Category: Hair

 
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Target Beauty Boxes – May 2020

For the fifth month in a row, Target’s given us TWO Beauty Boxes to choose from…but why choose just one, when you can have them both?

Even though I don’t plan on going outside much this summer, I grabbed the “Sunscreen Queen” box. I did happen to visit Lala’s pool this weekend and got to try out two of the sunscreens! The first day, I used CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Face Lotion with Sunscreen – SPF 30. It did well in the pool, although I must admit that I just lounged and didn’t go completely underwater. The second day, I opted for a bit stronger protection with Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen – SPF 50 Mineral Lotion. It protected my face well – I should’ve put it on my shoulders! Also in this box: Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spry – SPF 30; Bare Republic Mineral Shimmer Holographic Shimmer Stick (weird – I am paranoid to try these); La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-in Sunscreen Milk – SPF 60 (you got my attention with SPF 60…but the milk part is scaring me away); and RoC Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer – SPF 30. I’m ready for the 3 or 4 times I have to go outside this summer!

The “Summer Hair & Skin Care” box has a wider range of products. I’ve already used the HASK Argan Oil Repairing Deep Conditioner Packet – it was great for my hair, but didn’t smell as nice as the Unwined line. Also in this box: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Face – SPF 50; Heritage Store Rosewater Spray (the bottle says to spray on face, hair, body…okay!); Biore Charcoal Deep Cleansing Pore Strips; COLAB Original Dry Shampoo; Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Soft Waves Sea Salt Spray with Tropical Banana Fragrance (do I want my hair to smell like banana?); and Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer.

Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and the coupons have an extended expiration date of 9/4/20. I used one of last month’s coupons to get these boxes, and I used the other one to hoard shampoo and conditioner (post coming soon).

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Target Beauty Boxes – April 2020

Thank you Target, for giving me two Target Beauty Boxes for April. My online shopping is ridiculous right now…

The box on the left is called “Clean Routine” and is filled with health-conscious alternatives to every day products. I tried out the Lavanila Pure Healthy Vanilla Deodorant today. It’s not as good as the Schmidt’s deodorant, but it kept most of the funk away. (I totally just sniffed my armpit – a little funky, but not bad.) Also included in the “Clean Routine” box: artnaturals Vitamin C Serum (I’ve been using a lot of serums in my morning routine since Quarantine started); hello bpa-free toothbrush (I’ll throw it in the bin for guests); Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Milk & White Jasmine Hand Cream (I have the one I received in the April 2019 box in my purse); and hello Hemp Seed Oil + Coconut Oil Fluoride Free Toothpaste (I’ve been using this for the past few days – it’s like brushing your teeth with oregano).

The other box is themed “Spring Into Clean” and is full of healthy cleaning products. I am LOVING the full sized SheaMoisture Cannabis & Witch Hazel Skin Rescue Cream Cleanser. It takes a lot of rinsing, but I like the way it feels and smells. Also inside: Pacifica Glowing Makeup Removing Wipes; The Good Stuff Complete Repair Balm (another repeat from April 2019); Acure Resurfacing Overnight Glycolic Treatment; and Spring & Vine Tea Tree & Mint Scalp Soothing Shampoo Bar (I gave to the husband, but he hasn’t used it yet.

Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and THESE coupons have an extended expiration date of 8/6/20. I was able to use BOTH of last month’s coupons already! I even used one of them to order these two boxes, adding some body wash for my daughter to the order to bump the total over $15.

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Instinct + Transformation

Makeup Revolution Palettes at 40% off? Don’t mind if I do!

I’ve had my eye on the Revolution x Alexis Stone collaboration since it launched. I hesitated, not because of the price, but because of the unlikelihood that I would get much use out of it. But FOMO and a great price convinced me. The Instinct Palette ($15, down from $25) is a 28 shade matte palette with a rainbow of colors. Makeup Revolution has really upped their quality – these shadows were super pigmented and wore well without primer. (I did get a little bit of staining with the pink shadows, so be warned.) The Transformation Palette ($9, down from $15) has 7 shimmery shades that can be worn alone or over your Instinct shades, which is what I did.

I also snagged the I Heart Revolution Tasty Avocado Palette ($10, down from $15) and Tasty Hot Dog Palette ($7.49). I know that I look horrible in green eye shadow, but I couldn’t resist that cute avocado packaging. When I tried it out, I wasn’t wrong – my husband refused to go get ice cream with me while I was wearing it. The Hot Dog Palette was a nice surprise – I never knew that mustard and ketchup vibes would look so good on me.

My hair is growing out of control, so I got a few new hair tools – the Pattern Hair Clip ($10) is bigger than the octopus clips I’ve been using and it holds ALL my hair. It’s designed for curly hair, but works just fine on straight hair, too. I also got the Invisibobble Bunstar ($8 for 2). This little sperm-shaped piece of plastic screws in and holds your bun! I don’t exactly understand how it works, but it does.

I also got my son another L’Oreal Colorista Highlight Kit and myself an Ulta Tinted Juice Infused Lip Oil ($4.50, down from $9).

This 5 piece Benefit gift with purchase was the last Beauty Break I’ve seen – two weeks ago. A $60 purchase got me a Benefit makeup bag with my favorite mascara – Benefit Roller Lash, as well as The POREfessional Hydrate Primer, Precisely My Brow Pencil in “Warm Light Brown”, and Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel in “Warm Brown”. A $75 purchase got me a Benefit “Laughter is the Best Cosmetic” Canvas Tote. I want more Beauty Breaks – where did they go???

Just $935 to Diamond status!

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April 2020 Allure Beauty Box – Spritzed Up

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is far from one of my favorite scents, but I’m impressed by the size of the sample included in this month’s “Spritzed Up” box. It’s not one of those stupid little vials – this is a Deluxe Mini with 7 whole mL! I may have to give it another try…

Also in this month’s box: Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner in “Valisia” (I actually tried this one out – it’s okay, but there was no plumping to be had); Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer (I like this brand, but I haven’t done my hair since…Vegas?); Lué by Jean Seo Balance Hydrating & Calming Serum; Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment (I’ve gotten this in a couple different Sephora Play! boxes – it’s nice); Akar Skin Balance Toning Mist (I’m not a toner girl, but the smell of this one brings me back – it reminds me of when I thought I was making “perfume” by letting rose petals ferment in water bottles – that sounds negative, but it’s not, it’s a really earthy scent); and a Pūrlisse Watermelon Energizing Sheet Mask (Yes, I have enough sheet masks to wallpaper my bathroom, what’s one more?)

Kind of a grab bag of items this month – I like it.

The Allure Beauty Box is $15/month, but they give you $5 off your first box. They also offer an option for $150/year – a savings of $30. Sign up via my referral link.

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Easter Egg Hair

I didn’t dye eggs on Easter…but I did dye my hair.

Shortly after the quarantine started I ordered 3 new samples ($11 each) from oVertone: Extreme Teal, Pink for Brown Hair, and Purple for Brown Hair. Shipping was slower than usual and it took a bit to get here, and then…procrastination. I finally got around to dying my hair on Easter Sunday.

I just went for it and used all of them. I didn’t mix them all together – I sectioned my dry hair and applied separately. I used Extreme Teal on the right side – it did not take well on my hair. It wasn’t teal, as much as a swampy grey-blue. I used Purple for Brown Hair on the center and Pink for Brown Hair on the left side. I am much more impressed by the “for Brown Hair” formulas. The “Extreme” formula did not color the brown portion of my hair at all, just the highlighted portion. There is a “Blue for Brown Hair” – maybe I’ll try that one?

I can get about one more use out of the remainder of the three sample jars. $16.50 per dye session is a bit pricey – but that’s because I bought samples. The full size is $29 and I can get 2.5-3 applications, (if I remember correctly), which is $11.60 to $9.67, if I stretch it, which is a bit more affordable. It’s still more expensive than Clairol Color Crave or L’Oreal Colorista, but my hair feels so much better after using oVertone. It’s definitely a luxurious product and absolutely worth it.

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On the Run

I am fully aware of the irony of continuing to buy eye shadow while under lockdown. I get to go to the grocery store once a week and I need to look HAWT when I go…

Sephora lured me in with 50% off the Urban Decay On the Run Mini Palettes ($12.50, down from $25). I’ve been drooling over these little 8 shade palettes. I Selected two of the five: “Detour” (blues and browns) and “Shortcut” (reds and mauves). I’ve had a chance to try both palettes and they are so blendable and smooth. I didn’t even have to pull out the shadow primer. I can see myself going back to these again and again. Now I want to get the other 3 colorways – please go on sale again!

I was able to snag a sample of Lord Jones Royal Oil, basically a CBD Beauty Oil. The only two ingredients are grapeseed oil and CBD oil…I’m hesitant to coat my face in grapeseed oil, as I’m recovering from a breakout. I’ll try it later, I think. I also got samples of Cristophe Robin Detangling Gelee with Sea Minerals and Marc Jacobs Youthquake Gel Creme.

Sephora is offering free shipping while their stores are closed. Don’t threaten me with a good time! Just $281 to VIB in 2021.

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March 2020 Sephora Play! – Wild Beauty

Hmmm…only slightly fewer repeats in March’s Sephora Play! box.

I’ve gotten the Glamglow GLOWSTARTER Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in “Nude Glow” in TWO different Play! boxes: November 2019 and March 2017. I ain’t even mad though, because I love this moisturizer. I use it up as soon as I get it.

I’d gotten a sample of NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in “Starwoman” a few years ago, but I don’t think I even used it. I’ll use it this time?

I recently gotten a sample of Moschino Toy 2 in an Ulta Sample Bag, but hadn’t tried it yet. I wore it today and was surprised to find that it’s a keeper! The main accord is green apple and somehow, I LOVE it.

Also is this month’s “Wild Beauty” bag: Laura Mercier Caviar Chrome Eyeshadow Stick in “Metallic Taupe”; Fresh Sugar Mint Rush Freshening Lip Treatment (waiting on my bedside table to be applied before bed); and Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray (at least it’s not dry shampoo).

Not a bad box – I’ll use almost everything.

Sephora Play gives you 5-6 prestige samples a month, for just $10! You can sign up at sephora.com/play.

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Orange Capsule

I know it’s super cliched…but this palette is SO PIGMENTED.

This PIGMENTED palette is the Sugarpill C2 Orange Capsule ($42), an Ulta exclusive. This is my first experience with Sugarpill shadows, and I am very impressed. No primer needed with these shadows – they spread on the lid like butter. I was drawn to this palette for one particular shade – that bright turquoise shimmer – “Skyrise”. Even though I loved they way it looked on me, my husband said I look like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. He doesn’t understand FASHION. Now I want the Pink Capsule Palette!

I also tried out a new brow pencil – Colourpop Brow Boss in “Dark Brown” ($6). It’s a great price, but still not as good my Ulta Holy Grail for a few dollars more. It doesn’t blend as well and fades throughout the day. It’s fine for work, though.

Black Moon Lippies are 30% off ($12.60, down from $18) – I wonder if this means they are dropping the brand? Anyway, I picked up “Warrior”, a Breast Cancer Awareness nude matte.

Oh, and I got a Women Founded Beauty Sample Bag, with it Cosmetics Mini Blurring Foundation Brush; Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer, Sweet Spot Labs Vanilla Blossom Gentle Wash (it says “gynecologist recommended”, so I guess it is for my vajayjay?); Benefit The POREfessional, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (I’ve tried this before and really like the smell); Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum; Pattern Heavy Conditioner for Coilies (will be gifted to a curly-headed friend); Sagely Naturals CBD Cream (I tried a previous sample of this while in Vegas, and it TINGLED so bad – I loved it); DefineMe Sofia Isabel Fragrance (an orangey vanilla rollerball); and Drybar Jump Start Quick Dry Blowout Serum.

I was able to use a $3.50 off coupon, leaving me with $1,007 more to get to Diamond again.

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FabFitFun – Spring 2020

reVive Light Therapy Glo Wrinkle and Anti-Aging Light Device: So while being quarantined and I figured what the hell, I’ll get a FabFitFun box and see what this wand is all about. Well ladies, buy it. Only after using it every day for about a week I’ve noticed my “mom lines” or 11’s as they call them in the Botox world have gone down. I use it nightly in spots I think I need it after I wash and put my serums on. You just hold it in place for three minutes, mind you, you look like a unicorn when taking care of those mom lines, but it’s super easy. True test is what happens after a month of use. But I like it. Worth the price to buy at $68.

WEI Two in one Purify and Glow Mask: One mask looks and smells like honey and brown sugar mixed together. Ya slap that on with your hand because the brush they give you doesn’t work with this mask. Wait five minutes, run it in to exfoliate and rinse off with warm water, it was good, nothing crazy. The second mask is a mud mask, this does work well with the brush, goes oh smooth, definitely tingles and honestly doesn’t smell bad. Made my face feel smooth after i had it on for 20 mins. Takes a little rubbing to get it off, that’s what she said, but it’s mud, kinda expect that from those kinds of masks. Now it retails for $45 for the set of 8 masks. I do one after the other so it’s like $11.25 each set, and that’s not to bad for these masks. Would I buy it again, possibly.

Spongelle Body Wash infused buffer: Honestly no idea how many uses this baby will get. It says multi use but is that 2, 5, 10?? Who knows. I do know it’s smells absolutely amazing! Scent is black orchid, never smelled one but if it smells like this, sign me up for a dozen. But would I pay $16 for this thing……. I don’t know. Maybe if I was on a splurge and saw them I might, but it would I be perfect for a week long vacation. It definitely exfoliates and leaves you smelling sweet! The sponge is hard when dry and definitely has a lot of soap in it.

Whish Blue Matcha Restoring Mask: So the directions say to keep in till it goes white from blue. It’s not really blue, it’s more of a grey. Applied easy with my brush, it doesn’t come with one. It smells great and doesn’t do that flake off thing lots of clay like masks do. My face feels amazing after using it and looks so healthy and glowing, my pores look smaller too. This jar is heavy, lots of product. Always love simple packaging. It retails for $58! Yikes right. But if you look at it in how many times you would get use out of it. It’s pricey but not bad for the amount of mask you get and the results. It would definitely be on my must have purchase list if I have some extra bucks to spend.

Calpak packing cubes: Eh. You get 3 cubes, large, medium and small. They are pretty colored and made ok. They retail for $40, I wouldn’t spend that much when you can get more on amazon for half that price, I have them in purple myself. Cool, yes! Worth the $40 to spend, nope. Save your $ and go to Amazon.

Stone Cold Fox tea towels: Love these! Basic color and design but well made and larger sized kitchen towels. Saving these babies to put out when we redo the kitchen. They retail for $38 for two. Would I spend that on kitchen towels, no, but I do love them and happy I got them.

AG Hair Fast Food Leave in: I’m super weird about leave ins. I have thin hair and lots of stuff tends to weigh it down. This smells great and if you’re heat styling or have over processed hair it’s great! Big tube of product. Retails for $24 and for all the product you get, it’s fantastic. I don’t use a lot of it, so it will last me a long time! Hair didn’t feel weighed down at all.

Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray: I’ve never been a water spray face person. Not sure if I like it or if I don’t. It’s cool. Retails for $14. Says it’s good for sunburns, skin issues, razor burn, diaper rash. I used it after my mask and it felt great. This probably needs to be used more to understand it’s full effect. New to the water spray game I guess. I did use it after I shaved my legs and they felt super refreshed. So would I buy it again at $14, yeah why not.

FabFitFun is delivered quarterly and costs $49.99. You can get $10 off your first box by clicking my referral link.

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Target Beauty Boxes – March 2020

For the third month in a row, Target gave us two Beauty Boxes this month!

The “Spring Break” box knocked it out of the park. The star of the box is a FULL SIZE Schmidt’s Rose & Black Pepper Natural Deodorant, which retails for $7.99 on its own! I’d gotten samples of Schmidt’s previously, and it left my pits red and irritated. I gave this one a shot and I’ve had no redness or irritation. I am in love with the peppery scent!

Also in the “Spring Break” box: Thayer’s Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner Facial Mist; Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo; Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner (this scent brings me back to my childhood, when my mom would buy this conditioner and I would sneak it); Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Unscented Refreshing Dry Shampoo; OGX Refresh & Restore + Coconut Miracle Oil Dry Shampoo (do I really need two more dry shampoos?); and Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. This is a fantastic box!

The other box was themed “Dermatologist-Trusted Skincare” and included: La Roche Posay Touleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser; CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin; CeraVe Eye Repair Cream; Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich; La Roche Posay Anthelios Tinted Mineral Suncreen – SPF 50 (this stuff is really good – I’ve sampled it before); CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion; Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes; and Vichy Mineral 89. This is a great, high end box!

Each box was $7, with free shipping, plus 5% off with my Target Red Card. (Strangely enough, no consolidation discount was offered with the March boxes.) Both boxes came with $3 off $15 coupons, and THESE coupons have an extended expiration date of 6/30/20. I should have no problems getting to use both these coupons!