Tag: NYX
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…
Metal Mania Ulta Haul
Urban Decay keeps making Naked Palettes and I keep buying them. Sigh.
I know, I know…I barely even wear eyeshadow anymore. But Naked Palettes – I just can’t quit you. So I added the new Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Metal Mania Metallic Eyeshadow Palette ($59). Weren’t these $54 before? Hmmm…the colors are very nice, but I feel like they aren’t blending as well as the older palettes. I cannot tell if this is a change to my eye skin or the shadows themselves…I’ll continue working with them to figure it out.
I also got a free gift – my choice of Urban Decay x Smiley Naked Mini Eyeshadow Palette (regularly $33). I chose the “Mucho Happy” one, but I haven’t tried it out yet.
I also restocked on basics – Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner in “Rose” ($10.95) and Got 2b Glued Spiking Glue ($7.99) for Lily’s Band Hair. I also add a Sweet & Shimmer Sheer Lilac Lip Oil ($2.99), but was disappointed that lilac is just the color – not the flavor or scent.
Oh, the reason I ordered when I did…to get the National Brow Day (October 2nd) Sampler with my $50 purchase. I got a Morphe Supreme Brow Dual-Ended Brush; Winky Lux Uni-Brow Mini Precision Brow Pencil; NYX Micro Brow Pencil in “Cool Ash Brown”; Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax (no…just no); Benefit Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel (Another no); Anastasia Brow Wiz in “Medium Brown” (YES!); and Ulta Beauty Dual-Ended Brow Highlight in “Light to Medium”. Are we still saying “brows on fleek”? No?
I got to use a $15 off $50 coupon…just $202 to Diamond in 2024.
Barbie Ulta Haul
Even though I know the quality is gonna be bargain basement, I went ahead and ordered the NYX Limited Edition Barbie The Movie Collection Vault PR Kit ($90). The set includes BARBIE Mini Palette in “It’s a BARBIE PARTY!”; BARBIE Mini Palette in “Turn Up the KEN-ERGY!”; BARBIE Jumbo Eye Pencil Kit; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Dreamhouse Pink”; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Perfect Day Pink”; BARBIE Mini Cheek Palette; BARBIE Butter Lip Gloss; BARBIE Jumbo Lash; and a BARBIE Flip Phone Mirror.
As I suspected the quality is mid…but it’s Barbie, so I don’t care. The eyeshadows and blush are fine, but the lipsticks are shit and smear all over everything. Lily wants the little flip phone mirror, so I’ll probabaly just let her have it, as well as the lashes. This set is a far cry from Colourpop’s Malibu Barbie Set, but it’s not total trash. I’m glad I ordered this when I did – it’s out of stock and I doubt it’s coming back.
There was a lot of other Barbie stuff for sale – hair ties, OPI Nail Polish, CHI dryers and straighteners…but the only other thing I got was Barbie x Moon Bubble Mint Whitening Toothpaste ($12.99). It’s kind of disappointing for a $13 toothpaste. It tastes like the Barbie and Spongebob toothpaste I used to buy for my kids when they were toddlers.
Oh, I also bought some stuff I had been saving in my cart. I got a Milani Green Goddess Transforming Lip Balm ($9.99) because I was hoping for a dupe of my beloved Frog Prince Lipstick…it’s not exact, but it’s decently close! The Tony Moly Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick ($12.50) works really well. I don’t know HOW is scrubs out my nose pores, but it does.
I also got a free sample pack with my purchase that included Mugler Alien (I fucking hate this scent and give it away the first chance I get); Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune; Prada Ocean Luna Rossa; La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum (my daughter showed me THAT TikTok and now I cannot help but think of roach pussy every time I see this brand); Tanologist Face + Body Drops (will be given to a child); KylieSkin Hydrating Face Mask (low key scared to try it); and Avene Solaire UV Sunscreen Fluid. This is one of the shittiest sample packs I’ve gotten in ages – like they are trying to get rid of nasty shit. At least I got to use a $5 off $25 coupon…
$366 to Diamond in 2024. (I got my hair did a few weeks ago – even though I used $175 in Ulta Points, I still spent $90 or so.)
PEEPS Polish Haul
$1.50 nail polish…yes…$1.50 PEEPs nail polish…you have my interest AND you have my attention.
Even though it’s well past Easter, I added the entire Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x PEEPS Collection to my cart – “PEEPS Pink”, “PEEPS Yellow”, “PEEPS White”, “PEEPS Blue”, and “PEEPS Fruit Punch.” Is “Fruit Punch” even a color?
I love freebies, so I restocked on my favorite brow pencil – Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” and “Medium Brown” ($10 each). This gave me a free 10 piece gift from Ulta: Eye Shadow Palette (8 shades); Highlighter & Blush Duo; Luxe Lipstick in “Raisin”; Tinted Lip Oil (great for removing long wear lip paint); Clear Brow Gel; Matte Eye Primer in Nude; Mattifying Face Primer; Lash Flash Mascara; and a Makeup Removing Cloth in a faux leather Makeup Bag.
I am a sucked for each new lippie that NYX puts out, so I grabbed a NYX Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Lip Cream in “Velvet Robe” ($8), which granted me a freebie: an NYX Suede Matte Velvet Vegan Lip Liner in “Sandstorm”. Oh, I have this shade of Liquid Suede!
I purchased a Conair True Glow Sonic Facial Brush Replacement Head ($8, down from $10) because…they come with an adapter for the recently out-of-business Clarisonic! I tried it and the little adapter piece that came with it worked like a charm…I am so glad I hadn’t trashed it yet. My daughter is obsessed with Stranger Things, so I got her a half price MAC Lip Glass in “Rockin’ Robin” ($10, down from $20). I also added an INVISIBOBBLE Waver Traceless Hair Clip ($3.50) for funsies.
Not only did I use a $5 off coupon, but I got more freebies – thank you Diamond Day! I got a Platinum & Diamond 4 piece gift that included four Jane Iredale products: POMMISST Hydration Spray, Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain, Beyond Lash Volumizing Mascara, and Smooth Affair Illuminating Glow Face Primer. I also got a Platinum & Diamond Exclusive gift from NEST Fragrances – three votive candles in “Grapefruit” (burning now – smells so good), “Ocean Mist & Sea Salt”, and “Wild Mint & Eucalyptus”.
$313 to Diamond in 2023!
Perfect Smooth Haul
It wasn’t on sale, but I was almost out of shampoo! I cannot risk a single day with dirty hair, so instead of waiting for a sale, I just ordered refills of my favorite (right now) – NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner ($23 each). My hair is also feeling sad and dry, so I added a SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment (30% off, so only $2.44).
Nail stuff was also 30% off, so I got some new Flowery buffers and a new Ulta toenail clipper. OPI Nail Lacquer Thinner ($10.40) was FINALLY back in stock, so I bought a bottle to try to revive some of my old crusty polishes.
My order was pretty boring, but even with the $3.50 off $15 coupon, it qualified me for a free 10 piece gift with my $60 order. The star of the gift is another tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL in “Turn-On”. THIS is the color I’ve been looking for! It goes on a boring brown, but as it dries, it becomes a near dupe for KVD “Lolita” – I love this shade! Also in the gift: Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out Skin-Detoxifying Mask; Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Gel; Kristin Ess Reconstructive Moisture Mask (yassss, my hair needs help); Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in “Eucalyptus” (offering to my son); Urban Skin RX Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment; L’Oreal Infallible Matte-Lock Primer; Peach Slices Snail Rescue; Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; and CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.
$622 to Diamond in 2023.
TikTok Hair
I did a thing.
I saw an Instagram ad for this hair thingie that has supposedly gone viral on TikTok and I thought, why not? Even though I just bought a $550 hair vacuum, I went ahead and spent $16 on a Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set. I tried it fresh out of the shower and left it in for about 5 hours while I puttered around the house…but my hair is too long and thick and had not fully dried. It was still fairly wavy though. I need to try it overnight, on dry hair. I’m concerned I might strangle myself though, since I sleep on my side and flip 20 or 30 times a night…more to come. I don’t feel as bad about buying the stupid tghing since I had a $3 off $15 coupon.
I usually don’t get too excited about Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Event, most of the products aren’t my cup of tea…but…on one of the final days…I saw Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser for half off ($22 instead of $44), I snagged two tubes – one for me and one for my son. He said it smells like a rosy fart – it’s the sulfur!
I also picked up a tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Bust Ed” ($9.50). It was very soft on my lips and VERY dark and vibrant. It is more purple than I was expecting, but it looks good on me.
$698 to Platinum in 2023.
Hair Vacuum
That’s right…I bought a fucking vacuum for my hair. I FINALLY bought the Dyson Airwrap Complete Styler ($549.99). I’d been watching and waiting for it to come back in stock and I finally snagged it!
Owning a Dyson vacuum, I was skeptical about their foray into hair products…until my stylist used one on my hair. I used to DREAD blowouts – they take SO long and I get so HOT. That’s not even a thing anymore with Dyson. I mean…the dryer is still hot, but not nearly as hot as a regular hair dryer. The Airwrap itself is barely hot at all! It just sucks your hair around the rod and BOOM! Waves for days. Even the drying brushes are better than my trusty Revlon One-Step – the previous gold standard for at-home blowouts.
I’ve only been able to use the tools a few times…my children have used it more than I have! Regular styling tools have been useless on my daughter’s super-fine hair, but the Dyson tools handle it just fine. My son played around and put waves in his hair, making him look like the offspring of Gilderoy Lockhart and Severus Snape. Highly recommend!
All in all, I don’t regret my purchase at all…but maybe that’s because I was able to apply $250 in Ulta points towards my purchase. Don’t get me wrong, $299.99 still hurts, but it’s not quite as bad. I actually had $378 in Ulta points saved up, but Ulta limits redemptions to $250 a pop. Oh well, I guess I get to shop more.
Oh! I also received a free Brow Sampler with my purchase. The sampler included: Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Medium Brown” (just one tic lighter than my usual “Dark Brown”, but let’s give it a shot); Revolution Makeup Soap Styler (I don’t think I have fluffy enough brows to even try this); Anastasia Dip Brow Gel in “Medium Brown” (interesting); It Cosmetics Brow Power in “Medium Brown”; NYX Micro Brow Pencil in “Espresso” (now we’re talking); Too Faced Brow Wig in “Dark Brown” (Brush on hair? I feel like I will mess this up!); and Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in “Medium Brown”. I kind of wish there was more consistency in the shades of this sampler, but I should be able to use about half of the samples!
Just $804 to Diamond in 2023!
First Ulta Haul of 2022
I placed my first Ulta order of the year…I had no specific plan in mind, I just kept adding to cart until it felt right.
I take that back, I did have a bit of a plan. I am running out of conditioner, so I picked up a refill of NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Conditioner ($23). The shampoo lasts forever, but I go right through the conditioner. Speaking of refills, I got a refill of my KVD Beauty Lock-it Foundation – it was half off ($12, down from $24)! My favorite Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” was also half off ($5, down from $10), so I got another one of those, too.
I need eye shadow like a need another kid, but I got the NYX Limited Edition Lunar New Year Eyeshadow Palette ($10) anyway. I am annoyed that I haven’t had a chance to play with it yet.
I cannot pass up cheap nail polish, so I got China Glaze “Diamond in the Rough” and “Bring on the Bubbly” for $1.88 each. They’ll make good toppers.
My order qualified for a tarte 4 piece Beauty Break, which includes tarte Stay Spray, sugar rush Lip Slip in “Dragon Fruit”, sugar rush Lash Smoothie Volumizing Hemp Mascara, and a shape tape glow wand. Tarte isn’t my favorite makeup brand, but it’s not bad.
$3.50 off coupon and $1,150 to Diamond for 2023.
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…)
Pebbles Haul
A Makeup Revolution (or is it Revolution Makeup) collaboration with Fruity Pebbles AND Cocoa Pebbles? You son of a bitch, I’m in!
The I ❤ Revolution x Fruity Pebbles Palette ($22) is a bright palette, a Fruity Pebbles rainbow of colors. I’ve only used it once, but looking forward to figuring out how to make the colors work together. The I ❤ Revolution x Cocoa Pebbles Palette ($22) is a lot more versatile – I’ve used the warm shades several times now. The shadow quality is so smooth and blendable – I love them.
I picked the I ❤ Revolution x Fruity Pebbles Lip Oil in “Fred” ($8) – this stuff is great for removing liquid lipstick. I also picked up both the Fruity Pebbles AND the Cocoa Pebbles Body Butter ($10 each). My husband’s FAVORITE cereal is Fruity Pebbles, so I thought slathering the body butter all over myself before bed would drive him wild. Eh, not so much – The Fruity Pebbles scent is very vague. The Cocoa Pebbles Body Butter, on the other hand, is VERY heavily scented. According to my husband, it smells like chocolate ass. This may be my “not tonight, honey” body butter.
I didn’t buy the WHOLE collection, but close…There were also headbands (the Pebbles one with a bone sold out before I could grab it) and makeup bags, but I controlled myself a little…The only bummer is that I paid FULL PRICE when I ordered a few weeks ago, and now they’re half off…run – don’t walk to get this collection!
The rest of my order was a bunch of odds and ends. The wet n wild Coloricon Zodiac Lip Gloss in “Pisces” ($2.09) was for my daughter. The Punky Color Bleach ($9.99) – one of my kids will buy it off me. The Freeman Oil Absorbing Mint & Lemon Facial Clay Mask ($3, on sale from $4.29) and Ulta Pink Grapefruit Scented Foaming Hand Wash ($3.50, on sale from $7) are for me.
My purchase qualified me for TWO gifts with purchase. The free 15 piece gift with $65 purchase included Skinkick Daily Exfoliant Cleanser (new brand to me); L’Oreal Voluminous Primer/Base (I keep getting samples of this and NOT using it); Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum (1 oz – full sizer!); eva nyc Therapy Session Hair (I got this in a VOX BOX years ago – looking forward to using it again); The Body Shop Avocado Body Butter; Covergirl Creamy Eye Shadow Stick in “Dreamy Haze”; Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara in “Very Black”; Soap & Glory Fruit Force Refreshing Body Wash; Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray; NYX Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer; Love Wellness Call Me Collagen Dietary Supplement (EW); Hempz CBD Moisture Hit Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo (but no matching conditioner!); Derma E Thickening Shampoo (again, no matching conditioner – RUDE); and EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo (looking forward to trying this out for sponges). I also got a free Step Up 5 piece gift with my $85 purchase: Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in Dream Away (giving to the kids); Revlon Colorstay Satin Ink (it’s in red cellophane – I’m afraid to open it); Pyt Beauty Upcycle Eyeshadow in “Warm Lit Nude Mini”; Beast Gold Roll-On Oil (this .35oz bottle is $39 at Ulta! I think it’s for dudes); and noyah Organic Vanilla Lip Balm. I have so many samples now!
I am just $240 away from Diamond in 2022.