsy Bag – Snow Glow
This month’s “Snow Glow” bag is full of interesting products.
Obviously, the first thing that caught my eye is the HUGE packet – The Coffee Scrub in “Coconut”. It’s basically coconut scented coffee grounds repurposed as a facial exfoliant. My only question – are these USED coffee grounds???
Also in this month’s bag: MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara in “Black Extreme” (NICE – I’ve never tried MAC mascara); Luxie Beauty Precision Shader Onyx Brush 239; MEECH AND MIA Loose Eyeshadow Pigment in “White”; and TRÈSTIQUE Mini Brow Pencil in “Americano” (looks a bit chubby, but I’ll give it a whirl).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
December 2017 Birchbox – On the Dot, Off the Cuff
This month’s Birchbox was a “Hail Mary” pass – I was all set to cancel my subscription until I saw the goodies in this month’s fabulous box. I’d had weak boxes for the last several months and now that the point system has been overhauled…but lo and behold…an amazing box! They’ve earned a brief reprieve.
I was expecting the Davines MINU Illuminating Shampoo – For Color-Treated Hair – it was my sample choice this month. The box also came with foil packs of Davines MINU Illuminating Conditioner – For Color-Treated Hair and Davines MINU Hair Serum – For Color-Treated Hair. Bahhhhh….foil packs….no….
The goodies I wasn’t expecting: Stila Cosmetics HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara (they messed up and I got TWO of these!); Lavanila The Healthy Fragrance Pure Vanilla Eau de Parfum (eh); LOC Liquid Shimmer Shadow in “Eclipse”; and Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum. Oh, and I almost forgot…an eyelash curler. A FUCKING eyelash curler. Does anyone even use those anymore?
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.
Target Beauty Boxes – December 2017
Two Target Beauty Boxes for December – it’s an Xmas miracle! Well, not really – it happens every few months.
The “Hers” box (right) seems a bit light for $7. It includes Hask Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner (I’ve gotten a lot of these, and have just started using them); Rimmel London Shake it Fresh Mascara in “Very Black” (the fuck? I’m supposed to shake it up before using it?); imPRESS Press-On Manicure (Who has fingers this small? My 9 year old, I hope); Nexxus Comb Thru Finishing Mist (I’ve gotten several cans of this – I like it); Vera Wang Embrace Marigold and Gardenia (Dammit, this is the wrong one!); My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask; and Chapstick Red Lip Tint.
The “His” box is much beefier – I can see either my husband or son using all of this: Axe Dual 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner (I had just bought my husband this exact same thing); Dove Men+Care Dry Spray Antiperspirant; Pacinos Styling Pomade (well…maybe not this); Crest Whitening Therapy Toothpaste; Olivina Cleansing Cloths (are these for the butthole?); Dove Elements Body Wash and Cremo Beard Scruff Cream & Oil.
Two $7 boxes with free shipping and an additional 5% off with my Target Red Card. Two $3 off $15 coupons – I’m going to Target tomorrow.
November Birchbox – prep. set. party!
Is it December already? Oops.
This month’s curated box is products meant to prep for a party. Apparently…a very orange party.
Included in this month’s box: JUARA Candlenut Body Creme (a repeat); Smashbox Cosmetics Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Driver’s Seat” (it’s SO orangey); Marcelle Hydra-C Eye Contour Gel-Cream; Living proof. STYLE|LAB T.B.D. Multi-Tasking Styler (interested in trying this out); and LAQA & Co. B’Lighter in “Peacher’s Daughter”.
More than any other box I get, my Birchbox samples just sit and gather dust. I need to nut up and decide if I should keep it or not.
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.
November Ipsy Bag – All You
This month’s ipsy bag is themed “ALL YOU” and features products for real ipsy subscribers!
The first item that caught my eye was the tarte Deluxe Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in “Feisty”. I was all disappointed because I thought it was a color I already had, but I was wrong! I got “paaarty” in my Sephora birthday gift, which is a cooler nude. Score!
Also in this month’s gold bag (there was also a blue version): SLMISSGLAM B36 Tapered Highlight Brush; Manna Kadar Cosmetics HD Perfecting Powder; Youth to the People Age Prevention Cleanser (with Kale – I’d rather wash my face with it than eat it); and Benefit They’re Real! Mascara Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara (I prefer the Roller Lash, but this one is good, too).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Sephora Play! November 2017 – Survival of the Chillest
How about I let Sephora go first this month? Er, second…
This month’s “Survival of the Chillest” box is all about self-care – pampering products to the max. I am most excited about Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores. My skin has been a nightmare lately and charcoal and clay and sulfur seem to be the only things that help.
Also in this month’s box: Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara; IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm (the name is icky); Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in “The Red” (I feel like I have this already); Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence and Burberry My Burberry Blush.
I am feeling like I need another pampering day…even though this is my 9th (and last) day off in a row – I feel like Thanksgiving vacation hit me like a truck.
Have you signed up for Sephora Play? This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Adult-ish
I love to wash my face. Like a lot.
I only needed one face wash, but since I wanted to use my $3 off $15 coupon (from this month’s box), I went ahead and bought three.
I’ve used the Biore Baking Soda Cleanser and Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser before – they’re good, solid cleansers. The L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Cleanser – Detoxify & Brighten is a new one – and it is AMAZING. I was expecting it to be green clay, but it was black clay. It feels really good on my face AND it smells very high end. There are two others in the line – I want to try them, too!
OH…and this cute “Adult-ish” shirt – I couldn’t resist it.
Farsali Unicorn Essence
Remember that unicorn stuff that everyone was slapping on their face earlier this year? I bought some!
I bought the small size (.34oz) of Farsali Unicorn Essence Skin Enhancing Antioxidant Serum ($20). I noticed the smaller size when I was in the store, but since they were out of stock, I ordered online with my 20% off code.
I’ve been using it as a primer for several days and so far, I haven’t noticed the slightest difference in how my makeup lasts. It has no effect on my pores, but my skin does feel very soft while it’s on. It smells wonderful and the scent lasts all day…if you’re into having a face that smells like cotton candy. I won’t say it’s a horrible product, but it’s certainly not something I’d buy again. It doesn’t seem to do much except make your face smell good. I’d say there’s a reason that this product hasn’t been seen in any Influencers’ repertoires lately. Now that Sephora is carrying the brand, there’s no need to pay the Influencers for placement?
I got some decent samples with my order: Kat Von D Lock-it Makeup Setting Mist; Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme Atlantigve (it smells like old school Aqua Velva, like my dad used to wear – a big ole NOPE); and Algenist REVEAL Concentrated Color Correcting Drops (you can either add to your makeup product or use directly on your face…hmmmm).
Only $22 to ROUGE…