Category: Makeup
Lovecraft
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Kat Von D “Lovecraft”…or should I say that I couldn’t wait to get Kat Von D “Lovecraft” on my hands?
I wasn’t sure which base coat would work the best, so I threw the dice and picked Sinful Colors Base Coat – it was fine. The first coat was a bit patchy, but the second coat covered all of the bald spots and didn’t drag. “Lovecraft” is rather thick, but not goopy. The brush is so tiny, I had to use 2-3 brushfuls to cover each nail. I finished with “HK Girl” and did drag a tiny bald spot on the middle finger of my right hand. Curses!
I LOVE the way “Lovecraft” looks, but my husband said, “Meh.” What does he know about edgy neutrals, anyway? He also said that the lighting in the picture makes my mole look like a pimple. I wasn’t self-conscious about it until he said that. He is my biggest cheerleader.
I already had a mini of Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick “Lovecraft” from Sephora points, but it’s always good to have a backup.
“Lovecraft” is matte mauve pink nude – very matte. It’s not quite as drying as most of the matte lipsticks and lip creams I have tried. It has good staying power and a coat of clear balm late in the day revives the color. As you can see, the polish and lipstick match quite well.
Target Beauty Boxes – December 2015
See, I’ve gotten smart – I throw my husband a beauty box every once in a while to keep him happy…
Just like last December, Target offered “His” and “Hers” Beauty Boxes. The “His” Box was $5 and included a Target brand Up & Up Five Blade Razor (since he joined the Five Dollar Shave Club, I might steal this for my legs); Degree Dry Spray in “Adventure”; Gillette Clinical Endurance Antiperspirant in “Cool Wave” (apparently, Target thinks men are stinky); Axe “Apollo” Shower Gel; and Dove “Extra Fresh” Body and Face Wash. Oh, and a $3 off $15 coupon.
This should keep him off my back for a few months at least…
The $10 “Hers” box is MUCH more exciting. Inside: Clairol Hair Food Dry Shampoo; CoverGirl Star Wars Lipstick in “30” (Yes, yes, yes! I’ve been wanting one of these!); Maybelline Push Up Drama Mascara in “Blackest Black”; CeraVe Eye Repair Cream; Goody Ouchless Elastics Sweat Stretch (they are made like those loops you make potholders out of); Pacifica Love³ Eye Shadow Trio (very pretty earth tones); Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream (another LOVE); and Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream (What am I going to microsculpt?).
…and another $3 off $15 coupon.
VIB Xmas Gift
Oh Sephora…you really want me to get to Rouge by the end of the year, don’t you?
I got my $20 off $50 email, so I figured I would pick up some basics. I got another Anastasia Brow Wiz in “Soft Brown”, but they don’t carry Urban Decay Ultra HD Loose Powder online. DAMMIT. So I had no choice but to order the Kat Von D vs Formula X Studded X set (with mini lipsticks and matching polishes in “Lovecraft”, “Bauhaus” and “Homegirl”). I squealed when I opened it!
I also got the Cyber Weekend Mystery Bag with a Sephora Pearl Mask (now I have 2); Origins GinZing Eye Cream, Fresh Rose Mask; Sephora Colorful blush in “No5 Sweet on you” (now I have 2); Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil; Sephora The Mascara; Clinique Even Better spf 15 makeup; and Clean “Cashmere”.
For my other three free samples, I got Sephora Instant Moisturizer, Needles No More (Hmmmm…); and Clinique Moisture Surge Intense (I am using another sample of this right now – LOVE it). Just $81 until Rouge Status!
Ulta Cyber Fundays
The weekend before Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Ulta ran a “Cyber Fundays” promotion with a bunch of stuff on sale, plus a gift with purchase sample bag on orders of $60+, plus $10 off. I decided to knock out some stocking stuffers, plus get a few things for myself. Imagine my surprise when Ulta decided to break my modest order into three different shipments.
The first box was rather piddly – just a travel size Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor (my BFF swears by K-PAKs, so I thought I’d give them a try while on sale) and a few stocking stuffers from the 5/$5 Promotion.
The second box was also small – a single lotion stocking stuffer, my variety sampler – Lumene Time Freeze Instant Lift Serum and Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum – and my gift with purchase…Inside the Berry Glam Beauty Bag: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation with 3 different shades – “Vanilla”, “Light Beige” and “Sand”; Gucci “Bamboo” (not bad, smells like Crystals in Vegas); “Pink Sugar” (too hookery); Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo; Pureology Coulour Fanatic Instant Deep-Conditioning Mask; Benefit ThePOREfessional Pro Balm & License to Blot Set; Urban Decay Cosmetics Revolution Lipstick (Card with 4 sample colors); Giorgio Armani “Acqua Di Gio”; Whish Body Butter in “Winterberry” (the last one I got smelled like hot dog water, so I am scared to try this one); It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product (guaranteed in every Ulta sample bag); Ralph Lauren “Romance”; Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser for Face and Eyes; Ulta Legendary Lengths Lengthening Mascara; Clarins Super Restorative Day; Alterna Haircare Caviar CC Cream (for hair); Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (I have SO much of this shit); Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream; Nip+Fab Skin Dragon’s Blood Fix Plumping Serum (it couldn’t be worse than the snake venom that nut in Vegas smeared all over my face); and a BUNCH of Ulta coupons.
FINALLY…the third box had the REAL stuff I ordered: John Frieda Liquid Shine Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.74 each!); Joico K-PAK Shampoo (to go with the conditioner); Ulta Rose Gold Palette (been lusting after this FOREVER); Poo-Pourri “Merry Spritzmas” (for my son – at 10, he is starting to get manly shits); eos Holiday Set (also for him), some other stocking stuffers and some nail buffers for ME.
I monitored Ulta’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and it looks like the Cyber Fundays sale was actually the better deal (for me, anyway). They’re still sending different sale emails every day, though…I may not be done ordering yet!
December Julep Maven Box – The All Night Long Collection
For the first time in several months, I had a hard, hard time picking out my December Julep Box – “The All Night Long Collection” is absolutely amazing.
Eventually, I settled on Julep Bombshell “Tish” – silver bell full-coverage microglitter – and Julep Classic with a Twist “Makenna” – gilded lilac glitter. I also used Jules to add Julep it Girl “Elsa” – snowdrift iridescent stardust. Glitter, glitter everywhere and not a drop to drink…wait, that’s not right?
For my beauty product, I decided to try out It’s Whipped Matte Lip Mousse in “Ooh La La” – sepia taupe. I have been nutso over matte lips and have buying every one I can get my hands on…in basically the same color. One of these days, I’ll do a master Lolita dupe post…
Not a Julep Maven? Leave a comment and I’ll send you a referral email good for a free welcome box!
yassss bitch!
So…last Tuesday, an email appeared in my inbox from Sephora – offering a 24 hour window to order the new Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette before it officially launched on 12/1. I couldn’t risk a sell out, so I graciously ordered it for my husband…I also placed an order for my bestie, since her man is also buying it for her for Xmas. Aren’t I a sweetheart? Now the hard part…I have to let him wrap it and stick it under the tree for three more weeks…
…BUT…at least I can play with the awesome black and gold sample bag I got with my order. Inside: Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders; Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask; Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT (another luminizer); Kate Somerville ExfoliKate; Fresh Soy Conditioning Eye Makeup Remover and Soy Face Cleanser; Living Proof Style Extender; Versace Bright Crystal (going straight to my sister – she loves this scent); Sephora Colorful Blush in “No5 Sweet on you!”; Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil; Beauty Blender Liquid blendercleanser (I wonder if it works better than the baby shampoo I usually use?); Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (I used this for the first time a few weeks ago – it really helps!); and Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer in “Medium Beige” (I think I have some of this somewhere?).
I also got the usual three samples with my order – BITE Beauty Agave Lip Mask in “Champagne”, “Natural” and “Smashed”; REN Clean Skincare Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial; and Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer.
Just $132 left until Rouge…
BFFsgiving Shopping
I got to see my BFF yesterday! And we went shopping!
So we hit Ulta first…but while we were still in the parking lot, I was finishing up some Sephora orders. I got an email offering a 24 hour window for VIB members to order the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette before it hits stores on 12/1. ADD TO CART! Since that’s what my BFF and I decided our men are getting us both for Xmas, we were kind enough to do their Xmas shopping for them…
Since I placed a huge Ulta order last week with their Cyber Fundays promotion, I didn’t need much – just some Zoya Remove+. I was drawn to the 5/$5 goodies though. I got a few stocking stuffers for my daughter – bobbie pins and lip gloss – and a few for my self – a nail buffer, Ulta Nail Lacquer in “Silver Bells” and my favorite, a little travel makeup brush set.
We also hit Bath & Body Works, but that was a complete bust – nothing really jumped out at us, so we left empty handed.
Next up, Sephora…well, the Sephora inside of JC Penney’s. We didn’t feel quite brave enough to step foot in a mall.
As soon as I saw the Kat Von D Lolita Lip Duo, I knew it would be mine…even though I already have one “Lolita”, I wanted to try “Lolita II”. Just $19.50 for both.
I even remembered to bring in my Play! card for 50 extra points! I just checked my account…I only need to spend $132 to hit Rouge status…can I do it within the next 5 weeks?
Sephora Play! 03 – November 2015
November’s Sephora Play! is “The Exclusives” – products that Sephora says can only be found there…are you sure Sephora? Because I bought a bottle of “Stella” by Stella McCartney at Ulta – but that was last year, so it might be exclusive to Sephora now?
Besides the sample of “Stella”, my box also includes Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer (which I bought in Vegas a few months ago – great primer); Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in “Rhubarb”; Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in “Dolly” (this should go well with the “Rhubarb”); Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12Hr Wear Waterproof in “My Boyfriend’s Jeans”; and Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (I have SO MUCH damn Argan Oil now). Another amazing box!
Someday, I’ll actually remember to bring the card for 50 extra points into Sephora – I forgot last time!
Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can get on the wait list at sephora.com/play.
November Birchbox – Feeling Fancy
November’s Birchbox has me “Feeling Fancy” – and smelling GOOD.
I know I just bought Roses de Chloe, but now I am going to have to go buy Cartier Eau De Cartier Goutte de Rose – obviously, another rose scent, but different – it smells somehow greener? Birchbox’s description says it’s unisex, but I really can’t see that happening – it’s too floral. Also inside my box – MAKE Skin Illuminator (Ugh.); Number 4 Flouro5 Elixer Restore & Repair Oil; PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream; and LOC Matte Lipstick in “First Kiss” (I’m excited about trying Birchbox’s new house brand!)
All in all, a very glamorous box!
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.
VIB 20% Off!!!
It’s that magical time of the year – 20% off weekend for Sephora VIBs. I absolutely knocked some Xmas shopping out of the way, but I also picked up a few things for myself.
I couldn’t contain my excitement, so I zipped over to Sephora on Friday, during lunch. (I was bummed that Roses de Chloe was no longer one of the samples I could choose with an online order, so I wanted to sniff it.) Yup, I loved it, so I picked up a Roses de Chloe rollerball ($28). When we met, my husband couldn’t stand all the rose perfume I wore, but he said, “Hey! That’s nice.” Does that mean he’s getting old and likes it when I smell like his grandma? I also used my points to get Make Up For Ever HD Powder. I was pissed that they no longer had samples of Tory Burch Absolu – of course they don’t have the good stuff during a sale. I also got a free Sephora tote.
Then on Saturday, I hit the Sephora inside JC Penney – I wanted to check out all their Xmas sets, since they’re different than the sets inside a regular Sephora. I happened upon the Formula X Ultimate Ombre Set on clearance for $13.99 (down from $29.50). Yay!
It’s Sunday night and I have a few more hours…trying not to shop anymore.