Tag: Not Your Mother’s
Cyber Diamond
Here we go, here’s the haul that made me Ulta Diamond for 2022.
I’m sure it’s not shocking that finally bought the Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Cyber Eyeshadow Palette ($49), but it might be shocking that I paid full price. (I am still saving my Ulta points for a Dyson Airwrap – I’m up to $312!) It’s a very versatile palette, although I am concerned about the quality. The shadows are not as buttery as the first several Naked palettes – a few of the shimmers are downright CHALKY. Ugh. Use a primer and you’ll be fine, but it’s an annoying extra step. Also, watch out for fallout – the glitters get everywhere. I do wish there was at least one more dark, saturated shade besides the burnt orange, but I can mix and match with another palette.
I recently got new bleached streaks in my hair (another Ulta trip) and decided to dye them turquoise when I get sick of blond. I decided to try Arctic Fox in “Aquamarine” ($17) – my kids SWEAR by it. I feel like I’m cheating on Overtone, but their turquoise didn’t take well on my hair. Holding out hope for Arctic Fox.
I had seen the Kitsch Leopard Print Towel Scrunchies ($10.50, on sale from $14) at full price in the store, but was thrilled to find them for 25% online. I also splurged on Kitsch Moisturizing Spa Socks ($12, on sale from $16). I feel like the open toe design will be more comfortable to sleep in – it’s hard for me sleep in regular socks. I also threw in some Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Pads ($2.09), because why not?
I DID use the $20 off $100 coupon code that was out before the holiday sales, and I still qualified for the Hello Holidays 23 piece More Glow Beauty Bag. Inside the bag: Clarins Re-Boost Refreshing Hydrating Cream; Megababe Antibacterial Wipes in “Squeaky Clean” (note to self: do NOT confuse with makeup remover wipes); Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer; Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense; Ellis Brooklyn Sweet; Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Intense (What are all these “intense” perfumes?); Lancome La Vie est Belle (2 samples of this one); Not Your Mother’s Naturals Activated Bamboo Charcoal & Purple Moonstone Shampoo and Conditioner (I’ve been wanting to try this one; Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque & Shield (4 packettes!); MAC Lipstick Samples in “Ruby Woo”, “M-A-C Red” and “Cockney”; Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream; The Body Shop Body Butter in “British Rose” (I think this sample is why I chose this particular bag); Living proof. Restore Repair Mask; Jack Black Performance Remedy Turbo Wash (will go to the husband or the son); Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum; tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer; Dear, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream (I’m scared that the package says “For Nighttime Only” – will I burst into flames if I use it in the daytime?); Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream; Biosilk Silk Therapy Leave-In Treatment; Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer in “Light Cool”; and NYX The Marshmallow Primer (made with marshmallow root – weird). The bag is super cushy, made out of ski-suit material.
(There were also a few gifts (not shown) from this haul – shhhhh…)
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).
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!
Target Beauty Box – August 2018
So…does my box look a little…wilted…to you?
When I pulled this month’s box out of the mailbox, it was rather moist. I thought it was due to rain earlier in the day…I was wrong. The moist-ness was coming from inside the box! It was the Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Soft Waves Tropical Banana Sea Salt Spray. The bottle is now half empty and everything in is smells like fake bananas. Bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
I cannot stand banana scented crap. If Lily doesn’t want it, this shit is going into the trash.
Also in this month’s box: Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes (great for correcting eye makeup); Acure Brilliant Brightening Day Cream (another great brand); bliss Fab Foaming Face Wash; Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Body Lotion; and Schick Intuition F.A.B. Razor (5 bi-directional blades that shave forward AND backward – sounds dangerous!).
Other than the leaky sea salt spray, this is a great value box for $7. As usual, free shipping, 5% off with my Red Card and a $3 off $15 coupon.
Influenster Vox Box – Rosy Vox Box
Ooooooh! I finally qualified for a good vox box from Influenster. (I received one with coupons for gluten free stuff a few months ago. No. Thank. You.)
I was most excited to try the two Vera Wang Embrace fragrances in the box. Rose Buds and Vanilla is my jam. It’s a very mature rose scent, reminiscent of Cartier Goutte de Rose. I likely will buy it when I can find it in a store (not at Ulta or Sephora yet – I checked. The other scent is Marigold and Gardenia, also very mature…but not in a good way. I wore it all day yesterday – that powdery gardenia scent is not for me.
Also in the box: Fancy Feet Ball of Foot Cushions (I’ve pretty much given up on heels, but these might make them more comfortable for me…and an excuse to go shopping); Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant (I’ve never felt like I am particularly stinky or sweaty, but a good deodorant nonetheless); Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Soft Waves Sea Salt Spray (I have sooooo many sea salt sprays, but they work so well to add a wave with a simple hair twist); and Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals (I admit, I don’t use hand sanitizer if I can help it – it makes my knuckles bleed…but I’ll be keeping it in the car for the kids).
Good job Influenster – I’ll likely be buying a full size of at least one product in the box…
As always, products were received complimentary for review purposes. Want some free stuff? Check out Influenster for yourself…
Allure Beauty Thrills – December 2016
I never did figure out who to call to change my address, so I had to wait for USPS to forward the box to me…and it wasn’t free – it cost me another $15.90 to get this last box.
The first thing I noticed is that this last box was TINY – about half the size of previous boxes. What the fuck, Allure? The boxes have gotten more expensive, but have less stuff. And the stuff is mostly weird brands I’ve never heard of.
Inside the TINY box: Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Battery-Operated Spinbrush (No complaints – can always use a back-up); Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste (Also will be used); Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream; ChapStick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint in “Merlot” (another good inclusion); Dessange Professional Hair Luxury Oleo Miracle Replenishing Oil (my grandmother used to call margarine “oleo” – is this hair margarine?); Glov On-The-Go (I’ve been curious about these makeup removing mitts); an Invisibobble (looks like a telephone cord you put in your hair); imPress Gel Manicure (NO – I am NOT wearing press-on nails); KISS Salon Acrylic Nude French Nails (I guess my daughter gets two sets of fake nails); Not Your Mother’s Plump for Joy Thickening Hair Lifter (nope.); Redken Triple Take 32 Hairspray; Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in “Crystal Mauve”; Rimmel London Moisture Renew Clear Lip Liner (I do not see the point); Rituals Happy Buddha Shower Foam in “Sweet Orange & Cedar” (I got this in the last box – using this sweet smelling stuff in my shower now); Simple Skincare Hydrating Cleansing Oil (I wish I wasn’t grossed out by Cleansing Oil); WEN Hair and Body Care by Chaz Dean SIXTHIRTEEN Ultra Nourishing Intensive Body Treatment (if this stuff made my body hair fall out like the shampoo allegedly does, I’d be all over it); and Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner (again, skeptical of these co-washes).
What a dinky box! I won’t be blindly buying the next Allure box that comes out – I’ll be reviewing the contents closely. SO disappointed in this box!
Allure Beauty Thrills – August 2016
So…we’ve been in the middle of a big move and I’ve been on hiatus for the last 10 days or so…but I haven’t stopped hoarding. I’ll never stop hoarding…I’ll just have to get more creative, since the new house is about 800 square feet smaller than my old house.
The first thing I must find room for…August’s Allure Beauty Thrills Box. I ordered for the whole year and it showed up on my doorstep a few days before my move. I haven’t even gotten to try any of it yet! Inside the suspiciously light August box: Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Battery-Operated Spinbrush and Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste (I’m starting to rely on getting these in every box); Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner (it’s sulfate-free, which is good for my septic system); ChapStick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint Rose Petal (I love the ChapStick Total Hydration and I love Roses – I would have bought this if I hadn’t received it in this box); Grande Naturals GrandeLIPS (not sure if my lips need to be any plumper, but I’ll give it a shot); ittse Eye Shadow in “Obsidian” (another shadow for my new zPalette – oops, haven’t posted about that yet); Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Sleeping Cream; Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil (I bet this would ROCK with my Clarisonic); Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (I am guessing my husband will be getting this one to use after a shift on the tractor); Not Your Mother’s Double Take Dry Finish Texture Spray; One ‘n Only Argan Oil Treatment; Redken Diamond Oil Glow Dry; Rimmel London The Only 1 Lipstick in “Oh-So Wicked” (Oh, dark crimson); Rituals Happy Buddha Foaming Shower Gel (excited to try this!); RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle (I haven’t tried the first one yet); RUSK Styling Collection Elixir Mist; Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Duo Pack – in “Flower Crown” – and Big Cuticle Oil; Simple Skincare Dual Effect Eye Make-Up Remover; Skinfix Daily Lotion; Toppik Hair Building Fibers (Uhhhhh…no); and WEN Spring Gardenia Green Tea Cleansing Conditioner (the one product I WILL NOT try…there’s a class action lawsuit alleging hair loss – FUCK THAT SHIT).
I have another box coming in December…I just need to figure out who to call to change my address!
Allure Beauty Thrills – May 2016
As a pleasant surprise, Allure Beauty Thrills offered a pre-order several weeks before the May box went on sale. They offered all three of this year’s boxes for $199.95, with free shipping. That’s a $20 premium compared to buying each box separately…but without the hassle of making the tiny ordering window – guaranteed boxes!
I was a bit worried when I lifted the box – it seemed WAY lighter than previous boxes. When I opened the box, it even seemed less full – lots more bubble wrap and paper. But there are plenty of products…they’re just smaller. Inside the May box: Hask Macadamia Moisturizing Shine Oil (I have SO many HASK vials); Burt’s Bees BB Cream in “Light Medium” (I bet this stuff is good) and Burt’s Bees Lipstick in “Magenta Rush”; ChapStick Total Hydration 3 in 1 Lip Care in “Coconut Hydration” (this shit is the BOMB – I used up the last one…who EVER uses up a chapstick?); Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Battery-Operated Spinbrush (I already have one from another box, so I gave it to Lily) and Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste; Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Intensive Renewal Serum; Completely Bare Calm Down Ingrown Hair, Razor Bump & Redness Eliminator (perfect for summer crotch rash); Caress Mystique Forever Body Wash; Compeed Blister Cushions (I need these – I have a few shoes I’ve been avoiding); Coppertone CLEARLYSheer FACES SPF 30 (Definitely going to try this while out fishing this weekend); Degree Women Dry Spray in “Daisy Fresh”; Not Your Mother’s In A Heart Beat Blow Dry Accelerator; Pureology Pure Volume Style + Care Infusion (the tube is the weirdest ever – an inner layer and outer layer); Redken Beach Envy Volume Wave Aid (yup, more of it); Rituals Magic Touch Body Cream (that sounds almost TOO sexy); scünci Everyday & Active 3x Stronger Braided Elastics (LOVE these); Simple Skincare Micellular MAKE-UP Remover Wipes; Sonia Kashuk Double-Zip Clutch (It’s HUGE); Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush (I’m gonna be chasing Little Orphan Lily around the house with this); TIGI Bed Head JOYRIDE Texturizing Powder Balm (the fuck?); and VersaSpa Gradual Tanning Face Moisturizer (a whole lot of NOPE).
I feel like I’ll be using more of the stuff in this box than in past ones…now all I have to do is sit back and wait for my August box to arrive.
Target Beauty Box – March 2016
This month’s Target Beauty Box is giving me “Vacay Vibes”.
So much stuff for just $5 this month! Inside my box: Clairol Hair Food Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner; Not Your Mother’s Texturizing Sea Salt Spray (I had stopped getting so many of these…but here we go again); Sinful Colors Professional Nail Color in “Poisonberry” (I don’t have this one – yassss!); Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (Always happy to get this product – will be gone in no time); Banana Boat Sun Control Comfort SPF 30 Lotion (Yup, need to start stockpiling sunblock for the summer); nügg anti-aging Face Mask; you are AMAZING Juicy Grapefruit Body Lotion (Mmmmm, smells juicy); and Caress Adore Forever Body Wash.
I wonder if I can use my $3 off $5 coupon on next month’s box? But then, wouldn’t I have to buy 3 of them?
January Beauty Box 5 – Ev’rythang Done
So Beauty Box 5 has gone full ghetto with the theme for January – “Ev’rythang Done”. Well, okay then…
So, I’m going to get ev’rythang done with Bodipure Keratin Gloves (Intriguing); Nails, Inc. Nail Polish in “Bruton Mews” (a deep, dark green – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a polish this color); Scratch Customer Accent Nail Wraps (These are supposed to work over polish); Novex Bamboo Sprout Deep Conditioning Treatment (I’m skeptical of this one – the foilpack says “bamboo sprouds”); Not Your Mother’s Haircare Plump for Joy Thickening Hair Lifter (Weird); and Salon Grafix Freezing Hair Spray.
After I keratin my hands, I’m going to paint my nails green and put gold stickers on them…then put bean sprouds in my hair…and then time for lifting and freezing. Then ev’rythang will be done.