Category: Fragrance
Wall Flamingo
I am running out of plugs to stick my Wallflowers in!
I had seen this Flamingo Wallflower ($12.50) on Insta, and had plotting to bring it home for several weeks. It just turned out that Lily needed a gift for a birthday party this weekend…how convenient. I even remembered to bring the coupons I got in the mail: a free gift worth $5.50, a single wick candle for $5 and 20% off my entire purchase.
We quickly added the Flamingo and a gift set to our shopping bag. The $5.50 gift could be either a travel size or a purse size hand cream, so I chose a hand cream in “Rose Quartz”. Aromatherapy was B2G2, which is better than the usual B3G3, so I picked out some “Love” scented products – Rose and Vanilla. I chose 2 Aromatherapy Body Washes ($13.50), an Aromatherapy Body Cream ($13.50) and an Aromatherapy Pillow Spray ($15.50). My pillows will put me in the mood now!
As for the candle, I was gonna grab a random rose scent until Lily found this “French Baguette” candle ($5, down from $14.50). I was skeptical, but it really does smell like crusty french bread. My mom would have been OBSESSED with this candle – it’s so buttery! I need the body spray….
Sephora Play! March 2019 – Beauty in Bloom
What a weird ass box from Sephora this month. Why do I need 2 Dry Shampoos? They sent me Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 and Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo. Do they think my hair is dirty?
Also in this month’s “Beauty in Bloom” box: NARS Bronzing Powder in “Laguna”; Sephora Collection LashCraft Big Volume Mascara, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40; and Versace Bright Crystal (one of my little sister’s scents).
The assortment of products seems kind of random, but whatever.
Sephora Play is usually a really good subscription box with high-end products. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Sephora Play! February 2019 – Lovestruck Beauty
Oh hey – I’m still doing February stuff. Shut up, I haven’t even received any March boxes yet.
This month’s box is all products I’ve received before – or at least, similar products. Like the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouhce Lipstick in “Rhubarb” – I’d received not the lipstick, but a pencil in “Rhubarb” in my 3rd Play box.
Also in this month’s box: Milk Makeup Mini Blur Stick (I have a full sized one I use all the time – this will be great for travel); Fresh Rose Face Mask (I haven’t used up the first one of these I got); Wander Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks (yup, have bunches); Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (love the way this one smells); and Stella McCartney Stella (have a full size).
A great box because even though they aren’t new products to me, they are products I’ve enjoyed.
Sephora Play is a really good subscription box with high-end products. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
First Ulta Haul of 2019
I follow enough drag queens on Instagram to know that Sugarpill is one of THE makeup brands to use – besides Jeffree Star and Anastasia Beverly Hills, of course. Ulta just started carrying their lipsticks, so I loaded a bunch in my cart and waited to see what else I needed. Originally, I had Sugarpill “Trinket” in my cart, but it sold out. I also had some other ones, but I decided to try just one and scope out the quality before buying more. I settled on “Pillow Fight” ($18), a dusty mauve with gold sparkle. It smells like a dreamsicle! The formula wasn’t super drying, but more drying than I’m used to. It lasts about as long as my other liquid lips…I’ve got a new brand to stan!
I also needed to stock up on face washes. Pacifica was BOGO 40% off, so I got Crystal Beam Foaming Crystal Face Scrub ($16) and Coconut Milk Cream to Foam Face Wash ($6, down from $10). I am VERY disappointed in the Crystal Beam – it is NOT a scrub. There is NO grit to the exfoliant – a total waste. Boo.
I also got two of my favorite eye brow pencil at BOGO 50% off – Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” (one at $10 and one at $5). Until I can afford microblading, I’ll keep buying these.
I got a 19 piece Beauty Bag with my $25 purchase. Inside the bag: Juice Beauty Phyto Pigments (and there’s actually a picture of the GOOPtress on the sample – ugh); L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion (nope); Benefit They’re Real Mascara (HUGE Deluxe Sample); Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-aging Shampoo & Conditioner; Maybelline Great Lash Mascara; Ahava Mineral Mud Clearing Facial Treatment (yes!); Organic to Green Coco Oil; Caroline Herrera Good Girl; Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask (yasss); Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum; Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream; Living proof. T.B.D. multi-tasking styler; Clarins Extra-firming Nuit Night Cream; Chloe Chloe; Sexy Hair Love Oil; Boots No7 Early Defence Glow Activating Serum; Trilogy Rosehip Cream Cleanser; Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser; Perricone MD H2 Elemental Energy; and PUR Get a Grip Endurance Eyeshadow Primer. Oh, and a $5 off Ulta Beauty Collection Coupon. This is the best sample bag in a bit!
Ulta is STILL not including samples with their orders. Jerks. I used a $3.50 off coupon on this order.
$399 to Platinum for 2020.
Target Beauty Boxes – December 2018
My Target Beauty Boxes got here quick! I mean…they sat on the counter for about a week before I opened them, but they got here quick.
I love His & Hers Beauty Boxes. My box – “Hello Glow!” – has lots of citrus scented products: bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter; ME! Bath Coconut & Lime Bath Bomb (would it be tacky to stuff this in one of the kids’ stockings?); and Dr. Teals Pink Himalayan Body Scrub. I love citrus-y stuff. There’s also some non-citrus stuff: Que Bella Professional Plumping Gold Peel off Mask; Ponds Cold Cream; and Dove Nutritive Solutions Intensive Repair Shampoo (no conditioner – assholes!)
His box – “Hello Handsome!” – has lots of good stuff, too. My husband will enjoy: Degree for Men Black & White UltraClear Antiperspirant; Harry’s Shiso Body Wash; Crest Gum Detoxify Toothpaste (cooling activated foam!); Dove Men+Care Body Wash Minerals + Sage; Cremo Bourbon & Oak Solid Cologne (my son said it smells good, but it smells like a bar rag to me); Bulldog Skincare Sachet Perforated Trio (moisturizer, face wash & shave gel).
A good value for $7 each . As usual, free shipping, 5% off with my Red Card and each came with a $3 off $15 coupon for beauty/personal care. I hope I get a chance to use them!
Lolita Por Vida
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I’ve been waiting months and months for the Kat Von D “Lolita” Palette ($39). She’s been teasing it for months. Do I really need more eye shadow? No. The question should be, do I WANT more eye shadow? Yes. Yes, I do.
The “Lolita” Palette is an entirely matte palette, meant to coordinate with Kat Von D’s most popular shade of lipstick. The eight shades are all matte and are various pinks/mauves/maroons. This palette is magic for me so far – the colors are perfect on me. I’ve been going gaga over the Naked Cherry Palette, but I’ve got a new favorite…of course, until I start buying the three new Born to Run Mini Palettes…
Also included in the release are Everlasting Glimmer Veil in “Lolita” ($22) and Ink Well Long-Wear Matte Eyeliner in “Lolita” ($20). I bought both. The Glimmer Veil looks nice alone or over another lipstick. I like it over the OG “Lolita”. I haven’t tried to Eyeliner yet…soon!
I’m still bummed about Sephora dropping down to just two samples per order. I cannot be too mad though – this is the first time in FOREVER that I actually got the same samples I picked. I was pumped that they were offering samples of the newest scent from Atelier Cologne – Pacific Lime. It’s more subtle than their other citrus scents, but still unique. I’m going to have to add it to my collection! I also picked a sample of Dolce & Gabbana Garden. It smells like cheap wine coolers and pink grapefruit to me? But in a good way…
I was able to use the $25 off $75 code – it’s not as good a deal as previous years’ $25 off $50 – times are tough right now. This purchase also pushed me over the threshold to Rouge for 2019. This year, there was a choice between a Makeup Brush or a special Rouge Makeup Bag. I chose the Makeup Bag. I never need more Makeup Bags.
Second Chance at Black Friday
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Last Friday, I was off work, out and about and I happened to notice an email for $2.95 Hand Soap Sale. So after Big Lots, I skipped on over to Bath & Body Works…
I filled a bag with 6 bottles…what? That is a damn empty bag, but I just filled up on soap a few weeks ago. I was hoping to use the coupons I forgot to bring to Candle Day the week before. [$8.95 3 wick candles – it was INSANE. There were bare shelves everywhere and I managed to get 2 of the last 3-4 “Twisted Peppermint” candles. I was lucky I didn’t get shanked in the parking lot.] Unfortunately, I couldn’t stack coupons with the soaps…but they would let me do two transactions…
I was about to give up and just leave with my soap, when I noticed that they had two racks of sexy black bags by the front door. They had a shitload of the VIP Black Friday Bags left! I verified with an employee – they were selling them for $35 each and I could use all my coupons. Not only did I get $10 off, but I got a free “Winter Candy Apple” Shower Gel for Lily and a free “White Citrus” Shower Gel for myself.
Inside the gorgeous fake leather VIP bag: a Fine Fragrance Mist in “Into the Stars” (it smells nice, but I wasn’t ready to start a new scent, so I gave it to Lily); a “Winter Candy Apple” 3 wick candle, a “Twisted Peppermint” Foaming Hand Soap, a Men’s Collection 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash in “Ocean” (my husband shall enjoy it); “Vanilla Bean Noel” Shea Butter Hand Cream; “Champagne Toast” Antibacterial Hand Gel; and a “Lump of Coal” Charcoal Sheet Mask with Purifying Charcoal.
Just a few weeks more weeks until the Semi-Annual Sale! I better make room!
Cyber Fundays 2018
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This Xmas, I did my Ulta shopping BEFORE Thanksgiving, during the “Cyber Fundays” event. They had some smoking deals that I couldn’t pass up! There were also some decent Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but mostly on stuff I already had, like half price Modern Renaissance and Naked Heat. Boo!
If you’re thinking that this order looks skimpy…it’s because I pulled out the gifts I ordered for my daughter. She doesn’t come here, but her brother does – and I trust him about as far as I can throw him with one hand.
I was excited to snatch the NYX Lip Snacks Soft Matte Metallic Lip Cream Set ($15, down from $25) for myself. It’s a set of 12 minis of my favorite lip formula from NYX, specially scented like buttercream. I’ve onlhy sampled 2 so far, but they are the BEST. I also got a half-price Urban Decay Razor Sharp Water-Resistant Longwear Liquid Eyeliner in “Demolition” ($11, down from $22) – I think a shiny brown cat eye will look good on me.
The biggest bummer was a broken bottle in the China Glaze The Grinch Grinchworthy Nail Art Duo ($10). It wasn’t the “Grinchworthy” polish itself, but the “For Rhinestones Only” adhesive – the stem of the bottle broke inside the cap and it leaked everywhere. I called Ulta Customer Service and they sent me out another one immediately, no questions asked – so now I have 2 bottles of “Grinchworthy” and 2 pots of green felt. I cannot wait to make my nails look like Astroturf! Oh, and I got another tidbit from Customer Service – they won’t be including samples in orders again until January. Cheap bastards.
I added a bottle of Zoya Remove+ to get me over the $65 mark, to get the glittery pink 18-piece Cyber Fundays sample bag. The sample bag was STUFFED – it had: Too Faced Glitter Glue (saving for a special occasion); Cover FX Blurring Primer; Urban Decay Perversion Mascara; Patchology Flashpatch Restoring Night Eye Gels (this is the third set I’ve gotten – I guess I should use them); philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar; Clinique Happy; 2 Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses in “Vintage” (2!!!); Lime Crime Unicorn Hair in “bunny” (ugh, another one); bliss lemon & sage body butter; Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo & Conditioner; L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Primer/Base for Mascara; philosophy Amazing Grace; Armani Code Cashmere; Skin Laundry Hydrating Cream Face Wash; L’Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Cleanser Detox-Brighten (this black one is my fave); MAC False Lashes Mascara in “Extreme Black”; and Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate. There were also 2 hot coupons – $15 off $75 (only good in December) and another $5 off $15 Ulta Beauty Collection (good until 2/1/19).
I was also able to use a $10 off coupon, bringing my order down to $64.49 before tax – but I still got the bag. I was sweating for a hot minute! Just $301 to Diamond…I do predict another order before the end of the year, but not that much!
Sephora Play! November 2018 – Merry and Bright
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This is an…interesting…box.
First off, Commodity Gold straight up smells like donkey ass. Unwashed donkey ass. Someone come take this shit out of my house.
Everything else is less controversial. I’m a big fan of Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser. I’m also happy to get Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in “Pink Tea”, and Lancome Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Face Cream. I was, however, really confused when I looked at the Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste with Pure Rassoul Clay and Rose Extracts. At first, I assumed it was another mud mask…great! Then I read the directions – this shit is for your hair. What? I’ll let you know.
Sephora Play is THE best beauty box I receive every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Sephora Play! Smarts – Complexion Your Way: Matte
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On the second weekend of Sephora’s ROUGE BONUS 20% off sale, they dropped new Sephora Play! Smarts boxes – Complexion Your Way ($20), with a choice between “Matte” and “Dewy”. Of course, I chose “Matte”.
The star of this box was the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matte Longwear Foundation + Primer. The sample card came with Primer and three shades of foundation. Amazingly, the lightest shade, “150”, was the near-perfect shade for me. There was just enough in the pack for a thin full face application (with a Beautyblender). It was BEAUTIFUL, especially topped with the Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder, also included in the box. This will definitely be the next foundation I buy.
Along with a nifty netted zipper bag, the “Matte” box had It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Skin-Transforming Hydrating Cleansing Serum (love this cleanser); Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight; Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer; Peter Thomas Roth Hungarian Thermal Water Mineral-Rich Moisturizer; and Sephora Collection Beauty Magnet Concealer Brush. I will use all of these, immediately.
I added another purchase to my order – the Ellis Brooklyn Bibliotheca Discovery Set ($20), a fragrance sampler that includes six of the brand’s set. Can you believe that the one I originally received was totally evaporated??? I was SO pissed. I called Sephora immediately and they sent me a new one, no questions asked. Luckily, it was fine…and I got two more samples. Oh yeah, did you hear that Sephora only gives two samples per order now? There will be riots in the street!
Back to the Ellis Brooklyn set…it was utterly disappointing. I really didn’t like any of the scents enough to buy a full size. I had especially high hopes for “Rrose” – I love a good rose, but it was bland. “Raven”, “Myth” and “Sci Fi” were the best of the bunch, but didn’t last long enough for me to get a feel for on me. “Rives” was straight up POISON that gave me a headache (probably the lavender). I wore “Fable” today and I cannot even remember what it smelled like. I am utterly disappointed in this set. I was hoping to find another high quality niche brand to love, like Atelier or Replica, but every formula was weak and was gone within 10 minutes. FAIL.
Oh samples! In the first shipment, I got foundations – Milk Blur Liquid Matte Foundation (3 shades on a card) and Giorgio Armani Face fabric Second Skin Makeup (4 shades foil packs). The second shipment gave me another sample of Ellis Brooklyn Myth and Dior Joy. Oh, joy.
Just $44 to Rouge!