Category: Hair
June Birchbox – Face the Day
Month after month, Birchbox’s curated boxes are the ones I gravitate towards. I don’t know if it’s because I like to know what’s coming or if it’s because the curated boxes are well put together, er…curated. I don’t know why I like what I like…I just do.
June’s curated box is “Face the Day” and includes one of my favorite mascaras – Benefit Roller Lash. It is the only mascara that does exactly what it says it does…that I’ve tried, anyway. Also in this month’s box: Davines SU Hair & Body Wash (I’m skeptical of shampoo/body washes, although this one is specifically formulated for use after sun exposure…so it might make sense); Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 PA++ (ooooh, gonna try this tomorrow); Davroe Ends Repair; and Mellow Cosmetics Liquid Lip Paint in “Tehran” (never heard of the brand, but I’m game).
Like I said, good box, huh?
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.
Two Sephora Orders are Better Than One
Midnight, Saturday before last (the day of the VIB Fall Preview Event)…lounging on the couch, watching a Snapped marathon, like ya do…and I see a note on Nouveau Cheap that Sephora had just listed ALL their Formula X polishes on clearance for $2 each. This is not a drill!
I placed a conservative order of just 7 polishes: “Knockout” (hot pink with a flash of blue); “Impeccable” (peachy taupe); “Motivated” (metallic mandarin); “Blazing” (shimmery maroon); “Prismatic” (glittery turquoise); “Discovery” (metallic aqua); and “Serenity” (purple glitter in a black base). See – very conservative.
For samples, I received Dior Backstage Pros with Dior Addict Lip Maximizer in “Pink”, Lip Glow in “Pink” and a tiny lip brush; Living proof. Perfect hair Day Shampoo & Conditioner; and belif The true cream – Moisturizing bomb. (What is it with these brands and their random-ass capitalization???)
Little did I know…that my Event Shopping Trip that very same day would re-qualify me for Beauty Insider Status in 2018 and a 10% code would be waiting for me in my email…
So on Tuesday, I ended up placing another order using that 10% code. My order was necessitated by the launch of the Kat von D “Lolita” Eye Shadow & Blush ($19) – I had to have it. It’s everything I hoped it would be – a perfect match to the lipstick and super-pigmented.
It would be a waste to use that code on a single shadow…so I browsed the sale page and saw that the UD Basquiat Collection was all on sale, as well as the tarte Make Believe in Yourself Collection…Decisions, decisions. After reading several reviews, I decided on the tarte Make Believe in Yourself Eye & Cheek Palette ($30, down from $40). I’ve never tried tarte shadows and the reviews on this palette are good. I tried it out this morning and the shadows ARE creamy, with no fallout. They blend like BUTTAH. I also grabbed Limited Edition Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in “Festival” ($16, down from $18) from the same collection. It’s a light matte mauve, lighter than I expected.
I used 100 points to get a mini Kat von D Everlasting Lip Liquid in “Lovesick” – pretty sure I don’t have that one. For my samples, I got L’Occitane Creme Divine, Dior Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming and Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream. Bahhhhhhh!
Only $478 left…I can do it!
Target Beauty Boxes – June 2017
Two Target Beauty Boxes this month – one for him and one for me.
The “Hello Sunshine” box for her includes Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport Sunscreen (always appreciated); John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Salt Spray (I have so. much. seal salt spray.); Sinful Colors Nail Polish in “Island Coral” (must be a new shade – I don’t have it); Masque Bar Soothing Sheet Mask; Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Treatment (this is what my son uses on his luscious locks, but I haven’t used it since high school – I’ll give it a whirl); Schick Hydro Silk Women’s Razor; and NYX Gotcha Covered Concealer.
The “Hello Dapper Dude” box for him includes Nivea Men Creme (What the fuck is “Men Creme”?); Olivina Men All-in-One Body Wash in “Bourbon Cedar” (Mmmm…); Schick Hydro 5 Men’s Razor; Dove Men+Care Elements Deodorant; Colgate Optic White Radiant Toothpaste (always appreciated); Yes to Natural Man Cleansing Wipes (Man Cleansing Wipes?); and Axe Adrenaline Cool Charge Body Wash.
We’re leaving for vacation in a few weeks, and all these travel size products will be used!
Each box was $7 this month, plus free shipping and 5% off with my Red Card. Each one also came with a $3 off $15 coupon. The boxes were well, well worth it this month.
VIB Rouge Fall 2017 Preview
I’ve been invited to several exclusive Rouge events over the last two years that I’ve had Rouge status, but this past Saturday was the first time I ever actually went. I actually got up super early, got dressed and drove my ass to Sephora at 9am in the morning.
The Fall Preview Event showcases a few of the new products launching in the fall and makes them available to purchase in very limited quantities. I say very limited, because by the time I arrived, 25 minutes into the event, they had already sold out of the Too Faced Glitter Bomb Palette. I might have been tempted to buy it, especially after swatching it and covering myself with rainbow glitter…but then I think about the owner…and no.
I had snagged a new Clinique Bubble Mask…but then I got a mini-facial with Fresh products. I put that sucker back and purchased Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream ($40) and Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner ($44). I just have a soft spot for rose scents. I also picked up a Deep Pore Replacement Head for my Clarisonic ($27).
Oh, and the freebies! The Fresh Rep gave me a Deluxe sample of Fresh Sugar Face Polish and Sugar Lip Treatment Collection. When I checked out, I qualified for a HUGE flower printed pouch and a little gift baggie of samples. Inside the little baggie were 2 of each sample: Lancer The Method: Polish, Cleanse, Nourish; Alterna Haircaire Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz PM Overnight Smoothing Treatment and AM Daytime Smoothing Blowout Balm; Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturizer; and Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. Weird products, but I’ll try them out.
All these purchases requalified my VIB status for 2018 and put me just $561 away from Rouge. I think I can do it…
Magical Bag
Did I need more liquid lipstick? No, but I wanted it. Same thing.
I’ve been jonesing to try the Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick ($17) since it dropped at Ulta a few weeks ago. I’d been admiring “Emerald City” – not a duochrome, but a trichrome – for quite some time. I also picked up “Versailles”, because I need more rose gold in my life. “Versailles” is very close to Jeffree Star “Pussy Whipped”, but not quite as peachy. “Versailles” looks better on me, TBH. I haven’t tried “Emerald City” yet. The Ofra formula is nice and smooth and not drying.
I also decided to try Ulta Adjustable Coverage Foundation in “Fair”, which is very affordable at $14. I’m pleased with the performance. it’s light coerage, but a good match for my skin. I also picked up the new Ulta New Hue Shadow Switching Pan. I know I just paid $9 for a sponge in a tin, but this damn thing works like a champ. I don’t know that I could’ve made my own at home for cheaper. I spent just enough on Ulta products to get a FREE Deluxe palette, one of those ones with ALL the products – 24 shadows and blush and lip stuff. I might never use it, but free is free. I used a code for $5 off $15 in Ulta products, so I got all those goodies for a steal.
I also threw in a Zoya Remove+ for shits and giggles. My free sample pack had Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer and Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer (for my man).
The real star of my order was the FREE 24 product beauty bag that I got with a $60 purchase. It was packed so full, I can barely get all the stuff back in it!
Inside this magical bag: philosophy time in a bottle repair serum (love this stuff, but too pricey); DevaCurl Buildup Buster Gentle Deep Cleansing Serum; it Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer (I’ve heard good things about this stuff); Sexy Hair Long Sexy Hair Shampoo, Conditioner and Detangler (I don’t have long hair anymore, so I must be patient); NYX Total Control Drop Foundation (4 shades, surely the lightest will work); Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream; Clinique BIY Blend It Yourself Pigment Drops (very interesting concept); Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (Finally! I’ve been wanting to try this); Ulta Mattifying Balm (another one I’ve wanted to try); Too Faced Mascara Melt Off Cleansing Oil (another genius idea); Jimmy Choo L’eau; Tory Burch Love Relentlessly; Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick; Julep love your bare face Hydrating Cleansing Oil; Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner; First Aid Beauty Oil-Free Mattifying Gel (another WOW product I want to try); Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea (I stuck it in the fridge for a hot nasty day); Organic to Green Coco Oil; Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate; Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in “Butter Scotch”; Vitabath Spa Day Body Wash in “Lavender Chamomile”; COOLA Classic Sunscreen White Tea Moisturizer; StriVectin Hair Deep Repair Mask; and Smashbox Cover Shot Golden Hour Eye Shadow Duo. Phew, finger cramps. Oh, and another $5 off $15 Ulta coupon.
Influenster Vox Box – Darling Vox Box
I wasn’t expecting to qualify for another Vox Box so soon…but hey, not complaining!
The Darling Vox Box is definitely MOM-oriented…I’m a MOM, so I definitely appreciate the help. The first thing to catch my eye in the box was the Duncan Hines Perfect for 1: Chocolate Lovers Cake. It’s basically a tiny packet of cake mix, formulated to microwave in a mug…perfect for NOT sharing with little crumbsnatchers!
Also in the Darling Vox Box: Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask (Yassssss); Live Clean Baby Gentle Moisture Tearless Shampoo & Wash and Baby Gentle Moisture Baby Lotion (I’ll admit, my kids are past the prime age for these products, so I gifted to my sister – her little ones have super-sensitive skin and will benefit from the formula); a Country Crock Buttery Spread Coupon (I’ll be using this for an upcoming gathering); and the real MVP of this box…Nature’s Bounty Energy Gummies. HOLY FUCKING SHIT, these things are magic. They have all the benefit of an energy drink, but none of the drawbacks. I am VERY sensitive to caffeine – If I drink any after noon, I won’t be sleeping until one in the morning. The gummies aren’t driven by caffeine (although there’s a but of naturally occuring caffeine from the kola nut), it’s mainly B-12 and guarana. I take it in the morning and feel energized for the day, but I’m still able to sleep at night without a sleep aid like Tylenol PM. 10/10, will buy again!
As always, products were received complimentary for review purposes. Want some free stuff? Check out Influenster for yourself…
Sephora Play! May 2017 – The Rising Stars
Oh Sephora, you are full of surprises. No flamingos, but surprises.
Instead of a drawstring bag, they included a clear plastic snap pouch this month. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it. Maybe I can throw it in my pool bag?
I’m most excited to try the sample of belif Hungarian Water Essence – I’m a big fan of their Aqua Bomb. Also in this month’s box: rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask; Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (I’m not sold on cleansing oils); tre’StiQue Mini Highlight Stick in “Maldives Luminescent”; Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in “GreyStone”; and Tocca “Stella” (blood orange and lily – I’d actually wear this one!).
Not sure about all the sticks this month, but the scent makes up for it.
If you haven’t signed up yet, you’re crazy. 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.
May Birchbox – Low Effort High Impact
Pink Flamingos!
For real, the first thing I noticed in this month’s Birchbox was The Beauty Crop Fabulous Flocking Lashes Mascara. SO cute.
Also in this month’s “Low Effort High Impact” box: CLEAN Reserve Rain Reserve Blend Eau de Parfum (it actually DOES smell like rain); COOLA Mineral SPF 30 Daydream Makeup Primer (love me some COOLA); PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray; and Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion (NOPE).
I totally spaced and didn’t click on the sample choice email for April. Oops, I get what I get and I don’t have a fit. Not a bad box, except for the self tanner.
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 Box – May 2017
$10 for this month’s Target Beauty Box for Mother’s Day? That’s outrageous!
Considering what’s in this month’s box…it’s not outrageous at all. Just the wet n wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in “Nice to Fuchsia” is $4.99.
Also in this month’s box: Nexxus Therappe Shampoo and Humectress Conditioner (oh, back in the good old days when my mom would splurge on Humectress and I would “borrow” it); Acure Pore-Minimizing Red Clay Mask (I LOVE CLAY); Nubian Heritage Bath Bombs (again, no bath tub); Vichy Pore-Purifying Clay Mask (MORE CLAY BITCHES); Nexxus Vitali 8-in-1 Masque (Fancy and spelled with a ‘que’); Guess Dare; and Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish.
So, $10 for the box, free shipping and 5% off with my Red Card AND another coupon for $3 off $15 beauty purchase (I didn’t use the 2 I got last month).
April Birchbox – Magic Inside
Just one item led me to pick this month’s curated box. It was that new lipstick – Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Double the Lip in “Lusty Rose”. Mostly because I was skeptical – it’s just a two tone lipstick. It took some maneuvering to get it on my lips, while keeping the dark portion to the lip line. I repeatedly kept asking my husband if my lips looked bigger, fuller, plumper. Apparently, they looked the same. The lipstick is just plain old lipstick and didn’t make them look any different – just pink. I was correct to be skeptical. Boo.
Also in this month’s “Magic Inside” curated box: TOCCA Emelia Eau de Parfum (strong geranium scent, but not geriatric); Vasanti BrightenUp! New Skin Amplifying Moisturizer; Bumble and bumble. Don’t Blow It (gives volume to air dried hair – genius!); and derma e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask (I love me some charcoal masks).
Great box this month, even if the lipstick doesn’t live up to the hype.
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.