Category: Makeup
Mystery Surprise!
Sally sent me a mystery surprise! All the way from Scotland…OK, technically not a surprise, since I knew it was coming. And not a mystery, since Sally gave me a sneak preview of the bag…but a mystery surprise, nonetheless.
Makeup Revolution was having another Mystery Bag promotion and Sally graciously sent me one of the mystery bags she received…plus a little extra.
Inside of the mystery bag was a combination of Makeup Revolution, I ♥ Makeup and other TAM brands: Live Love London Body Mist in “Sensuous” (smells like pears); I ♥ Makeup No Shine Please! Totally Matte Foundation in NS05 (I thought it was a pore primer and just put on my nose today – it actually worked well for it though); Freedom Makeup “Future Bright” palette; Makeup Revolution Blush Bronze & Brighten in “Rave”; I ♥ Makeup All Day & Night Eyeliner in “The Last Laugh” (looks bronze); Freedom Makeup Pro Melts Lipgloss in “Steal the Show”; I ♥ Makeup Super Wow! High Color Lip Gloss Stick in “Atomic” (I have a few of these – they’re decent); and three Makeup Revolution nail polishes – “Cool Days”, “Love etc” and “Find True Love”. That’s a bunch of goodies and no duplicates with what I’ve already got!
The only new product that I really wanted to try was the I ♥ Makeup Liquid Lipstick in “Molten Chocolate”, so she sent me one. The applicator is lovely and color is out this world, but it’s like regular lipstick and doesn’t last all day. She also sent me one of the new Makeup Revolution Precision Brushes! I have been lusting over these and now I finally have one to try…she also sent me the polishes from her bag, since she cannot wear polish – “Are you still available”, “Adore” and “Never Enough”.
Thank you, my sweet friend – I truly appreciate the mystery surprise…and now I’m putting together a box of my own…just waiting for the weather to get a little cooler so everything won’t melt.
20ROUGE, Part II & III
Merry Xmas to me! I make Xmas shopping SO easy for my husband.
Well, as much as I love torturing him and making him visit Sephora and Ulta to go shopping for me…I love saving money more. So I decided to forego the torture and take this opportunity to order myself some Sephora exclusive items.
I’d had my eye on the Kat Von D Metal Matte palette ($60) since it launched. In real life, it’s HUGE. I’m glad I ordered when I did – it was already out of stock when I went to Sephora on the 4th. I’m still disappointed that I missed out on the Mi Vida Loca palette last year. I had bought it for my ex-BFF, and I thought she was getting it for me, but she blew it off for too long and it sold out. c’est la vie.
I also said, “fuck it” and ordered the Kat Von D Everlasting Mini Liquid Lipstick Set. I don’t have any of these shades and I wanted to try the new shade “Plath”, plus some older shades – “Backstage Bambi” and “Mother”.
I was a good girl and did not open the boxes – I just shoved them in my husband’s junk drawer to wrap later.
For samples – I didn’t get what I picked again. I don’t remember what I picked, but I ended up with Wildfox perfume (never heard of it, smells like a generic Victoria’s Secret type scent); Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer in “neutral”; and Juliette has a Gun Not a Perfume (insert says it is pure Cetalox, a background note in perfume – interesting, it smells very generic).
At the last minute, I decided to order one more thing for myself – MILK MAKEUP Gel Brow in “Pilsner” ($18). I had used 100 points to get a sample of it with my last order – all the way back in August – and I like the way it lasts. I don’t like having to sharpen it, but other than that, it’s a winner.
This one will not be waiting until Xmas – I’ll break into it as soon as I’m done with my little sample.
Samples this time were Sephora Instant Moisture + Cream; Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil; and Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm.
November Julep Maven Box – Light & Shadow
It’s Julep time!
This month’s “Light & Shadow” theme brings a range of colors and finishes. For polishes, I chose Classic with a Twist “Carrie Ann”, blush sheer holographic, and It Girl “Mercedes”, canyon rose metallic (what’s a canyon rose?). Both gave me a Thanksgiving vibe – perfect for November. For my beauty product, I chose a new shade of Eyeshadow 101 Creme-to-Powder Eyeshadow Stick – “Burgundy Shimmer”. I have high hopes for upping my game on lazy makeup days (basically, when I hit snooze too many times).
I used Jules to get another Oxygen Bonding Base Coat. It really DOES make a difference with Julep polishes – less bubbles and it sticks so much better.
The treat in my box was a single chocolate ball. I just popped it my mouth – not bad, better than Hershey. Why only one?
Not a Julep Maven? Click HERE to join – I’ll get a $15 credit and you’ll get your first box free!
Target Beauty Box – November 2016
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.
20ROUGE, Part I
Sometimes, you just gotta TREAT YO SELF.
I’ve held back several months…but when that 20% off discount code hit my inbox…I decided to use the fuck out of it. Sephora is not like Ulta, throwing around 20% off codes like confetti. They do it exactly ONCE a year…and I was not Rouge yet last year, so this is the first time I’ve gotten to take advantage.
Even though I had placed an Xmas present order online earlier, I decided to swing by Sephora after work to pick up something I’d been lusting over for months – GlamGlow GravityMud Firming Treatment. I can only watch so many of Jeffree’s silver snapchats without wanting to try it myself. I wasn’t about to spend $69 on it…but $55.20 seems so much more reasonable. (I know I’m full of shit.)
I tried it Friday night…and it was worth every fucking cent. It smells like coconut (my husband said pina colada) and tingled slightly. I don’t know if it lifted anything, but my skin DID feel firmer and smoother – much more so than with any of the other masks I’ve tried. The effect was most noticeable on my forehead. It will be hard to limit myself to using it just twice a week.
I also got my Rouge Renewal Gift – NARS Blush in “Goulue” (what kind of word is that?). I tried it today and it is perfect for me – much better than the famed “Orgasm”. I also got a free totebag – you can always use a new totebag.
I placed a few online orders – I’ll document those as they arrive…
Sephora Play! October 2016 – The Cool Cut
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.
The Hunt is the Thing
So I went on another “hunt” last week. Two things I was looking for…the new Xmas Sinful Colors polishes (since they were 2/$3) AND a Fall Limited Edition wet n wild eye shadow.
I know…wet n wild – the cheapest of the cheap. But I’d been seeing the Fall Collection, specifically the “Velour Vixen” Color Icon Trio – and really liking it. Pink Glitter is irresistible.
Spoiler alert – I went to five different Walgreen’s and didn’t find either. 4 of the 5 had mostly empty wet n wild Fall displays and ZERO had Sinful Colors Xmas displays. Now…the 4th Walgreen’s had a single wet n wild Color Icon Trio remaining…but in “Plaid to the Bone”, which has a nice duochrome green/brown. I decided to take a chance for $2.99 I also grabbed a clearance Kylie Sinful Colors in “HollyWood”, which is redder than the pic shows.
It is HIGHLY unlikely that I’ll be buying another wet n wild eye shadow. First off, I can’t get it open. I mangled my thumb nail trying to get it open – I finally had to hand it to my husband to open. Later attempts using tweezers as a crowbar were more successful. The quality was alright I guess, but the shadows didn’t end up looking anything like the shade in the pan – OR the swatches I’d seen online. The duochrome lid shade is darker and more brown than green and the browbone shade is darker than in the pan – they are basically the same color. I won’t say it was a total waste, but you get what you pay for.
So my “hunt” was not successful this time…but that’s the fun, huh?
Been So Long Ulta
It’s been so long Ulta…I’ve missed you.
As you can tell, I’ve drastically cut back on purchasing the past few months, with the move and unpacking and having less space in the new place…but I couldn’t break this ritual…I buy a UD palette every time I hit a milestone at work – you know, raises, bonuses, etc. I hit an unexpected milestone, so I decided on a little “treat yo self”.
I immediately snatched up Urban Decay XX Vice Ltd Reloaded Palette for $34, down from $56. I already have the previous 3 Vice palettes, and have most of these colors in my original UD palettes, but so what? I’ve used it for the last three days in a row – I love it! It’s actually my favorite of the Vice palettes. The palette didn’t come with any free samples inside though…rude!
Since the “Beautiful Hair” event was going on last week, I grabbed the daily special – John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Shampoo & Conditioner at 40% off – $5.99 instead of $9.99. I’m a bit disappointed – I’ve been using it for a week and I don’t notice a lick of difference in the tone of my hair. I mean, the shampoo is as nice as any other John Frieda, but I don’t expect to rebuy.
I also took advantage of “Buy One, Get One Half Off” on Freeman Beauty Masks – I got Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask and Pear Pore Clean Mask. They both smell fantastic, but Pear is the best…
For freebies, I got a free Deluxe Size Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in “Centerfold”. The texture is luxurious, but it doesn’t dry matte like I expected – it gets on everything. I also got L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer with Sunscreen and Lab Series Future Rescue Repair Serum (this is for dudes, wonder if I can get my husband to try it?)
You know I used a $3.50 coupon and got free shipping…oh yes I did.
October Ipsy Bag – Black Magic
This month’s ipsy bag is full of “Black Magic”!
I’m IN LOVE with the bag, designed by Valfre. Look at the cute little witches and ghosts and lipsticks and candy corn and black cats and…so cute!
I’m also in love with the stuff in my bag: 2 patchology Flashpatch 5 Minute Hydrogels; theBalm Hot Mama! Shadow/Blush (looks like a dupe of NARS “Orgasm”); Beaute Basics eye Shadow in “Satin Taupe”; ModelCo Instant Brows Brow Pencil in “Light/Medium” (Probably WAY too light for me); and essence Superfine Waterproof Eyeliner Pen (this shit is like a sharpie – I tested it on my wrist and I couldn’t get it off, even with soap and water).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
October Birchbox – Revive and Restore
Sooooo…this month’s curated box is “Revive and Restore”, which I could really use after I was laid out this past weekend with a wicked cold. Did a premonition of my illness make me choose this box???
To be honest, I saw the GlamGlow and immediately picked this box. It wasn’t the GravityMud that I’ve been lusting over, but I’m happy with any GlamGlow product. The green tube is GlamGlow PowerMud Dualcleanse Treatment.
Also in this month’s box: Avene Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Cream RICH; This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (if “this works”, it will be a godsend – I have raging random insomnia); Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo (meh); and MAKE Silk Cream Lipstick in “Magnolia” (so tiny).
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.