Category: Makeup
June Julep Maven Box – The Deep End Collection
In addition to my Delushies, I also received my June Maven Box yesterday. When I told my husband, “I got 5 new polishes today!” – I got a “Really?” AND a shaking of the head with a side order of rolling eyes.
I had to go to Julep’s site to recall what this month’s collection is called – it doesn’t say it ANYWHERE on the insert card that came in my box. In case you were wondering – it’s “The Deep End Collection.” It’s full of bright summery colors and a new formula for Luxe Up Your Lips – less sheer and more coverage! I picked the darkest – “Sangria”. For polishes, I picked Classic with a Twist “Jacqueline” (reminds me of my buddy Jah-quell-in) and Bombshell “Tiffany” . I added on Classic with a Twist “Fireworks” – who couldn’t use more red, white and blue glitter for the 4th?
There were also 2 Chupa Chups – the absolute best suckers ever made! I am definitely NOT sharing these…
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Online Shopping Binge
I kind went nuts last week with the online shopping – between Thursday night and Saturday morning , I placed no less than 6 online orders…so many sales and coupons in my inbox…I couldn’t resist.
With the long holiday weekend and biblical flooding, almost all of the packages hit at once yesterday. Instead of half a dozen different posts, I figured I’d stuff most of them into one…
I am fairly shameless, so I’m not going to show the pile of underwear from Victoria’s Secret. Yup, I hoard panties, too.
I had been eyeing the Sephora Sun Safety Kit – I need to protect my easily scorched skin. Inside the kit are 16 different sun protection products in a cute travel bag: – AmorePacific Natural Protector SPF 30, Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Broad Spectrum SPF 50, Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 in Light Medium, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Dark Spot Sun Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen, Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15, Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47, Korres Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 30, Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30, Ole Henriksen total truth eye crème SPF 15, Origins VitaZing Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer with Mangosteen, Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 30, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce Broad Spectrum Water Resistant (80 Minutes), St. Tropez One Night Only in Light-Medium, Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30, and Vita Liberata Passion Flower & Argan Dry Oil Broad Spectrum SPF 50. PHEW – that’s a lot of sunscreen!
For my 3 samples, I chose Viktor & Rolf “Flowerbomb” (spicy and flowery, reminds me of a Victoria’s Secret scent), Maison Martin Margiela REPLICA “Beach Walk” (this doesn’t smell like a perfume – it smells like a thing – LOVE), and dr. brandt Do Not Age. Sephora was also running a Jetsetter deal – pick 3 extra samples – so I got Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, and boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel. My face is gonna be SMOOTH.
I can’t say no to Birchbox’s Limited Edition Boxes. As soon as I got the email got the “Under the Sun” ($55) box, I knew I would eventually order it…but not until I got that 25% coupon. 25% off and $10 in Birchbox points and ADD TO CART. Inside the box: Baggu Tote Bag (I had my fingers crossed for this elephant print!), Cynthia Rowley Beauty Beauty on the Go Multi Blush & Bronzer Duo (meh), Laura Mercier Bakes Eye Color in “Cameo” (yasss), Sugarpova Flirty Candy (why does Maria Sharapova sell candy?), Chloe + Isabel Birchbox Exclusive Medina Convertible Pendant Necklace (my favorite part of the box!), Knockaround Premium Sunglasses (silver!), ncLA Nail Lacquer in “Bikinis & Martinis” (it’s the color of bubble gum you’d find stuck under a picnic table), and Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Suncreen with Olive Polythenols SPF 40.
For samples, I got Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator and Sumita Jumon Contrast Eye Pencil. I also finally got my Birchbox Anniversary Keyring (not pictured).
…and today, I got a big box of Deep Cleansing Hand Soap from Bath & Body Works. You know that I start to get the shakes if I have less than 30 bottles under the sink. They were all between $2.75 & $3.25, plus 20% off and free shipping. I threw in a handful of Scentportables for my car for good measure.
I also received my Dream Polish Gem Glam Topcoat in “Lily Flower” – yes, it’s scented! This another popular one on Instagram and it’s 5 free – I can’t wait to try it out.
I am still waiting on my sale order from Delush Polish – that’s the only one that hasn’t arrived. I think I have enough stuff to keep me busy…until next week when all my subscription boxes start rolling in!
Beauty Box 5 – S.O.S.
My poor little Beauty Box 5 has been sitting on the counter for almost a week – how could I forget?
May’s theme is “S.O.S.” – Super Outstanding Skin! Inside this month’s box; Bio Swiss Stainless Steel Mini Tweezer (perfect to add to my purse emergency kit – never know when you might have a brow emergency at work); Ahava 3 Sample Pack (fancy skin stuff); Styli-Style Blush/Highlighter Stick in “Bittersweet” (kinda orangey, but hey – it isn’t bronzer); Dermalogica AgeSmart Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment; and Coastal Scents Classic/Synthetic Brush (it appears to be an eyeliner brush – yasss).
OK, this is a better box than the last few – they’ve got me for a few more months…
May Ipsy Bag – Jetsetter
Oooooh, this is my new favorite-est ipsy bag. It’s a bag from Breakups to Makeup – “Contents: My Life” – it’s amazing.
May’s theme is “Jetsetter” – too bad I did all my jetsetting already! Inside: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil in “Ozone” + BONUS Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in “Failbait” & “Bittersweet”; BelláPierre Cosmetics Waterproof Mineral Gel Eyeliner Pencil in “Ebony” (I could rock a killer cat eye while I take my kids to the pool?); 2 Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches; Pixi by Petra Beauty Bronzer (Just what I needed, more bronzer); and Bare Republic Naturals SPF 30 Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion (It’s by Coola, so I know I’ll love it).
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
Allure Beauty Thrills – May 2015
Oh it’s been too long since the last Allure Box – 6 months! Even though I haven’t used up any of the products I’ve been using since the last two boxes, I need more…
This box is chock full of new stuff: Aloxxi Lightweight Sculpting Wax (oh HELL NAW); BIC Soleil Glow Razor (I doubt I’ll give up my beloved Mach 3 for this); Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimizer (LOVE their Charcoal line – using this tonight); Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream; Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Daily Refreshingly Clean Cleansing Cloths; Clear Scalp & Hair Active Damage Resist Ultra-Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner; Colgate Optic White Express White Toothpaste; Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Whitening Pen (got one of these in the last box and haven’t used it); Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Cleanser (I got this in a Birchbox and just used it up yesterday – I love it!); Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Retinyl Palmitate Creme (Huh?); Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant/Deoderant with NutriumMoisture (I am almost out of deodorant); Dove go Fresh Revitalize Body Wash (I am using the last one I got to shave my legs and I am almost out); Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse in “Deep Bronze” (I’ll be giving this away); John Frieda Frizz Ease Nourishing Oil Elixir (Oooooh!); MD Complete Even Tone & Texture Accelerator; Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Cleansing Conditioner; Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit (this scares me); Pond’s Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream; Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art Lid + Line + Lash in “Desert Dazzle” (my sister gave me one of these in a different color from her Allure Sample Society Box, but I haven’t tried it yet); Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in “Gladiolus” (too orangey red for me); Secret Outlast Clear Gel (I don’t usually like gel deodorant, but I’ll try it); Suave Professionals Luxe Style Volumizing Weightless Blow Dry Spray; Suave Professionals Sea Mineral Infusion Exfoliating Body Wash; and Suave Professionals Visible Glow Self-Tanning Body Lotion (another one I’ll be giving away).
All this for $45.95 + $10 shipping! Even though I’ll be giving away about a third of the stuff, it’s still a great deal.
May Birchbox – Beauty Solutions
Another Beauty Solutions box so soon? We just had one in March!
I don’t even remember what made me choose this curated box – it was probably because I hadn’t heard of any of the products in it? The box contains: Cotz Flawless Complexion SPF 50; JUARA Candlenut Body Creme (I had to Google Candlenut); Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel (Mmmmmm…I love the new gel trend); Number 4 Blow Dry Lotion; and W3LL PEOPLE The Expressionist Mascara in “Black”. This is a kind of skin-centric box, but I this is the time of year my skin needs a lot of help – it alternates between greasy breakouts and dry scales. Ugh.
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.
Sephora Math
Sometimes shopping at Sephora takes a bit of math to get the best deal.
I totally fell in love with the Tory Burch perfume I received a few weeks ago. Since they didn’t have it at Ulta, I decided to break down and order it from Sephora…but $28! Daaaaang, girl. But I also noticed that Tory Burch was one of the options in the Spray of Sunshine Perfume Sampler, which was only $24. Bingo! So I ordered the set online and it got here Friday. They were also offering a Fresh & Floral Perfume Sampler for free with each $25 purchase. So I added a $1 hair tie to my order to get more samples. (I’m pretty sure that’s what those hair ties are for…)
Also inside the Spray of Sunshine Perfume Sampler: Chloe “Love Story” (old ladyish, gardenia?); Elizabeth and James “Nirvana White” (Fuck you, Olsen Twins – although marginally better than “Nirvana Black”, it smells like a knockoff, like one of those designer impostors at the grocery store); Giorgio Armani “Si” (Spicy flowers, smells like the lobby of the Palazzo in Vegas); Marc Jacobs “Daisy Dream” (Reminds me of a Mother’s Day Bouquet – bright, but cheap); and “Stella” by Stella McCartney (Love this old fashioned rose scent – already own it). Inside the Fresh & Floral Sampler: another Tory Burch; another “Nirvana White”; another “Love Story”, Burberry “My Burberry” (smells like new leather shoes – why?); Dolce & Gabbana “Light Blue” (Douchey); philosophy “live joyously” (literally smells like nothingness); Dior “Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet” ( Citrus, but flowers – good job, Natalie Portman) and my personal favorite of the bunch – Atelier Cologne “Mandarine Glaciale” (The ultimate in unisex – like masculine & feminine at the same time – orange spray, but an underlying sexual scent that’s almost obscene). For my regular 3 samples, I picked Atelier Cologne “Orange Sanguine” (I lucked out and got 2 – I already own it, but so?); Buxom “Show Some Skin” Weightless Foundation”; and Urban Decay “Naked Skin” Ultra Definition Powder Foundation.
I always have a trick up my sleeve. I volunteered for the monthly trip to Costco, knowing it would be a perfect opportunity to hit Ulta and Sephora first. Of course, I didn’t tell Logan this until we were almost to Ulta. Oh, the moaning! All I needed was more Zoya Remove+, but he also talked me into buying him a new eos lip balm in “Lemon Drop”. I must say, the kid’s got taste. We then zipped into Sephora to get my Tory Burch Rollerball. Nothing else caught my eye.
I was surprised that something did catch my eye at Costco – the Jenna Hipp “The New Candies” mini nail polish collection. I’ve never heard of Jenna Hipp, but it was only $7.99! It included 8 creme polishes in yummy sounding colors: “Marshmallow Fondant”, “Crème the Cantaloupe”, “Pink Lady Finger”, “Violet Éclair”, “Très Parfait”, “Thin Mint”, “Rose Tart” and “American Pie”.
So that’s Sephora Math – any questions?
May Julep Maven Box – Set Sail
I received this month’s Julep box while I was at Frightmare, so either the 1st or 2nd – nice job USPS.
This month’s collection is called “Set Sail” and i just wasn’t feeling any of the polish colors. They were all cremes in nautical colors – white, red, navy blue – blah. Instead, I picked two of their new “Feels Like Velvet” eye shadow duos: “Moonlight & Starlight” (Matte lilac grey & white sand shimmer) and “Luck & Magic” (Metallic boysenberry & taupe with gold shimmer). Ooooh…and salt water taffy!
I’m hoping for some good polish colors next month.
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Frightmare & The Black Lodge Redux
Didn’t I tell you that I was going to redo my Black Lodge nails for Texas Frightmare Weekend?
They turned out even better than the first time! Again, I used Sinful Colors Base Coat with Sinful Colors “No Text Red” on my thumb and pinky. I added Julep “Kirby” for a broken glass effect on my pinky. I used Jamberry “Black and White Chevrons” on my index finger and I cut letters out of “Newsprint on Neutral” for my ring finger. I then used Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure “Sweet Talker” for a nude look. I used Hare Polish “The Red Room” on my middle fingers, but it chipped IMMEDIATELY, even with the “HK Girl”. It almost ruined my weekend.
Not to brag, but Jennifer Lynch LOVED my nails!
This year’s Frightmare was the best ever – I got to meet Audrey Horne herself, Sherilyn Fenn. She is adorable!
I also got to meet Jennifer Lynch, not only the daughter of David Lynch, but she also wrote The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer. I had bought my third copy of the book for her to sign on Amazon – having lent out my previous copies, which of course, disappeared. (You know who you are.) I won’t be lending out this copy, no sirree!
I was blown a kiss by the Warlock himself, Julian Sands and told Rachel True how much I love Nowhere. All in all, a great weekend.
Of course, we had to make a stop at Ulta. They must be planning a major reset, because all of their polish was $2 and all of their lip stuff was $4. I picked up 3 lip glosses – “Toast”, “Mischief” and “Siren”. The polish was really picked over, so I just got “Material Girl” – because of the name, DUH.
I looked for a rollerball of Tory Burch, but they don’t carry it – I guess I need to hit Sephora.
Except for mistakenly asking the waiter at Outback for an Awesome Blossom instead of a Bloomin’ Onion, it was a fun and mostly stress-free trip!
April Beauty Box 5 – Bloom
I totally forgot to post this month’s Beauty Box 5 – “Bloom”.
This is an…interesting…box. Inside my box – Lasting Smiles Passionfruit Mango Organic Lip Balm (Lasting Smiles funds cleft surgeries for children in the developing world); Dancin’ Goat Hula Bliss Body Lotion (Mmmm, goat’s milk lotion); Incoco (not to be confused with Nanacoco?) Nail Polish Applique Set (these don’t require heat like Jamberry, hmmmm…); Style Essentials TwinGloss (2 colors in one tube); and 3 foil packets of First Aid Beauty Facial Cleanser.
I can’t decide whether or not to keep Beauty Box 5 or not. The products are really weird and from brands I’ve never heard of. Sometimes the lotions smell off, like they’ve gone bad. Any opinions out there?