Category: Makeup
March 2024 Ipsy Bag – Rewrite the Rules
March’s bag itself is adorable – I love the painted agate design and it’s fully lines and everything. The contents though…
I have no complaints with my product choice this month – Goldfaden MD Plant Profusion Night Cream. It’s creamy and smooth, with a luxe scent. It’s almost empty, actually.
The rest of the products are unlikely to be touched: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Wax in “Shade 3” (you have to HAVE eyebrows to put wax in them); Jazmine Beauty Coastal Chic Shine Control Primer (ugh, another primer); Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Radiant Polish for Hand + Body; and WingMe Cosmetics Mega Blending Brush 15 (ugh, another makeup brush). Ipsy needs to step it up!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Fresh Ulta Haul
I know, I know…I have a lot of random moisturizers. But I wanted THIS moisturizer – Fresh Beauty Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Lightweight Moisturizer ($46). I also wanted to use my $10 off $50 coupon. I cannot remember if this was my birthday coupon or another coupon…but it was a coupon.
I also grabbed 2 Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencils ($10) – one in “Medium Brown” and one in “Dark Brown”. I needed them, but also “needed” a 9 piece Ulta gift with my $19.50 purchase. I thought the bag was quilted, but it’s this weird, puffy pantyhose material. Inside the bag: Ulta Beauty “Violet Hour” Eye Shadow Palette, Poreless Face Primer, Tinted Eye Primer, Shiny Sheer Lip Gloss, New Heights Lifting Mascara, Matte Lip Cream in a mystery shade, a makeup brush and a blender sponge.
$1,062 to Diamond in 2025.
First Ulta Haul of 2024
I know, it’s kind of hard to believe that I haven’t had an Ulta haul yet this year…to be fair, I ordered back on the 5th of February – I’ve just been busy with work, school, kids, a sick husband, excuses…so let’s get to it!
I am very easily swayed by the monthly Diamond Love List emails…When I showed off my new Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush ($108.50, down from $155), he gave me SO MUCH SHIT, since I spent so much money on the Dyson Air Wrap. My answer was that my child stole my Air Wrap and I am too lazy to walk all the way to her bathroom to get it…and my Revlon One-Step smells like burnt dog hair. And really, it was only $25.50 after using $83 of Ulta points…
I was talking to a girl in one of my MBA classes and she said that she would never buy a perfume without smelling it…hi, it’s me – I’m the one who does that, it’s me. I knew that I would LOVE Fresh Beauty Hesperides Grapefruit Eau de Parfum Rollerball ($29) before ever smelling it and I was right. It reminds me of my mom…
Lippies were 30%, so I loaded my cart: Flower Beauty Bitten Lip Stain in “Tempt” ($8.40, down from $12 – it’s very similar to the Colourpop Stain) and KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Vegan Transfer-Proof Liquid Lipstick in “Ghost Bloom” ($16.10, down from $23) for me; Makeup Revolution Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory x Revolution Brat Lip Gloss ($4.90, down from $7) and Makeup Revolution Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory x Revolution Lip Balm ($4.90, down from $7) for Lil. I also added in Hempz White Peach Rosé & Peony Herbal Shave Gel ($6.49, down from $12.99) because it was half off. A bit disappointing to use, as it wasn’t as slippy as the Caress Body Wash I had been using to shave.
I am deeply saddened that I didn’t get to a salon to use my $25 off beauty services coupon for another year of Diamond, but I did remember to use my free foundation coupon. This year, I chose Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder Foundation in “01 Stay Buff”, a $39 value.
My $30 makeup purchase qualified me for a 4 pieces NARS gift, which includes NARS Climax Mascara; NARS Lipstick in “Inappropriate Red”; NARS Bronzing Powder and NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner in “Via Veneto”. I probably won’t use any of it. I also qualified for a free hair gift, but it sold out before I could place my order. Boo.
It’s so rare that I spend enough for the massive gift with purchases…this one required a $130 spend! Inside the HUGE satiny makeup bag: drybar DETOX Thickening Dry Shampoo (giving to my daughter, so I don’t have to buy her some); Urban Decay Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Whiskey”; Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate; Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner (there’s licorice root in it, I’m scared); e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer; Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder; Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Primer; megababe Space Bar (I think I have 3 of these now); Lancôme Cils Booster Mascara Base (and 3 of these); Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” (yasss, the one in my purse is almost gone); Eau Thermale Avene Tolerance Cleanser; philosophy Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Clay Mask; Peach & Lily Glass Skin Face Polisher; Estee Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme Mask; Andrew Fitzsimmons Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner; NYX Epic Ink Liner in “Black”; Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder; Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash; Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam (NOPE); Maybelline Sky High Mascara; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum; Pixi Glow Tonic; Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen; Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Oil; Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow; Dermalogica Micellar Prebiotic Precleanse (precleanse? I ain’t washing my face twice); Living proof. Clarifying Detox Shampoo (but no conditioner?); and Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner. PHEW, that’s a lot of good samples!
$1,105 to Diamond in 2025…
February 2024 Ipsy Icon Box – Gwen Stefani
I swear I just finished posting about January’s bag…
Hands down, this month’s Icon Box might be the best one that ipsy has ever sent out. Is it because it’s Gwen Stefani? She’s had brand collabs before – remember her Urban Decay palette – but now she has her own line, GXVE Beauty. I’ve never had strong opinions on Gwen Stefani – I don’t hate her, I don’t love her…she is just kinda…here? But her makeup might change my opinion.
Right off the bat, Gwen’s lipstick blew me away. I received GXVE Beauty Xtra Sauce Longwear Vinyl Liquid Lipstick in “Original Recipe” ($24) and it is what Urban Decay WISHES their Lip Bond product was like. That shit did not BUDGE, yet it didn’t dry out my lips. It did, however, require very powerful makeup removed to get rid of…I haven’t tried the other GVXE Beauty product – GVXE Beauty Line It Up Clean 24-Hr Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in “Bathwater” ($20). I just don’t have much use for blue eyeliner at 48.
Another homerun in this box – the Dominique Cosmetics The Essential Palette ($49). Christen Dominique is an ipsy stylist – I guess she has her own makeup line now? This eye shadow palette is GORGEOUS. The colors are very similar to the Lolita Por Vida palette. This is the only eye shadow I’ve worn since the Icon Box arrived.
The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation in “2 Neutral” ($49) was underwhelming. The color match was okay, not perfect…but it oxidized on my face almost immediately. I was able to smooth it out with a wet blender, but it was still frustrating to use. The REN Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask ($58) was fine. I used it yesterday and it did make my face smoother.
My product choices were mediocre this box. I should’ve looked for more details on the Maison Louis Marie No.13 Nouvelle Vague Perfume Oil ($65). The top note is muguet AKA lily of the valley, which is far too geriatric for me. It overpowers the citrus. I was happier with my other two picks: First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner with Salicylic Acid ($24) and SONÄGE SKINCARE Saffron Energizing Vitamin Mask ($68).
This might be the first Icon Box where I use EVERY single product…except maybe that perfume. The box is worth $357 – NICE.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
January 2024 Ipsy Bag – Come Clean
It’s already February…and I’m tired. So tired.
My product choice for January was Yensa Beauty Pink Lotus Peptide Renewal Face Cream. It’s a heavy, HEAVY cream – but it smells nice and luxurious. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue on my pillowcase, so I like it.
My other products this month were Floss Rise Above Lengthening Mascara in “Black” (suspiciously similar packaging to MILK Makeup’s Lengthening Mascara); Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (oh yeah); Les Beauty Lip Liner in “City Lights” (haven’t touched it); and Ren Clean Skincare Radiance Glow and Protect Serum (I HATE the scent – it smells like rotten yogurt).
I like the sequined bag, but I am afraid to use it – the sequins might fall off. I think it will end up being a Barbie bag.
I just got February’s Icon Box – I need to catch up!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
December 2023 Ipsy Bag – The Glammest Show on Earth
Is “glammest” even a word?
Doesn’t matter, this bag IS the glammest…and check out the zipper pull! I love a big heavy ball, don’t you?
My product choice this month was Veriphy Skincare Self Absorbed Moisturizer. I’ve been using it as a daily moisturizer and it’s the perfect weight. My skin feels well moisturized and it isn’t too heavy.
Also in this month’s glammest bag: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Medium Brown” (I’m usually a “Dark Brown” girl, but I’ll still use it for “no-makeup” makeup days); Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator (slightly peppermint scented, seems very similar to his POREdermabrasion product); SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica First Ampoule (the texture is very serum-like); and Tresluce Beauty Ilusión Volumizing & Lengthening Mini Mascara in “Jet Black”.
A pretty good bag – I’ll use 4/5 products.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
tgin Ulta Haul
I swear to god, when I ordered two bottles of tgin Rosewater Frizz Free Hydrating Conditioner, they were 40% off – but looking at the email receipt, they were regular price – $14.99? I don’t know what I did, it was a couple of weeks ago…but I know I am kind of annoyed. Anyway, it’s usually cheaper to get the shampoo and conditioner in my Amazon Subscribe & Save for $22.49, but I go through the conditioner pretty quick, so I thought $8.99 was a hot deal…I also thought I was getting tgin Rose Water Curl Refresher for 40% off, nope. Sigh….
I did, however, manage to get a bunch of staples for 30% – 40% off…my holy grail Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencils in “Dark Brown” and “Medium Brown” ($6, down from $10); Ulta Exfoliating Round Cotton Pads ($2.09, down from $3.49); Ulta Travel Size Super Soothe Gentle Daily Cleanser and Travel Size Shine Bright Creamy Cleanser (both $2.40, down from $4); Ecotools Exfoliating EcoPouf Loofah Bath Sponge ($2.09, down from $2.99); and HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner Packette ($1.79, down from $2.99).
At least I got to use my $10 off $50 coupon…
Just $99.85 to Diamond in 2024…I’ll be taking care of that with a haircut next week!
Revolution x Wizard of Oz
When a brand releases a Wizard of Oz collaboration, I listen…and it’s a lot easier when it’s one of my favorite brands, like Revolution. (I had no problem skipping Kylie Jenner’s Wizard of Oz Collaboration last year.)
I was fortunate to hit a 30% off sale and got both the Revolution x Wizard of Oz Emerald City Set ($33.60, down from $48) and the Revolution x Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road Set ($14, down from $20).
The Revolution x Wizard of Oz Emerald City Set includes an 18-pan Ruby Slipper Eye Shadow Palette, a gold eyeliner, two lip glosses (plum & pink), a lovely blush that is VERY similar to my favorite blush (NARS “Orgasm”), a Toto Blending Sponge, a silver Tin Man Highlighter, and two hair ties with BLUE GINGHAM bows. I have been using the the blush and glosses (over WONDERSKIN stains) continuously.
The Revolution x Wizard of Oz Yellow Brick Road Set includes a 15-pan Eye Shadow Palette, 2 Eye Shadow Brushes, and a gold shimmering lip gloss. I’ve been using this palette more than the Ruby Slipper one, because it’s nudes and golds.
There was also another little something in the order, but it’s an Xmas gift, so I’ll keep it to myself.
I also got a free gift – that I totally did not find in the box – until I reviewed my receipt to write this post. (I actually dug had to dig through my pile of cardboard shipping boxes to find it – embarrassing.) I got a free palette worth $6 – Makeup Reloaded Shadow Palette – Affection. I haven’t tried it yet…and I am a little scared because it’s a “pressed pigment” palette, NOT eye shadow. It’s got stuff in it that shouldn’t be used around the eyes…at least not in the US. I guess I’ll try it on my eyes the next time I leave the country? KIDDING!
November 2023 Ipsy Icon Box – Pat McGrath
This quarter’s curator is Pat McGrath, of Pat McGrath Labs. I don’t have a lot of Pat McGrath products…in fact, her stuff is so pricey that the only stuff I’ve tried out is lippies either from other ipsy drops or Sephora Favorites Sets. Her eyeshadow is supposed to be FANTASTIC, so I was excited that her Divine Rose Luxe Quad in “Eternal Eden” ($62) was in this quarter’s icon box. It was every bit as soft and blendable as they say – I am in love with the palette. The color story is very similar to one of my other faves – KVD Lolita Por Vida, just on a smaller scale. The box also included Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in “Elson” ($39). It is a great-for-everyone red…but it’s lipstick and when I wore it, it got all OVERYTHING. My poor Smashburger was covered in lipstick.
My first product choice this month was Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Shampoo + Conditioner Duo ($65). Imagine, spending $65 for a TINY set of shampoo and conditioner. It did smell nice, but I have so much hair that I will probably only get 4 uses out of the conditioner. NOTE TO SELF: do not use again until I get a haircut.
My second product choice was Act + Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum ($86). I haven’t tried it yet…but my hair is thinning and I figured, why not? NOTE TO SELF: Don’t complain about having too much hair in one paragraph and then describe a product to grow MORE hair in the next paragraph.
My final product choice was the Baublebar Cosmic Couple Earring Set ($44). I just needed more gold earrings.
I also received: Dew of the Gods The THEORY Retinol Moisturizer ($42) – which has been a nice light moisturizer for every day; Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser ($40) – I like that it has a bit of texture to it; and Danessa Myricks Beauty Dew Wet Balm in Rose Water ($22) – very unlikely to use this one.
Ipsy says this month’s box was worth $400…even at the new price of $60/quarter, that’s a steal.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
CeraVe Ulta Haul
I know buying face wash is not very exciting, but 40% off CeraVe was a deal I couldn’t pass up…I got CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid ($10.79, down from $17.99) for me and CeraVe Acne Control Face Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment ($11.39, down from $18.99) for Lily.
Essence and Milani was also on sale, so I got Essence Electric Glow Color Changing Lipstick ($3.49, down from $4.99) – almost as good as Frog Prince, but not quite – and Milani Precision Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($7.69, down from $10.99). It’s a decent pencil – as good as Ulta’s!
Oh, there was definitely more stuff in this order…but Xmas is coming and Nailtopia was also 40% off.
$148 to Diamond in 2024.