Category: Face
July 2021 Ipsy Bag – Stay Golden
I got an email today that August’s glam bag X shipped, so I better get on July! (Yes, I upgraded to Glam Bag X – more on that later.)
July’s bag design seemed plain and boring – until the zipper pull caught my eyes – it’s a gorgeous gold sun, with a vibrant blue (probably plastic) crystal.
I’ll be honest – I’ve only had a chance to try one of the products in this month’s bag and it was my product choice this month – Purlisse Beauty WATERMELON + CHARCOAL Purifying Cleanser. I really do enjoy Purlisse products – maybe I’ll actually buy some some day.
Also in this month’s “Stay Golden” bag: Dermedicine Advanced Skincare Retinol Detox High Potency Mask; OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub; Realher Dreams So Big Eyeshadow Duo in “Imagine” & “Ambition”; and Tarte Sea Quench Hydrating Primer.
Not a bad little bag this month…
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.
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.
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.
June 2021 Ipsy Bag – Do You
There can be only one…and that one is ipsy!
That’s right, after over seven years of reviews, nearly a dozen different subscriptions and literally thousands of products sampled, I’ve come to the conclusion that ipsy is the absolute BEST beauty subscription service out there. Some subscriptions were better – Sephora Play! – but died an early death. So that’s it – I’m down to one regular subscription…but I’m still keeping my eye out for new ones to try!
June’s bag is an on-trend sticker-themed bag. I cannot wait to put Barbie accessories in this bag!
My product choice this month was an Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick Mini in “Crush”. It’s a dark fall color that I haven’t tried yet…I am easing back into lipstick after a year and a half wearing balms under my mask.
Also in this month’s “DO YOU” bag: CLIV Max Hyaluronic Propolis Foaming Cleanser; Glamglow Supermud Instant Clearing Treatment Mask (good stuff); Glow on 5th Gua Sha (I have no idea how to properly use a gua sha – I’ve googled a few things, but still intimidated…hit me up with hints); and IBY Beauty Carry on 2 Face Palette Blush in “Sunkissed”.
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.
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.
Gorgeous Hair, Perfect Repair
I just barely caught the end of May’s Gorgeous Hair Event. I was all hyped to get 50% off NatureLab. Tokyo…but of course, all of the big refill bags of Perfect Smooth were out of stock…so I settled for trying out regular sizes of NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. $7.50 is still better than $15.
I also took advantage of a BOGO 40% off order on Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser. The Cadillac of Acne Cleansers is $11.99 regular price! One for me and one for the kids. Oh, and also a Biore T-Zone Targeted Deep Cleansing Pore Strips ($7.99, down from $9.99).
I was disappointed by the 50% off Lipstick Queen Mini in “Route 66” ($6, down from $12). The description promised green lipstick that creates tangerine lips, but they were the same shade of pink as my Frog Prince lipstick. Arghhhhh.
I know it’s basically just a Sharpie, but my daughter really liked the BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Marker ($3.99, down from $4.99).
My order qualified me for a Living Proof. Beauty Break, which came with 5 Deluxe Samples: Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo, Perfect hair Day Weightless Mask, Perfect hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, plus Perfect hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner.
(Is adding a superfluous period to your branding a thing? Looking at you, NatureLab. Tokyo & Living Proof. .)
$734 to Diamond…
May 2021 Ipsy Bag – Flower Power
Ooooh…May’s ipsy bag is a pretty peony pattern! Peony is one of my favorite scents.
My product choice this month was Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. I tried it out yesterday and my skin LOVED it.
Also in May’s “Flower Power” bag: Context Skin Nail Lacquer in “Body Talk” (is this mauve?); Formula 10.0.6 One Smooth Operator Pore Clearing Face Scrub (I used a few nights ago – I feel like it took FOREVER to rinse off); Saint Luxe Lip Liner Duo in “Moscato” and “Vino”; and Skin&Co Roma Citrus Amaro Hand Cream.
Now that I’m down to just ONE beauty subscription – Ipsy – I signed up for Glam Bag X, which is a quarterly, curated box for $55…we’ll see if it’s any good in August.
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.
May 2021 Allure Beauty Box – Power List
That’s IT! I cannot handle any more overpriced face creams or serums! I emailed Allure Customer Support today, in an attempt to cancel my Allure Beauty Box account.
This month’s overpriced face cream is Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream ($265 for 50ml). My little sample is just 7ml ($37.10). I haven’t tried it yet…I’ll get to it eventually. In addition to this cream, there’s also Wander Beauty Sight C-ER Vitmain C Concentrate and CosRx Propolis Light Ampoule. Two more facial serums!
Also in what should be my last box: Josephine Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in “Tiphaine” (is that pronounced “Tiffany”?); Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb; Purlisse Matcha Green Tea Antioxidant Sheet Mask; and Cetaphil Sheer Mineral SPF 50.
Goodbye and so long Allure Beauty Box…
The Allure Beauty Box is $23/month. They also offer an option for $250/year – a savings of $26. Sign up via my referral link.