Category: Fragrance
The Great Northern Candle Company
I had never even heard of The Great Northern Candle Company, until my sister posted one of their ads on my Facebook wall. It was an ad announcing the launch of a Twin Peaks themed fragrance called “Laura”. You sonofabitch, I’m in!
I admit, I was ready to spend $88 on a full size “Laura” perfume…but once on their site, I found that you could get a 5ml sample for $10…and THEN I saw MORE Twin Peaks themed scents! I ultimately picked a discovery set – 6 5ml samples for $42 – $7 each!
“Laura” is Sour Cherry + Woodsmoke, and is sexy and seductive. It has a note that reminds me of Rapture, maybe the apricot? This is not an everyday scent, but I could see buying a full size though.
“Blue Rose” is Rose + Cedar and I knew I would love it. I want the full size, I want the candle, I want this scent on me EVERY DAY.
“Josie” is Tobacco Leaf + Vanilla Milk and it made me sneeze uncontrollably.
“Cooper” is Musk + Coffee Bean + Douglas Fir. It’s a good unisex fragrance – very wintery.
“One Eyed Jacks” is Smoked Whiskey + Honey. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either.
“The Roadhouse” is Apple Bourbon + Cedarwood. Another more unisex fragrance that I don’t hate or love. I think I would like it more as a candle than on my body.
After I placed my order, they released a few new Twin Peaks scents! There’s an Audrey scent and a few others that are only available in candle form. Ugh, I’m going to be dropping some money here, for sure. Stay tiuned for more scents from The Great Northern Candle Company.
Oh, and if you’re interested, use my referral link for $5 off – https://thegncc.com?referral_code=bnb8b1yxflQrkgjLp – you won’t be disappointed.
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…
February 2024 Ipsy Icon Box – Gwen Stefani
I swear I just finished posting about January’s bag…
Hands down, this month’s Icon Box might be the best one that ipsy has ever sent out. Is it because it’s Gwen Stefani? She’s had brand collabs before – remember her Urban Decay palette – but now she has her own line, GXVE Beauty. I’ve never had strong opinions on Gwen Stefani – I don’t hate her, I don’t love her…she is just kinda…here? But her makeup might change my opinion.
Right off the bat, Gwen’s lipstick blew me away. I received GXVE Beauty Xtra Sauce Longwear Vinyl Liquid Lipstick in “Original Recipe” ($24) and it is what Urban Decay WISHES their Lip Bond product was like. That shit did not BUDGE, yet it didn’t dry out my lips. It did, however, require very powerful makeup removed to get rid of…I haven’t tried the other GVXE Beauty product – GVXE Beauty Line It Up Clean 24-Hr Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in “Bathwater” ($20). I just don’t have much use for blue eyeliner at 48.
Another homerun in this box – the Dominique Cosmetics The Essential Palette ($49). Christen Dominique is an ipsy stylist – I guess she has her own makeup line now? This eye shadow palette is GORGEOUS. The colors are very similar to the Lolita Por Vida palette. This is the only eye shadow I’ve worn since the Icon Box arrived.
The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation in “2 Neutral” ($49) was underwhelming. The color match was okay, not perfect…but it oxidized on my face almost immediately. I was able to smooth it out with a wet blender, but it was still frustrating to use. The REN Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask ($58) was fine. I used it yesterday and it did make my face smoother.
My product choices were mediocre this box. I should’ve looked for more details on the Maison Louis Marie No.13 Nouvelle Vague Perfume Oil ($65). The top note is muguet AKA lily of the valley, which is far too geriatric for me. It overpowers the citrus. I was happier with my other two picks: First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner with Salicylic Acid ($24) and SONÄGE SKINCARE Saffron Energizing Vitamin Mask ($68).
This might be the first Icon Box where I use EVERY single product…except maybe that perfume. The box is worth $357 – NICE.
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.
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!
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.)
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!
On a Date Sephora Haul
Believe it or not, I hadn’t bought anything from Sephora since the end of 2020 – that’s right, almost three whole years! Instead of trying to hit top tier status in both Ulta and Sephora’s loyalty programs, and since the Sephora Play! Subscription Box died of COVID, I consciously decided to put all my beauty eggs in one basket. Being able to buy KVD, Fenty and Fresh – previously Sephora exclusives – made the decision that much easier. It’s not a boycott, it’s just smart shopping…but now and then, a product pops up that I can’t get at Ulta, so I get it at Sephora.
I was at the First Colony Mall a few weeks ago – waiting for the girlchild attending a birthday dinner – and I decided to take a sniff at Sephora. My first sniff was Jo Malone Red Roses. It was nice, but not as nice as Jo Loves White Roses & Lemon Leaves. I then tried Maison Margiela REPLICA On a Date – it’s got a plummy rose scent, which tickles my memories. It reminds me on a scent my mother wore in the 80s – no idea which one. I noted it for later, since there were no purse sprays in stock. I also sampled Tom Ford Rose Prick…ain’t no way I’m spending $395 on a perfume, no matter how good it smells. I walked out empty-handed…
Lo and behold, a 20% off promo code arrived in my email that very day. (Did I set off a geo-fence by walking into a Sephora? Possibly…) I ordered the Travel Spray of On a Date, happy to save $7 off $35. I’ve been wearing it almost nonstop since I got it.
For my two free samples, I picked a pouch of Amika bust your brass Intense Repair Mask (for the next time I get highlights); and Mugler Alien Goddess, which I forgot smells like roach spray. Who wants the pile of Mugler samples I’ve collected over the years? It ALL smells awful…inbox me and it’s yours.
Sephora is now offering free shipping for all Beauty Insider Members, no minimum purchase, which is a nice perk. All of my points expired though – I had a couple of thousand points! $972 to Rouge…LOL.
February 2023 Glam Bag X – Bailey Sarian
I’ve never heard of Bailey Sarian before receiving this month’s Glam Bag X, but I like her style!
Even though I have approximately 787 makeup bags, I picked up this red snakeskin one. It reminded me of my red phase in the early 2000s, when I drove a red Mercury Cougar and carried a red snakeskin purse, JUST LIKE THIS!
In addition to the red snakeskin bag, I also chose the ĀTHR Beauty Manifest Crystal Palette, which is similar – but not exactly the same as – the Moonlight Crystal Palette I got in my first Glam Bag X. Instead of blues and purples, Manifest Crystal has a warmer, more fiery range of maroon and purple shadows – I love it! I also selected 5 SENS Catch Feelings, a parfum with notes of ruby grapefruit and damask rose – two of my favorite scents, together in an unexpected way. My only complaint is that the fragrance fades superfast on me.
Also in this this month’s box: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum (have not tried yet); Georgette Klinger Rose Clarifying Toner (it’s just rose scented witch hazel, definitely not worth $26 – but I will use the heck out of it); Innbeauty Project Face Glaze Highlighting Gel Cream (VERY similar to Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum – it is great to use under powder foundation); Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – Light Catcher in “Celestial Light” (have not tried this yet either); and ThisWorks Evening Detox Face Mask (I love a good clay mask – this one tingles a bit).
A spectacular box this quarter! The confirmation email did not give me a box value, but adding up the individual products is $360 – not bad!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and 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.
The Dregs
When you hit the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale a few days before the end, you save yourself A LOT of money…that’s because all that’s left are the dregs and there are not many good deals!
I only spent about $14 – I bought a couple of “Strawberry Poundcake” Shower Gels at 75%, a “Vampire Blood” Single Wick Candle, and some sour goo lip gloss for Lil. I didn’t even get to use a coupon!
December 2022 Ipsy Bag – Oh What Fun
Oh what fun it is to…open up an ipsy bag tonight!
My product choice this month was Ahava Cactus & Pink Pepper Hand Cream. It’s on the coffee table, where I can reach it any time…because I have basically lived on the couch this week. I am not sick – I am on vacation.
Also in this month’s velvet color-block bag: Ciate London Wonderwand Mascara in “Black Magic”; Juliette Has a Gun Magnolia Bliss (I don’t care for magnolia – it’s too old lady for me); Pure Brazilian Leave-In Conditioner; and Sophia + Mabelle Watermelon Lip Slick – Fruit Lip Oil (I’ve been using this to remove liquid lipstick – it’s great for that).
This month’s bag is sorta so-so. Not bad, but nothing to get too excited about, except for the had cream.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and 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.