Category: Fragrance
Obligatory Xmas Gift Post
I would like to say that my holiday hiatus was a planned, well deserved break…but…In reality, I went out of town for a few days and then got sick, so I decided to be lazy. For my first post back, I wanted to share a few of the beauty-related gifts I received for Xmas.
First off are the super-cute nail polish Xmas ornaments I received from my big sis. They’re made from real polish bottles, filled with glitter!
My son came through with Vera Wang Embrace Rose Buds and Vanilla. I admit that I had dropped a few hints about the scent at Kohl’s a few weeks ago. It’s been on my mind since receiving a sample in an Influenster Vox Box earlier this year.
My husband got me an oil diffuser – now I can make the whole house smell like roses! (He also got me Wonder Woman Underoos – the vintage-styled ones, just like the ones I had as a kid!)
My lil sis gifted me with a wonderful Evil Queen clutch and Wonder Woman wooby. (I have an unhealthy obsession with soft and fuzzy blankets). Evil Queen and Wonder Woman – I wonder what that says about my personality???
What did YOU get for Xmas???
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.
Love is Sacrifice
I already hit Rouge Status at Sephora for the year…so I don’t need to buy anything else…but they sent me a $25 off $50 coupon…what to do???
I have been eyeing the new Urban Decay Troublemaker Palette – but they didn’t carry it in the store I visited. (I was in store because I had accidentally bought a display tester for a gift – good thing I noticed before I wrapped it!) I must have walked a circuit around the store at least three times, eyeing different palettes and even testing a Tarte Tinted Moisturizer. Ultimately, I decided to use my coupon on a gift for someone I love. I shall not reveal more, lest he become suspicious…Looks like I’ll be ending the year at $1,071 spent at Sephora…
BUT…a new 500 pt set caught my eye – Kat Von D Beauty Addiction Volume 2! It includes Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Nahz Fur Atoo”, Lock-It Setting Powder (I’ve been wanting to try it), Tattoo Liner in “Trooper”, samples of “Saint” and “Sinner”, plus a tiny purse mirror. Yes, it absolutely was coming home with me!
Oh, and I also asked for a sample of Maison Margiela REPLICA Lipstick On. I just don’t have $126 to spend on perfume right now…
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.
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…
Sephora Play! October 2017 – Complexion Companions
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know.
Sephora must have heard my complaints last month – fragrance is back. This month’s fragrance is Chanel Gabrielle. It’s an old fashioned scent, reminiscent of Estee Lauder – maybe White Linen or Joy.
The rest of the products in this month’s “Complexion Companions” box are…you guessed it…for your complexion. I am most excited to try Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – it’s insta-famous. Also included: Becca First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh (I think I tried a sample of this before and it broke me out?); Make Up For ever Ultra HD Skin Booster Hydra-Plump Serum, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in R230 (I’m betting it’s too dark, since I use 115 in their Cover Stick); and Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in “Moonlight” (Hmmm…).
A very interesting and cohesive box this month.
I am SO proud of myself for remembering to grab the Play! card when I went to Sephora Friday – I got my 50 points!
Do yourself a favor and sign up NOW. 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.
Everlasting Flash – Super Sonic
Kat Von D…you complete me.
I didn’t agonize for a moment when this month’s Everlasting Flash was released. A new shade of Everlasting Glimmer Veil? Count me in.
“Super Sonic” ($22) is a golden orange shimmer, with a greenish glow. It is magnificent and meshes well with the Saint & Sinner palette. I feel like I could wear it every day.
It’s sold out for now, but I suspect Kat will add to the core collection. Fingers crossed.
For samples, I went all fragrance. I fell in love with Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede, but I’ll have to take out a second mortgage to afford a full size bottle ($65 for just 1 ounce!). The other two will go to my son – Givenchy Gentlemen Only and Maison Margiela REPLICA At the Barber (smells like Bay Rum – might need to give it to my dad, ugh).
$189 to Rouge…I can do this.
September Birchbox – Your Time to Shine
No curated box for me this month, I instead went for sample choice. I chose Daily Concepts Your Facial Micro Scrubber for my “Your Time to Shine” box. I don’t know that it will measure up to my Clarisonic, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
Also in this month’s box: Lollia by Margot Elena In Love Eau de Parfum (an old fashioned smelling floral – needs more rose for me); Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray (unfortunately, the bottle opened during shipping and soaked the inside of my box – ugh); Pixi by Petra LipLift Max in “Honey Sheen”; and Lord & Berry Glow Strobing Pencil (interesting idea – I’m thinking this would be good for highlighting the inner eye).
Interesting box – only one repeat.
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.
Everlasting Flash – Hazes
I’ve skipped the last few months of Everlasting Flash – either colors I already had or didn’t see myself using…like that set of 3 different shades of gray. But this month was right up my alley.
Kat Von D “Haze” is mauve-y gray, while “Haze II” is the lighter, grayer version. I got both for $36, versus the normal price of $20 each. “Haze” seems like it might be a dupe for Jeffree Star “Androgyny”, but I haven’t swatched it yet.
The best bonus code I could find was for a deluxe sample of Sunday Riley C.E.O. C+E Protect + Repair Moisturizer. For my other three samples, I got Atelier Cologne Clementine California, Pinrose Pillowtalk Poet, and Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation.
Only $283 to Rouge…