Category: Hair

 
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Sephora Play! January 2017 – Beauty, Set, Go

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Saving the best for last…my January Sephora Play!

I love how they’re missing up the pouches that come every month – this month has nylon and mesh bag and says, “Sweat is just another way to glow” – I’ll have to take their word on it.

The first thing I noticed was the sample of Tory Burch Love Relentlessly – DOH! I just used 100 points to get a sample the order before last. Oh well.

Also is this month’s box: AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact; OUAI Treatment Masque (for hair, not my face); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (I’ve been wanting to try the Black Honey); tarte FRXXXTION Stick (ooooh another stick cleanser – I just used up my Julep Love Your Bare Face Stick); and Youth to the People Kale + Spinach + Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream.

This month’s box is great – yay!

If you haven’t signed up yet – why? 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.

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Friday was a Good Day…

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…I didn’t have to use my AK. Oh, and I received boxes from Sephora AND Ulta.

I broke down and decided to order the Milk Makeup Blur Stick ($36) – I had to see what all the fuss was about. The fuss is warranted. I’ve been using it almost every day since I got it. It’s like a giant chapstick for your face. It’s really weird rubbing a giant chapstick on your face, but you get over it when you see what it does for your skin. It makes all of your pores absolutely disappear. I don’t know where they go – and I do not care. For reference, it’s very similar to Benefit The POREfessional, with the added bonus of not having to get it on your hands. This is a must have product.

My excuse for ordering was to get my Sephora Birthday gift – I chose the Tarte Set with Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in “paaarty” and Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint in “Birthday Suit”.

I used a code to get a fancy Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Set with Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, Advanced Night Repair Eye and Revitalizing Supreme Light Global Anti-Aging Creme. (Why do all these products have such long names?) For my three samples, I got one thing I chose – Clinique Foaming Sonic Facial Soap – and two I didn’t – Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria and Skin Inc. Pure Revival Peel.

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Wednesday is the best day to order from Ulta, because of the special Beauty Breaks. I’d been shuffling things in and out of my basket for three weeks, waiting for a good Beauty Break. Imagine surprise when my order arrived on Friday – just two days later.

The Beauty Break that got me was the e.l.f. Beauty Break, with Illuminating Primer, Poreless Face Primer, Moisturizing Lipstick in “Ravishing Rose”, Lip Exfoliator in “Sweet Cherry” (I’ve been using the last one I got to exfoliate after liquid lippies) and a Complexion Brush. I also got a free Deluxe Sample of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (the best one I’ve used) and drybar Hot Toddy Heat and UV Protectant. My sample pack included Olay Regenerist Moisturizer and H2O+ Beauty Elements Keep It Fresh Face Cleanser.

OH! I bought some stuff, too! I had to get my hand on the new Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks – I got “Conspiracy” and “Amulet”. Although the lipsticks are thinner than Jeffree or Kat’s, they go on smoothly and the colors are unique. I must have MORE…I also grabbed a backup Zoya Remove+ and a Japonesque Solid Brush Cleanser (replacing the one from my ipsy bag that I used up).

Such a good day!

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January Birchbox – New Year, New Perspective

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I skipped the curated box and went for the sample choice this month. I chose R+Co. OBLIVION Clarifying Shampoo, which also came with a bonus foilpack of R+Co. Restorative Gel Conditioner. Ugh, my pet peeve – unequal amounts of shampoo and conditioner.

Also included n January’s “New Year, New Perspective” box: Arrow ENDURE Water-Resistant Mascara (nope – who are these people who use all this waterproof mascara?); Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant (yassss); Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek in “Perk” (I was disappointed that this wasn’t the Blur Stick – I might break down and buy it); and NUXE Moisturizer Cream Creme Fraiche de Beaute.

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.

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Target Beauty Boxes – January 2016

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Target started out 2017 strong with two great Beauty Boxes for January. Both are themed as “Beauty Goals”.

Beauty Box 1 (on the left) was $10 and included L’Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler Serum & Cream (sample card, boo); Nexxus Comb Thru Finishing Mist (a repeat from my Advent Calendar); ChapStick Total Hydration Sugar Scrub (I am so excited to try this – I think it will work well to remove my liquid lippies); eb5 Facial Cream; Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Clarifying Treatment (I got this in a Beauty Box 5 a while back – never tried it); Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion; AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion; and Revlon Kiss Balm in “Sweet Cherry”. I feel like this box was definitely worth $10.

Beauty Box 2 (on the right) was $5 and a bit smaller, but much heavier. This box included Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner (smells good); Colgate Enamel Health Whitening Toothpaste (full size!); Mane ‘n Tail Shampoo (I would’ve preferred the conditioner); Vaseline Cocoa Butter; SheaMoisture Peace Rose Oil Shampoo & Conditioner (YASSSS); Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes (I used to hate getting these and now I LOVE getting wipes – they’re great for cleaning up shadow fallout); Palmer’s Coconut Oil Body Lotion and Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls (I have no curls.) I may not use as many of the products in this box – why so much cocoa butter – but still definitely worth $5.

EACH box came with a $3.50 off $15 coupon! I saved my 5% with my Red Card. Looking forward to next month’s box(es).

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Target Twelve Days of Beauty Faves

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I’m playing a bit of catch up with December right now…or actually November. Yup, I ordered the Target Twelve Days of Beauty Faves Advent Calendar ($24.99) some time before Thanksgiving, although I waited until December 1st to start opening the windows. I meant to open one each day…but I kept forgetting and I had to hustle to open the very last window on December 31st.

Day 1: NYX Extreme Lip Cream in “Nude Peach Fuzz” (formula is great, but the color looks horrible on me – will be giving to my daughter)

Day 2: EcoTools Angled Kabuki Brush

Day 3: Sinful Colors “Silver Flash” (I don’t have this one!)

Day 4: Nexxus Comb Thru Finishing Mist

Day 5: ME! Bath Soap Bomb (I don’t have a bathtub in my new bathroom…meh.)

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Day 6: Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash (At least I don’t have to eat the Kale.)

Day 7: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm (I absolutely HATE sticking my finger in lip balm. I just won’t do it.)

Day 8: Mayfair Soap Foundry Body Creme in “Sea Lily Jasmine”

Day 9: Pixi Glow Tonic (Not sure how this oil “exfoliates”, but I’ll bite.)

Day 10: ACURE Day Cream Gotu Kola Stem Cell + CGF

Day 11: Umberto Dry Lifting Powder (Nope.)

Day 12: Laneige Sleeping Mask (This is MY JAM.)

As of this writing, the set is still available – at a discounted price of $14.99. I would have been much happier to have paid $14.99 for the set, as there are at least 4 products that I won’t use and plan to give away. I feel it was overpriced for what was in the set, although I was very happy about the Pacifica, Acure and Laneige products.

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Sephora Play! December 2016 – The Partygoers

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Oops…my December Sephora Play! box got buried under a stack of shit on my counter. I could have used this stuff over the holidays…

This month’s theme is “The Partygoers”. I don’t go to many parties, but I put on a lot of makeup before I go to Target, does that count? The first thing that caught my eye…the goody bag is BLACK with rose gold printing…”I take the party with me”…It’s gorgeous. Also in this month’s box: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (I have so many samples of this, but I’ve never tried it – I should); Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer (I have the full size – good stuff); Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara; Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in “Always Red” (been wanting to try this new product!); Drybar Bay Breeze Hydrating Shot (instructions say to spray the entire bottle on wet hair, then rinse out after 3-5 minutes – kind of a pain in the ass); and Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon (smells like a Hobo’s ass crack).

A so-so box, but I’m not even mad.

If you haven’t signed up yet – you’re missing the boat! 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.

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December Birchbox – Shine On

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I couldn’t resist picking the “Shine On” curated box this month – I saw a rose product and that is all it takes for me.

The product in question? The Organic Pharmacy Double Rose Rejuvenating Face Cream – two roses are better than one, right? Also in this month’s box: LOC One & Done Shadow Stick in “Rock Steady”IPKN Radiant Cream Primer SPF 15Rene Furterer Lumicia Shampoo and Rene Furterer Lumicia Conditioner (YES! Matching shampoo and conditioner in the same size tubes!) There was also a purse sized mirror in this month’s box, along with a card with fancy gift labels (that I would never, ever use because they aren’t self-sticking).

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.

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November Birchbox – The Finishing Touch

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I am thankful for…my subscription boxes.

I didn’t choose the curated box this month – instead I picked just one product and got this month’s “The Finishing Touch” box. The product I chose was Chella Eyebrow Color Pencil in “Tantalizing Taupe”. I hope it’s not too light for me.

Also in this month’s box:  Avène Soothing Moisturizing Mask (I got this in my October 2015 ipsy bag, but don’t think I ever used it); Number 4 Jour d’Automne Smoothing Balm; Supergoop! Forever Young Hand Cream with SPF 40; and TokyoMilk Light “Awaken Within” (a VERY strong jasmine scent).

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.

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Target Beauty Box – November 2016

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I skipped out on the October box, but I couldn’t say no to the November box – Beauty Ballot.

Inside my Ballot box…L’Oreal Advanced HairCare Volume Filler Thickening Shampoo (but no damn conditioner); Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Beautiful Day Cream (looking forward to this); HASK Keratin Protein Soothing Deep Conditioner (I guess I can use this conditioner with the L’Oreal shampoo); Laneige Water Bank Soothing Mask; W3LL People Bio Brightener Stick; L’Oreal Voluminous Primer (I like the Voluminous Mascara, but I’m WAY too lazy to use a mascara primer); and Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in “Black” (It has a cool little smudgy tip).

Another $10 box, but this one seems more stuffed than the last one – I ain’t even mad. I also got my $3.50 off $15 coupon – if I remember to use it. Don’t forget the 5% Red Card discount.

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Sephora Play! October 2016 – The Cool Cut

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This is it – the Sephora purchase that put me over the edge for Rouge status in 2017. $10 and BOOM.

October’s theme is “The Cool Cut” – innovative products that are about to hit it big.

One of my favorite Sephora sample discoveries is in this box – Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. It has me jumping on the Korean Beauty bandwagon. Also in this month’s box: Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Driver’s Seat” (interested in how their formula compares to Kat Von D and Jeffree); Cristophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil (Winnie the Pooh approved?); Skin Inc. Pure Revival Peel (also good stuff – I bought some the last time I was in Vegas); Blinc Mascara Amplified; and Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris (not bad – smells like rich people).

If you haven’t signed up yet – you are missing out! 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.